Ammunition and explosives – Cartridges
Patent
1992-01-21
1994-11-01
Tudor, Harold J.
Ammunition and explosives
Cartridges
102444, 102464, 102530, F42B 502
Patent
active
053599373
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In general, the present invention relates to the field of ordinance and, more specifically, to non-lethal ammunition used in training and war games.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
Normal automatic and semi-automatic weapons are actuated conventionally either by the expansion of propellant gas against a piston connected to the recoiling bolt mass or by direct blowback of the cartridge case against the bolt upon expansion of the propellant gas during the ballistic cycle of the ammunition. In these systems, the energy provided to the recoil mechanism is somewhat dependant on that imparted to the projectile. That is, a reduced pressure in the chamber or variations in weight of the projectile will result in variation in the total energy given to the weapon-operating mechanism which, in turn, will affect its cyclic rate or the reliability of its operation. With low-mass projectiles or the type used in training and non-lethal ammunition, the problem is especially severe. Frangible projectiles may not be capable of withstanding high accelerations. The low energy required for launch of these lightweight projectiles may not produce a sufficient reaction or necessitate a high enough chamber pressure to cycle conventional weapon mechanisms. Blank ammunition, that is, a cartridge without a projectile, will not normally be able to cycle a weapon without a muzzle adapter to increase the pressure in the system sufficiently to make the mechanism function.
The problem may also be observed in larger caliber guns, such as 40 mm grenade launchers, where a relatively low-velocity projectile with limited capacity to withstand high accelerations, is launched from an automatic gas-operated weapon. Prior attempts to achieve reliable weapon function, along with low-peak projectile acceleration have included "high-low" ballistic systems wherein propellant is initially burned in a high-pressure section of a partitioned cartridge case and released through orifices into the side containing the projectile at a rate sufficient to limit the peak pressure or acceleration on the projectile. Such a system is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,686,905 (Szabo). While such systems can provide reduced peak forces available for weapon function, necessitating design compromises in the weapon.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The primary object of this invention is to provide an ammunition configuration which will provide a more constant impulse to a weapon-cycling mechanism to assure its reliable function independent of the energy imparted to the projectile or even whether a projectile is present. This will permit the launching of low mass or acceleration-sensitive projectiles without exceeding their limitations or the firing of a blank cartridge while still providing reliable cycling of the weapon.
It is a further object of this invention to provide these functions in a conventional blowback-type of weapon with a minimum of changes to the weapon itself, permitting it to fire at reduced velocity, frangible or non-lethal or blank ammunition while still functioning in a normal manner.
It is a still further object of this invention to provide a means for cycling a weapon which uses an ammunition design compatible with existing manufacturing processes to minimize cost and make maximum use of existing production facilities.
These and other objects of the invention are achieved by the provision of a cartridge for low-mass, frangible projectiles which comprises a cartridge case having a primer at its base and a sabot or piston at its mouth.
The sabot acts as a "shoe" or holder for the projectile. It is also present in the case of a blank variant of the invention wherein, as in the projectile version, it serves as a plug and piston in the end of the cartridge casing. While the description that follows refers to this component as a "sabot" in order to demonstrate the invention, in its broader characterization, this component of the cartridge of the invention may be called a "piston"--and will be claimed as such. The sabot terminates with an out
REFERENCES:
patent: 225464 (1880-03-01), Coloney
patent: 2389846 (1945-11-01), Ericson
patent: 2654318 (1953-10-01), Dunham
patent: 2812713 (1957-11-01), Fitzsimmons
patent: 2866412 (1958-12-01), Meyer et al.
patent: 2898694 (1959-08-01), Senutovitch
patent: 3865038 (1975-02-01), Barr
patent: 4686905 (1987-08-01), Sgabo
patent: 4899660 (1990-02-01), Brighton
patent: 5016536 (1991-05-01), Brighton
French David J.
SNC Industrial Technologies Inc./Les Technologies Industrielles
Tudor Harold J.
LandOfFree
Reduced energy cartridge does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Reduced energy cartridge, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Reduced energy cartridge will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-1795813