Burping projectile

The present invention provides a burping projectile and, particularly, a non-lethal projectile having a nose-mounted fuze thereon, which initiates an expulsion charge via an ignition shaft in the payload cup of the projectile body at a preset distance from target impact, resulting in sufficient expansion of the projectile body via the forces of propellant gases to create an annular opening between the projectile body side wall and projectile body forward end. The payload is then ejected from this annular opening, the resulting forward velocity of the escaping payload producing a rearward thrust on the projectile, and a concomitant deceleration thereof to a non-lethal forward velocity or a total reverse in direction of travel.

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Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates in general to a burping projectile. In particular, the present invention provides a non-lethal projectile, having a nose-mounted fuze thereon, which initiates an expulsion charge via an ignition shaft in the payload cup of the projectile body at a preset distance from target impact, resulting in inflation of the projectile body with propellant gases to a level sufficient to expand same so as to create an annular opening between the projectile body side wall and projectile body forward end. The non-lethal payload is then ejected from this annular opening, the resulting forward velocity of the expelled payload and propellant gases producing a rearward thrust on the projectile, and a concomitant deceleration thereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventional non-lethal ammunition is launched with a kinetic energy sufficiently low to effect a non-lethal result upon target impact. To enable launching of ammunition at such reduced velocities (and hence with reduced kinetic energies), it is necessary to reduce the muzzle velocity. However, when utilizing non-lethal munitions, such as grenades, there is a danger that, even with reduced muzzle velocities, the projectile body itself may have sufficient kinetic energy to severely wound or damage a human target upon impact.

Further, when utilizing non-lethal munitions, such as non-lethal grenades, against inanimate targets, such as automotive windshields, etc., there is a danger that the projectile body will have sufficient kinetic energy upon impact to penetrate the target and harm surrounding human assets. Further, by reducing muzzle muzzle velocity, recoil impulse is also reduced, which frequently causes malfunctioning of the weapon operating system and fire control when firing the non-lethal ammunition from standard weapons.

In addition, conventional non-lethal munitions are not range specific, i.e., they are meant to be used for targets within a wide range from the shooter, and are not tailored to targets within specific ranges. Frequently, such conventional non-lethal munitions fail to reach reduced velocities (and thus reduced kinetic energies) before impacting the target, when the target is at a close proximity from the shooter, or are incapable of reaching targets at longer ranges, due to reduced velocities/kinetic energies at such longer ranges. Thus, many conventional non-lethal munitions are provided with detailed guidelines concerning target ranges, to minimize the occurrence of lethal impact or ineffectiveness. However, in combat situations, adherence to such guidelines is difficult and often overlooked.

Thus, it is an object of the present invention to provide a non-lethal munition capable of providing recoil impulse sufficient to cycle standard weapons, while also providing optimized non-lethal effects at all target ranges. In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide a non-lethal munition capable of achieving sufficient recoil impulse and kinetic energy to reach desired targets, while also being able to reduce the velocity of the projectile body to a non-lethal level before impact with the target, or be capable of decelerating the projectile body before impact with the target to avoid impact of the projectile body with the target altogether

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In order to achieve the object of the present invention, the present inventors earnestly endeavored to provide a projectile having a projectile body capable of expanding and expelling the non-lethal payload therein before impact, and decelerating the projectile body to a non-lethal velocity before impact with the target. Accordingly, the present inventors developed a burping projectile having a non-lethal payload therein. In particular, in a first embodiment of the present invention, a burping projectile is prpvided comprising:

(a) a hollow projectile body having a rear end, a circumferential portion adjacent the rear end defining an interior portion, and a front edge opposite the rear end defined by the circumferential portion;

(b) an interior payload cup cavity, defined by the interior portion of the hollow projectile body, said payload cup comprised of:

    • (i) a rear end,
    • (ii) a circumferential portion adjacent the rear end,
    • (iii) a front end disposed opposite the rear end,
    • (iv) a payload cup closure disk disposed adjacent the front end of the payload cup, the payload cup closure disk having an ignition shaft port disposed therethrough;
    • (v) a hollow ignition shaft disposed within the interior payload cup cavity, the hollow ignition shaft having a first end in communication with or formed contiguous with the payload cup closure disk adjacent the ignition shaft port thereof, a second end opposite the first end, a hollow middle portion therebetween having ignition ports disposed therethrough, and ignition propellant disposed within the hollow middle portion;
    • (vi) expulsion propellant disposed within the interior payload cup cavity, at least adjacent to the ignitions ports of the hollow ignition shaft; and
    • (vii) a non-lethal payload disposed within the interior payload cup cavity; and

(c) a nose-mounted fuze disposed adjacent the front edge of the hollow projectile body, and in communication with the ignition propellant disposed within the hollow ignition shaft, said nose-mounted fuze having a means for initiating the ignition propellant.

In a second embodiment of the present invention, the burping projectile of the first embodiment is provided, wherein the projectile body is comprised of aluminum, copper, brass or steel.

In a third embodiment of the present invention, the burping projectile of the first embodiment is provided, wherein the annular opening is from about 0.005 to 0.050 inches in diameter.

In a fourth embodiment of the present invention, the burping projectile of the first embodiment is provided, wherein the circumferential portion of the hollow projectile body has a thickness of between about 0.030 and 0.125 inches.

In a fifth embodiment of the present invention, the burping projectile of the first embodiment is provided, wherein the hollow projectile body expands from about 0.010 to about 0.100 inches in diameter at the front edge thereof after ignition of the expulsion propellant.

In a sixth embodiment, the burping projectile of the first embodiment above is provided, wherein the nose-mounted fuze is a point-detonating fuze.

In a seventh embodiment of the present invention, the burping projectile of the first embodiment above is provided, wherein the nose-mounted fuze is a proximity fuze.

In an eighth embodiment of the present invention, the burping projectile of the first embodiment above is provided, wherein the payload cup further comprises a ballast material disposed within the interior payload cup cavity.

In a ninth embodiment of the present invention, the burping projectile of the eighth embodiment above is provided, wherein the ballast material is a dense powder.

In a tenth embodiment of the present invention, the burping projectile of the ninth embodiment above is provided, wherein the dense powder is metal powder.

In an eleventh embodiment of the present invention, the burping projectile of the first embodiment is provided, wherein the thickness of the circumferential portion of the hollow projectile body tapers towards to the front end thereof.

In a twelfth embodiment of the present invention, the burping projectile of the first embodiment above is provided, wherein the non-lethal payload is a powdered material.

In a thirteenth embodiment of the present invention, the burping projectile of the first embodiment above is provided, wherein the nose-mounted fuze is in connection with the hollow projectile body via a tethering means.

In a fourteenth embodiment of the present invention, the burping projectile of the thirteenth embodiment above is provided, wherein the nose-mounted fuze is tethered to the hollow projectile body via a string or line in connection at a first end thereof with the hollow projectile body, and at a second end thereof with the nose-mounted fuze.

In a fifteenth embodiment of the present invention, the burping projectile of the first embodiment above is provided, wherein the non-lethal payload is comprised of a pyrotechnic flash-bang material.

In a sixteenth embodiment of the present invention, the burping projectile of the first embodiment above is provided, wherein the non-lethal payload comprises a riot control agent.

In a seventeenth embodiment of the present invention, the burping projectile of the first embodiment above is provided, wherein the non-lethal payload comprises a marking dye.

In an eighteenth embodiment of the present invention, the burping projectile of the first embodiment above is provided, wherein the non-lethal payload additionally performs a ballast function.

In a nineteenth embodiment of the present invention, a burping projectile is provided comprising:

(a) a hollow projectile body having a rear end, a circumferential portion adjacent the rear end defining an interior portion, and a front edge opposite the rear end defined by the circumferential portion;

(b) an interior payload cup cavity, defined by the interior portion of the hollow projectile body, said interior payload cup cavity comprised of:

    • (i) a rear end,
    • (ii) a circumferential portion adjacent the rear end defining an interior payload cup cavity,
    • (iii) a front end disposed opposite the rear end,
    • (iv) a payload cup closure disk disposed adjacent the front end of the payload cup, the payload cup closure disk having an ignition shaft port disposed therethrough;
    • (v) a hollow ignition shaft disposed within the interior payload cup cavity, the hollow ignition shaft having a first end in communication with or formed contiguous with the payload cup closure disk adjacent the ignition shaft port thereof, a second end opposite the first end, a hollow middle portion therebetween having ignition ports disposed therethrough, and ignition propellant disposed within the hollow middle portion;
    • (vi) a partition disposed within the interior payload cup cavity, between the rear end and the front end thereof;
    • (vi) an expulsion propellant disposed within the interior payload cup cavity between the rear end and the partition, and adjacent to the ignitions ports of the hollow ignition shaft; and
    • (vii) a non-lethal payload disposed within the interior payload cup cavity between the front end and the partition; and

(c) a nose-mounted fuze disposed adjacent the front edge of the hollow projectile body, and in communication with the ignition propellant disposed within the hollow ignition shaft, said nose-mounted fuze having a means for initiating the ignition propellant.

When the burping projectile of the first embodiment above is fired, the nose-mounted fuze ignites the expulsion propellant when the burping projectile travels to within a preset distance from a target, causing the expulsion propellant to form propellant gases within the interior portion thereof. These propellant gases thereby create high pressure within the hollow projectile body, causing expansion of the hollow projectile body at least at and adjacent to the front edge thereof sufficient to create an annular opening between the front edge of the projectile body and the nose-mounted fuze. The payload, as well as the propellant gases, are then expelled through the annular opening, causing deceleration of the hollow projectile body by the reverse thrust created by the propellant gases and payload.

In contrast to the burping projectile of the first embodiment above, when the burping projectile of the nineteenth embodiment above is fired, the nose-mounted fuze ignites the expulsion propellant when the burping projectile travels to within a preset distance from a target, causing the expulsion propellant to form propellant gases within the interior portion thereof. These propellant gases creating pressure upon the partition, and subsequent expansion of the hollow projectile body at least at and adjacent to the front edge thereof sufficient to create an annular opening between the front edge of the projectile body and the nose-mounted fuze. The pressure eventually forces the partition forward, thus expelling the non-lethal payload and the expulsion propellant gases, and causing deceleration of the hollow projectile body by the reverse thrust created by the propellant gases and payload.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view of a grenade, containing the burping projectile of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of the burping projectile of the present invention after firing of the grenade shown in FIG. 1, illustrating the burping projectile at a point in time when the nose-mounted fuze has begun to initiate the expelling charge, but before the projectile body has “burped” and expelled the non-lethal payload.

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of the burping projectile of the present invention, illustrating the burping projectile at a point in time after firing, wherein the nose-mounted fuze has initiated the expelling charge, the projectile body has “burped”, and when the non-lethal payload has begun to be expelled from the hollow projectile body.

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of the burping projectile of the present invention, illustrating the burping projectile at a point in time after the nose-mounted fuze has initiated the expelling charge, the projectile body has “burped”, the non-lethal payload has been expelled from the hollow projectile body, and when the expulsion of the non-lethal payload and expulsion charge propellant gases has decelerated the hollow projectile body, payload cup and nose-mounted fuze.

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of the burping projectile of the present invention after firing, but before “burping” has occurred, illustrating the embodiment of the present invention wherein a partition is disposed within the hollow projectile body to physically separate the non-lethal payload from the expulsion propellant.

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of the burping projectile of the present invention, shown in FIG. 5, after firing, and during the “burping” process.

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of the burping projectile of the present invention, shown in FIG. 5, after the projectile has “burped”, and all of the non-lethal payload has been expelled from the projectile.

 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As illustrated in FIG. 1 herein, the present invention provides a burping projectile 1, shown as part of a grenade before firing thereof. The burping projectile 1 is comprised of a hollow projectile body 3 having a rear end 5, a circumferential portion 7 adjacent the rear end 5 defining an interior portion 9, and a front edge 11 opposite the rear end 5 defined by the circumferential portion 7. The hollow projectile body 3 is formed of metals or polymers that are able to slightly expand without extreme fragmenting upon exposure to high pressures and temperatures. Generally, aluminum, copper, brass or steel are used, with aluminum being the most preferred material, based on ease of manufacture, high strength to weight ratio, sufficient elongation properties and, in flash-bang applications, the contribution of the aluminum to the flash-bang reaction.

It has been found that the optimum thickness of the circumferential portion 7 of the hollow projectile body 3, when formed of aluminum, for enabling proper expansion thereof during firing, is between about 0.030 and 0.125 inches. This circumferential portion 7 thickness allows the hollow projectile body 3 to expand from about 0.010 to about 0.100 inches in diameter at the front edge 11 thereof after ignition of the expulsion propellant 39. In an alternative embodiment, the thickness of the circumferential portion 7 may be tapered toward the front edge 11 of the hollow projectile body 3, which may be desired in some applications to tailor the size of the annular opening 45 created between the front edge 11 and nose-mounted fuze 41 upon ignition of the expulsion propellant 39, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4.

The hollow ignition shaft 27, which contains ignition propellant 29, is disposed within the interior payload cavity 19, and has a first end 31 in communication with or formed contiguous with the payload cup closure disk 23 adjacent the ignition shaft port 25. A second end 33 of the hollow ignition shaft 27 is disposed opposite the first end 31, and a hollow middle portion 35 is disposed therebetween. Ignition ports 37 are disposed through said hollow middle portion 35. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the hollow projectile body 3 serves to contain the powdered payload/pyrotechnic payload.

Expulsion propellant 39 is disposed within the interior payload cup cavity 19, adjacent to the ignitions ports 37 of the hollow ignition shaft 27. Generally, the expulsion propellant 39 and a non-lethal payload 47 are contained together, in a mixed or unmized state, within the interior payload cup cavity 19. Alternatively, as illustrated in FIGS. 5-7, a partition 4 may be utilized, disposed within the hollow projectile body 3, to contain the separate the powdered payload or pyrotechnic payload (non-letgal payload 47) from the expulsion propellant 39. The partition 4 serves to both physically separate these components, as well as provide a piston-like apparatus to assist in the expulsion of the non-lethal payload 47 from the interior payload cup cavity 19.

A nose-mounted fuze 41, which may be a proximity fuze or point-detonation fuze, is disposed adjacent the front edge 11 of the hollow projectile body 3, and is in communication with the ignition propellant 29 disposed within the hollow ignition shaft 27, so as to be able to ignite same. Thus, the nose-mounted fuze has a conventional means for initiating the ignition propellant 29, such as a primer assembly, electrical initiation means, etc.

Further, as mentioned above, also contained within the interior payload cup cavity 19 is the non-lethal payload 47, which generally is a powder or aggregate material. The non-lethal payload 47 is generally partially or wholly mixed with the expulsion propellant 39, but may be disposed separately therefrom, as illustrated in FIGS. 5-7. Preferably, the non-lethal payload is a dense powder, such as a metal powder, but may be any powder that is non-lethal upon impact with the target. Alternatively, the non-lethal payload may be comprised of a pyrotechnic flash-bang material, a riot control agent, or a marking dye. In addition, the interior payload cup cavity 19 may further comprise a ballast material, such as a dense powder, or the non-lethal payload 47 may act itself as the ballast material.

It is preferable that the nose-mounted fuze 41 not impact the target during firing, as the nose-mounted fuze 41 may itself provide lethality. Thus, the nose-mounted fuze 41 is preferably affixed to the hollow projectile body 3, to allow the deceleration process to act upon the nose-mounted fuze 41, as well as the hollow projectile body 3. As an alternative to direct affixation, the nose-mounted fuze 41 may be in connection with the hollow projectile body 3 via a tethering means. For example, the nose-mounted fuze 41 may be tethered to the hollow projectile body 3 via a string or line, in connection at a first end thereof with the hollow projectile body 3 or payload cup 4, and at a second end thereof with the nose-mounted fuze 41.

When the ignition propellant 29 is ignited, the ignition travels through the propellant 29, and ultimately through the ignition ports 37, initiating the expulsion propellant 39. The initiation of the expulsion propellant 39 forms high temperature propellant gases within the interior payload cup cavity 19 of the hollow projectile body 3. At a certain predetermined pressure, the pressure within the hollow projectile body 3 causes expansion, i.e., “burping”, thereof adjacent the front edge 11, creating an annular opening 45 between the front edge 11 and nose-mounted fuze 41.

The high internal pressure built up within the internal payload cup cavity 19 causes the propellant gases to expel the non-lethal payload 47 through the annular opening 45. This expulsion of pressurized gases, non-lethal payload and, alternatively, ballast material, creates a reverse thrust on the hollow projectile body 3. This reverse thrust creates deceleration of the hollow projectile body 3, which is desirable as it slows the velocity of the hollow projectile body 3 to a non-lethal velocity upon impact with the target, or more desirable, avoids impact of the hollow projectile body 3 with the target altogether.

During testing, it was found that, when utilizing an aluminum hollow projectile body, 2.5 ksiof pressure applied within 1 msec can create an internal pressure of 5 ksi. This amount of internal pressure within the hollow projectile body is sufficient pressure to adequately expand the hollow projectile body to create a desirable annular opening. After expansion and expulsion of the propellant gases and the non-lethal payload, the internal pressure is rapidly reduced, and does generally not exceed 2.5 ksi. Thus, undesirable fragmentation of the hollow projectile body is avoided.

Although specific embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed herein, those having ordinary skill in the art will understand that changes can be made to the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The scope of the invention is not to be restricted, therefore, to the specific embodiments. Furthermore, it is intended that the appended claims cover any and all such applications, modifications, and embodiments within the scope of the present invention

Claims

1. A burping projectile comprising:

(a) a hollow projectile body having a rear end, a circumferential portion adjacent the rear end defining an interior portion, and a front edge opposite the rear end defined by the circumferential portion;
(b) an interior payload cup cavity, defined by the interior portion of the hollow projectile body, said payload cup comprised of: (i) a rear end, (ii) a circumferential portion adjacent the rear end, (iii) a front end disposed opposite the rear end, (iv) a payload cup closure disk disposed adjacent the front end of the payload cup, the payload cup closure disk having an ignition shaft port disposed therethrough; (v) a hollow ignition shaft disposed within the interior payload cup cavity, the hollow ignition shaft having a first end in communication with or formed contiguous with the payload cup closure disk adjacent the ignition shaft port thereof, a second end opposite the first end, a hollow middle portion therebetween having ignition ports disposed therethrough, and ignition propellant disposed within the hollow middle portion; (vi) expulsion propellant disposed within the interior payload cup cavity, at least adjacent to the ignitions ports of the hollow ignition shaft; and (vii) a non-lethal payload disposed within the interior payload cup cavity;
(c) a nose-mounted fuze disposed adjacent the front edge of the hollow projectile body, and in communication with the ignition propellant disposed within the hollow ignition shaft, said nose-mounted fuze having a means for initiating the ignition propellant.

2. The burping projectile of claim 1, wherein the projectile body is comprised of aluminum, copper, brass or steel.

3. The burping projectile of claim 1, wherein the annular opening is from about 0.005 to 0.050 inches in diameter.

4. The burping projectile of claim 1, wherein the circumferential portion of the hollow projectile body has a thickness of between about 0.030 and 0.125 inches.

5. The burping projectile of claim 1, wherein the hollow projectile body expands from about 0.010 to about 0.100 inches in diameter at the front edge thereof after ignition of the expulsion propellant.

6. The burping projectile of claim 1, wherein the nose-mounted fuze is a point-detonating fuze.

7. The burping projectile of claim 1, wherein the nose-mounted fuze is a proximity fuze.

8. The burping projectile of claim 1, wherein the payload cup further comprises a ballast material disposed within the interior payload cup cavity.

9. The burping projectile of claim 7, wherein the ballast material is a dense powder.

10. The burping projectile of claim 8, wherein the dense powder is metal powder.

11. The burping projectile of claim 1, wherein the thickness of ihe circumferential portion of the hollow projectile body tapers towards to the front end thereof.

12. The burping projectile of claim 1, wherein the non-lethal payload is a powdered material.

13. The burping projectile of claim 1, wherein the nose-mounted fuze is in connection with the hollow projectile body via a tethering means.

14. The burping projectile of claim 12, wherein the nose-mounted fuze is tethered to the hollow projectile body via a string or line in connection at a first end thereof with the hollow projectile body, and at a second end thereof with the nose-mounted fuze.

15. The burping projectile of claim 1, wherein the non-lethal payload is comprised of a pyrotechnic flash-bang material.

16. The burping projectile of claim 1, wherein the non-lethal payload comprises a riot control agent.

17. The burping projectile of claim 1, wherein the non-lethal payload comprises a marking dye.

18. The burping projectile of claim 1, wherein the non-lethal payload additionally performs a ballast function.

19. A burping projectile comprising:

(a) a hollow projectile body having a rear end, a circumferential portion adjacent the rear end defining an interior portion, and a front edge opposite the rear end defined by the circumferential portion;
(b) an interior payload cup cavity, defined by the interior portion of the hollow projectile body, said interior payload cup cavity comprised of: (i) a rear end, (ii) a circumferential portion adjacent the rear end defining an interior payload cup cavity, (iii) a front end disposed opposite the rear end, (iv) a payload cup closure disk disposed adjacent the front end of the payload cup, the payload cup closure disk having an ignition shaft port disposed therethrough; (v) a hollow ignition shaft disposed within the interior payload cup cavity, the hollow ignition shaft having a first end in communication with or formed contiguous with the payload cup closure disk adjacent the ignition shaft port thereof, a second end opposite the first end, a hollow middle portion therebetween having ignition ports disposed therethrough, and ignition propellant disposed within the hollow middle portion; (vi) a partition disposed within the interior payload cup cavity, between the rear end and the front end thereof; (vi) an expulsion propellant disposed within the interior payload cup cavity between the rear end and the partition, and adjacent to the ignitions ports of the hollow ignition shaft; (vii) a non-lethal payload disposed within the interior payload cup cavity between the front end and the partition;
(c) a nose-mounted fuze disposed adjacent the front edge of the hollow projectile body, and in communication with the ignition propellant disposed within the hollow ignition shaft, said nose-mounted fuze having a means for initiating the ignition propellant,

20. The burping projectile of claim 1, wherein, when the projectile is fired, the nose-mounted fuze ignites the expulsion propellant when the burping projectile travels to within a preset distance from a target, causing the expulsion propellant to form propellant gases within the interior portion thereof, thereby creating expansion of the hollow projectile body at least at and adjacent to the front edge thereof sufficient to create an annular opening between the front edge of the projectile body and the nose-mounted fuze, through which the non-lethal payload is expelled and causing deceleration of the hollow projectile body.

21. The burping projectile of claim 19, wherein, when the projectile is fired, the nose-mounted fuze ignites the expulsion propellant when the burping projectile travels to within a preset distance from a target, causing the expulsion propellant to form propellant gases within the interior portion thereof, thereby creating pressure upon the partition and subsequent expansion of the hollow projectile body at least at and adjacent to the front edge thereof sufficient to create an annular opening between the front edge of the projectile body and the nose-mounted fuze, the partition being forced forward and expelling the non-lethal payload and the expulsion propellant gases, and causing deceleration of the hollow projectile body.

Patent History
Publication number: 20080223246
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 14, 2007
Publication Date: Sep 18, 2008
Inventors: Frank J. Dindl (Newton, NJ), Kenneth R. Jones (Wayne, NJ)
Application Number: 11/717,964
Classifications
Current U.S. Class: Nonlethal Or Deterrent (102/502)
International Classification: F42B 12/00 (20060101);