Shot Shell Stratified Payload for Range and Pattern Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional shotgun shells face limitations in achieving both accuracy and range with larger pellets while maintaining the advantages of smaller pellets for hitting moving targets, particularly in waterfowl hunting, where a balance between penetration and spread is crucial.
Innovation Solution
The shotgun shell design incorporates a stratified payload with a higher percentage of larger shot pellets (40% to 60%) loaded first, followed by smaller shot pellets, allowing the larger pellets to exit the barrel first, which can be adjusted by loading order and using a tungsten propulsion system wad for enhanced performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If larger shot pellets are used, then penetration and range are improved, but spread and pattern control deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The shot payload is segmented into multiple size categories (small, medium, large pellets) rather than using a single size. This segmentation allows the shell to achieve both penetration (from large pellets) and spread control (from smaller pellets), resolving the contradiction between range and pattern control.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the shot payload have different pellet sizes optimized for different functions. The payload contains a distribution of pellet sizes where larger pellets provide penetration and smaller pellets provide spread, allowing each local region to optimize for its specific function while the whole system achieves both goals.
2Ease of operation
If smaller shot pellets are used, then spread and pattern control are improved, but penetration and effective range deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The shot payload is divided into multiple size segments, with smaller pellets providing spread and pattern control while larger pellets provide penetration. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by distributing functions across different pellet size categories rather than relying on a single pellet size.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges multiple pellet size categories into a single payload configuration. By combining small, medium, and large pellets in specific proportions and arrangements, the system achieves both the spread control of smaller pellets and the penetration capability of larger pellets simultaneously.
3Force
If a higher percentage of larger shot pellets (40% to 60%) is used, then penetration is improved, but the ability to hit moving targets deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The payload is configured with local quality variations where larger pellets (40-60% of the payload) are distributed throughout to provide penetration force, while smaller pellets are also present to provide spread for hitting moving targets. Each pellet size category performs its specialized function within the overall payload distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the parameter of pellet size distribution by using a mixed payload with specific proportions of different sized pellets (40-60% large, remainder smaller). This parameter change allows the system to achieve both high penetration (from the 40-60% large pellets) and adaptability to moving targets (from the smaller pellets providing spread).
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
This configuration enhances the shotgun's effective range and pattern control, ensuring a humane kill with sufficient penetration and minimizing meat damage, while maintaining the benefits of smaller pellets for hitting moving targets.
Implementation Method 1
ball propulsion powder (also known as 'gunpowder')
Implementation Method 2
The cushion comes next, and it is designed to compress under pressure, to act as a shock absorber and minimize the deformation of the shot
Data Source
AI summary
A shot shell includes a cartridge (also referred herein as a ‘hull’), a primer, gunpowder, a tungsten propulsion system wadding, shot pellets having a first size, and shot pellets having a second size that is larger than the first size, and a 5-8 star crimp on an upper portion of the plastic cartridge. It has been found that there are advantages to loading smaller shot (preferably 3 shot or 4 shot) first, and then loading larger shot (preferably 1 shot or 2 shot) so that the larger shot leaves the cartridge first when the shot shell is fired. In a preferred embodiment, the cartridge contains 40% to 60% large shot, and the remainder of shot pellets in the cartridge is smaller shot. In an alternate embodiment, the large shot may be loaded first, and the smaller shot loaded last, so that the smaller shot leaves the shot shell first.