Abstract: Ring pellets for gas generators exhibit optimum reaction rates by having configurations which optimize such rates. The pellet has a central ignition duct; from the latter, outlet channels extend radially toward a rim of the pellet. Specific embodiments contain, on the topside and underside of the pellets, either conical recesses or annular channels or both. The pellets preferably exhibit a proportion of surface area/unit weight of from 4 to 7 cm.sup.2 /g, which can be set by variation of the channels and, respectively, of the recesses to obtain a desired value. The higher this value, the greater the reaction rate. The ring pellets are especially well suited for airbag generators which must display differently high reaction rates on the driver's side and on the front-seat passenger's side, and which are to exhibit at the same time a high breaking and abrasion stability.

Abstract: In fuse elements of layered structure with long delay times, misfires, occur, above all, if aggravating secondary conditions prevail (such as, for example, high projectile rotation and/or temperature stresses and shock stresses). The safe progression of the reaction through the element is enhanced by providing that, as seen in the propagation direction of the reaction, the central zone of a charge igniting a delay charge projects into a central region of the delay charge. An additional improvement can be achieved by interposing between the ignition charge and the delay section, one or several relay charges and by making the choice of the charge components so that the discontinuities of the characteristic values (especially of the reaction rate) become more even and thus smaller, or by utilizing an ignition charge having a particularly low reaction rate.

Abstract: In a gas generator for an airbag of a vehicle, a chamber is provided around a cylindrical pressure reservoir filled with gas-releasing materials. The chamber contains a filter and is traversed over its entire length by a gas stream produced from the gas-releasing materials along a cylindrical outer surface. Such a gas generator is especially suitable for an airbag intended to prevent primarily only the impacting of the driver's head against the steering column while the other protective functions, which are otherwise also to be carried out by an airbag in a vehcle as the sole protective device, are taken over by a safety belt.

Abstract: A method for producing a caseless propellant charge is disclosed wherein a polynitro polymer having an aromatic or heterocyclic ring is employed as a binder with a solvent and a propellant to produce an admixture and the admixture is molded into a shaped charge body.

Abstract: For the purpose of welding one side of a metallic foil to a relatively thick-walled metal tube, it is proposed to cover the foil from the other side in an annular fashion with a similar or identical tube section also made of metal and to join the tube and the tube section from the outside by means of welding, e.g., plasma welding; in this procedure, the welding bond is not allowed to extend through the entire tube wall thickness. In this way, tubular elements such as cylindrical casings of primer caps can be made tight, which primer caps can be filled from the front in a simple way, but wherein it has thus far been difficult to test for the reliability of the cover formed over a primer charge.

Abstract: By interposing, in a detonator/igniter (or igniting) element directly initiatable by a laser pulse, a layer of adequate absorbance over the optical spectral region, which layer can be faded out at the wavelength of the detonator laser, into the beam path, then the layer acts as a switch preventing light other than the laser pulse intended for triggering from setting off detonation of a primary charge within the element. The switching function, i.e., the intensity at which a laser pulse is allowed to pass through, depends on the spectral characteristics of the bleachable absorber and should range between 10.sup.7 and 10.sup.12 W/cm.sup.2. The bleachable absorber is a passive element offering considerable protection from erroneous triggering by light other than the intended laser pulse; it can be manufactured and integrated into the element in an inexpensive and controllable way and does not require any substantial raising of the energy of the laser.

Abstract: The present invention concerns propellant compositions for the generation of nontoxic gases which are utilized, for example, in airbag generators. These compositions contain, as a gas-yielding component, at least one alkali azide. According to the invention, the compositions are stabilized against the effects of moisture and carbon dioxide by the addition of talc and/or magnesium oxide. These additives are included in amounts of from 3 to 10% by weight. The additive acts so that the propellant compositions do not release hydrazoic acid even under the action of moisture and/or carbon dioxide.

Abstract: A mine, particularly a land mine, is equipped with at least one active (i.e. destructive) element which is accommodated in a housing of the mine and can be brought to the functional level by means of a rocket engine. For attaining a definite ascent of the active element, the rocket engine is mounted to this active element in such a way, and is designed in such a way, that its exhaust nozzles are located outside the mine housing and the propellant gases of the rocket engine effect extraction of the active element from the mine housing which is open at an upper end. The rocket engine furthermore exerts preferably a torque on the active element about the longitudinal axis of the element so that, in conjunction with an effective charge, the effective direction of which is inclined obliquely downwardly, the effective area on the ground continuously increases in a spiral fashion during ascent of the active element.

Abstract: A flexible sealing sheet for controllably leakproof separation of the regions present on both sides thereof, especially for the sealing of rubbish dumps, which exhibits, in at least one plane, hollow channels extending essentially in the longitudinal extension of the sheet and separated from one another by channel walls. The hollow channels permit, with the sealing sheet already installed, an inspection with respect to possible leakage. It is furthermore possible, by selective injection of appropriate sealing media into the hollow channels to subsequently repair defective portions of the sealing sheets.

Abstract: Pyrotechnic delay compositions with delays in the seconds range are based on a pyrotechnic delay mixture of powdered metallic tungsten, barium chromate an potassium perchlorate, and additionally contain either barium hexafluorosilicate or calcium fluoride pyrogenic silica. The additives cause these compositions to burn completely even under severe environmental conditions, such as very fast rotation, vibration, impact, shock, and, at the same time, extremely low below-freezing temperatures. The effect of the barium hexafluorosilicate is still further improved if the delay compositions additionally contain pyrogenic silica.

Abstract: An electrically primable igniter charge yield has a composition that yields a reduced proportion of toxic vapors after the deflagration. The composition of the charges contains, as the oxidizing agent, zinc peroxide and, as a component providing additional energy, initiating explosives of the kind which do not trigger a detonation in direct contact with press-molded elements of nitrocellulose propellant charge powders. Among these initiating exposives are the potassium salts of trinitrophenol or trinitroresorcinol. The components of the igniter charges are mixed with fibers of an electrically conductive material. Suitable conductive materials are carbon or metals, such as iron or copper, or metal alloys, such as brass, for example. The igniter charges furthermore contain a binder which is preferably a secondary explosive, such as, for example, nitrocellulose.

Abstract: A propulsion cage usually constructed from three segments, intended for a subcaliber projectile is designed so that a surface exposed to the propellant gases is extended preferably in the shape of a truncated cone with the apex toward the rear up to the end of the subcaliber projectile. Force derived from the propellant gases can be transmitted in uniform distribution practically over the entire surface of the subcaliber projectile. At the same time, transmission between the propulsion cage and the subcaliber projectile is enhanced so that the entire propulsion cage can be manufactured from a fiber-reinforced synthetic resin, so that there is no absolute need for providing additional shape-mating transitions between the propulsion cage and the subcaliber projectile, and so that yet a very high propellant gas pressure can be utilized. Preferably, each segment exhibits wedge-shaped cavities open in the firing direction which are filled with cores.

Abstract: An after-firing safety device in a projectile with percussion fuze includes a spiral spring set having at least three springs wound up in series with respectively opposite directions. The spring set, maintained under tension by a cage, starts to uncoil as soon as the cage slides off the spiral spring set on account of the acceleration of the projectile during firing. The time elapsing until a central aperture has been entirely vacated depends on the number of springs, the spring lengh, the spring tension, and the friction characteristic. The after-firing safety device is equally well suited for spinning projectiles as well as nonspinning projectiles.

Abstract: Self-erecting mines are known in which unfoldable erecting elements are articulated to the lower end of the mine body. When the mine body has reached the ground in some position, the erecting elements are unfolded to erect the mine body. The purpose of the invention is to prevent the erected mine body from toppling over under the influence of laterally directed forces. According to the invention, the erecting elements are lockable in the unfolded state so that they cannot fold up again. As a result, the effective supporting surface of the mine body is increased.

Abstract: A rifle exhibits a cage axially movable in the barrel direction, a triggering system, except for the firing lever, being attached to this cage. Preferably, the cage is located within a base box through which extended cage axles are guided in slotted holes. By means of a safety including a cocking and, respectively, uncocking position, two conditions can be set from the rifle stock. In the safety position, the operative connection of the firing lever to a trigger sear lever is interrupted. Additionally, a pin at the trigger sear lever is caught in a slotted hole in the wall of the base box. When a shot is fired, the striker member overcomes a detent at the end of the catch lever because the catch lever can yield in the downward direction. During loading or repeating, the striker member is retracted, and the catch lever is again supported by the trigger sear lever (independently of whether a cocked or uncocked condition prevails).

Abstract: A pin of a retracting or ejecting pyrotechnical power element preferably mounted on the side of a belt lock facing away from the engaged belt is connected to a trigger key in such a way that, upon initiation of the charge of the pyrotechnical power element as a result of a threshold of a sensor in the vehicle being exceeded, due to an occurrence to be sensed, i.e. an impact upon collision and, after a required delay, the trigger key is depressed completely--and remains depressed. The required delay between the occurrence and the instant of belt separation can be effected electronically or, quite especially preferably, integrated in the pyrotechnical power element by means of a pyrotechnical transmission path.

Abstract: A gas generator for an air bag, which can be manufactured in an advantageous manner, has at least two tubular pressure tanks wherein materials that release gas are combusted. The pressure tanks are connected radially with a central member containing an igniter element. The gas-releasing material fills up a tubular interior extensively in the form of stackable molded elements adapted to fit within the pressure tank. In most cases, an adequate path for the ignition vapors is constituted by a central channel within each element, while in case of rod-shaped molded elements, such adequate path is represented by the "natural" cavities; additionally, a free surface area should exist between the elements and may be provided by nubs and/or indentations on the lateral faces of these molded elements.

Abstract: Ignition of a separating charge in a cavity between a flash-conducting tube and a casing of a propellant charge igniter extending below a combustible tube is brought about by the propellant gases passing through priming bores from the outside of the propellant charge igniter to be used in a breech of a cannon or like weapon. This requires a seal acting in the manner of a valve being positioned at the flash-conducting tube head and being urged towards the casing. An especially suitable sealing means in a sealing ring located in an annular groove having a cross-section shape similar to a trapezoid. In case, for example, on account of low temperatures, the pressure buildup of the propellant gases occurs more gradually, the separation of the combustible tube from the bottom piece is thereby also automatically initiated at a later point in time. Thereby, flashback in the breech zone of the cannon is avoided and ballistics are improved.

Abstract: By replacing a round sensor wire capable of effecting, by the formation of a spiral spring, the righting of a sensor wire on a mine after laying by a wire having a rectangular cross section wherein the larger sides of the rectangle of the cross-sectional area of the sensor wire form essentially a right angle with a radius vector of the cylindrical supporting member, the righting force of the sensor wire is considerably enhanced as compared with a round wire although the wire still remains sufficiently elastic to be windable around the mine without permanent deformation.

Abstract: In the inventive shaped charge, the main charge and the propagating charge are held together solely by the barrier. This union is possible (and is distinguished by pronounced freedom from flaws) because the barrier is produced directly in the cavity in which it is to remain and is able to conform with the utmost accuracy to the surfaces of the charges. The barrier is advantageously formed under vacuum. Factors to be considered in the selection of the barrier material are its fluidifiability, its solidification and shrinkage behavior, and its compatibility with the explosive. Suitable barrier materials include single- or two-component foams, casting compounds, resins and adhesives.