US H1,504 H · Anti-armor warhead assembly

Abstract

An anti-armor warhead assembly includes an open-ended cylindrical warhead se defined by a first section, a second section and a third section. The first section has a constant inside diameter D.sub.1. The second section has a constant inside diameter D.sub.2 and connects the first section and the third section. The third section is defined by an inside diameter D.sub.3. The relationship between the diameters is such that D.sub.1 <D.sub.3 .ltoreq.D.sub.2. A hollow conically shaped charge liner is axially aligned and fitted within the warhead case. Explosive material fills the first section of the warhead case about an outwardly facing surface of the charge liner. A retaining ring fitted on the third section retains the charge liner and the explosive material in the first section. An end cap fitted to the first section has an initiator coupler formed therein for housing a primer charge used to detonate the explosive material.

Drawings

Drawings are temporarily unavailable. Open the PDF at USPTO

Drawings

Claims2

Dependent claims

An anti-armor warhead assembly, comprising:

an open-ended cylindrical warhead case for structurally supporting said warhead assembly in flight, said warhead case defined by a first section, a second section and a third section, said first section having a constant inside diameter D.sub.1, said second section having a constant inside diameter D.sub.2, said second section further being between and connecting said first section and said third section, and said third section defined by inwardly facing threads presenting an inside diameter D.sub.3, wherein D.sub.1 <D.sub.3 .ltoreq.D.sub.2 ;
a hollow conically shaped charge liner axially aligned and fitted within said warhead case, said charge liner having a closed apex and an open base opposite said closed apex, said charge liner further defining an inwardly facing surface and an outwardly facing surface;
explosive material filling said first section of said warhead case about said outwardly facing surface of said charge liner;
a retaining ring threadably engaging said inwardly facing threads of said third section for retaining said charge liner and said explosive material in said first section;
and
an end cap fitted to said first section, said end cap having an initiator coupler formed therein for housing a primer charge used to detonate said explosive material, said initiator coupler being in axial alignment with said charge liner.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Description2,046 words

Summary454 words

#The invention described herein was made in the performance of official duties by an employee of the Department of the Navy and may be manufactured, used, licensed by or for the Government for any governmental purpose without payment of any royalties thereon.

#The invention relates generally to warhead assemblies, and more particularly to an anti-armor warhead assembly that can be loaded with either cast or pressed explosive material.

#Anti-armor projectiles are known in the art and include a variety of designs. Typically, the projectile's warhead assembly includes a shaped charge of explosive. The warhead assembly is generally designed to be loaded with an explosive material that is either cast directly in the warhead assembly or is a pressed, i.e., solid, explosive material that is fitted into the warhead assembly. However, it is desirable for a warhead assembly to be loadable with either a cast or pressed explosive material. In this way, the best explosive material for a particular application can be selected. Furthermore, as the U.S. military strives to cut costs via versatility in design, it is best to have a universal warhead assembly in terms of being loaded with either a cast or pressed explosive material.

Brief description of the drawings2 figures

#FIG. 1 is a side, cross-sectional view of the anti-armor warhead assembly according to the present invention; and

#FIG. 2 is a side, cross-sectional view of the warhead assembly of the present invention with its end caps adapted for installation in the MERLIN anti-armor mortar projectile.

Detailed description1,546 words

#Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG. 1, anti-armor warhead assembly 10 is shown in cross-section. Assembly 10 includes warhead case body 12, charge liner 14, explosive material 16, retaining ring 18 and end cap 20.

#Warhead case body 12 forms the structural support for explosive material 16 and must be constructed to withstand both launch and in-flight forces experienced by assembly 10 in its particular application. Typically, warhead case body 12 is made from a high-strength steel, plastic or composite material.

#In terms of the present invention, warhead case body 12 is a hollow cylindrical tube that is defined by sections 120, 121 and 122. Section 120 extends from one open end of warhead case body 12 (that mates with end cap 20) to section 121. Thus, section 122 extends from the other open end of warhead case body 12 (that mates with end cap 18) to section 121. Section 121 extends between sections 120 and 122.

Anti-armor warhead assembly

Life of this patent

Anti-armor warhead assembly

Life of this patent

Life of this patent

Abstract

Drawings

Drawings

Claims2

Description2,046 words

Drawings

Classification0 codes

Life of this patent

Description2,046 words