Charged Projectile Electric Field Drag Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Projectiles experience significant drag forces during flight through atmospheric air, leading to reduced range and accuracy due to aerodynamic drag, particularly skin friction drag, which is challenging to mitigate with existing designs and technologies.
Innovation Solution
A charged projectile assembly with a housing and electronic assembly configured to produce an electric field around its surface, utilizing conductive regions and a capacitor to extend the electric field between the forward and aft portions, reducing drag by manipulating airflow and maintaining a laminar flow regime.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If conventional aerodynamic design is used to reduce drag, then skin friction drag may be reduced at moderate speeds, but turbulent flow inevitably occurs at higher speeds causing sudden increase in drag and decrease in lift
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies electrical parameters (electric field, voltage, current) to modify the aerodynamic parameters of the airflow around the projectile. By changing the electrical state of the air molecules through ionization and electrostatic forces, the flow regime transitions from turbulent to laminar, thereby reducing drag across a wider speed range without sacrificing velocity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical aerodynamic design (shape optimization, surface smoothing) with an electrical field-based system. Instead of relying solely on mechanical projectile geometry to control airflow, an electronic assembly generates electric fields that actively manipulate air molecule behavior, substituting electrical control for mechanical design limitations
2Force
If electrodes are extended from the leading end of an airfoil to reduce sonic waves and drag, then aerodynamic performance improves, but the configuration becomes complex and difficult to apply to smaller projectiles
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic assembly serves multiple functions: it generates the electric field for drag reduction, provides structural mounting for the electrodes, and can be integrated into various projectile types (bullets, arrows, missiles) regardless of size. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate complex electrode mounting structures
Solution Approach 2:
The electronic assembly is nested within the projectile housing, with the electrodes extending outward from the projectile surface. The circuit board and power source are contained within the projectile body, creating a compact integrated system that doesn't add significant external complexity or size
3Reliability
If electric field is applied to reduce drag and maintain laminar flow, then range and accuracy improve, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electric field is applied periodically or pulsed during specific phases of projectile flight (such as during critical transition zones or high-drag periods) rather than continuously. This timing-based application reduces total energy consumption while maintaining accuracy benefits when most needed
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies electric field strength that is sufficient to achieve the desired aerodynamic effect (partial action) rather than using excessively high fields that would consume more energy than necessary. The field strength is optimized to the minimum effective level needed to maintain laminar flow and reduce drag
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 electric field reduces aerodynamic drag, delays transition to turbulent flow, and enhances the projectile's range and accuracy by minimizing pressure wave buildup and friction, effectively maintaining laminar flow at higher speeds.
Implementation Method 1
an electronic assembly configured to produce an electric field about at least a portion of the housing of the projectile
Implementation Method 2
the electric field formed between the electrodes are selected to exert a force on air particles in the electric field leading the air particles from the vicinity of the forward electrodes toward the rearward electrodes
Implementation Method 3
exert a force on air particles in the electric field leading the air particles from the vicinity of the forward electrodes toward the rearward electrodes
Implementation Method 4
maintaining a laminar flow regime
Data Source
AI summary
Charged projectile assemblies include a housing and an electronic assembly configured to produce an electric field about at least a portion of the housing of the projectile. Cartridge assemblies for use with firearms include charged projectiles. Methods of charging a projectile include forming an electric field about at least a portion of a projectile and extending the electric field at least partially between a forward portion of the projectile and an aft portion of the projectile.