Frangible Casing Piston Rocket Projectile Barrel Fouling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing non-lethal launcher systems face issues with carbon fouling in the barrel bolt face due to propellant ignition, leading to reduced conductivity and increased difficulty in cleaning, which limits the number of projectile firings before operational cleaning is required.
Innovation Solution
A two-stage piston/rocket projectile design with a frangible joint between the casing and the projectile body, where the casing remains in the barrel to capture combustion products and byproducts, reducing fouling residue and improving accuracy by encapsulating ignition debris within the casing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If propellant is ignited electrically in the launcher barrel, then the projectile can be launched effectively, but carbon fouling occurs on the bolt face which reduces conductivity and limits the number of firings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the combustion process from the launcher barrel by using a self-contained cartridge with an integrated combustion chamber. The propellant is burned within the cartridge itself, and the resulting gases propel the projectile without contacting the barrel's bolt face, thereby eliminating carbon fouling and preserving electrical conductivity for repeated firings.
Solution Approach 2:
The cartridge acts as an intermediary between the launcher system and the projectile. It contains the combustion process within its own structure, using a frangible base that separates after ignition. This intermediary prevents direct contact between combustion products and the launcher's electrical components, maintaining system reliability.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If a frangible joint is used between the casing and projectile body, then combustion products are captured in the casing reducing fouling, but the casing must be designed to break under specific conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The cartridge is segmented into distinct functional portions: a reusable casing that remains in the launcher and captures combustion products, and a projectile body that is propelled forward. The frangible joint creates a clean separation between these segments, allowing the casing to serve as a containment vessel for harmful combustion byproducts while simplifying the overall system design.
3Force
If the piston is forced against the casing during ignition, then propulsion force is generated, but the frangible joint must be strong enough to hold during assembly yet weak enough to break during firing
Solution Approach 1:
The frangible joint is designed with localized structural characteristics that create a strength differential. The joint has sufficient strength to maintain structural integrity during assembly, handling, and initial pressurization, but contains a predetermined weak point that fails at a specific force threshold during firing. This allows the same joint to satisfy both the need for holding strength and the need for controlled breaking.
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 effectively reduces fouling residue, increases the duty cycle and fired round count before cleaning is needed, and enhances accuracy by capturing combustion products and byproducts within the casing, maintaining barrel cleanliness and extending operational intervals.
Implementation Method 1
When propellant in the projectile is ignited, either mechanically or electrically, the propellant forces the piston forward from a retracted position during a period of initial thrust
Implementation Method 2
After the piston moves to a fully extended position, the propellant exits through vent holes to provide an additional thrust for the projectile
Data Source
AI summary
A piston/rocket projectile for use within a launcher system having a barrel and method of firing such are presented herein. The projectile comprises a projectile body having a combustion chamber for propellant, a piston moveable to extend out a base of the projectile as a result of ignition of propellant in the combustion chamber, and vents for expulsion of combustion products from the ignition of propellant out of the projectile base after initial movement of the piston. A casing is secured to the base of the projectile body, enclosing the piston and vents prior to the ignition of propellant, and a frangible joint is disposed between the casing and the base of the projectile body. Upon ignition of propellant in the combustion chamber, the projectile piston is forced against the casing and causes the frangible joint to break, leaving the casing in the barrel. After the piston completes exertion of propulsion force against the casing, combustion products of the ignition of propellant are expelled through the vents out of a lower end of the projectile and solid combustion byproducts from the ignition of the propellant are collected in the casing.