US3734020A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Igniter for propelling charges
Assignee: United States Department of the Army
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Filing: 1971-10-01
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Granted: 1973-05-22
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Expires: 1991-10-01
Abstract
Abstract A small caliber ammunition cartridge case containing a molded propellant charge having an axial igniter extending longitudinally through a central passage in the molded charge in which complete breakup and consumption of the molded propellant charge is achieved and increased projectile velocity is obtained. This invention relates to improved small arms cartridges having an axial-type igniter. The advantages of an axial type igniter including the achievement of more uniform ballistics and particularly more uniform projectile velocity in small arms ammunition have been disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,103,884 to Ciccone and Scanlon. In this previous work, the axial igniter was a detonating type material and consequently an explosive train was required to operate or cause the axial igniter to function. A booster of PETN (penta erythritol tetranitrate C5H8(ONO3)4) and lead azide was used between the primer and the igniter in order to assure combustion of the igniter.
Inventors
- 👤 T Ciccone
- 👤 M Visnov
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 23:13
CPC Classifications
F; F42; F42B; F42B5/00; F42B5/02; F42B5/16; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S102/00; Y10S102/703
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
60 words
The structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein said igniter comprises: a metal sheath filled with igniter composition, said composition comprising 5-90 percent by weight barium nitrate, 5-90 percent by weight stabilized red phosphorus, and 0.1-10 percent by weight of a member of the group consisting of calcium resinate, carbon black, graphite, metallic sterate, polyvinyl alcohol and polyvinyl chloride.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
33 words
The structure as set forth in claim 2 wherein said igniter composition comprises 24 percent by weight stabilized red phosphorus, 75 percent by weight barium nitrate and 1 percent by weight calcium resinate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The structure as set forth in claim 2 wherein the composition of said metal sheath comprises a member of the group consisting of aluminum, aluminum alloys, tin and tin alloys.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The structure as set forth in claim 2 wherein said metal sheath has a wall thickness of not greater than approximately 0.015 inch.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
176 words
In a small caliber cartridge case having a base portion containing a primer and a mouth portion containing a projectile, a substantially cylindrical molded charge of granular propellant within said case and seated against said base portion, said molded charge having a central longitudinal passage therethrough, an axial igniter filling said molded charge central passage, said base portion having a central passage in axial alignment with both said primer and axial igniter, and means laterally spacing a substantial portion of the outer surface of said molded charge from corresponding adjacent internal sidewall surface portions of said case, said spacing means including means extending inwardly from the sidewall of said case adjacent said base portion and engaging rearward portions of said molded charge outer surface, said axial igniter comprising: a metal sheath filled with igniter composition, said composition comprising 5-90 percent by weight barium nitrate, 5-90 percent by weight stabilized red phosphorus, and 0.1-10 percent by weight of a member of the group consisting of calcium resinate, carbon black, graphite, metallic sterate, polyvinyl alcohol and polyvinyl chloride.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The structure as set forth in claim 6 wherein said igniter composition comprises 24 percent by weight stabilized red phosphorus, 75 percent by weight barium nitrate and 1 percent by weight calcium resinate.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
The structure as set forth in claim 6 wherein the composition of said metal sheath comprises a member of the group consisting of aluminum, aluminum alloys, tin and tin alloys.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The structure as set forth in claim 8 wherein said metal sheath has a wall thickness of not greater than approximately 0.015 inch.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
54 words
The structure in accordance with claim 6 wherein said projectile is a flechette tracer projectile having rearwardly opening tracer cavity filled with tracer composition, said tracer composition being in axial alignment with said axial igniter, and said flechette tracer projectile having a rearward portion in abutment with a forward surface of said molded charge.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-05-21 | 1976-11-20 | 1977-05-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-05-21 | 1980-11-20 | 1981-05-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-05-21 | 1984-11-20 | 1985-05-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |