Propellant gas operation/initiation of a non-pyrotechnic projectile tracer

Abstract

The present disclosure is directed to propellant gas initiation of a non-pyrotechnic projectile tracer. In some embodiments, cartridge-propellant gasses act upon a piston to break a frangible chemiluminescent liquid chemical ampoule to initiate a luminous reaction independently of and prior to any projectile motion. The piston may be a distinct piston, a separate component functioning as a piston, or the overall tracer container acting in the manner of a piston. Embodiments of the disclosure are applicable to direct-fire ammunition ranging from small arms through large caliber main battle tank ammunition.

I/we claim: 
     
         1 . A projectile having a chemiluminescent tracer and being fireable from a launching mechanism, comprising:
 a tracer having a tracer cavity and a threaded stepped closure with a central window substantially transparent to visible and/or infrared radiation, the stepped closure having first threads;   an outer ampoule positioned within the tracer cavity, the ampoule containing a first chemiluminescent component and being non-frangible when the projectile is fired from a launching mechanism, the outer ampoule has an open end and a closed end opposite the open end, the closed end having a pronounced protrusion, the outer ampoule is positioned on an aft end of the projectile such that the protrusion is bearing against a blind end of the projectile tracer cavity;   a frangible cylindrical inner ampoule positioned longitudinally within the outer ampoule, the inner ampoule containing a second chemiluminescent component and having a first end bearing against the outer ampoule protrusion and a second end opposite the first end and proximate to the central window;   an externally threaded capture ring having a central hole that permits a smooth sliding fit with the stepped closure, the capture ring having a internal sliding seal that bears upon a smaller diameter section of the stepped closure, and wherein the entire outer ampoule is sized to be a sliding fit in the projectile's tracer cavity, the tracer having external second threads that mate with the first threads of the stepped closure;   wherein the outer ampoule protrusion bears against the blind closed end of the projectile tracer cavity and the transparent window is exposed and flush with the aft end of the capture ring such that chemiluminescent light generated upon mixing of the first and second chemiluminescent components after the inner ampoule breaks can be seen through the transparent window.   
     
     
         2 . A projectile having a chemiluminescent tracer, comprising:
 a tracer having a tracer cavity and a closure with a central window;   a first ampoule in the tracer cavity and containing a first chemiluminescent component, the first ampoule being configured to remain in tact when the projectile is fired from a launching mechanism, the first ampoule having a closed end opposite with a protrusion bearing against the tracer cavity;   a frangible second ampoule positioned longitudinally within the first ampoule, the second ampoule containing a second chemiluminescent component that will generate light when mixed with the first chemiluminescent component, the second ampoule having a first end bearing against the protrusion and a second end opposite the first end and proximate to the central window;   a capture ring having an internal sliding seal that bears upon a smaller diameter section of the stepped closure, and wherein the entire outer ampoule is sized to be a sliding fit in the tracer cavity;   wherein the transparent window is exposed and flush with the aft end of the capture ring such that the chemiluminescent light generated upon mixing of the first and second chemiluminescent components after the second ampoule breaks can be seen through the transparent window.