AMMUNITION WITH ELECTROMOTOR

Abstract

Ammunition including a projectile, and an electromotor disposed within the projectile, the electromotor including a rotor having an axis of rotation aligned with a flight path of the projectile.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention is directed to ammunition, and in particular, to ammunition having a rotating stabilizing element.

BACKGROUND

Ammunition, such as, for example, shotgun ammunition, includes a shell body, submunition, propellant, and primer. Conventionally, rifled barrels and/or fin stabilizers are used to stabilize munitions in flight. However, such conventional stabilizing methods have proven to be insufficient in achieving long-range accuracy.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to increase accuracy and flying range of a submunition.

Ammunition according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a projectile, and an electromotor disposed within the projectile. The electromotor includes a rotor having an axis of rotation aligned with a flight path of the projectile.

In an exemplary embodiment, the ammunition further includes a propellant, and a primer that ignites the propellant.

In an exemplary embodiment, the ammunition is handgun, shotgun, rifle, mortar or rocket ammunition.

A projectile weapon according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes an electrical power source for delivering electrical power to an electromotor of a projectile delivered from the projectile weapon, the electromotor including a rotor having an axis of rotation aligned with a flight path of the projectile.

In an exemplary embodiment, the electrical power source is a battery.

In an exemplary embodiment, the projectile weapon includes a stock, and the power source is disposed within the stock.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The features and advantages of exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be more fully understood with reference to the following, detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a diagram of an artillery shell according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a diagram of an artillery rocket according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a diagram of a small-arm weapon useable with the ammunition according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a diagram of butt stock according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is mortar gun useable with the ammunition according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a shotgun ammunition, generally designated by reference number 1, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The shotgun ammunition 1 includes a shell body 6, submunition 2, propellant 8 and primer 7. The propellant 8 may be, for example, gunpowder or a nitro-cellulose based powder. An electromotor 10 is disposed within the shell body 6. The electromotor 10 is positioned so that the axis of rotation of its rotor is aligned with the ammunition flight path. An external power source 3 is used to activate the electromotor 10. The external power source 3 may be, for example, a battery and may be electrically connected with electrical connections 5 of the electromotor 10 by wires 4. Current flows through the wires 4 from the external power source 3 to the electrical connections 5.

Operation of the ammunition 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is as follows:

After the ammunition 1 is fixed in the gun tube and the bolt of gun is shut, the conduction loop is made and immediately current flows from the external power source 3 through the wires 4 to the electrical connections 5. The delivered current activates the electromotor 1, which starts to rotate at, for example, 5,000-17,000 rpm. After the gun is fired, the ammunition 1 flies with the functioning electromotor 1 inside the shell body 6. The rotation of the electromotor 6 stabilizes the ammunition's flight path due to the effect of gyroscopic forces produced by the rotating rotor.

FIG. 2 is rocket ammunition, generally designated as reference number 20, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. When rocket ammunition 20 is loaded, the electromotor 21 is activated with the use of the power source 23, which is connected to electromotor 21 with wires 24 and 25.

FIG. 3 shows a small arms weapon, generally designated by reference number 35, and associated ammunition, generally designated by reference number 30, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The small arms weapon may be, for example, a rifle. The ammunition 30 includes a bullet 31, and projectile 32 with an electromotor that receives electrical energy through wires 33 and 34.

As shown in FIG. 4, an electrical battery 36 is disposed inside the butt 37 of the small arms weapon 35. In other exemplary embodiments, the battery 36 may be positioned within other parts of the rifle 35, such as in other parts of the rifle stock, or external to the weapon 35.

FIG. 5 shows a mortar-gun, generally designated by reference number 41, and associated bomb, generally designated by reference number 42, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. When the bomb 42 is positioned within the barrel of the mortar-gun 41, current is delivered from the power source 44 to electromotor 43 through wires 45 and 46.

While particular embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention.

Claims

1. Ammunition comprising:

a projectile; and

an electromotor disposed within the projectile, the electromotor comprising a rotor having an axis of rotation aligned with a flight path of the projectile.

2. The ammunition of claim 1, further comprising:

a propellant; and

a primer that ignites the propellant.

3. The ammunition of claim 2, wherein the ammunition is handgun, shotgun or rifle ammunition.

4. The ammunition of claim 1, wherein the ammunition is rocket ammunition.

5. A projectile weapon comprising:

an electrical power source for delivering electrical power to an electromotor of a projectile delivered from the projectile weapon, the electromotor comprising a rotor having an axis of rotation aligned with a flight path of the projectile.

6. The projectile weapon of claim 5, wherein the electrical power source is a battery.

7. The projectile weapon of claim 5, wherein the projectile weapon comprises a stock, and the power source is disposed within the stock.