Ammunition and explosives – Projectiles – Nonlethal or deterrent
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-05
2001-10-09
Jordan, Charles T. (Department: 3644)
Ammunition and explosives
Projectiles
Nonlethal or deterrent
C102S498000, C102S529000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06298787
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Technical Field
This invention relates generally to non-lethal projectiles. More particularly, the invention relates to a nonlethal projectile having target proximity detection and controlled kinetic effects.
2. History of Related Art
For some time, both military and law enforcement agencies have been investigating alternatives to conventional non-lethal weapons. Ideally, such weapons should be effective at a range equivalent to conventional fire arms, without causing permanent damage to the intended target personnel. To-date, these needs have not been met.
It is well known that the kinetic energy in a relatively small projectile is sufficient to stun, disable, and/or bring a person to the ground. Evidence of this occurs in combat situations when a small arms projectile impacts a relatively large surface, such as a bullet-proof vest, worn by the person fired upon. If the round does not penetrate, most of the kinetic energy is distributed over the surface, and tends to stun or bring down the targeted personnel. Little or no long-term damage results.
Taking advantage of this principle, several non-lethal weapons have been developed. Some use large projectiles to minimize the possibility of penetration. The difficulty inherent in such an approach is that a large projectile may induce sufficient air drag to minimize or obviate its value as a non-lethal weapon.
Another difficulty imposed by conventional approaches to this problem is the difficulty of controlling impact kinetic energy at personnel targets which are located at varied distances from the firing point. That is, air drag over distance decreases the kinetic energy of the projectile significantly; targets which are relatively close to the firing point will receive a maximum amount of kinetic energy (possibly more than is necessary or intended), while distant targets may receive insufficient kinetic energy to accomplish the objective—to stun or bring down the personnel target.
Further, it may be desirable to vary the kinetic energy delivered to the target based on factors other than the distance to the target. For example, the exigencies of the situation, or the size of the target, may dictate use of a higher kinetic energy than would normally be expected. None of the known non-lethal weapon alternatives provides the ability to adjust kinetic energy, either before deployment, or “on-the-fly.”
Finally, it is desirable to provide some assurance that non-lethal operation of the weapon system be maintained, even in the face of system failure. For example, if a non-lethal projectile fails to deploy properly, there should be some alternative or “backup” mechanism which operates to minimize the chance of personnel target penetration.
Therefore what is needed is a non-lethal kinetic energy weapon system that provides conventional fire arm range capability, yet delivers a non-lethal dose of kinetic energy to a personnel target. This system should be operable at varied distances, and provide the ability to adjust the kinetic energy delivered to the personnel target. Such adjustment should be available to the weapon user prior to firing/deployment, or alternatively, after deployment and before impact. Further, the system should provide the capability to assure non-lethal operation in the event of a first-order failure, such that the chance of target penetration is minimized.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The non-lethal kinetic energy system of the present invention comprises an optional inner casing which typically carries a personnel target proximity detector and an uninflated air bag, along with a means to inflate the air bag that responds to a signal provided by the proximity detector. Some type of propellant, such as gun powder or gas, operates in mechanical communication with the inner casing to deploy the system toward the target. The system may be circumscribed by an outer casing, such as in a shot gun shell arrangement, which completely encloses the propellant and the inner casing prior to deployment of the system.
In use, the system is deployed toward a personnel target and the proximity detector, such as a Doppler radar system, is activated for detecting the range to the target. When the maximum effective distance from the target is reached, the proximity detector provides a signal to the inflation means, which in turn inflates the air bag prior to system contact with the personnel target. Depending on certain conditions, the inflation signal from the proximity detector may be delayed for some predetermined time period to provide more or less impact kinetic energy to the personnel target. These conditions include the amount of drag induced by the air bag during flight, the size of the personnel target, and the distance to the target.
The delay time period may be communicated to the system by means of electronic contacts, radio messaging, or non-contact interface means, such as ultrasound, infra-red, or other radiation.
The invention also includes a method of operating a non-lethal kinetic energy system comprising a personnel target proximity detector, an air bag, and a means to inflate the air bag responsive to the signal provided by the proximity detector, comprising the steps of deploying the system toward a personnel target, sensing the proximity of the target to the system, sending a signal to the air bag inflation means at a predetermined distance from the target, and inflating the air bag before impacting the target. The predetermined distance from the target at which the air bag may be inflated is typically from about 0.3 meters to about 30.0 meters. The method may include the steps of selecting a predetermined delay time period, communicating the delay to the system, and delaying the signal to the air bag inflation means by the predetermined delay time period. The delay can be selected prior to the deployment of the system, or after deployment of the system. The amount of delay after reaching the predetermined distance to the target is typically about 0.001 seconds to about 0.100 seconds.
The non-lethal kinetic energy weapon system may be deployed toward a single personnel target, or toward a multiplicity of personnel targets, as may be desirable for crowd control. Further, the system may include designing the inner casing so that penetration of the skin surface for a designated personnel target is unlikely to occur even if the air bag fails to inflate before impact.
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Baker & Botts L.L.P.
Jordan Charles T.
Smith Kimberly S
Southwest Research Institute
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