Subcaliber Patents (Class 102/521)
  • Patent number: 11898830
    Abstract: Provided are methods and related devices for disrupting an explosive device using a propellant driven disrupter (PDD) that propels a rounded projectile (RP) toward an explosive device. The RP travels along a linear trajectory and impacts the target, including a barrier portion of the explosive device. The impacting between the RP and barrier forms a composite projectile via a solid state weld between a portion of the barrier and the RP distal end, thereby minimizing or avoiding spall and fragment generation into the explosive device. The projectile traverses a penetration distance along the linear trajectory, or a defined-angle relative thereto, to disrupt the explosive device without unwanted explosive detonation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Department of Justice
    Inventor: Ian B. Vabnick
  • Patent number: 11852452
    Abstract: A ballistic barrel cleaning cartridge is provided. The ballistic barrel cleaning cartridge includes a casing including a casing recess. The casing recess is closed at a first end of the casing. The cartridge further includes a propellant disposed within the casing recess and an abrasive-binding agent composite slug constructed with an abrasive agent and a polymerized binding agent. The abrasive-binding agent composite slug is disposed within the casing recess at a second end of the casing. The abrasive-binding agent composite slug includes a bore forward recess configured for receiving a bore forward high-density weight and a retention lip configured for retaining the bore forward high-density weight within the bore forward recess. The cartridge further includes the bore forward high-density weight. Expansion of the propellant is operable to expel the abrasive-binding agent composite slug from the casing recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Midwest Outdoor Holdings LLC
    Inventor: John Biafore, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11421971
    Abstract: Provided are methods and related devices for disrupting an explosive device using a propellant driven disrupter (PDD) that propels a rounded projectile (RP) toward an explosive device. The RP travels along a linear trajectory and impacts the target, including a barrier portion of the explosive device. The impacting between the RP and barrier forms a composite projectile via a solid state weld between a portion of the barrier and the RP distal end, thereby minimizing or avoiding spall and fragment generation into the explosive device. The projectile traverses a penetration distance along the linear trajectory, or a defined-angle relative thereto, to disrupt the explosive device without unwanted explosive detonation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Department of Justice
    Inventor: Ian B. Vabnick
  • Patent number: 11371818
    Abstract: The present invention provides a sabot (8) comprising a first material structure (12, 14) and a second material structure, wherein the first material structure is a lattice and wherein the second material structure is a solid. A munition (100) and a method of manufacturing a sabot are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: BAE SYSTEMS plc
    Inventors: John Andrew Paterson, Benjamin Mark Davies, King Kwok Wong, John Wainwright
  • Patent number: 11353303
    Abstract: Sabots and riders are described herein that have high torsional stiffness, providing for utility in high-speed projectiles. The sabots include multiple petals with a closed configuration comprising polymer or metal containing composites. Corresponding systems and methods also are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Simulations, LLC
    Inventor: Jeffrey M Kezerian
  • Patent number: 11313655
    Abstract: A rear slip base plate for a round carrying a guidance and control unit payload, which round is launched from a rifled launch tube. To prevent the guidance and control unit payload from also being rapidly spun with the round, the slip base plate unit mechanically isolates the guidance and control unit payload from the round spin rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Seungeuk Han
  • Patent number: 10996035
    Abstract: A fin-stabilized sub-caliber projectile adapted to be fired from a rifled barrel, the projectile having a penetrator with a tail fin assembly, a sabot arranged on the penetrator and having at least two sabot segments circumferentially joined to one another that are separated from one another after leaving the barrel by centrifugal forces acting on the projectile during firing. The sabot includes a main body and a front guide flange that is adapted to be supported on an inner wall of the barrel and a rear guide flange arranged at an axial distance. A connecting section of the sabot is arranged between the front guide flange and the rear guide flange and has a smaller outer diameter than the front guide flange or the rear guide flange. The sabot and the penetrator are joined together in a positive manner in a region of the rear guide flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: RWM Schweiz AG
    Inventor: Ruedi Bucher
  • Patent number: 10969211
    Abstract: A sabot in which bionic structures are provided. The structures are generated or created by way of an additive manufacturing process during the manufacture of the sabot in a defined manner with respect to size, shape and/or volume and in a targeted manner with respect to the local and quantitative embedding in the sabot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Rheinmetall Waffe Munition GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Blache, Lutz Boerngen, Michael Gowin, Katrin Linke
  • Patent number: 10921105
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is sabot for a sub-caliber projectile comprising a plurality of petals, such that a slip mechanism can be incorporated between the sabot petals and the pusher mechanism to decrease or prevent the sabot from rotating in a rifled gun bore, or the petals themselves can be separated into forward petals and aft petals, with only the aft petals rotating along with the gun rifle. When separate forward petals and aft petals are used, the torque transferred to the forward petals is greatly reduced, thus decreasing the angular rotation of the forward petals with the intent of preventing the forward petals from rotating. The slip mechanism has slip plates with low-coefficient of friction surfaces configured to contact adjacent slip plates prior to and during launch. As assembly, a system, and corresponding methods also are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Simulations, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey M Kezerian, James E. Abitabilo
  • Patent number: 10520290
    Abstract: A projectile includes an ejectable cup intended to protect a base of the projectile from propulsion gases, the cup including a wall surrounding the base and extending to a position where the edge of the wall is pinched between a seal surrounding the body of the projectile and a collar, including an annular part centered on a first cylindrical seat having a first diameter. The first seat is separated from a second seat by a shoulder, the face of which is oriented toward the rear of the projectile, a gripping means pressing the seal against the annular part, which causes the radial expansion of the seal, pressing it against the edge of the cup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: NEXTER MUNITIONS
    Inventors: Sylvain Pinoteau, Quentin Morvan, Hervé Vacher
  • Patent number: 10442554
    Abstract: A system comprising an unmanned aerial vehicle launch tube comprising a sabot disposed in an interior of the launch tube, the sabot having a first clasp tab and an expandable skirt. The sabot is hollow, and the expandable skirt has a circumferential skirt protrusion and is configured to provide a pressure seal with the inner circumferential wall of the launch tube. The system further comprises a clasp detachably coupled to the first clasp tab and contacting the inner circumferential wall of the launch tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: AEROVIRONMENT, INC.
    Inventor: Alexander Andryukov
  • Patent number: 10052739
    Abstract: A chemical mechanical polishing head includes a base assembly that includes at least one component formed of a composite plastic having a tensile modulus approximately equal to or greater than aluminum, a retaining ring secured to the base assembly, and a flexible membrane secured to the base assembly to form a pressurizable chamber between the base assembly and an upper surface of the flexible membrane. A lower surface of the flexible membrane provides a substrate mounting surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Manoj A. Gajendra, Kiran Giriyapura
  • Patent number: 8985026
    Abstract: Techniques are described for penetrating protective vehicle armor. In one example, a penetrator round assembly comprises a main penetrator rod comprising a tungsten alloy and a solid nose engaged to the main penetrator rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Alliant Techsystems Inc.
    Inventor: Eric E. Volkmann
  • Patent number: 8915189
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for packing fin-stabilized penetrators (8) in a carrier shell (1), which penetrators (8) comprise a front penetrator part (10) and a rear fin part (9, 9?) comprising fin sides (14, 14?), so that the empty space between the penetrators (8) and problems with the penetrators upon the release of the penetrators (8) from the carrier shell (1) are minimized, wherein the penetrators (8) are packed in groups (7) and are joined together to form larger packing units (6), in which each group (7) is arranged with a centrally located penetrator (8) flanked by at least three outer penetrators (8), which outer penetrators (8) are arranged so that their front penetrator parts (10) lie side to side against the fin sides (14, 14?) of the centrally located penetrator (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: BAE Systems Bofors AB
    Inventor: Christer Thuman
  • Patent number: 8887641
    Abstract: A 40 mm ammunition projectile for firing without significant spin in an M203 or an M320 grenade launcher. The ammunition includes a projectile body having hollow inner cavity therein for an explosive warhead; a projectile fin assembly; a projectile nose element having a conically shaped front area thereon; a decoupled projectile sabot in two or more joining sabot petals enclosing the body; a base cartridge case having vent holes, a bowl area for placement of a copper closure cup containing propellant therein, and a closure plug for threading into the rear of said cartridge case. The projectile fin assembly may provide a canted angle on each fin blade to (relatively very slowly) spin up the round at less than 30 Hz. Projectiles with body length less than five inches may be launched in an M203 grenade launcher while projectiles with body length up to eight inches may be launched in an M320 grenade launcher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Leon Manole, Arthur Ricardo Pizza, Ernest Lee Logsdon, Gary Anthony Pacella, Anthony J. Sebasto, Wilfredo Toledo
  • Patent number: 8869704
    Abstract: An arrow-type sub-caliber projectile has a piercing bar which is cylindrical about a longitudinal axis, extended by a conical portion, and is surrounded by a sabot made of a lightweight material and allows the firing of the projectile in a weapon. This conical portion has a tip of a heating-resistant material with a maximum diameter less than half the diameter of the bar, the tip being connected to the bar by a support structure having no ballistic effects, the bar having a flat front face which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the bar, the flat front face area being substantially equal to the cross-sectional area of the bar, thus with no element with ballistic effects interposed between the flat front face of the bar and the tip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Nexter Munitions
    Inventors: Nicolas Eches, Arnaud Guilloux, Richard Roy
  • Publication number: 20140305329
    Abstract: A sabot petal having an axis parallel to or coinciding with the launch axis. The sabot petal is formed from a plurality of stacked sheets of composite material consisting of a fiber reinforcement and a polymer resin matrix. Each composite sheet is in a plane rotationally offset from the meridional plane which is defined by the launch axis and radial axis of the sabot petal's cylindrical coordinate system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2014
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Applicant: THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT AS REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY OF THE ARMY
    Inventor: Michael A. MINNICINO
  • Patent number: 8833223
    Abstract: A multi-petal adapter that enables projectiles of different sizes to be used in a single dearmer. The adapter includes a plurality of petals that are secured, in a detachable way, to a base. The main function of the base is to secure the petals until the projectile is fired from the dearmer. Whereupon, the adapter will start petalling until the petals become detached from the base, so that the adapter imparts minimal or no energy or damage to the intended target. The adapter fully regulates the energy imparted to the various projectiles, by allowing propellant gases to bleed through channels that are formed between the petals. As a result, the present adapter fully supports a proper projectile launch and ensures its proper orientation toward the target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Hau T. Do, Brent Donahue, Peter Chiu, Kevin Russell
  • Patent number: 8695507
    Abstract: A lightweight composite sabot useful in large, medium and small caliber rifled gun systems, wherein each of the sabot segments are reinforced with thin aluminum, or other, metal wedges to increase the torsional strength of the sabot body to survive the torsional forces created when fired from a rifled gun tube. And, which composite sabot also has a metal bulkhead about the periphery thereof, to reduce the spin and resulting hoop stresses, and to help protect the composite material during firing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Saif Musali, Munasir Harhara, Nicholas Payne, Roger Joinson, Velan Mudaliar, Daniel Prillaman, Shri Singh
  • Patent number: 8661984
    Abstract: A sabot petal having an axis parallel to or coinciding with the launch axis. The sabot petal is formed from a plurality of stacked sheets of composite material consisting of a fiber reinforcement and a polymer resin matrix. Each composite sheet is in a plane rotationally offset from the meridional plane which is defined by the launch axis and radial axis of the sabot petal's cylindrical coordinate system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Michael A. Minnicino, II
  • Publication number: 20130340646
    Abstract: An arrow-type sub-caliber projectile has a piercing bar extended by a conical portion, and is surrounded by a sabot made of a lightweight material and allows the firing of the projectile in a weapon. This conical portion has a tip of a heating-resistant material with a diameter less than half the diameter of the bar, the tip being connected to the bar by a support structure having no ballistic effects, the bar having a flat front face substantially to the diameter of the bar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: NEXTER MUNITIONS
    Inventor: NEXTER MUNITIONS
  • Patent number: 8522683
    Abstract: A method for producing a shell and a shell produced by this method, wherein the shell has a projectile, a combustible propellant charge casing, and a casing cover that joins the propellant charge casing with the projectile, such that the projectile has a sealing ring adjacent to the casing cover. To realize cost-effective assembly of a shell of this type, the casing cover is produced as an injection molded part made of an elastic plastic, such that the front end region of the casing cover facing the projectile forms the sealing ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Rheinmetall Waffe Munition GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Heitmann
  • Patent number: 8511233
    Abstract: A projectile for fire arms formed in such a way that it includes a front portion of essentially convex axial cross-section that via a transition transforms into a rear portion of essentially cylindrical radial cross-section, which rear portion acts as a power belt for the projectile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Norma Precision AB
    Inventor: â„«ke Nilsson
  • Patent number: 8485100
    Abstract: Provided is ammunition capable of increasing the movement velocity and shooting range of a bullet and enhancing the target hitting rate. The ammunition includes a case having a propellant chamber and a front mouth, a propellant charged into the propellant chamber of the case, a primer installed in the case for exploding the propellant when a physical or electrical impact is applied thereto, a bullet arranged in the front mouth of the case, the bullet having a streamlined tail portion for reduction of air resistance when the bullet is shot, and a wad fitted to the front mouth of the case for removably holding the bullet and closing the front mouth, the wad being separable from the bullet during explosion of the propellant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Korea Nuclear Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Se-Chan Lee
  • Publication number: 20130000506
    Abstract: A sabot petal having an axis parallel to or coinciding with the launch axis. The sabot petal is formed from a plurality of stacked sheets of composite material consisting of a fiber reinforcement and a polymer resin matrix. Each composite sheet is in a plane rotationally offset from the meridional plane which is defined by the launch axis and radial axis of the sabot petal's cylindrical coordinate system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2012
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: U.S. Government as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: MICHAEL A. MINNICINO, II
  • Patent number: 8316773
    Abstract: A sub-caliber projectile of the fin-stabilized type incorporating a sabot and a penetrator linked together by shape matching linking means, said linking means incorporating a first profile machined at a bore of said sabot and cooperating with a second profile on said penetrator, each of said first and second profiles having a shape according to a section in an axial plane that alternates teeth and grooves, the axial play between one of said teeth of said penetrator and one of said grooves forming the housing of said one of said teeth in said sabot being variable along the axis of said projectile, wherein said linking means incorporate a front part (F) and a rear part (R) in which the play, at a mean temperature, between said penetrator teeth and the housings of said teeth in said sabot is variable, the play, firstly, increasing between said median zone (M) of said sabot and a front end of said sabot and, secondly, increasing between said median zone (M) of said sabot and a rear end of said sabot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Nexter Munitions
    Inventors: Nicolas Eches, Arnaud Guilloux, Richard Roy
  • Publication number: 20120144712
    Abstract: A weapon system for urban combat incorporating an automatic gun having a short recoil, a feed system with gun driven box magazines of different capacities, a detachable link-belt feed, spring buffered barrel and bolt recoil absorbing arrangement, and simplified fire control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2009
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Inventor: Charles Edward Rostocil
  • Patent number: 8151712
    Abstract: This invention relates to a penetrating projectile, particularly an anti-infrastructure penetration bomb. The invention also relates to a penetration method applied to the above mentioned projectile. The penetrating projectile includes an inner tube inside which a perforating projectile is placed comprising at least one body provided with a pyrotechnic charge and a propulsion body, the body of the perforating projectile being ejected outside the tube by firing the propulsion body; and a system for controlling firing of the propulsion body before the impact of the penetrating projectile on a target. The invention is particularly applicable for passing through very thick walls made of a non-metallic material for example such as concrete.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: TDA Armements S.A.S.
    Inventors: Denis Salignon, Claude Georget, Dominique Lesne
  • Patent number: 8142586
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for manufacturing a fiber-reinforced composite sabot for use in APFSDS (Armor. Piercing Fin Stabilized Discarding Sabot) wherein a plurality of fiber mats are laminated instead of one-directional prepreg ply and whole part is reinforced by stitching through long fiber bundle in order to enhance circumferential shear strength, and high quality fiber-reinforced composite sabot is manufactured in a short time using resin-injection vacuum assisted resin transfer molding after stitching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Agency for Defense Development
    Inventors: In-Seo Park, Jin-Seok Kim, Seung-Un Yang, Young-Jun Jeon
  • Publication number: 20120060715
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a less lethal munition including a ring airfoil projectile. The flight trajectory of the projectile has increased accuracy resulting from the aerodynamic stabilization of the projectile. In some embodiments, the projectile is both aerodynamically stabilized and spin stabilized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2011
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Inventor: Kimball Rustin Scarr
  • Patent number: 8069791
    Abstract: A sabot system is defined by a tubular arrangement of curvilinear segments with the tubular arrangement being closed on a first end thereof and open on a second end thereof. The tubular arrangement defines a first outer diameter at its first end and a second and larger outer diameter at its second end. Each segment is made from an elastic material such that when the tubular arrangement is compressed radially at its second end, each of the segments stores a spring force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: John Kunstmann, Gregory Chicchirichi
  • Patent number: 8037830
    Abstract: A cartridge is described having a cartridge casing (1) and having a propellant cup (4), which is inserted in the cartridge casing (1), receives a sub-caliber projectile (5) in a formfitting manner, and is manufactured from plastic, and which separates the projectile (5) from the propellant charge in the cartridge casing (1) and has axial separation points (15) along its jacket (10). To ensure an advantageous length for the projectile, it is suggested that the propellant cup (5) have at least one pocket (9), extending in a cavity between the projectile (5) and the cartridge casing (1) and/or in a cavity of the projectile (5) and open toward the base (2) of the cartridge casing (1), for receiving a part of the propellant charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Inventor: Udo Winter
  • Publication number: 20110214582
    Abstract: A sub-caliber bullet with an aerodynamic shape has long-range accuracy due to a high muzzle velocity and reduced time of flight to a target. The bullet has a forward portion, a mid-portion and an aft portion. The forward portion has a density in excess of 10/cm3 while the mid-portion has a lower density. The bullet has an aspect ratio of at least 5:1 and a diameter, d, that satisfies a Power Law equation: d=D*(x/L)n where D is a maximum bullet diameter, L is the length, x is a distance rearward from a nose of the bullet and n is a Power Law exponent that is between 0.5 and 0.75. In some embodiments, a blind bore extends into the mid-portion from the aft portion and a sustainer propellant within the blind bore ignites as the bullet exits a gun muzzle to provide a velocity boost and to overcome aerodynamic drag.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2010
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Inventor: Alan Z. Glasser
  • Publication number: 20110146525
    Abstract: The invention relates to a launching device for a sub-caliber artillery projectile employing a base with sliding band, the base being linked to sabot sectors by means of hinges that can be detached during flight, the opening of the sabot being activated thanks to the dynamic air pressure on the flared shapes to the fore of the sectors, said hinge is flanged radially so as to prevent its becoming separated from the sabot sectors 5 outside of the flight phase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: NEXTER MUNITIONS
    Inventor: Lionel CAILLAT
  • Patent number: 7958829
    Abstract: A sabot with exactly two complimentary halves, wherein each half portion comprises teeth configured to interlock with teeth of the other half portion. The sabot may further comprise a semi-circular groove configured in the teeth of each half portion. Also, each half portion may comprise at least one indented conical end. Preferably, on each half portion, the teeth are spaced apart from the at least one indented conical end. Moreover, each half portion may comprise translucent polycarbonate material. Furthermore, each half portion may be adapted to flush mount together to form a substantially cylindrical configuration when the teeth are interlocked. Additionally, the sabot may further comprise a semi-circular groove configured in the teeth of each half portion, wherein the semi-circular groove extends to the at least one indented conical end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Ricky G. Kane, Mark T Ward
  • Patent number: 7954409
    Abstract: A method for forming a projectile cartridge includes positioning a sabot within a compartment of a projectile cartridge casing. A delivery tube is inserted within a chamber of the sabot positioned within the casing, the delivery tube bounding a channel that passes therethrough. A projectile comprised of an elastomeric material is passed through the channel of the delivery tube under a pressurized gas so that at least a portion the projectile is received within the chamber of the sabot, the projectile being radially compressed as it is passed through the channel of the delivery tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Integrity Ballistics, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph P. Kolnik, George M. Elsom
  • Patent number: 7934455
    Abstract: A sub-caliber projectile is described for insertion into a projectile receptacle (8) having a projectile head (1) and a tail unit (2) forming guide vanes (4), which engages in a cavity of the projectile head (1). To provide advantageous construction conditions, it is suggested that the guide vanes (4) of the tail unit (2) extend up into the hollow projectile head (1) and the projectile head (1) be folded clamped into the groin area between the guide vanes (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Inventor: Udo Winter
  • Publication number: 20110011297
    Abstract: A sub-caliber projectile of the fin-stabilized type incorporating a sabot and a penetrator linked together by shape matching linking means, said linking means incorporating a first profile machined at a bore of said sabot and cooperating with a second profile on said penetrator, each of said first and second profiles having a shape according to a section in an axial plane that alternates teeth and grooves, the axial play between one of said teeth of said penetrator and one of said grooves forming the housing of said one of said teeth in said sabot being variable along the axis of said projectile, wherein said linking means incorporate a front part (F) and a rear part (R) in which the play, at a mean temperature, between said penetrator teeth and the housings of said teeth in said sabot is variable, the play, firstly, increasing between said median zone (M) of said sabot and a front end of said sabot and, secondly, increasing between said median zone (M) of said sabot and a rear end of said sabot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2010
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Applicant: NEXTER Munitions
    Inventors: Nicolas Eches, Arnaud Guilloux, Richard Roy
  • Patent number: 7743709
    Abstract: A sabot includes a base and a plurality of elongated petals extending therefrom. Each petal includes an elongated sidewall portion having an arched interior surface and an arched exterior surface each extending between a first end and an opposing second end. A floor portion inwardly projects from the interior surface of the sidewall portion at the second end thereof so as to form an inside angle between the interior surface of the sidewall portion and an interior surface of the floor portion, each floor portion being pivotally connected to the base so that the plurality of petals can selectively move between a collapsed position wherein the sidewall portions combine to formal a substantially cylindrical sidewall that bounds a chamber and an expanded position wherein the sidewall portions radially outwardly project from the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Integrity Ballistics, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph P. Kolnik, George M. Elsom
  • Publication number: 20100000439
    Abstract: A sabot projectile with a subcaliber projectile body and a sabot, which includes a propulsion element that acts on the rear end of the projectile body and a segmented, essentially cylindrical metal guide cage, which is located at the front end of the propulsion element. The guide cage has a central opening that extends in the axial direction, through which the projectile body is passed. So that the sabot projectile is relatively inexpensive to manufacture, has a low weight, and ensures good detachment of the sabot from the projectile body after discharge, the guide cage is a hollow cylinder, on whose inside wall preferably several radial transverse ribs are arranged, which are spaced some distance apart and extend both in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the sabot and in the direction of the projectile body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2009
    Publication date: January 7, 2010
    Applicant: RHEINMETALL WAFFE MUNITION GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Baumann, Klaus-Dieter Freudenthal, Thomas Heithmann, Michael Vagedes
  • Patent number: 7594472
    Abstract: A sabot 7 having a rearward end and a central longitudinal channel 1 which is engageable with projectile 33 has an anisotropic compressive strength distribution such that on individual radial planes the compressive strength in a first principal material direction P1 radiates from the central channel 1 towards the rearward end of the sabot. This permits a more even distribution of force at the interface between the sabot and the penetrator. The sabot may be constructed from a fibre reinforced plastic composite, containing a single or a double array of fibres.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignee: QinetiQ Limited
    Inventors: Noel J. Parratt, John Cook, Nicholas Savage, Michael J. Hinton
  • Publication number: 20090151593
    Abstract: A sub-caliber projectile is described for insertion into a projectile receptacle (8) having a projectile head (1) and a tail unit (2) forming guide vanes (4), which engages in a cavity of the projectile head (1). To provide advantageous construction conditions, it is suggested that the guide vanes (4) of the tail unit (2) extend up into the hollow projectile head (1) and the projectile head (1) be folded clamped into the groin area between the guide vanes (4).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2006
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Inventor: Udo Winter
  • Publication number: 20090126595
    Abstract: In its simplest form the present invention comprises a new method for manufacturing projectiles (1, 11-12 and 19) provided with bands (4, 9, 16), whilst according to a further development of the invention, the facility is afforded for manufacturing artillery projectiles (1, 11-12) according to the same basic principle, which can alternatively be launched from a rifled barrel with or without any spin, along with the facility, according to a new method, for launching spin-free projectiles (6) from rifled barrels without the use of so-called slipping plastic bands.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2007
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Applicant: BAE SYSTEMS BOFORS AB
    Inventor: Lennart Gustavsson
  • Publication number: 20090107355
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for manufacturing a fiber-reinforced composite sabot for use in APFSDS (Armor Piercing Fin Stabilized Discarding Sabot), wherein both Band lamination and Hoop lamination are used in manufacturing a polymer based FRP( Fiber Reinforced Plastic) for use in the sabot in order to prevent the prepreg delamination in the circumferential direction caused by the radial lamination. The method for manufacturing a fiber-reinforced composite sabot of the present invention comprises the steps of a sub-segment forming step, a piece forming step and a sabot forming step, and the lamination is carried out with improved segment lamination form preventing the damage in the 120 degree surface in the process of treating the sabot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2008
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Inventors: In-Seo Park, Jin-Seok KIM, Seung-Un Yang, Young-Jun Jeon
  • Patent number: 7503262
    Abstract: Sealing band for a projectile, the band being characterized in that it comprises a front sub-band containing at least two sectors, the sub-band having at least a conical profile in a tight fit with the matching profile of a groove of the projectile, the cone tip being placed towards a rear section of the projectile, with the sub-band attached to the projectile by a cylindrical skirt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: Giat Industries
    Inventors: Nicolas Eches, Jean-Paul Fauchon
  • Patent number: 7270060
    Abstract: A rod sleeve made of smart material sleeves and/or steel sleeves with smart material rings surrounds the rod of a kinetic energy projectile. The rod may be made of DU, tungsten, or other material. Smart materials are materials such as nickel-titanium (nitinol) and copper aluminum nickel (CAN) that can be trained to change to one or more particular shapes at predetermined temperatures. The change in shape occurs on a molecular level, almost instantaneously. The rod sleeve can be made all or in part from smart material. The smart material is trained to shrink at cold temperatures and expand at hot temperatures. The sleeve may then be heated and expanded to allow the sleeve to be pressed on the rod. As the sleeve cools, it compresses and provides required support to rod during gun launch of the kinetic energy projectile. The sleeve heats up while traveling down range due to the aero-ballistic heating of the sleeve material. At this higher temperature, the sleeve expands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Leon Manole, Stewart Gilman, Ernest Logsdon, Daniel Vo
  • Patent number: 7261042
    Abstract: A munition and method of making same comprising at least partially surrounding a warhead with a protective barrier comprising pumice and surrounding the protective barrier with a shroud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: Lockheed Martins Corporation
    Inventor: George W. Brooks
  • Patent number: 7197984
    Abstract: A sub-caliber projectile incorporating a penetrator and a sabot formed of several segments, the penetrator and sabot incorporating profiles that cooperate with one another so as to ensure the axial drive of the penetrator by the sabot when the projectile is being fired, such projectile wherein there is axial play (J) between the profile on the sabot and that on the penetrator so as to enable a limited relative axial displacement of the sabot with respect to the penetrator, means being provided to ensure the radial locking of the sabot segments by the penetrator in the foremost position of the sabot with respect to the penetrator, this locking no longer being ensured in the rearmost position of the sabot with respect to the penetrator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: Giat Industries
    Inventor: Nicolas Eches
  • Patent number: 7152533
    Abstract: A sabot for a projectile comprising at least two segments intended to surround and drive a sub-caliber penetrator, such sabot comprising a calibered thrust plate, wherein said sabot incorporates a body made of a light material, said body having at least one longitudinal insert made of a material having high mechanical properties, said insert having indentations cooperating with an external profile of said penetrator to allow it to be driven, said indentations extending those of said sabot body and which thus also cooperate with the external profile of said penetrator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: GIAT Industries
    Inventors: Nicolas Eches, Jean-Paul Fauchon
  • Patent number: 7150235
    Abstract: An anti-armor projectile has a tail fin boom having an inner hollow area. A warhead made of high density materials is disposed in the hollow area to serve as a kinetic-energy penetrator that is released upon impact to increase the lethality of the anti-armor projectile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2006
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Ameer G. Mikhail