Low collateral damage kinetic energy projectile
First Claim
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1. A kinetic energy penetrator having a central longitudinal axis, the penetrator comprising:
- a nose segment having an aft portion;
a generally annular middle segment disposed aft of the nose segment;
a base segment disposed aft of the middle segment and having a forward portion;
a compression spring disposed in the middle segment, the compression spring biasing the nose segment and the base segment away from the middle segment;
a pair of torque transfer projections formed on each of the aft portion of the nose segment and the forward portion of the base segment, the projections in each pair being spaced 180 degrees apart;
slots formed in an inner surface of the middle segment for receiving the pairs of torque transfer projections whereby the pairs of torque transfer projections transfer torque from the base segment to the middle segment and the nose segment;
a pair of ball openings formed in each of the aft portion of the nose segment and the forward portion of the base segment, the ball openings in each pair being offset 90 degrees from respective torque transfer projections;
a pair of balls disposed in each of the two pairs of ball openings, each ball being translatable in its ball opening; and
forward and aft ball detents formed in the inner surface of the middle segment for receiving the pairs of balls;
wherein a first angular velocity of the penetrator causes the two pairs of balls to engage the forward and aft ball detents and mechanically lock the nose segment and the base segment to the middle segment.
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Abstract
A low collateral damage, kinetic energy penetrator has multiple segments that are mechanically locked together by centrifugal force generated by penetrator spin. When the penetrator spin decreases below a minimum value, the segments separate and fall to the ground with non-lethal kinetic energy.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A kinetic energy penetrator having a central longitudinal axis, the penetrator comprising:
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a nose segment having an aft portion; a generally annular middle segment disposed aft of the nose segment; a base segment disposed aft of the middle segment and having a forward portion; a compression spring disposed in the middle segment, the compression spring biasing the nose segment and the base segment away from the middle segment; a pair of torque transfer projections formed on each of the aft portion of the nose segment and the forward portion of the base segment, the projections in each pair being spaced 180 degrees apart; slots formed in an inner surface of the middle segment for receiving the pairs of torque transfer projections whereby the pairs of torque transfer projections transfer torque from the base segment to the middle segment and the nose segment; a pair of ball openings formed in each of the aft portion of the nose segment and the forward portion of the base segment, the ball openings in each pair being offset 90 degrees from respective torque transfer projections; a pair of balls disposed in each of the two pairs of ball openings, each ball being translatable in its ball opening; and forward and aft ball detents formed in the inner surface of the middle segment for receiving the pairs of balls; wherein a first angular velocity of the penetrator causes the two pairs of balls to engage the forward and aft ball detents and mechanically lock the nose segment and the base segment to the middle segment. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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9. A kinetic energy penetrator having a central longitudinal axis, the penetrator comprising:
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a nose segment having an aft portion; a generally annular middle segment disposed aft of the nose segment; a base segment disposed aft of the middle segment and having a forward portion; a compression spring disposed in the middle segment, the compression spring biasing the nose segment and the base segment away from the middle segment; a pair of torque transfer projections formed on each of the aft portion of the nose segment and the forward portion of the base segment wherein each pair of torque transfer projections are opposing ends of a pin that is disposed in a through bore formed in each of the aft portion of the nose segment and the forward portion of the base segment; slots formed in an inner surface of the middle segment for receiving the pairs of torque transfer projections whereby the pairs of torque transfer projections transfer torque from the base segment to the middle segment and the nose segment; a pair of ball openings formed on each of the aft portion of the nose segment and the forward portion of the base segment; a pair of balls disposed in each of the two pairs of ball openings, each ball being translatable in its respective ball opening and constrained from translating completely out of its respective ball opening; and forward and aft ball detents formed in the inner surface of the middle segment for receiving the pairs of balls, the ball detents comprising grooves. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification