Obturator, which is an integral part of the driving band, on an artillery projectile

Abstract

A spin-stabilized artillery projectile having at least one driving band and at least one obturator, wherein the driving band contains at least one compensating groove, and wherein the at least one obturator is arranged in the compensating groove of the driving band. The cross-section of the compensating groove, is preferably trapezoidal, but can also be rectangular or square. As a result, a complete detachment of the obturator is achieved and residues are avoided.

Claims

1. A spin-stabilized artillery projectile comprising: a driving band; and at least one obturator, wherein the driving band, when viewed in a direction of a longitudinal axis of the projectile, contains at least one equalizing groove, wherein the at least one obturator is disposed in the equalizing groove of the driving band; wherein an outer surface of the at least one obturator is aligned with an outer surface of the driving band, such that the outer surface of the at least one obturator does not protrude beyond the outer surface of the driving band; wherein a cross-section of the at least one equalizing groove is shaped as an equilateral trapezoid, and wherein the equilateral trapezoid has a narrow side and a wide side that opposes the narrow side and wherein the narrow side of the equilateral trapezoid is positioned closer to the longitudinal axis of the projectile than the wide side, such that, as the projectile passes through a gun barrel, the at least one obturator is able to be pushed upward out of the at least one equalizing groove to be sheared off by a portion of the driving band positioned behind the at least one equalizing groove.

2. The spin-stabilized artillery projectile according to claim 1, wherein the at least one equalizing groove includes two equalizing grooves disposed on the driving band.

3. The spin-stabilized artillery projectile according to claim 2, wherein the driving band is formed of at least two driving band parts.

4. The spin-stabilized artillery projectile according to claim 3, wherein each of the at least two driving band parts include one of the two equalizing grooves.

5. The spin-stabilized artillery projectile according to claim 3, wherein the driving band or the at least two driving band parts are inserted into grooves of the projectile, which have a dovetail shape.

6. The spin-stabilized artillery projectile according to claim 3, wherein the driving band or the at least two driving band parts are welded or soldered.

7. The spin-stabilized artillery projectile according to claim 1, wherein the driving band is formed of brass and/or iron.

8. The spin-stabilized artillery projectile according to claim 1, wherein the at least one obturator is formed of plastic or polyamide.

9. The spin-stabilized artillery projectile according to claim 1, wherein the at least one obturator is made of plastic and the driving band is made of metal.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

(1) The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying drawing which are given by way of illustration only, and thus, are not limitive of the present invention, and wherein the sole FIGURE shows a cross-section of a spin-stabilized projectile according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(2) The FIGURE shows the cross-section of a spin-stabilized artillery projectile 1 in the region of a driving band 2, for example formed of brass.

(3) In the present embodiment, the driving band 2 is made up of at least two driving band parts 4, 5—when viewed in the direction of a longitudinal axis 3 of the projectile 1.

(4) If the driving band is a two-piece band, it usually is formed of two materials, for example brass and/or iron.

(5) The driving band parts 4, 5 are inserted into respective grooves 6, 7 in the projectile 1. Said grooves 6, 7 preferably have a dovetail shape.

(6) The driving band 2 can also be implemented in one piece. Welding of the driving band 2 (4, 5) is also possible.

(7) An equalizing groove 8, 9 is introduced into each respective driving band part 4, 5. Said equalizing groove 8, 9 preferably has a trapezoidal shape in cross-section. The narrow side 10 (smaller area) is pointing towards the longitudinal axis 3. The wider side 11 (larger area) terminates with the driving band parts 4, 5, preferably without protruding and thus flush with the surface.

(8) A preferably plastic sealing ring or obturator 12, 13 is disposed in each equalizing groove 8, 9. The shape of the obturator 12, 13 is adapted to the corresponding equalizing groove 8, 9.

(9) During the passage through the barrel, the rearward-oriented driving band material of the driving band parts of the obturator 12, 13 is pressed rearwards or upwards out of the equalizing groove 8, 9 like an O-ring. This forms a seal during the passage through the barrel. The metallic driving band region behind the positioning of the obturator 12, 13 shears it off, so that the obturator 12, 13 is no longer part of the driving band 2 (4, 5) when the artillery projectile 1 exits from the weapon barrel.

(10) The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are to be included within the scope of the following claims.