Flechette Patents (Class 102/703)
  • Patent number: 9671185
    Abstract: An improved door assembly for a delinking feeder of a minigun includes an access door mounted to a delinking feeder housing and movable between a closed position and an open position. The access door has an enclosed recess for receiving a tongue that is rotationally coupled to the access door and is movable between a retracted position and a deployed position. When the access door is in the open position, the tongue is in the deployed position and a tongue first contact surface can contact and secure a linked cartridge positioned in the delinking feeder. When the access door is in the closed position, the tongue is in the retracted position and a tongue second contact surface can contact and guide a cartridge positioned in the delinking feeder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: Profense, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Rowe, Arthur O'Donnell
  • Patent number: 8915189
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for packing fin-stabilized penetrators (8) in a carrier shell (1), which penetrators (8) comprise a front penetrator part (10) and a rear fin part (9, 9?) comprising fin sides (14, 14?), so that the empty space between the penetrators (8) and problems with the penetrators upon the release of the penetrators (8) from the carrier shell (1) are minimized, wherein the penetrators (8) are packed in groups (7) and are joined together to form larger packing units (6), in which each group (7) is arranged with a centrally located penetrator (8) flanked by at least three outer penetrators (8), which outer penetrators (8) are arranged so that their front penetrator parts (10) lie side to side against the fin sides (14, 14?) of the centrally located penetrator (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: BAE Systems Bofors AB
    Inventor: Christer Thuman
  • Patent number: 8640622
    Abstract: A projectile assembly 10 includes an individual projectile 20 and a composite projectile 30. The individual projectile 20 has a communicating portion 22. The composite projectile 30 includes at least one flechette 32. Prior to the projection of the projectile assembly 10, the composite projectile 30 is located adjacent to the communicating portion 22 of the individual projectile 20. The individual projectile 20 and the composite projectile 30 are structured and disposed for separating from one another after the initial projection of the projectile assembly 10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Inventor: Donald B. Eckstein
  • Patent number: 8499694
    Abstract: A flechette has a forward body (20) containing its center of gravity which is connected to a tail section (24). The tail section has a pair of fins (24A, 24B) each having a preselected longitudinal angle and radial angle. When the two fins are viewed from the aft of the flechette, the pair of fins demonstrate a S-shaped orientation. The size, shape and orientation of the pair of fins provide aerodynamic stability to the flechette while allowing the flechette to be stacked with like-shaped flechettes. The two-piece assembly of the flechette easily accommodates the use of different density materials for the respective pieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: David A. Bittle, Robert V. Weber, Julian L. Cothran
  • Patent number: 8387538
    Abstract: Some embodiments pertain to a projectile that includes a propellant and a casing that encloses the propellant such that the casing acts as a reaction chamber during flight of the projectile. The casing includes a plurality of flechettes. When the projectile strikes (or is near) a target, a large internal sheer pressure forms within the casing. This sheer pressure causes the flechettes to sheer apart at the thinnest sections of the casing. Once the thin sections of the casing are sheered apart, the flechettes will be unconstrained such that the flechettes take individual flight paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventor: Steven J. Elder
  • Patent number: 8375860
    Abstract: A flechette has a forward section or body (12) containing its center of gravity. A quill (10) is connected to the forward section and is integrally connected to a pair of fins (15A, 15B) each having a longitudinal angle and a radial angle. When the two fins are viewed from the aft of the flechette, the pair of fins demonstrate an S-shaped orientation. The size, shape and orientation of the fins provide aerodynamic stability to the flechette while allowing the flechette to be stacked with like-shaped flechettes in rows and columns or in a radial, circular arrangement. When stacked in rows and columns or in a circular arrangement, each flechette has its nose oriented in the same forward direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: David A. Bittle, Robert V. Weber, Julian L. Cothran
  • Patent number: 8316770
    Abstract: A munition round includes a cartridge case; a canister disposed at a forward end of the cartridge case, the canister including a piston movable in the canister; a plurality of high-density spheroids having a diameter in a range of about 0.25 inches to about 0.5 inches; a rear container disposed in the canister adjacent the piston, and fully loaded with the high-density spheroids; a front container disposed in the canister and partially loaded with the high-density spheroids, a remaining volume of the front container occupied by a spacer disc disposed atop the high-density spheroids; and a cap that closes a forward end of the canister.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Patrick Fisher, Meghan Abraham, Bhuvanesh Thoguluva, Keith Martin, Robin Zeto
  • Patent number: 8291828
    Abstract: A sub-caliber bullet with an aerodynamic shape has long-range accuracy due to a high muzzle velocity and reduced time of flight to a target. The bullet has forward and aft portions and a mid-portion. The forward portion has a density in excess of 10/cm3 while the mid-portion has a lower density. The bullet has an aspect ratio of at least 5:1 and a diameter, d, that satisfies a Power Law equation: d=D*(x/L)n where D is a maximum bullet diameter, L is the length, x is a distance rearward from a nose of the bullet and n is a Power Law exponent that is between 0.5 and 0.75. In some embodiments, a blind bore extends into the mid-portion from the aft portion and a sustainer propellant within the bore ignites as the bullet exits a gun muzzle to provide a velocity boost and to overcome aerodynamic drag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Inventor: Alan Z. Glasser
  • Patent number: 8096243
    Abstract: A sub-caliber bullet with an aerodynamic shape has long-range accuracy due to a high muzzle velocity and reduced time of flight to a target. The bullet has a forward portion, a mid-portion and an aft portion. The forward portion has a density in excess of 10/cm3 while the mid-portion has a lower density. The bullet has an aspect ratio of at least 5:1 and a diameter, d, that satisfies a Power Law equation: d=D*(x/L)n where D is a maximum bullet diameter, L is the length, x is a distance rearward from a nose of the bullet and n is a Power Law exponent that is between 0.5 and 0.75. In some embodiments, a blind bore extends into the mid-portion from the aft portion and a sustainer propellant within the blind bore ignites as the bullet exits a gun muzzle to provide a velocity boost and to overcome aerodynamic drag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Inventor: Alan Z. Glasser
  • Patent number: 8074572
    Abstract: A cargo round (e.g., 155 mm high explosive projectile) is provided for dispensing submunitions. The round includes a nose tip, a casing attached thereto forming a chamber, a tail and a payload in the chamber between the tip and tail. The payload includes a plurality of axi-symmetric darts mounted on a plurality of front and rear tandem plates. Each dart has fore and aft ends along a polar axis. Each dart is shaped as a cone at its fore end and includes a cavity at its aft end. Each plate has a plurality of orifices arranged in a regular pattern. Each orifice receives a corresponding dart to protrude from both obverse and reverse sides of the plate. Each fore end of its dart in the rear plate inserts into the cavity of a counterpart dart in the front plate, and each plate shears apart on release of the payload to disperse the darts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Geoffrey A. Bland, Larry Stephen Weedon, II
  • Patent number: 7418906
    Abstract: A dual spin projectile includes a base; a body connected to the base with a first snap joint, the first snap joint allowing relative rotation between the base and the body; a can having an open forward end and connected to the body with a second snap joint, the second snap joint allowing relative rotation between the body and the can; an aft payload disposed in the body; a forward payload disposed in the can; and a cap connected to the can and closing the open forward end of the can.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Philip Brislin, Stephen Ginetto, Jeffery McNaboe, Roger Joinson, Richard DalBraccio
  • Patent number: 7007608
    Abstract: A flechette packing assembly utilizing a flechette projectile having its aerodynamic stabilization elements within the body mass and below the body surface with a packing orientation of a 90-degree right angle to the intended axis of projection. The packing assembly of the described flechettes are placed within a shell body for discharge from a gun system, rocket warhead, or cluster bomblet. The flechette packing assembly orientation allows acceleration to any velocity without distortion or deformation of the flechette projectiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Inventor: John Milan Flanagan
  • Patent number: 6988450
    Abstract: Anti-personnel tank fired ammunition designed for attacking personnel at various ranges includes a hollow base member adapted with an electric primer and a plastic or aluminum canister containing a payload at one end thereof. In operation, the hollow cartridge is loaded with a solid propellant. The electric primer which is centrally located in the solid propellant is fired and provides a flash together with the gasses needed to ignite the propellant. The burning propellant then provides the gasses needed to force the canister from the gun tube in which the ammunition is positioned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Peter Georgantzis, Keith J. Martin, Andrew A. Molina, Andrew Gowarty, Anthony P. Farina, Henry E. Hudgins
  • Patent number: 6679176
    Abstract: A projectile for the destruction of unexploded ordnance comprising a dart shell having a core region which contains a reactive composition comprised of a reactive metal and an oxidizer. The reactive metal is selected from the group consisting of titanium, aluminum, magnesium, lithium, beryllium, zirconium, thorium, uranium, hafnium, alloys thereof, hydrides thereof, and combinations thereof. The oxidizer is selected from the group consisting of lithium perchlorate, magnesium perchlorate, ammonium perchlorate, potassium perchlorate, chlorates, peroxides, and combinations thereof. In an alternative embodiment, the reactive composition is located on the outside of a center penetrating rod. Also included is a disposable apparatus for delivering a projectile to destroy unexploded ordnance. The apparatus is comprised of a block having a top and a bottom, the block comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of wood and polymeric resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Inventors: Peter D. Zavitsanos, Michael C. Matthews, Charles W. Files, Arno Gatti, Dmitri Bohn
  • Patent number: 6598535
    Abstract: The Collapsible Support Frame for Kinetic Energy Penetrator supports a long-rod kinetic energy penetrator inside a kinetic energy missile air frame in handling and flight environments but, upon impact of the missile on the selected high-obliquity target, gives way. This greatly reduces the lateral loading inflicted on the penetrator by the interaction of the missile body and the target and consequently maximizes the effectiveness of the penetrator against the target. The Collapsible Support Frame comprises concentric outer and inner rings that are mounted inside the missile and designed to hold and support the penetrator. When the missile strikes the target and the extremely high impact shock loading conditions of the penetrator process occurs, the outer ring captures a high impact shock loading pulse and transmits it to the inner ring, whereupon the inner ring fails in its supportive function, thus freeing the penetrator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Darin L. Kielsmeier, Gregory L. Johnson, Robert N. Evans, John R. Esslinger, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5796031
    Abstract: A multi-flechette weapon packing for a flechette holding canister has one set of fin back flechettes, each having a tip end and a fin end with a plurality of integral fins at the fin end and a plurality of fin forward flechettes, each having a tip end and an opposite end and a plurality of integral fins offset from the opposite end toward the tip end. The fin back flechettes and fin forward flechettes are located in the canister and adjacent to each other in an alternating fashion with the tip ends aligned in the same direction to increase packing density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Assignee: Primex Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: John W. Sigler
  • Patent number: 5728968
    Abstract: An armor penetrator projectile is disclosed that has an elongated rod penetrator core. The core has a central bore therein extending from a rear portion to a front end portion of the core. The front end portion is preferably conically shaped for impact with an armor plate. A self igniting pyrotechnic material such as thermite is packed within the rear portion and in the bore. The thermite is ignited by the frictional heat and pressure generated during projectile impact with a target armor plate. The ignited thermite ejects a molten jet of material through the bore and forwardly out through the impacting front end thus further melting the armor plate about the point of impact and enhancing the behind armor destructive effects of the projectile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1998
    Assignee: Primex Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Gannon Buzzett, David A. Edmonds, Earl R. Edmondson
  • Patent number: 5515785
    Abstract: As an abstract of the disclosure, the invention is directed to a miniature rojectile having a forwardly contained charge which is laterally injected into a target upon impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1965
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1996
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Charles Zglenicki
  • Patent number: 5440994
    Abstract: The invention relates to armor penetrating bullets suitable for use with a wide range of weaponry from automatic shoulder arms to hand guns. The invention provides a bullet which comprises a cartridge containing a propellant charge, a casing attached to the cartridge, and a plurality of individual flechettes contained in the casing. The bullet provides high penetration through stiff materials such as body armor made of interwoven fibers but the individual flechettes are most easily stopped in softer material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1995
    Assignee: Privada Corporation
    Inventor: William Alexander
  • Patent number: 5413049
    Abstract: The terminal effectiveness of fin stabilized, subcaliber armor piercing projectiles depends primarily on the impact velocity at the target. The aerodynamic drag and related velocity decay experienced over the trajectory from the gun to target is reduced by shortening the length of the acceleration transfer interface between subcaliber projectile and discarding sabot. This applies for multiple annular grooves and helical grooves. Special groove configurations to reduce the pressure drag and related boundary layer shock wave interaction are disclosed. The reduction in length of the acceleration transmitting interface permits its location to a position aft of the point of boundary layer transition from laminar to turbulent flow and therewith to take advantage of the low frictional coefficient of the laminar boundary layer over a large portion of the subcaliber projectile. The resulting reduction in aerodynamic drag is particularly effective for mid caliber projectiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1995
    Assignee: Pacific Armatechnica Corporation
    Inventors: Fritz K. Feldmann, Craig Christenson, Paul J. Griffith
  • Patent number: 5359938
    Abstract: An ultra light weight sabot for a subcaliber projectile comprises a sabot having three reduced mass segments each incorporating driving grooves at their inner diameter, an aft bourrelet, a central cavity beneath the aft bourrelet and an outwardly directed projection forward of the aft bourrelet to support the forward end of the projectile as it travels through a gun bore. The aft bourrelet has a balloon type obturator thereon which also fastens to the cartridge case. A bore extending through the obturator and the aft bourrelet into the annular cavity equalizes pressure between the case and the annular cavity to assist in sabot segment separation from the subcaliber projectile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1994
    Assignee: Olin Corporation
    Inventors: Ralph F. Campoli, Edwin G. Steiner
  • Patent number: 5325786
    Abstract: Disclosed is an improved design for individual flechettes, a multiplicity of which are arrayed in an ammunition cartridge for a gun. The flechettes have elongate solid bodies centered about a longitudinal axis, the bodies tapering from a waist to both forward end and rearward end. The waists of the flechettes are closer to the forward end than to the rearward end so that the flechettes' centers of gravity are closer to the forward ends than the rearward ends. The flechettes may have regular polygonal cross sections or essentially regular polygonal cross sections wherein the flechettes define fins along their bodies. Packing arrangements of the flechettes within ammunition cartridges are also shown.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1994
    Inventor: Paul A. Petrovich
  • Patent number: 5223667
    Abstract: A flechette is disclosed comprising a rod-shaped steel body having a blunt generally conical penetrating point, a separate resinous plastic fin component securely mounted on the rear end portion of the body, and a generally conical gradually tapering resinous plastic nose piece securely mounted on the penetrating point for reducing air drag when the flechette is fired at high velocity. Interlocking annular flanges are formed on the penetrating point and the nose piece for securing the nose piece to the body. The fin component has an axial sleeve received around a rear pin portion of the body and securely retained thereon by annular flange and groove members on the sleeve and the rear pin portion. A modified flechette is disclosed having a separate, hardened steel penetrator component securely mounted on a reduced front pin member on the body by a press fit between the front pin member and a rearwardly opening bore in the penetrator component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1993
    Assignee: BEI Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard V. Anderson
  • Patent number: 5164540
    Abstract: The technical field of the invention is that of slipping driving bands fitted to projectiles of any caliber fired from a rifled barrel. The slipping driving band according to the invention consists of a driving band boby 8 and a front ring 7 arranged in a circumferential groove 6 of the projectile 1 and separated by an axial gap 12, and is characterized by the fact that the bottom of the groove 6 has a tapered seat 9, the angle of which opens towards the rear of the projectile and that the driving band body 8 has an internal profile complementary with that of the tapered seat 9. The present invention is particularly suited to discarding sabot projectiles of medium caliber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1992
    Assignee: Giat Industries
    Inventors: Francois A. Chiarelli, Jean-Louis R. Chazeirat
  • Patent number: 5162607
    Abstract: A reinforced sub-caliber kinetic energy penetrator comprises an elongated solid cylindrical hard metal body having a plurality of circumferential channels in said surface of said body. A plurality of circumferential reinforcing bands are swaged into the channels in the body to mechanically interlock the bands and said body together. The reinforcing bands stiffen the penetrator during impact with a target at oblique angles and enhance the target penetration and after armor effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1992
    Assignee: Olin Corporation
    Inventor: Edwin G. Steiner
  • Patent number: 5138951
    Abstract: The technical sector of the invention is that of devices for stopping rotation between a rifled bar and a sabot of an arrow-type projectile.The device according to the invention is characterized in that it comprises at least one obstacle (6) disposed in a housing (7) made radially in the sabot (1), immobilized in translation in its housing by a locking means and one end (8) of which comes into contact with the bar (2) at the level of a bearing surface arranged at a distance from the axis (4) of the bar which is at least equal to the maximum diameter of the rifling of the bar.Application to large-caliber arrow-type munitions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1992
    Assignee: Giat Industries
    Inventors: Marc Berville, Joel Leblond
  • Patent number: 5125344
    Abstract: A limited range training projectile utilizes a two strake and flare combination or two slots with flare combination design to ballistically match a service round to a predetermined range. The design permits statically stable flight at a selected limited range and includes instability at a predetermined range to greatly limit the total range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1992
    Inventors: Roy W. Kline, Sung-Kwong Chung
  • Patent number: 5097765
    Abstract: A base mounted remote set digital time fuze permits a chambered round to e power, time setting information and cartridge case firing voltage available at an electric primer terminal of the cartridge case. Fuze power, time setting information and cartridge firing are performed sequentially over the same hardwire line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1992
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Richard Ziemba
  • Patent number: 5097766
    Abstract: A long rod penetrator projectile comprises an elongated main penetrator body, a stabilizing fin assembly attached to the rear of the main body, and a perforated canister carried within the fin assembly. A pyrotechnic material such as pyronol is contained within the canister. The pyronol ignites during impact. The burning pyrotechnic material spews forth through the perforations in the canister to provide improved after armor effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1992
    Assignee: Olin Corporation
    Inventors: Ralph F. Campoli, Earl R. Edmondson, David A. Edmonds, Joseph G. Buzzett
  • Patent number: 5014931
    Abstract: A kinetic energy projectile intended to be launched toward a selected tar has a projectile body and a plurality of fins attached to the projectile body to provide stablity thereto in flight. Means are provided for causing the fins to be ejected from the projectile body upon impact with the target and for retaining the fins on the body in flight. The latter includes a fin support structure fastened to the body and including a locking mechanism for releasably securing the fins thereto, the fins including fasteners arranged and adapted to cooperate with the locking mechanism in releasably securing the fins to the fin support structure. In the preferred embodiment, the locking mechanism includes a plurality of channels each having a closed end, and the fasteners are a plurality of pins fastened to the fins for insertion into the channels up to said closed ends thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1991
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Ameer G. Mikhail
  • Patent number: 5003886
    Abstract: A sabot-projectile arrangement adapted for being ejected from a gun barrel for the purpose of combatting actively and passively reacting armor. The arrangement comprises first and second projectiles, each having a different coefficient of air resistance (c.sub.w). A discarding sabot is comprised of segments which define a receptacle for accommodating the first and second projectiles with their longitudinal axes flush behind one another in order to follow one another in a spaced relationship on a common trajectory when the sabot-projectile arrangement is fired from a gun. Form locking means defines a form locking connection between the receptacle and each of the projectiles. The form locking connection existing between the leading first projectile disposed in the receptacle and the segments of the sabot are released earlier than when the segments are separated from the second projectile after the sabot-projectile arrangement leaves the gun barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1991
    Assignee: Rheinmetall GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus-Dieter Pahnke, Rolf Holl, Wilfried Becker
  • Patent number: 4996923
    Abstract: In a method and apparatus for manufacturing a flechette load, a series of operative steps are carried out to produce a matrix-supported load of flechettes held in a desired array. First, a load of flechettes are mounted by a die end cap in a desired array in which at least the trailing end portions thereof are exposed and disposed in closely spaced side-by-side relation. Next, the die end cap is assembled to a die body such that at least the exposed trailing end portions of the flechettes are placed in the mold cavity of the assembled die. A mixture of expandable thermoplastic beads and, preferably, a bond weakening agent is also placed in the mold cavity with the mixture surrounding the exposed trailing end portions of the flechettes therein. Finally, the mixture is heated so as to produce in the mold cavity directly on and about the exposed trailing end portions of the flechettes a matrix in the form of a solid foam body of a thermoplastic foam material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1991
    Assignee: Olin Corporation
    Inventor: John L. Theising
  • Patent number: 4957046
    Abstract: A projectile has a nose portion and a body portion. A plurality of winged, fin-stabilized flechettes are releasably mounted in the body portion. Each flechette is mounted with its longitudinal axis at a pre-set pitch to a longitudinal axis of the projectile. In use, with the projectile moving on a projectile trajectory, each released flechette follows a respective trajectory parallel to and at a predetermined distance from the projectile trajectory. The predetermined distance for each flechette is determined by its pre-set pitch to the longitudinal axis of the projectile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 18, 1990
    Assignee: Thorn EMI Electronics Limited
    Inventor: Michael C. Puttock
  • Patent number: 4922826
    Abstract: An active component of submunition for utilization from a carrier against different target objects, especially against semi-hard and hard or heavily armored target objects; as well as warheads for this purpose and flechettes which are preferably deployed over the targets through the intermediary of such warheads. The active component incorporates at least one warhead having flechettes, which is equipped with a propellant or propulsion mechanism for the acceleration of the warhead in the direction of effect for the flechettes, and with an ejector piston for additional acceleration of the flechettes through the ejection from the precedingly accelerated warhead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 8, 1990
    Assignee: Diehl GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Jurgen-Michael Busch, Georg Stammel, Siegfried Rhau, Bernd Gundel, Karl Rudolf
  • Patent number: 4815682
    Abstract: The invention concerns a fin-stabilized projectile for employment from a rifled barrel and is particularly suitable for automatic cannons having calibers from 12.7 to 70 millimeters. The full rate of spin commensurate with the rifling twist of a specific barrel and the muzzle velocity is imparted to the projectile during launch using a rotating band which is fixed and an integral component of the discarding sabot. Subsequent to exit from the muzzle of the gun the rate of spin of the projectile is decelerated rapidly by aerodynamic damping to avoid potential adverse effects due to Magnus moments. The aerodynamic design of the fins is such that the projectile spin reaches a steady state rate of spin which is at least 50 percent larger than the nutation frequency of the projectile. By means of this spin tuning resonance instability and roll lock-in are avoided over the operational range of the projectile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1989
    Assignee: Pacific Armatechnica Corporation
    Inventors: Fritz K. Feldmann, Paul J. Griffith, Craig L. Christenson
  • Patent number: 4788915
    Abstract: The invention relates in particular to hunting ammunition for a fire-arm of the kind having a subcaliber bullet fitted with a feathering, the subcaliber bullet allowing for destabilization on its trajectory beyond a distance travelled outside of the fire-arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1988
    Inventor: Jean-Claude Sauvestre
  • Patent number: 4779536
    Abstract: To increase the penetration effectiveness, a tip area of the sub-caliber projectile body of a kinetic energy projectile, which immediately follows the possible tip has a greater diameter D over its length L than the diameter d in the following areas of the projectile body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1988
    Assignee: Rheinmetall GmbH
    Inventors: Hans W. Luther, Winfried Rossman, Ulf Hahn, Udo Sabranski
  • Patent number: 4777882
    Abstract: A projectile forming the head of a carrier has a defined balllistic trajectory and contains sub-munitions ejected, at a given moment in the trajectory of the projectile, in a controlled direction. In the projectile, the sub-munitions are arranged so as to have a single direction, namely with the head of the sub-munition facing the front of the projectile, in one or more rows. In each row, the shells of the sub-munitions are tangential to one another and their fin systems ar placed in one another in a self-locking way. The projectile further comprises securing means among the sub-munitions and between these interstitial spaces are further filled with a powdery material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1988
    Assignee: Thomson-Brandt Armements
    Inventor: Gerard Dieval
  • Patent number: 4774889
    Abstract: An improved armor-piercing inertial penetrator projectile having a prepenetrator which has a substantially uniform flight diameter D, over substantially its entire length. A prepenetrator assembly is formed by a plurality of elements which are adapted to interact with the material of the corresponding target upon inpact so as to form an effective surface which has a diameter larger by a predetermined amount than the flight diameter D of the prepenetrator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1988
    Assignee: Rheinmetall GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Wallow, Bernhard Bisping
  • Patent number: 4770101
    Abstract: A sub-munition warhead contains several flechettes arranged in a circumferential pattern. A canister with a length less than that of the flechettes surrounds the rear ends of the flechettes. A frangible fairing extends from the canister to a small diameter nose cone. An indexer adjacent the nose cone and a sabot for each flechette retain the flechettes in position on a piston joining the canister and the nose cone. The warhead is normally launched with a rocket motor. It is spun so that on burnout, the warhead is travelling at high speed and spinning. On burnout, a fuze is ignited and the piston is propelled down the canister. This drives the flechettes forwardly, rupturing the fairing and allowing the flechettes to separate for independent flight to a target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1988
    Assignee: The Minister of National Defence of Her Majesty's Canadian Government
    Inventors: William J. Robertson, Maurice A. Laviolette
  • Patent number: 4757766
    Abstract: An armor-penetrating ammunition assembly is provided with a multiple segment aluminum protective cap 26. The cap 26 is provided with a plurality of stiffening ribs 34, 34', 35, 35', and torque resisting tabs 40, 40' which rest in one of the grooves 37, 37' defined by the ribs 34, 34'. Additional stiffening is provided by rolled stiffening portions 36, 36' at the trailing end 32 of cap 28 and by longitudinal ribs 38, 38' at the longitudinal edges of each segment 28, 28' of the cap 26. Attachment structure is provided for forming a fixed interconnection between each segment 28, 28' of the cap 26 and a corresponding portion 19, 19' of the sabot 18. Thus, each segment 28, 28' of the cap 26 remains attached to a corresponding sabot portion 19, 19' as each portion 19, 19' of the sabot 18 separates from the penetrator 12 at muzzle exit without disturbing the flight of the penetrator 12.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1988
    Assignee: Honeywell Inc.
    Inventors: Paul D. Ruffle, Randall L. Schiestl, Robert L. Bonde
  • Patent number: 4719860
    Abstract: An armor-penetrating projectile assembly 10 is provided with a molded protective cap 28. The cap 28, which is preferably molded from Nylon 6/6, is provided with a plurality of longitudinal stress grooves 34 formed in the interior surface of the cap 28 for aiding cap break-up as the projectile assembly 10 exits the muzzle of a cannon, and with an integral centering band 32 for ensuring a desired fit of the projectile assembly 10 inbore and, to control the angular velocity of the cap 28 about its axis of symmetry 46 for better separation after being fired. The cap 28 is fastened to the sabot 18 of the projectile assembly 10 by means of a grooved extension 36 on the sabot 18 within which a plurality of ramped projections 38 of cap 28 are received. The ramped projections 38 are molded into the inner surface of the cap 28 aft of each window 40.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1988
    Assignee: Honeywell Inc.
    Inventors: Paul D. Ruffle, Randall L. Schiestl, Robert L. Bonde
  • Patent number: 4671180
    Abstract: An improved armor-piercing inertial penetrator projectile having a prepenetrator which has a substantially uniform flight diameter D, over substantially its entire length. A prepenetrator assembly is formed by a plurality of elements which are adapted to interact with the material of the corresponding target upon impact so as to form an effective surface which has a diameter larger by a predetermined amount than the flight diameter D of the prepenetrator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1987
    Assignee: Rheinmetall GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Wallow, Bernhard Bisping
  • Patent number: 4638737
    Abstract: A multi-warhead, anti-armor missile which includes a missile that has a bter section, a sustainer section, guidance and control means, and primary and secondary warhead sections at nose portions of the missile, with said primary warhead being designed for defeating basic armor of an enemy target and said secondary warheads being designed for dispersal into a cluster prior to the missile arriving at the target and arranged for defeating advanced armor explosive positioned around the basic armor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1987
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Pat H. McIngvale
  • Patent number: 4624187
    Abstract: A nose unit for a discarding sabot penetrator having a bolt in a bore of the pointed nose which is temporarily displaced on firing due to acceleration and against a restoring spring. This produces a circular edge and a break in the contour of the nose to define a limit surface between a zone of supersonic airflow and a zone of subsonic airflow, at least during the separation of the sabot segments. This facilitates the uniformed detachment of the segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1986
    Assignee: Rheinmetall GmbH
    Inventors: Jurgen Bocker, Klaus Gersbach, Klaus W. Klein
  • Patent number: 4598644
    Abstract: A subcaliber projectile having a sabot formed by a plurality of segments is provided. The joined segments forming the sabot, present a gas pressure receiving surface 52 which is covered by a sealing foil 54 formed by a foil material made out of the propellant charge material to seal the joints formed on the gas pressure receiving surface. This foil material is firmly bonded to a portion 62 of the propellant charge proper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1985
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1986
    Assignee: Rheinmetall GmbH
    Inventors: Rudolf Romer, Walter Simon, Jurgen Boecker, Bernhard Bisping
  • Patent number: 4590862
    Abstract: A pusher-type sabot for the launching of sub-caliber ballistic projectiles hose dimensions are significantly less than the gun bore diameter from which they are launched, the pusher-type sabot having a pusher plate and bore rider, segmented such that the trajectory imparted upon the pusher plate and bore rider segment is deviant from that of the sub-caliber ballistic projectile upon leaving the gun bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1983
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1986
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Chester Grabarek, Dave L. Collis
  • Patent number: 4559876
    Abstract: A nose unit for a discarding sabot penetrator having a bolt in a bore of the pointed nose which is temporarily displaced on firing due to acceleration and against a restoring spring. This produces a circular edge and a break in the contour of the nose to define a limit surface between a zone or supersonic airflow and a zone of subsonic airflow, at least during the separation of the sabot segments. This facilitates the uniformed detachment of the segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1985
    Assignee: Rheinmetall GmbH
    Inventors: Jurgen Bocker, Klaus W. Klein, Klaus Gersbach
  • Patent number: 4542696
    Abstract: A munitions round for a subcaliber projectile to be fired from a barrel-type weapon has a casing, of a uniform outer cross section substantially over its entire length, receiving the projectile which is at least partially surrounded by the gas-generating propellant charge. A drive body is mounted at the forward end of the projectile and has a rearward pressure-receiving surface which droops inwardly toward the projectile from an outer edge of the body which is engaged by the casing. The body is formed from a plurality of segments which form-fittingly hug the projectile and have confronting angularly spaced separating surfaces bridged by a sealing member. The forward end of the body, formed by the segments, is concave forwardly and has a leading edge which is disposed outwardly and axially ahead of the rearward inner edge of this surface which forms a pocket engaging the air upon propulsion of the projectile from the barrel to effect separation of the segments and dislodgment of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1983
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1985
    Assignee: Rheinmetall GmbH
    Inventors: Bernhard Bisping, Peter Wallow, Klaus Gersbach, Rudolf Romer
  • Patent number: 4524695
    Abstract: The technical area of the present invention relates to an anti-tank weapon comprising a finned projectile of the arrow type and a launching shoe.The projectile of the invention comprises a shoe 2 the rear portion of which has fins 10 provided with pins 11 which rest against the compression cone 7 of the tube of the weapon. These fins make it possible to obtain practically constant compressive pressure and assure a proper guidance of the projectile during the barrel phase.Application to the field of armaments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1984
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1985
    Assignee: Etat Francais
    Inventors: Bernhard Bisping, Klaus Gersbach, Hans Luther, Walter Simon, Peter Wallow, Patrick Montier, Pierre A. Moreau, Jean C. Sauvestre