Patents Assigned to Rheinmetall W & M GmbH
  • Publication number: 20040214520
    Abstract: The participants of a friendly communication system use so-called time windows in the interference pattern for the communication and transmission among each other. These time windows are preset ahead of time in the communication system by the jamming transmitter or are created and/or adapted individually and short-term with the aid of software programs. Since only the communication-system participants can recognize and/or detect these time windows, they are the only ones that can receive and/or transmit corresponding information during these time windows. The information is compressed in the known manner, such that it can be transmitted and received completely during the brief time window provided. The information can then be decompressed and read during the time of interference in the known manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2004
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Applicant: Rheinmetall W & M GmbH
    Inventor: Markus Jung
  • Gun
    Publication number: 20040200346
    Abstract: A gun in which the gun barrel (2) is seated to be axially displaced in a cradle barrel. To avoid a lifting effect of the gun barrel (2) upon firing, and omit the necessity of complicated guide grooves in the cradle barrel (3) and tabs on the gun barrel (2), an elastically deformable, first slide-bushing bearing (5) is provided at the muzzle end of the cradle barrel, and a second slide-bushing bearing (6) with a predetermined amount of fit play is provided at the breech-ring end of the cradle barrel 3.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2003
    Publication date: October 14, 2004
    Applicant: Rheinmetall W & M GmbH
    Inventors: Berthold Baumann, Eckehard Bohnsack, Friedhelm Knorich
  • Patent number: 6796243
    Abstract: A cartridge having a propellant-charge casing (2) and an electrothermal ignition device (4), in which the propellant-charge casing (2) is connected to a metal casing base (3) and a contact piece (5) that is connected to a contact disk (9) is provided for the connection to a gun-side high-voltage electrode (22. To assure an automatic operation of corresponding weapons systems, during use of such cartridges, the contact piece (5) is formed such that it does not protrude past the outside surface (27) of the floor piece (7) on the outside, and on the inside, the contact piece forms the contact disk (9), which is supported over a large surface area against the propellant-charge casing (2) by a relatively thin-walled insulator (15) that is formed as a casing base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: Rheinmetall W & M GmbH
    Inventors: Heiner Schmees, Lothar Post
  • Publication number: 20040158969
    Abstract: A method is provided for producing a sheathed penetrator having a steel sheath and a heavy-metal core with a smooth surface. The method includes heating the steel sheath to a temperature between 70 and 350° C.; inserting the heavy-metal core into the heated steel sheath; and allowing the steel sheath to cool down. An inside diameter of the steel sheath and an outside diameter of the heavy-metal core are such that an interference fit exists between the steel sheath and the heavy-metal core after the steel sheath has cooled down.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2004
    Publication date: August 19, 2004
    Applicant: Rheinmetall W & M GmbH
    Inventors: Helmut Ortmann, Stefan Thiesen, Dieter Jungbluth
  • Patent number: 6776102
    Abstract: A projectile body having a groove-shaped recess (2), in which a guide band (3) is disposed. To permit use of a relatively wide guide band (3), while preventing the band from being destroyed as the projectile body (1) passes through the gun barrel, and preventing significant copper-plating of the barrel, the guide band (3) is assembled from two partial guide bands (5, 6), with the relatively narrow, first partial band (5), which faces the base (7) of the projectile, comprising copper or a copper alloy and providing a seal against the propellant gases acting on the projectile rear under high pressure. The second, considerably wider partial guide band (6) essentially comprises plastic, and includes at least one hollow space (11), which lends it adequate deformation reserves with respect to the high surface pressure acting on this partial guide band (6) when the projectile body (1) passes through the barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Rheinmetall W & M GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Thiesen, Dieter Jungbluth
  • Patent number: 6769364
    Abstract: A full-caliber projectile having a cylindrical guide region (5) and an ogival projectile tip (7). To improve the stabilization of the projectile (1) inside a gun barrel (2) in a simple manner, and therefore improve the intermediate ballistics and hit accuracy over those of comparable projectiles, a guide ring (8), which is segmented in the circumferential direction, and whose outer diameter is smaller than the inner diameter of a gun barrel (2) of the same caliber, is secured to the projectile tip (7) such that the radially spaced guide-ring segments (9) detach from the projectile (1) in the gun barrel (2) when a predetermined firing acceleration occurs in the gun barrel, and the segments (9) are pushed toward the projectile (1), axially relative to the cylindrical guide region (5), by dynamic pressure until they rest against the inside wall (18) of the gun barrel (2) and against the projectile (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: Rheinmetall W & M GmbH
    Inventors: Jürgen Kolodzey, Thomas Heitmann, Michael Imdahl, Michael Vagedes
  • Patent number: 6758435
    Abstract: A missile includes a missile body and a guide assembly mounted on the missile body. The guide assembly has a plurality of pivots and a plurality of vanes mounted on respective pivots for a swinging motion between a folded position of rest and a deployed flight position. The vanes are arranged for free pivotal motion during flight in response to forces acting thereon to determine the flight position. In the folded position of each vane, its center of gravity is situated at a greater distance from the longitudinal axis of the missile body than the pivotal axis of the respective vanes. Abutments limit the flight position of the vanes to a maximum angle between the length dimension of the vanes and the longitudinal axis of the missile body. The maximum angle is greater than 90°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: Rheinmetall W & M GmbH
    Inventors: Torsten Niemeyer, Manfred Dieter Schwies, Uwe Naderhoff, Thomas Heitman, Michael Imdahl, Rudolf Rombach
  • Gun
    Patent number: 6752061
    Abstract: A gun whose barrel (2′) is connected to a breech ring (16), and is seated to be displaced in a cradle barrel (3). To prevent a lifting effect of the barrel (2′) inside the cradle barrel (3) upon firing, a slide-bushing bearing is disposed on at least the muzzle side of the barrel (2′). The bearing encompasses a barrel bushing (7′), in which the barrel (2′) is disposed free from any lifting effect, and whose outside surface (8) slides in a form-fit (i.e., with the smallest possible amount of play) in the cradle barrel (3), so that the barrel (2′) is independently guided to slide both axially and radially. The radial sliding guidance of the barrel (2′) during firing is effected by tab-shaped protrusions (10′), which extend into corresponding, groove-shaped recesses (9′) of the barrel bushing (7′) and hold the barrel (2′) in the center of the barrel bushing (7′).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: Rheinmetall W & M GmbH
    Inventors: Friedhelm Knorich, Berthold Baumann
  • Patent number: 6745697
    Abstract: A cartridge with a propellant case (4) that contains a propellant charge (3) and an electrothermal ignition device, wherein several ignition channels (9) are provided in the charge (3), and extend axial-symmetrical in the direction of longitudinal axis (8) of cartridge (1), with each channel comprising a propellant tube (10) and an electrically conducting layer (11). To achieve a uniform and symmetrical ignition of the cartridge (1) in the chamber of the respective weapon, electric arcs (21) that form during the ignition operation in the ignition channels (9), are decoupled in that the electrically conducting layer (11) is composed of successively connected rhombi or other shapes (circles, ovals, etc.) that electrically function as decoupling resistances. When current flows through such a structure, the current bridges (20) arranged in the current-flow direction between the individual rhombi (15) etc. initially break apart explosively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Rheinmetall W & M GmbH
    Inventors: Hans-Karl Haak, Alexei Voronov
  • Publication number: 20040103576
    Abstract: An apparatus for the section-wise autofrettage of gun barrels (22) by a hydraulic pressure generated inside the barrel. The apparatus (1, 1′, 1″) comprises a mandrel-shaped insert (2, 2′, 2″) inserted into the barrel (22) from the breech opening. A first sealing device (3) is disposed at one end of the insert (2, 2′, 2″), and has a seal packet (5) disposed on a seal seat (4) of the insert (2, 2′, 2″). The seal seat (4) is limited at the front by a threaded sleeve (7) screwed onto the insert (2, 2′, 2″), and an annular intermediate part (8) adjoining the threaded sleeve (7) at the rear. The seal packet (5) includes at least one O-ring (10) held by a shoulder (9) of the mandrel-shaped insert (2, 2′, 2″), and a high-pressure seal (15) formed by two partial rings (13, 14) that are connected to one another by a conical contact surface (16).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2003
    Publication date: June 3, 2004
    Applicant: RHEINMETALL W&M GMBH
    Inventors: Hartmut Wagner, Heinz Gunter Breuer, Hans Hulsewis, Berthold Baumann
  • Publication number: 20040083920
    Abstract: A fragment projectile (1) that can be produced at low cost, and has a sufficient fragment distribution for combating targets, while avoiding the use of explosives in the interior of space (7) of the fragment projectile (1). Instead, the interior space (7) normally required for the explosive for such proximity is at least partially filled with heavy metal fragments (4) and a relatively compact pyrotechnical ejector charge (5) is provided to effect the ejection of the fragments (4) at a desired or predetermined time. The fragment projectile (1) should preferably be a sub caliber projectile to attain the highest possible fragment speed in the target region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2003
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Applicant: Rheinmetall W & M GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Thiesen, Dieter Jungbluth
  • Publication number: 20040084330
    Abstract: A packing case (1) for a large-caliber cartridge (2), having a thin-walled cartridge case (3) and a projectile (4), which protrudes at least partially out of the front of the cartridge casing (3), and has at its outer circumference an annular stop groove (5), with the packing case (1) including an outer case (6) and an inner case (7) that comprises at least two partial cases disposed one behind the other. To enable the cartridge to be easily secured in the packing case and subsequently removed, at least two spring-loaded stop elements (19) that can pivot toward the projectile (4) and have guide elements (21) are provided. The stop elements extend with a form-fit into the stop groove (5) of the projectile (4) and are supported at the rear against a partial case (11) of the inner case (7).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2003
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Applicant: Rheinmetall W & M GmbH
    Inventors: Lutz Borngen, Holger Brase, Silvia Bruske, Thomas Heitmann, Michael Vagedes, Martin Berg
  • Patent number: 6725781
    Abstract: A cartridge, comprising a cartridge case (3), a projectile (4), a propellant charge igniter (8) extending in the direction of the longitudinal axis of cartridge (1) and arranged inside the cartridge case (3), and an electrically programmable projectile fuse arranged in the projectile (4) and connected via at least one electrical line (110) to an electrode on the cartridge base (2). The cartridge case (3) comprises at least two case sections (5, 6) with at least one separation location in the region between the front end (7) of the propellant charge igniter (8) and the projectile tail (9) for the installation of a section of the electrical line (110) between the cartridge base (2) and the projectile fuse using two rotating connector assemblies, one of which turns more easily than the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: Rheinmetall W & M GmbH
    Inventors: Torsten Niemeyer, Thomas Heitmann, Rupert Reinstadler, Michael Vagedes, Frank Schötzig, Rainer Himmert
  • Patent number: 6712005
    Abstract: A projectile to be fired from a gun having a chamber (2) with a conical transition region (4) to a caliber barrel (3) that adjoins the front of the gun. The projectile (5) has a sub-caliber penetrator (6), a jettisonable propelling cage sabot (7) connected to the penetrator (6), and at least one guide band (10) adapted to the caliber barrel (3) secured to the rear side or portion of the sabot. To ensure that the rear region of the propelling cage sabot (7) seals the chamber (2) against propellant gases that are pushing forward, even if the guide band (10) itself is still located in the chamber, an additional sealing ring (14; 17), comprising a deformable plastic, is provided on the existing guide band (10) adapted to the caliber of the barrel (3). The sealing ring assumes the function of providing the initial seal after the cartridge is ignited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Rheinmetall W & M GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Heitmann
  • Publication number: 20040052964
    Abstract: A method for coating the inside surface (5) of a gun barrel (1), at least in a partial region (2), with a layer of a layer material (9) for avoiding erosion. For the simple application of layer materials that melt at high temperatures to the inside surface (5) of the gun barrel (1), with the internal-stress state of the barrel (1) only being influenced to a small extent by the heat input, the coating is applied to the inside surface of the respective barrel (1) through plasma spraying, and simultaneously directing a laser beam (7) toward the inside surface (5) of the barrel (1), to melt the near-surface gun-barrel region (10) that is already coated or is to be coated. This causes the formation of a molten bath (11) that contains the melted gun-barrel material and the layer material in the near-surface region (10) of the barrel, with the bath hardening as the laser beam (7) continues to move.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2003
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Applicant: Rheinmetall W & M GmbH
    Inventor: Stefan Kaufmann
  • Patent number: 6701656
    Abstract: A weapon barrel includes a hard chromium layer provided on an inner barrel surface. The hard chromium layer contains at least 500 fissures/cm in a cross-sectional plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Rheinmetall W & M GmbH
    Inventors: Gert Schlenkert, Hartmut Wagner, Horst Reckeweg
  • Patent number: 6698329
    Abstract: A method for replacing a fuse casing (4), which is riveted to the casing (2) of an active component (1) containing an explosive charge (3). The new fuse casing (4) laser-welded to the remaining rivet parts (5) of the active component casing (2). Welding filler materials are used to attach the new fuse casing (4) easily and securely to the active component casing (2), such that the connection can withstand even high firing accelerations, without this resulting in impermissibly high thermal stress to the explosive charge (3) in the active component. Welding powders (7) or welding pastes can be used as welding filler materials, which are inserted into gaps (8) remaining between the remaining rivet parts (5) and the bores (6) in the fuse casing (4) before the remaining rivet parts (5) are welded to the fuse casing (4). Also used are discs (9) that cover the bore holes (6) in the fuse casing (4). The disks are placed onto the frontal faces of the remaining rivet parts (5) and are welded to these.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Rheinmetall W & M GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Hoffmann, Wolfgang Schiller, Wolfgang Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20040020399
    Abstract: A projectile body having a groove-shaped recess (2), in which a guide band (3) is disposed. To permit use of a relatively wide guide band (3), while preventing the band from being destroyed as the projectile body (1) passes through the gun barrel, and preventing significant copper-plating of the barrel, the guide band (3) is assembled from two partial guide bands (5, 6), with the relatively narrow, first partial band (5), which faces the base (7) of the projectile, comprising copper or a copper alloy and providing a seal against the propellant gases acting on the projectile rear under high pressure. The second, considerably wider partial guide band (6) essentially comprises plastic, and includes at least one hollow space (11), which lends it adequate deformation reserves with respect to the high surface pressure acting on this partial guide band (6) when the projectile body (1) passes through the barrel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2003
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Applicant: Rheinmetall W & M GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Thiesen, Dieter Jungbluth
  • GUN
    Publication number: 20040020352
    Abstract: A gun whose barrel (2′) is connected to a breech ring (16), and is seated to be displaced in a cradle barrel (3). To prevent a lifting effect of the barrel (2′) inside the cradle barrel (3) upon firing, a slide-bushing bearing is disposed on at least the muzzle side of the barrel (2′). The bearing encompasses a barrel bushing (7′), in which the barrel (2′) is disposed free from any lifting effect, and whose outside surface (8) slides in a form-fit (i.e., with the smallest possible amount of play) in the cradle barrel (3), so that the barrel (2′) is independently guided to slide both axially and radially. The radial sliding guidance of the barrel (2′) during firing is effected by tab-shaped protrusions (10′), which extend into corresponding, groove-shaped recesses (9′) of the barrel bushing (7′) and hold the barrel (2′) in the center of the barrel bushing (7′).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2003
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Applicant: Rheinmetall W & M GmbH
    Inventors: Friedhelm Knorich, Berthold Baumann
  • Publication number: 20040007873
    Abstract: To seal a pipe mortar, a sealing element (3, 6) is inserted between the pipe (1) and the base (2), with the element elastically balancing out the axial relative movements between the pipe (1) and the base (2). The sealing element (3) is preferably prestressed, with the gas pressure supporting the sealing effect. The sealing element (3, 6) can be a U-shaped or L-shaped steel ring. In the U-shaped sealing element (3), the legs (3.1) are axially prestressed to the extent that the sealing ring (3) and the pipe (1) or the base (2) are pressed together to produce an adequate seal. In the L-shaped sealing element (6), the inside leg (6.1) produces the gas-tight connection when the pipe (1) and the base (2) are screwed together. A sealing lips (6.2) of the sealing ring (6) elastically absorbs changes in length between the pipe and the base that occur during firing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2003
    Publication date: January 15, 2004
    Applicant: Rheinmetall W & M GmbH
    Inventors: Ralf-Joachim Herrmann, Henning von Seidlitz, Marold Elspass, Rolf Bartolles