U.S. patent application number 16/186325 was filed with the patent office on 2019-05-23 for smart ammunition.
The applicant listed for this patent is Intellishot Holdings Inc. Invention is credited to Steven Wayne Goldstein.
Application Number | 20190154381 16/186325 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 66533901 |
Filed Date | 2019-05-23 |
![](/patent/app/20190154381/US20190154381A1-20190523-D00000.png)
![](/patent/app/20190154381/US20190154381A1-20190523-D00001.png)
![](/patent/app/20190154381/US20190154381A1-20190523-D00002.png)
United States Patent
Application |
20190154381 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Goldstein; Steven Wayne |
May 23, 2019 |
SMART AMMUNITION
Abstract
A smart round of ammunition includes a casing, a primer disposed
at a bottom portion of the casing, a projectile mounted at a top
portion of the casing and a propellant disposed within an interior
portion of the casing between the projectile and primer. The primer
includes a piezo generator transducing a mechanical force received
at a firing pin portion of the primer into a stored charge, a
switch coupling and decoupling a spark gap between the stored
charge and the propellant, and a wireless sensor activating the
switch responsive to a digital signal received from a component
external to the casing. The activation permits a discharge of the
stored charge into the spark gap and therefore detonates the
propellant.
Inventors: |
Goldstein; Steven Wayne;
(Delray Beach, FL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Intellishot Holdings Inc |
Delray Beach |
FL |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
66533901 |
Appl. No.: |
16/186325 |
Filed: |
November 9, 2018 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62584729 |
Nov 10, 2017 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41A 17/08 20130101;
F41A 19/62 20130101; F41A 17/066 20130101; F42B 12/46 20130101;
F41A 17/06 20130101; F42B 5/08 20130101; F41A 17/063 20130101; F42B
12/36 20130101; F41A 19/63 20130101; F42C 15/40 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F41A 17/08 20060101
F41A017/08; F42C 15/40 20060101 F42C015/40 |
Claims
1. A smart round of ammunition comprising: a casing; a primer
disposed at a bottom portion of the casing; a projectile mounted at
a top portion of the casing; and, a propellant disposed within an
interior portion of the casing between the projectile and primer;
the primer further comprising a piezo generator transducing a
mechanical force received at a firing pin portion of the primer
into a stored charge, a switch coupling and decoupling a spark gap
between the stored charge and the propellant, and a wireless sensor
activating the switch responsive to a digital signal received from
a component external to the casing, the activation permitting a
discharge of the stored charge into the spark gap and therefore
detonating the propellant.
2. The smart round of ammunition of claim 1, further comprising a
radio frequency identification (RFID) receiver receiving the
digital signal from an RFID transmitter remotely disposed from the
smart round of ammunition.
3. The smart round of ammunition of claim 1, further comprising an
accelerometer coupled to a memory and disposed on the projectile,
the accelerometer responding to a discharge of the stored charge by
storing inertial measurements in the memory measured
contemporaneously with the discharge.
4. The smart round of ammunition of claim 4, further comprising a
wireless communications transmitter co-located on the projectile
with the accelerometer, the wireless communications transmitter
wirelessly transmitting to a remote computing device the inertial
measurements stored in the memory.
5. The smart round of ammunition of claim 1, wherein the digital
signal changes a state of the ammunition to an active state
permitting a discharge of the stored charge into the spark gap and
therefore detonating the propellant.
6. The smart round of ammunition of claim 5, wherein a subsequently
received digital signal changes the state of the ammunition to an
inactive state prohibiting a discharge of the stored charge into
the spark gap and therefore blocking detonation of the
propellant.
7. The smart round of ammunition of claim 2, wherein non-receipt of
the digital signal from the RFID transmitter places the smart round
of ammunition into an inactive state prohibiting a discharge of the
stored charge into the spark gap and therefore blocking detonation
of the propellant.
8. The smart round of ammunition of claim 2, wherein receipt of the
digital signal from the RFID transmitter places the smart round of
ammunition into an active state permitting discharge of the stored
charge into the spark gap and therefore detonating the
propellant.
9. A magazine comprising: a multiplicity of smart rounds of
ammunition, each of the smart rounds comprising: a casing; a primer
disposed at a bottom portion of the casing; a projectile mounted at
a top portion of the casing; and, a propellant disposed within an
interior portion of the casing between the projectile and primer;
the primer further comprising a piezo generator transducing a
mechanical force received at a firing pin portion of the primer
into a stored charge, a switch coupling and decoupling a spark gap
between the stored charge and the propellant, and a wireless sensor
activating the switch responsive to a digital signal received from
a component external to the casing, the activation permitting a
discharge of the stored charge into the spark gap and therefore
detonating the propellant.
10. The magazine of claim 9, wherein the magazine comprises a
memory powered by a battery disposed within the magazine, the
memory receiving from each of the smart rounds, information
pertaining to whether or not a corresponding one of the smart
rounds has been discharged.
11. The magazine of claim 10, further comprising a wireless
transceiver powered by the battery and transmitting data in the
memory wirelessly to a smartphone.
12. The magazine of claim 11, wherein the switch is biased in a
closed position rendering the smart ammunition active, the magazine
further comprising: a processor powered by the battery and
executing computer program instructions operable during execution
to respond to a receipt of a signal from the smartphone by biasing
the switch to an open position.
13. A smart primer adapted for attachment to a bottom portion of a
casing of a round of ammunition comprising a casing, a projectile
mounted at a top portion of the casing and propellant disposed
within an interior portion of the casing between the projectile and
smart primer, the primer comprising: a piezo generator transducing
a mechanical force received at a firing pin portion of the primer
into a stored charge, a switch coupling and decoupling a spark gap
between the stored charge and the propellant, and a wireless sensor
activating the switch responsive to a digital signal received from
a component external to the casing, the activation permitting a
discharge of the stored charge into the spark gap and therefore
detonating the propellant.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a non-provisional filing of U.S.
Provisional Application No. 62/584,729, filed Nov. 10, 2017, the
entire teachings of which are incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to the field of smart
ammunition.
Description of the Related Art
[0003] Technology may provide the answers in the quest to resolve
one of our nation's most controversial societal issues: gun
violence. In the past decade over one million Americans have been
shot, and approximately 31,000 people are killed each year by
firearms. That's a rate nearly 20 times that of other
industrialized countries.
[0004] One potentially disruptive solution has been introduced,
termed Smart guns. Smart guns operate in a variety of ways to
prevent the trigger from being fully deployed when someone other
than the owner tries to use them. Some utilize a four-digit
password similar to a Smartphone, others incorporate biometric
validation.
[0005] But this being about firearms, there are of course
complicating factors. Most significantly various pro-gun rights
lobbyists and organizations have spoken out against smart gun
technology as they believe their digital orientation could lead to
a national registry of gun owners, and increase the likelihood of
government confiscation. Complicating matters, some gun owners are
concerned about reliability, even though extensive testing has
shown these technologies offer a high degree of reliability. All in
all, adaption of these new technologies rub against the 2nd
amendment for many and thus smart gun technology have experienced
little acceptance and uptake.
[0006] One compelling reason smart firearms are struggling to be
embraced, is that even the most basic firearm weapon is built to
operate for decades and without failure. Estimates indicate there
are roughly 400+ million firearms currently in circulation, enough
for every man, woman and child in the US. The vast majority of gun
owners don't see the need to replace their existing firearms based
on improving safety alone. In fact, they typically keep ownership
of their firearms for decades as guns last indefinitely. Finally,
Smart gun technology offers little value to mitigate gun violence
if the gun owner desires a lethal outcome.
[0007] Assuming for the moment, there was unanimous support of
Smart gun technology, at the current 3.6 Million rates of annual
sales of firearms; it would take approximately 110 years to replace
the existing inventory that resides across America's homes.
Replacing current firearms with some type of digitally enablement
may require the passage of decades to be fully realized.
[0008] One final comment, ammunition is a consumable, thus there is
but an exhaustible amount of ammunition. Publications disclose
ammunition inventory in stores and homes is in the range of years,
unlike firearms, which is practically unlimited.
[0009] Modern technologies offer new opportunities for "digital
marking, tracing and functionality of ammunition. Electronic
Article Surveillance (EAS) and Radio-Frequency Identification
(RFID), NFC, Ultrasonic Identification (UID), GPS, and BEACONS
tagging technologies would allow real-time insights to all the
information for a round of smart ammunition in the same way
clothing is tagged and monitored in a retail store. These tagging
technologies would facilitate the detection of the ammunition as
well as the enablement of where, and when the munitions can be
fired, as well as mitigating the potency of the propellant. As
such, the system would report detection and could automatically
neutralize the discharging of ammunition within the field.
Embedding a small radio-frequency identification tag, and a
propellant enabler inside a round of ammunition is a significant
step toward increased firearm safety and the mitigation of gun
violence.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of
the art in respect to smart gun technology and provide a novel and
non-obvious smart ammunition.
[0011] An apparatus, method and system for the detection and
contextually aware monitoring of smart ammunitions and the
mediation of such smart ammunitions are disclosed. In some
implementations and embodiments contextually-aware detection and
monitoring can include Real Time Location System (RTLS) monitoring
of the smart ammunition for a defined area. The defined area can be
enabled by an electronic virtual border around a single point with
a predefined set of boundaries such as geofencing. Tracking of the
ammunition utilizes RF transceivers, whereas the ammunition
includes internal or external sensors for determining location,
speed of movement, heading, vibration, acceleration (e.g., 3D
acceleration), or any information that can monitor the activity,
state, identification of the ammunition and to provide detection
and contextual awareness.
[0012] There are multiple layers of service that can be enabled and
mediated; examples include, basic detection of the ammunition
within the proximity of the virtual field. Secondary services such
as the monitoring of movement such that the system would track a
piece of ammunition in the virtual field. Moreover, deactivation or
activation of the ammunitions ability to be discharged as well as
modifying the ammunition propellant or primer to mitigate its
lethality. The smart ammunition can be reactivated to its original
state when it's no longer in proximity of the physical area, when a
specific time period has elapsed or by the transmission of a
control signal.
[0013] Simple detection of the ammunition presence can serve as an
alarm. Once a firearm was discharged, the system can use acoustic
sensors and or other sensors to alert others and authorities.
Although we utilizer the term gun, riffle and firearm throughout
this document, the invention considers all current and future forms
factors of ammunition including other ordnances to be enabled by
the disclosures provided.
[0014] It should be noted, a novel component of the invention, such
that much of the control system and data that can be acquired from
the interaction between user, the firearms, the ammunition and the
target are stored in the memory of the ammunition such it is can be
extracted at a time post the bullet striking the target. All data
acquired for the mems devices are stored in non-volatile memory
high-survivability hardened subsystem within the bullet and casing
enclosures.
[0015] Additional aspects of the invention will be set forth in
part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious
from the description, or may be learned by practice of the
invention. The aspects of the invention will be realized and
attained by means of the elements and combinations particularly
pointed out in the appended claims. It is to be understood that
both the foregoing general description and the following detailed
description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not
restrictive of the invention, as claimed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and
constitute part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of
the invention and together with the description, serve to explain
the principles of the invention. The embodiments illustrated herein
are presently preferred, it being understood, however, that the
invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and
instrumentalities shown, wherein:
[0017] FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of smart ammunition.
[0018] FIG. 2 is a pictorial illustration of a process for smart
ammunition utilization.
[0019] FIG. 3 is a pictorial illustration of a magazine
implementation of smart ammunition.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0020] In an attempt to consider an intelligent and nonpartisan
approach to limit gun violence, enhance gun safety, and reduce
crime, we postulate that reporting on the detection of ammunition
and the mediation of the ammunition within an electronic
virtual-space may yield the most favorable reception to the
ever-rising gun violence issue. Smart ammunition is digitally
enabled. No new firearm technology is required for it to operate,
the ammunition is backward compatible. Thus, the ammunition would
be agnostic and would work with today's firearms while offering
additional value with future and smarter firearm designs.
[0021] Operating Environment:
[0022] Safe Space is our operating platform and is focused on the
goal of keeping schools, places of worship, airports, banks and
malls free from firearms being discharged. Although it is
culturally recognized not to carry weapons into these environments
there is no practical way to enforce this behavior and thus the
environment is vulnerable. The commercialization of 3D printed
firearms further exacerbates current detection capabilities.
[0023] Smart ammunition on the other hand, ensures that individuals
nearing or entering the SafeSpace zone could be detected,
identified, reported, and would not be able to discharge their
firearm regardless of their identity, authority, profession or
government empowerment unless a proceeding firearm discharge was
first experienced by the system. The ammunition is simply and
elegantly neutralized while in the presence of the field.
[0024] Overview of the Invention:
[0025] There are a number of patents and prior art, which teach a
tagging system mounted in or near a round of ammunition. The
novelty of this invention extends beyond tagging, as we are not
only detecting the ammunition, but determine the flow of user
traffic pattern (arrival, departure). We also enable the
deactivating or activating of the ammunitions ability to be
discharged based on the virtual environment in contact with the
ammunition. Furthermore, the ammunition behavioral state can be
changed to/from conventional to smart or from smart to
conventional. If the ammunitions were in proximity of the specific
transmission signal, the ammunitions could automatically or
manually be disarmed, thus preventing it from being discharged from
the firearm. In addition, it can control the cycle timing between
subsequent rounds being discharged after the initial round as well
as the number of rounds discharged. The following provides examples
of events and criteria that could be used to disarming or arm the
ammunition: The identification of an acoustical signature, or
discharge detected by a accelerometer-based classification system
that a firearm has been discharged, the ammunition location,
movement, direction of movement, speed of movement, altitude,
location on the body, location within the magazine, location within
the firing chamber, the volume of ammunition adjacent to the
specific round, the weather conditions, the time of day, day of the
week, the GPS location, the detection of other rounds located on or
in proximity to the individual, the personal information of the
user, any recent communications and or documentation supporting
rationale to deactivate the ammunition, the history of the user,
the history of the users episodes of gun firing, the size of the
crowd in proximity to the user, if located in a smart gun or
conventional gun, the type of firearm, the number of firearms in
proximity to the user, the ammunition was tamped with, if the
transponder system was tampered with if the transponder system is
running off main or battery power, sonic-signature detection such
as key words being processed such as help, police, shooter, scream
detector, SPL detector, number of people in the virtual area,
detection of the sound of a siren, Voice recognition system from
mobile phones such as Ski, Alexia from Amazon, Fire and smoke
detectors that were triggered, position of firearm.
[0026] Overall System Architecture:
[0027] Firing System--Primer:
[0028] The invention uses a piezo-powered generator (PPG) to ignite
the combustible explosive housed inside in a primer substructure or
the propellant the ammunition's casing. The invention enables
conventional firing pin firearm technology hammer strikes to
interface with a piezo generator located in the ammunition. In
conventional ammunition, the primer contains a small amount of
percussion-sensitive explosive such as lead azide. When a fire pin
or striker hits the primer cap with sufficient mechanical shock, it
detonates the primer material. This sends hot burning particles of
primer material into contact with the propellant, beginning its
burning.
[0029] In contrast, the invention disclosed utilizes the same
firearm firing pin strategy but it strikes a control pin and
system, which converts mechanical energy (pressure or movement from
the control pin) into an electrical signal. This signal upon being
conditioned is used to activate a spark gap surrounded by thermally
sensitive explosives thus causing detonation and initializing an
energetic material train with a propellant. "A spark gap" consists
of an arrangement of two or more conducting electrodes separated by
a gap usually filled with a gas such as air, designed to allow an
electric spark to pass between the conductors. In another
embodiment, the PPG can activate an exploding-bridgewire detonator
often used where strong unwanted RF signals could cause involuntary
detonation. In yet another embodiment, the PPG electrical signal
would vaporize a length of a thin wire creating an initial shock
wave surrounded by a percussion-sensitive explosive thus
initializing an energetic material train with a propellant.
[0030] The PPG is designed to replace the current primer component
of a round of ammunition, which is responsible for initiating the
propellants combustion. Primers are sold as a separate and
replaceable component of rim-fire construction adopted
worldwide.
[0031] Under normal or armed operation, a voltage from the PPG is
sent to a spark gap, causing detonation of the propellant upon a
trigger pull or other modes of activation in future and advanced
firearms technology. We further introduce a switch to couple or
decoupled the voltage from the PPG; as such the spark gap would be
enabled by the state of this switch. Switch's can be designed
utilizing analog technology such as a reed relay or digitally such
as MOSFET or Optocoupler or hybrid that would be controlled from a
microprocessor. The switch could arm or disarm the flow of voltage
from the piezo to the spark gap, which in turn would interact with
the propellant. No matter how many times the trigger is squeezed,
and assuming the ammunition is disarmed, the ammunition won't be
discharged.
[0032] Piezo Shock Generator:
[0033] The PPG output can be coupled to one or more locations in or
on the firearms itself. The smart round and its PPG can easily be
electrically coupled via the firing pin or the casing. The PPG is
capable of generating sufficient voltage as to create a shock to
someone who is in contact with the PPG output. If the system is set
up to produce this piezo output, the high voltage would ultimately
be communicated to the gun handle, trigger, barrel etc and thus
would compromise the normal use of the firearm based on the users
ability to hold and or control the firearm normally based on its
short-term "electrified" state.
[0034] Accelerometer:
[0035] An accelerometer is mounded in the smart ammunition. These
MEMS sensors will enable a host of data to be sent the user and
others, either by RF, BT, NF, RFID, UID or other. Single and
multi-axis models of accelerometers can be enabled to measure
Interior ballistics--once the trigger of a firearm is pulled, the
pressure of the propellant's gasses is released forward, through
the barrel of the gun, and out of its muzzle and Exterior
ballistics--the bullet spends outside of the gun, before it hits
the target}. Analysis is made of the projectile's trajectory, its
drag through the air, and its probability of flight alteration in
relation to other variables magnitude and direction of the proper
acceleration, as a vector quantity, to sense orientation (because
direction of weight changes), coordinate acceleration, vibration,
shock and falling in a resistive medium (a case where the proper
acceleration changes, since it starts at zero, then increases), the
elevation and drop, the target distance, the impact as measured in
shore rating or other, the moment and elevation of the firearm
itself proceeding the ammunition being discharged. Furthermore, G
force of each round fired by the firearm, and other data is stored
in flash memory (non-volatile memory). In addition to data that can
be mind from the accelerometer when inflight.
[0036] The sensor can also determine the point of impact force as
well as triggering a secondary explosion at point of impact or
timed to detonate shortly thereafter, the time of ammunition was
fired from the firearm.
[0037] Feedback acquired from the kinetic energy produced during
the discharge of the ammunition can be sent wirelessly to the users
phone or other peripheral depicting user metrics such as the
overall stability, recoil, and G force of the last round(s) fired.
The user would learn from this feedback and this improve their
stance. The final step in a bullet's progression is that of
Terminal ballistics, the examination of the changes that occur when
a target is struck by a projectile and the counter-effects upon the
impacted bullet, which may also be measured.
[0038] All data and measurements acquired from the accelerometer
can be vital in analysis of a crime scene.
[0039] Power System:
[0040] The smart ammunition requires power to enable the various
MEMS technologies, which reside in the casing as well as in the
bullet. Internal battery power can be supplied from well known
chemistry engineering. In another embodiment, the dormant explosive
can serve a portion of the chemistry to generate power. In another
embodiment, the passive RFID tag is powered by external RF
transceiver modules or an active RFID tag internally powered,
located in proximity of the ammunition. In another embodiment, the
ammunition can also include a piezo generator and or
pyroelectricity generator, or thermoelectric battery located in the
casing, which uses the explosion of the propellant heat and
projectile motion to convert this energy to the power necessary to
support the voltage and current requirements of the internal
MEMS.
[0041] The invention can include a second piezo system, which is
mounted in the rear portion of the bullet itself. This energy
harvesting system uses the shock wave of the traveling bullet to
power a RF transmitter, microprocessor and GPS mems co-located in
the bullet. The energy harvesting system can also include a
capacitor, which is charged during the explosion and or the shock
way to produce the mems power needs. Since the duration of bullets
travel is measured in seconds, the overall power footprint is quite
conservative.
[0042] The power source for the piece of ammunition is selected to
be a passive energy storage component charged by an external reader
or an energy storage component charged by mechanical vibrations.
The mechanical vibrations are received by the receiver and
converted into electrical power by way of a miniaturized cantilever
and a piezoelectric material. The passive energy storage component
is charged by ultrasonic radiation following conversion into
electrical energy or by electromagnetic waves.
[0043] Secondary Explosion:
[0044] One aspect of the invention is for the projectile (bullet)
to effectively deliver on its intended purpose, and convey the
appropriate outcome for the specific target objective.
[0045] The bullet can carry a secondary charge or explosive. It can
be physically located at the base of the bullet, close to the tip
or any location on its geometry.
[0046] The secondary charge would be able to cause fragmentation of
the bullet; it may contain a payload delivered to the target.
Payloads my included biological substances, toxic substances, radio
isotopes, sedatives, neurological agents, and other drugs designed
to produce specific outcomes upon nearing or having contact with a
human or animal target or designed to disseminate in a locations
GPS coordinates.
[0047] These agents would be disseminated in the target at the
point of impact. Another embodiment discloses that the primary
explosive can serve specifically to carry the payload to the target
while introducing a non-lethal impact and whereby the payload is
designed to render the desired outcome. As such, as combination of
the payload drug or agent, the kinetic energy of the bullet,
velocity, angle of yaw at penetration, impact density, shape,
material selection, including coated or "jacketed" used in the
construction of the bullet and the primary propellants explosion
characteristics, the overall ammunition can be designed to produce
the desired outcome.
[0048] The invention outlines three solutions for a secondary
charge to be activated. In one embodiment, the secondary charge can
be activated upon physical impact of the bullet contacting its
final destination. This can be accomplished by a secondary primer
co-located in the bullet, which in turn causes a secondary
explosion of the bullet and fragmentation or redirection of the
bullet. The timing of the explosion can be immediate or delayed
based on propellant characteristics. At the point of the second
explosion, a chemical or other payload can be delivered. In another
embodiment, the secondary explosion can be triggered by data
supplied by the accelerometer. A sudden rate of change experienced
by the accelerometer could likely indicate the bullet hit a point
of impact. Thus in this scenario, tie bullet would accomplish its
second function. In another embodiment, the secondary explosion can
be trigged by GPS coordinates. Coordinates can depict the primary
target or secondary targets. Coordinates can be entered in the GPS
prior the ammunition be fired or they can be rules based and
activate the secondary charge when certain pre-established
conditions are met.
[0049] Provisioning:
[0050] The ammunition can be provisioned into either a conventional
or smart state. Said another way, the ammunition could function as
a passive (non electronically influenced) round of ammunition or it
could take on the state of including some intelligence by enabling
one or more of the mems sensors. The ammunition can be shipped in a
conventional state and when desired, can be converted to a smart
state. Provisioning of this state conversion process can be enabled
through an inductive technique, capacitive or a RF technique such
as using Bluetooth or RFID communications. In one embodiment, the
Bluetooth master or slave can exist in a magazine, firearm,
accessories, mobile phone, computer or any other peripheral.
Provisioning to an active state can also be induced by an external
RFID transponder or BT transmitter. Accordingly, if the ammunition
were in a passive state and came in proximity of the virtual RFID
transponder field designed to communicate with the ammunition, the
ammunitions state could automatically (without user intervention)
be switched to a smart state, Under this scenario, the smart
ammunition PPG system could be deactivated remotely rendering the
ammunition to be neutralized.
[0051] RF Transmitter for Tracking the Fired Bullet:
[0052] A bullet leaves a turbulent wake behind it. By placing a
piezo electric element in the rear section of the bullet, this
unsteady wake can be used to generate electricity to power a RF
transmitter. Since the turbulent wake will be there regardless of
the presence of the piezo element will not impact the power of the
bullet itself.
[0053] The piezo element will power a small RF amplifier whose sole
purpose will be to use the power from the piezo element to create a
single carrier wave frequency. A dipole antenna arrangement
requires two conductors. The bullet body will be one conductor, and
a small stiff wire will be the 2nd conductor. A series of "tracking
antenna would be used to track the path of the bullet. Since the
dipole radiation pattern is maximum ahead and behind the bullet,
this is the best configuration for the tracking antennas.
[0054] The RF transmitter sends signals out before, during and at
point of impact. It allows for a multi array antenna system to
track the bullet in flight. The system would transmit the GPS data
back which could be seen on a mobile phone. In addition to
trajectory information, the bullet could report back the target
destination as measured on point of impact.
[0055] The tracking system allows the user to located the bullet at
the point of impact. In the case of hunting, the bullet may be
imbedded in the animal which is moving about after it was wounded.
The hunter could easily track the location of the animal. This RF
tracking system can also be enabled on a arrow with the same
benefits.
[0056] Forensics:
[0057] RFID tags incorporate a unique serial number in addition to
memory allocated for additional information. This is referred to as
an Electronic Product Code (EPC). It is readable with a RFID
transponder such as a portable field instrument. The tag contains a
96-bit string of data. The first eight bits are a header which
identifies the version of the protocol. The next
[0058] 28 bits identify the organization that manages the data for
this tag; the organization number is assigned by the EPCGlobal
consortium. The consortium has implemented Class 5 for ammunition.
The next 24 bits are an object class, identifying the kind of
product; the last 36 bits are a unique serial number for a
particular tag. These last two fields are set by the organization
that issued the tag. Rather like a URL, the total electronic
product code number can be used as a key into a global database to
uniquely identify a particular item.
[0059] The 96-bit string of data would be formatted to accept
additional data. This data would include: User Personally
identifiable information (PII) so that the ammunition can be
traceable back through the channels of the original purchaser,
retailer, distributor and manufacture. It can store the GPS data
from the phone's firing location, through the BTLE or BT and store
that data information in the RFID tag.
[0060] The invention teaches a process to insure the RFID tag
survives and is functional after the bullet hits the target.
Multiple micro size RFID tags can be used as many won't survive the
point of impact. The size and mass of the tags are designed not to
be destroyed when hitting the target. This is accomplished by
printing the RFID on a low mass film or back carrier. The RFID tag
could also be embedded in a substructure to preserve it operational
effectiveness after impact.
[0061] In another embodiment, the ammunition is made detectable but
not traceable. This aspect makes possible secure SafeSpace areas in
without compromising the users Personally identifiable information
or PPI.
[0062] Another aspect of the invention is directed to a data
collection system that includes an active RFID tag for collecting,
time-stamping, and storing user data. Examples of the type of data
collected include time of round inserted, time discharged, number
of rounds proceeding current discharged round, speed data, global
positioning data, and round ID data. The system further includes an
external data acquisition device, a hand-held data acquisition
device like an wand. The external data acquisition device includes
an RFID interrogator for communicating with the RFID tag, which
enables the RFID tag to transmit the time-stamped data wirelessly
to the external data acquisition device. The ability of the system
to automatically collect and transfer data allows for the
ammunition and discharging history and insights to be stored
online.
[0063] In another embodiment, a passive RFID tag and non-volatile
memory can replace the memory resident in the active RFID tag.
[0064] Communications and Interoperability:
[0065] The invention leverages industry research focused on
Smartdust and mesh networks enabling all components of a firearm
and smart ammunition to communicate with one in another. Smartdust
is a system of many tiny microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) such
as sensors, robots, or other devices, that can detect, for example,
light, temperature, vibration, magnetism, or chemicals. They are
usually operated on a computer network wirelessly and are
distributed over some area to perform tasks, usually sensing
through radio-frequency identification. The size of a round is
orders of magnitude larger than what is envisaged in Smartdust, as
such battery power and transmission distances are far greater.
[0066] Any device which shares digital data on the mesh network can
communicate to any other device. Each device in the mesh network is
independent of each and is self-powered or reliant on the RF signal
to harvest the necessary power. The invention considers all
possible modes of RF, Ultrasonic, and Magnetic communications
commercially known. Communications can occur from round to round,
from round to firearm, from firearm to firearm, from firearm to
mobile, from bullet to mobile, from bullet to detection array, from
bullet to RF transceiver. The RFID transponder nodes located in the
virtual site can operate stand alone, or as array, can communicate
with a VPN and can communicate over the internet or on a special
frequency designated for the system. The interoperability considers
interacting with databases, other technologies designed to
neutralize a shooter, as well as ShotSpotter type of systems.
[0067] This invention is capable is integrating to a target which
is enabled with sensors to detect the impact of a bullet. Upon the
detection, the target can send precise coordinates of where the
bullet hit.
[0068] RFID Tag Technology:
[0069] Capacitive vs. Inductive
[0070] There are two modes of communication used in RFID (termed
coupling), inductive coupling and capacitive coupling. Inductive
coupling involves the reader emitting a magnetic field. When a tag
enters the field, the chip will vary its antennas response, which
will result in a perturbation of the magnetic field, which can be
detected by the reader. The strength of a magnetic field drops
sharply with distance from the emitter; hence inductive systems are
inherently short range. This is the mode of operation at HF.
Capacitive coupling involves the reader emitting a propagating
electromagnetic wave. When this wave impinges on a tag, the chip
will modify the antenna radar cross section in such a way that the
reflected signal containing the information on the chip can be
detected by the reader. This is the primary mode of operation at
UHF and in the microwave region.
[0071] Active vs. Passive
[0072] RFID tags are termed active or passive based on how they are
powered. Active tags are battery powered and will actually actively
transmit a signal. Active tags have the longest read range
(.about.100 meters) and are the most expensive due to the battery
and transmitter cost. Passive tags have no on-tag power supply. The
energy to activate the chip is derived solely from incoming wave
from the reader or transponder. The transmitted power density
necessary to achieve sufficient voltage for the chip to activate
limits the read range. Passive tags are significantly less
expensive than active tags and, in general, will have significantly
less range. A third class of tags is semi-active, or battery
assisted passive (BAP) tags. These tags include a battery so the
chip will always have sufficient energy to turn on but they do not
have an active transmitter. Since, in general, the limiting factor
on the read range of a passive tag is getting sufficient power to
the chip, BAP tags have greater range than passive tags although at
a higher cost and limited life due to the battery.
[0073] Optimizing of the RF tag. As an example, the metal jacket of
the casing may function as an antenna if it is designed with two or
more metal segments to allow detection of a signal. Such a device
will detune in the presence of other metal parts--such as the gun
barrel and a magazine.
[0074] There are times when the ammunition is chambered prior to
the firearm coming in proximity to a transponder. Under this
scenario, the ammunition may be blocked from the RFID interrogation
transceiver. Accordingly, the invention includes an additional form
of communications to modify the state of the smart ammunition when
direct RF broadcasts signals are prevented reliable communications
due to Faraday cage type structures.
[0075] We use the firearm itself as the medium to carry a signal to
the ammunition. Should any round of ammunition communicate with the
transponder signal, its operational state would known and then
electrically coupled to the physical ammunition casing. As such,
should any round of smart ammunition be in deactivated state, it
could be used to inform all other rounds to deactivate regardless
if the other rounds were able to receive a RF deactivation signal.
This systemic control signal is propagated through any metal
including the firearm, the magazine, and the rounds themselves.
[0076] The microprocessor in the ammunition would be operatively
coupled to the ammunitions' casing and would program the PPG to
deactivate any ammunition in the chain. A real time clock keeps
track of time the ammunition state is invoked. We use the this
information to insure that the originating round which was
deactivated and subsequent rounds could have their status changed
based on a window of time.
[0077] System Integrity and Fail Safes:
[0078] The RFID tag can be placed in a cartridge with the cartridge
metal providing some of the antenna functionality-for example by
way of a micro-patch antenna configuration that is built in. If the
antenna is overloaded to burnout the RFID, a thermal fuse causes
the microprocessor to disable the PPG system and thus the
ammunition cannot be discharged. In the ammunition casing, antennas
can be built into the design as well. However, the changes in the
signal reveal the presence of such parts in proximity to the tagged
ammunition.
[0079] Tampering Detection:
[0080] Tampering with ammunition would cause the ammunition to be
deactivated, either temporally or permanently. This could be
enabled through the disarming of the primer, or through the
propellant engine. The ammunition would be able to notify the user
or others as to its state of operations. Tampering with the
transponders will also deactivate the ammunition.
[0081] Detection of Non-Enabled Smart Ammunition:
[0082] The invention considers the detection of brass, copper,
stainless steel, aluminum and lead, as such; we are able to resolve
conventional ammunition detection. Detection would trigger an alert
and alert others of lethal weapons within the virtual area.
Utilizing new propellants would cause the ammunition to be
detectable.
[0083] Smart Magazine:
[0084] As we have indicated, there is clearly an opportunity to
improve gun safety for the user and the community in the immediate
area by using technology. One novel invention disclosed herewith,
is the concept of a Smart Magazine. The magazine (clip) is an
integral component of the gun owner's armamentarium. Magazines are
available in various sizes to store multiple rounds of ammunition.
They are mechanical devices, normally spring loaded to advance the
ammunition into the chamber.
[0085] The magazine itself can be preloaded with live ammunition
and prepackaged as a system. The magazine can be made from
lightweight and durable material, which would allow the magazine to
be disposed of when the last of the ammunition is fired.
[0086] The magazine has a built in Bluetooth and or Wi-Fi
transceiver allowing it to inform a Smartphone of the information
and forensics such as the number of rounds fired, the time, date,
and location of the firings, who fired the ammunition, even the
weather at the time of discharge the ammunition. This could also
exist on the magazine directly or coupled to an accessory.
[0087] The Smartphone would be able to display the info described
as well as personal information such as purchaser identify,
purchase info, purchase location, date and amount purchased etc.
The Smartphone can deactivate the operation of the magazine, thus
limiting the usefulness of the firearm. The Bluetooth or Wi-Fi
transceiver system can work with other mesh enabled appliances such
that the multiple users can contribute their ammunition status to a
larger community. The Bluetooth and or Wi-Fi interface and
Smartphone can also work with smart ammunition. The Bluetooth and
or Wi-Fi transceiver in the smart ammunition can manually or
automatically take on the behavior of master or slave based on the
requirements.
[0088] Bluetooth, NFC, Wi-Fi or other enabled Smartphones inform
the user of data including how many rounds were fired, when, where
(GPS). The magazine is disposable and can be retuned for credit or
discarded. Magazine incorporates a battery and thus they can power
the Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and microprocessor and memory and display.
[0089] The Smart Magazine carries its own battery, providing power
to activate the Bluetooth system functionality in the magazine. In
addition, the power emanating from the magazine is conveyed to the
smart ammunition as to prime it for operation. In other words, the
smart ammunition behaves like traditional ammunition and can be
fired at will and is not detectable. Once the smart ammunition is
"primed by the magazine" it begins enabling added functionality.
The smart ammunition can this sit in a sealed package for years and
the rounds wouldn't be activated (powered up) until they are in the
magazine or primed by other means. Accordingly, if the deactivated
round was proximate of the virtual RF field, the RFID transponder
would seamlessly provide both power while obtaining smart
ammunition field detection.
[0090] Destruction of Smart Ammunition:
[0091] A thermal fuse that can activate the propellant so the round
can be discharged remotely as necessary. This can occur manually or
automatically based on rules, guidelines, laws, interoperability
with other equipment and or other firearms or smart ammunition.
This can be achieved by delivering a control signal to the RFID tag
which in turn is processed by the microprocessor and then sent to
the PPG activating the spark-gap or thermal-wire to create a
discharge. In another embodiment the PPG can be permanently
disabled, thus the ammunition would be rendered useless, as it
could never be fired from a firearm.
[0092] RFID Transponder (Interrogator):
[0093] A transponder wireless signal, which works to power, detect,
monitor, recognize, report and to send a control signal to,
deactivate or activate or otherwise reduce the power of the
ammunition while in proximity of sensor. The transponder can issue
additional commands to permanently disable the ammunition. In
addition it could send a signal to disrupt the cycle time between
discharging, as well as the number of rounds that can be fired
during a given period of time.
[0094] It could influence the behavior of a single weapons ability
to be discharged, or influence the control of multiple or all
members within a given virtual field, thus disabling the
discharging of specific people or groups of people. In another
embodiment, it could invoke a command that the ammunition requires
a different virtual field to change its state then the virtual
field that it was last in.
[0095] In another embodiment, the RF transponder is envisioned
offers a boarder scope of services then conventional Interrogator
technology. The Interrogator can be programmed to not only provide
RF power to a tag, but also to invoke a variety of functions that
the tag can perform simply by sending digital word from the
transponder. RFID tags are designed to be interrogated once they
are powered on, and thus detected providing it's an Electronic
Product Code (EPC). This is made possible by modulating the carrier
single with a digital word. Schemes such as PCM, Spread Spectrum,
Phase-shift keying (PSK), Frequency-shift keying (FSK),
Amplitude-shift keying (ASK), On-off keying (OOK), Quadrature
amplitude modulation (QAM), Continuous phase modulation (CPM)
methods and others can be incorporated.
[0096] Active RFID tags converge extends to 1500 feet where passive
RFID tags operate reliably up to the 50 feet range. Many physical
areas are will required multiple transponders and rely on
Trilateration. Trilateration refers to determining the position of
something by known the angle it subtends from two or three known
locations.
[0097] To increase accurate and mediation of ammunition,
multi-tags, potentially in conjunction with multiple transponders,
can provide a viable solution to this problem.
[0098] The smart ammunition can change the state of the explosive
from being active to non-active. It can switch off the propellant
and or firing system. It can do so while in proximity to the
virtual field or can be sent a signal to arm or disarm the
propellant identify or until and other control signal is
transmitted and detected. As such, should the transmission tower
become disabled and loose power, the ammunition will operate in
their most recent (last state) of arm/disarm.
[0099] In this embodiment, the design of a system which enables
precise positioning of RFID tags in both azimuth and elevation
angles is explained. The positioning is based on measuring the
phase difference between at four Yagi antennas placed in two
arrays. One array is placed in the azimuth plane and the other
array is perpendicular to the first array in the elevation plane.
The phase difference of the signals received from the antennas in
the azimuth array is used to find the position of RFID tag in the
horizontal direction. For the position in the vertical direction,
the phase difference of the signals received from the antennas in
the elevation plane is used.
[0100] This multiphase array results in improved resolution of the
tag positioning in the system is in the order of 3 mm in a distance
equal to 0.5 meter in front of the array with few number of
averaging over the received phase data.
[0101] In addition, it is argued how the system is totally immune
to any counterfeit attempts to introduce proxy tags, as each round
of ammunition contains 2 independent tags, one is placed in the
azimuth plane and the other tag is placed perpendicular to the
first array in the elevation plane.
[0102] The system is free standing and can operate independent of
Internet connectivity. In this embodiment, no reporting of the user
or the firearm can take be transmitted to a network external to the
virtual field.
[0103] The system cannot be hacked from outsiders, as it is local
and not connected to a network.
[0104] In one embodiment, only when the ammunition comes in
proximity with transponder, the ammunition be neutralized or
deactivated and only at that location. In one embodiment, the
ammunition will return to its free state of readiness or
activation, once leaving the area with the transponder.
[0105] In one embodiment, anyone using the smart ammunition within
the virtual field will be operating under the same rules of
technology. Assuming there was firearm discharged detected, the
system would activate all smart ammunition for a specific class of
ammunition such as the smart ammunition controlled by the
authorities. As such, the authorizes could discharge their weapons,
but on one else would be able to. Since the system may be decoupled
from a network that report over the Internet, the transponders
stores the activities, which just occurred, so it would know who
fired first by ID [Electronic Product Code (EPC)]. of the
ammunitions. The transponders may also activate a siren or alarm as
well as lock doors and coupe to other local peripherals.
[0106] In one embodiment, the firearms and accessories can also use
the same tracking and activation.
[0107] Optical or Sensor Detection of Round and Casing.
[0108] There are many reasons to improve the visualization of a
round of ammunition, either before discharge or after the bullet
lands at its target Investigators and police use their eyes to
locate casings from fired weapons, and medical professionals look
for bullet impact on the body. Others reloaded their own bullets
and pick up casing from a target range. Often its night and
visualization is compromised.
[0109] In one embodiment, we teach a solution for improving the
efficiency of this process by making the bullets and casing
optically more detectable. In another embodiment, we teach a way of
enhancing visualization of where the ammunition was fired from as
well as where it fell from flight or otherwise hit its target, as
the raw casing and bullet are manufactured from luminescent or
fluorescent enabled alloys. In another embodiment, we teach as way
to enhance evidence collection by enabling a method and process to
scan a physical area such as an open field or which could contain
acres of property on one side of the equation to a scanning of
animal or human tissue to determine and follow the projectile trail
as it entered and resides in tissue.
[0110] This can be achieved with the human eye, or by sensors
attached to mobile devices such as medical equipment, law
enforcement forensics equipment, firearm scopes, mobile phones or
drones. The luminescent or fluorescent material may contain
radiopaque materials and markers commonly used in field of
radiographic imaging and radiology.
[0111] The composition of the shell casing as well as the
projectile are manufactured with a luminescent or fluorescent
enabling chemistry. The luminescent or fluorescent emitting
particles are added during the stage when the raw material is
processed from smelting, refining, alloying, treatment by
chemicals, gases, casting and turned into a final finished material
ready for shipment to the industry who will utilize the alloy in
their manufacturing process. This invention extends broader and
beyond than the ammunition industry. There are various other
applications for the use of this technology; examples include:
aircraft, automobile, fireworks, petrochemical, industrial
manufacturing, boating, snowmobile.
[0112] Compromised Ammunition Reliably by Design:
[0113] As part of the invention enclosed, we look at a solution for
through the lens of the ammunition by itself. We teach a method for
the mitigation of multiple rounds of ammunition being discharged
over a short period of time without the use of any electronic
intervention. We teach a method of introducing erratic behavior of
the firearm and the reliably of the bullets being fired.
Accordingly, the firearm doesn't behave as intended.
[0114] Bullet geometry and size can be altered while in the chamber
based on prior rounds fired and the thermal characteristics that
are generated within the firearm chamber and bore.
[0115] The invention discloses a technical process to modify the
ammunition itself, which in turn would limit the rounds of
munitions a gun can fire over a given period of time known as Rate
of Fire typically measured in rounds per minute (RPM or round/min).
Furthermore, the invention is designed to temporally halt the
usefulness of the firearm based on the users desire to fire
addition rounds in a given period of time.
[0116] The more rounds fired, results in lower performance and
reliability of the weapon known as the weapons Sustained rate. In
practice, the limitation of the number of rounds fired is based on
a time period, thus for each successive firing of a new round, the
weapons' potency and lethality is further reduced to a point where
the firearm may also fail to automatically, recoil and reload the
next cartridge/casing in its magazine. Should the weapon
successfully be discharged, the accuracy of the bullets trajectory
and power becomes compromised. At such a point, the firearm would
require a "cool-down" period" as to insure proper operations within
the manufacturers original published specification.
[0117] Accordingly, attempting to fire off hundreds of rounds from
a magazine would not be feasible, nor would the speed of successive
rounds be reliable. The invention is not designed to be utilized
exclusively for rapid-fire semi or fully automatic weapons; rather
it serves to mitigate the firing of rapid succession of
ammunition.
[0118] When there is firing from a gun, there is large amount of
heat input to the bore surface of a gun barrel, and the heat
transfer to the barrel is mainly due to forced convection from the
hot gases generated inside the barrel due to combustion of
propellant. Generally, after firing the barrel is naturally cooled
by convection and radiation at its outer surface but natural
cooling is inefficient and only a fraction of the total heat input
is transferred to the external environment. Hence, during
continuous discharging at a high rate of fire, the temperature of
the gun barrel keeps on rising to ultimately equal to the cook-off
temperature. At cook-off temperature, the self-ignition of
propellant takes place. This premature self-ignition may result in
serious damage to the gun barrel and physical injury.
[0119] The invention enables the threat of multi munitions being
discharged over a short time interval will be mitigated. This is
known as the firearm cyclic rate. For purposes of illustration, the
mechanical rate of fire, or how fast the weapon "cycles" includes
loads, locks, fires, unlocks, ejects. A manual handgun can produce
20 rounds in 5.3 seconds. For a semiautomatic gun, the
effectiveness is increased to 120 rounds in 60 seconds.
[0120] In one embodiment, in effect, the firearm would be limited
to the purpose of protection, meaning mediating the number of round
that can be discharged in a govern period of time.
[0121] From a thermodynamic point of view, a firearm is a special
type of piston engine or in general heat engine where the bullet
has a function of a piston. The energy conversion efficiency of a
firearm strongly depends on its construction, especially on its
caliber and barrel length. However, for illustration, here is the
energy balance of a typical small firearm fired with a common brand
of 30-caliber ammunition.
[0122] Barrel friction 2%
[0123] Projectile motion 32%
[0124] Hot gases 34%
[0125] Barrel heat 30%
[0126] Unburned propellant 1%.
[0127] Gun barrel heating from multiple firings continues to be a
subject of concern to ordnance engineers. Continuous gun firing
results in the rise of the barrel temperature, which creates
several unfavorable effects on the system performance. The main
heat transfer mechanism for the gun barrel from firing is thermal
convection from the propellant gas to the bore surface. The
propellant gas is usually produced behind the projectile.
Especially, in the situation of high rate semi or fully automatic
weapons as, the time interval is very short in continuous firing.
The heat flux accumulates so fast that the inner wall temperature
of the firearm increases sharply. In serious situations, the bore
surface material might even be melted by the heat input from such
projectile passage mechanisms.
[0128] High rates of fire through a rifle barrel can easily heat it
to 500 C, certainly enough heat to change the barrel's dimensions.
Compounding matters is that the heating is uneven, as is the
dissipation. So you end up warping the barrel in hard-to-control
ways, which is enough to affect the projectiles
point-of-impact.
[0129] The invention utilizes the thermal impact from a proceeding
round being discharged and activates expansion and or reduction or
other geometry modifications to the bullet in the chamber. In
another embodiment, a coating can be added to the bullet during or
after the manufacturing process whereby the coating will be
activated by the internal barrel and chamber temperatures and will
expand or change from its shape or otherwise modify its geometry
from its original physical size and geometry.
[0130] In another embodiment, the bullet can contain a substance
under the outer surface and will modify the shape and or geometry
if the bullet as it became activate by the thermal condition inside
the firearm. The shape and geometry can increase or decrease based
on the materials used in its construction. Changes is shape
include, uniform expansion of size uniform reduction of size, an
overall geometric modification of its original shape.
[0131] In another embodiment, the primer cap can be manufactured
from materials disclosed above. This includes the aperture--defined
as real estate that is struck from the firearms fire pin. The
aperture material can soften or harden based on the thermal
conditions in the chamber or riffle barrel. Primers require both
force and speed of impact to activate the percussion-sensitive
explosive. The internal barrel temperatures modifies the pliability
or firmness of the aperture area that receives and interface with
the firing pin, thus one can alter the reliability of the primer to
be discharged based on the choice of thermally sensitive material
selection used in construction of the aperture in primer cap.
[0132] In another embodiment, the primer anvil can be manufactured
from materials disclosed above. This includes the metallic anvil
having a centrally depressed region, which is contacted by the
aperture as it is struck from the firearms fire pin. The metallic
anvil material can soften or harden based on the thermal conditions
in the chamber or riffle barrel. Primers require both force and
speed of impact to activate the percussion-sensitive explosive. The
internal barrel temperatures modifies the pliability or firmness of
the metallic anvils area that receives and interface with the
aperture and firing pin, thus one can alter the reliability of the
primer to be discharged based on the choice of thermally sensitive
material selection used in construction of the anvil primer.
[0133] In another embodiment, the interior of the ammunitions'
casing can be treated with a fast acting release agent and chemical
formulation containing Diphenylamine. It is found in most
propellants mixtures to increase stabilization and to prevent
buildup of the deterioration product. Stabilizers are added in the
amount of 0.5-2% of the total amount of the formulation; higher
amounts tend to degrade its ballistic properties.
[0134] We take advantage of these properties and characteristics
and release additional Diphenylamine to mix with propellant when
the casing reaches a specific temperature, thus one can alter the
potency of the propellant based on the choice of thermally
sensitive benchmarks and the release of the chemicals which will be
mixed into the propellant prior to being fired.
[0135] In another embodiment, the bullets' hardness can be changed
due to thermal conditions inside the firearm barrel or chamber. The
hardness can be modified to soften or harden the bullet material.
This is accomplished by modifying the TG rating of the bullet at
time of manufacture. The bullet can be constructed such that it
becomes brittle when activated by heat. This will manifest in the
damage that can be caused at point of impact.
[0136] In another embodiment, the invention teaches the use of a
shape-memory alloy (SMA, smart metal, memory metal, memory alloy,
muscle wire, smart alloy that "remembers" its original shape and
that when deformed returns to its pre-deformed shape when heated to
achieve the desired outcome stated below. These shape-memory alloys
can be used in the design and construction of the bullet as well as
the casing as to achieve of the design goals defined below.
[0137] As the bullet resides in the chamber and is discharged, the
bullet expands, contract or changes it geometry based on heat of
barrel. This can manifest in the following outcomes:
[0138] Change in accuracy is compromised
[0139] Change the aerodynamics of the slug
[0140] Change the interaction of the bullet and the firearm
[0141] Change firearms ability to fire reliability
[0142] Change the firearms ability to follow the instructions on
first or subsequent fires
[0143] Change velocity
[0144] Change power
[0145] Change distance of travel
[0146] Change patter of impact
[0147] Change of speed.
[0148] Change in straight line without drop in altitude
[0149] Change in frequency of fire
[0150] Jam the firearm
[0151] Modify spin
[0152] Compromise trust
[0153] Compromises recoil and reload
[0154] Reduce the number of rounds discharged during a given
period
[0155] Reduce lethality
[0156] Reduce accuracy
[0157] Change geometry of bullet
[0158] Prevent additional rounds being fired
[0159] Modify the number of time one has to pull trigger
[0160] Internal elements of the ammunition (round) can include
[0161] The traditional construction of round of ammunition
including: the casing, the primer cup mechanical construction
(absent of conventional mechanical firing techniques), the rim, the
propellant, and the bullet or projectile.
[0162] One or more RFID, NFC, Ultrasonic Identification (UID), GPS,
or BEACONS tags
[0163] One or more BT transceivers
[0164] One or more WI-FI transceivers
[0165] One or more Accelerometers
[0166] One or more Piezo Generators
[0167] One or more Microprocessors
[0168] One or more Power Regulators One or more Antennas
[0169] Elements of the mobile or fixed transmission system
include
[0170] One or more Transponders
[0171] One or more Microphones or acoustical sensors One or more
Accelerometers
[0172] One Telco interface
[0173] Elements of the Smart magazine system include One or more
Magazines
[0174] One or more BT transceivers
[0175] One or more WI-FI transceivers
[0176] One or more Power Supplies
[0177] Having thus described the invention of the present
application in detail and by reference to embodiments thereof, it
will be apparent that modifications and variations are possible
without departing from the scope of the invention defined in the
appended claims as follows:
* * * * *