Single Seal Projectile With Flow Paths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing projectiles face a trade-off between weight, ballistic characteristics, penetration characteristics, and muzzle velocity, with increased mass reducing propellant volume and velocity, and large bearing surfaces increasing friction and heat generation, affecting stability and kinetic energy.
Innovation Solution
A projectile design featuring a tapered inner diameter transition, a modular insert system allowing for varying weight and material configurations, and a driving band with flow paths for pressure equalization, which maintains shape and configuration while optimizing weight, ballistic characteristics, and muzzle velocity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If the mass of the bullet is increased, then the kinetic energy and penetration characteristics are improved, but the propellant volume is reduced leading to decreased velocity and range
Solution Approach 1:
The bullet is divided into multiple segments or components including a hollow cavity structure that can be filled with different materials. This segmentation allows optimization of mass distribution while maintaining overall bullet dimensions and propellant volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The bullet employs composite material construction with a hollow cavity that can be filled with materials of different densities. This allows precise control of bullet mass and center of gravity while maintaining the required propellant volume and velocity characteristics.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the bearing surface length is increased, then the projectile stability and accuracy are improved, but the friction against the barrel surface increases leading to heat generation and kinetic energy reduction
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing surface is designed with varying properties along its length, with different sections having different friction characteristics. The front portion has lower friction to reduce energy loss, while the rear portion provides sufficient engagement for stability and rifling engagement.
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing surface design allows for dynamic adjustment of contact characteristics during projectile acceleration, optimizing the balance between stability and friction-induced energy loss at different stages of barrel traversal.
3Weight of moving object
If the projectile length is increased to accommodate greater mass, then the kinetic energy is improved, but the propellant volume is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The projectile employs a nested structure with a hollow cavity inside the bullet body. This allows the bullet to maintain a compact external dimensions that fit within the case, while the internal cavity can be optimized for mass distribution and filled with materials that enhance kinetic energy without increasing overall length.
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 design achieves improved muzzle velocity, stability, and accuracy by allowing for adjustable weight and material distribution, reducing friction, and optimizing propellant volume, while maintaining the projectile's shape and configuration.
Implementation Method 1
This in turn causes deflagration of the propellant. Deflagration of the propellant results in the rapid generation of a large volume of gas.
Implementation Method 2
Deflagration of the propellant results in the rapid generation of a large volume of gas. This gas expels the projectile from the case and propels the projectile through the barrel
Implementation Method 3
The bullet has a bearing surface which is the portion of the surface having a diameter sufficient to seal against the outer bore of the barrel and in doing so, engage rifling on the inside of the barrel. The engagement of the bearing surface with rifling imparts angular momentum to the projectile which is critical in keeping in-flight stability and accuracy; as well as maintaining gas pressure behind the bullet.
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~9
Figure 6b~6d
AI summary
A projectile (10) for firing from a barrel (12) of a firearm has an elongated tubular body (14) with a leading end (16), a trailing end (18) and a passage (100) extending through the body (14) and opening onto the leading end (16). An insert (102) is disposed in the passage (100). A cavity (20) is formed in the body (14) between the insert (102) and the trailing end (18) for holding a volume of propellant. A seal arrangement (22) is formed on the body (14) and located between and in- board of the leading end (16) and the trailing end (18). The seal arrangement (22) extends circumferentially about body to form a substantial seal against an inner circumferential surface of the barrel (12). A driving band (28) is supported on the body (14) between the seal arrangement (22) and the trailing end (18) and arranged to maintain substantial coaxial alignment of the body (14) of the projectile and the barrel (12) of the firearm while the projectile travels along the barrel (12). The driving band (28) has one or more flow paths (38) that enable fluid communication between opposite axial ends of the driving band (28).