Dual-Stage Armor Piercing Projectile with Pyrotechnic Cap
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing armor piercing projectiles lack enhanced penetration capabilities against advanced armor plates, as they rely on dense materials like depleted uranium or tungsten, but these may not provide sufficient penetration force and thermal weakening of armor at impact.
Innovation Solution
A dual-stage armor piercing projectile with a high-impact solid carbide steel core and a pyrotechnic cap, combined with a secondary propellant cartridge that ignites on contact, providing additional penetrating force and thermal weakening of armor through a magnesium igniter cap, all housed within a stabilization sabot and conventional cartridge hull.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional armor piercing projectiles use dense materials like depleted uranium or tungsten, then penetration capability against armor plate is improved, but the penetration force and thermal weakening effect at impact are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The projectile is divided into two distinct stages: a first stage penetrator made of dense material (depleted uranium, tungsten, or high-carbon steel) for initial armor penetration, and a second stage explosive charge for enhanced penetration force and cavity creation. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its function without compromise.
Solution Approach 2:
The first stage penetrator is designed to preemptively penetrate the armor plate before the second stage explosive charge is activated. This preliminary action creates a pathway and focuses the subsequent explosive force, maximizing the overall penetration effect while reducing the energy required from the explosive stage.
2Force
If a dual-stage design with secondary charge is implemented, then penetration force and thermal weakening effect are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The second stage explosive charge and its housing are nested within the hollow cavity of the first stage penetrator. This nested configuration integrates two complex components into a compact unified structure that fits within standard ammunition dimensions, minimizing overall complexity while maintaining dual-stage functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The first stage penetrator serves multiple functions: it acts as both the initial penetrating element and the housing structure for the second stage explosive charge. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, thereby simplifying the overall device structure.
3Strength
If high-density materials like depleted uranium are used, then penetration capability is improved, but manufacturing cost and availability increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent provides for variation in the material composition of the first stage penetrator, allowing substitution of depleted uranium or tungsten with high-carbon steel or other high-strength alloys. This parameter change enables optimization based on cost, availability, and specific application requirements while maintaining adequate penetration capability through adjusted material properties and design parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The projectile employs a composite structure combining the first stage penetrator (which can be made from various materials including high-carbon steel) with the second stage explosive charge. This composite approach allows the use of more readily available and cost-effective materials in the penetrator while compensating for any reduction in density through the added penetration force from the explosive stage.
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 dual-stage design achieves enhanced penetration capabilities, capable of penetrating AR500 grade armor plates by combining kinetic energy with thermal weakening, exceeding the performance of conventional rounds.
Implementation Method 1
a pyrotechnic cap extends from a conveyance steel housing form socket. A secondary propellant cartridge with primer within the conveyance housing fires on contact with the target providing enhanced armor piercing projecting capabilities
Implementation Method 2
providing enhanced penetrating force and thermal weakening of armor through a magnesium igniter cap
Implementation Method 3
A secondary propellant cartridge with primer within the conveyance housing fires on contact with the target providing enhanced armor piercing projecting capabilities
Implementation Method 4
A dual-stage armor piercing projectile with a high-impact solid carbide steel core and a pyrotechnic cap, combined with a secondary propellant cartridge that ignites on contact, providing additional penetrating force
Data Source
AI summary
A multiple stage armor piercing projectile cartridge with a hardened steel projectile having a pyrotechnic end target contact cap. A secondary propellant cartridge with a steel conveyance housing providing additional kinetic impact penetrating force to the target.