Patent ID: 8833591
Filing Date: 2014-09-16
Classification: F42B

Abstract:
1. In a metallic ammunition can having a metallic cover which when closed forms a environmental seal with an ammunition can body, the ammunition can body having an inner and outer surface, the improvement consisting of: an automatic safety valve having an inner and outer surface, installed in a hole in a wall of the ammunition can, such that the outer surface of the automatic safety valve is flush with the outer surface of the ammunition can body, wherein the automatic safety valve vents cook-off gases generated at elevated temperatures, said safety valve consisting of: a support ring directly attached to the wall of the body of the ammunition can, and a vent cover assembly extending over a hole formed in a wall of the body of the ammunition can, wherein the support ring extends from the outer surface of the wall of the ammunition can, through the hole formed in the wall of the ammunition can, and into the inner surface, the safety valve being attached in sealing engagement with a wall of the ammunition can by means of an adhered joint, wherein the vent cover assembly lacks a central bore and wherein the vent cover assembly is sealed to the support ring using a eutectic material which turns from a solid to a liquid at a predetermined elevated temperature, thereby causing the vent cover assembly to fall away from the support ring and venting the ammunition can of cook-off gases before pressure inside the ammunition can increases.