U.S. patent application number 10/678658 was filed with the patent office on 2004-05-27 for non-incendiary directionally illuminated tracer bullet.
Invention is credited to Burruss, Robert Page, Rector, Harry Eugene.
Application Number | 20040099173 10/678658 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32329075 |
Filed Date | 2004-05-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040099173 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Rector, Harry Eugene ; et
al. |
May 27, 2004 |
Non-incendiary directionally illuminated tracer bullet
Abstract
The present invention is a fire-safe, non-incendiary tracer
bullet that utilizes a rearward shining shock resistant and
electrically powered directional light source to illuminate the
ballistic trajectory. The rearward shining shock resistant and
electrically powered directional light source, comprised of a
light-emitting diode (LED), laser diode or equivalent, along with
an electrical power supply and switch, is recessed into a cavity
formed in the hollow base of the bullet so that emitted light is
visible primarily to the shooter, regardless of the emitted
wavelengths.
Inventors: |
Rector, Harry Eugene;
(Monrovia, MD) ; Burruss, Robert Page; (Chevy
Chase, MD) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Harry E. Rector
3826 Greenridge Drive
Monrovia
MD
21770
US
|
Family ID: |
32329075 |
Appl. No.: |
10/678658 |
Filed: |
October 3, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60423441 |
Nov 1, 2002 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
102/501 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F42B 12/382
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
102/501 |
International
Class: |
F42B 005/24; F42B
014/06 |
Claims
What is claimed:
1. A non-incendiary directionally illuminated tracer bullet
characterized by: a rearward shining directional light source, and
a power source for said directional light source.
2. The non-incendiary directionally illuminated tracer bullet of
claim 1 in which the rearward shining directional light source is
shock resistant and electrically powered.
3. The non-incendiary directionally illuminated tracer bullet of
claim 2 in which the rearward shining shock resistant and
electrically powered directional light source is a light emitting
diode.
4. The non-incendiary directionally illuminated tracer bullet of
claim 2 in which the rearward shining shock resistant and
electrically powered directional light source is a laser diode.
5. The non-incendiary directionally illuminated tracer bullet of
claim 1 in which the rearward shining directional light source
emits visible light.
6. The non-incendiary directionally illuminated tracer bullet of
claim 1 in which the rearward shining directional light source
emits infrared light.
7. The non-incendiary directionally illuminated tracer bullet of
claim 1 in which the rearward shining directional light source
emits ultraviolet light.
8. The non-incendiary directionally illuminated tracer bullet of
claim 1 in which the power source is one or more electrochemical
cells.
9. The non-incendiary directionally illuminated tracer bullet of
claim 8 in which electrochemical activation of the one or more
electrochemical cells is brought about by wetting the electrodes
with an electrolyte.
10. The non-incendiary directionally illuminated tracer bullet of
claim 9 in which the electrochemical activation of at least one
electrochemical cell is initiated by rupture of the electrolyte
containing ampoule, said rupturing being induced by rapid linear
acceleration associated with firing the ammunition cartridge.
11. The non-incendiary directionally illuminated tracer bullet of
claim 10 in which the acceleration is radially directed and arises
from axial spin imparted to the bullet by passage through a rifled
gun barrel.
12. The non-incendiary directionally illuminated tracer bullet of
claim 1 in which the power source is comprised of piezoelectric
material and a capacitor.
13. The non-incendiary directionally illuminated tracer bullet of
claim 12 in which the piezoelectric material produces an electric
charge when it is deformed when the non-incendiary tracer bullet is
deformed by passage through a rifled gun barrel.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS:
[0001] Not Applicable
FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH:
[0002] Not Applicable
SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM:
[0003] Not Applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present invention relates to ballistic ammunition, and
is based on technologies envisioned in Provisional Patent
Application 60/423,441, filed Nov. 1, 2002. Specifically, it
relates to tracer bullets that are non-pyrotechnic and fire-safe,
by recessing a rearward shining directional light source along with
an electric power supply and switch into the base of an otherwise
standard bullet to illuminate the ballistic trajectory to the
shooter without revealing the trajectory to hostile observers.
BACKGROUND
[0005] Description of Prior Art
[0006] Current approaches to illuminating the ballistic path of a
tracer bullet commonly rely on igniting pyrotechnic agents that are
housed in the hollow base of the bullet, as is taught, for example,
by DePhillipo, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,528,911. While this
situation facilitates judging effectiveness of a particular shooter
in terms of hitting a particular target with a particular tracer
bullet, the use of pyrotechnic agents creates three concerns.
Concern #1: light emitted from combustion of the pyrotechnic agent
is visible from many viewing angles because photons are scattered
by particles in the smoke trail from combustion of the pyrotechnic
agent that is distributed behind the bullet; this serves to
indicate the location of the shooter to hostile observers. Concern
#2: combustion of the pyrotechnic agent reduces the mass of the
bullet while on the way to the target, causing the trajectory of
the tracer bullet to differ from that of "normal" (nontracer)
bullets whose mass is unchanged on the way to the target. That is,
when used in automatic weapons, the bullet "stream" is commonly
composed of tracer and nontracer bullets. If the tracer bullets
follow a trajectory that differs from that of the nontracer
bullets, then the effectiveness of the tracer bullets does not
correspond to the effectiveness of the nontracer bullets. Thus,
even if Concern #1 could be relieved by using pyrotechnic agents
that when burned, emit light primarily in wavelengths invisible to
the unaided human eye, (as is taught, for example, by Nielson, U.S.
Pat. No. 5,639,984), Concern #2 remains because the tracer bullet
mass changes on the way to the target. Concern #3: combustion of
the pyrotechnic agents creates a significant fire hazard when such
ammunition is expended in the vicinity of combustible material such
as would occur in vegetated areas (woods, grass, etc.), requiring
exceptional precautions to prevent fires. Indeed, military training
posts maintain special fire prevention and safety programs to meet
this need (see, for example, U.S. Department of the Army, Nov. 28,
1997; Pamphlet 385-64, Ammunition and Explosives Safety Standards,
Headquarters, Department of the Army, Washington, D.C.).
Furthermore, the use of such tracer ammunition at civilian shooting
ranges is expressly prohibited by local ordinance in many
jurisdictions.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention is a non-incendiary directionally
illuminated tracer bullet characterized by having a shock resistant
rearward shining electrically powered directional light source,
such as a light emitting diode, a laser diode or a related light
source, and a shock resistant power source and switch for said
directional light source. The rearward shining directional light
source emits visible light or infrared light or ultraviolet light.
One power source for the rearward shining directional light source
can be comprised of one or more electrochemical cells, said one or
more electrochemical cells being activated by wetting the
electrodes with an electrolyte. The wetting process is initiated by
acceleration induced rupture of an electrolyte containing ampoule,
said acceleration deriving from firing the ammunition cartridge.
Subsequent centrifugal acceleration deriving from axial spin
imparted to the bullet by passage through a rifled gun barrel
distributes the electrolyte to wet the electrodes, thus powering
the rearward shining electrically powered directional light source.
Another electrical power source is comprised of piezoelectric
material and a capacitor. The piezoelectric material produces an
electric charge when it is deformed when the non-incendiary tracer
bullet is deformed by passage through a rifled gun barrel. Said
electric charge is stored in a capacitor for subsequent discharge
to the rearward shining directional light source.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the preferred
embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the preferred embodiment
of the electrical power supply and switch. FIG. 3 is an alternative
embodiment of the electrical power supply and switch. Another
embodiment for the electrical power supply and switch that uses
compression of piezoelectric material to produce an electric charge
stores said electric charge in a capacitor for subsequent discharge
to the rearward shining, directional light source.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0009] The present invention is based on technologies envisioned in
Provisional Patent Application 60/423,441, filed Nov. 1, 2002, and
it seeks to alleviate all three concerns referenced above. The
above-referenced Concern #1 (illumination of the shooter) is
alleviated by mounting a rearward shining shock resistant and
electrically powered directional light source, power supply, and
switch in a cavity formed in the hollow base of the bullet. An
acceleration-activated switch connects the electric power supply to
the rearward shining shock resistant and electrically powered
directional light source upon firing the bullet. In flight, axial
spin of the bullet (as imparted by rifling grooves machined into
the inner surfaces of the gun barrel) keeps the rearward shining
shock resistant and electrically powered directional light source
pointed at the shooter, and thus away from the target. When
emission characteristics of the rearward shining shock resistant
and electrically powered directional light source are selected to
minimize sidescatter under prevailing atmospheric conditions, the
luminous spot associated with the bullet's trajectory is visible
primarily to the shooter. Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and laser
diodes exist to satisfy requirements for the rearward shining shock
resistant and electrically powered directional light source, and
such light sources are optimized to deliver optical emissions in
the ultraviolet, visible, and near-infrared bands (see, for
example, Bergh, A., G. Craford, A. Duggal, and R. Haitz, 2001; "The
Promise and Challenge of Solid-State Lighting"; Physics Today,
Volume 54, No. 12, pp. 42-47; and see OIDA, 2001; The Promise Of
Solid State Lighting For General Illumination Light Emitting Diodes
[LEDs] And Organic Light Emitting Diodes [OLEDS]. Optoelectronics
Industry Development Association, Washington, D.C.;
http://www.OIDA.org). This provides the means to assign specific
wavelengths coordinated to need. Such needs include definition of
specific colors (i.e., blue, green, or red) to distinguish friend
from foe, and definition of wavelengths that are invisible to the
unaided human eye (ultraviolet and near-infrared).
[0010] The present invention alleviates the above-mentioned Concern
#2 (in-flight mass changes of the tracer bullet) by establishing a
tracer illumination system that does not consume material. Minor
differences between the fixed mass of the tracer bullet embodied in
the present invention and the fixed mass of the otherwise standard
bullet can be accomodated by adjusting the propellant charge in the
ammunition cartridge, or by adjusting the mass of the tracer
bullet, or both, to achieve equivalent trajectories.
[0011] The present invention alleviates the above-referenced
Concern #3 (fire hazard) by using electronic illumination. In
addition to providing precise control over emitted wavelengths,
directionality, and brightness, this also reduces the prospects for
igniting combustible material struck by the bullet. Thus the fire
hazard associated with use of the present invention is no worse
than that associated with traditional (nontracer) ammunition.
[0012] Referring now to FIG. 1, the preferred embodiment of the
ammunition cartridge 1, according to the present invention,
comprises a rearward shining shock resistant and electrically
powered directional light source 2, an electrical power supply 3
and a switch 4, all of which are disposed within a cavity 5 formed
within the base portion 6 of the non-incendiary directionally
illuminated tracer bullet 7. Excepting the cavity to hold the light
source 2, power supply 3, and switch 4, the directionally
illuminated tracer bullet 7 is formed by the otherwise standard
bullet. The directionally illuminated tracer bullet 7 is launched
by igniting the propellant charge 8 housed in the otherwise
standard ammunition casing 9. Rapid acceleration of the
directionally illuminated tracer bullet 7 associated with firing
the propellant charge 8 activates the switch 4, transferring
electrical power from the power source 3 to the rearward shining
shock resistant and electrically powered directional light source
2. An inert pad 10 protects the rearward shining shock resistant
and electrically powered directional light source 2 from blast
effects, and a spring 11 ejects the pad from the rear face 12 of
the rearward shining shock resistant and electrically powered
directional light source 2 upon firing the ammunition cartridge
1.
[0013] Passage of the bullet 7 through a rifled gun barrel imparts
axial spin on the bullet 7, stabilizing the in-flight trajectory.
This spin-stabilization also serves to orient the base portion 6 of
the directionally illuminated tracer bullet 7, and thus orienting
the emitting face of the rearward shining shock resistant and
electrically powered directional light source 2 towards the
shooter, facilitating visual tracking of the trajectory by the
shooter and/or friendly observers stationed along favorable
sightlines. That is, as the bullet approaches the target, the
luminous trail created by the rearward shining shock resistant and
electrically powered directional light source is visible primarily
along a sightline leading back to the shooter.
[0014] In the simplest embodiment of the invention, the switch 4
permanently and instantaneously connects the rearward shining shock
resistant and electrically powered directional light source 2 to
the electrical power supply 3 upon firing of the cartridge 1. This
causes the rearward shining shock resistant and electrically
powered directional light source 2 to be illuminated at the
earliest moment in its duty cycle. The inventors conceive a second
embodiment in which a delay factor of about a few milliseconds
delays illuminating the rearward shining shock resistant and
electrically powered directional light source 2 until the bullet 7
has reached a preferred distance downrange that would not create
visual interference for the shooter, so that the brilliance of the
rearward shining shock resistant and electrically powered
directional light source won't temporarily blind or otherwise
overwhelm the shooter, particularly under dimly lit and nighttime
conditions. At a muzzle velocity of 1,000 feet per second, for
example, a delay factor of 10 milliseconds corresponds to a down
range delay distance of about about 100 feet.
[0015] In a third embodiment, the brightness of the rearward
shining shock resistant and electrically powered directional light
source 2 would be controlled over time so that the radiated light
is dimmest near the muzzle and brightest downrange. The inventors
conceive that such control of the brightness can be brought about
by the design of the switch 4 or of the power supply 3, or
both.
[0016] In each of the above-described embodiments, the electrical
power supply 3 may employ any electrochemical system or battery
that provides sufficient electrical current to illuminate the
rearward shining shock resistant and electrically powered
directional light source 2 for the desired time period. Such an
electrochemical system or battery must, however, meet shelf-life
requirements that apply to otherwise standard ammunition (see, for
example, U.S. Department of the Army, Nov. 28, 1997; Pamphlet
385-64, Ammunition and Explosives Safety Standards, Headquarters,
Department of the Army, Washington, D.C.).
[0017] Referring now to FIG. 2, the preferred embodiment of the
electrical power supply and switch, according to the present
invention, is comprised of an ampoule filled with electrolyte 13,
that in readiness for firing the ammunition cartridge, sits inside
a symmetric cavity 14 in the directionally illuminated tracer
bullet 7 whose inner surface is lined with alternating anode
material 15 and cathode material 16, the anodes and cathodes being
connected together to form one or more electrochemical cells so
that when the ammunition cartridge is fired, initial acceleration
ruptures the electrolyte-filled ampoule 13, and centrifugal forces
associated with the axial spin imparted by passage of the bullet
over grooves cut into the rifled gun barrel quickly distribute the
electrolyte between the anode material 15 and cathode material 16
to form a battery. A chemically inert lining 17 isolates the
battery system from the metal body of the directionally illuminated
tracer bullet 7 and prevents internal short circuiting. One example
of such a battery would use sulfuric acid as the electrolyte, lead
as the cathode, and lead dioxide as the anode, providing
approximately 2 volts per cell. Given that the duty cycle of the
directionally illuminated tracer bullet is a few seconds, and that
the directionally illuminated tracer bullet is not subject to
reuse, the amount of electrolyte can be minimized to reduce
concerns associated with unwanted corrosion should the ampoule of
electrolyte be inadvertently ruptured without firing the ammunition
cartridge.
[0018] Referring now to FIG. 3, another embodiment for the power
supply and switch can be realized using compression of
piezoelectric material to produce an electric charge. The cavity
housing the piezoelectric material 18 provides for a snug fit
against the bullet cavity 19 so that when the bullet 7 passes
through the rifled gun barrel, compressive forces associated with
passage over the rifling grooves are transferred to the
piezoelectric material 18. The electric charge produced by
compression of the piezoelectric material is stored in a capacitor
for subsequent discharge to the rearward shining, directional light
source. The time delays associated with generating and storing the
charge can be further controlled, as needed, by specific circuitry
to achieve desired delays and brightness changes and coded
(blinking) effects.
* * * * *
References