Integrated Sabot Shot Start for Consistent Muzzle Velocity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current gun-launched munitions face challenges in achieving consistent and accurate muzzle velocity due to variations in launch pressure, which affects the performance of shoulder-fired weapons, especially in Military Operations in Urban Terrain (MOUT) scenarios.
Innovation Solution
An integrated sabot with a shot start feature is developed, where the shot start tab is integrated onto the sabot as a unitary component, allowing for consistent chamber pressure and ease of assembly, while maintaining the projectile in place until the desired pressure is reached, ensuring accurate and consistent muzzle velocity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate shot start tab and sabot are used, then the projectile can be held in place until desired pressure is reached, but the weight and manufacturing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the shot start tab and sabot into a single unitary component. The shot start feature is integrated directly onto the sabot structure, eliminating the need for separate parts. This merger maintains the functional benefits of both components while reducing overall weight and simplifying manufacturing processes.
2Reliability
If a separate shot start tab and sabot are used, then the projectile can be held in place until desired pressure is reached, but the device complexity and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The shot start tab and sabot are merged into one integrated component, reducing the number of parts from two to one. This simplification decreases assembly steps, reduces potential failure points, and lowers manufacturing complexity while maintaining the reliable pressure-dependent launch mechanism.
3Ease of operation
If traditional separate shot start and sabot components are used, then the projectile can be securely positioned, but the weight increases and assembly becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the shot start feature directly onto the sabot as a unitary component, the assembly process is simplified from loading and securing two separate parts to loading a single pre-integrated component. This reduction in assembly steps directly improves ease of operation while simultaneously reducing the total weight of the projectile system.
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 integrated sabot shot start system ensures consistent chamber pressure and muzzle velocity, allowing the projectile to achieve the desired velocity while discarding the sabot without impedance, effectively addressing the need for lighter and multi-target capable shoulder-fired weapons.
Implementation Method 1
A shear tab on the sabot would not only hold the projectile in place until broken at a predetermined pressure, but would also be used to correctly locate and lock the projectile into place.
Implementation Method 2
the shear tab would fail at the shear groove and the projectile would be free to move down the gun tube. (This pressure is pre-determined based on the depth of the shear groove dimension in the tab)
Implementation Method 3
add sabots to the projectile to allow for maximum acceleration and muzzle velocity of the projectile until it is out of the gun tube
Data Source
AI summary
A light weight shoulder fired projectile weapon is shown which could be used against multiple target sets. The accurate and consistent muzzle velocity needed for these multiple purposes is accomplished through accurate and consistent gun chamber pressure. A shot start feature integrated with sabot sections on the projectile consistently holds the projectile in place in its launch tube until the consistent chamber pressure is reached.