Subsonic Polymeric Ammunition with Propellant Insert

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional subsonic ammunition faces issues with inconsistent propellant burn, reduced accuracy, and inability to efficiently cycle semi-automatic or fully automatic weapons due to the empty volume in the propellant chamber, which leads to variations in velocity and potential weapon jamming.

Innovation Solution

A subsonic ammunition design featuring a polymeric casing with a propellant insert that reduces the internal volume of the propellant chamber by at least 10%, incorporating a diffuser ring and primer insert to stabilize the propellant and ensure consistent combustion, while using polymers like polyphenylsulfone and polycarbonate for the casing and propellant insert.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If the propellant charge is reduced to achieve subsonic velocities, then the projectile velocity is reduced to below 1200 fps, but the empty volume in the propellant chamber increases causing inconsistent propellant burn and reduced accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprojectile velocityVSAvoidpropellant burn consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A propellant insert is introduced as an intermediary component within the propellant chamber. This insert occupies the empty volume created by reduced propellant charge, providing a mediator structure that stabilizes propellant burn consistency while maintaining subsonic projectile velocities below 1200 fps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The internal volume of the propellant chamber is reduced by at least 10% through the propellant insert, changing the physical parameter of chamber volume. This volume reduction compensates for the decreased propellant charge, ensuring consistent combustion and reliable subsonic performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Speed

If the propellant charge is reduced to achieve subsonic velocities, then the projectile velocity is reduced, but the chamber pressure becomes insufficient to cycle semi-automatic or fully automatic weapons

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprojectile velocityVSAvoidchamber pressure

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The propellant insert acts as a pressure-maintaining intermediary, ensuring that sufficient chamber pressure is generated even with reduced propellant charge. This allows subsonic ammunition to reliably cycle semi-automatic or fully automatic weapons while maintaining projectile velocities below 1200 fps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

By reducing the propellant chamber internal volume by at least 10%, the system changes the pressure parameter to maintain sufficient chamber pressure for weapon cycling, while the reduced propellant charge keeps projectile velocity subsonic.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If the propellant chamber internal volume is reduced by at least 10%, then propellant burn consistency and chamber pressure are improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepropellant burn consistencyVSAvoidammunition structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The propellant insert is formed as a thin-walled polymer structure that provides the necessary volume reduction and pressure maintenance without adding significant structural complexity. The flexible polymer material allows for easy integration into the existing ammunition design while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The ammunition system uses composite construction with a polymer propellant insert combined with the polymer casing and propellant charge. This composite approach achieves the required volume reduction and pressure characteristics while keeping the overall structure relatively simple and manufacturable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 consistent projectile velocities below 1200 feet per second, enhances accuracy, and improves the cycling of firearms by maintaining sufficient chamber pressure, reducing the likelihood of weapon jams and improving the reliability and cost-effectiveness of subsonic ammunition.

Implementation Method 1

a propellant insert positioned in the propellant chamber to reduce the internal volume of the propellant chamber by at least 10%

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVolume reduction:

Implementation Method 2

a primer disposed in the primer recess in contact with the diffuser ring in combustible communication with the propellant

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCombustion: Combustion

Implementation Method 3

a diffuser ring having a diffuser aperture positioned in the primer recess aligned with the primer flash aperture

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGas diffusion: Diffusion

Data Source

PatentUS11719519B2Subsonic polymeric ammunition with diffuser

Publication Date: 2023.08.08 TRUE VELOCITY IP HOLDINGS LLC

AI summary

The present invention provides a subsonic ammunition including a polymeric casing body; a propellant insert positioned in the propellant chamber to reduce the internal volume of the propellant chamber; a propellant disposed and confined within the propellant chamber; a primer insert positioned at the body base and in communication with the propellant chamber; a primer and diffuser disposed in the primer insert in combustible communication with the propellant; and a projectile frictionally fitted in the mouth in combustible communication with the propellant.