U.S. patent application number 12/247218 was filed with the patent office on 2010-04-08 for non-lethal projectile with flowable payload.
Invention is credited to Pedro de Oliveira Cronemberger.
Application Number | 20100083860 12/247218 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42061218 |
Filed Date | 2010-04-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100083860 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cronemberger; Pedro de
Oliveira |
April 8, 2010 |
NON-LETHAL PROJECTILE WITH FLOWABLE PAYLOAD
Abstract
A non-lethal projectile consisting of a solid capsule filled
with a flowable payload. The solid capsule comprises a weakened
area that ruptures upon impact with a target. The solid capsule
also comprises an internal hydrodynamic structure. At the moment of
impact, the internal hydrodynamic structure forces the radial
movement of the flowable payload, from the center to the periphery,
against the weakened area of the solid capsule, facilitating the
rupture and reducing the pressure of projectile's point over
target's surface.
Inventors: |
Cronemberger; Pedro de
Oliveira; (Rio de Janeiro, BR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Pedro de Oliveira Cronemberger
Rau Barao de Itambi, no. 34 apto. 1303, Botafogo
Rio de Janeiro
22231-000
BR
|
Family ID: |
42061218 |
Appl. No.: |
12/247218 |
Filed: |
October 7, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
102/502 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F42B 12/46 20130101;
F42B 12/40 20130101; F42B 5/145 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
102/502 |
International
Class: |
F42B 12/36 20060101
F42B012/36 |
Claims
1- A projectile consisting of a solid capsule filled with a
flowable payload, said solid capsule comprising: a) a point that is
the part of the solid capsule which is closer to the target at the
moment of impact. b) a single weakened area that is less resistant
than the rest of the solid capsule, is located adjacent to the
solid capsule's point, is the only part of the solid capsule which
completely collapses upon impact, ruptures from inside to outside
because of the payload's pressure at the moment of impact, one of
the material being thinner than the rest of the solid capsule, is
made of less resistant material than the rest of the solid capsule,
or has multiple grooves on it for stress concentration. c) a base
that keeps its shape upon impact and is the part of the solid
capsule which is more distant to the target at the moment of
impact. d) an internal hydrodynamic structure, consisting of a cone
that is coaxial to the projectile, is pointed in the opposite
direction of the capsule's point, is immersed in direct contact
with the payload, is made of a lighter or same density material in
relation to the payload's density, has direct contact with all the
flow of the payload at the moment of impact, and radially diverges
from the center to the periphery this entire flow directly to a
single weakened area. e) a resistant area that is more resistant
than the weakened area, is located adjacent to the solid capsule's
base and keeps its shape upon impact.
2- The projectile of claim number 1, wherein said payload is a
dye.
3- The projectile of claim number 1, wherein said payload is a high
density fluid.
4- The projectile of claim number 1, wherein said payload is a
non-lethal incapacitating agent.
5- The projectile of claim number 1, further comprising a column
that is placed along the projectile axis, from the internal
hydrodynamic structure to the capsule's base, and reinforces the
solid capsule, preventing it from changing its shape upon the
impact.
6- The projectile of claim number 5, wherein projectile's payload
is a dye.
7- The projectile of claim number 5, wherein projectile's payload
is a high density fluid.
8- The projectile of claim number 5, wherein projectile's payload
is a non-lethal incapacitating agent.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to non-lethal projectiles that
are filled with a flowable payload and designed to rupture upon
impact with a target.
[0002] Non-lethal projectiles containing a flowable payload are
basically used in three fields: the field of non-lethal kinetic
energy projectiles, the field of non-lethal chemical projectiles
and the field of marker projectiles.
[0003] Some projectile geometries were already proposed, trying to
overcome simultaneously the following major problems: [0004] a)
keep the projectile's integrity during the feeding and firing
procedures; [0005] b) be stable in flight, hitting nose first;
[0006] c) rupture upon impact, causing controlled damage to the
target.
[0007] In the field of non-lethal chemical projectiles, the U.S.
Pat. No. 7,194,960 B2 describes a frangible projectile that
ruptures upon impact, omnidirectionally dispersing an inhibiting
powder payload. The impact creates a cloud of inhibiting powder
substance over the target.
[0008] In the field of marker projectiles, U.S. Pat. No. 7,278,358
B2 describes a marking projectile comprising an outer casing that
unseals upon impact, allowing the marking payload to flow forward
via inertial effect.
[0009] Applicable in the three fields, it is known the U.S. Pat.
No. 5,035,183, which describes a projectile with flowable payload
that is built in two parts: a soft cap and a stronger base witch
plugs the reward end of the cap. Longitudinal grooves and a thinned
nose extremity facilitate the rupture upon impact.
[0010] Another patent applicable in the three fields is U.S. Pat.
No. 5,009,164, of a non-penetrating projectile with flowable
payload. The projectile contains a plurality of stress concentrator
points which fracture, collapsing the whole projectile's structure
when it hits a target.
[0011] It's also known the patent U.S. Pat. No. 7,143,699 B2 of a
liquid filled projectile that have a two parts rupturing mechanism:
a nose cap with a plurality of slits that open upon impact, and an
obturating disc that keeps a flowable payload encapsulated and
ruptures allowing the payload to flow through the opened slits of
the nose cap.
[0012] In the three fields, what is expected from these projectiles
is to have, at the same time, an external ballistics closer as
possible to common lead core projectiles and an impact that do not
cause lethal damages to the target. It means that these projectiles
must combine a high maximum effective range with acceptable impact
energy and almost zero penetration in living targets.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] The present invention is a non-lethal projectile, to be
launched by a firearm or the like, consisting of a solid capsule
that is filled with a flowable payload and designed to rupture upon
impact with a target.
[0014] When a projectile filled with a flowable payload hits a
target, the payload is strongly pushed in the direction of
projectile's point by action of inertia. This effect creates in the
payload an instantaneous pressure distribution that has its maximum
value toward projectile's point. In the present invention, the
capsular area closer to the point is specially weakened. This
weakened area placed exactly where the pressure has a maximum value
makes the rupturing faster, avoiding the projectile to impart too
much energy to the target before the capsule collapses.
[0015] The projectile of the present invention also contains an
internal, axially placed hydrodynamic structure. This hydrodynamic
structure consists of a solid of revolution that is equal or
similar to a cone. The extremity of this cone-like solid is
oppositely oriented in relation to the projectile's point, as shown
in FIG. 2. The extremity of this solid may also join an axial
column, constituting a single body, as shown in FIG. 3.
[0016] Upon impact, the internal hydrodynamic structure forces a
radial movement of the flowable payload, from the center to the
periphery, against the weakened area of the capsule wall, as shown
in FIG. 1. This weakened area ruptures by the action of payload's
overpressure, allowing the payload to spread radially. This forced
radial flow causes two desirable effects.
[0017] First, this flow represents a deflection of momentum. It
means that the projectile's payload momentum will be smoothly
deflected radially, by a hydrodynamic shaped structure. The
consequence of this momentum deflection is a less concentrated
impact energy and a lower pressure over target's surface.
[0018] Second, this forcing against the weakened area makes the
complete rupture easier. Together with the inertial effect, this
directional forcing of the flow helps the projectile's point not to
pressure the target's surface too much long before the weakened
area collapses.
[0019] This reduction in the impact pressure allows the projectile
to hit the target at higher velocities, causing acceptable damages.
This way, it is possible to impart a higher initial velocity to the
projectile, obtaining a higher maximum effective range and
precision.
[0020] When the chosen flowable payload is a high density fluid,
for example a liquid alloy of Gallium, Indium and Tin (density
approximately 6.4 times greater than water at room temperature) or
Mercury (density approximately 13.5 times greater than water at
room temperature), the energy carried by the projectile can be
enough to temporally incapacitate an aggressor. The projectile will
transfer this great amount of energy to a human target trough the
impact of a mass that is mostly fluid, with a projectile geometry
designed not to penetrate. It means that the aggressor will be
stopped, but not killed.
[0021] The use a high density flowable payload brings two major
advantages: first, the total weight of the projectile approximates
to the weight of a lead-core common projectile, allowing the
projectile to have range and precision performances closer to
lethal ammunitions. Second, this high density increases the
payload's portion in the projectile weight distribution, turning
the impact of the projectile more similar to the impact of a whole
fluid mass.
[0022] When the chosen payload is a non-lethal incapacitating agent
or a dye, these benefits of high density doesn't exist. However,
the payload has a volume that is much larger than the volume of the
solid capsule. Thus, the total mass of any kind of flowable payload
should be much larger than mass of the solid capsule.
[0023] Most common non-lethal incapacitating agents are tear gases
(which include CS, CR and CN) and capsaicin compounds, commonly
known as pepper spray. These agents produce temporary physiological
or mental effects, or both, which will render individuals incapable
of concerted effort in the performance of their assigned
duties.
[0024] Both non-lethal chemical and non-lethal kinetic energy
impact projectiles are designed to temporally incapacitate living
targets, not killing them. It allows these kinds of projectiles to
be used in hostage rescue operations, where standard lethal force
can cause collateral damages to the hostages. In counter-terrorism
operations it is preferable to use a non-lethal projectile to
defeat and capture a suspect than to kill him. Crowd control
operations are also another field of use of these non-lethal
projectiles.
[0025] When the projectile's purpose is to be non-lethal chemical
or non-lethal kinetic energy impact, larger calibers may be
preferable, because a larger projectile can hold a larger mass of
payload. Calibers typically used for this application are 40 mm, 37
mm, 0.68 inches and 12 gauge.
[0026] The projectile of the present invention can be launched by
any firearm or the like. When the payload is a dye, any service
firearm adapted to fire marker cartridges may be used. This
adaptation may include a system to block the chambering of a lethal
cartridge. Marker projectile are commonly used in simulation and
training systems.
[0027] Common cartridges comprises, besides the projectile, a case
filled with propellant and a primer. Some cartridge configurations
also include a sabot. A sabot is a device used in firearms to fire
a projectile whose diameter is smaller than the gun bore diameter.
The projectile of the present invention can be fired by a cartridge
using or not a sabot.
[0028] Non-lethal projectiles are usually fired using small amounts
of propellant, by cartridges that have high-low pressure propulsion
systems. These systems comprise, inside the cartridge case, a high
pressure chamber connected to a low pressure chamber. This
configuration ensures a high burning pressure to a small amount of
propellant, increasing its performance. The projectile of the
present invention is able to be fired by a high-low pressure
propulsion system.
[0029] The objects of the present invention are: [0030] 1) A
non-lethal kinetic energy impact projectile, when the payload is a
high density fluid. [0031] 2) A non-lethal chemical projectile,
when the payload is a non-lethal incapacitating agent. [0032] 3) A
marker projectile, when the payload is a dye.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0033] FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view of the projectile at the
moment of impact, showing the flow of the payload;
[0034] FIG. 2 is a partially broken away view of the projectile
without column;
[0035] FIG. 3 is a partially broken away view of the projectile
with column;
[0036] FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of the projectile with an
aerodynamic external shape;
[0037] FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of the projectile with an
internal hydrodynamic structure that is a solid of revolution with
a concave profile.
[0038] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the projectile with the
weakened area having grooves;
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0039] As can be seen in FIG. 1, the projectile of this invention
consists of a solid capsule (11) that is filled by a flowable
payload (6). When the projectile hits a target (12), the payload
(6) is pushed forward by action of inertia. The inertial effect
creates a pressure gradient with maximum value close to the point
(1). By the effect of this pressure, the weakened area (3)
ruptures, allowing the payload (6) to be radially spread out. A
hydrodynamic structure (2) forces the radial flow of the payload
(6), from the center to the periphery, against the weakened area
(3).
[0040] The solid capsule (11) is made to be light weighted, using
light structural materials, such as engineering plastics or
aluminum alloys. Polyamides have been shown applicable. In
opposite, the flowable payload (6) is selected to have the greater
density, and consequently the greater total weight, as possible.
However, this desirable high density shall not cause an elevation
in viscosity that could harm the flowing capability of the payload
(6). This weight distribution between the flowable payload (6) and
the rest of the projectile reflects directly on the kinetic energy
that each part carries. Thus, the greatest amount of the kinetic
energy transferred to the target (12) goes through the impact of a
flowable mass.
[0041] Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3 of the drawings, the solid
capsule (11) comprises a point (1) that may be rounded or flat; a
hydrodynamic structure (2) that consists of a solid of revolution
equal or similar to a cone and has an extremity (4) that is
oppositely oriented in relation to the projectile's point (1); a
weakened area (3) that is designed to rupture upon impact; a
resistant area (7) that is stronger than weakened area (3) to
resist the firing efforts; a base (8) that resists the firing
propelling pressure and a base cavity (9) that pushes the
projectile's center of gravity to the point's (1) direction,
increasing ballistic stability. In the embodiment of FIG. 3, it is
shown a column (5) that helps to keep the solid capsule (11)
structural integrity. This column (5) is axially placed and
suppresses the extremity (4) of the hydrodynamic structure (2).
[0042] Referring now to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, the resistant area (7) is
placed close to the base (8) and is characterized by having a
larger diameter and a thicker wall than the weakened area (3). The
projectile engages with the gun barrel's rifling grooves through
the resistant area (7). The resistant area (7) may also be attached
to a sabot. A sabot is a device used in a firearm to fire a
projectile whose diameter is smaller than the gun bore
diameter.
[0043] The weakened area (3) is placed close to the point (1), and
has a smaller diameter than the resistant area (7). Thus, when the
projectile is fired, the weakened area (3) doesn't engage the gun
barrel's rifling grooves. The weakened area (3) is also
characterized by its frangibility. This frangibility may be
obtained by constructing the weakened area (3) with a thinner wall,
as show in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4. A weaker material may be used to
construct this area, obtaining the same desirable frangibility.
Also, the frangibility of the weakened area (3) may be obtained by
using stress concentrators. An example of stress concentrator,
which is observed in FIG. 6, is longitudinal grooves (10). These
grooves (10) have a wall thickness even smaller than the rest if
the weakened area (3) and concentrates the stress caused by
payload's pressure to facilitate the rupture.
[0044] The solid capsule (11) is made to be light weighted, thus is
the hydrodynamic structure (2), as part of the solid capsule (11),
is light weighted too. Consequently, the hydrodynamic structure
(2), which is placed adjacent to the point (1), pushes the
projectile's center of gravity to the base's (8) direction, harming
ballistic stability. This is the reason why a cavity (9) shall be
placed adjacent to projectile's base (8). This cavity (9) pushes
the projectile's center of gravity to the point's (1) direction,
compensating the negative effect of the hydrodynamic structure (2)
in ballistic stability. Another way to compensate the destabilizing
effect of hydrodynamic structure (2) is imparting a greater spin to
the projectile. This spin increase is obtained by modifying the
rate of twist of the gun barrel's rifling grooves. A further way to
compensate said destabilizing effect is placing aerodynamic fins on
the base (8) of the projectile.
[0045] Referring now to FIG. 3, a solid capsule (11), which is made
to be light weighted, will probably have a thin and vulnerable
capsular structure. This structural vulnerability may be overcome
by placing a structural column (5) inside the solid capsule (11).
This structural column (5) is axially placed and helps the solid
capsule (11) to keep its integrity against feeding and firing
efforts.
[0046] Major efforts of firing are caused by abrupt acceleration,
high pressure and temperature of the propellant gases and the
effort of engaging with the gun barrel's rifling grooves. The
resistant area (7) and the base (8) are the most affected by
efforts of firing. Thus, these areas must have a reinforced wall.
This reinforcement can be obtained with a thicker wall, as shown in
the FIGS. 2, 3 and 4. Structural plastics, like polyamides or
aluminum alloys are the most appropriated materials to construct
these areas, due to its combination of mechanical resistance with
light weight.
[0047] The projectile's point (1), the hydrodynamic structure (2)
and the column (5) may be built in a softer material, to minimize
more the impact penetration. Elastomers like synthetic rubber and
polyurethane have been shown applicable.
[0048] The whole solid capsule (11) may be built in a single
material. In this case, the frangibility of the weakened area (3)
and the resistance of the base (8) and the resistant area (7) shall
be obtained by manipulating the wall thickness of these areas or
using longitudinal grooves (10) on the weakened area (3). When the
whole solid capsule (11) is built in a single material, injection
molding can be used to manufacture it. When the solid capsule (11)
is made of a plurality of materials, adhesives can be used to put
different parts together. Plastic welding is also applicable in
both cases.
[0049] The hydrodynamic structure (2) may have a shape that is
similar to a cone, but not perfectly conical. The embodiment of
FIG. 5 shows a hydrodynamic structure (2) that is a solid of
revolution with a concave profile. Variations in the solid of
revolution profile can affect the projectile's center of mass
position and the capacity of the hydrodynamic structure (2) to
radially deflect the flowable payload (6). This deflecting capacity
relates directly to the impact pressure of projectiles point (1)
over the target (12) surface.
[0050] The solid capsule (11) has a generally cylindrical external
profile. In the embodiment of FIG. 4 it is shown a solid capsule
(11) with an aerodynamically shaped external profile. In this
embodiment, the transition between the weakened area (3) and the
resistant area (7) is continuous.
* * * * *