System and method for effecting mechanical translation of projectiles in cased telescoped ammunition using smart material

• US 6,688,233 B1
• Filed: 04/23/2003
• Issued: 02/10/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/24/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: U.S. Government
• Original Assignee: The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Army
• Inventors: Gilman, Stewart, Logsdon, Ernest, Manole, Leon, Lafontaine, Samuel A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Jordan, Charles T.
• Assistant Examiner(s): HAYES, BRET C
• Application Number:
  US10/249,608
• Time in Patent Office: 293 Days
• Field of Search: 102/437, 102/434
• US Class Current: 102/437
• CPC Class Codes: F41A 9/39 Ramming arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 5/02 Cartridges, i.e. cases with charge and missile

Abstract

A system and method for improving the process of mechanical translation of projectiles by a spring mechanism that is built of a smart material and that is activated by an electric pulse, to provide a controlled translation of a projectile before firing or, in case of pre-firing termination, in order to restore the projectile to its original position after translation. The pre-firing translation using the spring mechanism provides a more controlled process and reduces the risk associated with the conventional propulsion charge translation design. The ability to return the projectile to its initial state after translation affords a significant advantage over the conventional propulsion charge design since it enables the projectile firing to be terminated even after translation, unlike in the conventional design whereby the projectile firing is irreversible upon a mechanical translation by setting off the propulsion charge.

Claims

1. A munition comprising:

a projectile;

a cartridge case that houses the projectile;

a translation mechanism placed in contact with the projectile, that causes the projectile to translate from the cartridge case to a gun chamber; and

the translation mechanism comprising a shape memory alloy mechanism that controllably and mechanically moves the projectile in a generally translational movement from the cartridge case into the gun chamber.

2. The munition of claim 1, wherein the shape memory alloy mechanism comprises a spring mechanism.

3. The munition of claim 2, wherein the spring mechanism provides a controlled translation of the projection before firing.

4. The munition of claim 2, wherein the spring mechanism provides a controlled translation of the projection after firing.

5. The munition of claim 4, wherein the spring mechanism permits the projectile to be restored to an original position after the translational movement started.

6. The munition of claim 4, wherein the spring mechanism permits the projectile to be retracted in case of pre-firing termination.

7. The munition of claim 2, wherein the spring mechanism is made of a smart material.

8. The munition of claim 5, wherein the spring mechanism is activated by an electric current.

9. The munition of claim 5, wherein the spring mechanism is activated by an electric voltage.

10. The munition of claim 5, wherein the spring mechanism is activated by an electric energy.

11. The munition of claim 7, wherein the smart material is comprised of a Nickel-Titanium alloy.

12. The munition of claim 7, wherein the smart material is comprised of a Copper-Aluminum-Nickel alloy.

13. The munition of claim 1, wherein the translation mechanism separates from the projectile upon firing.

14. A translation mechanism for use with a projectile that is housed within a cartridge case, the translation mechanism comprising:

prior to firing, the translation mechanism is in contact with the projectile to cause the projectile to translate from the cartridge case to a gun chamber upon firing; and

the translation mechanism comprises a shape memory alloy mechanism that controllably and mechanically moves the projectile in a generally translational movement from the cartridge case into the gun chamber.

15. The translation mechanism of claim 14, wherein the shape memory alloy mechanism comprises a spring mechanism.

16. The translation mechanism of claim 15, wherein the spring mechanism provides a controlled translation of the projection before firing.

17. The translation mechanism of claim 15, wherein the spring mechanism provides a controlled translation of the projection after firing.

18. The translation mechanism of claim 17, wherein the spring mechanism permits the projectile to be restored to an original position after the translational movement started.

19. The translation mechanism of claim 17, wherein the spring mechanism permits the projectile to be retracted in case of pre-firing termination.

20. The translation mechanism of claim 15, wherein the spring mechanism is made of a smart material.

21. The translation mechanism of claim 18, wherein the spring mechanism is activated by an electric current.

22. The translation mechanism of claim 18, wherein the spring mechanism is activated by an electric voltage.

23. The translation mechanism of claim 18, wherein the spring mechanism is activated by an electric energy.

24. The translation mechanism of claim 20, wherein the smart material is comprised of a Nickel-Titanium alloy.

25. The translation mechanism of claim 20, wherein the smart material is comprised of a Copper-Aluminum-Nickel alloy.

26. The translation mechanism of claim 14, wherein the translation mechanism separates from the projectile upon firing.

27. The translation mechanism of claim 14 that abuts against the projectile prior to firing.

28. The translation mechanism of claim 14 that abuts against a rear portion of the projectile prior to firing.