Obturator for large caliber smooth bore ammunition
AssigneeAlliant Techsystems Inc.
InventorsCalvin T. Candland, Dipak S. Kamdar, Rollie H. Dohrn
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An obturator having redundant surfaces for sealing between a projectile and a gun tube, where the obturator has at least one gun tube side cannelure. At least one projectile side cannelure is located opposite to the at least one gun tube side cannelure, where the at least one gun tube side cannelure is conformed to seal around the projectile. A tail protrudes from a rearward end of the at least one gun tube side cannelure, where the tail makes an interference fit with the smooth gun bore to make a low pressure seal.
Claims20
An obturator for sealing between a projectile and a gun tube having a smooth gun bore, the obturator comprising:
- at least one gun tube side cannelure;
- at least one projectile side cannelure located opposite to the at least one gun tube side cannelure, where the at least one gun tube side cannelure is conformed to seal around the projectile;
- and
- a tail protruding from a rearward end of the at least one gun tube side cannelure, where the tail makes contact with the bore to make a low pressure seal.
An obturator for sealing between a projectile and a gun tube having a smooth gun bore, the obturator comprising:
- at least one gun tube side cannelure;
- at least one projectile side cannelure located opposite to the at least one gun tube side cannelure, where the at least one gun tube side cannelure is conformed to seal around the projectile;
- and
- a tail protruding from a rearward end of the at least one gun tube side cannelure, where the tail makes contact with the smooth gun bore to make a low pressure seal, wherein the obturator slides along the surface of the projectile, as the obturator contacts the smooth gun bore, where an interference fit exists between the obturator and the projectile such that the obturator serves as a retaining ring around the projectile, and wherein the at least one projectile side cannelure has a first set of cannelures that contact a first surface of the projectile, and a second set of cannelures that contact a second surface of the projectile, where the second surface has a different circumference from the first surface so as to be offset from the first surface so as to provide a redundant seal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.