Projectiles Patents (Class 102/501)
  • Patent number: 5273711
    Abstract: A high strength and ductile depleted uranium alloy including two or three alloying elements, two of which are molybdenum and titanium, in which the total weight percent of all of the alloying elements makes up no more than 2% of the alloy weight, in which there is from 0.75 to 1.50 weight % molybdenum, and 0.30 to 0.70 weight % titanium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1993
    Assignee: Nuclear Metals, Inc.
    Inventors: William T. Nachtrab, Nancy F. Levoy
  • Patent number: 5264022
    Abstract: Lead free shotshell pellets are disclosed which consist essentially of an alloy of iron and 30 to 46% by weight of tungsten. The shotshells may include a plurality of pellet sizes, and the pellets may be coated substantially uniformly with a polymeric coating, resin, or lubricant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1993
    Assignee: Teledyne Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: John C. Haygarth, Darryl D. Amick, Lloyd Fenwick
  • Patent number: 5261941
    Abstract: Alloys of tungsten and uranium and a method for making the alloys. The amount of tungsten present in the alloys is from about 55 vol % to about 85 vol %. A porous preform is made by sintering consolidated tungsten powder. The preform is impregnated with molten uranium such that (1) uranium fills the pores of the preform to form uranium in a tungsten matrix or (2) uranium dissolves portions of the preform to form a continuous uranium phase containing tungsten particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1993
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventor: Haskell Sheinberg
  • Patent number: 5259320
    Abstract: A bullet is manufactured by providing a slug of metal having an end face and applying an axial force against the end face of sufficient magnitude to form an axially outwardly opening first cavity. Thereafter a second force is applied against the first cavity to reform the first cavity into a second cavity having a peripheral edge of a generally scalloped configuration and an interior surface defining tears of alternating triangular flat faces set-off by edges converging toward a blind end of the cavity. The end portion is then contoured into a generally convex curvature which constricts the scalloped peripheral edge and transforms the triangular faces into radially inwardly directed ribs and alternating lines of weakness which, upon bullet impact, control radial expansion and axial tearing of petals formed during impact which creates maximum hydraulic shock in the absence of fragmentation which in turn ensures humane killing of game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1993
    Assignee: Barnes Bullets, Inc.
    Inventor: Randy C. Brooks
  • Patent number: 5254379
    Abstract: A paint ball including a paint ball shell and an axis extending through the shell to define first and second poles. The paint ball shell fractures in a predetermined pattern upon the receipt of a fracturing force to form fracture lines from the point of impact circumferentially toward the first pole and from the point of impact circumferentially toward the second pole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1993
    Assignee: Perfect Circle Paint Ball Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas G. Kotsiopoulos, Gary E. Gibson
  • Patent number: 5237929
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a projectile-forming explosive charge (1) of the type which includes a forward concave insert (2) disposed in the envisaged effect direction of the charge and being reformed on detonation of the charge into a cohesive projectile (4). According to the invention, this projectile (4) is given advantageous ballistic configuration with the aid of a specifically designed annular portion (3) which is also utilized for retaining the insert (2) in that sleeve (8) which surrounds the explosive charge (9) on the other sides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1993
    Assignee: Bofors AB
    Inventor: Olof Ekholm
  • Patent number: 5226561
    Abstract: A projectile for releasing a gas or other suitable fluid to initiate operation of an inflator in a motor vehicle inflatable safety system. In one embodiment, the projectile has a plurality of intersecting, concave, and inclined faces which taper to a point at the tip of the projectile. This projectile is positioned on the convex side of a dome-shaped disk which isolates the inflator from an expandable confinement. When a condition is detected requiring operation of the inflator, the projectile is freely propelled toward the disk to controllably separate the disk along lines coinciding with the edges defined by the intersecting faces of the projectile to reduce the potential for portions thereof breaking or tearing off and entering the flow from the inflator to the confinement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1993
    Assignee: OEA, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian K. Hamilton, Brent A. Parks
  • Patent number: 5214237
    Abstract: A bullet is provided which is substantially 100% pure fluorocarbon resin. In the preferred embodiment a fluorocarbon resin in the form of polytetrafluoroethylene, preferably Teflon from E.I. Dupont De Nemours Co., Inc. of New Jersey, also known as Dupont, is provided with multiple annular grooves near the rear end and a hollow point front end. The bullet in the preferred embodiment is characterized by having a high muzzle velocity, a very short effective range, and pulverizes on impact so as to deliver considerable hydrostatic shocking effect by delivery of all of its energy within the first two to three inches of target depth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1993
    Assignees: Bruce D. McArthur, Carolyn M. McArthur
    Inventor: Bruce D. McArthur
  • Patent number: 5200573
    Abstract: An improved aerodynamic surface for the exterior of vehicles moving through a gas and vehicles employing such improved surfaces. The objectives of employing such improved surfaces are reduced air resistance and increased lift.The improved surface comprises a series of dimples or depressions formed into the portions of the surface of the vehicle. The improved surface is most beneficially located either at a leading edge, where the vehicle first cleaves the pool of air through which it is traveling, or on vehicle surfaces which tend to move the air pool to accommodate the presence of the vehicle itself or on vehicle surfaces to which the designer wishes to provide a lift function. Wings, ailerons and rudder surfaces are examples of surfaces to which a lift function is most applicable. The vehicle may be of the nature of an automobile, an airplane, a rocket or missile or a projectile fired from a gun. The invention is also applicable to the internal surface of pipes for conveying fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1993
    Inventor: Charles L. Blood
  • Patent number: 5198616
    Abstract: The projectile, adapted to be fired from an automatic cannon, comprises a frangible porous brittle generally cylindrical casing made of a molded sintered powder material preferably consisting predominantly of 60 to 100% type 316 stainless steel powder mixed with pure iron powder ranging from 40% by weight to zero. The powder material initially includes graphite powder ranging from about 0.2% to 2% by weight. The powder material is compressed into a casing mold to a molded density ranging from about 0.21 to about 0.24, perferably 0.23 of a pound per cubic inch. The molded powder is sintered in an inert atmosphere at a temperature ranging from about 1500 to about 1700, preferably 1600.degree. F. for a time sufficient to unite the molded powder into a brittle porous frangible casing. During sintering, the graphite powder vaporizes and escapes whereby porosity and frangibility are imparted to the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1993
    Assignee: BEI Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard V. Anderson
  • Patent number: 5192827
    Abstract: A high power microwave/radio frequency radiating projectile that stores electrical energy in a Pulse Forming Line network. Electrical energy is converted to high power microwave/radio frequency energy by a subnanosecond switch either in a single pulse mode or a repetition rate mode.The high power microwave/ratio frequency energy is then radiated by an antenna built into the projectile. The heavy power supply required for providing the high voltage necessary for charging the pulse forming line network is not part of the projectile but is contained in the launching gun, or as ancillary equipment to the launching gun.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1993
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Louis J. Jasper, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5187325
    Abstract: There is described a cylindrical bullet or projectile having imbedded coaxially in lead or like bullet metal, a internal expansion control insert of copper or like bullet-jacketing metal. The insert has a cylindrical outer surface having a common cylindrical interface with the outer portion of the bullet. The inner surface of the insert has a star-shaped configuration constituted by lead-filled, axially-disposed, V-shaped channels the apices of which are adjacent the outer surface of the insert and the sides of which flare out symmetrically about radii to an intercept with the hollow core of the bullet which extends from a position at or near the base of the bullet as a cylindrical surface to a position at or near the nose of the bullet whereupon it extends on an inverted, frusto-conical surface to the nose-end of the bullet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1993
    Inventor: Geary L. Garvison
  • Patent number: 5183963
    Abstract: A two part projectile having a nose piece or slug (1) and a tail piece or jacket (6). The slug (1) is lead alloy and includes a cylindrical shank (3) at its trailing end. The jacket (6) has a cylindrical bore which fits over, and is permanently attached to, the shank (3). The jacket (6) is of plastics material which insulates the lead slug (1) from the heat of the burning propellent and slides easily along the bore of the gun without leaving deposits. The jacket (6) remains fixed to the slug (1) during the entire flight of the projectile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1993
    Inventors: Stephen C. Beaufils, Alfonso Latella
  • Patent number: 5164538
    Abstract: Aerodynamical air foil surface and subsurface expressions and/or impressions of varied geometrics, angles of attack, heights and depths, comprising part of a projectile surface itself to create McClain effect molecular friction/pressure/temperature reaction flight control surfaces which automatically achieve in all fluids and velocities of flight self-stabilizing spin and rotation, increased height of trajectory with corresponding enhancement of range and distance, kinetic energies, inducing smooth laminar boundary layer flows, substantially decreasing drag effects, synergistically combined to constitute a major technological improvement in performance of all projectiles. Projectile having plurality rotatable sections with aerodynamic air foil surfaces provides self-stabilized spin projectile with sections rotating in opposite directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1992
    Assignee: Twenty-First Century Research Institute
    Inventor: McClain III, Harry T.
  • Patent number: 5155296
    Abstract: A thermally enhanced warhead utilizes a heated tungsten liner to generate explosively formed high velocity coherent molten slug to defeat armor targets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1992
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by The Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Christopher Michaluk
  • Patent number: 5155297
    Abstract: A projectile-forming explosive charge-insert of intensified penetrating power into a target, wherein a mass or weight component is centrally positioned in the insert, and the weight member possesses at least one shank projecting into the explosive charge. The weight member or mass serves as a stabilizer during the deformation of the insert into a projectile. The deformation procedure is favorably influenced by the weight member; in effect, during the collaboration of the insert in the region of the head, the mass or weight member acts in a damping or attenuating manner. Governing for the attenuating property of the weight member is, accordingly, its length towards the explosive and its attenuating capacity specific to its material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1992
    Assignee: Diehl GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Klaus Lindstadt, Reinhard Potzl, Karl Rudolf
  • Patent number: 5153373
    Abstract: A warhead including a shell which encloses the explosive charge and a projectile forming liner with the liner being disposed so that its circumferential surface lies against an intermediate ring which, in turn, is fastened to the shell. To avoid undefinable spalling effects in the region of the boundary surfaces between the liner and the shell, which could result in asymmetrical tail formation for the projectile produced by the detonative resharping of the liner, the intermediate ring and the liner have the same acoustic impedance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1992
    Assignee: Rheinmetall GmbH
    Inventors: Henrik R. Lips, Jurgen Bocker, Peter Tripptrap, Klaus Weimann
  • Patent number: 5133262
    Abstract: A subcaliber projectile including a penetrator preferably made of tungsten eavy metal, and having a penetrator tip section and a section following thereafter and extending over the major portion of the penetrator length which is provided with an external thread (helical groove) or circumferential annular grooves to provide a form-locking connection with a discardable propelling cage sabot. To realize improved piercing power for the penetrator, the form-locking region is composed of annular grooves without a pitch, or of a fine metric thread having a thread valley, with a width of approximately one to three times the base width of the groove defining wall or of a thread peak. Preferably a more brittle material is employed in the front penetrator region than in the tail region, and a further indentation structure is incorporated in the first frontal thread turns or grooves of the form-locking region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1992
    Assignees: Rheinmetall GmbH, L'Etat Francais represente per le Delegue Ministeriel pour L'Armement
    Inventors: Henning Schaake, Jurgen Bocker, Wilfried Becker, Jurgen Winkelmann, Marc Berville, Joel Leblond, Patrick Montier, Jean-Claude Sauvestre
  • Patent number: 5133261
    Abstract: A small arms projectile has a body that includes a larger cylindrical main body section and a smaller generally frusto-conical front body section with a plurality of curved veins or ribs mounted thereon that define the frusto-conical shape of the front body portion as generated during rotation of the projectile. The front body section has an annular concave surface and each of the curved ribs or veins extends between the concave surface and an outermost edge. The projectile can be used with standard pistol and rifle cartridges such as .22, .38, .45, 9 mm and the like. In a second embodiment, a shot shell sabot-projectile assembly that can be used with smooth bore guns as well as with shot guns of various gauges such as .410, .28, .20, .16, .12 and .10 for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1992
    Inventor: Charles C. Kelsey, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5117731
    Abstract: An efficient yet relatively simple tactical acoustic decoy apparatus is dlosed for providing protective cover for a sea going vessel against homing and/or fire control devices operating on infrared, sonar or microwave reflected energy which comprises a plurality of decoy rounds constructed for launch by a decoy round launching mechanism, a load such as a transducer assembly within each decoy round which when deployed provides an effective countermeasure against homing or fire control devices and means for deploying the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1992
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Mark A. Mendenhall
  • Patent number: 5116224
    Abstract: A cartridge bullet having a truncated conical nose with radial rearwardly extending ribs with grooves defining curved surfaces between the ribs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1992
    Inventor: Charles C. Kelsey, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5103736
    Abstract: A sabot is provided which is composed of a plurality of sabot segments which engage and form a shell surrounding a bullet of improved configuration. The inner surface of each sabot segment matches and is complimentary to the adjacent outer surface portions of the bullet body. The bullet body has a pair of axially aligned conical parts adjacent to and spaced apart from each other, each conical part increasing in diameter as the conical part extends away from the other conical part. Between the conical parts, the bullet has an extended central portion serving to separate and interconnect the conical parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1992
    Assignee: Olin Corporation
    Inventor: Robert P. Sowash
  • Patent number: 5099765
    Abstract: A high penetration bullet is provided which is made of lead and is of one piece construction. The nose of the bullet includes an outer nose portion, including an external, shaped (e.g., ogive) surface which gives the tip of the nose of the bullet its basic shape, and an inner nose portion including an internal, shaped (e.g., ogive) surface. The outer and inner nose portions are separated by a thin layer of a lubricant which is trapped between adjacent surfaces of the two nose portions when the stem or neck of an intermediate stage bullet element is peened over the inner nose portion during the formation of the outer nose portion. As a consequence of this construction, upon impact of the bullet with a target, the outer nose portion will decelerate and be impacted from behind by the trailing mass of the remainder of the bullet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1992
    Inventor: Paul Czetto, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5095831
    Abstract: A shotgun shell loaded with steel shot utilizes a number of magnetized steel pellets intermixed in the load in order to form clusters of pellets as the load is discharged from the shell to thereby improve the shot pattern of relatively lightweight steel shot, steel being less dense than lead. The magnetized steel pellets may be either randomly mixed throughout the load or concentrated in one or more areas of the load. If concentrated in the middle of the load, a much larger cluster of shot is believed to be expelled from the gun barrel upon discharge of the shell. A Teflon.TM. or the like coating may be applied to the steel shot, or lubricants included in the load in order to lubricate the inside of the barrel and reduce any increased tendency of the magnetized shot to wear or abrate the barrel as the shot is discharged therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1992
    Inventor: Dave Mauzy
  • Patent number: 5092246
    Abstract: An elongate projectile for small arms use has a single unitary mass with a hollow nose cavity defined by a sharp rigid cutting edge adapted to make initial contact with the target surface and cut therethrough. The projectile then enters the target mass in an unstable flight mode. The projectile base is substantially solid such that the nose cavity, while relatively deep, does not extend entirely through the base and the projectile center of gravity is aft of its geometric center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1982
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1992
    Inventor: Joseph Huerta
  • Patent number: 5058503
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to a solid projectile having identical tapered leading and trailing sections that are integral with and which extend from opposite ends of a central bearing section having a constant diameter throughout its length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1991
    Inventor: John Q. Adams, III
  • Patent number: 5056436
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a solid, pyrotechnic composition as a base-bleed composition for reducing the base-drag of non-self-propelled projectiles. The composition comprises a oxygenated hydrocarbon component and an oxidizing agent component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1991
    Assignee: Loral Aerospace Corp.
    Inventor: Robert W. Greene
  • Patent number: 5038683
    Abstract: A high explosive assembly and a method are disclosed for projecting a long od at high velocity with enhanced penetrating energy. The high explosive assembly has an elongated core of a first high explosive having a first Chapman-Jouguet detonation velocity, an elongated liner positioned substantially along the longitudinal axis of the core, and an elongated jacket of a second high explosive encasing the core and having a second Chapman-Jouguet detonation velocity greater than the core Chapman-Jouguet detonation velocity. The jacket high explosive, upon detonation, continuously initiates detonation of the core high explosive by an imposed oblique detonation front which converges toward the center of the detonating core with time, until a trailing mach stem emerges therefrom as detonation progresses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1991
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Ernest L. Baker, Pai-Lien Lu, Brian Fuchs, Barry Fishburn
  • Patent number: 5025730
    Abstract: The invention is a jacketed projectile for a round of ammunition wherein the jacket is deformed at least partially elastically when the projectile is driven through the barrel of a gun, the core of the projectile remaining undeformed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1991
    Inventor: Paul A. Petrovich
  • Patent number: 5020438
    Abstract: A projectile includes a body having one of a number of geometric shapes which have a plurality of blades. The projectile may be divisible into two substantially equal portions. The portions have a number of blades disposed across their respective surfaces. Moreover, a blade may encircle the periphery of the projectile and may be sandwiched between the portions once assembled to one another. In one embodiment, the blades may be removed so that they may be replaced when they become dulled through use. Alternatively, the blades may be removed, sharpened, and returned to their appropriate positions on the projectile body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1991
    Inventor: Jim W. Brown
  • Patent number: 5016538
    Abstract: A sabot bullet having a bullet body and sabot segments defining an outer cylindrical surface in surrounding relationship to the bullet body. The bullet body has a pair of spaced conical parts interconnected by a central part of cylindrical configuration. The central part increases the strength of the bullet body and assures that the bullet body will not break at the central part during penetration of the bullet body in a target. Another embodiment of the sabot bullet includes a bullet body having a front part of metallic material and a rear part of a second material, such as plastic or the like. The second part, being lighter in weight than the first part, reduces the overall weight of the bullet body to assure a higher velocity of travel of the bullet body with greater accuracy due to its lighter weight. An armor piercing sabot bullet is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1991
    Assignee: Olin Corporation
    Inventor: Robert P. Sowash
  • Patent number: 5009165
    Abstract: A Jacketed paint pellet (10) comprising a jacket (12) having a paint pellet (14) attached thereto. The jacket (12) includes a body (16) having a trailing end (18) and a leading end (20) with a forward facing mounting surface (22). Ribs 28 project radially outward from the body (16) to support the body within the bore of a gun barrel and to guide and stabilize the jacketed paint pellet (10) in flight. Flange members (30) extend laterally from the ribs (28) for additional support and stability. A counterweight portion (36) extends axially in the interior (32) of the body (16) to counterbalance the weight of the paint pellet (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1991
    Inventor: James K. Morris
  • Patent number: 5009164
    Abstract: A projectile is described, which changes its shape upon impact on a target and thereby reduces the danger of penetration into a living target. The projectile is useful for the identification of individuals in crowds, by filling it with staining material which stains the target upon impact, and may further contain other liquid or gaseous materials, such as tear gas. The projectile of the invention is further useful for different uses, such as for gunfight simulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1991
    Assignee: MNY Holdings and Agencies Limited
    Inventor: Oded Grinberg
  • Patent number: 5007348
    Abstract: An electrically charged spherical projectile for use in acceleration devices such as betatrons, cyclotrons, linear accelerators and similar devices. The spherical projectile having a large hollow or low mass filled spherical body which can be electrically charged and perform the same functions as an electron or ion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1991
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: George T. Pinson
  • Patent number: 5005484
    Abstract: A projectile which is intended for firing from an electromagnetic projectile acceleration device equipped with parallel acceleration rails and forming a plasma arc cushion. To realize high speeds as well as uniform stress on the projectile during the acceleration phase, the projectile, when seen in the direction of flight, is composed of at least two spaced partial projectile sections which are arranged one behind the other and are separated from one another by intermediate projectile portions, and plasma forming substances are disposed at the rear ends of the respective partial projectile sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1991
    Assignee: Rheinmetall GmbH
    Inventor: Wolfram Witt
  • Patent number: 5003886
    Abstract: A sabot-projectile arrangement adapted for being ejected from a gun barrel for the purpose of combatting actively and passively reacting armor. The arrangement comprises first and second projectiles, each having a different coefficient of air resistance (c.sub.w). A discarding sabot is comprised of segments which define a receptacle for accommodating the first and second projectiles with their longitudinal axes flush behind one another in order to follow one another in a spaced relationship on a common trajectory when the sabot-projectile arrangement is fired from a gun. Form locking means defines a form locking connection between the receptacle and each of the projectiles. The form locking connection existing between the leading first projectile disposed in the receptacle and the segments of the sabot are released earlier than when the segments are separated from the second projectile after the sabot-projectile arrangement leaves the gun barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1991
    Assignee: Rheinmetall GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus-Dieter Pahnke, Rolf Holl, Wilfried Becker
  • Patent number: 5003884
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a hollow or projectile charge with an explos material charge (6) and a lining (9) acted upon by the detonation of the explosive material and forming a spike or a projectile (16). In order to achieve the highest possible accelerations for the spike or projectile, the lining (9) is constructed as a part of the hollow space (10) with walls (4, 5) of a good electrically conducting material in which a primarily fed magnetic field (H) is enclosed and compressed by means of the detonation of the explosive material (6). The hollow space (10) is preferably formed by means of a coaxial system (3) of an inner conductor (4) and an outer conductor (5), which coaxial system is short-circuited at both sides, wherein the outer conductor is encased by explosive material (6). During the detonation of the explosive material, the outer conductor (5) is pressed against the inner conductor so that the hollow space (10) located between the outer and inner conductor is constantly reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1991
    Assignee: Messerschmitt-Bolkow-Blohm Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung
    Inventors: Norbert Nissl, Peter Grossler
  • Patent number: 4996924
    Abstract: Aerodynamical air foil surface and subsurface expressions and/or impressions of varied geometrics, angles of attack, heights and depths, comprising part of a projectile surface itself to create McClain effect molecular friction/pressure/temperature reaction flight control surfaces which automatically achieve in all fluids and velocities of flight self-stablizing spin and rotation, increased height of trajectory with corresponding enhancement of range and distance, kinetic energies, inducing smooth laminar boundary layer flows, substantially decreasing drag effects, synergistically combined to constitute a major technological improvement in performance of all projectiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1991
    Inventor: Harry T. McClain
  • Patent number: 4995318
    Abstract: A one piece interally rifled projectile having a cylindrical annular wing surrounding an teardrop-shaped axial core connected to such wing by three helical, canted, tapered vanes. The projectile has a smooth exterior surface, and may be equipped with an explosive charge. As the projectile passes through the air, it rotates so as to provide a stable long-range trajectory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 26, 1991
    Inventors: Harvey Stidston, Merritte W. Stidston
  • Patent number: 4979443
    Abstract: An improved liner for a warhead having a shaped explosive charge for the production of a projectile by explosive reshaping of the liner includes a liner body having a central region which has a radius of curvature which is smaller than that of a surrounding liner portion. The central region of the liner is indented relative to the surrounding liner portion along a central axis of the liner body toward the side of the liner adjacent the shaped explosive charge. Upon explosive reshaping of the liner, a projectile having an ogival shape is produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 25, 1990
    Assignee: Rheinmetall GmbH
    Inventors: Rolf Rittel, Torsten Niemeyer, Peter Tripptrap, Jurgen Bocker
  • Patent number: 4974515
    Abstract: A warhead which is deliverable through the intermediary of a carrier, and which incorporates aerodynamic guiding and braking media and forwardly oriented striking pins for initiating a detonating information for an explosive which is contained or dammed by a hollow-cylindrical wall structure with shallow-concavely curved coverings. The coverings are designed for a fragmentation angle which increases upwardly from below along their projectile directions of flight or trajectories, and in which a firing and pin is imparted a responding threshold which leads to the initiation of the detonating information only under a relatively hard impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 4, 1990
    Assignee: Diehl GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Jurgen-Michael Busch, Georg Stammel, Bernd Gundel
  • Patent number: 4970960
    Abstract: An anti-material projectile of trangible alloy for fragmenting due to impact shock on hitting a target thereafter penetrating the target causing damage. The projectile is preferably high density frangible alloy having a ratio of compressive to tensile strength of 20 to 1. The projectile is useful against soft targets suct as aircraft as well as armor targets where initial impact is at the armor plating. The projectile may be a composite of pyrophoric windscreen with a projectile body of frangible alloy and armor piercing alloy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 20, 1990
    Inventor: Fritz K. Feldmann
  • Patent number: 4966750
    Abstract: A uranium-base alloy consists essentially of the formula U.sub.bal --Ti.sub.x --W.sub.y, where x ranges from about 0.5 to 1.0 and y ranges from about 0.25 to 2.0. The alloy exhibits high strength, good ductility and high density and is especially suited for use in ballistic penetration cores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 30, 1990
    Assignee: Allied-Signal Inc.
    Inventors: Jerry C. LaSalle, Ravi Batra, Donald T. Rorabaugh
  • Patent number: 4964341
    Abstract: An extendible probe projectile and an extendible probe assembly therefor, in which the extendible probe reduces drag on the projectile in its extended position and is moved to its extended locked drag-reducing position by ram air action which is converted into a forwardly acting force on the probe during forward motion of the projectile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 23, 1990
    Assignee: AAI Corporation
    Inventor: John R. Hebert
  • Patent number: 4961383
    Abstract: An armor penetrating projectile having a matrix of iron or a steel alloy ch has a Rockwell C hardness of from about 40 to about 60 and a density of from about 99.5 to 100 percent, the matrix being reinforced with wires of a heavy metal such as tungsten, molybdenum, tantalum, or alloys of these metals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1981
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1990
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Steven G. Fishman, Alexander G. Rozner, Raymond C. Wiley, William N. Wishard
  • Patent number: 4955938
    Abstract: Ammunition preferaqbly for use in high-angle fire to be fired from a cannon suitable for flat trajectory ammunition and with direct participation of the cannon barrel, the ammunition being made of one piece as an ammunition unit having the same outer dimensions as a comparable ammunition unit which is intended to be fired from the same cannon exclusively with an essentially flat trajectory, the ammunition unit including a propellant charge and a payload projectile having a rear portion occupying a region corresponding to that occupied by a portion of the propellant charge of the comparable unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 11, 1990
    Assignee: Rheinmetall GmbH
    Inventors: Rudolf Romer, Wilfried Becker, Bernhard Bisping
  • Patent number: 4949644
    Abstract: Non-toxic wildlife shot pellets for shotgun shells are formed from bismuth or a bismuth alloy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 21, 1990
    Inventor: John E. Brown
  • Patent number: 4947755
    Abstract: A rifle or handgun bullet having a cylindrical base and a leading end of ogival shape extending for a portion of its length is divided into a plurality of sections by parting lines extending radially inwardly from the outer periphery of the body towards the central axis and terminating along lines spaced from the central axis of the bullet. The parting lines extend longitudinally the full axial length of the body of the bullet and, upon impact with a lubricious target, the bullet separates into individual sections which travel separately and create a plurality of impinging pressure zones within the target. The bullet is disclosed in embodiments with and without a frusto-conical cavity extending into the forward, blunt end, terminating in a plane through the juncture of the base and leading end. In the embodiment having the cavity, the radial parting lines terminate outwardly of the cavity wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 14, 1990
    Inventor: Thomas J. Burczynski
  • Patent number: H942
    Abstract: An armor piercing convertible fin saboted round for a machine gun includes penetrator on which a fin group is mounted so that the penetrator can extend into a prelaunch sabot with the fin group arranged around the penetrator. The fin group advantageously carries a pin which engages in an elongated groove defined on the penetrator and permits the fin group to slide along the body of the penetrator during launch so that it may move from a forward position adjacent the tip of the penetrator rearwardly during launch to an end position in which it is engaged adjacent the end of the penetrator and stabilizes the penetrator during flight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1991
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Martin L. Pardee
  • Patent number: H1245
    Abstract: The High "g" support frame comprising a skeletal structure having oversized rame component holes therein is attached to a printed wiring board to aid in supporting electronic components in High "g" environments. The size of the frame component holes and the choice of potting compound is customized to the individual components support need.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1993
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Donald R. Griswold, Robert J. Lamp