Expandable Petal Sabot for Elastomeric Projectile Loading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sabots are not designed for elastomeric projectiles, making it difficult to load and discharge them effectively due to high surface friction and size compatibility issues, which can impede the trajectory and discharge of elastomeric projectiles with diameters larger than the shell.
Innovation Solution
A projectile cartridge system featuring a sabot with expandable petals and a gas seal wad, designed to accommodate elastomeric projectiles with diameters larger than the shell, using a pressurized gas to load the projectile into the sabot, and a loading system that facilitates easy insertion and separation to minimize friction and ensure accurate discharge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If conventional sabots are used with elastomeric projectiles, then the sabot structure can be simplified, but the loading difficulty increases and the discharge trajectory is impeded due to high surface friction and size compatibility issues
Solution Approach 1:
The sabot is divided into multiple expandable petals that can be collapsed into a compact configuration for loading and then expand during firing. This segmentation allows the sabot to transition from a simple structure to an expanded configuration that reduces friction and improves discharge trajectory for elastomeric projectiles.
Solution Approach 2:
The sabot transitions from a static structure to a dynamic one that changes configuration during operation. The petals are designed to collapse during loading to facilitate easy insertion of elastomeric projectiles, then expand during firing to reduce surface friction and improve discharge trajectory.
2Reliability
If the projectile diameter is made larger than the shell diameter to maintain aerodynamic properties, then the projectile performance is improved, but the loading process becomes difficult due to high surface friction
Solution Approach 1:
The elastomeric projectile is nested within the collapsed sabot configuration during loading. The sabot's collapsed petals create a compact chamber that accommodates the projectile, allowing easy insertion without requiring the project to be compressed to a smaller diameter.
Solution Approach 2:
The sabot's geometric configuration changes during loading and firing. During loading, the petals are collapsed to create a compact space that facilitates easy insertion of the projectile. During firing, the petals expand to increase the chamber volume and reduce surface friction, enabling the projectile to maintain its larger diameter for optimal aerodynamic properties.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional sabots are used, then the manufacturing process is simpler, but the separation from the projectile is incomplete causing barrel jamming
Solution Approach 1:
The sabot is constructed from multiple separate petals that can independently expand and separate from the projectile. This segmentation ensures complete separation during firing, preventing barrel jamming while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through the use of individual petal components that can be assembled from standard 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 system allows for the effective launching of elastomeric projectiles with reduced pressure spikes and increased kinetic energy, minimizing the risk of injury while maintaining accuracy and ensuring the sabot separates cleanly from the projectile, preventing barrel jamming and improving the projectile's aerodynamic properties.
Implementation Method 1
using a pressurized gas to load the projectile into the sabot
Implementation Method 2
Elastomeric, non-lethal projectiles are projects made from a flexible, elastomeric material that expands on impact to debilitate a recipient by not produce terminal injury
Implementation Method 3
As the sabot exits the barrel, the leaves on the sabot radially, outwardly expand causing the sabot to slow and separate from the projectile
Implementation Method 4
the leaves on the sabot radially, outwardly expand causing the sabot to slow and separate from the projectile
Data Source
AI summary
A sabot includes a base and a plurality of elongated petals extending therefrom. Each petal includes an elongated sidewall portion having an arched interior surface and an arched exterior surface each extending between a first end and an opposing second end. A floor portion inwardly projects from the interior surface of the sidewall portion at the second end thereof so as to form an inside angle between the interior surface of the sidewall portion and an interior surface of the floor portion, each floor portion being pivotally connected to the base so that the plurality of petals can selectively move between a collapsed position wherein the sidewall portions combine to formal a substantially cylindrical sidewall that bounds a chamber and an expanded position wherein the sidewall portions radially outwardly project from the base.