Rifled Barrel Spiral Splines Pneumatic Projectile Rotation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional rifled gun barrels with spiral grooves may not effectively rotate projectiles without propellant, particularly in pneumatic systems, where the rotation of projectiles is inconsistent due to the lag in fluid rotation within the projectile.

Innovation Solution

A rifled bore with spiral splines in the gun barrel that cut into the projectile's outer shell, causing it to spin and rotate the fluid inside, with a design that allows for a significant smooth bore surface area to minimize interference and maximize projectile stability and rotation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If spiral grooves are provided in the gun barrel to create rotation of the projectile, then the projectile rotation is achieved, but the rotation is inconsistent due to lag in fluid rotation within the projectile

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprojectile rotation consistencyVSAvoidfluid rotation lag

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The barrel interior is segmented into two distinct surface types: spiral grooves for engaging the projectile outer shell and a smooth bore surface area for minimizing fluid resistance. This segmentation allows the outer shell to be rotated effectively by the grooves while the smooth bore reduces lag in fluid rotation within the projectile

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different parts of the barrel interior have different surface qualities: the spiral grooves provide high friction for shell engagement, while the smooth bore surface area provides low friction for fluid flow. This local quality differentiation resolves the contradiction by providing rotation where needed while minimizing resistance where it causes lag

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If spiral grooves are provided in the gun barrel, then projectile rotation is created, but the smooth bore surface area is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprojectile rotationVSAvoidsmooth bore surface area

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The barrel interior surface is divided into two functional zones: spiral grooves occupying a portion of the surface for rotation, and a smooth bore surface area for efficient propulsion. This segmentation allows both rotation and maximum smooth bore area to coexist

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of providing complete spiral grooves around the entire barrel interior, only partial spiral grooves are provided, occupying a portion of the surface. This partial action is sufficient to create the necessary rotation while preserving the majority of the smooth bore surface area for efficient projectile propulsion

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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 spiral splines effectively rotate projectiles, ensuring consistent angular rotation and fluid spin, enhancing the performance of pneumatic systems by maintaining a high percentage of smooth bore surface area for efficient projectile propulsion without propellant.

Implementation Method 1

spiral splines in the gun barrel that cut into the projectile's outer shell, causing it to spin and rotate the fluid inside

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS11280576B2Rifled barrel

Publication Date: 2022.03.22 WILLIAMS DAVID ALAN

AI summary

A rifled barrel having splines. A projectile has at least one inner fin. A method to spin a projectile to render its shell and its fluid to spin at the approximately the same rate.