Polymer Marking Projectile Metallic Sealing Ring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing non-lethal polymer marking projectiles face issues with premature aging due to moisture loss through the shell/base interface, leading to reduced marking effect and gyroscopic instability, exacerbated by high temperature and humidity conditions.

Innovation Solution

A marking projectile with a polymeric base and shell portion sealed using a metallic annular crimped ring, which enhances the airtight seal and stability, incorporating a crimped metal ring to apply radial compression and maintain the marking compound's viscosity and mass distribution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If polymeric components are used for shell and base, then ease of manufacture and non-lethal performance are improved, but sealing reliability deteriorates due to high dimensional tolerances and assembly constraints

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidsealing reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines polymeric materials (for non-lethal performance and ease of manufacture) with a metallic sealing ring (for reliable sealing). This composite structure allows each material to contribute its advantageous properties: the polymer provides non-lethal function and manufacturing ease, while the metal ring provides dimensional stability and sealing reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The metallic sealing ring acts as an intermediary component between the polymeric shell and base portions. It mediates the sealing function by providing a reliable barrier against moisture loss, while allowing the polymeric components to maintain their non-lethal performance characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If airtight seal is not achieved, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but moisture loss occurs leading to reduced marking compound viscosity and mass

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidmoisture loss
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The metallic sealing ring integrated with polymeric components creates a composite structure that achieves effective sealing without significantly increasing device complexity. The sealing ring's simple annular geometry and ability to be crimped or deformed allow it to provide reliable sealing while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Ease of manufacture

If polymeric components with high dimensional tolerances are used, then ease of manufacture is improved, but gyroscopic stability deteriorates due to non-uniform mass distribution

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidgyroscopic stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The metallic sealing ring provides a stable, dimensionally precise component that compensates for the dimensional tolerances of polymeric parts. By integrating this stable metallic element into the projectile structure, the overall mass distribution becomes more uniform, improving gyroscopic stability while maintaining the manufacturing advantages of polymeric components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite 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 solution significantly improves the shelf-life and flight stability of the projectiles by minimizing moisture loss and maintaining consistent marking performance across a batch, reducing variation in muzzle velocity and impact dispersion.

Implementation Method 1

a crimped metal ring configured to seal the polymeric front shell portion to the polymeric base portion by applying a radial compressive force thereto

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRadial compression: Compression

Data Source

PatentEP3143365B1Polymer marking projectile with integrated metallic sealing ring
Publication Date: 2019.06.12 GENERAL DYNAMICS ORDNANCE AND TACTICAL SYSTEMS CANADA INC
  • EP3143365B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3143365B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3143365B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A marking projectile configured to be fired through the barrel of a firearm having rifling formed therein is provided. The marking projectile includes a polymeric base portion configured to engage the rifling of the barrel and a polymeric front shell portion coupled to the base portion. The polymeric front shell portion has a cavity formed therein for housing a marking compound and a structure configured to deform on impact and thereby release the marking compound. The marking projectile includes a metallic annular sealing component (e.g., a crimped metal ring) configured to seal the polymeric front shell portion to the polymeric base portion.