Sub-ammunition object for vapor generation

The invention relates to a sub-ammunition object for vapor generation for a spinstabilized carrier projectile with axial sub-ammunition discharge, consisting of a stackable, flat, disk-shaped, stamped part of identical caliber, which, at a height/width ratio of about 1:1.5 to 1:5, contains red phosphorus as the primary active substance and is designed to retain its structural and form stability during firing, discharge, and stacking as a result of fibers embedded in the active substance and/or a shell, with the combustion time being chemically and/or physically adjustable through the height, compression pressure and/or composition of the active substance. It is preferred that the active substance be located in a container with at least one blower aperture and one oxygen donor as the energy supply needed for combustion of the red phosphorus in the container.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The current invention relates to a sub-ammunition object for vapor 
generation. 
The manufacture of rotationally symmetrical sub-ammunition objects for 
vapor projectiles with a height/diameter ratio of about 1:1, where four to 
five sub-ammunition objects or fewer are integrated into a projectile 
shell, is known. As the sub-ammunition is centrally positioned in the 
projectile and the angular momentum of the projectile shell is transferred 
to the sub-ammunition, the sub-ammunition objects remain stable on a 
secondary flight path after being discharged, thereby avoiding excessive 
dispersion of the sub-ammunition objects on the ground. 
The number of vapor sources on the ground can be increased by increasing 
the number of sub-ammunition objects per projectile. The development of a 
homogeneous vapor cloud is desirable in this regard. This is particularly 
important when the vapor effect in the immediate vicinity of the 
individual vapor object contributes substantially to overall coverage as 
is, for example, the case with vapors that are actively emitted in 
infrared zones. 
Until now, the multiplication of sub-ammunition objects was achieved by 
designing the sub-ammunition objects in the form of cylinder segments or 
wedges (so-called "wedges"), which were radially arranged around the 
center axis of the projectile. Each of these objects had a weight of up to 
one bomblet. When the projectile is discharged, however, the secondary 
flight path of these segments or wedges is adversely affected by the 
angular momentum of the projectile in a manner similar to that of inserted 
bomblet projectiles. This results in high radial acceleration after 
discharge which, in turn, leads to the distribution of the vapor objects 
over a large area and, furthermore, is heavily dependent on the discharge 
height. Consequently, there is a risk that the vapor objects will be too 
widely dispersed, thereby creating a non-homogeneous vapor cloud. 
For example, projection objects with vapor charges are known from U.S. Pat. 
No. 4,353,301 (DE 29 08 116) and DE 28 30 119 Al in which at least a 
portion of the active substance is designed in the form of a plate with a 
central blasting/ignition charge or a central powder core. 
Another known method involves adjusting the combustion time of a 
sub-ammunition through its height, compression pressure and/or the 
composition of its active vapor-forming ingredient. Thus, for example, the 
adjustment of the combustion speed of a vapor charge through the use of 
special recipes is known from U.S. Pat. No. 4,697,521 (DE 33 26 884). 
In another example, U.S. Pat. No 4,791,870 (DE 37 07 694) discloses an 
ignition charge containing a nitrocellulose propellant charge pellet and 
fibers made of a conductive material. A pyrotechnic mixture of red 
phosphorus and a binding agent is, for example, known from U.S. Pat. No. 
4,791,870 (DE 34 43 778). In addition, many experiments have already been 
performed on the combustion of active vapor-forming materials based on red 
phosphorus. In these experiments, the ability to control combustion in 
terms of the homogeneity of the vapor being produced and in terms of 
localization of same represents a central problem. And a fire hazard and 
environmental damage cannot be fully ruled during conventional combustion. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The objective of the invention is to provide sub-ammunition objects for 
vapor generation which, when used in projectiles or mortar shells, bundle 
the basic pattern (the so-called "ground pattern"), i.e., resulting, in 
particular, in a more homogeneous vapor cloud than has been possible 
previously. In addition, a potential fire hazard is to be avoided and the 
environment protected. 
According to the invention, this objective is achieved with a 
sub-ammunition object for vapor generation for a spin-stabilized carrier 
projectile with axial sub-ammunition discharge, consisting of a stackable, 
flat, disk-shaped, stamped part of identical caliber, which, at a 
height/width ratio of about 1:1.5 to 1:5, contains red phosphorus as its 
primary active substance and is designed to retain its structural and form 
stability during firing, discharge, and stacking as a result of fibers 
embedded in the active substance and/or a shell, with the combustion time 
being chemically and/or physically adjustable through the height, 
compression pressure and/or composition of the active substance. 
One embodiment can be characterized by an ignitor and/or ignition delay 
mechanism, preferably containing an ignition breakdown charge which runs 
through the center of the pressed part, ignites the active substance, and 
separates the pressed parts. 
Another proposal according to the invention consists in providing the shell 
in the form of a foil or container, with the container preferably 
comprising a supporting frame for acceptance of the projectile load during 
discharge. 
Another preferred embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the 
active substance is located in a container with at least one blower 
aperture and an oxygen donor as the energy supply needed for combustion of 
the red phosphorus in the container. 
It may be provided that the oxygen donor is selected from a group 
consisting of at least one oxide, such as iron oxide or peroxide sulfate, 
persulfate, one perchlorate and/or one nitrate. 
Furthermore, black blasting powder, preferably sulfur-free black blasting 
powder or nitrocellulose powder, possibly mixed with vapor action 
material, can be used to increase the capacity for ignition of the active 
substance in accordance with the invention. 
It may be provided that the black blasting powder or nitrocellulose powder, 
possibly mixed with active substance is positioned around an ignition 
channel. 
According to the invention, at least one opening, especially in the form of 
a blower aperture, may be provided to control pressure inside the 
container (2a, 2b, 2e) and, consequently, to control combustion of the 
active substance. 
Another proposal according to the invention is that the blower aperture can 
be enlarged during combustion of the active substance, preferably by the 
melting of at least one aluminum insert in the container. 
Another proposal according to the invention is that the amount of oxygen 
donor in the active substance varies spatially to equalize mass conversion 
during combustion of the active substance, with the active substance 
exhibiting--from the inside, particularly from the ignition channel along 
the latitudinal axis, to the outside--a combustion surface which increases 
during combustion, as well as a quantity of oxygen donor that conforms to 
this surface. 
Another proposal according to the invention is that the active substance 
inside the container is divided into two or more components, with one 
component in the ignition area of the active substance comprising 
approximately 40% to approximately 60% red phosphorus, approximately 20% 
to approximately 40% oxygen donor, approximately 0% to approximately 20% 
metal powder, and approximately 0% to approximately 10% binder, and 
another component (3c) in the area opposite the ignition area comprising 
approximately 70% to approximately 90% red phosphorus, approximately 10% 
to approximately 20% oxygen donor, approximately 0% to approximately 20% 
metal powder, and approximately 0% to approximately 10% binder. All 
percentages refer to percentages in weight. 
As a result of there being a plurality of components in the active 
substance, a gradation of the oxygen donor content, which depends on the 
phosphorus content and/or container geometry, with steps ranging from 
approximately 3% to approximately 0% being preferred, may be provided. 
Thus, the invention is based on the surprising realization that by 
calibrating or dividing the height of the active substance by three, four, 
or five in relation to its width, i.e., by reducing the mass and, 
consequently, the weight, and by simultaneously decelerating the time of 
action by adjusting physical and chemical parameters, the number of 
sub-ammunition objects per projectile or mortar shell can be increased 
without resulting in the unwanted broad distribution of the sub-ammunition 
objects along their secondary flight paths, thereby largely avoiding 
non-homogeneous vapor clouds. This is why the preferably disk-shaped and 
reinforced sub-ammunition objects are spin-stabilized and are not flung 
radially and are, consequently, vastly superior to conventional "wedges" 
or even known disk-shaped charges. 
According to an embodiment of the invention, an ignition breakdown charge 
reacts spontaneously after ignition, thereby forming a large volume of hot 
gases. The hot gases, in turn, ignite the active substance, possibly 
through an ignition delay device, while the pressure buildup blows off the 
section--not depicted in the figure--which supports the sub-ammunition 
object, and the sub-ammunition is pulled out by the escaping gases. 
Preferably, the shell according to the invention can fulfill two functions. 
On the one hand, the active substance "disks" can be individually ignited, 
in the air or on the ground, by means of an ignitor or ignition delay 
device attached to the corresponding shell while, on the other hand, the 
risk of collapse due to angular momentum or similar forces is minimized. 
The latter function can be improved by reinforcing the active substance, 
e.g., by the embedding of fibers. Furthermore, the shells according to the 
invention can also contain a supporting frame that absorbs the projectile 
loads during discharge, 
Another embodiment of the invention is also based on the surprising 
realization that vapor generation by means of an active substance can be 
localized and thereby homogenized, in that the combustion of the red 
phosphorus occurs inside a container and vapor only escapes through one or 
more precisely delineated blower apertures, while combustion of the red 
phosphorus in the container is controlled by the oxygen donor content and 
the pressure inside the container. On the one hand, the combustion of the 
red phosphorus in the container increases environmental compatibility 
while, on the other, substantially reducing the risk of the ammunition 
being burned during use. 
According to the invention, the effectiveness of red phosphorus combustion 
can be increased by controlling the oxygen donor content and the internal 
pressure in the container, resulting in an experimentally confirmed 
reaction of up to 75%, while a conventional open-air reaction falls within 
a range of about 30%. According to the invention, the internal pressure in 
the container can be controlled in such a way as to ensure a complete 
reaction of the red phosphorus. Furthermore, and according to the 
invention, a self-enlarging blower aperture can be used to regulate 
pressure, e.g., through the use of an aluminum insert that melts away 
during hot combustion of the red phosphorus. In addition, because 
combustion is largely contained and the reaction is highly efficient, 
enrichment of nitrates in the ground does not occur, as un-ignited vapor 
action material is largely prevented from penetrating the ground. 
As the combustion of a disk-shaped sub-ammunition object preferably occurs 
in radial fashion from the inside toward the outside, the combustion 
surface will become enlarged during the combustion period and, 
consequently, more vapor will develop. To increase the homogeneity of 
vapor generation, this increase in vapor generation is, according to the 
invention, equalized by a counteracting recipe of the vapor action 
material. To this end, the proposal according to the invention is to 
reduce the energy supplier of the active substance particularly the oxygen 
donor, from the inside toward the outside, preferably in increments, so 
that mass conversion, i.e., the amount of active substance being burned 
over time, remains constant in spite of the increase in the combustion 
surface. This constant mass conversion also prevents disintegration of the 
sub-ammunition objects which, in turn, can result in non-homogeneity of 
the vapor cloud and conceal potential hazards. 
According to the invention, the capacity for ignition of the vapor action 
material can be increased on the ignition surface, preferably at the inner 
bore hole, which provides two blower apertures, by adding black blasting 
powder or nitrocellulose powder, possibly mixed with vapor action material 
.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION 
The sub-ammunition object depicted in FIG. 1 consists of a shell 2, a vapor 
action material 3--as the active substance--with embedded fibers 4, as 
well as an ignition breakdown charge 5, and is rotationally symmetrical 
with a height to width ratio of 1:3, i.e., it is shaped as a disk. The 
vapor action material 3 contains red phosphorus. Furthermore, the shell 2 
is connected to an ignition delay device (not depicted) which, if desired, 
is triggered by the central ignition breakdown charge 5. Upon ignition, 
the ignition breakdown charge 5 reacts spontaneously, forming a large 
volume of hot gases. These hot gases in turn ignite the vapor action 
material 3 via the ignition delay device, while the pressure buildup blows 
off the floor of a section--not depicted in the figure which supports the 
sub-ammunition object 1, and the sub-ammunition object 1 is pulled out by 
the escaping gases. 
A large number of these disk-shaped sub-ammunition objects 1, each 
containing a reinforced and secured vapor action material 3 and an 
ignition delay device, can be worked into a projectile or a mortar shell, 
which then exhibit(s) the following advantages: 
i) The basic shell is bundled. 
ii) Stable secondary ballistics are achieved. 
iii) The number of vapor sources per shell is increased. 
iv) The option of individual ignition, both in the air and on the ground, 
is provided. 
According to FIG. 2, another sub-ammunition object 1' according to the 
invention includes a container comprising steel walls 2a, 2b, and aluminum 
walls 2c. A vapor action material 3a, 3b, 3c is located inside the 
container 2a, 2b, 2c, specifically around a central inner bore hole which 
represent an ignition channel 5'. Sulfur-free black blasting powder 6 is 
arranged around the ignition channel 5', with the inner bore hole also 
including two blower apertures 7. The wall 2b encompasses an outer 
peripheral side of the part formed by the vapor action materials, and the 
walls 2a, 2c encompass top and bottom sides of that part (except for the 
blower apertures). The outer peripheral side defines a height of the part, 
and each of the top and bottom sides define a width (diameter) of the 
part. 
The vapor action material 3a, 3b, 3c exhibits a composition that changes 
incrementally from the inside, i.e., beginning at the sulfur-free black 
blasting powder 6, radially toward the outside, i.e., in the direction of 
the steel walls 2b. In this manner, the vapor action material 3a, 3b, 3c 
comprises three spatially separated components with the following 
compositions in percent: 
i) The first vapor action material 3a contains 
40% to 60% red phosphorus, 
20% to 40% oxygen donor, 
0% to 20% metal powder, and 
0% to 10% binder. 
ii) The second vapor action material 3b contains 
55% to 75% red phosphorus, 
15% to 30% oxygen donor, 
0% to 20% metal powder, and 
0% to 10% binder. 
iii) The third vapor action material 3c contains 
70% to 90% red phosphorus, 
10% to 0% oxygen donor, 
0% to 20% metal powder, and 
0% to 10% binder. 
The sub-ammunition object 1' described by reference to FIG. 2 burns as 
follows: 
The first vapor action material component 3a is ignited by the sulfur-free 
black blasting powder 6, which results in the combustion of the first 
vapor action material component 3a. The resulting vapor can escape to the 
outside through the blower apertures 7 to form a vapor cloud, while 
combustion occurs inside the container 2a, 2b, 2c. The blower apertures 7 
also serve to control the pressure inside the container 2a, 2b, 2c. 
During combustion of the first vapor action material component 3a, the 
aluminum inserts 2c melt in succession, thereby enlarging the blower 
apertures 7, which further regulates pressure inside the container 2a, 2b, 
2c to produce homogeneous combustion. 
Following combustion of the first vapor action material component 3a, the 
enlarged combustion surface and the reduced oxygen donor volume results in 
the combustion of the second vapor action material component 3b, with the 
same mass conversion process taking place as was the case with the first 
vapor action material component 3a. 
Following combustion of the second vapor action material component 3b, the 
additional increase in the size of the combustion surface and additional 
reduction in the oxygen donor volume leads to the combustion of the third 
vapor action material component 3c, thereby ensuring constant mass 
conversion during combustion. 
The increase in the size of the blower apertures 7 results in additional 
pressure regulation during complete combustion, thereby ensuring the 
complete reaction of the vapor action material 3a, 3b, 3c. 
It has become evident that the effectiveness of the ammunition 1, i.e., the 
ratio of vapor action material 3a, 3b, 3c used to residual ash. is about 
75%, which represents a substantial increase over conventional ammunition, 
which exhibits effectiveness in the range of about 30%. This, and the fact 
that, as a result of the combustion of the vapor action material 3a, 3b, 
3c in the container 2a, 2b, 2c, no unburned vapor action material 3a, 3b, 
3c reaches the ground, ensures that the ammunition remains environmentally 
friendly. 
The sub-ammunition object 1 also does not present a potential hazard in 
terms of its combustion outdoors and/or in terms of its disintegration as 
a result of uneven combustion, due to homogeneous combustion largely 
within the confines of a container, which, of course, represents the 
condition for homogeneous vapor cloud formation. 
The features of the invention disclosed in the above description, in the 
drawings, and in the claims may be--either individually or in any 
combination--fundamental to the realization of the invention in its 
various embodiments.