US3897732A - Hypervelocity projectile - Google Patents
Hypervelocity projectile Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US3897732A US3897732A US181491A US18149162A US3897732A US 3897732 A US3897732 A US 3897732A US 181491 A US181491 A US 181491A US 18149162 A US18149162 A US 18149162A US 3897732 A US3897732 A US 3897732A
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- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- projectile
- impact
- central core
- filament winding
- hypervelocity
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
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Classifications
-
- 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
- F42B10/32—Range-reducing or range-increasing arrangements; Fall-retarding means
- F42B10/38—Range-increasing arrangements
- F42B10/42—Streamlined projectiles
-
- 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
- F42B12/04—Projectiles, missiles or mines characterised by the warhead, the intended effect, or the material characterised by the warhead or the intended effect of armour-piercing type
- F42B12/06—Projectiles, missiles or mines characterised by the warhead, the intended effect, or the material characterised by the warhead or the intended effect of armour-piercing type with hard or heavy core; Kinetic energy penetrators
Definitions
- a spherical hypervelocity projectile which comprises a solid spherical central core of high strength metal, a fiberglass filament winding wound about said central core, and a plastic, high-sound-speed material secured about said filament winding.
- the present invention is directed to projectiles and more particularly to projectiles capable of making deep penetrations when impacted against objects traveling at hypervelocities.
- objects used for penetrating the surface of airships, etc. included solid materials such as rods, shaped explosive charges, spheres, fragments, bullets such as armor piercing projectiles, etc. These objects have their drawbacks.
- Armor piercing projectiles are directional and must strike the surface at a specific angle.
- Objects such as fragments, spheres, cubes, etc. break up into tiny particles as a result of hypervelocity impact.
- hypervelocity is defined as the velocity at which a projectile shatters upon impact with the target surface.
- Such impacts produce hemispherical craters on the surface of the impact object with a depth to diameter ratio for impacts under these conditions of about one-half which represents wide shallow craters on the surface.
- Armor piercing projectiles, shaped charges, rods, etc. require orienta tion or direction in order to be effective upon impact. Under certain circumstances there is a requirement wherein orientation or direction is not possible, which decreases the effectiveness of the last mentioned type.
- the present invention is directed to a high strength, composite hypervelocity projectile which is effective as a kill mechanism against objects traveling at a hypervelocity, such as ICBM, IRBM, satellites, space ships, etc.
- Another object is to provide a projectile effective against objects traveling at hypervelocities without a requirement of orientation or direction of the projectile.
- While another object is to provide a projectile which is easy to fabricate to any desired size.
- Still another object is to provide a projectile suitable for hypervelocity kills without the projectile breaking into many tiny particles upon impact.
- Yet another object is to provide a projectile which will have maximum penetration upon impact with a body traveling at a hypervelocity.
- FIG. 1 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a composite type projectile of this invention
- FIGS. 2 and 3 are modifications of FIG. 1.
- FIG. I a cross-sectional view of a projectile made according to the present invention.
- the projectile as shown, comprises a central core 11 of high strength and high density material coated with a low acoustical impedance material 12, such as a filamentwound impregnated phenolic fiberglass cord and with an outside shell 13 of high impedance and high modulus of elasticity material such as an outer shell of copper or tungsten carbide, however, the outer shell may be made of other materials, such as plastic.
- FIG. 2 illustrates a modification of FIG. I which illustrates a projectile which has a core surrounded by a coating 14 of plastic with fiberglass mixed in the plastic. This forms a composite coating on the core.
- FIG. 3 illustrates a modification of FIG. I in which the core is made of an explosive mixture 15 which will explode under favorable conditions after impact and with the same low acoustical impedance material 12 about the core and with a plastic coating as the outer shell.
- the projectiles may be fired in the path of an object or distributed in a large pattern in the path of enemy space ships or other type objects without any specific orientation of the projectile. Since the projectiles are spherical it does not matter from which direction the projectile strikes the object. When dealing with very high velocity objects, the effect on the object will be the same whether the object runs into the projectile or whether the projectile has a direct hit on the object.
- the projectiles of the present invention do not require a special orientation and yet are capable of penetrating surfaces of high velocity objects.
- the energy of the impact is transmitted to the center sphere through the outer shell and the low acoustical impedance material about the core.
- the covering absorbs, reflects, and dissipates a substantial portion of the shocks that are generated upon impact and produces an elastic or diaphragmatic dish ing of the surface of the object.
- the high strength wrapping of fiberglass cord or other materials surrounding the center core is resistant to both the effects of the shock and break-up while the plastic covering causes dishing of the surface.
- the energy on impact required for the elastic dishing is concentrated at the point of impact and therefore partially absorbed by the plastic covering.
- the metal core or sphere is slowed down because of energy dissipation and achieves a slower velocity, which should permit the projectile to penetrate the surface of the object without breaking up into small particles.
- the modification illustrated by FIG. 2 combines the fiberglass with the plastic to provide a single covering.
- the covering would require greater energy to break up on impact and will have a slightly different effect on the velocity of the sphere as it continues to make an impact with the surface of the object struck.
- the modification as illustrated by FIG. 3 makes use of an explosive material as the center or core which may be capable of reflecting and dissipating the shock energy during impact.
- the shock energy during impact being absorbed by the plastic covering and the fiberglass cord which surrounds the explosive core.
- Such a structure permits the explosive charge to penetrate the surface hit sufficiently to produce the greatest damage upon exploding.
- the projectiles of the present invention have the advantages of having no limit in size of fabrication; do not require special orientation upon impact, therefore the ratio of projectile weight to total warhead weight is larger than warheads which require projectile orientation; projectiles are easily fabricated and produce deep penetration of an object when hit by the projectile or when the projectile is hit by objects traveling at hypervelocities.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
- Elimination Of Static Electricity (AREA)
Abstract
1. A spherical hypervelocity projectile which comprises a solid spherical central core of high strength metal, a fiberglass filament winding wound about said central core, and a plastic, high-sound-speed material secured about said filament winding.
Description
Atkins et a1.
[ 1 HYPERVELOCITY PROJECTILE [76] Inventors: Walter W. Atkins, 7417 Yellowstone Dr., Alexandria, Va. 22312; Mario A. Persechino, 5700 Roberts Dr., Brinkley Manor. Temple Hills, Md. 20031 {22] Filed: Mar. 21, 1962 [21] Appl. No.: 181,491
[52] US. Cl l02/92.3; 102/52 [51] Int. Cl. F42B 11/26 [58] Field of Search 102/52, 56, 66, 67, 68, 102/69, 92, 92.5, 92.5 G, 70, 64, 92.1, 92.2, 92.3, 92.4
[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,202,162 10/1916 Clay 102/52 2,343,344 3/1944 Thompson 102/52 2,401,380 6/1946 Teitscheid 102/52 2,766,692 10/1956 Mynes 102/67 2,937,597 5/1960 Winn et al. 102/105 Aug. 5, 1975 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,237,195 6/1960 France 102/67 OTHER PUBLICATIONS Primary ExaminerStephen C. Bentley Assistant Examinerlordan C, T.
Attorney, Agent, or Firm-R. S. Sciascia; Arthur Branning; M. L. Crane EXEMPLARY CLAIM l. A spherical hypervelocity projectile which comprises a solid spherical central core of high strength metal, a fiberglass filament winding wound about said central core, and a plastic, high-sound-speed material secured about said filament winding.
2 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures I-IYPERVELOCITY PROJECTILE The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government of the United States of America for governmental purposes without the payment of any royalties thereon or therefor.
The present invention is directed to projectiles and more particularly to projectiles capable of making deep penetrations when impacted against objects traveling at hypervelocities.
Heretofore, objects used for penetrating the surface of airships, etc., included solid materials such as rods, shaped explosive charges, spheres, fragments, bullets such as armor piercing projectiles, etc. These objects have their drawbacks. Armor piercing projectiles are directional and must strike the surface at a specific angle. Objects such as fragments, spheres, cubes, etc., break up into tiny particles as a result of hypervelocity impact. For purposes of this invention, hypervelocity is defined as the velocity at which a projectile shatters upon impact with the target surface. Such impacts produce hemispherical craters on the surface of the impact object with a depth to diameter ratio for impacts under these conditions of about one-half which represents wide shallow craters on the surface. Armor piercing projectiles, shaped charges, rods, etc., require orienta tion or direction in order to be effective upon impact. Under certain circumstances there is a requirement wherein orientation or direction is not possible, which decreases the effectiveness of the last mentioned type.
The present invention is directed to a high strength, composite hypervelocity projectile which is effective as a kill mechanism against objects traveling at a hypervelocity, such as ICBM, IRBM, satellites, space ships, etc.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a projectile capable of deep penetrations when impacted against objects traveling at hypervelocities.
Another object is to provide a projectile effective against objects traveling at hypervelocities without a requirement of orientation or direction of the projectile.
While another object is to provide a projectile which is easy to fabricate to any desired size.
Still another object is to provide a projectile suitable for hypervelocity kills without the projectile breaking into many tiny particles upon impact.
Yet another object is to provide a projectile which will have maximum penetration upon impact with a body traveling at a hypervelocity.
Other and more specific objects of the invention will become apparent upon a careful consideration of the following detailed description when taken together with the accompanying drawing in which:
FIG. 1 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a composite type projectile of this invention; and
FIGS. 2 and 3 are modifications of FIG. 1.
Referring now to the drawing there is illustrated, by example, in FIG. I, a cross-sectional view of a projectile made according to the present invention. The projectile, as shown, comprises a central core 11 of high strength and high density material coated with a low acoustical impedance material 12, such as a filamentwound impregnated phenolic fiberglass cord and with an outside shell 13 of high impedance and high modulus of elasticity material such as an outer shell of copper or tungsten carbide, however, the outer shell may be made of other materials, such as plastic.
FIG. 2 illustrates a modification of FIG. I which illustrates a projectile which has a core surrounded by a coating 14 of plastic with fiberglass mixed in the plastic. This forms a composite coating on the core.
FIG. 3 illustrates a modification of FIG. I in which the core is made of an explosive mixture 15 which will explode under favorable conditions after impact and with the same low acoustical impedance material 12 about the core and with a plastic coating as the outer shell.
In operational use, the projectiles may be fired in the path of an object or distributed in a large pattern in the path of enemy space ships or other type objects without any specific orientation of the projectile. Since the projectiles are spherical it does not matter from which direction the projectile strikes the object. When dealing with very high velocity objects, the effect on the object will be the same whether the object runs into the projectile or whether the projectile has a direct hit on the object.
When a projectile strikes an object or an object has an impact with the projectile, there occurs an elastic or diaphragmatic dishing of the surface of the object, which distributes the resistance over a considerable area and causes the stress of impact to react upon the projectile which tends to stop the projectile in a very short distance. Usually when projectiles of the prior art type strike an object traveling at a high velocity, the impact breaks the projectile into many particles such that the degree of penetration into the object is considerably reduced. It is well known that standard armorpiercing projectiles will withstand shocks of impact, however, these projectiles are directional and require a specific orientation with respect to the object.
The projectiles of the present invention do not require a special orientation and yet are capable of penetrating surfaces of high velocity objects. When the projectile of the present invention has an impact with a high velocity object, the energy of the impact is transmitted to the center sphere through the outer shell and the low acoustical impedance material about the core. The covering absorbs, reflects, and dissipates a substantial portion of the shocks that are generated upon impact and produces an elastic or diaphragmatic dish ing of the surface of the object. The high strength wrapping of fiberglass cord or other materials surrounding the center core is resistant to both the effects of the shock and break-up while the plastic covering causes dishing of the surface. The energy on impact required for the elastic dishing is concentrated at the point of impact and therefore partially absorbed by the plastic covering. After impact, the metal core or sphere is slowed down because of energy dissipation and achieves a slower velocity, which should permit the projectile to penetrate the surface of the object without breaking up into small particles.
The modification illustrated by FIG. 2 combines the fiberglass with the plastic to provide a single covering. In this modification the covering would require greater energy to break up on impact and will have a slightly different effect on the velocity of the sphere as it continues to make an impact with the surface of the object struck.
The modification as illustrated by FIG. 3 makes use of an explosive material as the center or core which may be capable of reflecting and dissipating the shock energy during impact. The shock energy during impact being absorbed by the plastic covering and the fiberglass cord which surrounds the explosive core. Such a structure permits the explosive charge to penetrate the surface hit sufficiently to produce the greatest damage upon exploding.
The projectiles of the present invention have the advantages of having no limit in size of fabrication; do not require special orientation upon impact, therefore the ratio of projectile weight to total warhead weight is larger than warheads which require projectile orientation; projectiles are easily fabricated and produce deep penetration of an object when hit by the projectile or when the projectile is hit by objects traveling at hypervelocities.
Obviously many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in the light of the above secured about said filament winding.
* l I I
Claims (2)
1. A spherical hypervelocity projectile which comprises a solid spherical central core of high strength metal, a fiberglass filament winding wound about said central core, and a plastic, high-sound-speed material secured about said filament winding.
2. A spherical hypervelocity projectile which comprises a solid spherical central core of high strength metal, a fiberglass filament winding wound about said central core, and a metal, high-sound-speed material secured about said filament winding.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US181491A US3897732A (en) | 1962-03-21 | 1962-03-21 | Hypervelocity projectile |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US181491A US3897732A (en) | 1962-03-21 | 1962-03-21 | Hypervelocity projectile |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US3897732A true US3897732A (en) | 1975-08-05 |
Family
ID=22664491
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US181491A Expired - Lifetime US3897732A (en) | 1962-03-21 | 1962-03-21 | Hypervelocity projectile |
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Cited By (10)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4015535A (en) * | 1975-04-10 | 1977-04-05 | The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Army | Hypervelocity spallators |
US4949644A (en) * | 1989-06-23 | 1990-08-21 | Brown John E | Non-toxic shot and shot shell containing same |
US5535678A (en) * | 1990-10-31 | 1996-07-16 | Robert E. Petersen | Lead-free firearm bullets and cartridges including same |
US6892647B1 (en) | 1997-08-08 | 2005-05-17 | Ra Brands, L.L.C. | Lead free powdered metal projectiles |
US20050183618A1 (en) * | 2004-02-10 | 2005-08-25 | Government Of The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy | Enhanced performance reactive composite projectiles |
US20120216699A1 (en) * | 2007-07-26 | 2012-08-30 | Kazak Composites, Incorporated | Pultruded composite frangible projectile or penetrator |
US20140311373A1 (en) * | 2012-07-25 | 2014-10-23 | Ward Kraft, Inc. | Special Purpose Slugs For Use In Ammunition |
US20150241182A1 (en) * | 2012-07-25 | 2015-08-27 | Ward Kraft, Inc. | Special Purpose Slugs For Use In Ammunition |
US20230039980A1 (en) * | 2021-08-06 | 2023-02-09 | True Velocity Ip Holdings, Llc | Polymer jacketed powder core projectile |
US11733012B1 (en) | 2023-01-16 | 2023-08-22 | Umarex Usa, Inc. | Solid core less-lethal projectile |
Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US1202162A (en) * | 1915-12-30 | 1916-10-24 | Wallace L Clay | Bullet. |
US2343344A (en) * | 1941-12-26 | 1944-03-07 | Russell G Thompson | Projectile |
US2401380A (en) * | 1941-12-15 | 1946-06-04 | Alfred F Teitscheid | Projectile cap |
US2766692A (en) * | 1954-07-14 | 1956-10-16 | Mynes Clyde Spencer | Projectile pellet |
US2937597A (en) * | 1956-08-27 | 1960-05-24 | Gen Electric | Missile nose structure |
-
1962
- 1962-03-21 US US181491A patent/US3897732A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Patent Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US1202162A (en) * | 1915-12-30 | 1916-10-24 | Wallace L Clay | Bullet. |
US2401380A (en) * | 1941-12-15 | 1946-06-04 | Alfred F Teitscheid | Projectile cap |
US2343344A (en) * | 1941-12-26 | 1944-03-07 | Russell G Thompson | Projectile |
US2766692A (en) * | 1954-07-14 | 1956-10-16 | Mynes Clyde Spencer | Projectile pellet |
US2937597A (en) * | 1956-08-27 | 1960-05-24 | Gen Electric | Missile nose structure |
Cited By (14)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4015535A (en) * | 1975-04-10 | 1977-04-05 | The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Army | Hypervelocity spallators |
US4949644A (en) * | 1989-06-23 | 1990-08-21 | Brown John E | Non-toxic shot and shot shell containing same |
US5535678A (en) * | 1990-10-31 | 1996-07-16 | Robert E. Petersen | Lead-free firearm bullets and cartridges including same |
US6892647B1 (en) | 1997-08-08 | 2005-05-17 | Ra Brands, L.L.C. | Lead free powdered metal projectiles |
US7194961B1 (en) * | 2004-02-10 | 2007-03-27 | The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy | Reactive composite projectiles with improved performance |
US7191709B2 (en) * | 2004-02-10 | 2007-03-20 | The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy | Enhanced performance reactive composite projectiles |
US20050183618A1 (en) * | 2004-02-10 | 2005-08-25 | Government Of The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy | Enhanced performance reactive composite projectiles |
US20120216699A1 (en) * | 2007-07-26 | 2012-08-30 | Kazak Composites, Incorporated | Pultruded composite frangible projectile or penetrator |
US20140311373A1 (en) * | 2012-07-25 | 2014-10-23 | Ward Kraft, Inc. | Special Purpose Slugs For Use In Ammunition |
US20150241182A1 (en) * | 2012-07-25 | 2015-08-27 | Ward Kraft, Inc. | Special Purpose Slugs For Use In Ammunition |
US20230039980A1 (en) * | 2021-08-06 | 2023-02-09 | True Velocity Ip Holdings, Llc | Polymer jacketed powder core projectile |
US11965723B2 (en) * | 2021-08-06 | 2024-04-23 | True Velocity Ip Holdings, Llc | Polymer jacketed powder core projectile |
US11733012B1 (en) | 2023-01-16 | 2023-08-22 | Umarex Usa, Inc. | Solid core less-lethal projectile |
US11988489B1 (en) | 2023-01-16 | 2024-05-21 | Umarex Usa, Inc. | Solid core less-lethal projectile |
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