Expendable Cartridge Patents (Class 102/432)
  • Patent number: 10895442
    Abstract: A simulated improvised explosive device has a cylindrical outer casing and a cylindrical inner casing received within the outer casing to define an annular first passage between the inner and outer casings and a second passage within the inner casing. A charge holder supports a charge at a first end of the second passage. The second ends of the inner and outer passages communicate with one another opposite from the charge holder. Exhaust ports are located at the first end of the first passage so that the expelled gases from detonating the charge are directed substantially along a full length of both passages. A flow restriction is provided within the first passage to assist in containing sparks within the outer casing rather than be expelled from the exhaust ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Inventor: Jeffrey James Quail
  • Patent number: 9885551
    Abstract: The present invention provides a subsonic ammunition including a polymeric casing body comprising a generally cylindrical hollow polymer body having a body base at a first end thereof and a mouth at a second end to define a propellant chamber; a propellant insert positioned in the propellant chamber to reduce the internal volume of the propellant chamber, wherein the propellant chamber has an internal volume that is at least 10% less than the open internal volume of a standard casing of equivalent caliber; a propellant disposed and confined within the propellant chamber; a primer insert positioned at the body base and in communication with the propellant chamber; a primer disposed in the primer insert in combustible communication with the propellant; and a projectile frictionally fitted in the mouth in combustible communication with the propellant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: True Velocity, Inc.
    Inventor: Lonnie Burrow
  • Patent number: 8875633
    Abstract: A high strength polymer-based cartridge casing can include a first end having a mouth and a neck extending away from the mouth. Next, a shoulder extends below the neck and away from the first end. The cartridge can have a frangible portion capable of being split upon discharge of a projectile. A projectile can be disposed in the mouth and a relief can be disposed on the neck near the mouth and projectile. The relief can form a gap between the neck and the projectile to receive an adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: PCP Tactical, LLC
    Inventor: Charles Padgett
  • Patent number: 8807038
    Abstract: A combustible cartridge assembly is described. The assembly of one embodiment includes a projectile, a body having a first end portion coupled to the projectile and a second end portion opposite the first end portion. The body is made of a combustible material configured to be consumed upon firing the ammunition round assembly. A sleeve is at least partially contained within the base. The sleeve has a free end portion radially to adjacent to and coupled to the second end portion of the body. The sleeve and the body defines an interior area configured to contain a combustible propellant. A non-combustible base at least partially is coupled to the sleeve and is adjacent to the second end portion of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Armtec Defense Products Co.
    Inventor: Enrico R. Mutascio
  • Patent number: 8738330
    Abstract: A scalable, inert munition data recorder cartridge. This inert cartridge allows users to record data from within a weapon system feed chute, breach, and extractor port. This cartridge is adaptable to any weapon system, packaging unit, environmental chamber, or other ammunition holding and storage device. Although the cartridge is designed to interface with a weapon and ammunition packaging based on its shape, it still functions as designed regardless of its location and application. This would allow the cartridge to be placed anywhere an actual live cartridge of ammunition could be placed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Daniel DiMartino, Jeffrey Darbig
  • Patent number: 8015923
    Abstract: An ammunition comprising a projectile attached to a combustible skirt and enclosed by a base, a linking dome being provided between the skirt and the base, wherein the linking dome includes a first outer wall contacting with the skirt and a second outer wall extending from the first one and contacting with the base, and wherein the dome comprises a unit to ensure its joining with the skirt, the unit being able to be bent back by the base onto an outer wall of the combustible skirt when the base is disposed over the linking dome.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Nexter Munitions
    Inventor: Nicolas Caillaut
  • Patent number: 7726245
    Abstract: A fixed round of ammunition for a muzzle loader firearm. The round has a bullet within a sabot that is engaged to a consumable cartridge case. The case is filled with propellant that is precisely calibrated to provide optimal ballistic properties with the particular bullet it is engaged to. The consumable cartridge case can be more tailored to respectively increase or decrease the burn rate of the consumable cartridge case. The consumable cartridge case can be constructed out of nitrocellulose or other energetic materials. A wide range of propellant formulas can be used that are safe because the burn rate is precisely calibrated for the bullet used. The propellant can contain pyrotechnic material and/or other ingredients to reduce the burn rate of a smokeless propellant and can contain a stabilizer to increase the shelf life of the ammunition round.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Alliant Techsystems Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Quesenberry, Jeffrey Bandel, Drew Lee Goodlin, William J. Worrell
  • Patent number: 7707940
    Abstract: The invention relates to a connecting mechanism for a multiple-part munition (1), for example for artillery charges. It is proposed that a multiple-part munition (1) be connected by means of a simple plug connection to at least two casing elements (2) which can be connected to one another and are arranged axially one behind the other, of a propellent-charge casing (10), with the casing elements (2) having a taper (3) and/or a corresponding opening (4) on their mutually facing end faces or tail faces, and the tapers (3) and/or the inner wall (7) of the openings (4) having projections (8) so that they can be connected to one another with a force fit by pushing them together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Nitrochemie Aschau GmbH
    Inventor: Walter Lebacher
  • Publication number: 20040069173
    Abstract: An ammunition system for a rapid fire gun. The ammunition system includes a bullet having a tip that is stored in a retracted position and during flight is deployed to create an aerodynamic shape. Another aspect of the ammunition system is that the bullet has a cylindrical body having a first length in storage and a second longer length after ignition of the propellant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2002
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Inventor: Mark Key
  • Patent number: 6431076
    Abstract: A method of minimising misfiring or alleviating their consequences is provided by forming at least each trailing projectile (30) in a series of housed projectiles with a sealing portion (34) extending about a tapered anvil portion (31) and moveable therealong for expansion into sealing engagement with the barrel (11). The sealing portion (34) disengages forwardly in response to a misfire or the like to provide a bleed path for igniting the propellant charge (41) associated with the next leading projectile (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: Metal Storm Limited
    Inventor: James Michael O'Dwyer
  • Patent number: 5565649
    Abstract: The projectile, in particular a bullet, comprises a body (1) comprising a receiving cavity (6) containing a product (8) which is active on the organism of a live target, and means for releasing this product upon the impact of the projectile on the target. The body (1) of the projectile includes a propelling motor (5) and, along the length of the body, a portion (30) of smaller diameter followed by a shoulder (32) constituting a braking plane perpendicular to the direction of travel of the projectile. Application in bullets for disabling an opponent with no risk of fatal injury.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1996
    Assignee: Ruggieri
    Inventors: Raymond Tougeron, Daniel Casenave
  • Patent number: 5526750
    Abstract: A system and method for launching projectiles, such as fireworks projectiles, which explode in the air into a pyrotechnic display. The projectile includes a shell constructed from a binding agent and an explosive additive which explodes the shell into small particles. The explosive additive, which may be nitrocellulose, causes the exploded particles to be rapidly burned and consumed to form lightweight, inert flakes that fall harmlessly to the ground. The projectile is aimed and launched by a launcher to rapidly expel the projectile from a launching tube. Once in the air at a predetermined location in the sky, a fuse inside the projectile operates to detonate the projectile into its intended pyrotechnic display. The fuse is extremely accurate and enables detonation of the projectile at precise altitudes. An electronic control system controls launching and detonation of the projectiles in a precise and repeatable manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1996
    Assignee: The Walt Disney Company
    Inventors: Kyle W. Poor, B. Thomas Craven, Bernard M. Durgin
  • Patent number: 5269224
    Abstract: A unitary propellant charge module for use in separate ammunition comprises a combustible container having a generally hollow cylindrical shape, a generally cylindrical charge body of interconnected compacted spheroidal propellant grains disposed within the container, each of the grains having an uncompacted propellant grain diameter of at least 100 mils, and at least one generally tubular center core igniter body of interconnected compacted spheroidal propellant grains having an unrolled grain size between about 20 to less than 100 mils in diameter. The igniter body is disposed within a central bore extending along the longitudinal axis of the charge body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1993
    Assignee: Olin Corporation
    Inventors: Antonio Gonzales, Henry H. Raines
  • Patent number: 5243914
    Abstract: This invention deals with case-less ammunition, the propelling element of which has increased solidity. This increase in solidity is achieved by virtue of the fact that the propelling charge is firmly enveloped in a fabric. The fabric may consist of completely synthetic organic fibers or of mineral bibers. The ammunition in accordance with the invention manifests increased stability during loading and transportation in the weapon and better internal ballistics data than comparable ammunition known to date on the basis of the higher tamping attained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1993
    Assignee: Dynamit Nobel Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Horst Penner
  • Patent number: 4930421
    Abstract: A traveling charge projectile utilizes a microprocessor and a plurality of sequentially fired igniting-priming-expelling charges to initiate respective charge segments containing propellant, such as granular propellant, of predetermined grain size, to produce a more nearly constant pressure against the projectile base. Traveling charge propellant segments attached to the projectile move with the projectile as it accelerates in the gun barrel. At appropriate intervals during barrel transit, a firing signal initiates a charge which propels the aft most propellant segment away from the projectile into the hot gases and flame behind the projectile to fully ignite the propellant charge and repressurize the expanding breech volume immediately aft of the accelerating projectile. This design maintains a higher average pressure on the base of the projectile during barrel transit, and results in a higher projectile muzzle velocity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 5, 1990
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Kenneth A. B. Macdonald
  • Patent number: 4826637
    Abstract: The invention relates to the field of combustible ammunition and relates chiefly to the manufacture of bottoms or covers for combustible cases.According to the invention, a combustible article is manufactured by pressing in a die 10 at least one sheet 21 of combustible paper containing nitrocellulose and having the shape of a disc, by virtue of a rigid movable punch 20 exerting a compressive force on a deformable flexible punch 22 arranged inside the said die 10 between the sheets 21 and the said movable punch 20. The flexible punch 22 is in the shape of a substantially cylindrical thick disc, consists of neoprene or a silicone resin and has a hardness of between 55 and 65 Shore at 20.degree. C. The pressing operation is accompanied by a thermoforming operation carried out at approximately 115.degree. C.The process is particularly suitable for the production of bottoms of combustible cases bearing studs or grooves on their side faces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1989
    Assignee: Societe Nationale des Poudres et Explosifs
    Inventors: Michel Maures, Thierry Bonnabaud, Francois Gendreau
  • Patent number: 4712465
    Abstract: A gun barrel and projectile system utilizes a smooth central bore gun barrel fitted with a short rifled insert near the breech end. A projectile fitted with a perforated skirt and driving band about the base of the skirt are loaded into the gun barrel so that the driving band just engages the rifled insert, and the warhead portion of the projectile extends into the smooth bore portion of the barrel. Upon firing of a breech charge, gases from the breech charge are ducted to the space between the thin side walls of the projectile and the smooth central bore, thereby establishing a gas bearing. The gas bearing provides lateral support to the projectile and lubricates the projectile in the smooth central bore. Because of the lateral support the projectile receives from the gun barrel and the gas bearing, much less projectile structural strength is required to resist set-back forces. Mass fraction ratios of ordnance payload mass to structural mass in the projectile are on the order of ninety percent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1987
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Kenneth A. B. Macdonald
  • Patent number: 4705655
    Abstract: Process for the manufacture of combustible articles by embossing combustible paper and combustible articles thus produced.The invention relates to a process for the manufacture of combustible dish-shaped articles of revolution with circular external outlines from combustible paper containing nitrocellulose by embossing at least one combustible paper disc 11 comprising a central part 12 and a peripheral part consisting of a plurality of portions 13 separated from each other by radial slits 14 the length "L" of which is smaller than the radius "R" of the said disc 11 and the width "e" in which is at least equal to the minimum width required to prevent the overlapping of the said portions 13 when the disc 11 is deformed by embossing.The invention also relates to combustible dish-shaped articles of revolution with circular external out-lines, consisting of at least one sheet of combustible paper containing nitrocellulose and in particular those produced by the process according to the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1987
    Assignee: Societe Nationale des Poudres et Explosifs
    Inventors: Michel Maures, Jacques Pasdeloup, Patrick Lespinasse
  • Patent number: 4497239
    Abstract: A muzzle ejecting sabot cartridge firearm system for use in a weapon having an elongated gun barrel, an action mechanism, and an elongated bolt mounted within the bore of the action mechanism. The bore of the action mechanism and the bore of the gun barrel are in co-axial alignment and the forward end of the action mechanism is in communication with the rear end of the gun barrel. The bolt has an elongated bore extending inwardly from its base end that communicates with a relieved portion in the front face of the bolt to allow passage of gases released from a cartridge that has been fired. The diameter of the bore of the action mechanism is greater than the diameter of the bore of the gun barrel thereby forming a shoulder at the front end of the action mechanism that functions to capture the peripheral rim along the back end of a sabot cartridge at the initial stage of firing the cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1981
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1985
    Inventor: Hugh R. Curry
  • Patent number: 4416631
    Abstract: A small arms firing effects simulator utilizes a modular construction to egrate with the magazine of a weapon such as a rifle. The modular design resembles the ammunition clip and houses an expendable plastic coated plurality of pyrotechnic charges. An electrical control circuit is also housed within the module and serves to interface the pyrotechnic charges with the firing of the weapon, including semi-automatic and automatic firing as well as disabling the weapon when all rounds have been fired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1982
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1983
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Christopher R. Dawson, Ronald E. Purkis