Consumable Cartridge Case for Muzzleloader Ammunition Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current muzzle-loading ammunition consists of separate parts that are not sealed, leading to moisture absorption by pyrotechnic materials, which degrades efficiency and causes corrosion in firearm barrels and chambers, as they lack a consumable case to protect the propellant.
Innovation Solution
A muzzle-loaded ammunition round with a hollow, consumable cartridge case filled with propellant, where the bullet is engaged via the case, and the burn rate is calibrated with the cartridge case material to achieve desired kinetic energy, using materials like nitrocellulose and thermoplastic for the case and sabot, and incorporating a breech block and electrically conductive probe for ignition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If separate parts are used for muzzle loading ammunition, then ease of assembly is improved, but moisture absorption and corrosion increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines separate ammunition components (propellant, bullet, wad) into a single integrated cartridge case assembly. The cartridge case serves as both the container and the sealing barrier, merging the functions of protection, containment, and ignition into one unified structure that prevents moisture absorption while maintaining ease of loading.
Solution Approach 2:
The cartridge case acts as an intermediary barrier between the pyrotechnic materials and the external environment. This intermediate structure provides a sealed enclosure that protects the propellant and other components from moisture while still allowing for controlled ignition and projectile discharge.
2Reliability
If pyrotechnic materials are used without sealing, then ignition reliability is improved, but corrosion of firearm barrel increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful byproducts of combustion from the firearm system by containing them within the consumable cartridge case. The case captures corrosive combustion products and removes them from the barrel chamber, preventing corrosion while maintaining reliable ignition of the pyrotechnic materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The cartridge case is designed as a consumable component that is discarded after a single use. It absorbs and contains the corrosive combustion products, which are then removed from the firearm system when the case is ejected or disintegrates after firing, preventing long-term corrosion of the barrel.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If consumable cartridge case is introduced, then moisture protection is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cartridge case is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it serves as the protective seal against moisture, the container for propellant and components, the ignition chamber, and the ejection mechanism. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate protective housings or sealing mechanisms, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
4Adaptability or versatility
If separate components are used, then adaptability is improved, but efficiency degrades over time
Solution Approach 1:
The cartridge case is pre-assembled with the propellant, wad, and bullet in the correct configuration and sealed to prevent moisture absorption. This preliminary assembly and sealing action ensures that the ammunition maintains its efficiency and performance characteristics from manufacturing through storage to firing, eliminating the progressive degradation that occurs with exposed separate components.
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 solution provides a sealed, efficient, and corrosion-resistant ammunition system with precise ballistic properties, allowing the use of non-pyrotechnic propellants and reducing the need for frequent firearm cleaning, while maintaining optimal ballistic performance and shelf life.
Implementation Method 1
filled with at least one propellant composition... When the bullet is fired, the energy with which the bullet exits the firearm is a ratio proportional at least to the burn rate, the charge weight
Implementation Method 2
The burn rate is proportional to the combustibility of both the propellant and the cartridge case. The burn rate and at least one physical property of the bullet are precisely calibrated
Implementation Method 3
an electrically conductive probe extending into the end of the cartridge case not facing the bullet
Data Source
AI summary
A fixed round of ammunition for a muzzle loader firearm. The round has a bullet within a sabot that is engaged to a consumable cartridge case. The case is filled with propellant that is precisely calibrated to provide optimal ballistic properties with the particular bullet it is engaged to. The consumable cartridge case can be more tailored to respectively increase or decrease the burn rate of the consumable cartridge case. The consumable cartridge case can be constructed out of nitrocellulose or other energetic materials. A wide range of propellant formulas can be used that are safe because the burn rate is precisely calibrated for the bullet used. The propellant can contain pyrotechnic material and/or other ingredients to reduce the burn rate of a smokeless propellant and can contain a stabilizer to increase the shelf life of the ammunition round.