Method and apparatus for displacing material and projectile thereof

• US 7,681,504 B2
• Filed: 08/26/2003
• Issued: 03/23/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/26/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• 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., Swiggett, Floyd P., MACHINA, Mark H.
• Primary Examiner(s): CLEMENT, MICHELLE RENEE
• Application Number:
  US10/648,847
• Publication Number:
  US 20050188889A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,401 Days
• Field of Search: 102/506, 102/501, 102/520, 102/524
• 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 use with a firing device including either a smooth bore or a rifled bore, the projectile comprising:

a front portion; and

a rear portion extending from the front portion;

wherein the front and rear portions are rotatably joined to each other to allow the front portion and the rear portion to rotate relative to each other at different rotational velocities when fired and until the projectile impacts a target;

wherein the rear portion includes a raised portion that is configured to engage a bore of a firing device when the projectile is fired in order to induce relative rotation between the front and rear portion; and

wherein the raised portion is a cylindrical band.

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

3. A projectile according to claim 1, wherein the front portion is frangible.

4. A projectile as claimed in claim 1, wherein the front portion and the rear portion are rotatably joined with a bearing.

5. A projectile for use with a firing device including either a smooth bore or a rifled bore, comprising:

a first portion that is frangible; and

a second portion extending from the first portion;

wherein the first and second portions are rotatably joined to each other to allow the first portion and the second portion to rotate relative to each other at different rotational velocities when fired and until the projectile impacts a target;

wherein at least one of the first and second portions comprises a raised portion that is configured to engage a bore of a firing device when the projectile is fired in order to induce relative rotation between the first portion and second portion;

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

wherein the raised portion is a cylindrical band.

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 as claimed in claim 5, wherein the first portion and the second portion are rotatably joined with a bearing.

9. A projectile for use with a firing device that includes either a smooth bore or a rifled bore, 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;

wherein the rear portion includes a raised portion that is configured to engage a bore of a firing device when the projectile is fired in order to induce relative rotation between the front portion and rear portion;

wherein the front and rear portions are rotatably joined to each other to allow the first portion and the second portion to rotate relative to each other at different rotational velocities when fired and until the projectile impacts a target; and

wherein the raised portion is a cylindrical band.

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

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

12. A projectile according to claim 9, wherein the rear portion has less mass than the front portion.

13. A projectile as claimed in claim 9, wherein the front portion and the rear portion are rotatably joined with a bearing.

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

a firing device including a firing chamber and a bore; and

at least one cartridge that fits in the firing chamber of the firing device and includes a projectile;

wherein the projectile includes a front portion and a rear portion rotatably joined to each other to allow the front portion and the rear portion to rotate relative to each other at different rotational velocities when fired and until the projectile impacts a target,

wherein the rear portion includes a raised portion that is configured to engage the bore of the firing device when the projectile is fired from the firing device in order to induce a relative rotation between the front portion and the rear; and

wherein the raised portion is a cylindrical band.

15. An apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein the front portion and the rear portion are rotatably joined with a bearing.

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

a firing device including a firing chamber and a bore; and

at least one cartridge that fits in the firing chamber of the firing device and includes 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,

wherein the rear portion includes a raised portion that is configured to engage the bore of the firing device when the projectile is fired from the firing device in order to induce relative rotation between the front portion and the rear portion,

wherein the front and rear portions are rotatably joined to each other to allow the front portion and the rear portion to rotate relative to each other at different rotational velocities when fired and until the projectile impacts a target; and

wherein the raised portion is a cylindrical band.

17. An apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein the front portion and the rear portion are rotatably joined with a bearing.