Lightweight rammer

Abstract

A lightweight rammer system and method for engaging an artillery projectile or propellant charge, wherein the rammer system comprises an internal combustion generator comprising a first firing mechanism; an actuator driven by the firing mechanism, wherein the actuator comprises a propellant combustible into a pressurized fluid; and a pressure accumulator connected to the actuator, wherein the pressure accumulator controllably releases the pressurized fluid; a ramming component connected to the internal combustion generator and powered by the pressurized fluid; and means for regenerating pressure in the pressure accumulator actuated by recoil motion of the ramming component.

1 . A rammer system for engaging an artillery projectile or propellant charge, said rammer system comprising:
 an internal combustion generator comprising:   a first firing mechanism;   an actuator driven by said firing mechanism, wherein said actuator comprises a propellant combustible into a pressurized fluid; and   a pressure accumulator connected to said actuator, wherein said pressure accumulator controllably releases said pressurized fluid; and   a ramming component for engaging an artillery projectile or propellant charge connected to said internal combustion generator and powered by said pressurized fluid   
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising means for regenerating pressure in said pressure accumulator actuated by recoil motion of said ramming component. 
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said first firing mechanism comprises any of a catalyst, a spark-generating mechanism, and a percussion or electric initiation-firing pin or probe. 
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said actuator comprises:
 a combustion chamber configured for allowing said propellant to combust upon actuation from said first firing mechanism; and   a first rupture disc connected to said combustion chamber.   
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein said actuator further comprises:
 at least one hole configured in said actuator and positioned between said combustion chamber and said first rupture disc;   a pressure reservoir adjacent to said first rupture disc; and   a particulate filter adjacent to said pressure reservoir.   
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein said actuator further comprises:
 a pressure reservoir connected to said first rupture disc;   a second rupture disc;   a plurality of holes configured in said actuator and positioned between said pressure reservoir and said second rupture disc; and   a pneumatic chamber adjacent to said second rupture disc.   
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein said actuator further comprises a slidably mounted closure wedge connected to said pneumatic chamber. 
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein said actuator further comprises a particulate filter adjacent to said pneumatic chamber. 
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said actuator comprises:
 a combustion chamber configured for allowing said propellant to combust upon actuation from said first firing mechanism;   a second firing mechanism; and   a charge tube connecting said first firing mechanism to said second firing mechanism.   
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said propellant comprises any of a solid propellant, a liquid propellant, a fluid propellant, and a combination thereof. 
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said propellant comprises a liquid monopropellant and a catalyst. 
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said pressure accumulator comprises:
 a first orifice connected to said actuator;   a piston;   a pressure release valve;   a second orifice separated from said first orifice by said piston, wherein said second orifice being configured to have a height smaller than a height of said pressure accumulator;   a tube portion connected to said second orifice; and   a fluid release valve disposed in said tube portion.   
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 12 , further comprising a particulate filter disposed in said tube portion. 
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein said ramming component comprises:
 a rammer chamber connected to said tube portion;   a rammer piston enclosed in a portion of said rammer chamber;   at least one bias member connecting said rammer piston to said rammer chamber;   a pressure vent disposed in said rammer chamber; and   an opening in said rammer chamber configured for allowing translation of said rammer piston therebetween.   
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein said ramming component further comprises a seal configured in said opening and positioned proximate to said rammer piston. 
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein said rammer piston comprises a generally elongated cylindrical shaft portion and a pair of generally cylindrical end portions positioned on opposite ends of said shaft portion. 
   
   
       17 . An artillery ramming assembly comprising:
 a firing mechanism;   an actuator connected to said firing mechanism, wherein said actuator comprises a propellant decomposable into a pressurized fluid;   a pressure accumulator connected to said actuator, wherein said pressure accumulator is configured for controlling a flow of said pressurized fluid; and   a rammer for engaging an artillery projectile or propellant chare connected to said pressure accumulator and powered by said pressurized fluid.   
   
   
       18 . The assembly of  claim 17 , further comprising means for regenerating pressure in said pressure accumulator actuated by recoil motion of said rammer. 
   
   
       19 . The assembly of  claim 17 , wherein said firing mechanism comprises any of a catalyst, a spark-generating mechanism, and a percussion or electric initiation-firing pin or probe. 
   
   
       20 . The assembly of  claim 17 , wherein said actuator comprises:
 a combustion chamber configured for allowing said propellant to combust upon actuation from said firing mechanism; and   a first rupture disc connected said combustion chamber.   
   
   
       21 . The assembly of  claim 20 , wherein said actuator further comprises:
 at least one hole configured in said actuator and positioned between said combustion chamber and said first rupture disc;   a pressure reservoir adjacent to said first rupture disc; and   a particulate filter adjacent to said pressure reservoir.   
   
   
       22 . The assembly of  claim 20 , wherein said actuator further comprises:
 a pressure reservoir connected to said first rupture disc;   a second rupture disc;   a plurality of holes configured in said actuator and positioned between said pressure reservoir and said second rupture disc; and   a pneumatic chamber adjacent to said second rupture disc.   
   
   
       23 . The assembly of  claim 22 , wherein said actuator further comprises a slidably mounted closure wedge connected to said pneumatic chamber. 
   
   
       24 . The assembly of  claim 22 , wherein said actuator further comprises a particulate filter adjacent to said pneumatic chamber. 
   
   
       25 . The assembly of  claim 17 , wherein said actuator comprises:
 a combustion chamber configured for allowing said propellant to combust upon actuation from said firing mechanism;   a charge-triggering mechanism; and   a charge tube connecting said firing mechanism to said charge-triggering mechanism.   
   
   
       26 . The assembly of  claim 17 , wherein said propellant comprises any of a solid propellant, a liquid propellant, a fluid propellant, and a combination thereof. 
   
   
       27 . The assembly of  claim 17 , wherein said propellant comprises a monopropellant comprising a liquid monopropellant and a catalyst. 
   
   
       28 . The assembly of  claim 17 , wherein said pressure accumulator comprises:
 a first orifice connected to said actuator;   a piston;   a pressure release valve;   a second orifice separated from said first orifice by said piston, wherein said second orifice being configured to have a height smaller than a height of said pressure accumulator;   a tube portion connected to said second orifice; and   a fluid release valve disposed in said tube portion.   
   
   
       29 . The assembly of  claim 28 , further comprising a particulate filter disposed in said tube portion. 
   
   
       30 . The assembly of  claim 28 , wherein said rammer comprises:
 a rammer chamber connected to said tube portion;   a rammer piston enclosed in a portion of said rammer chamber;   at least one bias member connecting said rammer piston to said rammer chamber;   a pressure vent disposed in said rammer chamber; and   an opening in said rammer chamber configured for allowing translation of said rammer piston therebetween.   
   
   
       31 . The assembly of  claim 30 , wherein said rammer further comprises a seal configured in said opening and positioned proximate to said rammer piston. 
   
   
       32 . The assembly of  claim 30 , wherein said rammer piston comprises a generally elongated cylindrical shaft portion and a pair of generally cylindrical end portions positioned on opposite ends of said shaft portion. 
   
   
       33 . An artillery ramming system comprising:
 means for triggering combustion of a combustible propellant into a fluid;   means for pressurizing said fluid;   means for controlling a flow of the pressurized fluid;   means, powered by said pressurized fluid, for ramming any of an artillery projectile and propellant charge; and   means, actuated by recoil motion of said means for ramming, for regenerating pressure in said artillery ramming system.   
   
   
       34 . A method of ramming an artillery or propellant charge, said method comprising:
 triggering combustion of a combustible propellant into a fluid;   pressurizing said fluid into a pressure vessel;   controlling a flow of the pressurized fluid in a pressure accumulator;   ramming any of an artillery projectile and propellant charge using a rammer driven by power generated by said pressurized fluid; and   regenerating pressure in said pressure accumulator using recoil motion of said rammer.   
   
   
       35 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein said triggering occurs using a firing mechanism comprising any of a catalyst, a spark-generating mechanism, and a percussion or electric initiation-firing pin or probe. 
   
   
       36 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein said triggering, said combustible propellant comprises any of a solid propellant, a liquid propellant, a fluid propellant, and a combination thereof 
   
   
       37 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein in said triggering, said combustible propellant comprises a liquid monopropellant and a catalyst.