Projectile Drag Reduction via Flat Front and Stepped Jacket
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing projectiles lack effective methods to consistently achieve a shortened range while maintaining a stable trajectory, particularly in training scenarios where limited shooting ranges are required.
Innovation Solution
A spin-stabilized projectile design featuring a flat, truncated cone projectile front and a step-wise lateral surface geometry, which increases the drag coefficient throughout its flight path, ensuring deceleration and reducing the flight distance without pyrotechnic components or complex mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If a conventional projectile design is used, then the projectile achieves long range, but the training safety requirement for limited shooting ranges cannot be met
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the projectile's geometric parameters - specifically using a flat or flattened projectile front and step-wise lateral surface - to increase the drag coefficient and reduce the projectile's range to meet training safety requirements
2Length of stationary object
If pyrotechnic charges or complex mechanisms are used to shorten range, then the projectile can achieve limited flight distance, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates pyrotechnic charges and complex trigger mechanisms from the projectile design, achieving range reduction solely through geometric modifications to the projectile front and lateral surface
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a simple, inexpensive geometric design that can be easily manufactured and disposed of, replacing complex mechanical or pyrotechnic systems with a straightforward aerodynamic shape modification
3Length of stationary object
If the projectile geometry is modified to increase drag, then the range is reduced, but the trajectory stability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by modifying only specific local regions of the projectile - the front surface and lateral surface - while maintaining the overall projectile structure and spin stabilization characteristics to preserve trajectory stability
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 design effectively reduces the projectile's range while maintaining stability, is temperature-independent, and allows for adjustable flight distance through geometry modifications, ensuring reliable performance without loose parts or trigger mechanisms, suitable for various calibers and shooting ranges.
Implementation Method 1
A special geometry ensures that a high drag coefficient (Cd value) is generated over the entire trajectory of the projectile or missile, in order to obtain a projectile that is strongly decelerated
Data Source
AI summary
To ensure that a projectile (1), in particular a training projectile, with a projectile body (2), a projectile jacket (7), and a projectile head (3), becomes flightless after a predetermined flight time or range, the projectile head (3) is designed to have a flat or flattened front (5). To further this effect of flightlessness, or alternatively, the projectile jacket (7) is divided into several jacket sections (7.1, 7.2, 7.3), with each jacket section (7.1, 7.2, 7.3) tapering towards the next. This creates surfaces (8.1, 8.2, 8.3) on the projectile body (2) extending towards the projectile axis (10), thereby increasing the resistance surface area of the projectile (1).