Frangible Projectile Round with Mechanical Timer for Drone Neutralization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current solutions for immobilizing drones, such as jamming technologies and traditional weapons, are ineffective at ranges beyond 40 meters and can pose risks to civilians and infrastructure, with existing shotgun rounds lacking the necessary range and impact area to safely neutralize drone threats.

Innovation Solution

A 40 mm projectile round with a mechanical timer and deployable fins that stabilizes during flight, allowing for delayed deployment of frangible shot over a wide impact pattern, effectively neutralizing drones at ranges up to 200 meters with a larger submunition payload.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional weapons or shotgun rounds are used to immobilize drones, then the solution is simple and readily available, but the effective range is limited to 40 meters or less

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrone immobilization effectivenessVSAvoideffective range

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The projectile is segmented into multiple components: an outer casing containing multiple separate shot pellets, a mechanical timer mechanism, and deployable fins. This segmentation allows the single projectile to deliver multiple submunitions over extended range, resolving the contradiction between reliability and range by distributing the immobilization function across multiple discrete elements that can be deployed at distance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanical timer is pre-set within the projectile to delay shot deployment until the projectile reaches the desired range. This preliminary action allows the system to maintain accuracy and stability during flight while ensuring the payload is released at the optimal distance, extending effective range beyond traditional shotgun limitations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Length of moving object

If jamming technologies are used to immobilize drones, then the solution can work at extended ranges, but it poses risks to surrounding infrastructure and GPS systems

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveeffective rangeVSAvoidcollateral damage to infrastructure

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces the electromagnetic field-based jamming system with a mechanical projectile delivery system. Instead of using radio frequency interference to immobilize drones, the system uses physically deployed shot pellets to achieve the same goal, eliminating harmful electromagnetic effects on GPS and other infrastructure while maintaining extended range capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses disposable frangible shot pellets that dissipate kinetic energy quickly after impact. These inexpensive, single-use submunitions provide the necessary immobilization effect without creating lingering harmful effects, contrasting with jamming technologies that create continuous electromagnetic interference zones

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Device complexity

If standard shotgun rounds are used, then the device is simple and portable, but the impact area is insufficient to safely neutralize drones at extended ranges

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveweapon system simplicityVSAvoidimpact area

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSArea of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple shot pellets are nested within a single outer casing that is itself contained within the shotgun shell. This nested structure allows the system to maintain the simplicity of a standard shotgun interface while delivering a multiplied impact area through the contained array of submunitions, resolving the contradiction between device simplicity and impact area

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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 safe and effective means to immobilize drones at extended ranges with a larger impact area, reducing the risk of collateral damage and ensuring perpetual countermeasure capability without the need for additional equipment.

Implementation Method 1

A mechanical timer is configured to delay deployment of the shot for a predetermined period of time

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical timer delay mechanism:

Implementation Method 2

A 40 mm projectile round with a mechanical timer and deployable fins that stabilizes during flight

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAerodynamic stabilization: Aerofoil

Data Source

PatentUS10753715B2Long range large caliber frangible round for defending against UAVS

Publication Date: 2020.08.25 ASCENDANCE INTERNATIONAL LLC

AI summary

The present invention is directed to a projectile configured to provide a submunition payload across a wide impact pattern, similar to that of a shotgun, at a range typically beyond the capability of standard shotgun rounds. The additional range is provided in some embodiments of the invention by allowing the tailoring deployment range of the submunition payload based upon a given threat.