Caseless Projectile Launcher with Adjustable Barrel Venting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing firearms for non-lethal applications are often heavy, cumbersome, and require significant logistical support, compromising their readiness for lethal use and accuracy, while lacking the ability to switch seamlessly between non-lethal and lethal fire modes.
Innovation Solution
A captive piston driven rocket assisted projectile system with a lightweight launcher having a small number of moving parts, capable of firing both non-lethal and lethal rounds, utilizing either mechanically or electrically initiated propellant, and featuring a barrel made from lightweight materials with adjustable venting to control launch velocity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional firearms use heavy metal barrels to withstand high temperature and pressure from smokeless propellant ignition, then the weapon can reliably fire lethal ammunition, but the barrel becomes extremely heavy and unsuitable for light-weight non-lethal applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from heavy metal to lightweight composite materials (carbon fiber, aramid, or metal alloy composites) while adjusting the barrel design to include a reinforcing liner. This allows the barrel to maintain sufficient strength for both non-lethal and lethal applications while significantly reducing weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite materials consisting of a lightweight outer shell (carbon fiber, aramid, or metal alloy composites) combined with an inner reinforcing liner (steel or other strong material). This composite structure provides the necessary durability and pressure resistance while minimizing weight, resolving the contradiction between strength and weight.
2Productivity
If non-lethal systems use compressed air bottles and compressors to propel projectiles, then rapid fire rate is achieved, but the system becomes heavy and requires high logistical burden for refilling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the compressed air bottle and compressor subsystem from the weapon system. Instead of using external compressed gas storage and delivery mechanisms, the invention employs self-contained solid propellant cartridges that are simple to load and replace, thereby reducing device complexity and logistical burden while maintaining high fire rate capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses disposable solid propellant cartridges that are inexpensive and easy to replace, eliminating the need for expensive and complex compressed gas tanks and refilling infrastructure. This approach reduces logistical burden while maintaining the ability to achieve rapid fire rates through efficient cartridge design and ejection mechanisms.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If non-lethal weapons use blunt, large projectiles for impact, then non-lethal effect is achieved, but the projectiles become cumbersome to transport and fire
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the projectile parameters by using streamlined, aerodynamic shapes with optimized dimensions and weights. The projectiles are designed to be compact and easy to handle while maintaining the necessary impact force for non-lethal effects through controlled velocity and mass, rather than relying on blunt, large sizes.
4Adaptability or versatility
If launchers are designed to fire both non-lethal and lethal ammunition, then versatility is improved, but accuracy and readiness for lethal fire are compromised when using non-lethal rounds
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a universal launcher system that can accommodate both non-lethal and lethal ammunition through a single barrel design. The system includes adjustable components such as variable venting mechanisms and interchangeable cartridges that allow the same launcher to maintain accuracy and effectiveness across different fire modes, eliminating the need for separate systems.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system provides a compact, lightweight, and logistically simple solution that allows for high-rate fire without the need for compressed gas bottles, maintaining readiness for lethal operations and achieving accurate projectile delivery with adjustable velocity settings.
Implementation Method 1
A primer and propellant are located in the ogive. The propellant pushes the piston head and ogive apart. As they move apart, the piston is forced against the breech face, which results in the projectile body moving towards the muzzle.
Implementation Method 2
The propellant pushes the piston head and ogive apart. As they move apart, the piston is forced against the breech face, which results in the projectile body moving towards the muzzle.
Implementation Method 3
Propellant gas is vented out of the projectile through at least one vent hole after the piston has fully extended to provide additional acceleration and safely discharge pressure from within the projectile.
Data Source
AI summary
A launcher system includes a launcher having a sealed breech and a barrel adapted to receive a projectile with a charge of propellant and a mechanism to vary the launch velocity by selectively controlling the propellant gases vented out of the projectile and into the barrel. A collar can be repositioned through rotation or sliding movement to selectively allow propellant gases to vent out of the barrel or stop propellant gases from venting out of the barrel. When the collar is in a closed or non-venting configuration, propellant gasses build-up pressure behind the projectile, resulting in a relatively high launch velocity and, when the collar is in the open or venting configuration, a relatively low launch velocity is produced. A sliding breech face and energy-absorbing plug can also be provided to further decrease launch velocity.