Projectile Standoffs Prevent Primer Contact

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Solution Overview

Problem

In tube fed magazines, the meplat of one projectile can accidentally activate the primer of another, leading to unintended discharge due to axial alignment, posing a safety risk.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a projectile with standoffs that create a buffer between the meplat and the primer of adjacent cartridges, ensuring the standoff diameter is greater than the primer diameter, preventing contact and potential ignition.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If projectiles are axially aligned in tube fed magazines, then space efficiency and capacity are improved, but the meplat of one projectile contacts the primer of another causing accidental discharge

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemagazine capacityVSAvoidaccidental discharge risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A polymer coating is applied to the meplat of the projectile, creating an intermediary layer between the meplat and the primer of adjacent projectiles. This coating reduces the coefficient of friction and prevents direct contact between the meplat and primer, thereby eliminating the accidental discharge hazard while maintaining axial alignment in tube fed magazines.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The surface properties of the meplat are changed by applying a polymer coating that modifies the friction characteristics. This parameter change (reducing friction coefficient) prevents the transfer of ignition force from meplat to primer, solving the accidental discharge problem while preserving the compact axial alignment configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Stability of the object's composition

If the meplat directly contacts the primer of an adjacent projectile, then axial alignment is maintained, but sufficient force activates the primer causing dangerous discharge

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaxial alignment stabilityVSAvoidsafe operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The polymer coating serves as a mediator between the meplat and primer, allowing axial alignment to be maintained while preventing the harmful transmission of force that would activate the primer. The coating layer preserves the stable axial configuration without compromising safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If a coating is applied to the meplat to prevent primer contact, then safety is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccidental discharge preventionVSAvoidcoating application process

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The meplat surface is modified through polymer coating application, which changes the friction parameters to prevent primer activation. While this adds a manufacturing step, the coating process is designed to be compatible with existing production methods, balancing safety improvement with manufacturing feasibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS10866075B2Projectile having leading surface standoffs

Publication Date: 2020.12.15 LEHIGH DEFENSE LLC

AI summary

A projectile has a base, a tip, and a body axis intersecting the base at a trailing axis point and the tip at a leading axis point. The projectile includes a meplat that is substantially orthogonal to the body axis and a plurality of standoffs that extend away from both the trailing axis point and the leading axis point.