Mixed propellant charge

Abstract

A propellant charge comprising a matrix of granular propellant having interspersed therethrough compacted molded bodies of propellant. The density of the granular propellant is less than the density of the molded propellant bodies. The use of the mixed propellant charge enables a cartridge case of given dimensions to be loaded with a greater weight of propellant thereby enabling the achievement of greater projectile velocities in any given gun-ammunition system.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A propellant charge for use in a cartridge, said propellant charge comprising a first constituent of compacted nitrocellulose base smokeless powder .Iadd.formed in a plurality of bodies .Iaddend.and a second constituent of loose granular nitrocellulose base smokeless powder, .Iadd.said bodies of said first constituent being relatively homogeneously dispersed throughout said second constituent, .Iaddend.said propellant charge having a maximum packing density which is greater than about 1.0 gm/cc. 
     
     
       2. A propellant charge for use in a cartridge, said propellant charge comprising a plurality of compacted bodies of nitrocellulose base smokeless powder dispersed in a matrix of loose granular nitrocellulose base smokeless powder, said propellant charge having a maximum packing density which is greater than about 1.0 gm/cc. 
     
     
       3. A propellant charge for use in a cartridge, said propellant charge comprising a plurality of compacted bodies of nitrocellulose base smokeless powder substantially homogeneously dispersed throughout a matrix of loose granular nitrocellulose base smokeless powder to form a mixture having a maximum packing density which is greater than about 1.0 gm/cc. 
     
     
       4. The propellant charge of claim 3, wherein the maximum packing density of said mixture is in the range of greater than about 1.0 gm/cc. to less than about 1.5 gm/cc. 
     
     
       5. A cartridge comprising a casing, a projectile in said casing, a primer, and a propellant charge disposed in a chamber within said casing, said propellant charge including a first portion of compacted nitrocellulose base smokeless powder .Iadd.formed in a plurality of bodies .Iaddend.and a second portion of loose granular nitrocellulose base smokeless powder, .Iadd.said bodies of said first portion being relatively homogeneously dispersed throughout said second portion, .Iaddend.said propellant charge having a maximum packing density within said casing chamber which is greater than about 1.0 gm/cc. 
     
     
       6. A cartridge comprising a casing, a projectile secured to said casing, a propellant chamber in said casing adjacent said projectile, and a propellant charge within said propellant chamber, said propellant charge including a plurality of compacted bodies of nitrocellulose base smokeless powder dispersed in a matrix of loose granular nitrocellulose base smokeless powder, and said propellant charge having a maximum packing density which is greater than about 1.0 gm/cc. 
     
     
       7. A cartridge comprising a casing, a projectile secured to said casing, a propellant chamber in said casing, and a propellant charge in said propellant chamber, said propellant charge comprising a plurality of molded bodies of nitrocellulose base smokeless powder substantially evenly dispersed throughout a matrix of loose granular nitrocellulose base smokeless powder, said propellant charge having a maximum packing density of greater than about 1.0 gm/cc. 
     
     
       8. The cartridge of claim 7, wherein said propellant charge has a maximum packing density in the range of greater than about 1.0 gm/cc. to less than about 1.4 gm/cc.