Sabot stripping

Abstract

Barrel assembly ( 10 ) includes an array of individual barrels ( 11 ) with each barrel ( 11 ) including a sabot stripping structure ( 23 ) and a sabot receiver ( 28 ) arranged to collect and prevent sabots ( 14 ) from exiting muzzle ( 20 ) of barrel ( 11 ). Each barrel ( 11 ) incoporates a multiplicity of sabotted projectiles ( 12 ) stacked axially within barrel ( 11 ) and a multiplicity of interposed corresponding propellent charges ( 16 ). Sabotted projectiles ( 12 ) each comprise projectile ( 13 ) and an associated sabot ( 14 ) detachably engaged with projectile ( 13 ). Detonation of a leading propellant charge ( 16 ) urges following sabotted projectiles ( 12 ) into sealing engagement with respective barrels ( 11 ).

1 . A barrel assembly incorporating a multiplicity of sabotted projectiles stacked axially within the barrel assembly and a multiplicity of corresponding propellant charges disposed therebetween wherein the barrel assembly includes a barrel having a muzzle and wherein said barrel includes a sabot stripping structure and a sabot receiver arranged whereby sabots are prevented from exiting the muzzle of the barrel and wherein the multiplicity of sabotted projectiles comprise a multiplicity of projectiles and a multiplicity of associated sabots wherein the associated sabots detachably engage the projectiles whereby detonation of a leading propellant urges subsequent sabotted projectiles into sealing engagement with the barrel.  
     
     
         2 . A barrel assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the multiplicity of projectiles have bullet shaped head portion about which the sabot is disposed and a tail portion that extends rearwardly into abutting relationship with the leading end of the next adjacent trailing projectile whereby the stacked column of sabotted projectiles are positively located in their operative positions in the barrel.  
     
     
         3 . A barrel assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the sabot detachably engages the projectile whereby it is secured it against forward movement relative to the projectile.  
     
     
         4 . A barrel assembly according to  claim 3  wherein the sabot is detachably secured to the projectile by a detent for engaging a corresponding recess on the projectile.  
     
     
         5 . A barrel assembly according to  claim 3  wherein the projectile incorporates a detent for engaging a corresponding recess on the sabot.  
     
     
         6 . A barrel assembly according to  claim 3  wherein the sabot includes complementary shallow inwardly directed annular ribs on the inner face of the sabot for engagement with shallow outer annular recesses in the projectile.  
     
     
         7 . A barrel assembly according to  claim 3  wherein the sabot includes an annular concavity in the inner face of the sabot for engagement with a complementary convex outer annular portion of the projectile.  
     
     
         8 . A barrel assembly according to  claim 3  wherein the sabot detachably engage the projectile through an interference fit.  
     
     
         9 . A barrel assembly according to  claim 8  wherein the interference fit is a tapered interference fit.  
     
     
         10 . A barrel assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the associated sabots comprise a pair of complementary continuous or segmented annular portions that engage through opposed tapered land portions whereby the outer annular portion is urged to expand radially upon commencement of movement of the inner annular portion therethrough to sealably engage the barrel wherein the inner annular portion is urged to move through the outer annular portion by the detonation of the propellant charge in front of the sabotted projectile in the array of axially stacked projectiles.  
     
     
         11 . A barrel assembly according to  claim 10  wherein a transversely extending flange is provided on one annular portion to limit the relative longitudinal movement of the inner portion through the outer portion.  
     
     
         12 . A barrel assembly according to  claim 11  the flange is a radial outwardly extending flange formed on the trailing end of the inner annular portion.  
     
     
         13 . A barrel assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the sabot stripping structure includes an inner sleeve portion at or adjacent the muzzle and disposed concentric with the barrel and through which the projectiles pass and about which the sabots pass.  
     
     
         14 . A barrel assembly according to  claim 13  wherein the inner sleeve is suitably tapered at its stripping end to urge the sabot away from the projectile into an annular barrel portion between the sleeve and the muzzle of the barrel.  
     
     
         15 . A barrel assembly according to  claim 13  wherein the inner sleeve portion is supported by webs extending between the inner sleeve and the barrel.  
     
     
         16 . A barrel assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the barrel flares outwardly at the muzzle.  
     
     
         17 . A barrel assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the stripped sabot is retained in an annular storage portion at the muzzle end of the barrel.  
     
     
         18 . A barrel having a muzzle and wherein said barrel includes a sabot stripping structure and a sabot receiver arranged whereby sabots are prevented from exiting the muzzle of the barrel.  
     
     
         19 . A barrel according to  claim 18  wherein the sabot stripping structure includes an inner sleeve portion at or adjacent the muzzle and disposed concentric with the barrel and through which projectiles pass and about which sabots pass.  
     
     
         20 . A barrel according to  claim 19  wherein the inner sleeve is suitably tapered at its stripping end to urge the sabot away from the projectile into an annular barrel portion between the sleeve and the muzzle of the barrel.  
     
     
         21 . A barrel according to  claim 19  wherein the inner sleeve portion is supported by webs extending between the inner sleeve and the barrel.  
     
     
         22 . A barrel according to  claim 18  wherein the barrel flares outwardly at the muzzle.  
     
     
         23 . A barrel according to  claim 18  wherein the barrel includes an retainer whereby the stripped sabot is retained in an annular storage portion at the muzzle end of the barrel.  
     
     
         24 . A sabotted projectile for stacking axially within a barrel assembly comprising a projectile and a sabot wherein the sabot detachably engages the projectile wherein detonation of a leading propellant in an axially stacked array urges subsequent sabotted projectiles into sealing engagement with the barrel.  
     
     
         25 . A sabotted projectile according to  claim 24  wherein the projectile has a bullet shaped head portion about which the sabot is disposed and a tail portion that extends rearwardly into abutting relationship with the leading end of the next adjacent trailing projectile whereby a stacked column of sabotted projectiles are positively located in their operative positions in the barrel.  
     
     
         26 . A sabotted projectile according to  claim 24  wherein the sabot detachably engages the projectile whereby it is secured it against forward movement relative to the projectile.  
     
     
         27 . A sabotted projectile according to  claim 26  wherein the sabot is detachably secured to the projectile by a detent for engaging a corresponding recess on the projectile.  
     
     
         28 . A sabotted projectile according to  claim 26  wherein the projectile incorporates a detent for engaging a corresponding recess on the sabot.  
     
     
         29 . A sabotted projectile according to  claim 26  wherein the sabot includes complementary shallow inwardly directed annular ribs on the inner face of the sabot for engagement with shallow outer annular recesses in the projectile.  
     
     
         30 . A sabotted projectile according to  claim 26  wherein the sabot includes an annular concavity in the inner face of the sabot for engagement with a complementary convex outer annular portion of the projectile.  
     
     
         31 . A sabotted projectile according to  claim 26  wherein the sabot detachably engages the projectile through an interference fit.  
     
     
         32 . A sabotted projectile according to  claim 31  wherein the interference fit is a tapered interference fit.  
     
     
         33 . A sabotted projectile according to  claim 24  wherein the associated sabots comprise a pair of complementary continuous or segmented annular portions that engage through opposed tapered land portions whereby the outer annular portion is urged to expand radially upon commencement of movement of the inner annular portion therethrough to sealably engage the barrel wherein the inner annular portion is urged to move through the outer annular portion by the detonation of the propellant charge in front of the sabotted projectile in the array of axially stacked projectiles.  
     
     
         34 . A sabotted projectile according to  claim 33  wherein a transversely extending flange is provided on one annular portion to limit the relative longitudinal movement of the inner portion through the outer portion.  
     
     
         35 . A sabotted projectile according to  claim 34  the flange is a radial outwardly extending flange formed on the trailing end of the inner annular portion.