EP3623742B1 - Net launcher - Google Patents
Net launcher Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP3623742B1 EP3623742B1 EP18020449.7A EP18020449A EP3623742B1 EP 3623742 B1 EP3623742 B1 EP 3623742B1 EP 18020449 A EP18020449 A EP 18020449A EP 3623742 B1 EP3623742 B1 EP 3623742B1
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- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- barrel
- projectile
- net
- component
- component projectile
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Classifications
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F41—WEAPONS
- F41H—ARMOUR; ARMOURED TURRETS; ARMOURED OR ARMED VEHICLES; MEANS OF ATTACK OR DEFENCE, e.g. CAMOUFLAGE, IN GENERAL
- F41H13/00—Means of attack or defence not otherwise provided for
- F41H13/0006—Ballistically deployed systems for restraining persons or animals, e.g. ballistically deployed nets
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F41—WEAPONS
- F41A—FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS COMMON TO BOTH SMALLARMS AND ORDNANCE, e.g. CANNONS; MOUNTINGS FOR SMALLARMS OR ORDNANCE
- F41A21/00—Barrels; Gun tubes; Muzzle attachments; Barrel mounting means
- F41A21/16—Barrels or gun tubes characterised by the shape of the bore
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F42—AMMUNITION; BLASTING
- F42B—EXPLOSIVE CHARGES, e.g. FOR BLASTING, FIREWORKS, AMMUNITION
- F42B10/00—Means for influencing, e.g. improving, the aerodynamic properties of projectiles or missiles; Arrangements on projectiles or missiles for stabilising, steering, range-reducing, range-increasing or fall-retarding
- F42B10/02—Stabilising arrangements
- F42B10/26—Stabilising arrangements using spin
Definitions
- US10005556 discloses to mount a net gun on a drone to intercept an intruding drone.
- the net gun is not described in more detail.
- CN 101191712 A discloses bullet and a gun barrel system.
- the rifle of the gun barrel is polygonal and one section of the bullet is also polygonal corresponding to that of the rifle of the gun barrel.
- CN 101191712 A discloses a twisted projectile that is configured to increase the efficiency of the projectile to enter the spinning motion when the projectile is fired.
- a net launcher system comprising a net launcher and a multi-component projectile according to claim 1.
- the barrel has a twisted form configured to cause a rotation of the multi-component projectile around the longitudinal axis of the barrel, when the multi-component projectile is accelerated in the barrel.
- This twisted form of the barrel allows to replace heavy rifled net launchers by much lighter barrels and to use less powerful pressure gas fire mechanisms. It has further the advantage that the projectile, at least the weights and the net can be reused which is not possible with a projectile used in a rifled gun.
- the multi-component projectile in the barrel (before being fired by the fire mechanism) has a twisted form corresponding to the twisted form of the barrel such that the acceleration of the multi-component projectile along the longitudinal axis of the barrel causes the rotation of the multi-component projectile around the longitudinal axis of the barrel.
- This twisted form of the multi-component projectile allows to simplify the projectile, because the projectile does not need to be forced into a rifled form of the barrel. It has further the advantage that the projectile, at least the weights and the net can be reused which is not possible with a projectile used in a rifled gun.
- the inner cross-sectional form of the barrel with the twisted form and/or the outer cross-sectional form of the multi-component projectile with the twisted form corresponds to a convex regular polygon.
- the corners of the polygon provide a good guidance for the multi-component projectile in the barrel. Each corner follows thus a spiral due to the twisted form.
- the equal length of the sides and the equal angle of the corners of the convex regular polygon provides a symmetry which is very stable against pressure and/or provides stable flight.
- the sides between corners of the convex regular polygon are curved versus the outside and/or corners of the convex regular polygon are rounded.
- the sides are curved with a radius unequal, preferably being larger than the distance between the centre point of the polygon and the corners so that the polygon becomes not circular and prevents any rotation of the projectile in the barrel without a displacement along the longitudinal axis.
- the curved sides improve the stability of the barrel significantly against the pressure caused when firing the multi-component projectile.
- the corners are rounded.
- the corners are rounded with a radius smaller than the distance between the centre point of the polygon and the corners, preferably smaller than the three quarters of this distance, preferably smaller than the half of this distance, preferably smaller than a third of this distance.
- the cross-sectional inner form of the barrel rotates along the longitudinal axis of the barrel by a constant twist rate, wherein the constant twist rate is defined by twist angle per reference distance.
- the cross-sectional outer form of the multi-component projectile before being fired corresponds such to said cross-sectional inner form of the barrel that the multi-component projectile cannot rotate around the longitudinal axis of the barrel without being moved along the longitudinal axis of the barrel, and/or the outer cross-sectional outer form of the multi-component projectile rotates along a longitudinal axis of the multi-component projectile by the same constant twist rate.
- the barrel preferably with the twisted form, comprises a composite material.
- the composite material is preferably a fibre reinforced composite material.
- fibres e.g. carbon can be used.
- This embodiment provides very light (and still robust) barrels.
- the composite material is well formable to the final form of the barrel.
- the multi-component projectile comprises further a sabot and a cover, wherein the weights are arranged between the sabot and the cover.
- the sabot and the cover have the same outer form, and/or wherein the sabot and the cover are rotated around the longitudinal axis of the multi-component projectile with respect to each other to obtain the twisted form.
- the net comprises a number of cord ends, wherein each cord end is wrapped around one of the weights, and/or the barrel and the multi-component projectile charged in the barrel forms a replaceable cartridge configured to be connectable to the net launcher for firing the charged multi-component projectile and to be removable from the net launcher after the multi-component projectile has been fired for connecting a new cartridge charged with a new multi-component projectile.
- weights are arranged equally distributed around the longitudinal axis of the multi-component projectile.
- weights are aligned with the outer circumference of the sabot and the cover.
- weights are arranged at the corners of the sabot and the cover.
- each weight comprises a sabot portion for connecting/aligning the weight with the sabot, a cover portion for connecting/aligning the weight with the cover and a centre portion between the sabot portion and the cover portion.
- the centre portion has a circular cross-section and/or is configured for wrapping one of the cord ends around it.
- the centre portion has such a distance from the outer form of the projectile and/or from the inner form of the barrel such that the cord end is wrapped around without increasing the outer form of the projectile and/or without touching the inner form of the barrel, when loaded in the barrel.
- the multi-component projectile comprises a timer which sends the trigger signal to the net opening mechanism, wherein the time is set by the net launcher, when the multi-component projectile is charged in the barrel.
- the multi-component projectile comprises a receiver for wirelessly receiving the trigger signal.
- the barrel and the multi-component projectile charged in the barrel forms a (replaceable) cartridge configured to be connectable to the net launcher for firing the charged multi-component projectile and to be removable from the net launcher after the multi-component projectile has been fired for connecting a new cartridge charged with a new multi-component projectile, this is in particular advantageous in combination with the barrel made out of a (light) composite material and/or with the barrel with the twisted form which is normally difficult to charge.
- the cartridge comprises at the end of the barrel a fire charge configured to be fired by the fire mechanism. Therefore, all wear parts can be replaced with one cartridge.
- the cartridge comprises a connection ring with a connection interface to be connected to the net launcher, a support for holding the fire charge and a barrel interface to be connected to the barrel.
- the net launcher comprises at least two of the barrels to be able to shoot at least two projectiles in a short time and/or without recharging.
- the net launcher comprises a multi barrel cartridge comprising at least two cartridges and/or at least two barrels each charged with a multi-component projectile.
- a multi barrel cartridge comprising at least two cartridges and/or at least two barrels each charged with a multi-component projectile. This allows to shoot at least two projectiles in a short time and/or without charging and then quickly replacing the multi-barrel cartridge with a charged one to continue to shoot further projectiles.
- This embodiment is particular advantageous with the barrel made out of a (light) composite material and/or with the barrel with the twisted form which is normally difficult to charge. However, it works also with other types of barrels.
- the net launcher is a human carried gun, for example a hand-held and/or shoulder-worn gun.
- the twisted form of the barrel is such that the multi-component projectile must not be deformed to be rotated in the barrel.
- the multi-component projectile in the barrel before being charged in the net gun and/or before being fired by the net gut has such a twisted form that the multi-component projectile is rotated along its longitudinal axis, when the multi-component projectile is accelerated in a barrel with a twisted form corresponding to the twisted form of the multi-component projectile.
- An uninterrupted extension means that the inner walls of the charging barrel are flush with the inner walls of the barrel, or have a minimally smaller cross-section than the barrel and/or that the twisted form of the barrel is continued in the charging barrel such that multi-component projectile can move along the longitudinal axis of the barrel and/or of the charging barrel from the charging barrel to the barrel with the twisted form of the barrel and the charging barrel causing the projectile to be rotated with the movement along the longitudinal axis.
- the sabot comprises a sealing cloth.
- the method comprises the steps of: Inserting the multi-component projectile in the charging barrel from the front end of the barrel such that the sabot points towards the front end of the barrel; connecting the front end of the barrel to the connection interface of the charging interface; and moving the multi-component projectile from the charging barrel backwards into the barrel such that the sabot with the seal cloth points towards the back end of the barrel.
- a net launcher system comprises a net launcher and a multi-component projectile.
- Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of the net launcher 100.
- the net launcher 100 is preferably a net gun. In this embodiment, it is a hand-held gun, in particular a net gun/launch stick with the handle 5 extending in the same direction as the barrel 1, i.e. the longitudinal axis of the barrel 1 corresponds or is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the handle 5.
- the net launcher 100 is possible, e.g. a shoulder supported gun, a station-mounted gun and/or a drone-mounted gun.
- the net of the projectile 2 described later in more detail is preferably connected by a tether with the drone. This allows to capture drones in mid-flight and carry them away for safe disposal or investigation.
- the (inner form of the) barrel 1 has a twisted form configured to cause a rotation of the multi-component projectile 2 around the longitudinal axis of the barrel 1 and/or the projectile 2, when the multi-component projectile 2 is accelerated/moved in the barrel 1 in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the barrel 1.
- the (inner form of the) twisted form of the barrel 1 corresponds to a cylinder with the cylinder axis corresponding to the longitudinal axis of the barrel 1.
- cylinder and “(inner form of the) barrel 1" are used in the following as equivalents.
- the terms “cylinder axis” and “longitudinal axis of the barrel 1" are used in the following as equivalents.
- the twist rate is preferably smaller than 10 degree per centimeter (°/cm), preferably smaller than 8 °/cm, preferably smaller than 7 °/cm, preferably smaller than 6 °/cm.
- the twist rate is preferably larger than 1 degree per centimeter (°/cm), preferably larger than 2 °/cm, preferably larger than 3 °/cm, preferably larger than 4 °/cm. In a preferred embodiment, the twist rate is 5 °/cm.
- the twisted form is preferably such that at least a guidance portion of the circumference of the cross-section of the inner form of the barrel 1 follows the twisted form.
- the guidance portion comprises in a preferred embodiment the complete circumference of the inner form of the barrel 1. This means that the same point of the guidance portion rotates around the longitudinal axis, when moving the cross-section along the longitudinal axis resulting in a helical path of this point of the guidance portion. This applies preferably for all points of the guidance portion. This allows to create a rotation of the multi-component projectile 2 having (at least partly) the same twisted form of the barrel 1, when the multi-component projectile 2 is accelerated/moved along the longitudinal axis of the barrel 1.
- the cross-sectional form of the barrel 1 corresponds preferably to a convex regular polygon, i.e. an n-polygon with n sides of equal length and/or n equal angles of neighboring sides and/or n non-intersecting sides.
- n is larger than 2, preferably larger than 3.
- n is smaller than 12, preferably smaller than 10, preferably smaller than 8.
- the convex regular polygon provides a symmetry which is good for the flight characteristics of the projectile, and the corners of the polygon provide a good guidance in the barrel 1.
- N 4 (regular convex polygon corresponds to a square) and equal to 6 (regular convex polygon corresponds to a regular hexagon) showed to work very well.
- the n sides (between the n corners) of the convex regular polygon are curved versus the outside. This reduces the deformability of the barrel 1 under pressure and allows to make the walls of the barrel 1 thinner and/or out of a lighter material.
- the sides are curved with a curvature which is less curved than the curve created by a circle with a corresponding to the distance between the centre point of the polygon and the corner. In addition, it improves the guidance of the multi-component projectile 2 with a corresponding twisted form.
- the corners of the convex regular polygon are preferably rounded. This has a similar effect as the curved sides.
- the corners are rounded with a rounding radius smaller than the three quarters of distance between the corner and the centre point of the convex regular polygon, preferably smaller than the half of this distance, preferably smaller than the a third of this distance.
- Fig. 4 shows three potential cross-sections of the inner form of three embodiment of a barrel: a square with curved sides of a first embodiment of the barrel1, a square with rounded corners of a second embodiment of the barrel1' and a regular hexagon of a third embodiment of the barrel1".
- the aiming system described could be fully arranged in the drone and/or fully or partly in a remote location. If the aiming system is fully or partly in a remote location, the drone and/or the net launcher are controlled by control signals sent wirelessly to the drone from the remote location, e.g. by radio control.
Description
- The present invention concerns a net launcher, a multicomponent projectile, a net launcher system and a cartridge for a net launcher for launching a net to stop an object, e.g. an intruding drone.
- Drones become more and more popular. They can facilitate many things, but are in certain situations also a security risk. For example, close to airports or heliports, drones are a severe security risk for all aircrafts. Also, for restricted areas like prisons or critical infrastructure, which do not want anybody to invade the area, drones could be a security risk. Therefore, there exist different technologies for drone defence or countering drones.
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US10005556 -
WO16170367 -
DE102016111563 discloses a net gun. The net gun comprises multiple barrels which are not parallel, but extend with an angle from the fire direction. Each barrel fires a weight fixed at a corner of the net. Due to the angled barrels, the weights travel also radially to the fire direction and expand thus the net. However, this net gun is heavy and complex. In addition, the space needed for the net gun is large. -
CN 204678977 U discloses a net launcher system comprising a net launcher and a multi-component projectile with a net to which a plurality of weights is attached. Further,CN 204678977 U discloses that the launcher comprises barrel for firing the projectile, wherein said barrel has a twisted form, such as to provide a spin to the projectile when fired. -
CN 101191712 A discloses bullet and a gun barrel system. The rifle of the gun barrel is polygonal and one section of the bullet is also polygonal corresponding to that of the rifle of the gun barrel. Moreover,CN 101191712 A discloses a twisted projectile that is configured to increase the efficiency of the projectile to enter the spinning motion when the projectile is fired. -
WO12060822 - All solutions of the state of the art are rather complex and/or heavy and/or require a lot of space.
- It is the object of the present invention to find a net launcher and/or a multi-component projectile which solves the problems of the state of the art.
- It is the object of the present invention to find net launcher system, a net launcher and/or a multi-component projectile which is light and simple, reliable and easy to use.
- This object solved by a net launcher system comprising a net launcher and a multi-component projectile according to
claim 1.
The barrel has a twisted form configured to cause a rotation of the multi-component projectile around the longitudinal axis of the barrel, when the multi-component projectile is accelerated in the barrel. This twisted form of the barrel allows to replace heavy rifled net launchers by much lighter barrels and to use less powerful pressure gas fire mechanisms. It has further the advantage that the projectile, at least the weights and the net can be reused which is not possible with a projectile used in a rifled gun. - The multi-component projectile in the barrel (before being fired by the fire mechanism) has a twisted form corresponding to the twisted form of the barrel such that the acceleration of the multi-component projectile along the longitudinal axis of the barrel causes the rotation of the multi-component projectile around the longitudinal axis of the barrel. This twisted form of the multi-component projectile allows to simplify the projectile, because the projectile does not need to be forced into a rifled form of the barrel. It has further the advantage that the projectile, at least the weights and the net can be reused which is not possible with a projectile used in a rifled gun.
- In one embodiment, the inner cross-sectional form of the barrel with the twisted form and/or the outer cross-sectional form of the multi-component projectile with the twisted form corresponds to a convex regular polygon. The corners of the polygon provide a good guidance for the multi-component projectile in the barrel. Each corner follows thus a spiral due to the twisted form. The equal length of the sides and the equal angle of the corners of the convex regular polygon provides a symmetry which is very stable against pressure and/or provides stable flight. Preferably, the sides between corners of the convex regular polygon are curved versus the outside and/or corners of the convex regular polygon are rounded. Preferably, the sides are curved with a radius unequal, preferably being larger than the distance between the centre point of the polygon and the corners so that the polygon becomes not circular and prevents any rotation of the projectile in the barrel without a displacement along the longitudinal axis. The curved sides improve the stability of the barrel significantly against the pressure caused when firing the multi-component projectile. Preferably, also the corners are rounded. Preferably, the corners are rounded with a radius smaller than the distance between the centre point of the polygon and the corners, preferably smaller than the three quarters of this distance, preferably smaller than the half of this distance, preferably smaller than a third of this distance.
- In one embodiment the cross-sectional inner form of the barrel rotates along the longitudinal axis of the barrel by a constant twist rate, wherein the constant twist rate is defined by twist angle per reference distance.
- In one embodiment, the cross-sectional outer form of the multi-component projectile before being fired corresponds such to said cross-sectional inner form of the barrel that the multi-component projectile cannot rotate around the longitudinal axis of the barrel without being moved along the longitudinal axis of the barrel, and/or the outer cross-sectional outer form of the multi-component projectile rotates along a longitudinal axis of the multi-component projectile by the same constant twist rate.
- In one embodiment, the barrel, preferably with the twisted form, comprises a composite material. The composite material is preferably a fibre reinforced composite material. As fibres, e.g. carbon can be used. This embodiment provides very light (and still robust) barrels. In addition, the composite material is well formable to the final form of the barrel.
- In one embodiment, the multi-component projectile comprises further a sabot and a cover, wherein the weights are arranged between the sabot and the cover.
- In one embodiment, the sabot and the cover have the same outer form, and/or wherein the sabot and the cover are rotated around the longitudinal axis of the multi-component projectile with respect to each other to obtain the twisted form.
- The net comprises a number of cord ends, wherein each cord end is wrapped around one of the weights, and/or the barrel and the multi-component projectile charged in the barrel forms a replaceable cartridge configured to be connectable to the net launcher for firing the charged multi-component projectile and to be removable from the net launcher after the multi-component projectile has been fired for connecting a new cartridge charged with a new multi-component projectile.
- In one embodiment, weights are arranged equally distributed around the longitudinal axis of the multi-component projectile.
- In one embodiment, weights are aligned with the outer circumference of the sabot and the cover.
- In one embodiment, weights are arranged at the corners of the sabot and the cover.
- In one embodiment, each weight comprises a sabot portion for connecting/aligning the weight with the sabot, a cover portion for connecting/aligning the weight with the cover and a centre portion between the sabot portion and the cover portion.
- In one embodiment, the centre portion has a circular cross-section and/or is configured for wrapping one of the cord ends around it. Preferably, the centre portion has such a distance from the outer form of the projectile and/or from the inner form of the barrel such that the cord end is wrapped around without increasing the outer form of the projectile and/or without touching the inner form of the barrel, when loaded in the barrel.
- In one embodiment, the outer portion of sabot portion is at least partially aligned with the outer form of the sabot and is formed such to follow the twisted form of the multi-component projectile, and/or wherein the outer portion of cover portion is at least partially aligned with the outer form of the cover and is formed such to follow the twisted form of the multi-component projectile.
- In one embodiment, the sabot comprises recesses for hosting the weights and/or the sabot portions of the weights in the right places, and/or wherein the cover comprises recesses for hosting the weights and/or the cover portions of the weights in the right places.
- In one embodiment, the multi-component projectile comprises a net opening mechanism which is configured for holding the multi-component projectile together in a first phase after the multi-component projectile has been fired and left the barrel such that the multi-component projectile held together continues to rotate around its longitudinal axis and which is configure to free the weights after having received a trigger signal such that the weights move radially away from each other caused by the rotation of the multi-component projectile to open the net. This embodiment, has the advantage that the net opens only before hitting the object. This significantly increases the range of the projectile. The net opening mechanism can be realized very simple by any mechanism which holds together the weights until the trigger signal, because the projectile is rotating/twisting around the flight axis so that the net opens automatically once the mechanism stops holding together the weights. This embodiment is particular advantageous with the barrel and projectile with the twisted form. However, it works with any barrel and projectile which cause a rotation of the projectile around its longitudinal axis, i.e. with a riffled barrel.
- In one embodiment, the multi-component projectile comprises a timer which sends the trigger signal to the net opening mechanism, wherein the time is set by the net launcher, when the multi-component projectile is charged in the barrel.
- In one embodiment, the net launcher comprises a drone detection section for detecting and/or predicting the position and/or flight curve of the drone and a processing section configured to compute the timer based on the detected and/or predicted position and/or flight curve.
- In one embodiment, the multi-component projectile comprises a receiver for wirelessly receiving the trigger signal.
- The barrel and the multi-component projectile charged in the barrel forms a (replaceable) cartridge configured to be connectable to the net launcher for firing the charged multi-component projectile and to be removable from the net launcher after the multi-component projectile has been fired for connecting a new cartridge charged with a new multi-component projectile, this is in particular advantageous in combination with the barrel made out of a (light) composite material and/or with the barrel with the twisted form which is normally difficult to charge. However, it works also with other types of barrels. Preferably, the cartridge comprises at the end of the barrel a fire charge configured to be fired by the fire mechanism. Therefore, all wear parts can be replaced with one cartridge. Preferably, the cartridge comprises a connection ring with a connection interface to be connected to the net launcher, a support for holding the fire charge and a barrel interface to be connected to the barrel.
- In one embodiment, the net launcher comprises at least two of the barrels to be able to shoot at least two projectiles in a short time and/or without recharging.
- In one embodiment, the net launcher comprises a multi barrel cartridge comprising at least two cartridges and/or at least two barrels each charged with a multi-component projectile. This allows to shoot at least two projectiles in a short time and/or without charging and then quickly replacing the multi-barrel cartridge with a charged one to continue to shoot further projectiles. This embodiment is particular advantageous with the barrel made out of a (light) composite material and/or with the barrel with the twisted form which is normally difficult to charge. However, it works also with other types of barrels.
- In one embodiment, the fire mechanism is a gas pressure mechanism. In one embodiment, the fire charge is a gas pressure cartridge. The gas pressure mechanism can be activated quicker and electrical which allows easier automated or remote activation of the trigger mechanism. In addition, the gas pressure mechanism is lighter than classical mechanical lever fire mechanisms.
- In one embodiment, the net launcher is a human carried gun, for example a hand-held and/or shoulder-worn gun.
- In one embodiment, the net launcher system comprises a drone, wherein the net launcher is mounted on the drone.
- In one embodiment, the net launcher is configured to stop an object, in particular a moving object, in particular a drone.
- In one embodiment, the twisted form of the barrel is such that the multi-component projectile must not be deformed to be rotated in the barrel.
- In one embodiment, the multi-component projectile in the barrel before being charged in the net gun and/or before being fired by the net gut has such a twisted form that the multi-component projectile is rotated along its longitudinal axis, when the multi-component projectile is accelerated in a barrel with a twisted form corresponding to the twisted form of the multi-component projectile.
- In one embodiment, a charging barrel with the same inner cross-section and/or with the same twisted form as the barrel is used for facilitating the inserting of the multi-component projectile in the barrel. A front end of the charging barrel has a connection interface allowing to place the front end of the barrel on the connection interface such that the charging barrels forms an uninterrupted extension for the barrel. An uninterrupted extension means that the inner walls of the charging barrel are flush with the inner walls of the barrel, or have a minimally smaller cross-section than the barrel and/or that the twisted form of the barrel is continued in the charging barrel such that multi-component projectile can move along the longitudinal axis of the barrel and/or of the charging barrel from the charging barrel to the barrel with the twisted form of the barrel and the charging barrel causing the projectile to be rotated with the movement along the longitudinal axis. Preferably, the sabot comprises a sealing cloth. Preferably, the method comprises the steps of: Inserting the multi-component projectile in the charging barrel from the front end of the barrel such that the sabot points towards the front end of the barrel; connecting the front end of the barrel to the connection interface of the charging interface; and moving the multi-component projectile from the charging barrel backwards into the barrel such that the sabot with the seal cloth points towards the back end of the barrel.
- The invention will be better understood with the aid of the description of an embodiment given by way of example and illustrated by the figures, in which:
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Fig. 1 shows a three-dimensional view of a first embodiment of the net launcher. -
Fig. 2 shows an exploded view of the cartridge of the net launcher of the first embodiment. -
Fig. 3 shows a three-dimensional view of charged cartridge of the first embodiment without the barrel. -
Fig. 4 shows three exemplary cross-sectional forms of the barrel. -
Fig. 5 shows a three-dimensional view of the net launcher without the handle in a first moment after the multi-component projectile has been fired. -
Fig. 6 shows a three-dimensional view of the net launcher without the handle in a second moment after the multi-component projectile has been fired. -
Fig. 7 shows a three-dimensional view of the net launcher without the handle in a third moment after the multi-component projectile has been fired. -
Fig. 8 shows a three-dimensional view of an embodiment of a charging barrel charged with the multi-component projectile. -
Fig. 9 shows an exploded view of the embodiment of the charging barrel. -
Fig. 10 shows a front view of the embodiment of the charging barrel. -
Fig. 11 shows a first three-dimensional view of a second embodiment of the net launcher. -
Fig. 12 shows a second three-dimensional view of the second embodiment of the net launcher. -
Fig. 13 shows a side view of the second embodiment of the net launcher. -
Fig. 14 shows an embodiment of a multi-barrel cartridge. -
Fig. 15 shows a cross-section through the assembled cartridge ofFig. 2 . - A net launcher system comprises a net launcher and a multi-component projectile.
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Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of thenet launcher 100. Thenet launcher 100 is preferably a net gun. In this embodiment, it is a hand-held gun, in particular a net gun/launch stick with thehandle 5 extending in the same direction as thebarrel 1, i.e. the longitudinal axis of thebarrel 1 corresponds or is parallel to the longitudinal axis of thehandle 5. However, as will be described later, other realizations of thenet launcher 100 are possible, e.g. a shoulder supported gun, a station-mounted gun and/or a drone-mounted gun. For drone-mounted gun, the net of the projectile 2 described later in more detail is preferably connected by a tether with the drone. This allows to capture drones in mid-flight and carry them away for safe disposal or investigation. -
Fig. 11 to 13 show a second embodiment of thenet launcher 200. Here thenet launcher 200 is realized also as hand-held gun, however with the (longitudinal axis of the) handle 5 extending at an angle of substantially 90° with respect to the longitudinal axis of thebarrel 1. However, it is also possible that the longitudinal axis of thehandle 5 comprises an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of thebarrel 1 between 30° and 90°, preferably between 45° and 90°, preferably between 60° and 90°. Thenet launcher 200 comprises further a recoil absorber and/or second handle13. The recoil absorber and/or second handle13 allows to grab thenet launcher 200 with a second hand to improve aiming and holding of thenet launcher 200. This is in particular advantageous in combination withmultiple barrels 1.Barrels 1 arranged at different positions of the net gun change the recoil for eachbarrel 1 and thus change the way of aiming for eachbarrel 1. Thissecond handle 13 stabilizes this effect and equalizes the aiming fordifferent barrels 1. Here thesecond handle 13 extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to thebarrel 1 and to thehandle 5. Preferably, thesecond handle 13 can be folded in or detached to reduce the size of thenet launcher 200 for transportation. - The
net launcher barrel 1 and a fire mechanism. - The
barrel 1 is configured for accelerating the multi-component projectile in thebarrel 1 and/or is configured for directing the multi-component projectile in a desired direction. Thebarrel 1 has adistal end 11 and aproximal end 12. A longitudinal axis of thebarrel 1 extends along thebarrel 1 and/or along the fire direction and/or from theproximal end 12 to thedistal end 11. Thedistal end 11 is open to launch the firedmulti-component projectile 2 out of thebarrel 1 and/or in the fire direction. Theproximal end 12 is preferably closed and/or has a smaller opening then thedistal end 11. Preferably, the (smaller opening of the)proximal end 12 of thebarrel 1 is configured to host at least a part of the fire mechanism. Preferably, theproximal end 12 of thebarrel 1 is (hermetically) closed (by the fire mechanism) such that the pressure of the fire mechanism is fully used for the acceleration of the multi-component projectile. - The (inner form of the)
barrel 1 has a twisted form configured to cause a rotation of themulti-component projectile 2 around the longitudinal axis of thebarrel 1 and/or theprojectile 2, when themulti-component projectile 2 is accelerated/moved in thebarrel 1 in the direction of the longitudinal axis of thebarrel 1. The (inner form of the) twisted form of thebarrel 1 corresponds to a cylinder with the cylinder axis corresponding to the longitudinal axis of thebarrel 1. The terms "cylinder" and "(inner form of the)barrel 1" are used in the following as equivalents. The terms "cylinder axis" and "longitudinal axis of thebarrel 1" are used in the following as equivalents. Thecylinder 1 has preferably non-circular base surfaces and/or non-circular cylinder cross-sections. The cylinder cross-sections are defined as cross-sections perpendicular to the cylinder axis. The cylinder cross-sections (along the major part of the cylinder axis) have (at least around a part of the circumference of the cross-section) the same form which however rotates along the cylinder axis. The twisted form of the (inner form of the)barrel 1 is preferably such that the form of the cross-section of the cylinder rotates by a constant twist rate, wherein the constant twist rate is defined by twist angle per reference distance. This means that the form of the cross-section of the cylinder rotates with any displacement along the cylinder axis by the same displacement amount by the same rotation amount. The twist rate is preferably smaller than 10 degree per centimeter (°/cm), preferably smaller than 8 °/cm, preferably smaller than 7 °/cm, preferably smaller than 6 °/cm. The twist rate is preferably larger than 1 degree per centimeter (°/cm), preferably larger than 2 °/cm, preferably larger than 3 °/cm, preferably larger than 4 °/cm. In a preferred embodiment, the twist rate is 5 °/cm. The twisted form is preferably such that at least a guidance portion of the circumference of the cross-section of the inner form of thebarrel 1 follows the twisted form. The guidance portion comprises in a preferred embodiment the complete circumference of the inner form of thebarrel 1. This means that the same point of the guidance portion rotates around the longitudinal axis, when moving the cross-section along the longitudinal axis resulting in a helical path of this point of the guidance portion. This applies preferably for all points of the guidance portion. This allows to create a rotation of themulti-component projectile 2 having (at least partly) the same twisted form of thebarrel 1, when themulti-component projectile 2 is accelerated/moved along the longitudinal axis of thebarrel 1. - The cross-sectional form of the barrel 1 (or the cylinder cross-section or the base surface of the cylinder) corresponds preferably to a convex regular polygon, i.e. an n-polygon with n sides of equal length and/or n equal angles of neighboring sides and/or n non-intersecting sides. Preferably, n is larger than 2, preferably larger than 3. Preferably, n is smaller than 12, preferably smaller than 10, preferably smaller than 8. The convex regular polygon provides a symmetry which is good for the flight characteristics of the projectile, and the corners of the polygon provide a good guidance in the
barrel 1. N equal to 4 (regular convex polygon corresponds to a square) and equal to 6 (regular convex polygon corresponds to a regular hexagon) showed to work very well. In a preferred embodiment, the n sides (between the n corners) of the convex regular polygon are curved versus the outside. This reduces the deformability of thebarrel 1 under pressure and allows to make the walls of thebarrel 1 thinner and/or out of a lighter material. Preferably, the sides are curved with a curvature which is less curved than the curve created by a circle with a corresponding to the distance between the centre point of the polygon and the corner. In addition, it improves the guidance of themulti-component projectile 2 with a corresponding twisted form. Alternatively, and/or in addition, the corners of the convex regular polygon are preferably rounded. This has a similar effect as the curved sides. Preferably, the corners are rounded with a rounding radius smaller than the three quarters of distance between the corner and the centre point of the convex regular polygon, preferably smaller than the half of this distance, preferably smaller than the a third of this distance.Fig. 4 shows three potential cross-sections of the inner form of three embodiment of a barrel: a square with curved sides of a first embodiment of the barrel1, a square with rounded corners of a second embodiment of the barrel1' and a regular hexagon of a third embodiment of the barrel1". The hexagonal form of thebarrel 1" has the advantage that it can accommodate 6 instead of 4 weights and can thus span a tighter « pseudo » net, while the shape approximates a circle, thus giving good « pressure »robustness. This can be further improved by rounding the corners and/or the sides of the hexagon. The square form, in particular the curved square form allows more space in thebarrel 1 and 1' which allows to use larger nets. - The length of the
barrel 1 is preferably larger than 10 cm, preferably larger than 12 cm, preferably larger than 14 cm, preferably larger than 15 cm, preferably larger than 16 cm, preferably larger than 17 cm. The length of thebarrel 1 is preferably smaller than 40 cm, preferably smaller than 30 cm, preferably smaller than 26 cm, preferably smaller than 24 cm, preferably smaller than 22 cm, preferably smaller than 21 cm, preferably smaller than 20 cm, preferably smaller than 19 cm. In a preferred embodiment, the length of thebarrel 1 is 18 cm. However, the invention would work with any other length of thebarrel 1. - The
barrel 1 is preferably not a rifled barrel, i.e. is not a barrel with a circular cross-section with helical recesses along the longitudinal axis of the barrel. In a rifled barrel the projectile has a circular cross-section with a larger diameter than the circular cross-section of thebarrel 1 such that the projectile is pressed in the helical recesses of the barrel and starts to turn. The twisted form of the barrel of the present embodiment instead is such that a projectile which has already before the firing of the projectile 2 the same twisted form of the barrel can be rotated along the longitudinal axis, when accelerating the projectile 2 in the barrel. Much less pressure is needed in thebarrel 1 to accelerate the projectile and the walls of thebarrel 1 must be much less resistant compared to the walls of a rifled barrel. - The
barrel 1 is preferably made by a composite material. The composite material is preferably a fibre reinforced composite material. The fibres of the composite material can be made of carbon. Thebarrel 1 made out of a composite material is very light. In addition, it allows to form the twisted form of thebarrel 1 well. - In the first embodiment, the
net launcher 100 comprises only onebarrel 1. In a second embodiment, thenet launcher 200 comprises two ormore barrels 1, here 3barrels 1. Thenet launcher 200 inFig. 11 to 13 shows three different embodiments ofbarrels barrels 1 of thenet launcher 200 have the same twisted form and/or the same cross-sectional form such that thesame projectile 2 can be used for eachbarrel 1. - The fire mechanism is configured to fire the
multi-component projectile 2 in thebarrel 1 and/or to create a pressure at theproximal end 12 of thebarrel 1 to accelerate themulti-component projectile 2. The fire mechanism is preferably a gas pressure mechanism. The gas pressure mechanism works very well with thebarrel 1 made of composite material described below. However, other fire mechanisms are also possible, e.g. a fire mechanism based on gun powder. The gas pressure mechanism comprises preferably a gas pressure reservoir. The gas pressure reservoir is connected by a switch, e.g. a valve, with theproximal end 12 of thebarrel 1. Preferably, the fire mechanism comprises afire cartridge 4 for storing the pressure creating medium. For the gas pressure mechanism, this is agas pressure cartridge 4. Thecartridge 4 can be configured for one single shot or for more than one shot. However, it is also possible to use a gas pressure reservoir which is fixed in thenet launcher activator 6 which could be a button and/or a lever. Theactivator 6 allows a user to activate thenet launcher barrel 1, e.g. to open the pressure of the pressure reservoir into theproximal end 12 of thebarrel 1. Theactivator 6 could be mechanical or electrical. Preferably, theactivator 6 is electrical. This allows first a faster release/trigger times than with mechanical activators. Second, it allows an automated, remote and/or high cadence fire mechanism. In one embodiment, it allows a more evolved fire mechanisms incorporating maybe the results of a distance measurement to an object which could infer a certain delay of the activation of the fire mechanism for obtaining the optimal result. The fire mechanism could be completely automated such that the net launcher does not need anymechanical activator 6 to be activated by a user. The fire mechanism could be activated by an activation signal received from a processing section of the net launcher or from a remote location in communication connection with the net launcher. This is in particular well suited for station mounted and drone mounted net launchers. The fire mechanism could further include a safety switch (not shown in the figures) which must be turned on to activate the fire mechanism to avoid an activation by mistake. A selection switch orautomatic selection circuit 10 is used to select one of thebarrels 1 which shall be fired, when activating theactivator 6. - The multi-component projectile 2 (abbrev. projectile) comprises a plurality of
weights 24 connected by a net (not shown in the figures). The projectile 2 can be in at least two states. In a first state, theprojectile 2 with the net and theweights 24 is assembled and has a well-defined outer form to be charged in thebarrel 1, to be held in thebarrel 1 and/or to be fired from thebarrel 1. In a second state, when theprojectile 2 is fired with an axial rotation from thebarrel 1, theprojectile 2 opens the net by the radial forces on theweights 24. The subsequent description of theprojectile 2 refers to the first state, if not otherwise mentioned. In contrast to theprojectile 2 of a rifled barrel, thepresent projectile 2 has the same first state, when charged, when hold in thebarrel 1 before activating the fire mechanism and/or when accelerated in thebarrel 1 after the fire mechanism has been activated and/or shortly before leaving thebarrel 1 and/or when the projectile is at thedistal end 11 after the fire mechanism has been activated. Themulti-component projectile 2 is configured to open the net by the radial forces on the weights caused by a rotation of themulti-component projectile 2. Theprojectile 2 has a longitudinal axis which corresponds to the longitudinal axis of thebarrel 1, when theprojectile 2 is charged in thebarrel 1. Theprojectile 2 has a proximal side, a distal side and a lateral side. The longitudinal axis extends from the proximal to the distal side. The proximal and/or distal side is preferably perpendicular on the longitudinal axis of theprojectile 2. The lateral side extends around the longitudinal axis of theprojectile 2. - The projectile 2 in the first state has a twisted (outer lateral) form. The outer lateral form refers to the form of the lateral side of the projectile. The twisted form of the
projectile 2 corresponds at least so much to the twisted form of thebarrel 1 that the acceleration or displacement of theprojectile 2 along the longitudinal axis of thebarrel 1 causes a rotation of theprojectile 2 around the longitudinal axis of thebarrel 1 or theprojectile 2. Preferably, the cross-sectional outer form of theprojectile 2 corresponds such to said cross-sectional inner form of thebarrel 1 that the multi-component projectile cannot rotate around the longitudinal axis of thebarrel 1 without being moved along the longitudinal axis of the barrel, and/or such that the outer cross-sectional outer form of theprojectile 2 rotates along a longitudinal axis of the projectile 2 by the same constant twist rate of thebarrel 1. It is sufficient that at least one portion (along the longitudinal axis of the projectile 2) preferably two portions have this twisted form. In one embodiment (see e.g.Fig. 3 ), the two end portions of the projectile 2 (a distal portion and a proximal portion) have the twisted form, while a centre portion between these two end portions does not have the twisted form and does thus not contribute to the guidance of the projectile 2 in thebarrel 1. In the following, the twisted form is described in general. It is clear to a person skilled in the art that the twisted form does not necessarily need to extend along the complete longitudinal axis and or around the complete circumference of theprojectile 2. - The twisted form of the
projectile 2 corresponds preferably to a cylinder with the cylinder axis corresponding to the longitudinal axis of thebarrel 1. The terms "cylinder" and "(outer form of the) projectile 2" are used in the following as equivalents. The terms "cylinder axis" and "longitudinal axis of the projectile 2" are used in the following as equivalents. Thecylinder 1 has preferably non-circular base surfaces and/or non-circular cylinder cross-sections. The cylinder cross-sections are defined as cross-sections perpendicular to the cylinder axis. The cylinder cross-sections (along the major part of the cylinder axis) have (at least around a part of the circumference of the cross-section) the same form which however rotates along the cylinder axis. The twisted form of the (outer form of the) projectile 2 is preferably such that the form of the cross-section of the cylinder rotates by a constant twist rate, wherein the constant twist rate is defined by twist angle per reference distance. This means that the form of the cross-section of the cylinder rotates with any displacement along the cylinder axis by the same displacement amount by the same rotation amount. The twist rate corresponds to the twist rate of the twisted form of thebarrel 1. The twisted form is preferably such that at least a guidance portion of the circumference of the cross-section of the outer form of theprojectile 2 follows the twisted form. The guidance portion comprises in a preferred embodiment the complete circumference of the inner form of thebarrel 1 at at least one, preferably two portions of theprojectile 2 along the longitudinal axis of theprojectile 2. This means that the same point of the guidance portion rotates around the longitudinal axis, when moving the cross-section along the longitudinal axis of the projectile 2 resulting in a helical path of this point of the guidance portion. This applies preferably for all points of the guidance portion. This allows to create a rotation of the projectile 2 when accelerated/moved along the longitudinal axis of thebarrel 1. - The cross-sectional form of the projectile 2 (or the cylinder cross-section or the base surface of the cylinder) corresponds preferably to a convex regular polygon, i.e. an n-polygon with n sides of equal length and/or n equal angles of neighboring sides and/or n non-intersecting sides. Preferably, n is larger than 2, preferably larger than 3. Preferably, n is smaller than 12, preferably smaller than 10, preferably smaller than 8. N equal to 4 (regular convex polygon corresponds to a square) and equal to 6 (regular convex polygon corresponds to a regular hexagon) showed to work very well. In a preferred embodiment, the n sides (between the n corners) of the convex regular polygon are curved versus the outside. Preferably, the sides are curved with a curvature which is less curved than the curve created by a circle with a corresponding to the distance between the centre point of the polygon and the corner. Alternatively, and/or in addition, the corners of the convex regular polygon are preferably rounded. Preferably, the corners are rounded with a rounding radius smaller than the three quarters of distance between the corner and the centre point of the convex regular polygon, preferably smaller than the half of this distance, preferably smaller than a third of this distance.
- Each
weight 24 is connected with the net. Preferably, eachweight 24 is connected with a circumferential border of the net and/or is connected equally distributed around the net. The net can be a mashed net with theweights 24. Theweights 24 could be connected directly in the mashed net or at its circumference. However, preferably theweights 24 would be connected via cords to the mashed net or its circumference. The net can however also be a simplified net constituted by a cord or cords connecting theweights 24, for example also in a common centrepoint. In case of only twoweights 24, the net can be made of one single cord whose ends are connected with a respective weight. The net is arranged in the projectile 2 such that the net opens, when theweights 24 are forced apart from the radial force on therotating projectile 2. In one embodiment, cord ends of the net are wrapped around theweights 24. Additionally, and/or alternatively, the net is folded or rolled between theweights 24 in theprojectile 2. The net and/or the cord can be made out of any flexible material which allows to store the net and/or the cords within theprojectile 2. The cord can be a string, a thread, a filament, a strand, a fibre, a wire, a yarn, a twine, a rope, a cable, a wire or anything else suitable to form a net and/or fix the net to theweights 24. - The
weights 24 have preferably all the same weight and/or form. Theweights 24 are arranged preferably with the same distance from the longitudinal axis of theprojectile 2 and/or equally distributed around the longitudinal axis of theprojectile 2. When the cross-section of theprojectile 2 is a convex regular polygon, the number n of corners corresponds preferably to the number ofweights 24. Preferably, oneweight 24 is arranged in each corner to maximize the rotational momentum transferred to the multi-component projectile during the firing. Theprojectile 2 is made such that theweights 24 can maintain their relative positions in the first state and such that theweights 24 in the second state and/or when been fired out of thebarrel 1 can move radially away from the fire direction and/or the longitudinal axis of the projectile 2 forced by the rotation of theprojectile 2. Preferably, theprojectile 2 comprises further asabot 22. Thesabot 22 is arranged at the proximal end of the projectile 2 which points towards theproximal end 12 of thebarrel 1, when theprojectile 2 is charged in thebarrel 1. Thesabot 22 has preferably the same cross-sectional form as thebarrel 1 to cause a maximum acceleration on theprojectile 2. Thesabot 22 has preferably holding means for holding theweights 24 in place. Here, the holding means is realized by a shape of the sabot 22 (on the distal end of the sabot 22) causing a form fit with theweights 24. The form fit is such that the weights cannot move except substantially in the radial direction of theprojectile 2. Thus, in thebarrel 1 theweights 24 could not move radially apart and stay in place. Once theprojectile 2 leaves thebarrel 1, theweights 24 are not anymore held by the walls of thebarrel 1 and theweights 24 leave their positions in the form fit radially from the flight direction. In one embodiment, the form fit can further block a radial movement of theweights 24 as long as thesabot 22 and thecover 23 are held together. This could be advantageous for an embodiment with a net opening mechanism as described below. Thesabot 22 comprises preferably a sealing cloth (not shown) extending around the circumferential sides of thesabot 22 to improve the sealing between thebarrel 1 and theprojectile 2. The sealing cloth should be bend from thesabot 22 towards theproximal end 12 of thebarrel 1, when charged in thebarrel 1. Preferably, theprojectile 2 comprises further acover 23. Thecover 23 is arranged at the distal end of the projectile 2 which points towards thedistal end 11 of thebarrel 1, when theprojectile 2 is charged in thebarrel 1. Thecover 23 has preferably the same cross-sectional form as thebarrel 1 to cause a maximum acceleration on theprojectile 2. The cross-sectional form of thesabot 22 and thecover 23 are preferably rotated to each other (around the longitudinal axis of the projectile 2) to obtain a twisted form of the projectile 2 described in more detail below. Thecover 23 has preferably holding means for holding theweights 24 in place. Here, the holding means is realized by a shape of the cover 23 (on the proximal end of the cover 23) causing a form fit with theweights 24. The form fit is such that the weights cannot move except substantially in the radial direction of theprojectile 2. Preferably, theweights 24 are held between thesabot 22 and thecover 23. However, it is also possible to form a projectile 2 (without thesabot 22 and/or the cover 23) such that theweights 24 fit such together that they cannot move except in the radial direction with respect to the longitudinal axis. In this embodiment, theweights 24 have a first portion 24.1, a second portion 24.3 and a centre portion 24.2 between the first portion 24.1 and the second portion 24.3. The first portion 24.1 is arranged on the side of the proximal end of theweights 24 and/or on the side of thesabot 22. The second portion 24.3 is arranged on the side of the distal end of theweights 24 and/or on the side of thecover 23. The first and/or second portion 24.1, 24.3 of theweights 24 has preferably a surface contributing to the guidance portion and/or to the twisted form. This means that the outer surface of the projectile 2 in said portion(s) corresponds to the twisted form and/or to the inner form of thebarrel 1. This holds theweights 24 radially in their positions as long as theprojectile 2 is within thebarrel 1. The centre portion 24.2 has preferably a reduced diameter such that a space remains between the inner surface of thebarrel 1 and the centre portion 24.1 of theweights 24. This space is preferably used for wrapping or winding the net or the cord ends of the net around the centre portion 24.1 of the weights. The centre portion 24.1 has preferably a round, preferably a circular cross-section which provides a force-less unwrapping or unwinding when the net is opened by the forces caused by the rotation or the spin of theprojectile 2. - In one embodiment, the
projectile 2 comprises a net opening (delay) mechanism which is configured for holding the projectile 2 together in a first phase after theprojectile 2 has been fired and left thebarrel 1 such that the projectile 2 held together continues to rotate or spin around its longitudinal axis. The net opening mechanism is further configured to free theweights 24 after having received a trigger event such that theweights 24 move radially away from each other caused by the rotation of the projectile 2 to open the net. This can increase the range of theprojectile 2. The trigger event is preferably an electronic trigger signal received at the net opening mechanism. This electronic trigger signal can be sent from a timer of the projectile 2 set by thenet launcher projectile 2, typically based on a distance measurement or a sequence thereof. The electronic signal could also be received wirelessly in the projectile 2 during the flight towards the object to be intercepted. This allows to react even after firing on the behavior of the object to be intercepted. The net opening mechanism can be realized for example by a string circumferential means extending around the circumference of theprojectile 2 around the longitudinal axis of theprojectile 2 and holding theweights 24 radially together. Once the trigger signal is received, the circumferential means is opened to release theweights 24 such that they can move radially away forced by the rotational forces of theprojectile 2. The circumferential means can be a simple string with a separation or opening mechanism. In another embodiment, the net opening mechanism could be realized by a holding means configured to hold thesabot 22 and thecover 23 together. Preferably, the holding means is configured to create a holding force between thesabot 22 and thecover 23 in the direction of the longitudinal axis of theprojectile 2. The holding means could be a string connecting thesabot 22 and thecover 23. Theprojectile 2 is preferably designed such that thesabot 22 and thecover 23 and theweight 24 are arranged in a form fit or press fit such that they can not move relative to each other until the holding means is released or opened. The holding means is configured to open meaning that thesabot 22 and thecover 23 are not held together any more. The holdings means opens, when it receives the above-mentioned trigger signal. - The projectile 2 preferably loaded or charged from the
distal end 11 of the barrel 1 (front-end loader). Preferably, theprojectile 2 is assembled (in the first state) before being inserted into thedistal end 11 of thebarrel 1. However, it would also be possible to assemble the projectile 2 directly within thebarrel 1. In a preferred embodiment, theprojectile 2 is first inserted in a chargingbarrel 14 as shown inFig. 8, 9 and 10 . The projectile 2 can for example be mounted / assembled within the chargingbarrel 14. The chargingbarrel 14 has the same inner cross-section and/or the same twisted form as thebarrel 1, wherein a front end of the charging barrel has a connection interface 141 allowing to place thefront end 11 of thebarrel 1 on the connection interface 141 such that the chargingbarrel 14 forms an uninterrupted extension for the barrel. The connection interface 141 is preferably a step increasing the inner dimension by the roughly the thickness of the wall of thebarrel 1. Thus, when thefront end 11 of thebarrel 1 is placed on the step, the inner form of thebarrel 1 is automatically aligned with the inner form of the chargingbarrel 14. Theprojectile 2 is preferably inserted in the chargingbarrel 1 such that the proximal end of the projectile 2 or thesabot 22 points towards the connection interface 141. This allows in particular to insert thesabot 22 with the sealing cloth in the right orientation. When thebarrel 1 is connected to the connection interface 141 of the chargingbarrel 1, theprojectile 2 can be moved from the chargingtube 14 into thebarrel 1. This can be realized by a stick inserted through the end of the chargingtube 14 being opposed to the end with the connection interface 141. However, theprojectile 2 can also be moved by the gravity or other means. The sealing cloth remains in the correct position, when moving theprojectile 2 into thebarrel 1. This procedure allows to charge theprojectile 2 with the sealing cloth in the right orientation. The chargingtube 14 shown inFig. 8 to 10 is configured to fit on thebarrel 1" shown inFig. 11 to 13 . Obviously, the same principle applies forbarrels 1, 1' with other twisted forms and cross-sections. -
Fig. 5 to 7 shows now the projectile 2 after being fired and after having left thedistal end 11 of thebarrel 1. InFig. 5 , theprojectile 2 has just left thebarrel 1 and is still in the first state, i.e. still in the assembled state. Due to the twisted form of thebarrel 1 and theprojectile 2, theprojectile 2 rotates around its longitudinal axis while being accelerated in the barrel 1 (spin). This spin continues after having left thebarrel 1 and creates a radial force on theweights 24 of theprojectile 2. Thus, as shown inFig. 6 and 7 , theweights 24 move radially apart and open thus the net connected therebetween. Thesabot 22 and thecover 23 will simply fall down. With the above-described net opening mechanism of theprojectile 2, the opening of the net and/or the disassembling of the projectile 2 can be delayed such that larger projectile ranges can be achieved. - In order to accelerate the charging process of the
barrel 1 with theprojectile 2, a cartridge comprising at least thebarrel 1 and theprojectile 2 is suggested. Each cartridge comprises already thebarrel 1 charged with the projectile 2 such that after having fired thenet launcher empty barrel 1 or cartridge with a new charged cartridge, i.e. thebarrel 1 charged withprojectile 2. This accelerates the recharging process significantly.Fig. 2 shows an exploded view of such a cartridge. Therefore, thenet launcher connector 8 for receiving acorresponding connector 3 of the cartridge. Theconnector 3 comprises preferably acartridge interface 31 for connecting theconnector 3 with the (connector 8 of the)net launcher cartridge interface 31 is here a thread for fastening the cartridge to a corresponding thread of theconnector 8 of thenet launcher circle 25 conductively connected with the electrical terminal(s) of thefire charge 4. The connector ring orcircle 25 is arranged at end of theinterface 31 or thethread 31 and is connected with a corresponding connector terminal of thenet launcher activator 6 or from any other control means can be received thus in the fire cartridge, when the cartridge is charged in thenet launcher launcher interface 31 is just one embodiment for this interface. Other interface realizations are possible. Theconnector 3 comprises preferably a barrel interface for connecting theconnector 3 or the cartridge to (theproximal end 12 of) thebarrel 1. This barrel interface can for example be a thread to be connected to a corresponding thread of (the proximal end of) thebarrel 1. When thebarrel 1 is made out of a composite material, the interface in thebarrel 1 connected to the barrel interface of theconnector 3 can be realized by a (metal) thread ring fixed in thebarrel 1. The barrel interface provides one way to recharge the fire cartridge of the cartridge by inserting thefire cartridge 4 between theconnector 3 and thebarrel 1 and connecting them again. However, it is also possible that theconnector 3 is realized integral with theproximal end 12 of thebarrel 1 and/or that thefire cartridge 4 is recharged differently. Theconnector 3 comprises preferably athread 31 for fastening the cartridge to a corresponding thread of theconnector 8 of thenet launcher connector 3 is fixed preferably on theproximal end 12 of thebarrel 1. However, it is also possible that theconnector 3 is realized integral with theproximal end 12 of thebarrel 1. - The cartridge comprises preferably also the
fire cartridge 4. Theconnector 3 comprises a sleeve housing at its centre opening thefire cartridge 4. The fire cartridge is preferably inserted between theproximal end 12 of thebarrel 1 and theconnector 3. Thefire cartridge 4 is arranged such that thefire cartridge 4 enters in thebarrel 1 from theproximal end 12 and/or such that thefire cartridge 4 hermetically closes the opening of thebarrel 1 at theproximal end 12. Therefore, the pressure caused by thefire cartridge 4 when activating the fire mechanism is released (exclusively) in thebarrel 1. - The embodiment of the
net launcher 200 withmultiple barrels 1 can also comprise multiple cartridges each with asingle barrel 1. It is however also possible to provide amulti-barrel cartridge 201 comprising at least twobarrels 1, eachbarrel 1 charged with aprojectile 2. Themultiple barrel cartridge 201 comprises preferably a fire cartridge (not shown) in eachbarrel 1. Themultiple barrel cartridge 201 comprises preferably acommon support 15 supporting themultiple barrels 1. Thesupport 15 comprises preferably openings in connection with the inside of eachbarrel 1 via theproximal end 12 of thebarrel 1. Theopening 151 is configured for example to host thefire cartridge 4 of thecartridge 201 or the fire mechanism of thenet launcher 200. Thesupport 15 comprises preferably connection means 152 for quickly attaching themultiple barrel cartridge 201 on thenet launcher 200. This allows to launch multiple nets in a short time and to charge themultiple barrels 1 very quickly with a single manipulation. - The
net launcher position measurement system 9 for measuring a distance from thenet launcher - The
net launcher system 7. This could be a simple cross-hair. This could be a more sophisticated aiming system with a display adding aiming support information, e.g. where to point best the net launcher, when to shoot best, etc.. This aiming support information could be calculated based on the measured actual and/or future distance and/or position of the object. The aimingsystem 7 could be also fully automated such that the aiming system sends the trigger signal to the fire mechanism, when it processed to get the object to be intercepted. Such an automated aimingsystem 7 could further control the direction of thebarrel 1. Thebarrel 1, in particular in a station-mounted or a drone mounted net launcher, could have a direction apparatus which changes the direction of thebarrel 1, preferably azimuth and/or altitude. This could be for example a gimbal. In a drone-mounted net launcher, the aimingsystem 7 could alternatively and/or additionally control the direction ofbarrel 1 by changing the orientation of the drone itself. It is further possible to establish a fully automated drone control which flies automatically in the vicinity of the object to be intercepted and controls the position and/or orientation of the drone and/or the direction of thebarrel 1 in order to bring the net launcher in a potentially good launch position and activates then automatically the fire mechanism of at least one of thebarrels 1. The aiming system described could be fully arranged in the drone and/or fully or partly in a remote location. If the aiming system is fully or partly in a remote location, the drone and/or the net launcher are controlled by control signals sent wirelessly to the drone from the remote location, e.g. by radio control. - The presented
net launcher - The presented
net launcher barrel 1 has a small cross-section such that multiple barrels can be mounted on the drone. Such a drone-mountednet launcher net launcher
Claims (12)
- A net launching system comprising a net launcher (100, 200) and multi-component projectile (2),wherein the net launcher comprises a barrel (1) for accelerating the multi-component projectile and a fire mechanism for firing the multi component projectile in the barrel by causing the pressure at one end of the barrel for accelerating the multi-component projectile,wherein the multi-component projectile comprises a plurality of weights (24) connected by a net, wherein the multi-component projectile is configured to open the net by the radial forces on the weights caused by a rotation of the multi-component projectile,characterized in thatthe barrel has a twisted form configured to cause a rotation of the multi-component projectile around the longitudinal axis of the barrel, when the multi-component projectile is accelerated in the barrel, and the multi-component projectile in the barrel before being fired by the fire mechanism has a twisted form corresponding to the twisted form of the barrel such that the acceleration of the multi-component projectile along the longitudinal axis of the barrel causes the rotation of the multi-component projectile around the longitudinal axis of the barrel, wherein the net launcher is additionally characterized in thata) the net comprises a number of cord ends, wherein each cord end is wrapped around one of the weights, and/or in thatb) the barrel and the multi-component projectile charged in the barrel forms a replaceable cartridge configured to be connectable to the net launcher for firing the charged multi-component projectile and to be removable from the net launcher after the multi-component projectile has been fired for connecting a new cartridge charged with a new multicomponent projectile.
- Net launcher system according to the previous claim, wherein the barrel with the twisted form is made by a fibre reinforced composite material.
- Net launcher system according to one of the previous claims, wherein the cross-sectional form of the barrel corresponds to a convex regular polygon, wherein sides between corners of the convex regular polygon are curved versus the outside and/or corners of the convex regular polygon are rounded.
- Net launcher system according to the previous claim, wherein the cross-sectional outer form of the multi-component projectile before being fired corresponds such to said cross-sectional inner form of the barrel that the multi-component projectile cannot rotate around the longitudinal axis of the barrel without being moved along the longitudinal axis of the barrel, and/or the cross-sectional outer form of the multi-component projectile rotates along a longitudinal axis of the multi-component projectile by the same constant twist rate.
- Net launcher system according to one of the previous claims, wherein the multi-component projectile comprises further a sabot (22) with a seal cloth.
- Net launcher system according to one of the previous claims, wherein the multi-component projectile comprises a net opening mechanism which is configured for holding the multi-component projectile together in a first phase after the multi-component projectile has been fired and left the barrel such that the multi-component projectile hold together continues to rotate around its longitudinal axis and which is configure to free the weights after having received a trigger signal such that the weights move radially away from each other caused by the rotation of the multi-component projectile to open the net.
- Net launcher system according to one of the previous claims, comprising at least two barrels, each barrel configured to charge a multicomponent projectile.
- Net launcher system according to one of the previous claims, wherein the net launcher is a hand-held gun.
- Net launcher system according to the previous claim, wherein the cartridge comprises at the end of the barrel a fire charge (4) configured to be fired by the fire mechanism.
- Net launcher system according to one of the previous claims, comprising a multi barrel cartridge comprising at least two cartridges and/or at least two barrels each charged with a multi-component projectile.
- Net launcher system according to one of the previous claims, wherein the fire mechanism is a gas pressure mechanism and/or wherein the fire charge is a gas pressure cartridge.
- Net launcher system according to one of the previous claims, comprising a drone, wherein the net launcher is mounted on the drone.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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EP18020449.7A EP3623742B1 (en) | 2018-09-14 | 2018-09-14 | Net launcher |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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EP18020449.7A EP3623742B1 (en) | 2018-09-14 | 2018-09-14 | Net launcher |
Publications (3)
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EP3623742A1 EP3623742A1 (en) | 2020-03-18 |
EP3623742B1 true EP3623742B1 (en) | 2023-08-02 |
EP3623742C0 EP3623742C0 (en) | 2023-08-02 |
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EP18020449.7A Active EP3623742B1 (en) | 2018-09-14 | 2018-09-14 | Net launcher |
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Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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GB2611336A (en) * | 2021-09-30 | 2023-04-05 | Gibson Robotics Ltd | Net-launching system |
Citations (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP0049068B1 (en) * | 1980-09-30 | 1985-12-04 | Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company | Solid dose ballistic projectile |
Family Cites Families (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE2747570A1 (en) * | 1976-11-10 | 1978-05-18 | Minnesota Mining & Mfg | BULLET |
SE467301B (en) * | 1990-10-01 | 1992-06-29 | Statoil Europart Ab | SATISFIED MANUFACTURING ELECTRIC WORKS, AND A SATISFIED MANUAL |
CN101191712A (en) * | 2006-11-28 | 2008-06-04 | 程城 | Novel bullet and gun barrel system |
WO2012060822A1 (en) | 2010-11-02 | 2012-05-10 | Advanced Ballistic Concepts Llc | Projectile for use with a rifled barrel |
US9080832B2 (en) * | 2013-05-09 | 2015-07-14 | Gaither Tool Company, Inc. | Quick-release valve air gun |
GB2538826B (en) | 2015-04-22 | 2021-06-23 | Openworks Eng Ltd | System for deploying a first object for capturing, immobilising or disabling a second object |
CN204678977U (en) * | 2015-06-05 | 2015-09-30 | 华南农业大学 | A kind of mancarried device for catching low latitude small-sized unmanned aircraft |
US10005556B2 (en) * | 2015-11-25 | 2018-06-26 | Mohammad Rastgaar Aagaah | Drone having drone-catching feature |
DE102016111563A1 (en) | 2016-06-23 | 2017-12-28 | Polycontact Ag | Attachment module for interception of unmanned aerial vehicles |
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2018
- 2018-09-14 EP EP18020449.7A patent/EP3623742B1/en active Active
Patent Citations (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP0049068B1 (en) * | 1980-09-30 | 1985-12-04 | Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company | Solid dose ballistic projectile |
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EP3623742C0 (en) | 2023-08-02 |
EP3623742A1 (en) | 2020-03-18 |
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