Polymer Ammunition Cartridge Color Coding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional ammunition cartridge casings made from brass are heavy, expensive, and hazardous, necessitating a lightweight, affordable replacement that meets reliability and performance standards while being interchangeable with existing brass casings and capable of withstanding physical and natural conditions.

Innovation Solution

Development of polymeric ammunition cartridges with colored polymer components, including a bullet-end and middle body, that utilize pigments to identify projectile types, ammunition types, or propellant charges, and are made from materials such as polybutylene terephthalate, polyurethane prepolymer, or metal components like stainless steel, to create a durable and visually coded cartridge casing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional brass cartridge casings are used, then reliability and performance standards are met, but weight and cost increase and safety hazards arise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereliability and performance standardsVSAvoidweight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter from metal (brass) to polymer, fundamentally altering the density and weight characteristics while maintaining structural integrity through careful selection of high-strength polymer materials and optimization of wall thickness parameters

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite construction by combining polymer materials with metallic components (such as aluminum or steel inserts in critical areas like the base and rim), creating a hybrid structure that leverages the lightweight properties of polymers while retaining the strength and conductivity benefits of metals where needed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If conventional brass cartridge casings are used, then reliability and performance standards are met, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereliability and performance standardsVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter from expensive metal (brass) to cost-effective polymer, reducing raw material costs while maintaining functional performance through careful engineering of the polymer structure and properties

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates color coding directly into the polymer manufacturing process through pigment addition, eliminating the need for post-manufacturing marking operations and reducing overall manufacturing complexity and cost

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

3Reliability

If conventional brass cartridge casings are used, then reliability and performance standards are met, but safety hazards arise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereliability and performance standardsVSAvoidsafety hazards

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter from conductive metal (brass) to non-conductive polymer, eliminating electrical conductivity that can cause safety hazards in certain environments, while also reducing thermal conductivity to prevent heat-related injuries during handling

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Weight of moving object

If plastic cartridge casings are used, then weight is reduced, but uniformity and consistency in ballistic performance are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveweightVSAvoiduniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes polymer material parameters including molecular weight, crystallinity, and additive packages to achieve consistent mechanical properties, and carefully controls processing parameters such as injection temperature, pressure, and cooling rates to ensure uniform part dimensions and wall thickness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different polymer formulations or reinforcement strategies to different regions of the cartridge case based on local stress and functional requirements, such as using fiber reinforcement in high-stress areas while maintaining smooth surfaces in areas requiring sealing or bullet engagement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

5Weight of moving object

If plastic cartridge casings are used, then weight is reduced, but ballistic performance and durability under physical and natural conditions are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveweightVSAvoidballistic performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS11047663B1Method of coding polymer ammunition cartridges

Publication Date: 2021.06.29 TRUE VELOCITY IP HOLDINGS LLC

AI summary

The present invention provides a method of coding polymer ammunition cartridges by providing a first colored polymer forming a polymeric bullet-end upper portion comprising a bullet-end coupling element extending to a bullet-end aperture to engage a bullet; providing a second colored polymer forming a polymeric middle body comprising a first coupling end connected to the bullet-end coupling element and a second coupling end connected to a primer insert to form a propellant chamber that connects the bullet-end aperture to the primer insert; and coding the first colored polymer, the second colored polymer or both to identify a projectile type, an ammunition type, a propellant charge, or a combination thereof.