U.S. patent application number 11/717964 was filed with the patent office on 2008-09-18 for burping projectile.
Invention is credited to Frank J. Dindl, Kenneth R. Jones.
Application Number | 20080223246 11/717964 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39759866 |
Filed Date | 2008-09-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080223246 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Dindl; Frank J. ; et
al. |
September 18, 2008 |
Burping projectile
Abstract
The present invention provides a burping projectile and,
particularly, a non-lethal projectile having a nose-mounted fuze
thereon, which initiates an expulsion charge via an ignition shaft
in the payload cup of the projectile body at a preset distance from
target impact, resulting in sufficient expansion of the projectile
body via the forces of propellant gases to create an annular
opening between the projectile body side wall and projectile body
forward end. The payload is then ejected from this annular opening,
the resulting forward velocity of the escaping payload producing a
rearward thrust on the projectile, and a concomitant deceleration
thereof to a non-lethal forward velocity or a total reverse in
direction of travel.
Inventors: |
Dindl; Frank J.; (Newton,
NJ) ; Jones; Kenneth R.; (Wayne, NJ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
TOWNSEND & BANTA;c/o PORTFOLIO IP
PO BOX 52050
MINNEAPOLIS
MN
55402
US
|
Family ID: |
39759866 |
Appl. No.: |
11/717964 |
Filed: |
March 14, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
102/502 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F42B 12/50 20130101;
F42B 12/36 20130101; F42B 10/48 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
102/502 |
International
Class: |
F42B 12/00 20060101
F42B012/00 |
Claims
1. A burping projectile comprising: (a) a hollow projectile body
having a rear end, a circumferential portion adjacent the rear end
defining an interior portion, and a front edge opposite the rear
end defined by the circumferential portion; (b) an interior payload
cup cavity, defined by the interior portion of the hollow
projectile body, said payload cup comprised of: (i) a rear end,
(ii) a circumferential portion adjacent the rear end, (iii) a front
end disposed opposite the rear end, (iv) a payload cup closure disk
disposed adjacent the front end of the payload cup, the payload cup
closure disk having an ignition shaft port disposed therethrough;
(v) a hollow ignition shaft disposed within the interior payload
cup cavity, the hollow ignition shaft having a first end in
communication with or formed contiguous with the payload cup
closure disk adjacent the ignition shaft port thereof, a second end
opposite the first end, a hollow middle portion therebetween having
ignition ports disposed therethrough, and ignition propellant
disposed within the hollow middle portion; (vi) expulsion
propellant disposed within the interior payload cup cavity, at
least adjacent to the ignitions ports of the hollow ignition shaft;
and (vii) a non-lethal payload disposed within the interior payload
cup cavity; (c) a nose-mounted fuze disposed adjacent the front
edge of the hollow projectile body, and in communication with the
ignition propellant disposed within the hollow ignition shaft, said
nose-mounted fuze having a means for initiating the ignition
propellant.
2. The burping projectile of claim 1, wherein the projectile body
is comprised of aluminum, copper, brass or steel.
3. The burping projectile of claim 1, wherein the annular opening
is from about 0.005 to 0.050 inches in diameter.
4. The burping projectile of claim 1, wherein the circumferential
portion of the hollow projectile body has a thickness of between
about 0.030 and 0.125 inches.
5. The burping projectile of claim 1, wherein the hollow projectile
body expands from about 0.010 to about 0.100 inches in diameter at
the front edge thereof after ignition of the expulsion
propellant.
6. The burping projectile of claim 1, wherein the nose-mounted fuze
is a point-detonating fuze.
7. The burping projectile of claim 1, wherein the nose-mounted fuze
is a proximity fuze.
8. The burping projectile of claim 1, wherein the payload cup
further comprises a ballast material disposed within the interior
payload cup cavity.
9. The burping projectile of claim 7, wherein the ballast material
is a dense powder.
10. The burping projectile of claim 8, wherein the dense powder is
metal powder.
11. The burping projectile of claim 1, wherein the thickness of ihe
circumferential portion of the hollow projectile body tapers
towards to the front end thereof.
12. The burping projectile of claim 1, wherein the non-lethal
payload is a powdered material.
13. The burping projectile of claim 1, wherein the nose-mounted
fuze is in connection with the hollow projectile body via a
tethering means.
14. The burping projectile of claim 12, wherein the nose-mounted
fuze is tethered to the hollow projectile body via a string or line
in connection at a first end thereof with the hollow projectile
body, and at a second end thereof with the nose-mounted fuze.
15. The burping projectile of claim 1, wherein the non-lethal
payload is comprised of a pyrotechnic flash-bang material.
16. The burping projectile of claim 1, wherein the non-lethal
payload comprises a riot control agent.
17. The burping projectile of claim 1, wherein the non-lethal
payload comprises a marking dye.
18. The burping projectile of claim 1, wherein the non-lethal
payload additionally performs a ballast function.
19. A burping projectile comprising: (a) a hollow projectile body
having a rear end, a circumferential portion adjacent the rear end
defining an interior portion, and a front edge opposite the rear
end defined by the circumferential portion; (b) an interior payload
cup cavity, defined by the interior portion of the hollow
projectile body, said interior payload cup cavity comprised of: (i)
a rear end, (ii) a circumferential portion adjacent the rear end
defining an interior payload cup cavity, (iii) a front end disposed
opposite the rear end, (iv) a payload cup closure disk disposed
adjacent the front end of the payload cup, the payload cup closure
disk having an ignition shaft port disposed therethrough; (v) a
hollow ignition shaft disposed within the interior payload cup
cavity, the hollow ignition shaft having a first end in
communication with or formed contiguous with the payload cup
closure disk adjacent the ignition shaft port thereof, a second end
opposite the first end, a hollow middle portion therebetween having
ignition ports disposed therethrough, and ignition propellant
disposed within the hollow middle portion; (vi) a partition
disposed within the interior payload cup cavity, between the rear
end and the front end thereof; (vi) an expulsion propellant
disposed within the interior payload cup cavity between the rear
end and the partition, and adjacent to the ignitions ports of the
hollow ignition shaft; (vii) a non-lethal payload disposed within
the interior payload cup cavity between the front end and the
partition; (c) a nose-mounted fuze disposed adjacent the front edge
of the hollow projectile body, and in communication with the
ignition propellant disposed within the hollow ignition shaft, said
nose-mounted fuze having a means for initiating the ignition
propellant,
20. The burping projectile of claim 1, wherein, when the projectile
is fired, the nose-mounted fuze ignites the expulsion propellant
when the burping projectile travels to within a preset distance
from a target, causing the expulsion propellant to form propellant
gases within the interior portion thereof, thereby creating
expansion of the hollow projectile body at least at and adjacent to
the front edge thereof sufficient to create an annular opening
between the front edge of the projectile body and the nose-mounted
fuze, through which the non-lethal payload is expelled and causing
deceleration of the hollow projectile body.
21. The burping projectile of claim 19, wherein, when the
projectile is fired, the nose-mounted fuze ignites the expulsion
propellant when the burping projectile travels to within a preset
distance from a target, causing the expulsion propellant to form
propellant gases within the interior portion thereof, thereby
creating pressure upon the partition and subsequent expansion of
the hollow projectile body at least at and adjacent to the front
edge thereof sufficient to create an annular opening between the
front edge of the projectile body and the nose-mounted fuze, the
partition being forced forward and expelling the non-lethal payload
and the expulsion propellant gases, and causing deceleration of the
hollow projectile body.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates in general to a burping
projectile. In particular, the present invention provides a
non-lethal projectile, having a nose-mounted fuze thereon, which
initiates an expulsion charge via an ignition shaft in the payload
cup of the projectile body at a preset distance from target impact,
resulting in inflation of the projectile body with propellant gases
to a level sufficient to expand same so as to create an annular
opening between the projectile body side wall and projectile body
forward end. The non-lethal payload is then ejected from this
annular opening, the resulting forward velocity of the expelled
payload and propellant gases producing a rearward thrust on the
projectile, and a concomitant deceleration thereof.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Conventional non-lethal ammunition is launched with a
kinetic energy sufficiently low to effect a non-lethal result upon
target impact. To enable launching of ammunition at such reduced
velocities (and hence with reduced kinetic energies), it is
necessary to reduce the muzzle velocity. However, when utilizing
non-lethal munitions, such as grenades, there is a danger that,
even with reduced muzzle velocities, the projectile body itself may
have sufficient kinetic energy to severely wound or damage a human
target upon impact.
[0003] Further, when utilizing non-lethal munitions, such as
non-lethal grenades, against inanimate targets, such as automotive
windshields, etc., there is a danger that the projectile body will
have sufficient kinetic energy upon impact to penetrate the target
and harm surrounding human assets. Further, by reducing muzzle
muzzle velocity, recoil impulse is also reduced, which frequently
causes malfunctioning of the weapon operating system and fire
control when firing the non-lethal ammunition from standard
weapons.
[0004] In addition, conventional non-lethal munitions are not range
specific, i.e., they are meant to be used for targets within a wide
range from the shooter, and are not tailored to targets within
specific ranges. Frequently, such conventional non-lethal munitions
fail to reach reduced velocities (and thus reduced kinetic
energies) before impacting the target, when the target is at a
close proximity from the shooter, or are incapable of reaching
targets at longer ranges, due to reduced velocities/kinetic
energies at such longer ranges. Thus, many conventional non-lethal
munitions are provided with detailed guidelines concerning target
ranges, to minimize the occurrence of lethal impact or
ineffectiveness. However, in combat situations, adherence to such
guidelines is difficult and often overlooked.
[0005] Thus, it is an object of the present invention to provide a
non-lethal munition capable of providing recoil impulse sufficient
to cycle standard weapons, while also providing optimized
non-lethal effects at all target ranges. In particular, it is an
object of the present invention to provide a non-lethal munition
capable of achieving sufficient recoil impulse and kinetic energy
to reach desired targets, while also being able to reduce the
velocity of the projectile body to a non-lethal level before impact
with the target, or be capable of decelerating the projectile body
before impact with the target to avoid impact of the projectile
body with the target altogether
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] In order to achieve the object of the present invention, the
present inventors earnestly endeavored to provide a projectile
having a projectile body capable of expanding and expelling the
non-lethal payload therein before impact, and decelerating the
projectile body to a non-lethal velocity before impact with the
target. Accordingly, the present inventors developed a burping
projectile having a non-lethal payload therein. In particular, in a
first embodiment of the present invention, a burping projectile is
prpvided comprising:
[0007] (a) a hollow projectile body having a rear end, a
circumferential portion adjacent the rear end defining an interior
portion, and a front edge opposite the rear end defined by the
circumferential portion;
[0008] (b) an interior payload cup cavity, defined by the interior
portion of the hollow projectile body, said payload cup comprised
of: [0009] (i) a rear end, [0010] (ii) a circumferential portion
adjacent the rear end, [0011] (iii) a front end disposed opposite
the rear end, [0012] (iv) a payload cup closure disk disposed
adjacent the front end of the payload cup, the payload cup closure
disk having an ignition shaft port disposed therethrough; [0013]
(v) a hollow ignition shaft disposed within the interior payload
cup cavity, the hollow ignition shaft having a first end in
communication with or formed contiguous with the payload cup
closure disk adjacent the ignition shaft port thereof, a second end
opposite the first end, a hollow middle portion therebetween having
ignition ports disposed therethrough, and ignition propellant
disposed within the hollow middle portion; [0014] (vi) expulsion
propellant disposed within the interior payload cup cavity, at
least adjacent to the ignitions ports of the hollow ignition shaft;
and [0015] (vii) a non-lethal payload disposed within the interior
payload cup cavity; and
[0016] (c) a nose-mounted fuze disposed adjacent the front edge of
the hollow projectile body, and in communication with the ignition
propellant disposed within the hollow ignition shaft, said
nose-mounted fuze having a means for initiating the ignition
propellant.
[0017] In a second embodiment of the present invention, the burping
projectile of the first embodiment is provided, wherein the
projectile body is comprised of aluminum, copper, brass or
steel.
[0018] In a third embodiment of the present invention, the burping
projectile of the first embodiment is provided, wherein the annular
opening is from about 0.005 to 0.050 inches in diameter.
[0019] In a fourth embodiment of the present invention, the burping
projectile of the first embodiment is provided, wherein the
circumferential portion of the hollow projectile body has a
thickness of between about 0.030 and 0.125 inches.
[0020] In a fifth embodiment of the present invention, the burping
projectile of the first embodiment is provided, wherein the hollow
projectile body expands from about 0.010 to about 0.100 inches in
diameter at the front edge thereof after ignition of the expulsion
propellant.
[0021] In a sixth embodiment, the burping projectile of the first
embodiment above is provided, wherein the nose-mounted fuze is a
point-detonating fuze.
[0022] In a seventh embodiment of the present invention, the
burping projectile of the first embodiment above is provided,
wherein the nose-mounted fuze is a proximity fuze.
[0023] In an eighth embodiment of the present invention, the
burping projectile of the first embodiment above is provided,
wherein the payload cup further comprises a ballast material
disposed within the interior payload cup cavity.
[0024] In a ninth embodiment of the present invention, the burping
projectile of the eighth embodiment above is provided, wherein the
ballast material is a dense powder.
[0025] In a tenth embodiment of the present invention, the burping
projectile of the ninth embodiment above is provided, wherein the
dense powder is metal powder.
[0026] In an eleventh embodiment of the present invention, the
burping projectile of the first embodiment is provided, wherein the
thickness of the circumferential portion of the hollow projectile
body tapers towards to the front end thereof.
[0027] In a twelfth embodiment of the present invention, the
burping projectile of the first embodiment above is provided,
wherein the non-lethal payload is a powdered material.
[0028] In a thirteenth embodiment of the present invention, the
burping projectile of the first embodiment above is provided,
wherein the nose-mounted fuze is in connection with the hollow
projectile body via a tethering means.
[0029] In a fourteenth embodiment of the present invention, the
burping projectile of the thirteenth embodiment above is provided,
wherein the nose-mounted fuze is tethered to the hollow projectile
body via a string or line in connection at a first end thereof with
the hollow projectile body, and at a second end thereof with the
nose-mounted fuze.
[0030] In a fifteenth embodiment of the present invention, the
burping projectile of the first embodiment above is provided,
wherein the non-lethal payload is comprised of a pyrotechnic
flash-bang material.
[0031] In a sixteenth embodiment of the present invention, the
burping projectile of the first embodiment above is provided,
wherein the non-lethal payload comprises a riot control agent.
[0032] In a seventeenth embodiment of the present invention, the
burping projectile of the first embodiment above is provided,
wherein the non-lethal payload comprises a marking dye.
[0033] In an eighteenth embodiment of the present invention, the
burping projectile of the first embodiment above is provided,
wherein the non-lethal payload additionally performs a ballast
function.
[0034] In a nineteenth embodiment of the present invention, a
burping projectile is provided comprising:
[0035] (a) a hollow projectile body having a rear end, a
circumferential portion adjacent the rear end defining an interior
portion, and a front edge opposite the rear end defined by the
circumferential portion;
[0036] (b) an interior payload cup cavity, defined by the interior
portion of the hollow projectile body, said interior payload cup
cavity comprised of: [0037] (i) a rear end, [0038] (ii) a
circumferential portion adjacent the rear end defining an interior
payload cup cavity, [0039] (iii) a front end disposed opposite the
rear end, [0040] (iv) a payload cup closure disk disposed adjacent
the front end of the payload cup, the payload cup closure disk
having an ignition shaft port disposed therethrough; [0041] (v) a
hollow ignition shaft disposed within the interior payload cup
cavity, the hollow ignition shaft having a first end in
communication with or formed contiguous with the payload cup
closure disk adjacent the ignition shaft port thereof, a second end
opposite the first end, a hollow middle portion therebetween having
ignition ports disposed therethrough, and ignition propellant
disposed within the hollow middle portion; [0042] (vi) a partition
disposed within the interior payload cup cavity, between the rear
end and the front end thereof; [0043] (vi) an expulsion propellant
disposed within the interior payload cup cavity between the rear
end and the partition, and adjacent to the ignitions ports of the
hollow ignition shaft; and [0044] (vii) a non-lethal payload
disposed within the interior payload cup cavity between the front
end and the partition; and
[0045] (c) a nose-mounted fuze disposed adjacent the front edge of
the hollow projectile body, and in communication with the ignition
propellant disposed within the hollow ignition shaft, said
nose-mounted fuze having a means for initiating the ignition
propellant.
[0046] When the burping projectile of the first embodiment above is
fired, the nose-mounted fuze ignites the expulsion propellant when
the burping projectile travels to within a preset distance from a
target, causing the expulsion propellant to form propellant gases
within the interior portion thereof. These propellant gases thereby
create high pressure within the hollow projectile body, causing
expansion of the hollow projectile body at least at and adjacent to
the front edge thereof sufficient to create an annular opening
between the front edge of the projectile body and the nose-mounted
fuze. The payload, as well as the propellant gases, are then
expelled through the annular opening, causing deceleration of the
hollow projectile body by the reverse thrust created by the
propellant gases and payload.
[0047] In contrast to the burping projectile of the first
embodiment above, when the burping projectile of the nineteenth
embodiment above is fired, the nose-mounted fuze ignites the
expulsion propellant when the burping projectile travels to within
a preset distance from a target, causing the expulsion propellant
to form propellant gases within the interior portion thereof. These
propellant gases creating pressure upon the partition, and
subsequent expansion of the hollow projectile body at least at and
adjacent to the front edge thereof sufficient to create an annular
opening between the front edge of the projectile body and the
nose-mounted fuze. The pressure eventually forces the partition
forward, thus expelling the non-lethal payload and the expulsion
propellant gases, and causing deceleration of the hollow projectile
body by the reverse thrust created by the propellant gases and
payload.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0048] FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view of a grenade, containing
the burping projectile of the present invention.
[0049] FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of the burping projectile
of the present invention after firing of the grenade shown in FIG.
1, illustrating the burping projectile at a point in time when the
nose-mounted fuze has begun to initiate the expelling charge, but
before the projectile body has "burped" and expelled the non-lethal
payload.
[0050] FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of the burping projectile
of the present invention, illustrating the burping projectile at a
point in time after firing, wherein the nose-mounted fuze has
initiated the expelling charge, the projectile body has "burped",
and when the non-lethal payload has begun to be expelled from the
hollow projectile body.
[0051] FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of the burping projectile
of the present invention, illustrating the burping projectile at a
point in time after the nose-mounted fuze has initiated the
expelling charge, the projectile body has "burped", the non-lethal
payload has been expelled from the hollow projectile body, and when
the expulsion of the non-lethal payload and expulsion charge
propellant gases has decelerated the hollow projectile body,
payload cup and nose-mounted fuze.
[0052] FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of the burping projectile
of the present invention after firing, but before "burping" has
occurred, illustrating the embodiment of the present invention
wherein a partition is disposed within the hollow projectile body
to physically separate the non-lethal payload from the expulsion
propellant.
[0053] FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of the burping projectile
of the present invention, shown in FIG. 5, after firing, and during
the "burping" process.
[0054] FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of the burping projectile
of the present invention, shown in FIG. 5, after the projectile has
"burped", and all of the non-lethal payload has been expelled from
the projectile.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0055] As illustrated in FIG. 1 herein, the present invention
provides a burping projectile 1, shown as part of a grenade before
firing thereof. The burping projectile 1 is comprised of a hollow
projectile body 3 having a rear end 5, a circumferential portion 7
adjacent the rear end 5 defining an interior portion 9, and a front
edge 11 opposite the rear end 5 defined by the circumferential
portion 7. The hollow projectile body 3 is formed of metals or
polymers that are able to slightly expand without extreme
fragmenting upon exposure to high pressures and temperatures.
Generally, aluminum, copper, brass or steel are used, with aluminum
being the most preferred material, based on ease of manufacture,
high strength to weight ratio, sufficient elongation properties
and, in flash-bang applications, the contribution of the aluminum
to the flash-bang reaction.
[0056] It has been found that the optimum thickness of the
circumferential portion 7 of the hollow projectile body 3, when
formed of aluminum, for enabling proper expansion thereof during
firing, is between about 0.030 and 0.125 inches. This
circumferential portion 7 thickness allows the hollow projectile
body 3 to expand from about 0.010 to about 0.100 inches in diameter
at the front edge 11 thereof after ignition of the expulsion
propellant 39. In an alternative embodiment, the thickness of the
circumferential portion 7 may be tapered toward the front edge 11
of the hollow projectile body 3, which may be desired in some
applications to tailor the size of the annular opening 45 created
between the front edge 11 and nose-mounted fuze 41 upon ignition of
the expulsion propellant 39, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4.
[0057] The hollow ignition shaft 27, which contains ignition
propellant 29, is disposed within the interior payload cavity 19,
and has a first end 31 in communication with or formed contiguous
with the payload cup closure disk 23 adjacent the ignition shaft
port 25. A second end 33 of the hollow ignition shaft 27 is
disposed opposite the first end 31, and a hollow middle portion 35
is disposed therebetween. Ignition ports 37 are disposed through
said hollow middle portion 35. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the hollow
projectile body 3 serves to contain the powdered
payload/pyrotechnic payload.
[0058] Expulsion propellant 39 is disposed within the interior
payload cup cavity 19, adjacent to the ignitions ports 37 of the
hollow ignition shaft 27. Generally, the expulsion propellant 39
and a non-lethal payload 47 are contained together, in a mixed or
unmized state, within the interior payload cup cavity 19.
Alternatively, as illustrated in FIGS. 5-7, a partition 4 may be
utilized, disposed within the hollow projectile body 3, to contain
the separate the powdered payload or pyrotechnic payload
(non-letgal payload 47) from the expulsion propellant 39. The
partition 4 serves to both physically separate these components, as
well as provide a piston-like apparatus to assist in the expulsion
of the non-lethal payload 47 from the interior payload cup cavity
19.
[0059] A nose-mounted fuze 41, which may be a proximity fuze or
point-detonation fuze, is disposed adjacent the front edge 11 of
the hollow projectile body 3, and is in communication with the
ignition propellant 29 disposed within the hollow ignition shaft
27, so as to be able to ignite same. Thus, the nose-mounted fuze
has a conventional means for initiating the ignition propellant 29,
such as a primer assembly, electrical initiation means, etc.
[0060] Further, as mentioned above, also contained within the
interior payload cup cavity 19 is the non-lethal payload 47, which
generally is a powder or aggregate material. The non-lethal payload
47 is generally partially or wholly mixed with the expulsion
propellant 39, but may be disposed separately therefrom, as
illustrated in FIGS. 5-7. Preferably, the non-lethal payload is a
dense powder, such as a metal powder, but may be any powder that is
non-lethal upon impact with the target. Alternatively, the
non-lethal payload may be comprised of a pyrotechnic flash-bang
material, a riot control agent, or a marking dye. In addition, the
interior payload cup cavity 19 may further comprise a ballast
material, such as a dense powder, or the non-lethal payload 47 may
act itself as the ballast material.
[0061] It is preferable that the nose-mounted fuze 41 not impact
the target during firing, as the nose-mounted fuze 41 may itself
provide lethality. Thus, the nose-mounted fuze 41 is preferably
affixed to the hollow projectile body 3, to allow the deceleration
process to act upon the nose-mounted fuze 41, as well as the hollow
projectile body 3. As an alternative to direct affixation, the
nose-mounted fuze 41 may be in connection with the hollow
projectile body 3 via a tethering means. For example, the
nose-mounted fuze 41 may be tethered to the hollow projectile body
3 via a string or line, in connection at a first end thereof with
the hollow projectile body 3 or payload cup 4, and at a second end
thereof with the nose-mounted fuze 41.
[0062] When the ignition propellant 29 is ignited, the ignition
travels through the propellant 29, and ultimately through the
ignition ports 37, initiating the expulsion propellant 39. The
initiation of the expulsion propellant 39 forms high temperature
propellant gases within the interior payload cup cavity 19 of the
hollow projectile body 3. At a certain predetermined pressure, the
pressure within the hollow projectile body 3 causes expansion,
i.e., "burping", thereof adjacent the front edge 11, creating an
annular opening 45 between the front edge 11 and nose-mounted fuze
41.
[0063] The high internal pressure built up within the internal
payload cup cavity 19 causes the propellant gases to expel the
non-lethal payload 47 through the annular opening 45. This
expulsion of pressurized gases, non-lethal payload and,
alternatively, ballast material, creates a reverse thrust on the
hollow projectile body 3. This reverse thrust creates deceleration
of the hollow projectile body 3, which is desirable as it slows the
velocity of the hollow projectile body 3 to a non-lethal velocity
upon impact with the target, or more desirable, avoids impact of
the hollow projectile body 3 with the target altogether.
[0064] During testing, it was found that, when utilizing an
aluminum hollow projectile body, 2.5 ksiof pressure applied within
1 msec can create an internal pressure of 5 ksi. This amount of
internal pressure within the hollow projectile body is sufficient
pressure to adequately expand the hollow projectile body to create
a desirable annular opening. After expansion and expulsion of the
propellant gases and the non-lethal payload, the internal pressure
is rapidly reduced, and does generally not exceed 2.5 ksi. Thus,
undesirable fragmentation of the hollow projectile body is
avoided.
[0065] Although specific embodiments of the present invention have
been disclosed herein, those having ordinary skill in the art will
understand that changes can be made to the specific embodiments
without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The
scope of the invention is not to be restricted, therefore, to the
specific embodiments. Furthermore, it is intended that the appended
claims cover any and all such applications, modifications, and
embodiments within the scope of the present invention
* * * * *