Projectiles Patents (Class 102/501)
  • Patent number: 4947754
    Abstract: Self-dissipating projectiles for use in anti-satellite weapons or warheads are made from suitable solid materials capable of sublimation after relatively short periods of time at the low pressures found in outer space. The material is suitably a volatile organic compound such as naphthalene, paradibromobenzene, benzoic acid, or similar compounds which change directly from the solid to the gaseous phase without becoming liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 14, 1990
    Assignee: General Dynamics Corporation, Pomona Division
    Inventor: Edward W. LaRocca
  • Patent number: 4939996
    Abstract: A ceramic munitions projectile, particularly useful for practice or target munitions is provided. The projectile has a tensile strength greater than about 250 MPa, a critical stress intensity factor greater than about 6 MPam.sup.1/2, and a Weibull modulus greater than about 10. Preferably the projectile is frangible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 10, 1990
    Assignee: Coors Porcelain Company
    Inventors: Brian I. Dinkha, Paul B. Jasa, Brian Seegmiller, Alden C. Simmons
  • Patent number: 4940404
    Abstract: A method of making a tungsten tantalum material comprising generally 80 percent by weight tungsten and 20 percent by weight tantalum and forming the material into a high strength full density round bar, which can be utilized in a high velocity armor penetrator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 10, 1990
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventors: Robert L. Ammon, Raymond W. Buckman, Jr., Ram Bajaj
  • Patent number: 4935200
    Abstract: A uranium-base alloy consists essentially of the formula U.sub.bal -Ti.sub.x -Hf.sub.y, where "x" ranges from about 0.5 to 1.0 and "y" ranges from about 0.5 to 5.0. The alloy exhibits high strength, good ductility and high density and is especially suited for use in ballistic penetrator cores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 19, 1990
    Assignee: Allied-Signal Inc.
    Inventors: Jerry C. LaSalle, Ravi Batra, Donald T. Rorabaugh
  • Patent number: 4932306
    Abstract: A projectile is accelerated to hypersonic velocity in an initially closed barrel of a diameter considerably larger than the projectile diameter which is filled with a compressed fuel-oxidizer mixture. The projectile comprises a conical nose portion, an intermediate portion formed to generate oblique detonation waves, and a tapering tail portion provided with several radial vanes. The projectile is propelled by an initiator gun at supersonic speed through one of the intitially closed ends in the barrel, were the detonation waves cause detonation and combustion of the fuel-oxidizer mixture. The detonation results in a high pressure increase to the rear of the projectile accelerating it along the barrel and shooting it at the reached hypersonic speed through the other, initially closed end of the barrel into the open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 12, 1990
    Inventor: Josef Rom
  • Patent number: 4917016
    Abstract: A warhead casing containing an explosive charge for the formation of projectiles, and in which the casing has portions with notches formed therein to facilitate the formation of splinters or fragments in addition to the projectiles. The notches may be formed in the outside surface, inside surface or both inside and outside surfaces of the casing to provide splinters of specific sizes and shapes optimized for the attacking of specific types of targets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 17, 1990
    Assignee: DIEHL GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Karl Rudolf, Siegfried Rhau
  • Patent number: 4913056
    Abstract: In a cartridge fitted with a gun-barrel projectile comprising a lead head and a resilient body joined to the head by a plug-in connection, the connection is designed to be a positive and exact fit, and the body is constructed with a forward end part adjacent the head, a rod-like central part, and a rearward end part in the form of a flat top piston connected to the central part at a predetermined breakage point whereby the rearward part can break from the central part and move forwards, hence moving the center of gravity of the projectile forwards, when the cartridge is fired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1990
    Assignee: Wilhelm Brenneke KG Fabrikation Von Jagdgeschossen
    Inventors: Peter Matysik, Heinz Wiechmann
  • Patent number: 4909152
    Abstract: A cartridge for the expulsion of liquids under pressure, including a chamber for a propellent charge and a separating arrangement which is located intermediate the chamber for the propellent charge and a liquid chamber. The separating arrangement is constituted as a propulsion mechanism which consists of a driving member, and a closure element which is detachably connected therewith at the end surface of the former.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 20, 1990
    Assignee: Mauser-Werke Oberndorf GmbH
    Inventor: Ingolf Reuter
  • Patent number: 4905602
    Abstract: High velocity projectiles are able to continue in flight for considerable distances beyond the normal target range. The present invention is a projectile for use in practice firing which becomes unstable after the normal target range has been exceeded and comprises a training round (1) having a body portion (3) engageable with a sabot (4) for projection from a rifled gun barrel, and a tapered nose portion (2) protrusive beyond the sabot, which is provided with a nose tip portion (6) having spin fins (9) extending in planes radial to the longitudinal axis. The fins increase the rate of spin decay and cause instability of the round and the fin geometry is chosen such that the instability occurs when the target range has been exceeded. The finned nose tip portion is separable from the round so as to permit selective attachment of a nose tip portion having fins specifically dimensioned for terminating the trajectory at a chosen safety range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 6, 1990
    Assignee: Royal Ordnance
    Inventor: Roy W. Buckland
  • Patent number: 4901645
    Abstract: An improved inertial projectile arrangement including a subcaliber projectile penetrator which is composed of a prepenetrator portion with a nose point and a main penetrator portion. The penetrator has a large length/diameter ratio and a high density. A sabot, composed of at least two segments, encompasses a part of the prepenetrator portion. The periphery of the encompassed prepenetrator and the sabot being joined to each other by form-locking means. The sabot segments separate from the penetrator upon exiting from the muzzle of the gun barrel from which the projectile is fired. The form-locking means are at least partially formed of irregularities or unevenesses on the periphery of the encompassed prepenetrator portion and the interior periphery of the sabot. A plurality of fracture zones and a transfer frusto-conical portion are disposed on the prepenetrator. The fracture zones achieve an intended breakup of the prepenetrator upon impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1981
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1990
    Assignee: Rheinmetall, GmbH
    Inventors: Bernhard Bisping, Hermann Jansen, Peter Wallow
  • Patent number: 4895077
    Abstract: It is desirable, on the one hand, to fabricate the projectile core or body of a material as frangible as possible in order to achieve a good radical effect thereof in the target. On the other hand, the material should be sufficiently ductile to enable the projectile to penetrate several armor plates. Therefore, a relatively ductile projectile-core rod is inserted in a relatively brittle projectile-core central section, such projectile-core rod being anchored at its rear end in a projectile-core tail and at its front end in a projectile-core nose or tip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1990
    Assignee: Werkzeugmaschinenfabrik Oerlikon-Buhrle AG
    Inventors: Hansruedi Miethlich, Nicole Chabarekh
  • Patent number: 4882822
    Abstract: A rifle or handgun bullet having a 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 from the central axis and terminating a short distance from the outer wall, whereby the sections are joined by relatively thin webs at their outer edges. The parting lines extend longitudinally from the leading end through at least the ogival portion to as much as 90% of the length of the bullet. Upon impact with a lubricious target the sections separate from one another and from the base, i.e., the portion into which the parting lines do not extend. The bullet is fabricated in a two-stage operation, first forcing a punch longitudinally into a cylindrical slug of malleable metal contained within a die, and then compressing the slug radially inwardly to force essentially all air from the spaces formed by the punch, thereby and forming the ogival leading end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1989
    Inventor: Thomas J. Burczynski
  • Patent number: 4881465
    Abstract: A non-toxic shotgun pellet having ballistic characteristics similar to those of lead shot is made up of particles of a first alloy, containing primarily ferrotungsten, suspended in a matrix of a second alloy, containing primarily lead. The relative amounts of lead and ferrotungsten are selected to minimize cost while keeping the overall lead content to forty percent or less, by weight, to avoid toxicity. The first alloy is formed by diluting the ferrotungsten with iron or steel and carbon at temperatures on the order of 1800.degree. C. in an inert gas environment. The alloy is quenched and then crushed into particles over which is poured the second alloy comprising lead, tin and antimony in order to suspend the first alloy particles in the second alloy mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1989
    Inventors: Robert C. Hooper, Franz R. Brotzen
  • Patent number: 4872409
    Abstract: A sub-caliber projectile having a large length to diameter ratio. The projectile includes in coaxial alignment a main body, an intermediate body and a head penetrator. At least the main body consists of a tough material having a high density which is achieved by means of a high content of tungsten or depleted uranium. The intermediate body consists of a macroscopic homogeneous material having a relatively high brittleness. The main body, intermediate body and head penetrator have abutting end faces by means of which they are joined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 10, 1989
    Assignee: Rheinmetall GmbH
    Inventors: Wilfried Becker, Bernhard Bisping
  • Patent number: 4870905
    Abstract: A spin stabilized projectiles (1) having a rotating band (3) arranged on the shell body (2), with such rotating band being provided with grooves (35, 36, 37) to receive rotating band material sheared off toward the rear during passage of the projectile (1) through a gun barrel (4) so that the transfer of spin is effected with the aid of annular rotating band zones (31, 32, 33, 34) which form spin transfer ring. The diameter (38) of at least one spin transfer ring (31, 34), preferably the rearmost ring, is larger than the diameter (45) of the rifling grooves (42) in the gun barrel (4). Due to the high radial pressure on the shell body in the region of the rotating band, great radial deformations may occur, particularly in thin-walled shell bodies. The consequences are untightness of the rotating band and too much stress on the projectile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1989
    Assignee: Rheinmetall GmbH
    Inventors: Achim Sippel, Heinz-Josef Kruse, Klaus D. Karius
  • Patent number: 4869175
    Abstract: Structures both for resisting impacts as well as delivering impacts are described. Generally, the impact resisting structures are formed with means for preventing the reinforcing intersection of a sonic wave train with its own reflection within the structure, such that at least one shock wave fracture mode is eliminated. More specifically, the structures are formed with means for suppressing the specular reflection of high frequency energy at one or more surfaces of the structure. This means may comprise irregularities formed in a surface to roughen the surface in a predetermined relationship with the wavelength of the sonic energy. The impact delivery structures are adapted to rapidly deliver kinetic energy after an initial contact with an object. These structures may comprise a projectiles having a jacket and a spline supported therein for providing a high velocity channel through which a sonic energy wave train may propagate. This is a division of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 695,411, filed Jan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1989
    Inventor: John A. McDougal
  • Patent number: 4864934
    Abstract: An industrial shotshell has a load, such as an iron slug, assembled with a press-fitted, wad column-containing outer cup and housed with the cup in its shell. The outer cup encloses a wad column and, when pressed fitted onto a larger diameter rearward portion of the slug, seals the gases and supports the wad column during slug setback. A concavity formed in the interior of the base end of the outer cup provides empty space into which the wad column can compress during slug setback. The outer cup holds the wad column to the slug and remains attached thereto during flight, adding a degree of drag stabilization for improved accuracy of the slug and helping to stabilize the slug by changing its center of gravity. An obturating cup is formed integral at the rearward exterior of the base end of the outer cup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1989
    Assignee: Olin Corporation
    Inventor: John L. Theising
  • Patent number: 4860660
    Abstract: A projectile comprising a projectile body having a rear end; and a deceleration element composed of a sheet of material at the rear end, the deceleration element having an edge region and being deployable from a folded condition to an expanded condition with the aid of rotation of the projectile, the deceleration element, when in the expanded condition, having the general form of a disk with a periphery defined by the edge region and being effective for decelerating the projectile, and wherein the deceleration element is constructed such that the edge region has a higher mass density than the remainder thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1989
    Assignee: Rheinmetall GmbH
    Inventors: Reinhard Synofzik, Karl-Friedrich Doherr, Dieter Munscher, Christos Saliaris
  • Patent number: 4856432
    Abstract: A spin stabilized carrier projectile having a longitudinal axis comprising: a projectile body; and at least two submunition bodies disposed in, and ejectable from, the projectile body, the submunition bodies being spaced along the axis, each submunition body having a folded, expandable deceleration means for reducing the velocity and spin of the submunition body upon ejection from the projectile body, the deceleration means including a sheet of material for producing air resistance, and the deceleration means having different dimensions for respectively different submunition bodies so that each respective submunition body is decelerated less than the submunition body disposed behind the respective submunition body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1989
    Assignee: Rheinmetall GmbH
    Inventor: Reinhard Synofzik
  • Patent number: 4854241
    Abstract: A spin stabilized carrier projectile comprising: a projectile body having a rear end; at least one submunition projectile disposed in, and ejectable from, the projectile body; and a projectile bottom disposed at, and ejectable from, the rear end of the projectile body, the projectile bottom having a side surface facing the submunition projectile and containing a recess, and a folded, expandable deceleration element for reducing the velocity and spin of the projectile bottom upon ejection from the projectile body, the deceleration element including a sheet of material fastened in the recess for producing air resistance, and the deceleration element being deployable from a folded condition to an expanded condition with the aid of rotation of the projectile bottom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1989
    Assignee: Rheinmetall GmbH
    Inventors: Reinhard Synofzik, Rolf Hellwig, Klaus D. Karius
  • Patent number: 4850280
    Abstract: A propelling cage sabot is provided with longitudinal slits and its front region is provided with centering holding elements which are oriented inwardly toward the projectile while its rear region has a centering face associated with the projectile. A rear opening in the propelling cage sabot is provided with an internal thread to accommodate a screw-in element which at its front serves as a seat for a tail surface of the projectile. Compressible band-shaped elements disposed around the circumferential region of the propelling cage sabot may be provided. Conical surfaces of the propelling cage sabot facilitate insertion of the arrangement at a cadence customary in automatic equipment, with any possibly occurring insertion shock not resulting in relative axial movement of the projectile with respect to the propelling cage sabot due to a frontal holding region and the centering surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1989
    Assignee: Rheinmetall GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Wallow, Karl W. Bethmann
  • Patent number: 4850278
    Abstract: A ceramic munitions projectile, particularly useful for practice or target munitions is provided. The projectile is preferably made of zirconia which is densified by a pressureless sintering method. The projectile has sufficient toughness to withstand acceleration and torque created during projectile firing and trajectory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1989
    Assignee: Coors Porcelain Company
    Inventors: Brian I. Dinkha, Paul B. Jasa, Brian Seegmiller, Alden C. Simmons
  • Patent number: 4846071
    Abstract: A supporting cupola is provided for the propellant of a base-bleed gas generator for a projectile, shell or the like. The supporting cupola is arranged in the discharge aperture of the gas generator and provides a reduced gas outlet area from the base-bleed combustion chamber during launch of the projectile. The supporting cupola is made of a material which is easily eroded by the hot combustion gases, such as magnesium. The reduced outlet area increases the pressure in the combustion chamber during the acceleration stage of the projectile so that an improved ignition of the propellant and reduced risk of extinguishment is obtained. Due to erosion of the cupola material the outlet opening area increases with time providing a regressive burning rate of the propellant which means an increased base-bleed effect with respect to the firing range of the projectiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1989
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget Bofors
    Inventors: Arne Franzen, Villy Johansson
  • Patent number: 4836110
    Abstract: A rifle or handgun bullet having a 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 from the central axis and terminating a short distance from the outer wall, whereby the sections are joined by relatively thin webs at their outer edges. The parting lines extend longitudinally from the leading end through at least the ogival portion to as much as 90% of the length of the bullet. Upon impact with a lubricious target the sections separate from one another and from the base, i.e., the portion into which the parting lines do not extend. The bullet is fabricated in a two-stage operation, first forcing a punch longitudinally into a cylindrical slug of malleable metal contained within a die, and then compressing the slug radially inwardly to force essentially all air from the spaces formed by the punch, thereby and forming the ogival leading end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1989
    Inventor: Thomas J. Burczynski
  • Patent number: 4829904
    Abstract: In an ammunition round a substantially full bore diameter bullet has a plurality of elongate grooves either helically formed or parallel with the longitudinal axis of the bullet and a sabot which has a body and fingers which engage with the grooves and seal the bullet in a casing, the sabot having a slightly larger diameter than the bullet so that the sabot is engraved by the rifling slots in the barrel through which the round is to be fired, in order to rotate the bullet. In alternative constructions the grooves contain elongate elements or a plurality of spherical elements to prevent the conically tapered slug or bullet from tilting or cocking in the barrel after firing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1989
    Assignee: Branscomb Corporation N. V.
    Inventor: Leroy J. Sullivan
  • Patent number: 4827847
    Abstract: A spinning tubular projectile (STUP) is subcalibre to reduce both retard and the gyroscopic stability. The total effect is to reduce crosswind sensitivity and to obtain a better ballistic match with an armour piercing fin stabilized, discarding sabot (APFSDS) round. To reduce the range to that desired for a limited range practice round, the STUP is equipped with spin-damping fins on its surface near the projectile center of gravity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1989
    Assignee: Her Majesty the Queen in right of Canada
    Inventors: Maurice A. Laviolette, John R. Evans, Brian Cheers
  • Patent number: 4819563
    Abstract: The invention relates to a bullet for a portable fire arm of a caliber between 5 and 12 mm.This bullet is formed by a solid homogeneous monobloc piece, made from copper or a copper alloy, having the outer form of a cylinder of revolution connected along a sharp edge to a cone of revolution whose angle at the apex is equal to 60.degree..The preferred application is for close attack and defense hand weapons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1989
    Inventor: Fabrice Bodet
  • Patent number: 4813635
    Abstract: A projectile having a downstream extending surface of revolution which terminates as a blunt base has a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart U-shaped, downstream extending troughs in its surface. Each trough is essentially aligned with the direction of the bulk fluid flow adjacent the surface in the vicinity of the trough, and intersects the blunt base to form a trough outlet therein. The troughs are appropriately spaced apart, sized and configured to flow full over their entire length and to cause fluid to flow into the space immediately behind the blunt base, thereby reducing base drag on the projectile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1989
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Robert W. Paterson, Michael J. Werle, Walter M. Presz, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4811666
    Abstract: A projectile of a predetermined geometrical configuration for small arms ammunition which comprises a solid monolithic body made of a copper alloy of approximately 61.5% of copper, approximately 35% of zinc, approximately 3% of lead and approximately 0.5% of tin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1989
    Inventor: Eric A. Lutfy
  • Patent number: 4807532
    Abstract: A base bleed unit arranged to increase the range of fire or to reduce the time of flight for shells and projectiles includes a housing (1) surrounding a fuel charge (6) and associated igniter (4), extending from the rear portion of a projectile body (2) and including at least one outlet nozzle (5,5',5") for combustion gases, which by means of a mass flow, and possibly combustion adjacent to the base plane, reduce existing base drag. According to an embodiment of the invention, the housing (1) comprises a caseshaped member 1 attachable against a projectile body (2), having at least one igniter (4) arranged adjacent to an internal plane of a restricting wall surface at the housing (1), located in an opposed relationship to the portion of the housing (1) attachable against a projectile body (2). The combustion flame of the igniter (4) is hereby maintained directed towards the fuel charge (6) and away from the outlet nozzle/nozzles (5, 5',5").
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1989
    Inventors: Kurt G. Andersson, Nils-Erik Gunners, Yngve L. Nilsson
  • Patent number: 4807533
    Abstract: An artillery projectile or shell containing a plurality of submunitions of the same type, each of which possesses a projectile-forming charge, an antenna on one side thereof, and a flight-stabilizing device on the opposite side. The submunitions are configured and arranged such that the projectile possesses the same location for the center of gravity and the same weight as would an artillery projectile or shell which has been introduced in the practice and which is filled with a charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1989
    Assignee: Diehl GmbH & Co.
    Inventor: Wolfgang von Entress-Fursteneck
  • Patent number: 4807535
    Abstract: A device for reducing drag of a round of ammunition or projectile (1) comprises a gas-producing compound (3) such as a propergol, the combustion of which generates gases at a pressure of at least sufficient value to fill the low-pressure region which is formed at the rear end of a projectile and causes drag. The device comprises a gas-tight casing (2) containing the explosive compound (3) and an igniter (6) for initiating combustion of the compound. The casing comprises fasteners which cooperate with complementary fasteners (11) arranged at the rear end of the round of ammunition so as to permit gas-tight fitting of the casing at the rear end of the projectile, at any moment and in particular at the firing location, in order to reduce drag and to increase the range of the projectile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1989
    Assignee: Luchaire S.A.
    Inventors: Michel Schilling, Marc Reuche
  • Patent number: 4788915
    Abstract: The invention relates in particular to hunting ammunition for a fire-arm of the kind having a subcaliber bullet fitted with a feathering, the subcaliber bullet allowing for destabilization on its trajectory beyond a distance travelled outside of the fire-arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1988
    Inventor: Jean-Claude Sauvestre
  • Patent number: 4782758
    Abstract: An improved telescoped ammunition round having a projectile comprising an aft recess to receive a booster tube that is affixed to the cartridge case and which remains stationary relative to the cartridge case throughout the firing sequence. The booster tube is provided with a primer to ignite the booster charge and is positioned within the projectile recess to initially propel the projectile and subsequently ignite the main propellant within the cartridge case after the projectile has been forced at least partially into the gun barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1988
    Assignee: AeroJet-General Corporation
    Inventor: William J. Washburn
  • Patent number: 4779535
    Abstract: A slug assembly for a shotgun shotshell having a case in which the slug assembly is incorporated, comprising a metal slug having a center axial cavity, an elastically deformable stabilizer which is fitted in the cavity, and a filler which is charged in the cavity. The stabilizer has a plunger having a diameter larger than a diameter of the opening of the cavity of the slug and an annular flange having a diameter substantially identical to a diameter of a barrel bore of a shotgun in which the slug assembly is to be used. The plunger and annular flange are coaxial to each other. The plunger cooperates with the cavity of the slug to maintain a distance between a rear end face of the slug and a front end face of the annular flange of the stabilizer at a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1988
    Inventor: Nagatoshi Maki
  • Patent number: 4779536
    Abstract: To increase the penetration effectiveness, a tip area of the sub-caliber projectile body of a kinetic energy projectile, which immediately follows the possible tip has a greater diameter D over its length L than the diameter d in the following areas of the projectile body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1988
    Assignee: Rheinmetall GmbH
    Inventors: Hans W. Luther, Winfried Rossman, Ulf Hahn, Udo Sabranski
  • Patent number: 4770102
    Abstract: There is disclosed a kinetic energy type projectile having an armor piercing head which is intended to penetrate multi-shell targets, and even sharply angled targets. The piercing head is provided with favorably discriminated shearing regions which are axially spaced apart by distances corresponding to the thicknesses of the shells which are to be pierced by the piercing head. The shearing regions are provided by external or internal localized transverse weakenings e.g. grooves, or heat treatments by electronic bombardment, applied to the external surface of the piercing head and/or in a central bore in the piercing head. Additionally, the localized weakenings may be provided by bound collars on the piercing head.The shearing regions are progressively stronger in a direction from the front of the piercing head so that they will shear consecutively as the head pierces successive shells of a multi-shell target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1988
    Assignees: Rheinmetal GmbH, Etat Francais
    Inventors: Bernhard Bisping, Hans W. Luther, Udo Sabranski, Peter Wallow, Yves Millet, Jean Sauvestre
  • Patent number: 4765566
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for reducing the spread of hit pattern for a rotationally-stabilized ammunition unit such as a projectile, which is discharged in a ballistic trajectory from an artillery piece towards a target which is to be combated including dynamic balancing of the shell (1) to reduce the effect of the air resistance between different shells, and increase hit probability. The inclination between the main axis of inertia of the shell and the geometric axis of the shell case are measured, whereafter these axes are set in parallel in that an adjustment weight (2) is mounted on one side of the point of gravity of the shell seen in its longitudinal direction. The adjustment weight (2) preferably consists of a disk or washer provided with an eccentric recess (4) for suitable weight and mass eccentricity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1988
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget Bofors
    Inventors: Jan-Olov Fixell, Thomas Gustafsson, Gosta Hogberg, Stig Engfors, Kjell Albrektsson, Arne Franzen
  • Patent number: 4756252
    Abstract: The invention deals with a method of eliminating the base resistance of a flying object. Included in the invention is a device specially adapted to the method. According to the invention base resistance is eliminated by means of the combustion gases from a combustion chamber (2) built into the object being released from the said chamber and led towards the base surface of the object via devices (9-16, 20, 24 and 30) which eliminate the greater part of the gases' motive energy before or simultaneously with their reaching an outlet located on the base surface of the object through which they are allowed to flow out under such conditions that the base resistance of the object (1, 26) is at least partly eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1988
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget Bofors
    Inventors: Ulf Melhus, Lennart Johansson, Arne Franzen, Boo Bolinder
  • Patent number: 4754706
    Abstract: A projectile for scattering munitions, wherein the projectile comprises:a plurality of individual munitions (4) disposed axially in a separable manner in a single stack, said munitions being generally flat in shape and having shaped upper and lower surfaces which are complementary to enable the stacked munitions to interfit; maintaining means (5) for fixing together the munitions in the stack to constitute a stack which is undeformable against axial and transverse forces, thus providing a self-supporting structure for constituting the body of the projectile; and release means for simultaneously unfixing all the munitions from one another and enabling them to be scattered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1988
    Assignee: Etienne Lacroix Tous Artifices
    Inventors: Jean-Robert Fauvel, Philippe Rousseau, Pierre Thebault, Daniel Van Schendel
  • Patent number: 4749410
    Abstract: An article of tungsten heavy alloy material is disclosed, the article having essentially elongated tungsten grains, the alloy material comprising tungsten, nickel, and iron, the elongated tungsten grains having a length to diameter ratio of at least about 2 to 1.A method is disclosed for producing the above article which involves rolling a pressed and sintered body of tungsten heavy alloy material comprising tungsten, iron, and nickel in a tandem rolling mill having a succession of roll stands, each stand consisting essentially of three rolls positioned at about 120.degree. to each other so that the gap between the rolls is a triangle, each stand being rotated about 180.degree. with respect to the adjacent roll stands, the rolling being done at a sufficient temperature to produce the article which has essentially elongated tungsten grains.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1988
    Assignee: GTE Products Corporation
    Inventors: James A. Mullendore, James R. Spencer
  • Patent number: 4742776
    Abstract: The invention relates to the art field of cartridges for conventional smoothbore shotguns used in hunting. A projectile is disclosed that consists in a hollow cylindrical leaden body the forward end of which is stopped by a dome reflexed back into the hollow body and exhibiting an external recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1988
    Assignee: Cervo S.p.A.
    Inventor: Antonio Scuto
  • Patent number: 4742774
    Abstract: Improved small arms ammunition comprising a conventional primed cartridge case and a hollow projectile in tubular geometric form is provided according to the present invention. In accordance with the teachings of this invention, the hollow projectile in tubular geometric form is characterized by a nose of circular cross-section expanding back to the main body of the projectile. The main body of the projectile includes a rotational band about at least a portion of the periphery thereof and is backed by a pusher disc and obturator to seal off the central core of the projectile so that propulsive force may be imparted thereto. The tubular projectile is lighter than its comparable conventional counterparts, exhibits gyroscopic stability and is capable of being fired at higher muzzle velocities and producing less recoil than that associated with conventional small arms ammunition while at the same time depositing a great amount of kinetic energy upon impacting the target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1983
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1988
    Inventor: Abraham Flatau
  • Patent number: 4741271
    Abstract: A projectile for use in an electromagnetic projectile launcher is provided with a conductive open loop which is mechanically attached to the body of the projectile. Means are provided for electrically connecting the open loop between a pair of generally parallel projectile launching rails when the open loop is in a predetermined angular orientation with respect to the rails. Current flowing in the loop then interacts with magnetic flux produced by current flowing within the rails to place a torque on the loop which can be used to spin-stabilize the projectile or to prevent rotation of the projectile depending upon the particular application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1988
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventors: Robert M. Delvecchio, Emmanuel Aivaliotis
  • Patent number: 4733611
    Abstract: A multiple projectile cartridge for a handgun comprises four spherical projectiles embedded within a paraffin/powder filler material contained within a plastic casing enclosed in a conventional small caliber shell containing the usual primer assembly and powder charge. The projectiles each have a diameter slightly less than the internal casing diameter which maximizes the number of shots and mass traveling at high velocity to strike the target. The single row of projectiles are longitudinally spaced from each other by the filler material so that the projectiles do not crunch together during flight, resulting in a shot string held together in a close pattern of high ballistic integrity. The diametral relationship (i.e., clearance) between the projectile diameter and internal casing diameter also prevents the plastic casing side wall from laterally expanding as the casing travels through the gun barrel to prevent groove fouling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1988
    Inventors: Michael R. Janay, Richard R. Reuschling
  • Patent number: 4726279
    Abstract: A supersonic combustion ram cannon (1) includes a conical projectile (8) with a flat base (9) which produces a subsonic wake (12) as it flies through a barrel (2). The projectile is configured to avoid a normal shock, relying instead on supersonic compression, combustion and gas expansion. The supersonic combustion of a fuel-oxidizer mixture around the tail of the subsonic wake, pressurizes the wake and drives the projectile forward. By utilizing wake stabilized supersonic combustion, the compression and combustion pressures can be matched to the limiting barrel working pressure, thereby providing for optimum thrust and maximum projectile acceleration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1988
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Charles E. Kepler, Raymond L. Deblois, Louis J. Spadaccini
  • Patent number: 4722282
    Abstract: A payload-carrying projectile 1 includes a sensor 16 and a sensor carrier 15 disposed in a launch-resistant manner in a recess 14 in the tail section 11 of the projectile 1. After impact of the projectile, which is stabilized by extendable vanes 12, in the target area, where it may penetrate the ground as necessary, the object is to deploy the sensor from its protected position inside the projectile 1and to place it as high as possible above the surface of the ground. For this purpose, the sensor 16 is connected with a concertina bellows 15 which for its part leads into a reservoir 13a which is disposed in the projectile, and which is filled with polyurethane foam mixed with a propellant gas under high pressure. The connection of the reservoir 13 with the concertina bellows 15 is made via a valve 13c which is regulated by an electronic control element 13a containing, for instance, a timer switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1988
    Assignee: Rheinmetall GmbH
    Inventors: Reinhard Synofzik, Rolf Hellwig
  • Patent number: 4718348
    Abstract: Projectiles for use in shells for shotguns and other smooth bore weapons are teardrop-shaped having a blunt hemispherical nose portion and an elongate tail portion tapering smoothly from a junction with the nose portion to a relatively sharp tip. The outer surface of the nose portion is provided with radiating curved grooves for imparting in-flight spin to the projectile so as to stabilize it in flight. The projectiles may be used in a shell case singly to provide a relatively large caliber slug or alternatively small caliber projectiles may be used in elongate stacks in a shell case to provide a form of buckshot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1988
    Inventor: John E. Ferrigno
  • Patent number: 4716835
    Abstract: A disintegrating projectile for cartridged maneuver ammunition for an automatic weapon. The projectile includes a thin-walled and closed body of plastic-like material. The body includes a circularly cylindrical section which changes into a tapering hollow tip. A rotationally symmetrical, stiffening, one-piece plastic insert, is adapted to the inner wall of the hollow tip and extends longitudinally of the projectile between a rear circular delimitation and a front circular limitation. The insert has the shape of two cups and includes a circular disc serving as a common bottom of the cups which are arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction of the projectile. The rear cup has a side wall thickness that constantly increases from the rear circular delimitation to the adjacent face of the circular disc member and the front cup has a side wall thickness that constantly increases from the front circular delimitation to the adjacent face of the circular disc member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1988
    Assignee: NWM de Kruithoorn B.V., Poeldonkweg
    Inventor: Johan S. Leemans
  • Patent number: H700
    Abstract: The bullet for a training cartridge has a thin probe extending therefrom to reduce its maximum range. The training cartridge provides realistic trajectory, sound, recoil and sighting accuracy and produces identifiable target penetration with reduced risk of richochet and to create the same cartridge profile as a conventional round but with limited range suitable to training purposes. The thin, elongated probe has a blunted nose and joins the main body of the bullet on a tapered surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1989
    Inventor: Anthony L. Farinacci