Sub-mass Projectile Bearing Surface Auto-Loading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sub-mass projectiles for firearms, which have a mass below the minimum standard, require additional mechanical or manual interventions to operate the firearm's loading action, and are not interchangeable with standard cartridges or firearms.
Innovation Solution
A sub-mass projectile system with a core having a lower mass than standard projectiles, and a force inducer with a bearing surface that increases resistive forces between the projectile and the firearm, allowing the projectile to operate the auto-loading action without modifications to the firearm.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If a sub-mass projectile with mass below the minimum standard is used, then the firearm can be used for training and non-lethal applications, but the projectile mass is insufficient to operate the auto-loading action of the firearm
Solution Approach 1:
The projectile is divided into two functional segments: a low-mass core for reduced recoil and a separate bearing surface component for generating operating forces. The core can be made of lightweight materials like plastic or rubber, while the bearing surface is a distinct structural element that interfaces with the firearm barrel to generate the necessary resistive forces for auto-loading operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing surface acts as an intermediary between the sub-mass projectile and the firearm system. It transfers and amplifies the interaction forces between the projectile and barrel, generating sufficient resistive forces despite the projectile's low mass. This intermediary component enables the projectile to operate the firearm's loading action without requiring modifications to the firearm itself.
2Ease of operation
If additional mechanical modifications such as telescopic extensions or sliding pistons are added to the cartridge case, then the sub-mass projectile can operate the firearm action, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The complex mechanical modifications (telescopic extensions, sliding pistons, multiple primer systems) are extracted from the cartridge case design. Instead, the solution is achieved by modifying only the projectile itself with a bearing surface, thereby simplifying the overall system while maintaining functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing surface on the projectile enables the sub-mass projectile to self-generate the necessary operating forces through its interaction with the firearm barrel. The projectile itself provides the mechanism for operating the loading action, eliminating the need for additional mechanical devices in the cartridge case.
3Force
If the bearing surface outer diameter is increased relative to standard projectiles, then resistive forces are increased to compensate for low mass, but the projectile dimensions deviate from standard caliber specifications
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing surface is designed with locally enhanced properties - a larger outer diameter than standard projectiles - specifically at the region that interfaces with the firearm barrel. This localized dimensional variation allows the projectile to generate sufficient resistive forces while maintaining standard caliber dimensions in other critical areas for interchangeability.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution moves from modifying projectile mass (one dimension) to modifying the bearing surface diameter (another dimension). By changing the dimensional parameter of the bearing surface rather than the overall projectile mass, the system achieves the necessary force generation while maintaining compatibility with standard firearm calibers.
4Ease of operation
If mechanized cartridge cases with multiple primer systems or pressurized gas are used, then sub-mass projectiles can operate the firearm, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The complex mechanical modifications (telescopic extensions, sliding pistons, multiple primer systems) are extracted from the cartridge case design. Instead, the solution is achieved by modifying only the projectile itself with a bearing surface, thereby simplifying the overall system while maintaining functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing surface on the projectile enables the sub-mass projectile to self-generate the necessary operating forces through its interaction with the firearm barrel. The projectile itself provides the mechanism for operating the loading action, eliminating the need for additional mechanical devices in the cartridge case.
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 sub-mass projectile system enables full functioning of automatic and semi-automatic loading actions, reduces felt recoil energy, and maintains accuracy and penetration control, all without requiring modifications to the firearm or overpressure charges.
Implementation Method 1
a bearing surface that increases resistive forces between the sub-mass projectile and the firearm
Implementation Method 2
The bearing surface can bear against a surface of the firearm during operation so as to increase resistive forces
Data Source
AI summary
A sub-mass projectile for a standard, unmodified firearm, comprising a core formed from a malleable core material with at least a portion of the core material being a non-metal material. The core has a lower mass than a standard projectile for the standard, unmodified firearm. The core material has a mass and malleability that generates forces between the sub-mass projectile and the firearm that approximate operational forces of a standard mass projectile on the standard, unmodified firearm during operation.