Fragmentation sleeve for an ammunition body

Abstract

Fragmentation sleeve (1), for a generally circular cylindrically shaped ammunition body (2), whereby the sleeve (1) has an annular shape with an inner diameter at no place smaller than the outer diameter of the ammunition body (2), an outer diameter D.sub.a, an internal surface S.sub.i, an external surface S.sub.a, and a height H, the sleeve is configured to be slid over and positioned on an outer surface (3) of the ammunition body (2) and comprises a plurality of fragments (4) embedded in a polymeric matrix (5).

Claims

1. A fragmentation sleeve comprising a plurality of fragments embedded in a polymeric matrix, wherein: the sleeve has one of: a) an annular double hollow truncated conical shape; b) an annular single hollow spherical shape; or c) an annular multiple hollow spherical shape; the sleeve has an inner diameter at no place smaller than Di, an outer diameter Da, an internal surface Si, an external surface Sa, and a height H; and the sleeve is configured to slide over and be positioned on a generally circular cylindrically shaped ammunition body.

2. The fragmentation sleeve according to claim 1, further comprising a place holding annular element having an outside surface matching the inner surface Si of the sleeve and an internal surface, which is circular cylindrical for contacting the generally circular cylindrically shaped ammunition body.

3. The fragmentation sleeve according to claim 1, wherein the polymeric matrix comprises an epoxy resin, polyester and/or polyurethane.

4. The fragmentation sleeve according to claim 1, wherein the polymeric matrix is fiber reinforced.

5. The fragmentation sleeve according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of fragments comprise at least two different fragment types.

6. The fragmentation sleeve according to claim 5, wherein one of the at least two different fragment types has essentially a spherical shape and another one of the at least two different fragment types has a non-spherical shape.

7. The fragmentation sleeve according to claim 5, wherein each of the at least two different fragment types comprises a different material.

8. The fragmentation sleeve according to claim 5, wherein the at least two different fragment types are arranged in a single layer relative to the internal surface S.sub.i of the sleeve.

9. The fragmentation sleeve according to claim 5, wherein the at least two different fragment types are arranged in separate overlapping layers relative to the internal surface Si of the sleeve.

10. The fragmentation sleeve according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of fragments comprise metal, a metallic alloy or metal carbide.

11. The fragmentation sleeve according to claim 1, wherein a ratio V.sub.F:VM between a total volume V.sub.F of the fragments and a total volume V.sub.M of the polymeric matrix is in a range of 0.5 and 0.9.

12. An assembly comprising at least one fragmentation sleeve according to claim 1 and a generally circular cylindrically shaped ammunition body having a central axis X, a length L measured parallel to the central axis X, an outer surface and a diameter D, wherein D is not larger than D.sub.i.

13. The assembly according to claim 12, wherein the height H of the sleeve is smaller than the length L of the body.

14. The assembly according to claim 12, wherein the assembly comprises a plurality of fragmentation sleeves positioned longitudinally relative to each other along the central axis X.

15. The assembly according to claim 12, wherein the assembly comprises a plurality of fragmentation sleeves positioned at least partially on each other relative to the central axis X.

16. The assembly according to claim 12, wherein the ammunition body comprises a hollow charge which is comprised in a casing.

17. The assembly according to claim 12, wherein the ammunition body is a non-barrel based ammunition.

18. A method for configuring ammunition comprising sliding a fragmentation sleeve according to claim 1 over a generally circular cylindrically shaped ammunition body and positioning the sleeve on an outer surface of the body.

19. The method according to claim 18 where the fragmentation sleeve slid over the generally circular cylindrical shaped ammunition body is selected from a plurality of fragmentation sleeves, wherein at least one sleeve of the plurality of fragmentation sleeves comprises fragments comprising a first material M.sub.1 and at least one other fragmentation sleeve of the plurality of fragmentation sleeves comprises fragments comprising a second material M.sub.2, wherein M.sub.1 and M.sub.2 are different.

20. A kit comprising a plurality of fragmentation sleeves according to claim 1 and a generally circular cylindrically shaped ammunition body, wherein at least one fragmentation sleeve of the plurality of fragmentation sleeves comprises fragments comprising a first material M.sub.1 and at least one other fragmentation sleeve of the plurality of fragmentation sleeves comprises fragments comprising a second material M.sub.2, wherein M.sub.1 and M.sub.2 are different.

Description

A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Several embodiments of the invention will be described in the following by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

(2) FIG. 1 illustrates schematically a perspective view of an embodiment of the fragmentation sleeve according to the invention mounted on a conventional hollow charge war head;

(3) FIG. 2 illustrates schematically a view of a partial cross-section of the fragmentation sleeve of FIG. 1.

(4) FIG. 3-6 illustrate various geometrical shapes of fragmentation sleeves in cross-section according to the invention.

(5) FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate schematically perspective views of two embodiments of assemblies according to the invention that include a plurality of fragmentation sleeves.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(6) FIG. 1 illustrates an essentially circular cylindrically shaped ammunition body 2 comprising a hollow charge 6. The hollow charge 6 is comprised in a casing 7 having an outer surface 3. A fragmentation sleeve 1 is positioned on the outer surface 3 of the body 2. The sleeve 1 is annular and has a shape of a double hollow cone. The sleeve has an outer diameter D.sub.a and an inner diameter being at no place smaller than D.sub.i which is essentially equal to the diameter D of the ammunition body 2.

(7) FIG. 2 illustrates schematically the cross-section of the ammunition body 2 having an outer surface 3. An annular fragmentation sleeve 1 having the shape of a double hollow cone is positioned on the outer surface 3 of the body 2. The sleeve 1 comprises a plurality of fragments 4 being embedded in a polymeric matrix 5. As shown in FIG. 2 the fragmentation sleeve 1 further comprises a place holding element 12. The place holding element 12 has an essentially annular shape and comprises an outside surface 13 matching the inner surface of the fragmentation sleeve 1 and an internal surface 14 being circular cylindrical and matching the outer surface 3 of the circular cylindrical ammunition body 2.

(8) FIG. 3 illustrates schematically a special embodiment of the present invention according to which the fragmentation sleeve 1 has a shape of a hollow cylinder 8. According to this embodiment the sleeve has a constant inner diameter D.sub.i and a constant outer diameter D.sub.a. The inner surface of the cylindrical sleeve 8 matches the outside surface of the ammunition body 2. According to this embodiment the sleeve 1 does not comprise any place holding element.

(9) FIG. 4 illustrates schematically a further special embodiment of the present invention according to which the fragmentation sleeve 1 has a shape of a double hollow cone 9.

(10) According to this embodiment the sleeve has an outer diameter varying over its external surface and an inner diameter varying over its internal surface. The inner diameter of the fragmentation sleeve is at no place smaller than D.sub.i, whereby D.sub.i is equal to the diameter D of the circular cylindrically shaped ammunition body 2. The embodiment of the sleeve 1 according to FIG. 4 comprises a place holding element 12 having an outside surface 13 and an internal surface 14. The outside surface 13 of the place holding element 12 matches the internal surface of the sleeve. The internal surface 14 of the place holding element is circular cylindrical and matches the outer surface of the body 2.

(11) FIG. 5 illustrates schematically another embodiment of the present invention according to which the fragmentation sleeve 1 has a shape of a single hollow spherical zone 10. According to this embodiment the sleeve 1 has an outer diameter varying over its external surface and an inner diameter varying over its internal surface. The inner diameter is at no place smaller than D.sub.i, which is equal to the diameter of D of the circular cylindrically shaped ammunition body 2. The embodiment of the sleeve 1 according to FIG. 5 comprises a place holding element 12 having an outside surface 13 and an internal surface 14. The outside surface 13 of the place holding element 12 matches the internal surface of the sleeve. The internal surface 14 of the place holding element 12 is circular cylindrical and matches the outer surface of the body 2.

(12) FIG. 6 illustrates schematically a further embodiment of the present invention according to which the fragmentation sleeve 1 has a shape of a double hollow spherical zone 11. According to this embodiment the sleeve 1 has an outer diameter varying over its external surface and an inner diameter varying over its internal surface. The inner diameter of the fragmentation sleeve is at no place smaller than D.sub.i, whereby D.sub.i is equal to the diameter of D of the circular cylindrically shaped ammunition body 2. The embodiment of the sleeve 1 according to FIG. 6 comprises a place holding element 12 having an outside surface 13 and an internal surface 14. The outside surface 13 of the place holding element 12 matches the internal surface of the sleeve. The internal surface 14 of the place holding element 12 is circular cylindrical and matches the outer surface of the body 2.

(13) FIG. 7 illustrates schematically a perspective view of an embodiment of an assembly according to the invention that comprises a plurality of fragmentation sleeves 1 positioned longitudinally relative to each other along the central axis X. And, FIG. 8 illustrates schematically a perspective view of an embodiment of an assembly according to the invention that comprises a plurality of fragmentation sleeves 1 positioned at least partially on each other relative to the central axis X.

(14) Although the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the scope of the appended claims.

(15) It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention, which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable subcombination or as suitable in any other described embodiment of the invention. Certain features described in the context of various embodiments are not to be considered essential features of those embodiments, unless the embodiment is inoperative without those elements.