Cartridges for recoil management of shoulder fired weapons
A cartridge ( 20 ) has a cartridge case ( 22 ) extending along an axis ( 500 ) from a base ( 104 ) to a mouth ( 102 ) and having an interior. A projectile ( 24 ) is mounted in the case. A propellant ( 26 ) is contained within the case. The propellant has an annular grain encircling the axis.
1 . A cartridge ( 20 ) comprising:
a cartridge case ( 22 ) extending from a base ( 104 ) to a mouth ( 102 ) and having an interior;
a projectile ( 24 ) mounted in the case and having a rocket motor ( 48 );
a primer ( 28 ) mounted in the base, the primer comprising:
a main primer charge ( 194 ); and
a percussion primer ( 192 ) having a percussion primer charge ( 196 ); and
a propellant grain ( 26 ) within the case interior,
wherein:
a nozzle ( 153 ) is encircled by the propellant grain and comprises a plurality of radially-open outlet ports ( 170 ); and
the propellant grain comprises an annular body encircling a centerline ( 500 ) of the cartridge.
2 . The cartridge of claim 1 wherein the propellant grain is a single continuous full annulus piece.
3 . The cartridge of claim 1 wherein the propellant grain comprises:
a non-convoluted inner diameter surface ( 224 ).
4 . The cartridge of claim 1 wherein the propellant grain comprises:
a right circular cylindrical inner diameter surface ( 224 ).
5 . The cartridge of claim 1 wherein the propellant grain comprises:
a plurality of axial passageways ( 700 ).
6 . The cartridge of claim 1 wherein:
the propellant grain is adhered ( 236 ) to an inner diameter (ID) surface of the case.
7 . The cartridge of claim 1 wherein:
the propellant grain is an ammonium perchlorate composite propellant (APCP).
8 . The cartridge of claim 1 wherein:
the propellant grain is in a propellant unit having a fibrous or plastic casing ( 230 ).
9 . The cartridge of claim 1 wherein:
the primer further comprises a primer case ( 190 ) containing the main primer charge and having a primer pocket ( 180 ); and
the percussion primer ( 192 ) has a cup mounted in the primer pocket and containing the percussion primer charge ( 196 ).
10 . The cartridge of claim 9 wherein:
the main primer charge ( 194 ) comprises BKNO 3 .
11 . The cartridge of claim 1 wherein:
the projectile is a missile having:
a seeker ( 50 ); and
the rocket motor ( 48 ); and/or
the cartridge contains an ignition train ( 34 ) for transferring ignition of the propellant grain to the rocket motor; and/or
the case comprises:
a base piece ( 130 ); and
a sidewall piece ( 132 ) secured to the base piece.
12 . A loaded firearm ( 400 ) including the cartridge of claim 1 and further comprising a barrel ( 402 ) having:
a muzzle ( 408 ); and
a chamber ( 404 ) accommodating the cartridge.
13 . The loaded firearm of claim 12 wherein:
the case extends through the muzzle.
14 . The loaded firearm of claim 12 wherein:
the barrel is a rifled ( 410 ) barrel.
15 . A method for manufacturing the cartridge of claim 1 , the method comprising:
casting the propellant grain;
inserting the cast propellant grain into the case; and
inserting the projectile into the case.
16 . The method of claim 15 further comprising:
adhering the propellant grain to an inner diameter (ID) surface of the case.
17 . A method for using the loaded firearm of claim 12 , the method comprising:
igniting the primer;
combustion gas from the primer passing radially outward to ignite the propellant; and
combustion gas from the propellant driving the projectile from the case.
18 . The method of claim 17 wherein:
the projectile is a missile; and
the combustion gas of the propellant indirectly ignites the rocket motor.
19 . A loaded firearm ( 400 ) comprising:
a barrel ( 402 ) having:
a muzzle ( 408 ); and
a chamber ( 404 ); and
a cartridge ( 20 ) accommodated by the chamber and comprising:
a cartridge case ( 22 ) extending from a base ( 104 ) to a mouth ( 102 ) and having an interior;
a projectile ( 24 ) mounted in the case;
a primer ( 28 ) mounted in the base, the primer comprising:
a main primer charge ( 194 ); and
a percussion primer ( 192 ) having a percussion primer charge ( 196 ); and
a propellant grain ( 26 ) within the case interior,
wherein:
the cartridge has a nozzle ( 153 ) encircled by the propellant grain and comprises a plurality of radially-open outlet ports ( 170 );
the propellant grain comprises an annular body encircling a centerline ( 500 ) of the cartridge; and
the case extends through the muzzle.
20 . The loaded firearm of claim 19 wherein:
the barrel is a rifled ( 410 ) barrel.
21 . The loaded firearm of claim 19 wherein:
the projectile protrudes from the case mouth.