GB577136A - Method for filling explosive devices - Google Patents

Abstract

577,136. Filling shells, bombs, &c. ARNOLD, T. E., and DOBELL, C. Jan. 15, 1943, No. 793. [Class 9 (ii)] [Also in Group II] The casing of a shell, bomb, mine, &c. is filled with explosive by a method which comprises directing separate streams of explosive material into a mixing chamber located adjacent to the casing, and blowing the resulting mixture from the chamber into the casing. This may be done whilst the shell is rotating at a speed sufficient to exert an appreciable centrifugal force on the mixture. Fig. 1 shows a casing 6 having suspended therein, from a wheel-like member 20, a tube 23 for forming the usual cavity in the explosive mass. When the casing has been filled, the tube 23 may be left in the mass or taken out. To the mixing chamber 8, which is rifled at 8a to facilitate mixing, are connected a compressed air tube 16 and a steam-jacketed tube 10. Through tube 16 is blown cold dry ammonium nitrate, and through tube 10 is forced hot liquid T.N.T. which passes into an annular chamber 11 and through holes 15 ; surface tension decreasing substance such as esters of sodium sulpho-succinic acid may be added to the T.N.T. Alternatively, solid T.N.T. is blown through tube 16 and molten beeswax, as a binder therefor, is forced through tube 10. In another alternative, T.N.T. biscuit is blown through tube 16 and liquid T.N.T. forced through tube 10. In modifications : (1) there may be four mixing chambers 8 disposed between the spokes of the wheel-like member 20, (2) the chamber 8 may rest centrally on the spokes, the explosive material leaving the chamber through an annular passage.