초록 ▼

A tricolor signal flare projectile configured for use with a “high-low” projectile launching system such as the U.S. Army's M-433. The projectile includes a body having a cylindrical side wall and an aft closure. The body's forward portion is open, which provides access to a hollow interior. A delay

A tricolor signal flare projectile configured for use with a “high-low” projectile launching system such as the U.S. Army's M-433. The projectile includes a body having a cylindrical side wall and an aft closure. The body's forward portion is open, which provides access to a hollow interior. A delay assembly is installed in the aft closure. The delay assembly includes a delay column. A signal igniter is located just forward of the delay column in the hollow interior of the body. The hollow interior also includes separate volumes of red, white, and blue illuminant. An ogive closes over the top of the hollow interior of the body, thereby encapsulating the other components. When the projectile is fired from a launcher the propellant gases burning with the launcher ignite the delay column. The delay column burns while the projectile travels along its trajectory. After the passage of a desired time interval, the delay column ignites the signal igniter. The signal igniter (1) commences the ignition of the three separate volumes of illuminant; and (2) blows the three separate volumes of illuminant clear of the body.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A signal flare projectile system, comprising: a. a launching cartridge, said launching cartridge including, i. a mass of propellant in a high pressure chamber,ii. a low pressure chamber, said low pressure chamber having an open forward end,iii. at least one vent connecting said high pressure cham

1. A signal flare projectile system, comprising: a. a launching cartridge, said launching cartridge including, i. a mass of propellant in a high pressure chamber,ii. a low pressure chamber, said low pressure chamber having an open forward end,iii. at least one vent connecting said high pressure chamber to said low pressure chamber;b. a projectile body, said body including, i. an aft closure, with said aft closure being seated in said open forward end of said low pressure chamber of said launching cartridge,ii. a cylindrical side wall extending forward from said aft closure and defining a hollow interior with an open forward end;c. a delay assembly mounted in said aft closure, with said delay assembly including, i. a delay column, having a forward end and an of end,ii. an ignition hole positioned to ignite said aft end of said delay column using combustion gases within said low pressure chamber;d. a signal igniter, positioned proximate said forward end of said delay column;e. a first illuminant mass having a first burning color, said first illuminant mass being located within said hollow interior of said projectile body forward of said signal igniter;f. a second illuminant mass having a second burning color which is different from said first burning color, said second illuminant mass being located within said hollow interior of said projectile had forward of said first illuminant mass;g. a third illuminant mass having a third burning color which is different from said first and second burning colors, said third illuminant mass being located within said hollow interior of said projectile body forward of said second illuminant mass;h. an ogive connected to said projectile body and lying forward of said third illuminant mass, with said ogive sealing said open forward end of said projectile body; andi. a propagation passage through said first and second illuminant masses, said propagation passage being in communication with said third illuminant mass and with said signal igniter so that hot gasses produced by said signal igniter will ignite said first, second, and third illuminant masses. 2. A signal flare projectile system as recited in claim 1, wherein said ogive is snapped into said open forward end of said projectile body so that pressure within said projectile body blows said ogive free of said open forward end. 3. A signal flare projectile system as recited in claim 2, wherein said first, second, and third illuminant masses are shaped so that pressure created by the ignition of said signal igniter will blow them out said open forward end of said projectile body. 4. A signal flare projectile system as recited claim 1, wherein said first illuminant mass produces a red light upon ignition, said second illuminant mass produces a white light upon ignition, and said third illuminant mass produces a blue light upon ignition. 5. A signal flare projectile system as recited in claim 4, wherein said propagation passage opens into a first lateral passage between said first and second illuminant masses and wherein said propagation passage opens into a second lateral passage between said second and third illuminant masses. 6. A signal flare projectile system as recited in claim 1, further comprising: a. a sleeve between said first illuminant mass and said cylindrical side wall of said projectile body; andb. a sleeve between said second illuminant mass and said cylindrical side wall of said projectile body. 7. A signal flare projectile system as recited in claim 1, wherein said aft closure and said cylindrical side wall of said projectile body are formed as one integral piece. 8. A signal flare projectile system, comprising: a. a launching cartridge having an open forward end and a source of hot propellant gas;b. a projectile body, including, i. a closed aft end,ii. a cylindrical side wall extending forward from said closed aft end to form a hollow interior with an open forward end;c. a delay assembly mounted in said projectile body, with said delay assembly including a delay column connected to an ignition hole, with said ignition hole being positioned to be in communication with said source of hot propellant gas in said launching cartridge;d. a signal igniter, positioned to be ignited by said delay column;e. a first illuminant mass having a first burning color, said first illuminant mass being located within said hollow interior of said projectile body proximate said signal igniter;f. a second illuminant mass having a second burning color which is different from said first burning color, said second illuminant mass being located within said hollow interior of said projectile body forward of said first illuminant mass;g. a third illuminant mass having a third burning color which is different from said first and second burning colors, said third illuminant mass being located within said hollow interior of said projectile body forward of said second illuminant mass;h. an ogive connected to said projectile body and lying forward of said third illuminant mass, with said ogive sealing said open forward end of said projectile body; andi. a propagation passage through said first and second illuminant masses, said central propagation passage being in communication with said third illuminant mass and with said signal igniter so that hot gasses produced by said signal igniter will ignite said first, second, and third illuminant masses. 9. A signal flare projectile system as recited in claim 8, wherein said ogive is snapped into said open forward end of said projectile body so that pressure within said projectile body blows said ogive free of said open forward end. 10. A signal flare projectile system as recited in claim 9, wherein said first, second, and third illuminant masses are shaped so that pressure created by the ignition of said signal igniter will blow them out said open forward end of said projectile body. 11. A signal flare projectile system as recited in claim 8, wherein said propagation passage assumes the form of a hollow cylinder passing through said first illuminant mass and said second illuminant mass. 12. A signal flare projectile system as recited in claim 11, wherein said propagation passage opens into a first lateral passage between said first and second illuminant masses and wherein said propagation passage opens into a second lateral passage between said second and third illuminant masses. 13. A signal flare projectile system as recited in claim 8, further comprising: a. a sleeve between said first illuminant mass and said cylindrical side wall of said projectile body; andb. a sleeve between said second illuminant mass and said cylindrical side wall of said projectile body. 14. A signal flare projectile system as recited in claim 8, wherein said aft closure and said cylindrical side wall of said projectile body are formed as one integral piece. 15. A signal flare projectile system, comprising: a. a launching cartridge having an open forward end and a source of hot propellant gas;b. a projectile body, including, i. an at closure,ii. a cylindrical side wall extending forward from said aft closure to form a hollow interior with an open forward end;c. a delay assembly mounted in said aft closure, with said delay assembly including a delay column connected to an ignition hole, with said ignition hole facing aft and being positioned to be in communication with said source of hot propellant gas in said launching cartridge;d. a signal igniter, positioned to be ignited by said delay column;e. a first illuminant mass having a first burning color, said first illuminant mass being located within said hollow interior of said projectile body forward of said signal igniter;f. a second illuminant mass having a second burning color which is different from said first burning color, said second illuminant mass being located within said hollow interior of said projectile body forward of said first illuminant mass;g. a third illuminant mass having a third burning color which is different from said first and second burning colors, said third illuminant mass being located within said hollow interior of said projectile body forward of said second illuminant mass;h. an ogive connected to said projectile body and lying forward of said third illuminant mass, with said ogive sealing said open forward end of said projectile body; andi. a propagation passage through said first and second illuminant masses, said central propagation passage being in communication with said third illuminant mass and with said signal igniter so that hot gasses produced by said signal igniter will ignite said first, second, and third illuminant masses. 16. A signal flare projectile system as recited in claim 15, wherein said ogive is snapped into said open forward end of said projectile body so that pressure within said projectile body blows said ogive free of said open forward end. 17. A signal flare projectile system as recited in claim 16, wherein said first, second, and third illuminant masses are shaped so that pressure created by the ignition of said signal igniter will blow them out said open forward end of said projectile body. 18. A signal flare projectile system as recited in claim 15, wherein said propagation passage assumes the form of a hollow cylinder passing through said first illuminant mass and said second illuminant mass. 19. A signal flare projectile system as recited in claim 18, wherein said propagation passage opens into a first lateral passage between said first and second illuminant masses and wherein said propagation passage opens into a second lateral passage between said second and third illuminant masses. 20. A signal flare projectile system as recited in claim 15, further comprising: a. a sleeve between said first illuminant mass and said cylindrical side wall of said projectile body; andb. a sleeve between said second illuminant mass and said cylindrical side wall of said projectile body.