Explosively driven fragment launcher and a method for explosively launching a fragment at a target

Abstract

Disclosed techniques relate to fragment launching. In an example, a fragment launcher has a casing, a launch aperture and a detonation position. An inner profile of the casing tapers from the main body towards the fragment launch aperture and from the main body to the detonation position. A fragment is held within the launch aperture such that when in use an explosive charge can be initiated to launch the fragment from the launcher. The launcher is particularly suited to uses where there is a requirement to launch a fragment in a consistent and repeatable manner.

1 . An explosively driven fragment launcher comprising a casing having a main body for housing an explosive charge, the casing further comprising a first end provided with a launching aperture configured to hold a fragment and a second end provided with a detonation position configured to receive a detonation means for detonating the explosive charge, wherein an inner profile of the casing tapers from the main body towards the launching aperture and from the main body towards the detonation position, such that in use an explosive pressure is directed towards a fragment to be launched. 
     
     
         2 . The explosively driven fragment launcher of  claim 1 , wherein the first end comprises a cap removably attached to the main body, 
     
     
         3 . The explosively driven fragment launcher of  claim 1 , wherein the second end comprises a cap removably attached to the main body. 
     
     
         4 . The explosively driven fragment launcher of  claim 2 , wherein the cap is removably attached to the main body by threaded means. 
     
     
         5 . The explosively driven fragment launcher of  claim 1 , further comprising a spacer with a first and second end, configured to reduce an internal volume of the main body, wherein there is a channel between the first and second end of said spacer. 
     
     
         6 . The explosively driven fragment launcher of  claim 5 , wherein either or both the first and second end of the spacer is or are shaped substantially to match an internal tapering of the main body. 
     
     
         7 . The explosively driven fragment launcher of  claim 6 , wherein the spacer comprises a plastic material. 
     
     
         8 . The explosively driven fragment launcher of  claim 6 , wherein the internal tapering of the main body casing towards the detonation position is between 10 and 70 degrees to a central longitudinal axis of the casing. 
     
     
         9 . The explosively driven fragment launcher of  claim 8 , wherein an internal tapering of the main body casing towards the launching aperture is between 10 and 70 degrees to the central longitudinal axis of the casing. 
     
     
         10 . The explosively driven fragment launcher of  claim 1 , wherein an angle of the internal tapering of the main body casing towards the launching aperture is complementary to that of the internal tapering of the main body casing towards the detonator position. 
     
     
         11 . The explosively driven fragment launcher of  claim 8 , wherein an angle of the internal tapering is 30 degrees to the central longitudinal axis of the casing. 
     
     
         12 . The explosively driven fragment launcher of  claim 6 , wherein an outer casing is cylindrical, the internal tapering of the main body towards the launching aperture and from the main body towards the detonation position is conical. 
     
     
         13 . The explosively driven fragment launcher  claim 1 , comprising an explosive charge within the main body of the casing. 
     
     
         14 . An armour test apparatus comprising the fragment launcher of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         15 . A method of explosively launching a fragment at a target comprising the steps of:
 a. providing an explosively driven fragment launcher according to  claim 1 ;   b. providing an explosive charge within the main body of the casing;   c. positioning the explosively driven fragment launcher a predetermined distance from the target with the launching aperture aimed at said target;   d. inserting a fragment of predetermined size into the launching aperture;   e. inserting a detonation means into the detonation position; and   f. initiating the detonation means such that an explosive pressure wave is initiated, such that the fragment is explosively launched at the target.