Machined composite armor piercing projectile

Abstract

Armor piercing projectiles are made by machining tips, penetrator cores, and jackets, and mechanically combining the tips, penetrator cores, and jackets, the penetrator cores being precisely positioned in the projectiles with the penetrator cores being released upon impact with targets.

Description

MACHINED COMPOSITE ARMOR PIERCING PROJECTILECROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This utility patent application claims benefit of United States Provisional Patent Application Serial Number 63 / 539,703 filed in the United States Patent and Trademark Office on September 21, 2023, which is incorporated herein by reference thereto in its entirety.BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0002] Armor piercing projectiles are used to disable command and control systems, weapons systems, or enemy combatants shielded within or behind tanks, armored vehicles, bunkers, flak jackets, hardened targets, and the like. Conventional metal -jacketed, armor piercing projectiles may utilize jackets of homogenous metal pressed or formed around core penetrators. These known projectiles use substantial energy to release their mechanically bonded jackets from around their penetrators, which reduces down range penetration capability. Moreover, conventionally installed penetrator cores may spin within their bases, wobble, and gyroscopically unbalance the projectile carrying the cores. For instance, penetrator cores pressed into malleable material such as lead fail to lock the cores consistently and concentrically in their projectiles. Another known core insertion technique is to draw a projectile jacket around a penetrator core from the leading end progressing toward the trailing end, or vice versa. This known process, however, can create issues with jacket uniformity and thickness and presents alignment irregularities. Still other projectiles machined from solid stock with an internal cavity rely on a press fit throughout the insertion process, which can cause projectile “bulge,” and the excessive stress or insertion forces may compromise structural integrity of the projectile. Additionally, press-fit projectiles increase barrel wear due to1SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26)an incompressible, less malleable nature of penetrator cores that results in excess pressure and wear when engaging barrel rifling.

[0003] A need exists for an armor piercing projectile that is simple and cost-effective to manufacture, that reduces barrel wear and tear and offers more balanced ballistics.BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0004] The present disclosure is directed in general to machined composite armor piercing (MCAP) projectiles and methods of manufacturing the MCAP projectiles. Penetrating cores of the MCAP projectiles are precisely centered and balanced to deliver the penetrating cores with maximum energy on target.

[0005] In one embodiment, an armor piercing projectile includes a base or jacket machined from stock, a tip machined from stock or precisely formed, and a manufactured penetrator core, wherein the jacket, the tip, and the penetrator core are pressed together and locked into position via a mechanical interference fit using integrated locking features. Alternatively, the tip and core may be manufactured as a monolithic unit and assembled with the jacket via a locking mechanical interference fit.

[0006] In yet another embodiment of the disclosure, a hardened core is inserted into a projectile tip using a mechanical press fit, a concentric ring lock, an adhesive, or combinations thereof. This assembled core and tip, also referred to herein as a subassembly, is similarly pressed into a machined base using a mechanical press fit, a concentric ring lock, an adhesive, or combinations thereof. In this example, the machined base may be fabricated from suitable materials such as copper or brass. Still further, energetic materials may be integrated or loaded into the base.

[0007] The core in the embodiments may be various shapes diameters, and lengths and may also be tapered, including having multiple tapers. The core may further include surface features to increase surface area for bonding. A high aspect ratio of penetrator core relative to penetrator diameter may be provided, such as greater than a 5: 1 ratio. By way of further example, an armor piercing projectile for a 9mm may include a tapered cavity and a tapered penetrator core.

[0008] Additional objects and advantages of the present subject matter are set forth in, or will be apparent to, those of ordinary skill in the art from the description herein. Also, it should be further appreciated that modifications and variations to the specifically illustrated, referenced, and discussed features, processes, and elements hereof may be practiced in various embodiments and uses of the disclosure without departing from the spirit and scope of the subject matter. Variations may include, but are not limited to, substitution of equivalent means, features, or steps for those illustrated, referenced, or discussed, and the functional, operational, or positional reversal of various parts, features, steps, or the like. Those of ordinary skill in the art will better appreciate the features and aspects of the various embodiments, and others, upon review of the remainder of the specification.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] A full and enabling disclosure of the present subject matter, including the best mode thereof directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which refers to the appended figures, wherein:

[0010] FIGURE 1 is a partial sectional, side elevational view of an armor piercing projectile having a machined base, a penetrating core, and a machined or molded tip;

[0011] FIGURE 2 is a partial sectional, side elevational view of another armor piercing projectile particularly showing a unitary penetrating core and tip;

[0012] FIGURE 3 is a partial sectional, side elevational view of yet another armor piercing projectile particularly showing locking surface areas between components; and

[0013] FIGURE 4 a partial sectional, side elevational view of a further armor piercing projectile particularly between certain components.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0014] As required, detailed embodiments are disclosed herein; however, the disclosed embodiments are merely examples and may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, as well as their equivalents.

[0015] Unless defined otherwise, all technical, engineering, and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as is commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. In the event that there is a plurality of definitions for a term, phrase, or acronym herein, those in this section prevail unless stated otherwise.

[0016] Wherever the phrase “for example,” “such as,” “including,” and the like are used herein, the phrase “and without limitation” is understood to follow unless explicitly stated otherwise. Similarly, “an example,” “exemplary,” and the like are understood to be non-limiting.

[0017] The term “substantially” allows for deviations from the descriptor that do not negatively impact the intended purpose. Descriptive terms are understood to be modified by the term “substantially” even if the word “substantially” is not explicitly recited.

[0018] The term “about” when used in connection with a numerical value refers to the actual given value, and to the approximation to such given value that would reasonably be inferred by one of ordinary skill in the art, including approximations due to the experimental and or measurement conditions for such given value.

[0019] The term “effective amount” means a value of plus or minus 10 percent of any stated value unless a different specific value or range is provided.

[0020] The term “lead-free” refers to a projectile that does not use lead intentionally in its composition but may include a trace amount of lead as an unavoidable impurity in other components of a projectile composition.

[0021] The term “toughness” means an ability to absorb energy and plastically deform before fracturing as opposed to be “brittle.”

[0022] The term “ranges” includes all combinations of sub-ranges. For instance, a range from 100-200 includes ranges from, e.g., 110 to 150, 170 to 190, and 153 to 162. Similarly, “limits” means all sub-limit combinations, e.g., a limit of up to 7 also includes a limit of up to 5, up to 3, and up to 4.5.

[0023] The terms “comprising” and “including” and “having” and “involving” (and similarly “comprises,” “includes,” “has,” and “involves”) and the like are used interchangeably and have the same meaning. Specifically, each of the terms is defined consistent with the common United States patent law definition of “comprising” and is therefore interpreted to be an open term meaning “at least the following,” and is also interpreted not to exclude additional features, limitations, aspects, etcetera. Thus, for example, “a device having components a, b, and c” meansthat the device includes at least components a, b, and c. Similarly, a phrase such as: “a method involving a, b, and c” means that the method includes at least steps a, b, and c.

[0024] Where a list of alternative component terms is used, e.g., “a structure such as ‘a,’ ‘b,’ ‘c,’ ‘d’ or the like,” or “a or b,” such lists and alternative terms provide meaning and context for the sake of illustration, unless indicated otherwise. Also, relative terms such as “first,” “second,” “third,” “front,” and “rear” are intended to identify or distinguish one component or feature from another similar component or feature, unless indicated otherwise herein.

[0025] Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words “comprise,” “comprising,” and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; in the sense of “including, but not limited to.”

[0026] The various embodiments of the disclosure and / or equivalents falling within the scope of present disclosure overcome or ameliorate at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art or provide a useful alternative.

[0027] Detailed reference will now be made to the drawings in which examples embodying the present subject matter are shown. The detailed description uses numerical and letter designations to refer to features of the drawings. The drawings and detailed description provide a full and written description of the present subject matter, and of the manner and process of making and using various exemplary embodiments, so as to enable one skilled in the pertinent art to make and use them, as well as the best mode of carrying out the exemplary embodiments. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, and some features may be exaggerated to show details of particular components. Thus, the examples set forth in the drawings and detailed descriptions are provided by way of explanation only and are not meant as limitations of the disclosure. The present subjectmatter thus includes any modifications and variations of the following examples as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0028] Turning now to FIGURE 1, an armor piercing projectile 10 includes a machined body or base 12 (shown partially cutaway for clarity) formed about a penetrator core 14, and a machined or molded tip 16 (shown partially cutaway for clarity), which may include a chamber or cavity 18 for carrying energetics, an energy storage medium, an energy harvesting medium, tracers, incendiary compounds, and the like. The material of the tip 16 is preferably moldable or machinable, including metal-injection-molded tips, such as steel, titanium, or any other suitable material. Alternatively, the tip 16 may be a polymer material and molded into the base 12 and / or onto the core 20. Similarly, the penetrator core 14 can be any material for armor piercing applications, including but not limited to tungsten carbide, tungsten heavy alloys, allow steel, el cetera. These materials are selected according to specific application needs, accounting for account density / weight, hardness, toughness, manufacturability, and cost. Here, the tip / core subassembly 14, 16 may be inserted into the base 12 and centered axially and radially using a rear locking ring 20 and a front locking ring 22. The jacket / base 12 is then assembled around the tip / core subassembly 14, 16.

[0029] Also shown in FIGURE 1, the penetrator core 14 may be tapered with one or more tapers to correspond with the tapering of the cavity 18. The complementary tapered arrangement locks the penetrator core 14 into place, and the tapered wall of the cavity 18 promotes rapid expansion and subsequent deformation of the projectile body 12. Further, the locating rings 20, 22 are used to concentrically lock the penetrator core 14 into the same central axis as the tip 16. The locating rings 20, 22 can be manufactured and inserted separately or machined into the base212 and / or the tip 22. Moreover, the locating rings 20, 22 can be configured as “crush rings” that crush upon assembly, thus locking in the concentric location and reducing ability of the assembly to “disassemble” during launch or flight.

[0030] FIGURE 2 shows another armor piercing projectile 110 with a machined body or base 112 (shown partially cutaway for clarity) formed about a penetrator core 114, which is unitarily formed with a machined or molded tip 116 to form a subassembly 124. Here, the tip / core subassembly 124 may be inserted into the base 112 and centered axially and radially using a rear locking ring 120 and a front locking ring or shoulder 122. The material of the penetrator core 114 and its tip 116 in this example may be steel, titanium, or the like, or the tip 116 may be polymer or other easily disintegrateable material.

[0031] As introduced above, a penetrator core must be properly centered in a projectile body to produce an effective armor piercing projectile. FIGURE 3 shows an armor piercing projectile 210 that a base or jacket 212, a penetrator core 214, and a tip 216 that may be made from aluminum and machined for the penetrator core 216 to be inserted into an opening of the tip 212. The base 212, the core 214, and the tip 216 may be locked together as shown in FIGURE 3 using a mechanical press fit, an interference fit, adhesives, and the like. In this example, the penetrator core 216 may be formed of a monolithic material, bi-metal, and the like. In one aspect, the penetrator core may have a core to diameter ratio exceeding 5 : 1 or 6: 1. In any case, the penetrator core 216 may have a variety of shapes and profiles with an air gap and minimal-surface-area to reduce contact friction, thus, on impact, releases the core 216 with less energy loss for maximum energy directed to core penetration on target.

[0032] Turning to FIGURE 4, another machined armor piercing projectile 310 may include a base or jacket 312, a penetrator core 314, and a tip 316. Here, between the tip 312 and the core 314, an internal expansion gap, chamber, or cavity 326 is formed into which energetic materials (not shown) may be inserted before or after the penetrator core 316 is mechanically pressed into the tip 312 and locked into place with locating rings or ring locks 320, 322 and a shoulder lock 328. The shoulder lock 328 serves to provide a mechanical interference fit using integrated locking features such crush rings 330 and projections 332. Alternatively, the core 314 and the tip 316 may be manufactured as a monolithic unit and assembled with the jacket 312 via similar integrated locking features 330, 332, which may be protrusions, fingers, crush rings, locking rings, or projections. These integrated locking features 330, 332 promote a minimum mechanical force upon initiation of the assembly process and progressively increase in mechanical force during the assembly process until a final holding force is achieved via controlled displacement of the locking features 330, 332. Additionally, these features 330, 332 may be multi-layered to increase or more precisely control the assembly forces and final holding force.

[0033] The integrated locking features 330, 332 are strategically located, sized, formed, and designed to have between 2% and less than 50% of the total surface area in mechanical interference at the completion of the assembly process. The minimal area in actual mechanical interference promotes ease of assembly while the strategic location and material displacement of the locking features 330, 332 provide force sufficient to permanently hold the projectile 310 together. More specifically, the locking features 310 are displaced, deformed, compressed, or distorted in such a way during assembly that the mechanical retention force substantially increases. Additionally, each of the integrated locking features 330, 332 is designed to engage at least 70% of projectilecircumference. The integrated locking features 330, 332 may be located on the core, the tip, the jacket, or combination thereof, and the locking feature contact area may be a function of projectile diameter.

[0034] Also in FIGURE 4, the penetrator core 314 may be surrounded by a second cavity or air gap 326 to promote rapid expansion and subsequent deformation of the projectile body 312. As above, the locating rings 320, 322 are used to concentrically lock the penetrator core 314 into the same central axis as the tip 316. Moreover, the locating rings 320, 322 can be manufactured and inserted separately and can be configured as “crush rings” that crush upon assembly, thus locking in the concentric location and reducing ability of the assembly to “disassemble” during launch or flight.

[0035] In some applications, it may be desirable to have the projectile jacket / body 312 quickly collapse or open, resulting in maximum deposition of energy within an original, primary wound cavity. In this example, following an impact and penetration event, the projectile jacket / body 312 deforms such that any mechanical forces constraining the release of the penetrator core are minimized or eliminated. However, in other applications, it may be desirable to have a portion of the projectile jacket / body 312 retain sufficient shape and mechanical constraint to provide for deeper target penetration. In yet other applications, it may be desirable to have the same penetration-depth of the penetrator core 314, regardless of whether the target has a protective layer of armor to avoid “over-penetrating” a target without armor.

[0036] In other applications, a controlled collapse detonation can be provided using a conical shape machined into a bottom of the expansion chamber 326 to generate a shape charge explosion that propels the penetrator core 314. This shape charge detonation can be initiated by thepercussive force of the penetrator core 314 “slamming” into the bottom of the cavity 326 after compressing the crush ring 320 in the cavity 326. The disclosure is not limited to the exemplary shape-charge aspect shown in FIGURE 4. For instance, the cavity 326 could be arranged behind the core 314, or the cavity 326 could be to accommodate a tracer compound.

[0037] By way of example and not of limitation, exemplary embodiments as disclosed herein may include but are not limited to:

[0038] EMBODIMENT 1 : An armor piercing projectile comprising a jacket machined from stock material, a tip machined from stock material or precisely formed, and a penetrator core, wherein the jacket, the tip, and the penetrator core are assembled by pressed together and locked into position via mechanical interference.

[0039] EMBODIMENT 2: An armor piercing projectile comprising a jacket machined from stock material and a tip and penetrator core composite unit, wherein the jacket and composite unit are assembled and locked together via mechanical interference.

[0040] EMBODIMENT 3 : An armor piercing projectile comprising a tip, a jacket / base, and a penetrator core, the jacket / base having a cavity formed therein and configured for insertion of energetic materials prior to insertion of the penetrator core, or after insertion of the core.

[0041] EMBODIMENT 4: The armor piercing projectile as in Embodiment 3, wherein the energetic materials are configured to enhance penetration of the core by creating energetic waves to the trailing end of the penetrator core.

[0042] EMBODIMENT 5: The armor piercing projectile as in Embodiments 3 or 4, further comprising a crush ring disposed in the cavity.

[0043] EMBODIMENT 6: An armor piercing projectile comprising a tip, a jacket / base, and a penetrator core, the tip having a cavity formed therein and configured for insertion of energetic materials prior to insertion of the penetrator core.

[0044] EMBODIMENT 7: The armor piercing projectile as in Embodiment 6, wherein the energetic materials are configured to enhance penetration of the core by creating energetic waves to the leading end of the penetrator core.

[0045] EMBODIMENT 8: The armor piercing projectile as in any of the foregoing Embodiments, further comprising locating rings configured to concentrically lock the penetrator core along a central projectile axis.

[0046] EMBODIMENT 9: The armor piercing projectile as in any of the foregoing Embodiments, wherein the jacket / base may be copper, brass, an alloy, or combinations thereof.

[0047] While the present subject matter has been described in detail with respect to specific embodiments thereof, it will be appreciated that those skilled in the art, upon attaining an understanding of the foregoing may readily produce alterations to, variations of, and equivalents to such embodiments. Accordingly, the scope of the present disclosure is by way of example rather than by way of limitation, and the subject disclosure does not preclude inclusion of such modifications, variations and / or additions to the present subject matter as would be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art.

Claims

That which is claimed is:

1. An armor piercing projectile, comprising: a jacket machined from stock material, a tip machined from stock material, and a penetrator core, wherein the jacket, the tip, and the penetrator core are assembled by being pressed together and locked into position via mechanical interference, the mechanical interference being between 2% and less than 50% of a surface area between jacket, the tip, the penetrator core and combinations thereof.

2. An armor piercing projectile, comprising: a jacket machined from stock material, a tip and penetrator core composite unit, and a locking feature configured to lock together the jacket and the composite unit via mechanical interference.

3. The armor piercing projectile as in Claim 2, wherein the mechanical interference deforms the locking feature.

4. The armor piercing projectile as in Claim 2, further comprising a central projectile axis and locating rings configured to concentrically lock the penetrator core along the central projectile axis.

5. An armor piercing projectile, comprising: a tip, a base, anda penetrator core, the base having a cavity formed therein and configured for insertion of energetic materials prior to insertion of the penetrator core.

6. The armor piercing projectile as in Claim 5, further comprising locating rings configured to lock the penetrator core in the base.

7. The armor piercing projectile as in Claim 5, wherein the energetic materials are configured to enhance penetration of the core by creating energetic waves to the trailing end of the penetrator core.

8. The armor piercing projectile as in Claim 5, further comprising a crush ring disposed in the cavity.

9. An armor piercing projectile, comprising: a tip, a jacket, and a penetrator core, the tip having a cavity formed therein and configured for insertion of energetic materials prior to insertion of the penetrator core.

10. The armor piercing projectile as in Claim 9, wherein the energetic materials are configured to enhance penetration of the penetrator core by creating energetic waves to the leading end of the penetrator core.

11. The armor piercing proj ectile as in Claim 9, further comprising a central proj ectile axis and locating rings configured to concentrically lock the penetrator core along the central projectile axis.

12. The armor piercing projectile as in Claim 9, wherein the jacket is made from copper, brass, an alloy, and combinations thereof.

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