Supersonic Projectile Stabilization Cone Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Supersonic flight projectiles for smoothbore guns face challenges in achieving stability on trajectory without being intrusive in the propellant charge, with existing solutions either having insufficient stability or requiring a significant reduction in propellant mass and complex loading procedures.
Innovation Solution
A supersonic flight projectile design featuring a body of the same caliber with an aerodynamic stabilization cone connected by a cylindrical surface, where the cone's diameter matches the body's, and a cylindrical bearing surface with a specific ratio and angle to ensure efficient flow separation and reattachment, providing excellent stability with a reduced empennage length.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a long empennage tail is used to ensure stability on trajectory, then stability is improved, but the projectile length increases and propellant charge space is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the stabilization means by using a conical shape with specific angle ranges (15° to 45° apex angle) and optimized dimensions. The cone diameter is substantially equal to the body diameter, and the height is optimized to provide sufficient stability while minimizing length. This parameter optimization allows achieving stability with a shorter empennage tail compared to traditional cylindrical tails.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a long empennage tail is used to ensure stability on trajectory, then stability is improved, but the propellant charge mass is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
By optimizing the cone parameters (diameter substantially equal to body diameter, controlled height, apex angle between 15° to 45°), the invention reduces the required empennage length, thereby increasing the available space for propellant charge in the cartridge case.
Solution Approach 2:
The conical shape inspired by natural aerodynamic forms provides efficient stabilization with minimal dimensions, allowing maximum propellant loading space while maintaining stability requirements.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the center of gravity is positioned very far in front of the projectile to ensure stability, then stability is improved, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The conical empennage tail serves multiple functions: it provides aerodynamic stabilization, acts as a brake to reduce projectile range for practice ammunition, and its geometry naturally positions the center of pressure without requiring extreme center of gravity positioning. This multi-functionality simplifies the overall design and manufacturing.
4Stability of the object's composition
If a cylindrical stabilizer with split flange is used to provide rotation and stability, then stability is improved, but the projectile length increases and loading becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a conical shape instead of cylindrical, with the cone diameter substantially equal to the body diameter and controlled height. This geometric change provides sufficient stability with a shorter empennage length, facilitating easier loading into the cartridge case without requiring complex loading procedures.
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 achieves excellent stability on trajectory with a minimal intrusion into the propellant charge, allowing for a shorter projectile length and simpler loading, while maintaining the same range as existing projectiles, and can be produced at a lower cost.
Implementation Method 1
the height of the annular face and the length of the cylindrical bearing being defined so as to ensure separation of the aerodynamic flow behind the annular face, then the regluing of this flow directly on the conical stabilizer element
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a supersonic projectile (1) that can be fired from a smoothbore gun, the projectile comprising a body (2) with the same caliber as the gun barrel and an aerodynamic stabilization means (3) located behind the body (2). This projectile is characterized in that the aerodynamic stabilization means (3) is formed by a cone whose largest diameter (D3) is substantially equal to the diameter (D2) of the body (2), the cone (3) being connected to the body (2) by a cylindrical bearing surface (4), the body (2) having an annular rear face (5) perpendicular to the axis (6) of the projectile and to which the cylindrical bearing surface (4) is connected.