Reusable Training Projectile with Variable Thickness Polymer Nose
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current training munitions for law enforcement and military forces are costly due to the need for multiple, single-use projectiles that fail to accurately replicate the aerodynamic and mass properties of actual non-lethal projectiles, lacking a cost-effective, reusable solution for realistic training.
Innovation Solution
A single-piece, molded projectile made of high-impact polymer with voids or cavities to simulate mass properties and aerodynamic characteristics, combined with a reusable shell base and reload insert system, allowing multiple uses without performance loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If multiple components of different densities are used in the projectile, then the center of gravity and aerodynamic properties are improved, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from multi-density components to single-density polymer with varying thickness. The projectile uses a single polymer material where the thickness varies to control mass distribution, center of gravity, and aerodynamic properties, eliminating the need for multiple components while maintaining performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite approach by combining polymer material with voids or cavities within a single-piece structure. This creates an effective composite structure where the polymer matrix and internal voids work together to achieve the desired mass properties and aerodynamic characteristics without requiring separate components
2Reliability
If high impact polymer material is used for the projectile, then the reusability and durability are improved, but the manufacturing cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent selects specific polymer materials with impact resistance properties and molds them in a single-piece construction, changing the material parameter to achieve both durability and cost-effectiveness. The single-piece molding process reduces manufacturing steps compared to assembling multiple components
Solution Approach 2:
The training projectile is designed to copy the essential mass and aerodynamic properties of the actual non-lethal projectile using a simplified single-piece polymer structure, achieving realistic training performance at lower manufacturing cost
3Ease of manufacture
If a single-piece molded projectile is used, then the manufacturing cost is reduced, but the ability to control center of gravity and mass distribution is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses variable thickness parameters in the single-piece polymer molding to control mass distribution. By adjusting the thickness in different regions of the projectile, the center of gravity and moment of inertia are precisely controlled to match the actual munition's flight characteristics
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates voids or cavities within the single-piece polymer structure to adjust mass distribution and center of gravity. These internal voids allow precise control of mass properties while maintaining the single-piece construction and reducing manufacturing complexity
4Object-affected harmful factors
If lower density rubber or foam materials are used for the nose, then the impact safety is improved, but the gyroscopic stability is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a single polymer material with intermediate density and varies its thickness distribution to simultaneously achieve safe impact characteristics and adequate gyroscopic stability. The thickness variation compensates for the lower density material to maintain proper mass distribution for spin stabilization
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates an effective composite structure by combining the polymer material with internal voids or cavities, where the polymer provides impact safety and the strategic placement of voids maintains mass distribution for gyroscopic stability
Data Source
AI summary
A reloadable training munition having a reusable shell base having a propulsion system reload inserted into a hollow cavity of the shell base and a reusable single piece projectile inserted into the shell base, the projectile having a hollow body portion, a driving band adjacent the body portion, and a nose portion adjacent the driving band having void spaces for controlling both density and mass properties of the nose portion.