A power charge (12) for a setting tool is composed of a propellant (16) and an igniter (32) embedded in the propellant (16). The propellant (16) is a homogeneous mixture of combustible components, an oxidizer and an epoxy binder, which together provide a continuous mass of solid form. The propellant (16) has an exterior (14) which, together with an outward face (36) of the igniter (32), is exposed and provides the outer surface of the power charge (12). A protuberant rib (28) extends along the length of the exterior (14) in a spiral-shaped pattern and provides a stand-off spacer between the power charge (12) and the setting tool. The igniter (32) has a main body portion (52) and an annular-shaped protrusion (48) which extends laterally outward from the main body portion (52) and into the propellant (16) to retain the igniter (32) within the propellant (16). The entire power charge (12) is formed of combustible materials.

An ammunition monitoring apparatus of the present disclosure includes at least one object-position detection sensor and a controller. The at least one object-position detection sensor is installed near a shell or charge route to face at least one set area and to output position information of each shell or charge in the at least one set area. The controller is configured to determine whether a position range occupied by the shell or the charge in the at least one set area exceeds an allowable position range, based on the position information received from the at least one object-position detection sensor, and to output an alert signal indicating a poor position upon determining that the position range occupied by the shell or the charge in the at least one set area exceeds the allowable position range.

An ignition system for energetics including artillery charges includes a radio frequency transmitter and a radio frequency igniter. The radio frequency igniter receives and converts radio frequency energy into heat or electrical energy for the purpose of igniting energetics, such as propellants or pyrotechnics. The radio frequency igniter may be applied to the exterior of the energetic container or may be integral to the container.

An ignition system for energetics including artillery charges includes a radio frequency transmitter and a radio frequency igniter. The radio frequency igniter receives and converts radio frequency energy into heat or electrical energy for the purpose of igniting energetics, such as propellants or pyrotechnics. The radio frequency igniter may be applied to the exterior of the energetic container or may be integral to the container.

The disclosure relates to a charge container device, said charge container device having a volume suitable to substantially fill a barrel chamber, said charge container device is formed from a substantially rigid and combustible material, wherein said charge container device comprises at least one wall to define a cavity for the retention of at least one cartridge case, said at least one cartridge case comprising an energetic material, wherein said at least one cartridge case is arranged in a stacked formation within said charge container, the charge container device further comprising a base portion and a top portion, wherein the top portion comprises an aperture to allow for expulsion of energy and the base portion comprising an ignition means.

The disclosure relates to a charge container device, said charge container device having a volume suitable to substantially fill a barrel chamber, said charge container device is formed from a substantially rigid and combustible material, wherein said charge container device comprises at least one wall to define a cavity for the retention of at least one cartridge case, said at least one cartridge case comprising an energetic material, wherein said at least one cartridge case is arranged in a stacked formation within said charge container, the charge container device further comprising a base portion and a top portion, wherein the top portion comprises an aperture to allow for expulsion of energy and the base portion comprising an ignition means.

Muzzleloader systems include a pre-packaged propellant charge and primer for providing efficient loading and unloading of the muzzleloader. The muzzleloader accepts in the breech end the propellant containment vessel that abuts against a constriction portion with a reduced diameter portion. The propellant containment vessel having an end portion with a tapered surface that conforms to the constriction portion surface. A projectile is inserted in the muzzle end and seats against the constriction portion. The propellant containment vessel may be received in a removable breech plug. The constriction portion may be part of the breech plug or a separate component secured in the barrel by way of the breech plug. The containment vessel further comprises a primer mechanism that may be integrated into the proximal end of the containment vessel.

Muzzleloader systems include a pre-packaged propellant charge and primer for providing efficient loading and unloading of the muzzleloader. The muzzleloader accepts in the breech end the propellant containment vessel that abuts against a constriction portion with a reduced diameter portion. The propellant containment vessel having an end portion with a tapered surface that conforms to the constriction portion surface. A projectile is inserted in the muzzle end and seats against the constriction portion. The propellant containment vessel may be received in a removable breech plug. The constriction portion may be part of the breech plug or a separate component secured in the barrel by way of the breech plug. The containment vessel further comprises a primer mechanism that may be integrated into the proximal end of the containment vessel.

A muzzleloader firearm for use with a projectile, a propellant containment vessel including a prepackaged propellant charge therein, and a primer. The muzzleloader has a stock and a barrel supported by the stock. The barrel has a breech end, a muzzle end, and a barrel wall extending in a forward direction from the breech end to the muzzle end. A breech plug is at the breech end. The barrel being ported to transfer expanding gases from the barrel to the breech plug. A gas passageway in the breech plug directs expanding propellant gases to the propellant chamber behind the propellant vessel seated therein wherein the expanding gases can eject the used propellant vessel.

A method and device for ascertaining the temperature of a propellant charge (22) and a method and device for joining together propellant charge modules (2) to form a propellant charge (22). The method and device for ascertaining the temperature of a propellant charge (22) includes at least temporarily arranging a sensor head (4) which is movable with respect to the propellant charge (22) in a cavity (7) of the propellant charge (22); and ascertaining the temperature of the propellant charge (22) at least while the sensor head (4) is arranged in the cavity (7) of the propellant charge (22). The propellant charge modules (2) are positioned between stops (9) and are joined together by movement of at least one of the stops toward the other.