Projectile Tracer with Rearward Light Emission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tracer ammunition is visible to both the shooter and potential enemies, providing unwanted trajectory information and mass changes during combustion, which affects projectile trajectory and compatibility with night vision goggles.
Innovation Solution
Development of tracer ammunition with rearward-facing tracer materials that emit optical energy only in the direction of the shooter, using exothermic and luminescent materials with a contoured surface to confine light output and maintain mass throughout the projectile's trajectory, ensuring visibility only to the shooter and compatible with night vision devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If conventional tracer ammunition uses pyrotechnic charges that burn brightly, then the tracer is visible to the shooter, but it becomes visible to enemies and provides unwanted trajectory information
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by designing the tracer material with directional emission characteristics - the pyrotechnic charge is configured to emit light primarily in the backward direction (toward the shooter) rather than omnidirectionally. This is achieved through specific geometric arrangements of the tracer material and controlled combustion patterns that concentrate light output in the desired direction while minimizing forward emission that would reveal the shooter's position to enemies.
2Illumination intensity
If pyrotechnic charges are used to provide visible trajectory, then the tracer is visible in daylight, but the mass of the projectile changes during combustion affecting trajectory
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by carefully selecting and formulating the pyrotechnic charge composition to minimize mass loss during combustion. The tracer material is designed with specific chemical ratios and combustion characteristics that reduce the rate and extent of mass conversion, thereby maintaining more consistent projectile mass throughout the trajectory while still providing adequate visible illumination for daylight operations.
3Illumination intensity
If conventional tracers emit sufficient light for visibility, then the tracer is visible to the naked eye, but it overloads night vision goggles causing bloom in the field of vision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating directional light emission that concentrates illumination in the backward direction toward the shooter while minimizing light output in the forward direction. This spatial selectivity ensures that night vision goggles worn by the shooter receive adequate illumination without being overwhelmed by excessive light from the tracer, as the light is emitted primarily from behind the projectile rather than from the front where it would enter the goggles directly.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If dim tracers are used to avoid overloading night vision goggles, then the tracers are compatible with night vision equipment, but they emit mainly in infrared spectrum and are not visible in daylight
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by formulating the pyrotechnic charge with specific chemical compositions and combustion parameters that produce a balanced spectral output. The tracer material is designed to emit sufficiently in the visible spectrum for daylight naked-eye visibility while controlling the overall light output and spectral distribution to avoid overloading night vision goggles. This involves optimizing the chemical composition to control emission wavelengths and intensities across different spectral regions.
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 provides a tracer that is visible only to the shooter, maintaining projectile trajectory and lethality while avoiding unwanted visibility to enemies and overload of night vision goggles, with a mass-preserving combustion process.
Implementation Method 1
a tracer material disposed within the chamber, wherein the tracer material is configured to combust when ignited and emit optical energy through the aperture as a result of the combustion process
Implementation Method 2
The tracer material can include an exothermic material; and a luminescent material disposed on the exothermic material configured to emit optical energy in response to heat generated by the exothermic material
Implementation Method 3
a luminescent material disposed on the exothermic material configured to emit optical energy in response to heat generated by the exothermic material
Data Source
AI summary
Tracer ammunition is disclosed and includes a projectile having a body; a chamber in the body having a front end and a rear end, the rear end of the chamber being open; an aperture at a rear end of the body providing an opening to the open end of the chamber; and a tracer material disposed within the chamber, wherein the tracer material is configured to combust when ignited and emit optical energy through the aperture as a result of the combustion process. The tracer material may be configured to include a rear-facing surface having a concave contour to aid in directivity of light output from the tracer material.