Elastomer Nose Bullet for Tubular Magazine Safety and Aerodynamics

Solution Overview

Problem

Rifles with tubular magazines face safety concerns due to the risk of primer discharge from sharply pointed bullets, and existing blunt bullets are aerodynamically inefficient, leading to reduced effectiveness at longer distances. Additionally, conventional expanding bullets face issues with inconsistent expansion, clogging, and limited penetration.

Innovation Solution

A bullet design featuring an elongated body with a resilient elastomer nose element, which is securely embedded in a cylindrical cavity, providing safety by distributing forces and enhancing aerodynamics, while also facilitating controlled expansion upon impact.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If a sharply pointed bullet is used, then aerodynamic efficiency is improved, but the risk of primer discharge increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaerodynamic efficiencyVSAvoidprimer discharge risk

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The bullet design applies local quality by having a pointed nose section for aerodynamic efficiency while the rear section has a flattened or rounded configuration to prevent primer discharge. This allows different parts of the bullet to have different geometric characteristics optimized for their specific functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The bullet is segmented into distinct functional sections: a pointed nose portion for aerodynamic performance and a modified rear portion for safety. This segmentation allows each section to be optimized independently for its specific purpose.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a blunt or flat-nosed bullet is used, then primer discharge risk is reduced, but aerodynamic efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprimer discharge riskVSAvoidaerodynamic efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The bullet design applies local quality by having a pointed nose section for aerodynamic efficiency while the rear section has a flattened or rounded configuration to prevent primer discharge. This allows different parts of the bullet to have different geometric characteristics optimized for their specific functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The bullet is segmented into distinct functional sections: a pointed nose portion for aerodynamic performance and a modified rear portion for safety. This segmentation allows each section to be optimized independently for its specific purpose.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If a hollow point bullet is used for expansion, then stopping power is improved, but penetration capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestopping powerVSAvoidpenetration capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the physical state and properties of the bullet tip material. The tip is made of a softer, more ductile material that can deform and expand upon impact while maintaining sufficient structural integrity for penetration. This change in material parameters allows the bullet to achieve both expansion for stopping power and penetration capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The bullet employs composite material construction with a core of softer, more ductile material surrounded by a harder, more penetrative jacket. This composite structure allows the inner core to expand for stopping power while the outer jacket maintains penetration capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 resilient nose element prevents primer discharge and enhances the ballistic coefficient, ensuring safer operation and improved expansion performance, resulting in increased effectiveness and penetration.

Implementation Method 1

A bullet design featuring an elongated body with a resilient elastomer nose element, which is securely embedded in a cylindrical cavity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

facilitating controlled expansion upon impact

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPlastic deformation: Plasticity

Data Source

PatentUS8161885B1Cartridge and bullet with controlled expansion

Publication Date: 2012.04.24 HORNADY MANUFACTURING CO

AI summary

A bullet or a cartridge containing a bullet having an elongated body with a forward end and an opposed rear end. The body has an intermediate cylindrical portion between the rear and forward ends, and the front end of the body defines a cavity. A resilient nose element is received in the cavity. The nose element may be an elastomer, and may be a cylindrical body. The cavity may be a cylindrical bore, and the nose element may be closely encompassed within the bore. The forward end of the nose element may be flat, and may be flush with the forward end of the body.