ARMOR-PENETRATING TWO-PART BULLET

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a “two-part bullet” consisting of a projectile body and penetrator. In an embodiment the penetrator is composed of steel, hardened steel or tungsten carbide. The bullet projectile body is homogenously composed of copper, gilding metal alloy (copper and zinc), brass, bronze, or similar material.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent application Ser. No. 61/324,225 entitled “ARMOR-PENETRATING TWO-PART BULLET” and filed on May 7, 2010, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein.

INTRODUCTION

Firearms remain important both for military and self-defense purposes as well as for sporting purposes. The performance of firearms for specific tasks can be improved or altered by changing the ammunition used. For the military, the improvement of ammunition for specific tasks such as improved ability to penetrate armor or barriers (such as vehicle skins, personal body armor and residential walls and doors) and injure targets behind such commonly found battlefield protection is a priority.

Armor-Penetrating Two-Part Bullet

Most bullets are commonly composed of a bullet jacket made of a copper alloy, which covers the outer part of the projectile, and a core contained within, generally composed of lead. Military small arms projectiles often also contain a third component known as a penetrator. The penetrator is generally made of steel, and is contained within the bullet jacket. Its purpose is to enhance penetration of barriers.

The bullet contained in a common military cartridge is typically a “three-part bullet” consisting of a bullet jacket, penetrator, and core. A bullet jacket encloses the bullet core and penetrator.

In a typical three part bullet, the penetrator has always been located inside the jacket of the bullet. An early effort to break away from this trend utilized a Bismuth alloy in a conventional bullet jacket, with the tip of the penetrator located in an exposed, unjacketed position. This was the US military's first attempt at using an exposed penetrator tip. Exposed tips however, have been commonly used on sporting ammunition prior to the military's design. Bullets designed for commercial use previously have utilized tips made of bronze, aluminum, and most commonly, different types plastic. These designs focused on improving bullet expansion, and, to a lesser extent, improving aerodynamics, minimizing tip damage and improving accuracy. Alternatively, the two-part bullet of the present disclosure consists of materials designed to maximize penetration. There are current “two-part’ designs utilizing a copper projectile with a plastic tip, however these designs utilize a non-steel tip (plastic), rather than as a penetrator to enhance barrier penetration

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a “two-part bullet” consisting of a projectile body and penetrator. In an embodiment the penetrator is composed of steel, hardened steel or tungsten carbide. The bullet projectile body is homogenously composed of copper, gilding metal alloy (copper and zinc), brass, bronze, or similar material.

These and various other features as well as advantages which characterize the systems and methods described herein will be apparent from a reading of the following detailed description and a review of the associated drawings. Additional features are set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the technology. The benefits and features of the technology will be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following drawing figures, which form a part of this application, are illustrative of described technology and are not meant to limit the scope of the invention as claimed in any manner, which scope shall be based on the claims appended hereto.

FIG. 1 is an illustrative embodiment of a ammunition cartridge. Specifically, FIG. 1 depicts a cartridge consisting of a bullet, casing, gunpowder, and primer.

FIG. 2 is an illustrative embodiment of a “Three-Part Bullet” as is commonly used in the art comprising a penetrator, core, and bullet jacket.

FIG. 3 depicts “Two-Part Bullet” as discussed in the present disclosure consisting of a penetrator composed of steel, hardened steel, or tungsten carbide and a homogenous projectile body comprised of copper, gilding metal, or similar material.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure describes an embodiment of a “two-part bullet” consisting of a penetrator and a homogenous projectile body. The two-part bullet of the present disclosure is designed to improve metal and armor penetration. A key distinction between the present disclosure and previous designs is 1) the type of material used in the body of the projectile, combined with 2) the exterior placement of the penetrator, rather than placement within the confines of the bullet jacket 3) the use of a solid homogenous material as the core material, rather than the typical jacket (typically copper alloy) and core (typically lead).

FIG. 1 depicts a traditional ammunition cartridge 100. A typical ammunition cartridge 100 contains a bullet 102, casing 104, gunpowder 106, and primer (not depicted). The bullet 102 is the actual projectile fired from a gun. A bullet 102 can be composed of a variety of materials, including but not limited to lead, lead alloy, aluminum, bismuth, bronze, copper, plastics, rubber, steel, tin, and tungsten.

When the trigger of a loaded gun is pulled, a firing pin strikes the primer, and ignites it. The spark from the primer ignites the gunpowder 106. Burning gases from the gunpowder 106 expand, creating gas pressure which causes the casing 104 to seal the chamber of the firearm (the rearmost part of the gun barrel which houses the round to be fired) and then propel the bullet 102 down the barrel and out of the firearm As such, the gunpowder 106 serves as a propellant charge for the bullet 102.

FIG. 2 depicts a typical three part bullet 200. The three part bullet 200 comprises a penetrator tip 202, a penetrator base 204, a core 206, and a bullet jacket 208. The bullet jacket encloses the bullet core 206, penetrator base 204, and penetrator tip 202. The bullet jacket 208 is commonly composed of a copper alloy, which covers the outer part of the projectile, and a core 206 contained within, generally composed of lead. Three part bullet projectiles often comprise a penetrator consisting of a penetrator tip 202 and a penetrator base 204. The penetrator is generally made of steel, and is contained within the bullet jacket. Its purpose is to enhance penetration of barriers.

FIG. 3 depicts a two-part bullet 300 as disclosed in the present application. The two-part bullet 300 consists of a penetrator 302 and projectile body 304. The penetrator 302 is mounted to the projectile body 304 in an exterior position. In an embodiment, the tip of the penetrator 302 extends axially away from the projectile body 304. The base of the penetrator 302 resides inside the projectile body 304 so that the projectile body 304 is joined to the base of penetrator 302 and surrounds the penetrator base. Alternative embodiments are possible, for example a portion of the projectile body 304 could be contained within the penetrator 302 or the projectile body 304 and penetrator 302 could be attached along a planar face so that neither part is within the other.

As described above, the projectile body 304 can be composed of varying amounts of copper and other materials. The table below describes some embodiments of projectile body 304 composition.

TABLE 1
Trade Description        Composition
Oxygen-free Electronic   99.99 Cu
Electrolytic Tough Pitch 99.95 Cu
Phosphour Bronze         94.8 Cu, 5.0 Sn, 0.2 P
Free-machining Brass     61.5 Cu, 35.4 Zn, 3.1 Pb
Naval Brass              60.0 Cu, 39.2 Zn, 0.8 Sn

It is important to note that the above table exemplifies only some embodiments of the present disclosure. Other materials and ranges of materials are contemplated and are within the scope of the disclosure. The present disclosure encompasses a projectile body consisting of different combinations of one or more of the following ranges of material: Cu ranging from 55%-100%, Sn ranging from 0-10%, P ranging from 0-1.0%, Zn ranging from 30-40%, Pb ranging from 0-5% and Sn ranging from 0-2%. The different combinations of materials relate to different performance levels of the projectile body 304. For example, the “Free Machining Brass” composition may perform better than the “Naval Brass” composition and may be more ideal in the field.

The penetrator 302 can be composed of steel or tungsten carbide. The table below describes some embodiments of penetrator composition.

TABLE 2
Trade Description             Composition
Low Carbon Steel              C, Mn, P, S
Low Carbon Steel              C, Mn, P, S
Medium Carbon Steel           C, Mn, P, S
Free-cutting Low Carbon Steel higher sulfur content for
                              machining
Free-cutting Medium Carbon    higher sulfur content for
Steel                         machining
Chome Moly Alloy Steel        C, Mn, P, S, Si, Cr, Mo
Nickel Chome Moly Alloy Steel C, Mn, P, S, Si, Ni, Cr, Mo
Martensitic Stainless         Cr, C, Mn, Si, P, S, Mo
Precipitation Hardening       Cr, C, Mn, Si, P, S, Cu
Stainless
Tungsten Carbide              Wc, Co

It is important to note that the above table exemplifies only some embodiments of the present disclosure. Other materials are contemplated and are within the scope of the disclosure. The different combinations of materials relate to different performance levels of the penetrator 302. For example, the “Tungsten Carbide” composition may perform better than the “Medium Carbon Steel” composition and may be more ideal in the field. However, the “Medium Carbon Steel” composition may still perform better than the “Low Carbon Steel” composition and might be a suitable second choice.

The tip of the penetrator 302 of the present embodiment can be pointed. The point can be curved or it can come to an acute point to increase penetration into the target.

The penetrator 302 and the projectile body 304 can be created by any method known in the art, including but not limited to stamping, casting, and swaging. Furthermore, the penetrator 302 and homogenous projectile body 302 can be joined together by any method known in the art including but not limited to swaging them together, casting one section on top of another, soldering, gluing or electrical welding.

The “two-part bullet” 300 can be of any caliber or weight. It can further be configured to have a heavier back end or deform or break apart on impact. It can also utilize a flammable material at its base as is commonly used in tracers. The flammable material can also be placed at the tip to ignite a fire on impact

It will be clear that the apparatus described herein is well adapted to attain the ends and advantages mentioned as well as those inherent therein. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the methods and systems within this specification may be implemented in many manners and as such is not to be limited by the foregoing exemplified embodiments and examples. For example, in an embodiment one or more payloads in the projectile body or penetrator may be added. In yet another embodiment, the material in the penetrator 302 or the projectile body 304 may not be exactly homogenous, but may be smoothly varied axially or radially to achieve a specific performance characteristic.

While various embodiments have been described for purposes of this disclosure, various changes and modifications may be made which are well within the scope of the present invention. Numerous other changes may be made which will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art and which are encompassed in the spirit of the disclosure.

Claims

1. An ammunition cartridge comprising:

a casing to enclose the cartridge;

propellant charge;

a primer to ignite the propellant charge;

a two-part bullet consisting of; a projectile body; and a penetrator forming a tip and mounted to the projectile body in an exterior position, wherein the penetrator is selected from carbon, sulfur, manganese, phosphorous, silicon, chromium, molybdenum, nickel, copper, cobalt and tungsten carbide and combinations thereof.

2. The ammunition cartridge of claim 1, wherein the projectile body is selected from copper, zinc, lead, tin, and phosphorous and combinations thereof.

3. The ammunition cartridge of claim 2, the projectile body composed of copper.

4. The ammunition cartridge of claim 2, the projectile body composed of copper, tin, and phosphorous.

5. The ammunition cartridge of claim 2, the projectile body composed of copper, zinc, and tin.

6. The ammunition cartridge of claim 1, the penetrator composed of tungsten carbide and cobalt.

7. The ammunition cartridge of claim 1, the penetrator composed of calcium, manganese, phosphorus and sulfur.

8. The ammunition cartridge of claim 1, the penetrator composed of carbon, manganese, phosphorus, sulfur, silicon, chromium, and molybdenum.

9. The ammunition cartridge of claim 1, the penetrator composed of chromium, carbon, manganese, silicon, phosphorus, sulfur, and copper.

10. The ammunition cartridge of claim 1, the penetrator composed of tungsten carbide and cobalt.

11. The ammunition cartridge of claim 1, the penetrator composed of carbon, manganese, phosphorous, sulfur, silicon, nickel, chromium, and molybdenum.

12. The ammunition cartridge of claim 1, the penetrator composed of chromium, carbon, manganese, silicon, phosphorous, sulfur, and copper.

13. A two-part bullet consisting substantially of:

a projectile body; and

a penetrator forming a tip and mounted to the projectile body in an exterior position, wherein the penetrator is selected from carbon, sulfur, manganese, phosphorous, silicon, chromium, molybdenum, nickel, copper, cobalt and tungsten carbide and combinations thereof.

14. The two-part bullet of claim 13, wherein the projectile body is selected from copper, zinc, lead, tin, and phosphorous and combinations thereof.

15. The two-part bullet of claim 14, the projectile body composed of copper.

16. The two-part bullet of claim 14, the projectile body composed of copper, tin, and phosphorous.

17. The two-part bullet of claim 14, the projectile body composed of copper, zinc, and tin.

18. The ammunition cartridge of claim 13, the penetrator composed of tungsten carbide and cobalt.

19. The two-part bullet of claim 13, the penetrator composed of calcium, manganese, phosphorus and sulfur.

20. The two-part bullet of claim 13, the penetrator composed of carbon, manganese, phosphorus, sulfur, silicon, chromium, and molybdenum.

21. The two-part bullet of claim 13, the penetrator composed of chromium, carbon, manganese, silicon, phosphorus, sulfur, and copper.

22. The two-part bullet of claim 13, the penetrator composed of tungsten carbide and cobalt.

23. The two-part bullet of claim 13, the penetrator composed of carbon, manganese, phosphorous, sulfur, silicon, nickel, chromium, and molybdenum.

24. The two-part bullet of claim 13, the penetrator composed of chromium, carbon, manganese, silicon, phosphorous, sulfur, and copper.