Projectiles and methods for stopping aircraft

Abstract

A projectile and method for stopping an aircraft. The projectile (101) comprises a shell (120) and a filament bundle (105). The bundle (105) is wound into a coil and placed inside the shell (120). The projectile (101) according to the solution can reach the target using different methods and different means. For example, the projectile (101) can be launched by compressed air or a propellant charge using a compressed air weapon or a rocket launcher. Furthermore, the projectile (101) can reach the target using a rocket or an aircraft.

Description

Background Art

[0001] This solution relates to the deterrence of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Solutions for deterring UAVs are disclosed, for example, in publications US10435153, WO2020112245A2, US20180257780A1, WO2019074573A1, US20180299231A1, WO2020208330A1 and CN110806147A.

Summary of the Invention

[0002] As various types of unmanned aerial vehicles become more common, the need to protect against them is also becoming more common. UAVs are readily available and their controllability, flight duration, and payload capacity are continuously increasing, so the damage caused by their use is also increasing.

[0003] The objective of this solution is to develop a new type of solution for repelling unmanned aerial vehicles and other small devices moving in the air. This solution is characterized by the content described in the independent claims. Some embodiments of the solution are disclosed in the dependent claims.

[0004] The disclosed solution includes a projectile containing a shell and a bundle of filaments, the bundle of filaments being wound in a coil shape and the bundle being arranged within the shell. The projectile according to the present invention can reach the target using various methods and various means. For example, by using a compressed air weapon or a grenade launcher, the projectile can be launched by utilizing compressed air or a propellant charge. The projectile can also reach the target by using a rocket or an aircraft.

[0005] As the projectile flies through the air, the coiled filament bundle contained within the shell is released into the air. The floating filament bundle creates an obstacle in the air that could interfere with the aircraft's flight. Upon impact with an aircraft, the airflow from the aircraft's propellers, or the propellers themselves, can loosen the filaments from the bundle. The filaments contained in the bundle can, for example, be sucked into the aircraft's motor, become entangled in the rotor and stop it, or get caught on the aircraft's surface, thereby impairing its flight characteristics.

[0006] One possible solution is to use carbon fiber as the filament. The advantages of carbon fiber include its lightness and excellent tensile strength. Because carbon fiber is light, it is possible to pack many long filaments into a projectile. Its lightness also helps the filament to float in the air without falling rapidly. The excellent tensile strength of carbon fiber means that if the filament gets tangled in an aircraft's rotor or sucked into an aircraft's motor, it will not break, but it will get tangled in motor components, causing the rotor or motor to stop working or break.

[0007] In one example solution, the filament is made of a conductive material. The conductive material may be, for example, carbon fiber. The advantage of making the filament out of a conductive material is that, for example, if the filament enters the motor of an electric aircraft, the filament could damage the motor by causing a short circuit or other electrical malfunction.

[0008] In one example solution, a filament bundle contains at least 1000 filaments. If made of carbon fiber, the bundle can contain a large number of filaments. A filament bundle made of carbon fiber filaments is a carbon fiber tow. A large number of filaments increases the likelihood of one or more filaments becoming lodged inside the aircraft or rotor, or getting caught on the aircraft's surface.

[0009] In one example solution, the filament length is 8 to 16 meters. While such a solution allows for the creation of fairly large obstacles, the weight of the filament bundle remains relatively small, and when wound into a coil, its external dimensions can also be kept relatively small.

[0010] In one example solution, the filaments in the bundle are essentially fastened together at one end. Fastening them together at one end has the advantage of making the bundle of filaments easier to handle.

[0011] In one example of a solution, the projectile includes a packing plate. The packing plate consists of a roughly circular plate-like piece that substantially corresponds to the diameter of the coil, i.e., the filament coil, which is formed by a bundle of filaments wound substantially into a coil. The advantage of using a packing plate would be that it keeps the filament coils from getting tangled with each other in relation to packing and handling the filament coils.

[0012] In one example solution, the packing plate is made of plastic, cardboard, paper, or thick paper.

[0013] The size of the packing plate may vary. For example, the size of the packing plate may vary depending on the length, thickness, or material of the filament. In one example, the diameter of the packing plate is 40 to 120 mm. One advantage of using a packing plate is that it makes handling the coiled filament bundle easier, as the filament coils do not get caught on each other. Furthermore, it makes it easier to store the coils.

[0014] In one example solution, one end of the filament bundle is attached to the packing plate. In another example solution, one end of the filament bundle is attached to the center of the packing plate. Attaching the filament bundle to the center of the packing plate has the advantage of providing the best possible balance as the open projectile floats toward the ground. The filament bundle, with one end attached to the packing plate, can be coiled so that one end is attached to the center of the packing plate and the rest of the filament bundle is wound around it. In such a case, when the coil is released into the air, the coil begins to unravel from the outermost end and moves toward the center of the coil. Finally, the open filament bundle suspends from the center of the packing plate. Attaching the filament bundle to the center of the packing plate has the advantage of providing the best possible balance as the open projectile floats toward the ground. When the filament bundle suspends from the center of the packing plate, the packing plate maintains the best horizontal orientation, obtains maximum air resistance, and the descent speed is as slow as possible. A further advantage of coils formed by the unraveling of filament bundles from their outer edges in mid-air is that the filament bundles remain in the least tangled state.

[0015] In one example solution, the filament coil and packing plate, formed by the coiled filament, are parallel to each other. Parallel means that the plane of the packing plate and the top or bottom surface of the filament coil are oriented in the same direction. For example, the filament coil may be placed on the packing plate. The advantage of the filament coil and packing plate being parallel is that the coil is easier to handle because as much of the coil surface as possible is protected by the packing plate.

[0016] The projectile includes a shell as its outermost layer, which can contain one or more filament coils. According to one example solution, at least three filament coils are placed inside the projectile shell. Placing multiple filament coils in the projectile has the advantage of creating obstacles in the sky more quickly, as multiple filament coils are generated in the air with a single launch. It also has the advantage of improved reliability, as the effects of potentially non-opening filament coils contained in the projectile are compensated for quantitatively.

[0017] One example of a solution involves a means for opening the shell of the projectile. The advantage of having a means for opening the shell is improved reliability of the projectile.

[0018] In one example solution, both the projectile and the propellant are placed inside the case. This means the projectile includes the propellant and the case as the outermost layer. The advantage of using a propellant would be an increased projectile range. A further advantage would be an increased projectile velocity. The advantage of increased velocity and range is that obstacles can be dispersed in mid-air in the shortest possible time. Obstacles can also be dispersed based on the trajectory of a detected aircraft, rather than being predicted. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0019] [Figure 1] This is a schematic top view of a filament coil. [Figure 2] This is a schematic side view of a filament coil. [Figure 3] This is a schematic side view of a descending filament coil. [Figure 4] This is a schematic side view of a descending filament coil group. [Figure 5] This is a schematic cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the projectile, seen from the side. [Figure 6] This is a schematic cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the projectile, seen from the side. [Figure 7] This is a schematic cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the projectile, seen from the side.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0020] Next, the present invention will be described in more detail in connection with preferred embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0021] The disclosed solution includes a projectile including a shell and a bundle of filaments. The bundle of filaments is coiled and disposed inside the shell. The projectile according to the present invention can reach a target using various methods and various means. For example, by using a compressed air weapon or a grenade launcher, etc., the projectile can be launched by utilizing compressed air or a propellant charge. The projectile can also reach a target using a rocket or an aircraft. Reaching a target includes carrying or moving the projectile to an intended area in the air. The intended area can be determined in advance to secure a specific area in relation to a public event, or can be determined based on observation and reaction.

[0022] In the air, at least one coiled filament bundle contained in the shell is released from the shell into the air, and the filament bundle opens and descends toward the ground while being supported by a packing plate. The filament bundle floating in the air creates an obstacle in the air to the flight of an aircraft. When colliding with an aircraft, the filament bundle is loosened by the airflow from the aircraft's propeller or by the aircraft's propeller. The filaments contained in the bundle may, for example, be sucked into the aircraft's motor, entangled in the rotor to stop the rotor, or caught on the surface of the aircraft, thereby impairing the flight characteristics.

[0023] FIG. 1 shows a top view of the filament coil 100. The filament coil 100 includes a filament bundle 105 wound in a coil shape. Further, in the example of FIG. 1, the filament coil includes a packing plate 110. The filament bundle 105 includes at least 100 filaments. According to one example, the filament bundle can include from 500 to 50,000 filaments, preferably from 10,000 to 30,000 filaments, and particularly preferably from 10,000 to 15,000 filaments. According to one example, the filament bundle includes at least 1000 filaments. According to one example, the filament bundle includes 50,000 or fewer filaments.

[0024] As the number of filaments included in the filament bundle increases, the thickness of the filament bundle also increases. When the thickness increases, if the diameter of the filament coil is not increased, the length of the filament bundle must be shortened. For example, when the purpose is to launch a projectile using a grenade launcher or a compressed air weapon, the diameter of the projectile must be adjusted accordingly. It is also possible to produce projectiles with a larger diameter for other means of launching. In that case, the carbon fiber tow used for those projectiles may include more than 50,000 filaments and / or the length of the carbon fiber tow may be longer than that disclosed herein.

[0025] The thickness of the filament bundle may be, for example, from 0.1 to 10 mm, or may be, for example, from 0.1 to 5 mm. The cross-section of the filament bundle may be circular, or may deviate from a circular cross-section such as a planar shape. The thickness of the filament bundle with a planar shape is, for example, from 0.1 to 5 mm, and in this case the width is, for example, from 0.3 to 10 mm.

[0026] The length of the filaments affects the size of the obstacles the filament bundle creates in the air and the rate at which the filament bundle descends due to the increasing weight as the length increases. The weight of the filament bundle is affected by its thickness and length. The length of the filaments may vary between 1 and 30 meters. The length of the filaments may be advantageously between 8 and 16 meters, preferably between 10 and 14 meters, so that the filament bundle generates a sufficiently large floating obstacle without the steep descent caused by the weight increase due to the length.

[0027] Filaments can be made from different materials. For example, a filament may be made from carbon fiber. When a filament is made from carbon fiber, the term carbon fiber tow may refer to a bundle of filaments. In a bundle of filaments, the filaments are not tangled or twisted, but are bundled parallel to each other along the sides. The advantage of manufacturing with carbon fiber is its lightness, which allows a large number of filaments to be packed into a single projectile. Another advantage of carbon fiber is its excellent tensile strength, so while the filament will not break when it enters an aircraft rotor or motor, it can become entangled in the motor or rotor, potentially causing the motor or rotor to stop or break. A further advantage of carbon fiber is its conductivity, which, if drawn into an aircraft motor, can cause short circuits or other electrical malfunctions.

[0028] The filaments in a filament bundle are joined substantially at one end. Joining substantially at one end includes joining at the furthest end of the filament, or, in relation to the length of the filament, close to the furthest end. The filaments can be joined at only one end, thereby leaving the filaments in the other end of the filament bundle free. Connecting the filaments to each other at one end may also include connecting them without using any other joining means used to join the filament bundle. For example, the filament bundle may be joined directly to a packing plate. Joining one end of the filament bundle prevents uncontrolled spreading of the filaments, thereby facilitating the handling of the filament bundle during the manufacture of the projectile and the cleanup of the opened projectile.

[0029] The filament coil shown in Figure 1 includes a packing plate. The packing plate may be made of various materials such as plastic, paper, cardboard, or thick paper. The physical shape of the packing plate is substantially circular, and its shape corresponds to the shape of the coiled filament bundle. The size of the packing plate can be substantially matched to the size of the filament bundle such that the diameter of the filament bundle substantially matches the diameter of the packing plate. One end of the filament bundle may be fixed to the packing plate and wound in a coil parallel to the packing plate, or one end of the coiled filament bundle may be joined to the packing plate. The center point of the packing plate and the center point of the filament disk are substantially the same point.

[0030] Once the projectile is launched into the air or carried to a target, and the filament coil contained within the projectile is released into the air, the coiled bundle of filaments unfolds in mid-air. Because the air resistance of the packing plate is greater than that of the filament bundle, the packing plate acts as a deceleration mechanism against the descent of the filament bundle. Because the air resistance of the packing plate is greater than that of the filament bundle, the filament bundle, fixed to the packing plate at one end, is effectively suspended below the packing plate. The advantage of this downward suspension is that it maximizes the airborne obstruction created by the unfolding filaments, and allows for the prediction of the obstruction's position, enabling the projectile to be launched at a desired distance based on that prediction.

[0031] The filament bundles, which are fixed to the packing plate, are secured to the packing plate such that the ends of the filament bundles are fixed to the packing plate at the point where the filaments contained in the bundle are joined. The ends of the filament bundles containing unjoined filaments are furthest from the packing plate. As the filament disc descends from the air and is slowed down by the packing plate, the filament bundles suspended from the packing plate spread out into the air within their length. If an aircraft, airflow from the aircraft, or the aircraft's propeller collides with the filament bundles, the filament bundles loosen and the filaments separate from the bundles.

[0032] A filament bundle attached to a packing plate at one end can be coiled up such that one end of the filament bundle is attached to the center of the packing plate and the rest of the filament bundle is wound around it. Furthermore, with the filaments in the filament bundle attached at one end, the end where the filaments in the filament bundle are fixed together is attached to the packing plate, so that the free end of the filament bundle is furthest from the packing plate.

[0033] Once released into the air, the filament coil begins to unfold. The air resistance of the packing plate slows down its speed, causing the filament bundle wound around the coil to begin unraveling due to gravity. Finally, the unfolded filament bundle suspends from the center point of the packing plate. By connecting the filament bundle to the center of the packing plate, the advantage of achieving the best possible balance is obtained as the unfolded filament disc floats toward the ground. When the filament bundle is suspended from the center of the packing plate, the packing plate maintains the best horizontal position, obtains maximum air resistance, and descends as slowly as possible.

[0034] In one example solution, the filaments in the filament bundle are joined at the substantially center of the bundle, and the filament bundle is fixed to a packing plate near its center. In this case, the open filament disc is supported by the packing plate and floats down from the air, so that substantially equal lengths of ends of the filament bundle are suspended from both sides of the joining point.

[0035] In one example solution, the packing plate includes a rim that surrounds the outer edge of the packing plate at a substantially 90-degree angle to the packing plate itself. In this example, the rounded portion of the packing plate forms the bottom, and the rim forms a wall whose height substantially matches the side height of the filament coil placed within it. The advantage of including a rim in the packing plate would be that it would make handling the filament coil even easier.

[0036] In one example solution, the packing plate includes holes or other openings through which air can flow when the projectile is floating downwards. The advantage of the openings included in the packing plate may be the regulation of airflow, which allows the open filament disc to float downwards, and the packing plate acts as a reducer, thus achieving better balance and thereby maximizing flight time.

[0037] Figure 2 shows a side view of the filament coil 100. As shown in Figure 2, the filament bundle 105 and the packing plate 110 are substantially parallel to each other. Furthermore, the packing plate and the coiled filament bundle are substantially the same size. This parallelism may be advantageous when handling the filament coil 100, as it keeps the packing plate 110 and the filament bundle 105 in better condition relative to each other. In addition, it is possible to arrange multiple filament coils 100, including the packing plate 110, stacked on top of each other inside the projectile shell. Arranging them alternately has the advantage that the shape of the finished projectile is elongated, minimizing air resistance and resulting in the best possible flight characteristics. A further advantage is that the diameter of the projectile is kept small enough that no other means of launching is needed, and commonly used means such as grenade launchers or compressed air weapons can be used.

[0038] Figure 3 shows an open filament coil 100 descending from the sky, with a bundle of filaments 105 unraveled from the coil suspended from a packing plate 110. In the example shown in Figure 3, the filaments in the bundle are joined at one end. The filament bundle is fixed to the packing plate at the end where the filaments are joined together, so the end of the bundle where the filaments are free will be suspended furthest from the packing plate. In Figure 3, the filament bundle and packing plate are floating downwards, with the packing plate acting as a speed reducer. If an aircraft or another flying device collides with the filament bundle, or comes close enough to it, the filaments may separate from the bundle due to the collision or airflow. Separated filaments may cause the aircraft to fall, for example, by adhering to the aircraft's rotor or being sucked into the motor through the air intake. Carbon fiber filaments may also adhere to the aircraft's surface, causing the aircraft to fall or impairing its flight characteristics and controllability.

[0039] Figure 4 shows an example of a curtain-like obstacle formed by multiple open filament coils 100 floating from the air. Such a curtain-like obstacle can be created by launching a projectile containing multiple filament coils into the air. Once the filament coils contained in the projectile are released into the air, the filament bundles contained within them unfold, and the open filament coils suspend from the packing plate and float toward the ground.

[0040] Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional side view of the projectile 101, in which the filament coils 100 are arranged inside the shell 120, either alternately or in a sequential stack. The shell 120 includes an opening 121 at one end, which allows the filament coils inside the shell to be released once the projectile is launched into the air.

[0041] In one example solution, the filament coils are placed inside the shell and arranged alternately or radially. A radial arrangement involves arranging the filament coils in a fan shape, partially parallel and partially alternately, so that each layer contains multiple filament coils instead of just one. Such multiple layers may alternate. Such an arrangement is advantageous when the objective is to include a large number of filament coils in the projectile.

[0042] In one example solution, there are stacks formed by filament coils arranged alternately inside the shell, such that at least two stacks are adjacent to each other. Arranging the filament coils inside the shell can also be done in other ways.

[0043] The outer diameter of the projectile may range from 40 to 120 mm, preferably from 66 to 81 mm. The outer diameter of the projectile determines the means by which it can be launched. Projectiles with a diameter between 66 and 81 mm can be launched using grenade launchers or compressed air weapons. On the other hand, if a projectile larger than 120 mm in diameter is to be launched, other means may be used as needed, or it may be transported to its destination by other means such as rockets or aircraft.

[0044] The shell included in the projectile may include another reinforcing material that can house necessary means such as a case, sheath, or filament coils. One or more filament coils can be housed inside the shell included in the projectile. In one example, at least three filament coils are housed inside the shell. In another example, 10 to 20 filament coils are housed inside the shell.

[0045] The shell material included in the projectile may be a metal such as steel or aluminum, or it may be plastic or cardboard, for example. In one example solution, the shell is made of polyethylene (PE) or polypropylene (PP). The shell may also be made of a material that will be destroyed by combustion once the projectile reaches the appropriate height and the diffusion charge explodes.

[0046] The front of the shell includes a first end in the firing direction, and the rear of the shell includes a second end in the firing direction. The shell may be open at both the front and rear ends. The shell may be open at one end and closed at the other. The shell may be closed at both ends.

[0047] The shell may further include means for opening the shell. An example in Figure 6 shows a cross-sectional side view of a projectile 101, with the filament coil 100 and diffusion charge 125 located inside the shell 120. The diffusion charge can open the shell or push the filament coil out of the shell. The diffusion charge may contain an explosive or other pyrotechnic material that generates a large amount of gas pressure or a large amount of gas. The advantages of using a diffusion charge would be improved projectile reliability and timely release of the filament disc. The use of a diffusion charge would be applicable when the projectile is fired from a distance or when a strong or durable material is used for the projectile's shell.

[0048] Means for opening the shell may include modifications made to the shell to facilitate its opening. For example, a malfunction may occur in the projectile's shell, thereby facilitating its opening and releasing the filament coil contained within. In one example, one end of the shell is open, thereby allowing the filament coil to be released into the air through the opening.

[0049] The example in Figure 7 shows a cross-sectional side view of the projectile 101, with the filament coil 100 and diffusion charge 125 fitted inside the shell 120. Furthermore, the example in Figure 7 includes the propellant charge 130 and the outermost case 135. The propellant charge 130 and the shell 120 containing the filament coil 100 and diffusion charge 125 are located inside the case 135. The propellant charge may include, for example, an explosive or another pyrotechnic material that generates a large gas pressure or a large volume of gas.

[0050] The advantages of using a propellant charge would be that the projectile can be launched further or at a higher flight speed than without a propellant charge. The propellant charge can include, for example, gunpowder or another pyrotechnic material that generates a large amount of gas pressure or gas volume. The propellant charge can raise or direct the projectile to a desired distance greater than the distance achievable without a propellant charge. The case 135 can be made of, for example, a metal such as steel or other suitable material. The use of the case offers the advantage of enabling the use of a propellant charge.

[0051] The advantage of the projectiles from the disclosed solution is that they can form airborne obstacles as needed to protect specific areas. By anticipating the situation, obstacles may be formed on the safe side in the air, or the projectiles may be launched in response to the flight paths of detected aircraft. Projectiles from this solution are environmentally safe and can be used, for example, in urban areas where precautionary measures based on live ammunition cannot be taken. A further advantage of these projectiles is their scalability in terms of both size and launch method. In addition, an advantage of the projectiles is their simplicity, which can make them difficult to detect or counter.

[0052] Those skilled in the art will realize that, as the technology advances, the fundamental ideas of the present invention can be realized in many different ways. The present invention and its embodiments are not limited to the examples described above and can be modified within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A projectile (101), wherein the projectile is Shell (120) and, A bundle of filaments (105), A packing plate (110) is provided, The aforementioned bundle (105) is wound into a coil shape, The bundle (105) is placed inside the shell (120), The filaments are carbon fibers, and the bundle of filaments (105) is a carbon fiber tow containing at least 1000 filaments. A projectile characterized in that one end of the bundle of filaments (105) is fixed to the center of the packing plate (110).

2. The projectile according to claim 1, wherein the filaments included in the bundle (105) are substantially joined at one end.

3. The projectile according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the bundle of filaments (105) comprises a maximum of 50,000 filaments.

4. The projectile according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the bundle of filaments (105) comprises 10,000 to 30,000 filaments.

5. The projectile according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the length of the filament bundle (105) is 8 to 16 meters.

6. The projectile according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the outer dimensions of the projectile (101) are 40 to 120 mm.

7. The packing plate (110) is made of plastic, cardboard, paper, or thick paper. A projectile according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The projectile according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the filament coil (100) formed by winding the bundle of filaments (105) into a coil shape and the packing plate (110) are parallel to each other.

9. The projectile according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein at least three bundles of the filaments (105) are arranged inside the shell (120).

10. The projectile according to any one of claims 1 to 9, comprising means for opening the shell (120).

11. A projectile according to any one of claims 1 to 10, comprising a propellant charge (130) and a case (135) as its outermost part.

12. A method for stopping an aircraft, the method comprising the step of forming an obstacle in the air by using a projectile (101) according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

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