Projectile sealing arrangement

Abstract

A projectile sealing arrangement for a barrel assembly of a weapon in which a plurality of projectile assemblies are axially disposed in abutting relationship within a barrel. Each projectile assembly is associated with a discrete propellant charge. The sealing arrangement includes a rearward opening communicating with a cavity provided in each projectile assembly for containing the discrete propellant charge, and a forward portion of an abutting projectile assembly arranged for operative sealing engagement with the rearward opening. During application of a compressive load to abutting projectile assemblies, the discrete propellant charge is sealed within the cavity.

1 . A projectile sealing arrangement for a barrel assembly of a weapon wherein a plurality of projectile assemblies are axially disposed in abutting relationship within a barrel, each projectile assembly associated with a discrete propellant charge; said sealing arrangement comprising:
 a rearward opening communicating with a cavity provided in each projectile assembly for containing the discrete propellant charge; and   a forward portion of an abutting projectile assembly arranged for operative sealing engagement with the rearward opening; the arrangement being such that, during application of a compressive load to abutting projectile assemblies, the discrete propellant charge is sealed within the cavity.   
   
   
       2 . The projectile sealing arrangement of  claim 1  wherein the forward portion of each projectile assembly has a forward sealing surface of a predetermined shape, and the rearward opening has a rearward sealing surface of a complementary shape to the predetermined shape of the forward sealing surface. 
   
   
       3 . The projectile sealing arrangement of  claim 1  wherein either or both of the forward portion and the rearward opening include a sealing means to aid or enhance sealing. 
   
   
       4 . The projectile sealing arrangement of  claim 3  wherein the sealing means is preformed as a resilient body. 
   
   
       5 . The projectile sealing arrangement of  claim 3  wherein the sealing means is formed in-situ through the use of a suitable sealing material. 
   
   
       6 . The projectile sealing arrangement of  claim 4  wherein said sealing means has adhesive properties. 
   
   
       7 . The projectile sealing arrangement of  claim 1  wherein the sealing surfaces include planar surface portions. 
   
   
       8 . The projectile sealing arrangement of  claim 1  wherein the sealing surfaces include hemispherical shaped surface portions. 
   
   
       9 . The projectile sealing arrangement of  claim 1  wherein the sealing surfaces include conical shaped surface portions. 
   
   
       10 . The projectile sealing arrangement of  claim 7  wherein shapes of said sealing surfaces are dictated by aerodynamic considerations. 
   
   
       11 . A barrel assembly for a weapon; said barrel assembly including:
 a plurality of projectile assemblies axially disposed in abutting relationship within a barrel, each projectile assembly having a head portion and a tail portion and is associated with a discrete propellant charge;   ignition means for each propellant charge, whereby the discrete propellant charges may be selectively ignited to propel respective projectiles sequentially from the barrel; and   a sealing arrangement between abutting projectile assemblies, said sealing arrangement comprising:
 a rearward opening communicating with a cavity provided in the body of each projectile assembly for receiving the discrete propellant charge; and 
 a forward portion of an abutting projectile arranged for operative sealing engagement with the rearward opening; the sealing arrangement being such that, during the application of a compressive load to the abutting projectile assemblies, the discrete propellant charges for trailing projectiles are sealed within their respective cavities. 
   
   
   
       12 . The barrel assembly of  claim 11  wherein the projectile body includes a transverse surface on at least one of the head and tail portions of the projectile assemblies, which transverse surface is arranged to prevent over-travel of a projectile relative to a trailing projectile upon application of an axial compressive load to said plurality of projectiles. 
   
   
       13 . The barrel assembly of  claim 11  wherein propellant charges are in solidified form. 
   
   
       14 . The barrel assembly of  claim 11  wherein propellant charges are in a flowable form. 
   
   
       15 . The barrel assembly of  claim 13  wherein the rearward opening includes a closure for retaining the propellant material within the cavity. 
   
   
       16 . The barrel assembly of  claim 15  wherein the closure comprises a burstable disc or a disc composed of combustible material. 
   
   
       17 . The barrel assembly of  claim 16  wherein said closure includes retaining means for releasable engagement with complementary retaining means on the head portion of an adjacent projectile assembly. 
   
   
       18 . The barrel assembly of  claim 17  wherein said complementary retaining means include a socket member and a spigot member. 
   
   
       19 . The barrel assembly of  claim 17  wherein said complementary retaining means include cooperating screw threads to facilitate release. 
   
   
       20 . The barrel assembly of  claim 17  wherein the retaining means is frangible. 
   
   
       21 . A projectile assembly having a body with a head and a tail portion, said projectile assembly characterized in that:
 the head includes a forward portion arranged for operative sealing engagement with the rearward opening of a leading projectile;   the tail portion includes a rearward opening communicating with a cavity provided in the projectile assembly for receiving the discrete propellant charge, which opening includes a rear portion arranged for operative sealing engagement with the forward portion of a trailing projectile; and   a sealing arrangement being such that, during the application of a compressive load to abutting projectile assemblies, the discrete propellant charge is sealed within the cavity.