Non-Lethal Projectile Carrier with Deployable Drag Petals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current non-lethal projectiles have limited effective range and accuracy due to restrictions on kinetic energy, muzzle velocity, and aerodynamic qualities, which also require manual firing and are not effective at both long and short ranges.
Innovation Solution
A non-lethal projectile system with a deployable carrier and payload that uses petals to create drag, allowing for controlled deceleration and deployment at a predetermined time, enabling operation over a range of 5 to 400 meters with higher muzzle velocities and semi-automatic firing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If non-lethal projectiles use soft or conforming materials to limit kinetic energy, then safety is improved, but aerodynamic qualities deteriorate resulting in limited effective range
Solution Approach 1:
The projectile is divided into two distinct components: a hard aerodynamic carrier that maintains velocity and a soft payload that delivers non-lethal impact. The carrier has a streamlined shape with a nose cone and tail fins for stable flight, while the payload contains shot-filled bean bags or rubber bullets. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its function - the carrier for range and the payload for safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The hard carrier acts as an intermediary that transports the soft payload over long distances. The carrier protects the payload during flight and releases it at the target. This intermediary structure enables the soft payload to achieve long-range capability without compromising its non-lethal impact characteristics.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If non-lethal projectiles use reduced propelling charges to limit kinetic energy, then safety is improved, but automation capability deteriorates requiring manual firing
Solution Approach 1:
The propelling system is segmented into a full-strength main propellant charge for the carrier and a separate deployment charge for the payload. The main charge uses standard ammunition power to cycle the weapon semi-automatically, while the deployment charge is a small separate charge that releases the payload after flight. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by allowing full automation capability while maintaining safety through controlled payload deployment.
3Speed
If non-lethal projectiles are designed for long range with higher muzzle velocities, then effective range is improved, but kinetic energy control becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The payload deployment is performed as a preliminary action before impact. The carrier travels at high velocity to achieve long range, then deploys the payload mid-flight. The payload has time to decelerate naturally during its remaining flight to the target, ensuring non-lethal kinetic energy upon impact. This preliminary deployment action allows high muzzle velocity without compromising safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The projectile operation is divided into distinct periodic phases: acceleration phase with full power propellant, coast phase after payload deployment, and impact phase. The deployment occurs at a predetermined time during flight, creating periodic action that separates the high-velocity transport phase from the low-velocity impact phase, resolving the kinetic energy control issue.
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 system achieves accurate and non-lethal delivery of payloads over extended ranges with reduced kinetic energy, enhancing effectiveness and operational efficiency by allowing higher muzzle velocities and semi-automatic firing capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
The opened petals provide a drag force on the non-lethal carrier
Implementation Method 2
includes a high drag member to provide a drag force on the payload
Implementation Method 3
The non-lethal payload further includes a drogue chute to provide a drag force on the non-lethal payload
Data Source
AI summary
A non-lethal projectile comprises a carrier with a deployable payload to allow for effective performance at both long and short ranges. The non-lethal projectile is fired from a launcher. At a predetermined range, the carrier opens thereby deploying the payload. The payload may further comprise a drogue chute to reduce the kinetic energy of the payload to a non-lethal level. Alternatively, the inherent drag coefficient of the payload may enable sufficient reduction of kinetic energy without the need for a drogue chute. The deployed petals of the carrier serve as drag surfaces for the carrier, thereby reducing the kinetic energy of the carrier to a non-lethal level.