Segmented Bullet Core for Controlled Fragmentation and Tumbling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional small arms ammunition often fails to maximize stopping power, as bullets may pass through targets without sufficient damage, or fragment inconsistently, leading to reduced wound cavities and potential hazards to bystanders.
Innovation Solution
A bullet design featuring axially arranged cores with circumferentially spaced segments that separate upon impact, creating a controlled fragmentation and tumbling effect, enhancing energy transfer and damage by dispersing in a predefined radially expanding array.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the bullet is designed to fragment upon impact, then the chance of hitting vital components increases, but the fragmentation is inconsistent and reduces wound cavity size
Solution Approach 1:
The bullet core is divided into multiple circumferentially spaced segments that are designed to separate upon impact with the target. These segments are positioned around a central pillar and are separated by gaps that extend axially along the bullet. When the bullet strikes the target, the segments separate and disperse in a controlled radial pattern, ensuring consistent fragmentation behavior and reliable engagement of vital components while maintaining adequate wound cavity formation.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the bullet remains intact without tumbling, then it passes through the target, but this reduces damage and creates hazards to personnel behind the target
Solution Approach 1:
The bullet features an asymmetric design with circumferentially spaced segments separated by gaps, creating an non-uniform structure around the central pillar. This asymmetric configuration causes the bullet to tumble and rotate upon impact with the target, maximizing energy transfer and damage to the target while also increasing the likelihood of the bullet depositing energy within the target rather than passing through to create hazards for personnel behind.
Solution Approach 2:
The bullet is designed to dynamically change its configuration upon impact. The segments are initially contained within the bullet structure but are designed to separate and disperse radially when the bullet strikes the target. This dynamic transformation from an intact structure to a dispersed fragment pattern occurs automatically upon impact, maximizing damage while controlling the bullet's behavior to reduce through-and-through penetration hazards.
3Power
If conventional ammunition is used, then manufacturing is simple, but stopping power is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The bullet core is segmented into multiple pieces arranged circumferentially around a central pillar, with gaps between the segments extending axially along the bullet length. This segmented structure is designed to separate upon impact, creating controlled fragmentation that enhances stopping power. The segments can be manufactured using conventional processes and then assembled around the pillar, balancing the improved terminal performance with manufacturability.
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 bullet achieves enhanced stopping power by maintaining a substantial portion of its mass for continued tracking while dispersing fragments radially, maximizing damage and minimizing the risk of passing through targets, thus providing both mushrooming and fragmenting effects.
Implementation Method 1
The core segments formed to separate upon impact with a target radially outward in a dispersed star shaped pattern
Implementation Method 2
providing a bullet portion that comprises a substantial portion of the original bullet and that has a controlled mushrooming and/or tumbling effect
Data Source
AI summary
A cartridge comprising a bullet, the bullet providing a radially expanding array of bullet fragments upon entering a target and also providing an increase in effective surface area of the bullet within the target by structural features that facilitate tumbling or mushrooming in the target. In an embodiment a pair of axial core members are aligned in a bullet jacket with the forward core member being segmented with separation junctures formed by engaged faces of adjacent segments. Impact causing fracturing of the segments from a base portion.