Classifications

• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F42—AMMUNITION; BLASTING
  • F42B—EXPLOSIVE CHARGES, e.g. FOR BLASTING, FIREWORKS, AMMUNITION
  • F42B12/00—Projectiles, missiles or mines characterised by the warhead, the intended effect, or the material
  • F42B12/02—Projectiles, missiles or mines characterised by the warhead, the intended effect, or the material characterised by the warhead or the intended effect
  • F42B12/36—Projectiles, missiles or mines characterised by the warhead, the intended effect, or the material characterised by the warhead or the intended effect for dispensing materials; for producing chemical or physical reaction; for signalling ; for transmitting information
  • F42B12/38—Projectiles, missiles or mines characterised by the warhead, the intended effect, or the material characterised by the warhead or the intended effect for dispensing materials; for producing chemical or physical reaction; for signalling ; for transmitting information of tracer type
  • F42B12/387—Passive tracers, e.g. using a reflector mounted on the projectile
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F42—AMMUNITION; BLASTING
  • F42B—EXPLOSIVE CHARGES, e.g. FOR BLASTING, FIREWORKS, AMMUNITION
  • F42B12/00—Projectiles, missiles or mines characterised by the warhead, the intended effect, or the material
  • F42B12/02—Projectiles, missiles or mines characterised by the warhead, the intended effect, or the material characterised by the warhead or the intended effect
  • F42B12/36—Projectiles, missiles or mines characterised by the warhead, the intended effect, or the material characterised by the warhead or the intended effect for dispensing materials; for producing chemical or physical reaction; for signalling ; for transmitting information
  • F42B12/38—Projectiles, missiles or mines characterised by the warhead, the intended effect, or the material characterised by the warhead or the intended effect for dispensing materials; for producing chemical or physical reaction; for signalling ; for transmitting information of tracer type
  • F42B12/382—Projectiles, missiles or mines characterised by the warhead, the intended effect, or the material characterised by the warhead or the intended effect for dispensing materials; for producing chemical or physical reaction; for signalling ; for transmitting information of tracer type emitting an electromagnetic radiation, e.g. laser beam or infrared emission
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F42—AMMUNITION; BLASTING
  • F42B—EXPLOSIVE CHARGES, e.g. FOR BLASTING, FIREWORKS, AMMUNITION
  • F42B12/00—Projectiles, missiles or mines characterised by the warhead, the intended effect, or the material
  • F42B12/72—Projectiles, missiles or mines characterised by the warhead, the intended effect, or the material characterised by the material
  • F42B12/76—Projectiles, missiles or mines characterised by the warhead, the intended effect, or the material characterised by the material of the casing
  • F42B12/78—Projectiles, missiles or mines characterised by the warhead, the intended effect, or the material characterised by the material of the casing of jackets for smallarm bullets ; Jacketed bullets or projectiles

Definitions

• the present invention relates to an ammunition projectile that allows for position observation and tracking when illuminated.
• the projectile may function with a fire control device that tracks the path of a projectile while in ballistic flight toward a given target.
• Tracer technology was developed by the British defense research establishment in the midst of the First World War. The technology continues to be used 100 years later. In machine guns, belts of ammunition are mixed - ball and tracer combinations.
• Retro-reflection Use of retro-reflectors is ubiquitous in road signs where the technology was invented in the United Kingdom and introduced in the late 1930s. Retro- reflectors reflect light to the emission source with a minimum of scattering. There are three principal types of retro-reflectors: corner cube reflectors, cat's eyes and phase conjugated mirrors. The coefficient of luminosity returned in the direction of the emission source is high. In addition to their use in road signs, retro-reflectors are used in safety reflectors, high visibility clothing and surveying. NASA has also used this technology in the space program. The Apollo 1 1, 14 and 15 missions placed retro- reflectors on the moon surface allowing for precise measurements of the moon/earth distance. Today companies like 3M and Orafal (formerly Reflexite) now dominate the manufacturing of retro-reflective sheathing and tape that are incorporated into a wide variety of products.
• Retro-reflective materials are generally categorized as either using glass beads or prismatic technology.
• the glass bead retro-reflective technology from the 1930's is the oldest; the prismatic technology was developed by Reflexite Americas in the 1960's.
• Glass bead tapes reflect light back less efficiently than do prismatics, so there are advantages to using prismatic solutions.
• Prismatic tape exhibits a tighter, more efficient return of light.
• a brighter, tighter beam extends much further than with glass bead retro-reflectors, giving prismatic tapes an operating range beyond the thousand foot mark. For marine, highway or traffic applications, where long distance conspicuity is important, prismatics are definitely preferred.
• Glass bead retro-reflective materials are produced in tape form as both (1) engineering grade glass bead reflective tape, and (2) high intensity glass bead reflective tape.
• Engineering Grade Glass Bead Reflective Tape Engineering grade reflective tape starts with a carrier film that is metalized on the top. Glass beads are applied to this layer so that about fifty percent (50%) of the bead is embedded in the metalized layer. This gives the beads their reflective properties. Then a layer of either acrylic or polyester is applied over the top. This layer can either be clear to make white reflective tape or it can be colored to create the different color reflective tapes. A layer of adhesive is then applied to the bottom of the tape and a release liner is applied to that layer. The tape is rolled up, slit to width and then sold. It shout be noted that an acrylic layered film will not stretch and a polyester layered film will. Because of the heat used in the manufacturing process, engineering grade films end up being a single layer so they do not delaminate.
• High intensity reflective tape is made in layers.
• the first layer has a grid built into the tape, normally using a honeycomb type pattern. This pattern holds the glass beads so that they are in separate cells.
• the glass beads are bonded to the bottom of this cell, then a layer of acrylic or polyester is applied over the top of the cell leaving a small air space above the beads.
• a layer of adhesive and a release liner are then applied to the bottom of the tape.
• Non-metalized Micro-prismatic Reflective Tape The first step in creating non- metaiized reflective films utilizes a prism array produced from acrylic or another clear resin. This becomes the top layer of the film. Non-metalized films are more vivid but not necessarily more reflective.
• Retro-reflector Production and Prismatic Tape Clearly, the easiest and simplest way to produce retro-reflective material involves glass beads that are incorporated into a film. This glass bead technology was pioneered in the 1930s and has undergone numerous improvements over the decades. Prismatic reflective tapes were invented by Reflexite Americas in the 1960s. Micro-reflective materials were developed in the early 1990's. Following the U.S. Patent 5, 171,624, the Reflexite Corporation incorporated micro-reflective materials into polymers that have been widely adopted into sheeting material.
• Bellinger and Smith disclose the use of typical retro-reflective solutions by attaching glass beads to, or embossing a retro-reflective pattern on, the trailing edge of a projectile. Bellinger's and Smith's patents used the technology of their day,
• Laser Induced Fluorescence The body of information regarding laser induced fluorescence is growing as laboratories throughout the world explore potential applications for this technology.
• the present application foresees the use of tracer fluorescing material on a projectile or "bullet" which is fired from a weapon. When radiated after barrel exit by a laser co-located with the weapon, it allows an observer or electronic detector to track the projectile. This technology eliminates burning pyrotechnic tracer materials, allowing the trajectory of the projectile to match the traj ectory of b all am m uni ti o .
• the principal object of the present invention is to provide for an obseivable and trackable projectile that, when coupled to an emitter, allows for the observation and recording of a projectile in flight. Further, when coupled to a fire control system, the recording of actual flight drop, drift and measurement of the time, space and location of a projectile in flight allows for improved precision and accuracy of weapon systems.
• a bullet's metal jacket is used to form a closure with a metal disk providing a full metal jacket surrounding the bullet's core or cores.
• One embodiment identifies a disk with micro- prismatic retro-reflectors that are thus incorporated into the trailing edge of the projectile so that reflected light can be viewed and the projectile's position tracked by electro-optical devices in the vicinity of the weapon firing said projectile,
• a disk with a phosphor material, on the trailing edge of the projectile is responsive and re-emits radiation when illuminated by an external electro- optical device.
• the radiated light emission from the laser emitter may be in the UV, visual, NIR or MWIR spectrum.
• the light reflected from the retro-reflective material may be in the UV, visual, NIR or MWIR spectrum.
• the invention thus provides for a projectile with a special tracer incorporated and crimped into the projectile and closing a metal jacket around the projectile that, when illuminated at the trailing edge, allows electro-optical devices to locate, observe and track a projectile in flight.
• Full Metal Jacket (FMJ) ammunition is generally preferred for use by military forces for a number of important reasons. Accordingly, this application identifies a useful design to crimp thin metal disks, with certain features, to the trailing edge of the projectile. This design provides distinct benefits over prior art:
• Optimized, micro- structured prismatics provide highly efficient reflectance over the projectile's trajectory as the projectile changes attitude and the geometric relationship to the observer changes.
• a micro- structure metal retro-reflector incorporated into a disk allows for manufacture by a specialized forming processor at a manufacturer's facility with equipment to produce microstructures.
• a micro-structure metal especially one using a chrome plate or polished nickel, can survive in the harsh environment of hot propulsion gases.
• a micro-structure of ridges forming a prismatic structure is thin, less than a millimeter, which reduces the cost and complexity of stamping prismatic structures with specialized dyes.
• Thin disk contraction allows ammunition producers to vary the materials and components incorporated into a projectile's core.
• FMJ encapsulating the entire projectile can provide certain optimized terminal effects.
• Fig. 1 A shows the impact location and dispersion for bail ammunition.
• Fig. IB depicts the impact locations and dispersion for normal energetic tracer projectiles.
• Fig. 1C depicts the impact locations and dispersion for ball/tracer mix.
• Fig. 2A depicts a standard cartridge housing a projectile.
• Fig. 2B depicts a standard cartridge housing a projectile in cross-section.
• Fig. 2C depicts a standard cartridge in a breach firing a projectile, the projectile having exited the cartridge traveling in a barrel where burning, expanding propellant gases (not depicted) propel the projectile.
• Fig. 3A provides a perspective view depicting a projectile tracking device that includes an emitter 18 illuminating a light cone 20 that intersects the ballistic path of a projectile in flight 10.
• FIGs. 3B and 3C provide views that further illustrate a methodology to observe and record the projectile's location with a tracking device tha illuminates the projectile's path
• Figs. 3A-3C illustrate how an external radiation emission source 18 mounted on the barrel of the weapon emitting light in a cone of illumination 20 intersects with the projectile 10, along the projectile's flight path.
• Fig. 4 depicts a external view of a FMJ projectile incorporating a special tracer.
• Fig. 5 A depicts two views of a special tracer that is in a wafer form.
• Fig. 5B depicts a view of a special tracer that is in a wafer form and a magnified view of the surface morphology of the disk.
• Fig. 5C depicts a view of a special tracer that is in a wafer with a non-burning phosphorous composition optimized to re-emit laser light.
• Fig. 6A is a cut-away view of a projectile with a full metal jacket ("FMJ") and a special tracer.
• FMJ full metal jacket
• Fig. 6B depicts the special tracer, crimped to the projectile's trailing edge forming a fully encapsulating metal jacket.
• Fig. 6C is a detailed, cross-sectional view of the crimped wafer forming the trailing edge of the projectile providing the projectile with a sealed outer metal body.
• Fig. 6D are two perspective views (one in cross-section) of FMJ projectile and a special tracer crimped to the trailing edge.
• Fig. 7 depicts one external perspective view and three cross-sectional perspective views of an FMJ projectile, with differing internal configurations, all incorporating a special tracer in the trailing edge.
• Fig. 8 A depicts a perspective and rear view of a projectile with a special tracer and a magnified view of the wafer's outer surface, the outer surface including micro- prismatic facets and morphology formed into a metal,
• FIGs. 8B, 8Ca and 8Cb depict variant external morphology of a special retro- reflective tracer with magnified cut-away side views in 8Ca and 8Cb.
• Fig. 8D depicts side or cross-sectional views of the metal, magnified pyramid morphology with illustrated path of retro-reflected light.
• Fig. 8E shows that the angle of radiation incidence and refl ectance are approximately parallel with a micro- prismatic surface.
• Fig. 8F depicts a projectile's attitude in fight and a corresponding micro-prismatic surface, in the special tracer, perpendicular to the flight attitude. The figure further depicts the angle of illumination incidence and reflectance that results from the micro- prismatic surface.
• Fig. 9 depicts a projectile with a special tracer that includes a fluorescent dye in a medium adhering to the disk, the fluorescent dye being able to re-emit light after illumination by a laser pulse.
• Fig. 10 depicts are projectile with a special tracer that incorporates a fluorescent dye in a sub-strata with a protective or ablative coating
• Fig. 11 is a graph response curve (signal return versus time in milliseconds). Incorporating fluorescent phosphorous materials into a special tracer allow the projectile to re-emit light after excitement by laser.
• Figs. 1A-1C respectively show a Monte Carlo simulation of .308 sierra ball, tracer and ball/tracer bullet mix. Tracer bullets are normally fired with a ball to tracer mix. The mean impact point of bullets with and without burning tracers is significant when firing at longer ranges. The comparative tracer and ball comparisons highlight the ballistic drawbacks associated with use of energetic tracers.
• the trackable projectile or "bullet” 10 is fabricated with a full metal jacket (“FMJ") 26 and incorporates a special tracer 28.
• the special tracer is a not energetic but is provided with special characteristics that are incorporated into a thin metal disk 28.
• the disk or wafer 28 is crimped 32 to the trailing edge of the projectile's metal jacket 26 and forming a sealed metal jacket surrounding the bullet's internal material or materials 26A.
• the special tracer in wafer form either reemits or reflects radiation rearward.
• the special tracers 28 are crimped 32 thus forming a trailing edge of the projectile 30, When illuminated by laser light from the vicinity of a weapon, the special tracer 34 light is reflected, allowing for identification and locating of the projectile in flight.
• Figures 6A-6D depict a projectile with a special tracer.
• the special tracer 28 is crimped by the bullet's exterior metal jacket 26 to form a sealed metal jacket 26 A surrounding the bullet's interior metal or components.
• the special tracer 28 is formed to include micro- prismatic structures 34 in the exterior metal surface as depicted in Figures 8A-8D.
• Figures 3A-3C and 8E viewed in combination, the diagrams illustrate how an external device with an emitter 18 and detector 24 illuminate the projectile's flight path 20, and light 72 reaching the disk 34 is reflected in the direction of the incident radiation by the micro-prismatic structures 68, returning the light 74 at an angle of incidence to the external optical detector 24 co-located with the emitter 8.
• the array of micro-prismatic structures 68 produce a conical reflectance return 74 allowing for the reflected light to be observed by a detector 24.
• the cone of reflected light produced by the projectile 10 provides for continued tracking of the projectile, through its ballistic flight path 22 and provides for continued tracking where the rotational variation of spin has induced projectile yaw, precession and nutation.
• a partially completed projectile may be assembled with the special tracer 28, fit the rear of the projectile as depicted in Figure 6C, and then crimped 32 to the FMJ 26 by crimping or metal forming, thus completing a fully encapsulating metal jacket 26 A and retaining the special tracer 28 within the finished projectile 10.
• the projectile After completing manufacture of the projectile 0, the projectile is then loaded into a cartridge case 04 that is filled with propellant 08 forming a completed projectile 02 ( Figures 2B and 2C),
• the product may benefit from use of a propellant 08 with an optimized stoichiometric balance, as such propellants are known to burn and minimize reside from propellant combustion.
• a clean burning propellant in combination with special tracers is useful in precluding the unwanted deposition of carbonaceous residue on a special tracer's surface.
• the wafer includes a fluorescent material (e.g., a dye) that is responsive and re-emits light when radiated with a laser.
• the light re-emission 46 returns a light signal to an optical detector or 24 tracking device.
• Figures 6A-D depict projectiles with a special tracer.
• the special tracer 28 is crimped by the bullets exterior metal jacket 28 to form a sealed metal jacket 28A surrounding the bullet's interior metal or components.
• the special tracer disk 28, 36 includes fluorescent dyes responsive to laser emission that include phosphorous.
• Figure 5C depicts a special tracer that exhibits a special light response (reemission) that is crimped to a FMJ projectile 58 that, when excited by laser light, reemits radiation as identified in Figure 1 1 .
• a cartridge with this type of special tracer in the trailing edge may incorporate an ablative or protective material 36B that burns or otherwise vaporizes after cartridge ignition.
• Emitter Laser or LED
• FMJ Full Metal Jacket
• a Fully encapsulating metal jacket composed of a FMJ and crimped metal tracer disk.
• a Special Tracer Wafer with a Laser Re-emitting phosphor in a sub-straight crimped into a projectile
• Projectile with a Special Tracer and a conventional metal core Projectile with a Special Tracer and a penetrator and core (Type 1).
• a side or cut-away view (with magnification) of the special tracer wafer's micro- prismatic exterior surface is

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• 2017
  • 2017-12-19 WO PCT/US2017/067238 patent/WO2018125661A2/en unknown
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