Training Cartridge with Segmented Gas Generator for Consistent Velocity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing non-lethal telescopically expanding training cartridges for firearms suffer from issues such as accuracy loss due to gun movement during cartridge expansion, velocity variations between guns, excessive gas usage, and high manufacturing costs, along with inherent variations in bullet velocity.
Innovation Solution
A cartridge design featuring a single gas generator, a piston, and a stopper mechanism where gas pressure initially propels the bullet before closing channels to prevent further gas flow, allowing the full pressure to expand the cartridge and cycle the gun, minimizing gun movement and using off-the-shelf components to reduce costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the cartridge expands telescopically while the bullet is in the barrel, then the gun is cycled, but the gun moves causing loss of accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The cartridge is divided into separate functional segments: a bullet-propelling gas generator and a cartridge-expanding gas generator. This segmentation allows the bullet to be propelled first, then the cartridge to expand subsequently, separating the two functions in time and space to prevent gun movement during bullet travel.
Solution Approach 2:
The bullet is propelled out of the barrel before the cartridge begins its telescopic expansion. This preliminary action ensures the bullet has already exited the gun when expansion occurs, eliminating the harmful effect of gun movement on accuracy while maintaining productive gun cycling.
2Productivity
If the cartridge expands to cycle the gun, then the gun is recycled, but the bullet velocity varies between guns
Solution Approach 1:
The gas generation function is segmented into two separate sources: one dedicated to propelling the bullet with controlled, minimal gas, and another dedicated to expanding the cartridge for gun cycling. This eliminates the coupling between bullet velocity and gun cycling force, ensuring consistent bullet velocity across different guns.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the parameter of gas volume control by using two separate gas generators with different gas volumes. The first generates minimal gas for bullet propulsion, while the second generates excessive gas for reliable cartridge expansion, decoupling these functions to achieve consistent bullet velocity.
3Productivity
If a free flow of gas is used to propel the bullet and expand the cartridge, then both functions are achieved, but excessive gas is required
Solution Approach 1:
The gas generation function is segmented into two separate gas generators, each optimized for its specific function. The first gas generator uses minimal gas solely for bullet propulsion, while the second uses excessive gas for cartridge expansion, thereby reducing overall gas consumption compared to using a single free-flow system.
4Manufacturing precision
If two gas generators are used to overcome disadvantages, then bullet velocity control improves, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cartridge uses two separate gas generators with distinct functions, allowing each to be optimized independently. This segmentation achieves precise bullet velocity control while enabling simpler manufacturing of each component, potentially reducing overall manufacturing complexity despite the additional component.
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 design enhances shot-to-shot and gun-type bullet velocity consistency, improves safety by controlling velocity, reduces manufacturing costs, and minimizes gun movement during recycling, resulting in improved accuracy and reduced environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
Gas generated or expelled by the gas generator upon contact with the firing pin of a host gun... increases pressure within the casing. The increase in pressure forces the piston to move in the case away from the gas generator... The gas is forced through at least one channel in the piston against a bullet located adjacent the second end of the case pushing the bullet away from the case and out of the host gun
Implementation Method 2
the stopper to move in the piston away from the gas generator towards the second end of the case thereby closing the channel(s)
Implementation Method 3
the pressure telescopically expands the casing towards a breech block of the gun to cycle the gun
Data Source
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AI summary
A cartridge for use in a gun comprises a case, a gas generator, a piston, a stopper, and at least one channel for the passage of gas in and / or around the stopper wherein the piston is axially slideabiy contained in the case, the gas generator is located within the case adjacent a first end of the case, and the stopper is slideabiy contained within the piston for closing the at least one channel.