Method and apparatus for displacing material and projectile thereof

• US 20050188889A1
• Filed: 08/26/2003
• Published: 09/01/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/26/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Incorporated (BAE Systems Plc)
• Original Assignee: BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Incorporated (BAE Systems Plc)
• Inventors: Mitchell, Kenneth W., Burke, Michael D., Machina, Mark H., Swiggett, Floyd P.
• Granted Patent: US 7,681,504 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 102/506
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 10/06 Tail fins
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 12/367 Projectiles fragmenting upon impact without the use of explosives, the fragments creating a wounding or lethal effect practice or training projectiles disintegrating upon impact F42B8/14; projectiles of high-explosive type with fragmentation-hull construction F42B12/22

Abstract

Hard material can be displaced by firing a frangible projectile from a firing device. The projectile has a rear portion that engages the bore of the barrel of the firing device and a front portion that is rotatably journaled to the rear portion. The front portion can be frangible to allow maximum displacement of the hard material. Specifically, the front portion has a core and a plurality of fins extending from the core. At impact, as the fins penetrate the target, the fins separate from the core and spread radially outwardly from the core.

Claims

1. A projectile for firing from a firing device, comprising:

a first portion; and

a second portion extending from the first portion,

wherein the first and second portions are rotatably joined, and

wherein at least one of the first and second portions is configured to engage a bore of the firing device.

2. A projectile according to claim 1, wherein the second portion has less mass than the first portion.

3. A projectile according to claim 2, wherein the second portion has a bore engaging portion.

4. A projectile according to claim 1, wherein the first portion is frangible.

5. A projectile according to claim 4, wherein the first portion comprises a core and a plurality of fins extending outwardly from the core.

6. A projectile according to claim 5, wherein the fins are frangible, which are adapted to break and spread radially outwardly from the core as the first portion penetrates a target.

7. A projectile according to claim 6, wherein a leading portion of the fins is sloped at an angle.

8. A projectile for firing from a firing device, comprising:

a front portion; and

a rear portion extending from the front portion,

wherein the front portion comprises a core and a plurality of fins extending outwardly from the core.

9. A projectile according to claim 8, wherein the fins are frangible, which are adapted to break and spread radially outwardly from the core as the first portion penetrates a target.

10. A projectile according to claim 9, wherein a leading portion of the fins are sloped at an angle.

11. A projectile according to claim 8, wherein the front and rear portions are rotatably connected.

12. A projectile according to claim 11, wherein the rear portion has less mass than the front portion.

13. A projectile according to claim 12, wherein the rear portion has a bore engaging portion.

14. An apparatus for displacing material from a target, comprising:

a firing device for firing a projectile; and

a cartridge adapted for chambering in the firing device,

wherein the cartridge carries a projectile comprising;

a first portion; and

a second portion,

wherein the first and second portions are rotatably joined, and

wherein at least one of the first and second portions is configured to engage a bore of the firing device.

15. An apparatus for displacing material from a target, comprising:

a firing device for firing a projectile; and

a cartridge adapted for chambering in the firing device,

wherein the cartridge carries a projectile comprising;

a front portion; and

a rear portion extending from the front portion,

wherein the front portion comprises a core and a plurality of fins extending outwardly from the core.

16. A method of displacing material from a target, comprising the steps of:

providing a firing device for firing a projectile; and

loading a cartridge adapted for chambering in the firing device,

wherein the cartridge carries a projectile comprising;

a first portion; and

a second portion,

wherein the first and second portions are rotatably joined, and

wherein at least one of the first and second portion is configured to engage a bore of the firing device; and

firing the projectile into the target to displace the material.

17. A method of displacing material from a target, comprising the steps of:

providing a firing device for firing a projectile; and

loading a cartridge adapted for chambering in the firing device,

wherein the cartridge carries a projectile comprising;

a front portion; and

a rear portion extending from the front portion,

wherein the front portion comprises a core and a plurality of fins extending outwardly from the core; and

firing the projectile into the target to displace the material.