Cartridge Assembly Containing Multiple Projectiles

Abstract

A cartridge assembly (i) for weapons, said cartridge assembly including: a tubular body (a) having a central longitudinal channel containing a plurality of electrically fired projectile assemblies (b) in axially stacked orientation, each comprised of a propellant layer (c) and one or more other layers. At the base of the cartridge assembly (i) are routing electronics (f) to control sequential ignition of each propellant layer (c) subsequently launching an aerodynamic projectile (h) created by the incident pressure wave with favorable ballistic qualities derived from the characteristics of the projectile assembly (b).

Description

CROSS REFERENCE

3,480,490	November 1969	Finger et al.	149/92
6,054,659	April 2000	Lee et al.	200/181
6,250,229	June 2001	Kerdraon et al.	102/476
7,597,046	October 2009	Laib	102/202.5

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to cartridges for firearms or weapons that contain in particular, although not exclusively, multiple projectiles for sequential ejection from the cartridge for use in small to large caliber weapons.

2. Discussion of the Background Art

There exists a preferable need to launch projectiles continuously from firearms. It is also necessary to supply said firearms with a number of projectiles without interruption. In addition to the above well known needs are the strategic and actual advantages of firing a multitude of projectiles at about the same time in the same direction. Development and use of a firearm with such characteristics can satisfy some of the many military needs associated with firearms usage in offensive and defensive environments.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Object of the Invention

The invention, at least in a preferred form, seeks to provide a cartridge from which multiple projectiles can be sequentially fired at a rapid rate and multiple cartridges occupy a manageable magazine, which cartridge is usable in a variety of firearms ranging from hand-held small caliber arms to large caliber weapons. Desirably, the invention may also provide a cartridge containing multiple projectiles and each projectile having an associated propellant charge that can be individually initiated in a predetermined timing arrangement to eject the associated projectile from a firearm at intervals that are useful in required circumstances.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

In a very broad aspect of the invention, a cartridge assembly includes a tubular body; the tubular body has a central longitudinal channel housing routing electronics and a plurality of projectile assemblies in end-to-end orientation.

In another broad aspect of the invention, each projectile assembly may be comprised of a propellant layer, and one or more stacked metal layers, said projectile assembly having the same outside diameter as the interior of the tubular body and a generally flat cylindrical shape with a predominant central concave area at the top and predominant central convex area at the base; the concave surface designed, in respective use, to focus an ignited charge toward the front of the cartridge and to form a containment barrier to the products of gaseous expansion of propellant, whereby the only path of escape is through the opening at the front of the tubular body.

In another aspect of the invention, the projectile assembly composition and design may be modified such that the projectile shape created by the incident pressure wave following ignition of a respective propellant layer has a cross-section with ballistic performance suited to meet specific parameters.

Additionally, a transverse circular divider separates the routing electronics from the projectile assemblies, which may be comprised of, on the projectile assembly side, a predominantly concave surface, complimenting the convex base of a projectile assembly, designed to protect the routing electronics and focus the products of gaseous expansion of propellant through the opening at the front of the cartridge.

In another aspect of the invention, electrical connections may be longitudinally routed in the circumference of the tubular body connecting each propellant layer to the routing electronics. The connections to the propellant layer may be comprised of, but not solely limited to, physical, electromagnetic or inductive means.

In yet another aspect of the invention, an interface at the rear of the tubular body may be comprised of two concentric circular contacts, centrally positioned and electrically insulated from each other and the tubular body, connected to the routing electronics. The interface conducts the signal and current between the firing weapon and the routing electronics.

A cylindrical cover is suitably adapted to enclose the outer periphery of the tubular body.

In a further aspect of the invention, a detonator device (not shown) may be included in the propellant layer to facilitate the propellant ignition.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1.1 depicts an exploded view of the cartridge assembly (i) components, a cross-sectional view of the cartridge assembly (i) and a cross-sectional view of a single projectile assembly (b).

FIG. 1.2 depicts a cross-sectional view of four stages in the deformation of the projectile (h).

FIG. 1.3 depicts perspective views of the cartridge assembly (i). Note the cutaway of the exterior tube (p) assembly exposing the channels (q) and voids used to route the electrical connections along the interior tube (o) assembly. The interface (j) between the cartridge assembly (i) and the firing weapon is visible in the rear view.

FIG. 1.4 depicts a cutaway view of a machine gun implementation of a cartridge assembly (i) and a pressure wave formed fin stabilized projectile.

FIG. 1.5 describes the step-by-step algorithm followed to complete a cycle in the routing electronics (f).

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Refer to FIG. 1.1 and FIG. 1.3, the tubular body (a) interfaces with the firing weapon and the routing electronics (f) at the rear. The tubular body (a) also contains the routing electronics (f) at the rear, a transverse circular divider (n) that separates the routing electronics (f) from the projectile assemblies (b), a plurality of projectile assemblies (b) axially stacked and longitudinally routed, electrically insulated connections between the routing electronics (f) and the individual propellant layers (c). The tubular body (a) is enclosed by an exterior tubular wall (p) and is preferably, generally cylindrical in shape.

The tubular body (a) may be comprised of a single piece structure or incorporate nested tubes as in FIG. 1.1, where the interior tube (o) outside diameter is equal to the exterior tube (p) inside diameter.

FIG. 1.3 illustrates how the interior tube (o) may contain circumferentially located longitudinally aligned channels (q) along the interior tube (o) exterior and voids penetrating through the interior tube (o) at the end of each channel (q) opposite the rear of the tubular body (a) to route electrically insulated connections from the rear of the tubular body (a) to the interior of the tubular body (a) such that electrical contact with the propellant layer (c) is made by the electrically insulated connections. Additionally, said electrically insulated connections may be routed to a detonator device (not shown) within the propellant layer (c) to facilitate ignition. At no time should the electrically insulated connections ever make electrical contact with the metal layers of the projectile assembly (b) or tubular body (a). Alternatively, the electrical connections to the propellant layer (c) may be comprised of electromagnetic or inductive means.

The front end of the tubular body (a) is open the full diameter of the interior of the tubular body (a). As shown by FIG. 1.3, the rear of the tubular body (a) is closed off by a circular end cap containing an interface (j) between the cartridge assembly (i) and the firing weapon which may be comprised of, but not limited to, two axially concentric, centrally positioned, circular contacts electrically insulated around each circumference from the rest of the tubular body (a). These circular contacts act as the signal and current conducting interface between the firing weapon and the routing electronics (f). The base may also exhibit a circumferential rib or indention to facilitate automatic extraction of the spent cartridge (i).

FIG. 1.1 shows the interior rear of the tubular body (a) housing the routing electronics (f) in a cavity (I) structurally separated from the front projectile cavity (m) by a transverse circular divider (n) capable of protecting the routing electronics from the pressure and heat generated in the front projectile cavity (m). The transverse circular divider (n) may consist of a predominantly concave face toward the front complementing the convex base of a projectile assembly (b).

The projectile assembly (b) in FIG. 1.1 and FIG. 1.2 is comprised of a plasticized explosive propellant layer (c), an aluminum middle layer (d) and a denser, thinner, nickel or copper top layer (e) successively stacked. The middle (d) and top (e) layers assemble to form a rim and concave parabolic surface. Additionally, the assembly may incorporate a reinforcement coating to facilitate cohesion. The projectile assembly (b) is designed to focus the products of gaseous expansion of propellant through the front of the tubular body (a) while resisting compression around the projectile assembly (b) perimeter. When the propellant layer (c) is ignited a projectile assembly (b) is forced from the tubular body (a) and formed into a drag or fin stabilized shape (h) created by the incident pressure wave.

FIG. 1.1 shows a plurality of projectile assemblies (b) in the front projectile cavity (m) of the tubular body (a) stacked so that an electrically insulated connection only makes contact with the propellant layer (c) or detonator of every projectile assembly (b) and the ignition sequence, outlined in FIG. 1.5, will only ignite the forward most propellant layer (c) in the stack.

The routing electronics (f) in FIG. 1.1 and FIG. 1.5 provide for secure routing of current sufficient to ignite each propellant layer (c), secure routing of current only in sequence, secure routing of current only when the correct initiation sequence (i.e. a secure encrypted signal) is received from the firing weapon and transmission of a termination signal to the firing weapon when the cartridge (i) is empty so that cartridge extraction may commence.

FIG. 1.4 illustrates how the cartridge assembly (i) is sized to fit a in a conventional machine gun and can be loaded via magazine. The modified weapon would not need a rifled barrel to impart stabilizing spin and would contain the electronic signaling system required by the cartridge assembly (i).

Claims

1. A cartridge assembly for firearms or weapons, said cartridge assembly including: a tubular body, having a central longitudinal channel; routing electronics that facilitate ignition of a selected propellant layer of a respective projectile assembly; a transverse divider, adapted to form a containment barrier to the products of gaseous expansion of propellant, whereby the only path of escape is through the front of the tubular body; a plurality of projectile assemblies axially stacked; and connections from the routing electronics to each projectile assembly, said connections may be comprised of, but not solely limited to, physical, electromagnetic or inductive means, to facilitate ignition of a selected propellant layer, whereby, the products of gaseous expansion force a respective projectile assembly from the cartridge assembly.

2. The cartridge assembly of claim 1 wherein a projectile assembly is comprised of a propellant layer and one or more distinct layers collectively forming a generally flat cylindrical shape adapted to form, in respective use, both a containment barrier to the products of gaseous expansion of propellant, whereby the only path of escape is through the front of the tubular body and an aerodynamic shape created by the incident pressure wave deforming said projectile assembly following ignition of a respective propellant layer.

3. The cartridge assembly of claim 1 further including an enclosed rear and an interface, which may be comprised of one or more contacts to route electromagnetic signals between the firing weapon and the cartridge assembly.