Fragmentation device and method firing such a device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11774223-B2
Application number	US-202017439626-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 2, 2020
Priority date	Mar 21, 2019
Publication date	Oct 3, 2023
Grant date	Oct 3, 2023

Abstract

The present invention relates to a substantially spheroidal fragmentation device ( 10 ). The fragmentation device ( 10 ) comprises: i) a protective exterior layer ( 6 ) of resilient material accommodating at least one warhead ( 9 ); ii) an inner core ( 11 ) protected by said exterior layer ( 6 ). The inner core ( 11 ) comprises: ii.a) an insensitive munition (IM); ii.b) a polymeric, plastic and/or rubbery matrix embedding the insensitive munition (IM); ii.c) explosive material ( 5 ) enclosed within the matrix of ii.b) and/or surrounding the matrix of ii.b). The ratio of the thickness of the protective exterior layer ( 6 ) to the radius of the fragmentation device ( 10 ) ranges from 0.1:1 to 0.7:1. The warhead ( 9 ) is accommodated within the protective exterior layer ( 6 ) or between the inner core ( 11 ) and the protective exterior layer ( 6 ). The invention also relates to a method of firing a fragmentation device ( 10 ) as disclosed herein, wherein a firearm is aimed at a surface enabling rebounding of the fragmentation device ( 10 ) whereby the fragmentation device ( 10 ) changes direction. The invention also relates to the use of a fragmentation device ( 10 ) as disclosed herein in a firearm.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A substantially spheroidal fragmentation device ( 10 ) configured to be fired from a firearm, the fragmentation device ( 10 ) accommodating at least one warhead ( 9 ), the fragmentation device comprising
i) a protective exterior layer ( 6 ) of resilient material
ii) an inner core ( 11 ) protected by said exterior layer ( 6 ), the inner core ( 11 ) comprising
ii.a) an insensitive munition (IM)
ii.b) a polymeric, plastic and/or rubbery matrix embedding the insensitive munition (IM)
ii.c) explosive material ( 5 ) enclosed within the matrix of ii.b) and/or surrounding the matrix of ii.b)
wherein the ratio of the thickness of the protective exterior layer ( 6 ) to the radius of the fragmentation device ( 10 ) ranges from 0.25:1 to 0.4:1, and wherein the warhead ( 9 ) is accommodated within the protective exterior layer ( 6 ) or between the inner core ( 11 ) and the protective exterior layer ( 6 ).

2. The fragmentation device ( 10 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the fragmentation device ( 10 ) is a shell.

3. The fragmentation device ( 10 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the fragmentation device ( 10 ) is substantially sphere-shaped.

4. The fragmentation device according to claim 1 , wherein the resilient material is selected from plastics, polymers and/or rubber.

5. The fragmentation device according to claim 1 , wherein said at least one warhead ( 9 ) comprises heavy metal particles ( 2 ).

6. The fragmentation device according to claim 5 , wherein the heavy metal particles ( 2 ) are
i) embedded uniformly or disposed in a fragmented metal sphere ( 7 ) in the exterior layer ( 6 ); or
ii) disposed in a fragmented metal sphere ( 4 ) between the exterior layer ( 6 ) and the inner core ( 11 ).

7. The fragmentation device according to claim 1 , wherein an SAI (Safety/Arming/Initiation) unit ( 3 ) is integrated with a fuze system.

8. The fragmentation device according to claim 5 , wherein the heavy metal particles ( 2 ) have an average diameter ranging from 3 to 4 mm.

9. The fragmentation device ( 10 ) according to claim 7 , wherein a battery activating the fuze system is arranged in the inner core ( 11 ) of the fragmentation device ( 10 ).

10. The fragmentation device ( 10 ) according to claim 7 , wherein a piezoelectric sensor is connected to the fuze system.

11. The fragmentation device ( 10 ) according to claim 7 , wherein a delay unit is connected to the fuze system.

12. Method of firing a fragmentation device ( 10 ) according to claim 1 , wherein a firearm is aimed and the fragmentation device ( 10 ) is fired at a surface enabling rebounding of the fragmentation device ( 10 ) whereby the fragmentation device ( 10 ) changes direction.

Assignees

• Saab Ab

Inventors

• Hellman Ulf

Classifications

• F42B12/32 Primary

  the hull or case comprising a plurality of discrete bodies, e.g. steel balls, embedded therein {or disposed around the explosive charge} · CPC title

• F42B12/202

  for attacking land area or area targets, e.g. airburst · CPC title

• F42B12/207 Primary

  characterised by the explosive material or the construction of the high explosive warhead, e.g. insensitive ammunition · CPC title

• F42B12/76 Primary

  of the casing · CPC title

• F42C19/0838

  Primers or igniters for the initiation or the explosive charge in a warhead (F42C19/095 takes precedence) · CPC title