Non-aqueous Shear-Thinning Marking Composition for Projectile Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing non-lethal marking projectiles face issues with marking fluid stability and performance due to temperature fluctuations and storage conditions, leading to reduced accuracy, precision, and marking effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
A non-aqueous shear-thinning marking composition is used, comprising an organic solvent, a thickener, a surfactant, and optionally a colorant, which maintains stability and performance across varying conditions, ensuring accurate and precise marking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If aqueous marking fluids are used to improve washability, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to premature aging and moisture evaporation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of the marking fluid from aqueous to non-aqueous base. This parameter change eliminates moisture evaporation issues while maintaining washability through the selection of specific non-aqueous carriers that are still removable from surfaces, thereby resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite formulation combining non-aqueous carrier, colorant, and optional additives to create a marking fluid that achieves both stability and washability. The composite nature allows optimization of multiple properties simultaneously, resolving the trade-off between reliability and ease of operation
2Manufacturing precision
If marking fluid viscosity is increased to improve marking performance, then marking performance is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to inconsistent projectile moments of inertia
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the rheological parameters of the marking fluid by using non-aqueous bases with specific viscosity characteristics. This parameter change allows optimization of marking performance while maintaining sufficient consistency in projectile manufacturing, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing precision and reliability
3Reliability
If non-aqueous marking composition is used to improve stability, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation worsens due to potential difficulty in removal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent carefully selects non-aqueous carrier parameters (viscosity, volatility, surface tension) to achieve an optimal balance. The chosen non-aqueous base provides storage stability while maintaining adequate washability through controlled removal properties, resolving the contradiction between reliability and ease of operation
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 shear-thinning marking composition provides improved accuracy, precision, and marking performance, even after storage under adverse conditions, maintaining effectiveness across a wide range of temperatures and usage scenarios.
Implementation Method 1
The marking composition is a non-aqueous shear-thinning fluid and comprising an organic solvent, a thickener, a surfactant, and optionally a colorant.
Data Source
AI summary
A non-lethal marking projectile is disclosed. The marking projectile includes a frangible polymeric shell that has an interior cavity and is configured to engage rifling in a barrel so that the marking projectile spins when fired through the barrel. The marking projectile further includes a non-aqueous shear-thinning marking composition within the interior cavity of the polymeric shell. The marking composition comprises an organic solvent, a thickener, a surfactant, and an optional colorant. The marking composition is stable over time and across a wide range of operating conditions. A non-lethal firearm cartridge is also provided and comprises the marking projectile disposed in the mouth of a casing, and a propelling system adapted to expel the projectile from the casing and through a barrel when fired from a firearm.