A method and a device for filling a space in an ammunition unit with explosive

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a method of filling a space in an ammunition unit, for example a shell, with ready-mixed explosive containing plastic/polymer that imparts high viscosity to the explosive substance. The invention also relates to a device for implementation of the method.

BACKGROUND ART

In the manufacture of explosives and application thereof into ammunition units/shells it is prior-art knowledge to utilize an ongoing production where explosive is mixed in the mixer and the ready-mixed substance is filled/cast in the ammunition units in question. The mixing of explosive is then carried out in a first premises while the filling is carried out in a second premises.

ACCOUNT OF THE INVENTION

TECHNICAL PROBLEM

In handling of explosives containing polymer, i.e. monomer plus hardener, problems are encountered in performing the continuously ongoing manufacturing. This type of explosive, so-­called PBX explosive, has too high a viscosity to permit gravitation casting. Special actions must therefore be taken to force the explosive down into the space in the ammunition unit through some type of extruding operation. The mixer, however, does not give any extrusion pressure and instead use must be made of some type of equipment where such extruding pressure can be obtained. An extruding with the aid of screws is not acceptable from the standpoint of safety. The problem is accentuated in that casting and mixing are not usually performed in the same premises, i.e. the continuously mixed compound must be capable of being transported before it is cast.

SOLUTION

The object of the present invention is to propose a method and a device which solve, among other things, the problems outlined heretofore. That which may then principally be regarded as characteristic of the new method is that the ready-mixed explosive is applied in a sacklike pouch which, on filling of the explosive into the space in the ammunition unit/shell, is exposed to external pressure which causes the explosive to be pressed into the space via an aperture in the pouch and completely fill out the space.

In the preferred embodiment of the method it is proposed that the sacklike pouch shall be applied in a stout steel container, in which the pouch can be exposed to the high external pressure. Prior to application of the high pressure the interior of the pouch is put under vacuum for removal of the air. In the preferred embodiment the ammunition unit, at least its space which is to be filled with explosive, is also put under vacuum, which guarantees a practicable filling out of the space.

The container is utilized preferably as a transport device from one premises to another. The pouch is secured in the container at an inner surface thereon. The container is thus provided with an aperture, via which the explosive press out of the pouch is pressed out. After filling of the number of ammunition units corresponding to the contents of the sacklike pouch the pouch can be turned inside out and cleaned to allow reuse of the equipment.

A device for implementation of the new method can principally be regarded as characterized in that a sacklike pouch is arranged to contain the explosive and to be provided with an aperture via which the explosive is pressed out into the space in the ammunition unit when the pouch is exposed to a high external pressure. The casing is preferably disposed in a stout container which withstands high internal pressures and so that the said external pressure on the sacklike pouch is applied within the container. The pouch is preferably made of plastic, leather or a similar material giving low friction against the explosive when this is pressed out of the pouch.

ADVANTAGES

Numerous advantages are obtained by that proposed above. The friction will be virtually non-existent despite the compound/explosive being extruded. The filling procedure will be very simple from the mixing to the equipment in question here. The new method and the new device imply that the mixer can be run continuously. In this case a plurality of devices according to the invention are utilized and circulate in the production. If the compound/explosive is polymerized prematurely and thus does not become castable, only the explosive in the affected sacklike pouch is lost and no other production disruptions occur. In addition is the fact that the method is extremely cheap.

A currently proposed embodiment of the new method and device according to the present invention will be more readily understood from the following brief description of the accompanying Drawing, and discussion relating thereto. In the accompanying Drawing,

• Figures 1-5 illustrate different functional stages for transfer of explosive from rolling mill to filling/casting in the ammunition unit and cleaning of the equipment.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Shown in Figure 1 and designated with reference No. 1 is a sacklike pouch of, for example, plastic or leather. The pouch is provided with an aperture 2. The pouch is further applied in a steel cylinder 3. Compound consisting for example of octogen or hexogen with polymers, i.e. monomers and hardeners, is applied into the sacklike pouch 1 via the aperture 2 in the direction of the arrow 5. The PBX explosive is ready-mixed in a per se known manner in a mixer.

After filling of the pouch the contents of the pouch are subjected to vacuum in accordance with Figure 2, the pressure P then being, in the ideal case, roughly equal to 0. This vacuumizing can take place in a per se known manner. The vacuumizing is illustrated with the aid of the arrow 6 and causes the air to be sucked out of the compound.

In accordance with Figure 3 the steel container is provided with closure 3a which after the air has been sucked out of the explosive in the pouch is closed. The steel container is preferably made fitted with wheels in order to be capable of being utilized as a transport device from the mixing premises to a premises where filling of the ammunition unit in question is to take place. The wheels on the container are designated with reference No. 3b.

In the premises for casting the interior space of the container is connected as shown in Figure 4 to a pressure source 7, for example a compressed air source. The connection takes place via a connection 8 and an aperture 3c in the steel container 3. A space in the ammunition unit or ammunition unit/shell 9 is on filling/casting disposed in a space 10 which is put under vacuum. The vacuum connection is designated 11 and the vacuum source consists of a per se known kind. The vacuumizing is symbolized with an arrow 12 and in the ideal case the pressure P′ is approx. 0. The closure 3a on the container is opened and the interior space in the sacklike pouch is connected to the space in the ammunition unit in question which is to be filled with explosive via a connection 13. The actual filling procedure or extrusion takes place such that the pressure source 7 is connected to the internal space 3d in the container. The pressure source effectuates a pressure P˝ which is much larger than 1. The sacklike pouch is thus squeezed together and its contents are transferred to the space in question in the ammunition unit/shell. The high pressure in the space 3d and the vacuumizing of the ammunition unit/shell 9 guarantee that the space in question will be completely filled out. In the illustrated embodiment the container 3 has been turned on its side during the described filling procedure.

When the explosive contained in the pouch has been pressed out of the pouch into one or a plurality of ammunition units the casing can be cleaned in accordance with Figure 5 to allow its reuse. The cleaning is made possible in that the pouch is turned inside out, for example with the aid of the said pressurizing in the space 3c of the container with the aid of the pressure source 7. The pouch which has been turned inside out is cleaned with a suitable solvent, such as acetone, MEK.

The method for a continuous production of cast ammunition units includes the utilization of a number of containers 3 with associated pouchs 1 which are recycled in the production.

The present invention should not be considered as restricted to the embodiment described above by way of example and shown on the drawing, many modifications being conceivable without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended Claims.