Patent GB-511284-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to automotive projectiles
IPC: F42C15/20
Filed: 1938-01-14
Abstract: 511,284. Projectiles and launching tubes therefor. SOC. ETUDES ET CONTROLES INDUSTRIELS. Jan. 14, 1938, No. 1313. Convention date, May 8, 1937. [Classes 9 (i), 92 (i), and 92 (ii)] An automotive projectile comprises a front part adapted to carry an explosive or other charge, a rearwardly open tubular rear part enclosing a combustible charge adapted on ignition to act as a propelling medium, means interconnecting the front and rear parts, stabilising fins carried by the rear part, cam actuated fuze safety and initiating means on the projectile and a launching tube for said projectile, said tube being provided in its interior with rollers adapted to actuate the cam means on the launching of the projectile from its tube. The projectile shown in Fig. 1 comprises a nose part 1 containing explosive or incendiary substances or poison gas, the ignition of which may be effected by a detonator 2 carried by a cap 3 adapted to be placed immediately before the firing of the projectile, within the sheath 4. The nose 1 is screwed on to a disc 29, Figs. 1 and 5, which is screwthreadedly connected to a second disc 29a having a rearwardly extending boss 5 on which is screwed a tube 6 containing a propelling charge. The exhaust gases from the tube 6 are emitted through a nozzle 7 and expanded before impinging on the atmosphere by means of an expansion tube 8. A rear cone 9 carrying stabilising vanes 10 is also mounted on the disc 29a. As shown in Fig. 2, the projectile is also provided with safety devices comprising pivoted cams 11, 12 retained in the position shown by pins 15, 16 and adapted to co-operate on discharge of the projectile with rollers 31, 32 respectively in the launching tube 33, Fig. 8. A cover 13 for the primer 14 is connected by a rod 19 to cam 11 so that, when this cam encounters the roller 31, pin 15 is sheared and the cover 13 moved so as to uncover the primer 14. As the projectile is about to leave the launching tube, the cam 12 encounters the roller 32, the pin 16 is sheared and the spring- pressed hammer 17 is released and strikes the primer 14. Ignition of this primer is transmitted, on the one hand, to a powder train 22, Fig. 5, the ignition of which is transmitted by means of a retarding device 23 to a small quantity of powder 24, the combustion of which releases a striker 25 which is then only prevented from striking a primer 27 until the projectile encounters an obstacle by the spring 28. The ignition of the primer 14 is also transmitted to a channel filled with powder, the length of which can be adjusted by rotating the disc 29 relatively to the disc 29a, the powder train being in communication with the primer 27 through radial channels 30a. The Specification as open to inspection under Sect. 91 comprises also a construction of launching tube Fig. 9 (Cancelled) employing a cartridge 34 to impart an initial velocity to the projectile. The cartridge is disposed in a member 35 forming the breech of the launching tube, the expansion of the .combustion gases taking place in a tube 36 fitting on the propelling tube 6 of the projectile and passing into slots in the stabilising vanes. A combustible plug 38 carrying a tube of powder 37 may be placed in the expansion tube 8. Fig. 10 (Cancelled) shows a modified form of launching tube employed compressed air admitted through a pipe 41 controlled by a lever 44. The fluid acts through an orifice 42 on the rear of the projectile, the reaction set up in the opposite direction to that of the launching of the projectile being eliminated by the expansion in the reverse direction of a quantity of fluid under pressure across a divergent fitting 43 of suitably calculated dimensions Fig. 11 (Cancelled) shows an assembly of launching tubes 33 mounted fan wise on a carriage 46. This subject matter does not appear in the Specification as accepted.