Modular charge container

Abstract

The invention relates to a modular charge container device formed of one or more combustible modular cartridges, wherein said combustible modular cartridge comprises two ends, a first end comprising a base portion and a second end comprising a top portion, wherein the combustible modular cartridge is formed using a substantially rigid and combustible material, said combustible modular cartridge comprises at least one wall to define a cavity, wherein the cavity further comprises at least one combustible canister, wherein said combustible canister comprises an energetic material.

Claims

1. A modular charge container device including a plurality of combustible modular cartridges configured to be cooperatively engaged with a further combustible modular cartridge, wherein each of the combustible modular cartridges comprises first and second ends, the first end of each of the combustible modular cartridges comprising a base portion including an igniter pad, the second end of each of the combustible modular cartridges comprising a top portion, wherein each of the combustible modular cartridges is constructed from a substantially rigid and combustible material, wherein each of the combustible modular cartridges comprises at least one wall to define a cavity, wherein the cavity of each of the combustible modular cartridges houses at least one combustible canister constructed from a flexible material, wherein the at least one combustible canister comprises a propellant material, wherein there is a gap between the at least one wall and the at least one combustible canister, such as to allow propagation of a flame front in the gap, and wherein at least one spacer is located in the gap between the at least one wall of each of the combustible modular cartridges and the at least one combustible canister.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the combustible canister is reversibly attached to the at least one wall.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the base portion comprises an aperture therein.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the top portion comprises an aperture therein.

5. The device according to claim 4, wherein the base portion comprises an aperture therein and wherein the base portion and the top portion each comprise a mating surface configured to provide cooperative engagement between the top portion of a first of the plurality of combustible modular cartridges and the base portion of a second of the plurality of combustible modular cartridges.

6. The device according to claim 5, wherein the mating surface of the top portion and the mating surface of the base portion each comprise a high co-efficient of friction, or at least one raised or recessed portion configured to retain engaged combustible modular cartridges.

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein the top portion of a first of the plurality of combustible modular cartridges and the base portion of a second of the plurality of combustible modular cartridges are reversibly locked together.

8. The device according to claim 7, wherein the top portion of a first of the plurality of combustible modular cartridges and the base portion of a second of the plurality of combustible modular cartridges are reversibly locked together by the use of a recessed bar and hook arrangement or twist lock arrangement.

9. The device according to claim 1, wherein at least two of the plurality of combustible modular cartridges each have the same dimensions and comprise the same mass of propellant material.

10. The device according to claim 1, wherein the flexible material includes a cotton cloth or a polyester cloth.

11. The device according to claim 1, wherein the propellant material includes a loose propellant material.

12. A method of forming a modular charge container, the modular charge container including a plurality of combustible modular cartridges, wherein each of the combustible modular cartridges comprises first and second ends, the first end of each of the combustible modular cartridges comprising a base portion including an igniter pad, the second end of each of the combustible modular cartridges comprising a top portion, wherein each of the combustible modular cartridges is constructed from a substantially rigid and combustible material, wherein each of the combustible modular cartridges comprises at least one wall to define a cavity, wherein the cavity of each of the combustible modular cartridges houses at least one combustible canister, wherein the at least one combustible canister is constructed from a flexible material, wherein the at least one combustible canister comprises a propellant material, wherein there is a gap between the at least one wall and the at least one combustible canister, such as to allow propagation of a flame front in the gap, and wherein at least one spacer is located in the gap between the at least one wall of each of the combustible modular cartridges and the at least one combustible canister, wherein the method comprises: filling the at least one combustible canister with the propellant material; and locating the at least one combustible canister inside at least one of the combustible modular cartridges.

13. A modular charge container device including first and second combustible modular cartridges, each of the first and second combustible modular cartridges having a first end and a second end, the first end of each of the first and second combustible modular cartridges comprising a base portion including an igniter pad, the second end of each of the first and second combustible modular cartridges comprising a top portion, wherein each of the first and second combustible modular cartridges is constructed from a substantially rigid and combustible material, wherein each of the first and second combustible modular cartridges comprises at least one wall to define a cavity, wherein the cavity of each of the combustible modular cartridges houses a combustible canister, wherein the combustible canister comprises a propellant material, wherein there is a gap between the at least one wall and the combustible canister, such as to allow propagation of a flame front in the gap, and wherein at least one spacer is located in the gap between the at least one wall of each of the first and second combustible modular cartridges and the combustible canister.

14. The device according to claim 13, wherein the combustible canister is reversibly attached to the at least one wall.

15. The device according to claim 13, wherein the base portion comprises a base portion with an aperture therein, and the top portion comprises a top portion with an aperture therein, and wherein said base portion and top portion comprise a mating surface to provide cooperative engagement between said top portion of the first combustible modular cartridge and said base portion of the second combustible modular cartridge.

16. The device according to claim 13, wherein the combustible canister comprises a flexible material.

Description

(1) Exemplary embodiments of the device in accordance with the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:—

(2) FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of a prior-art cartridge with energetic material contained within.

(3) FIG. 2 shows the design currently in use.

(4) FIGS. 3a, 3b, 3c and 3d show a number of views of the combustible modular cartridge with 3a showing a plurality of combustible modular cartridges arranged cooperatively attached, 3b shows a cross-section of 3a, 3c shows a top-down view of a single combustible modular cartridge and 3d shows a bottom up view of a single combustible modular cartridge.

(5) FIGS. 4a and 4b show a cross section of an embodiment of the combustible modular cartridge with differing cooperative attachment means.

(6) FIGS. 5a and 5b show a top-down view of the combustible modular cartridge in alternative arrangements.

(7) FIG. 6 shows a schematic of a plurality of coaxially aligned combustible modular cartridges, arranged in a stacked arrangement.

(8) Referring to FIG. 1, there shows a prior art arrangement wherein energetic material 13 is loosely contained within a charge 10, shaped to be co-operably engaged with charges of the same type. In this prior art embodiment, no separate container of energetic material is used. As a result energetic material 13 is left loose within the charge 10, preventing any ability to accurately adapt or modify the charge yield if required. Further to this no management of the explosive train is presented by the use of a gap between the energetic material and the wall of the charge.

(9) FIG. 2 shows a further prior art arrangement which comprises individual combustible bags 28 being placed in a stacked arrangement to form the output charge 29. The combustible bags 28 may be held in place to prevent movement by a base 25 and strips of combustible material 22, which are tied in a knot to hold the combustible bags in the stacked arrangement. This method provides little to no stability during movement of the plurality of combustible bags 28.

(10) FIGS. 3a and 3b show a stacked arrangement according to the invention. There is a plurality of combustible modular cartridges 20, wherein each combustible modular cartridge is cooperatively engaged with a further combustible modular cartridge 20, which may be located either above or below. The combustible modular cartridges 20 comprise a combustible canister 23, located therein. The combustible canister 23 comprises an energetic material, such as a grain or stick propellant. The combustible canister 23 may be reversibly attached to the combustible modular cartridge at least one wall 21 by a reversible means 24, in order to form a gap 27. The shape and rigidity of the combustible modular cartridge 20 allows for ease of movement, stability of storage and an ability to increase or decrease the number of combustible modular cartridges 20 depending on the output required.

(11) Referring to FIG. 3c, there shows a combustible modular cartridge top 20a comprising a combustible modular cartridge at least one wall 31, a combustible canister 33 located in the cavity, said combustible canister 33 comprising energetic material 32 and a plurality of spacers 37. The spacers 37 provide a gap 34 between the at least one wall 31 and the combustible canister 33. The combustible canister 33 and combustible modular cartridge 30 may be linked by a reversible attaching means. FIG. 3d shows a combustible modular cartridge base 20b with an igniter pad 35 which is in thermal contact with the combustible canister (not shown). In use a force is exerted on the igniter pad 35 causing an ignition, which is transferred to the propellant in the combustible canister. The energetic material inside the combustible canister 33 comprises an energetic material which undergoes an exothermic reaction causing a release of heat and gas. The concomitant flame front thus formed, travels in the gap 34 formed between the combustible canister 33 and the combustible modular cartridge wall 31.

(12) Referring to FIGS. 4a and 4b there is a cross sectional view of a combustible modular cartridge 40 with a combustible modular cartridge wall 41, an internal combustible canister 43 comprising energetic material and a reversible attachment means 44 between said combustible modular cartridge wall 41 and combustible canister 43. FIGS. 4a and 4b both have protruding portions 46a and 46b and co-operative recessed portions 47a and 47b to enable cooperative engagement with successive combustible modular cartridges 40. This engagement may be a reversible means to enable a stronger link or a means of friction to prevent the combustible modular cartridge 40 from sliding apart. FIGS. 4a and 4b are examples, which show an arrangement where the protrusion portions 46a/b slides into the recessed portions 47a/b to enable controlled management of the combustible modular cartridge 40. This cooperative engagement may be independent of or including a charge container.

(13) Referring to FIGS. 5a and 5b there is presented two potential arrangements of the top portion of the combustible modular cartridge. FIG. 5a is arranged with a substantial aperture 58 to aid in the propagation of a produced flame front, the combustible canister 56 can be seen internal to the combustible modular cartridge, with spacers 57 being achieved utilising a hook and loop system e.g. Velcro. These may be used to secure the combustible canister 56 to the combustible modular cartridge, while providing a gap 54 for the flame front to travel in.

(14) FIG. 5b shows the top portion, with a recessed portion 55 to aid cooperative engagement with a further combustible modular cartridge with a cooperative raised portion (not shown) and a plurality of apertures 58 to aid in the propagation of a produced flame front.

(15) Referring to FIG. 6 there is presented a cross-sectional view of a modular charge container 67, arranged by utilising a plurality of combustible modular cartridges 60. The modular charge container 67 is arranged in a stacked, coaxial arrangement, utilising a cooperative engagement means as identified in FIG. 4a. The base portion of the modular charge container 67 comprises an igniter pad 63 fitted to the combustible modular cartridge. In use the igniter pad 63 is struck, beginning the explosive chain through the combustible modular cartridges 60.