# US 2018/0023932 A1 · Tracer ammunition

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- Number: US 2018/0023932 A1
- Document ID: US20180023932A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 15/548,136
- Filed: 2016-02-10
- Published: 2018-01-25
- Earliest claimed: 2015-02-18
- Assignees: Ruag Ammotec GmbH
- Applicants: RUAG Ammotec AG
- Inventors: Michael MUSTER; Donald MEYER; Peter SPATZ
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20180023932A1

## CPC

- F42B 12/38: of tracer type
- C06C 15/00: Pyrophoric compositions; Flints (chemical lighters C06C9/00)
- F42B: EXPLOSIVE CHARGES, e.g. FOR BLASTING, FIREWORKS, AMMUNITION (explosive compositions C06B; fuzes F42C; blasting F42D)
- C06C: DETONATING OR PRIMING DEVICES; FUSES (ammunition fuzes F42C); CHEMICAL LIGHTERS; PYROPHORIC COMPOSITIONS

## Abstract

Tracer ammunition for tracking the trajectory and/or the impact of projectiles in the target generally contains pyrotechnics. These pyrotechnics demonstrate various disadvantages, wherein the most serious is the continued burning of the pyrotechnics, even after penetration of the projectile in the target. This causes an increased risk of fire and acute injuries. A mixture of light metal and a carbon-containing substrate, ignites during firing of a projectile and burns during its flight by means of air oxygen introduced into the combustion chamber by way of tear-off edges, and produces a tracer that extinguishes in the target.

## Claims

### Claim 1

Tracer ammunition comprising a cartridge having a firing cap, propellant charge powder, and a projectile body inserted into the cartridge, having a rear-side bore and a combustible mixture laid into it, having a rear-side, combustible gas seal that ignites when the projectile is fired, wherein the combustible mixture. comprises light metal or a light-metal alloy in the form of powder and/or chips, foam or films, and at least one carbon-containing substrate, and that at least one tear-off edge is provided in the projectile or on the projectile, which edge supplies the combustible mixture with air oxygen.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

Tracer ammunition according to claim 1, wherein the light metal comprises magnesium or titanium or their alloys.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

Tracer ammunition according to claim 1, wherein the substrate has a lower calorific value as compared with the light metal.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

Tracer ammunition according to claim 1, wherein in the rear region of the projectile, a combustion chamber (5) having a concentric tear-off edge (7) is provided.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

Tracer ammunition according to claim 1, wherein the combustion chamber (5) is configured as a dead-end bore, has a diameter of 2.0 to 9.0 mm and a length of 2.0 to 11.0 mm.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

Tracer ammunition according to claim 1, wherein a central longitudinal bore (3) opens into a rear-side combustion chamber (5).

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

Tracer ammunition according to claim 6, wherein a supersonic diffuser (8) is provided on the longitudinal bore (3), on the front side.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

Tracer ammunition according to claim 7, wherein the longitudinal bore (3) forms a tear-off edge (7) at the transition to the combustion chamber (5).

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

Tracer ammunition according to claim 8, wherein the combustible (5′) is configured in sleeve shape.

### Claim 10 (depends on 7)

Tracer ammunition according to claim 7, wherein the longitudinal bore (3) has a diameter (d1) of 0.7 to 3.0 mm, the turbulence bore (4) has a diameter (d2) of 2.0 mm to 6.0 mm, and the combustion chamber (5′) has a diameter (D) of 6.0 mm to 11.0 mm.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

Tracer ammunition according to claim 1, wherein it is a small-caliber ammunition.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

Tracer ammunition according to claim 1, wherein at least two transverse bores (3′) that lie opposite one another are present ahead of the shock wave front (ShW) that is to be expected, which bores end in a turbulence bore (4) and introduce a partial dynamic pressure (p) into the latter.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

Tracer ammunition according to claim 12, wherein the bores (3′) are disposed at an angle (α) of 120° to 180°.

### Claim 14 (depends on 12)

Tracer ammunition according to claim 12, wherein two bores (3′; 3″) that lie opposite one another, in each instance, are offset from one another by at least 1 mm.

### Claim 15 (depends on 12)

Tracer ammunition according to claim 12, wherein it is a medium-caliber ammunition.