Classifications

• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F42—AMMUNITION; BLASTING
  • F42B—EXPLOSIVE CHARGES, e.g. FOR BLASTING, FIREWORKS, AMMUNITION
  • F42B39/00—Packaging or storage of ammunition or explosive charges; Safety features thereof; Cartridge belts or bags
  • F42B39/14—Explosion or fire protection arrangements on packages or ammunition
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F41—WEAPONS
  • F41A—FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS COMMON TO BOTH SMALLARMS AND ORDNANCE, e.g. CANNONS; MOUNTINGS FOR SMALLARMS OR ORDNANCE
  • F41A21/00—Barrels; Gun tubes; Muzzle attachments; Barrel mounting means
  • F41A21/02—Composite barrels, i.e. barrels having multiple layers, e.g. of different materials
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F42—AMMUNITION; BLASTING
  • F42B—EXPLOSIVE CHARGES, e.g. FOR BLASTING, FIREWORKS, AMMUNITION
  • F42B15/00—Self-propelled projectiles or missiles, e.g. rockets; Guided missiles

Definitions

• the present invention relates to aspects of a container enveloping an inflammable/ explosive/pyrogenic substance, such as gunpowder, propellant, gas, fuel, etc, in which the container is structurally constructed by a container wall consisting of a non-metallic, synthetic material, such as composite material.
• the container according to the invention is in particular developed for military purposes related to rocket accelerated missiles. It has, however, been proven that the container also can be used for various civil purposes.
• the background of the invention is that containers enveloping an inflammable material and that either in periods or continuously are exposed to the environment, during certain circumstances can be subject for phenomena that provide source of ignition of the inflammable material they contain. Examples on such natural and artificial phenomena are lightening, electrostatic discharges and electromagnetic radiations.
• the object of the invention is to protect the medium inside the container by preventing penetration of lightning, high frequency radiation or electrostatic discharge. This in order to inhibit blasting or burning of the gas/fuel which, because of sufficient energy/heat from said radiation/lightening/discharge, will be locally heated to the ignition temperature of the various media. If this should happen an ignition and to that blasting/fire is resulting.
• Examples of containers of this type are the outer shell of rocket motors. Rocket motors propelling or accelerating missiles are, for example in stand by situations, carried under the wings of aircrafts and are clearly exposed for stroke of lightening in addition to electrostatic discharge due to the friction with the air during the flight. Also rocket propelled ground-to-air weapons are occasionally subject to exposure from stroke of lightening in addition to electromagnetic radiation. Electromagnetic radiation is in particular present onboard seagoing vessels loaded with electronic devices like radars and communication equipment. Also stationary ground equipment and ground moving vehicles, like combat vehicles that carry rocket propelled missiles, are exposed for said phenomena. This is also true for transport and storage closure means and launching tubes when a missile is received therein. Some of the situations have little likelihood for that ignition actually takes place. However, as long as potential hazard exists safety measures will be effected.
• Examples of containers of this type for civil purposes are propane containers, gas cylinders, fuel tanks and similar. In particular when such type containers are located outdoor do they represent a potential safety hazard.
• the invention finds use for non-metallic, winded and moulded containers of composite structures constructed of carbon fibres, aramid fibres, glass fibres or combinations thereof in a matrix of resins like for example epoxy or polyester.
• a device of the introductorily described type which is distinguished in that the synthetic material of the container wall is externally coated (like "chrome” plated) with a layer of metallic, conductive material, in order to create a Faraday cage around the inflammable material.
• the external layer of the container wall can be a coating of a metal chosen among aluminium, copper, nickel, silver, gold, etc.
• One way to apply the metal layer, or metal coating, is that the layer is applied by an ion vapour deposit treatment (IVD).
• IVD ion vapour deposit treatment
• a second way to apply the metal coating is that the application occurs by vaporisation of the metal at approximately an absolute vacuum condition where oxygen substantially is not present.
• Typical thicknesses of the metal coating that is applied will be layer thicknesses in the range of l ⁇ - 50 ⁇ .
• An in particular actual use of the invention is that the metal coating is applied to a container that forms the outer shell of a rocket motor.
• metal coating is applied to a container that forms the outer wall of a transport and storage closure means that contains a missile.
• Still another use is that the metal coating is applied to a container that forms the outer wall of a launcher tube for a missile.
• the metal coating can be applied to a container that forms the outer wall of a gas or fuel tank/container.
• a container that forms the outer wall of a gas or fuel tank/container.
• the fuel may also be liquid, for example gasoline, or be in solid state as a pyrotechnic propellant.
• Civil rockets are inter alia used for deployment of satellites in the space.
• Fig.l shows schematically a rocket motor that has the device according to the invention
• Fig.2 shows a rocket motor casing according to the invention
• Fig.3 shows a storage closure means according to the invention for a rocket
• Fig.4 shows a launcher tube according to the invention for a rocket
• Fig.5 shows a gas tank/container according to the invention.
• the description is related to a rocket motor in a missile, but the invention is not limited to a rocket motor only. Any tank/container of composite material that contains an inflammable material, can take the invention in use.
• the rocket motor 1 comprises a motor casing 2 that envelopes a propellant of inflammable material, for example a gunpowder charge 3.
• a propellant of inflammable material for example a gunpowder charge 3.
• the further internal components of the rocket motor 1 have no significance for the invention and will not be further described here.
• the outer shell 4 of the rocket motor 1 is constructed of winded or moulded composite structures of carbon fibres, aramid fibres or combinations thereof in a matrix of resins that, as examples, are epoxy or polyester.
• a layer 5 of metal is applied on that side of the shell 4 facing outwards.
• One method for applying the metal layer is ion vapour deposit treatment (IVD).
• IVD ion vapour deposit treatment
• Another method is vaporisation of the metal onto the composite surface in a vacuum chamber in which as little oxygen as possible is present.
• the metal is then heated to the boiling point and evaporates and deposits in this phase onto the composite surface in suitable thickness.
• the surface is completely covered.
• the thickness of the layer 5 can vary from a few ⁇ to 40-5 O ⁇ dependent on the intended function of the layer.
• the outer layer 5 may be a coating of metal chosen among aluminium, copper, nickel, silver, gold, etc.
• Fig.2 shows a variant of a rocket motor casing 2' in which the further rocket components are not illustrated.
• the housing 2' is of a composite material and the external surface is applied a metallic layer 5, or coating, that is electric conductive.
• Fig.3 shows schematically a transport and storage closure means 6 that houses a missile.
• the storage closure means 6 is made of a composite material that is externally coated with a metallic current conductive layer 5.
• the layer is to serve the same purpose as described above.
• Fig.4 shows a launcher tube 8 for a missile 7.
• the launcher tube 8 is manufactured of a composite material that in turn is coated with a metallic current conducting layer 5. It is to be mentioned that the storage closure means 6 itself, in some embodiments, also can be used as launching tubes for the missile 7.
• Fig.5 shows schematically an example of a gas tank/container 9 containing an inflammable gas.
• the gas container 9 is, as in the alternatives above, made of a composite material coated with a metallic current conducting layer 5.
• the purpose of the layer is as previously described. Examples of gas containers of this nature for civil purposes, are propane tanks/containers, gas cylinders, fuel tanks and similar.

Landscapes

• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Aviation & Aerospace Engineering (AREA)
• Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
• Filling Or Discharging Of Gas Storage Vessels (AREA)
• Packages (AREA)

Priority Applications (1)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=19911108

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (3)

Cited By (2)

Citations (4)

• 2000
  • 2000-05-05 NO NO20002377A patent/NO310380B1/no not_active IP Right Cessation
• 2001
  • 2001-05-04 AU AU2001256875A patent/AU2001256875A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2001-05-04 WO PCT/NO2001/000188 patent/WO2001086225A1/en active Application Filing

Patent Citations (4)

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