WO2006083280A2

WO2006083280A2 - A muzzle launcher for use with impulse cartridges with fixed propellant charge

Info

Publication number: WO2006083280A2
Application number: PCT/US2005/018966
Authority: WO
Inventors: Frank Dindl
Original assignee: Frank Dindl Consulting, Inc.
Priority date: 2004-06-03
Filing date: 2005-05-31
Publication date: 2006-08-10
Also published as: WO2006083280A3

Abstract

A muzzle launcher launches spin stabilized projectiles from the muzzle of a firearm. The muzzle launcher attaches to the muzzle of a firearm, and comprises one or more bores; each bore containing one or more projectile. An existing impulse cartridge provides the gas pressure necessary for launching the projectiles. The design of the muzzle launcher comprises selecting the volume behind the projectiles, the mass of the projectiles, and the length of bore travel in addition to the propellant charge used to produce the desired minimum and maximum effective ranges, recoil energy, and trajectory. The bores are optionally rifled to provide spin-stabilization of the projectiles.

Description

A MUZZLE LAUNCHER FOR USE WITH

IMPULSE CARTRIDGES WITH FIXED

PROPELLANT CHARGE

Cross Reference to Related Applications

This application claims benefit under 35 USC 119(e) of provisional application 60/320245, filed 03 June 2003, the entire file wrapper contents of which provisional application are herein incorporated by reference as though fully set forth at length.

Federal Research Statement

The inventions described herein may be manufactured, used, and licensed by or for the U.S. Government for U.S. Government purposes.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates in general to the field of muzzle launched ordnance. More speά&c&tiyγihsηyresen{ invention relates to a muzzle launcher using existing impulse cartridges with fixed propellant charge that achieves reduced recoil, increased effective range, reduced lethality at close range, flatter trajectories, and higher hit probability than conventional methods of muzzle launchers. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A conventional muzzle launcher is a non-lethal device that attaches to the muzzle of a military firearm such as the M16A2 rifle or M4 carbine. Muzzle launched ordnance is typically employed by soldiers during operations other than war such as riot control. In addition, muzzle launched ordnance is used by law enforcement personnel when a lethal response is not warranted. Although this technology has proven to be useful, it is desirable to present additional improvements.

An exemplary muzzle launcher launches fifteen spherical projectiles weighing approximately seventeen grams each. The projectiles are launched at approximately 260 feet per second. This produces a recoil impulse of approximately 4.5 pound-seconds with a recoil energy of 37 foot-pounds when fired from, for example, an eight pound M4 carbine with a full magazine. The recoil energy is the reactive force from firing the rifle mounted muzzle launcher; this recoil energy is typically absorbed by the shooter. A recoil energy of 37 foot-pounds is considered high; what is needed is a muzzle launcher with lower recoil energy.

The lethality of conventional muzzle launched ordnance may be relatively high, producing in some instances an impact energy density of approximately 18 joules per square centimeter at 10 meters from the muzzle. The exemplary muzzle launched ordnance produces approximately 10 joules per square centimeter at 60 meters from the muzzle. Lower lethality is desired to fit the desired application of muzzle launched ordnance for riot control, etc. The trajectory associated with the projectiles used in conventional muzzle launchers produces significant projectile drop. For example, projectiles that are launched at 260 feet per second in the exemplary muzzle launcher experience a projectile drop of approximately 10 feet at a range of 60 meters from the muzzle and a drop of approximately 25 feet at a range of 80 meters from the muzzle. Aiming and hitting a target while adjusting for this trajectory drop is difficult; conventional muzzle launchers are complicated to sight or aim because personnel must account for the projectile drop. Consequently, the probability of hitting the intended target (hit probability) by the conventional muzzle launcher is relatively low. What is needed is a muzzle launcher that launches projectiles with a flatter trajectory, increasing the range and hit probability of the projectile.

Thus, there is need for a muzzle launcher system with reduced recoil, increased effective range, reduced lethality at close range, flatter trajectories, and higher hit probability. The need for such a system has heretofore remained unsatisfied.

Summary of Invention

The present invention satisfies this need, and presents a system (referred herein as "the system" or "the present system") for a muzzle launcher for use with an existing impulse cartridge where the propellant charge is fixed. The present system uses a launcher with one or more optionally rifled bores to launch low-drag spin-stabilized projectiles. A volume behind the projectiles, the length of projectile bore travel, and the mass and diameter of the projectiles are selected to produce the desired non-lethal

effective range, trajectory, and recoil energy.

The present system comprises a muzzle launcher and projectiles. The launcher attaches to the muzzle of a firearm. The muzzle launcher comprises one or more optionally rifled bores. Each optionally rifled bore contains one or more spin-stabilized projectiles. An impulse cartridge fired in the chamber of the firearm provides the gas pressure for launching the non-lethal projectiles.

The present system provides a bore of desired caliber at the end of a rifle. For non-lethal applications using a blunt impact non-lethal projectile, very large diameter projectiles can be used to avoid eye injury. A projectile larger than 66 mm overlaps the eye socket and reduce the potential for eye injury.

A feature of the present system allows the use of existing impulse cartridges to produce the desired muzzle velocity and muzzle energy of the projectile. Impulse cartridges designed for the specific applications of the present system are not required. The energetic material used to generate the propellant gases for launching the projectile is an existing impulse cartridge that comprises a fixed amount of propellant. To use the existing impulse cartridge, the present system provides an initial volume behind the projectile in the bore before the projectile is fired. Selecting the initial volume behind the projectile determines the initial pressure on the projectile when the gun is fired. Consequently, the present invention provides a total projectile impulse that is less than conventional systems. This reduced impulse produces less recoil energy. In an embodiment of the present system, the muzzle launcher comprises a rifled bore designed such that low-drag spin-stabilized projectiles are launched from the muzzle launcher. Low-drag spin stabilized-projectiles provide a greater effective range compared to higher drag fin-stabilized, drag-stabilized, or unstabilized projectiles. In addition, low- drag spin-stabilized projectiles travel with a flatter trajectory, increasing hit probability. Rifling implies multiple spiral protrusions or depressions in the bore of the muzzle launcher. Any of several currently existing approaches to rifling may be used by the present system.

In addition, the length of the bore is selected to provide the desired muzzle velocity of the projectile. Muzzle velocity is dependent on projectile acceleration. Projectile acceleration is in turn dependent on the length of bore travel by the projectile. The volume behind the projectile and the length of projectile bore travel are selected to produce the desired muzzle velocity for the desired projectile mass. For non-lethal applications, muzzle velocities on the order of 300 to 400 ft/sec are desired for blunt impact types of projectiles.

The features of the present system may be used to provide a muzzle launcher for a variety of projectiles and applications. In an embodiment, the projectiles may be non- lethal blunt impact projectiles. In another embodiment, the projectile may be a net. In a further embodiment, the projectiles may be flash bang projectiles. In yet another embodiment, the projectile may be an electric stun projectile. The present system may also be applied to lethal applications such as, for example, lethal fragmenting grenades as projectiles. In another embodiment, the present system may be used for higher muzzle velocities in lethal applications. Brief Description of Drawings

The various features of the present invention and the manner of attaining them will be described in greater detail with reference to the following description, claims, and drawings, wherein reference numerals are reused, where appropriate, to indicate a correspondence between the referenced items, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is comprised of FIGS. IA and IB and represents a diagram of an exemplary muzzle launcher utilizing one bore;

FIG. 2 is comprised of FIGS. 2 A and 2B and represents a diagram of an exemplary muzzle launcher utilizing multiple bores;

FIG. 3 is comprised of FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C and represents an illustration of the performance of a muzzle launcher with multiple bores;

FIG. 4 is comprised of FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C and represents an illustration of the performance of muzzle launcher that launches a net;

FIG. 5 is a graph illustrating the energy density of projectiles fired by a conventional muzzle launcher and the exemplary muzzle launcher of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 6 is a graph illustrating the projectile drop of projectiles fired by a conventional muzzle launcher and the exemplary muzzle launcher of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 7 is a graph illustrating the recoil energy of a conventional muzzle launcher and the exemplary muzzle launcher of FIG. 1. Detailed Description

FIG. 1 (FIGS. IA, IB) is a diagram of a muzzle launcher 100. The muzzle launcher 100 comprises a launcher 105 and a base 110. FIG. IB is a cut-away view of the muzzle launcher 100 illustrating a projectile 115. The launcher 105 attaches to base 110. Projectile 115 is loaded into a bore 120 of the launcher 105. In an embodiment, multiple projectiles may be loaded into bore 120.

The muzzle launcher 100 is attached to the muzzle of a firearm. In an embodiment, bore 120 is rifled to provide spin-stabilization of projectile 115 as it travels down bore 120. Bore 120 of the launcher 105 is designed to provide a space or volume 125 between projectile 115 and base 110 that is empty.

In operation, an impulse cartridge (not shown) containing the propellant charge is chambered in a firearm and fired. The propellant gases pressurize the bore of the firearm and volume 125 behind the projectile¹! 15. The gas pressure acting on the base of projectile 115 accelerates projectile 115 through the bore 120 of muzzle launcher 100. In the design of the muzzle launcher 100, volume 125 behind projectile 115, the length of bore 120, and the mass of projectile 115 are selected to produce the desired muzzle velocity, muzzle energy, and trajectory of projectile 115.

In an embodiment, a muzzle launcher 200 may have multiple bores, as illustrated by FIG. 2 (FIGS. 2A, 2B). Muzzle launcher 200 comprises a launcher 205 and a base 210. Launcher 205 comprises multiple bores represented by bores 215, 220, 225. FIG. 2B is a cut-away view of the muzzle launcher 200 illustrating projectiles 230. Multiple projectiles 230 are loaded into each bore 215, 220, 225. In an embodiment, only one projectile 230 may be loaded into each bore 215, 220, 225.

The muzzle launcher 200 is attached to the muzzle of a firearm. In an embodiment, bores 215, 220, 225 are rifled to provide spin-stabilization of projectiles 230 as they travel down bores 215, 220, 225. Bores 215, 220, 225 of the muzzle launcher 200 are designed to provide spaces or volumes represented by volumes 235, 240, 245 between projectiles 230 and base 210 that are empty. A manifold 250 is provided to deflect the propellant gases from the impulse cartridge (not shown). Manifold 250 diffuses the gas pressure thru vent holes 255 so consistent gas pressure is applied to all bores 215, 220, 225.

Operation of the muzzle launcher 200 is illustrated by FIG. 3 (FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C). In operation, an impulse cartridge (not shown) containing a propellant charge is chambered in a firearm and fired. The propellant gases pressurize the bore of the firearm and volumes 235, 240, 245 behind the projectiles 230. The gas pressure acting on the base of the projectiles 230 accelerates the projectiles 230 through the bores 215, 220, 225 of the muzzle launcher 200 as illustrated by FIG. 3B. All projectiles 230 in the muzzle launcher 200 are launched concurrently, n the design of the muzzle launcher 200, volumes 235, 240, 245 behind the projectile 230, the length of the bores 215, 220, 225, and the mass of the projectiles 230 are selected to produce the desired muzzle velocity, muzzle energy, and trajectory of projectiles 230. Projectiles 230 are propelled out of the muzzle launcher 200 toward target 305 (FIG. 3C).

In an embodiment, a muzzle launcher 400 may comprise a net 405 as illustrated by FIG. 4 (FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C). Net 405 is loaded into a launcher 410 as illustrated in FIG. 4A. A volume 415 is provided between net base 420 and the base 425 of launcher 410. In operation, an impulse cartridge (not shown) containing the propellant charge is chambered in a firearm and fired. The propellant gases pressurize the bore of the firearm and volume 415 behind the net base 420. The gas pressure acting on the net base 420 accelerates the net base 420 and net 405 through the bore 430 of the launcher 410 as illustrated by FIG. 4B. Net 405 is propelled through the air toward a target 435 to entangle the target 435 in the net 405 (FIG. 4C).

Performance of an exemplary muzzle launcher 100 is illustrated by the graph of FIG. 5 that shows energy density of projectile 115 as a function of range in meters. The muzzle launcher 100 has lower energy density than a conventional muzzle launched ordinance, demonstrating that muzzle launcher 100 has lower lethality as desired.

FIG. 6 illustrates recoil energy of an exemplary muzzle launcher 100 as compared to a conventional muzzle launcher. As desired, muzzle launcher 100 has less recoil energy on rifles such as the M4 and the M16A2. FIG. 6 shows the effect of volume 125 on the performance of muzzle launcher 100. The conventional muzzle launcher has no volume behind the projectile; consequently recoil energy is much higher than that of the muzzle launcher 100.

FIG. 7 illustrates estimated trajectory of an exemplary projectile 115 fired from an exemplary muzzle launcher 100. Trajectory is graphed as drop of projectile 115 in feet as a function of range in meters. As desired, the muzzle launcher 100 utilizes a higher muzzle velocity to produce a flatter trajectory compared to a conventional muzzle launcher. As illustrated by the graphs of FIGS. 5, 6, and 7, muzzle launcher 100 achieves lower energy density (lethality) of projectile 115, less recoil, and a flatter trajectory than conventional muzzle launcher. These performance enhancements are achieved by introducing volume 125, selecting the length of bore 120 to provide the desired muzzle velocity, and optionally rifling bore 120to spin-stabilize the projectile 115 during flight.

All drawings are illustrative in nature and do not depict the actual size or scale of the objects shown. It is to be understood that the specific embodiments of the invention that have been described are merely illustrative of certain applications of the principle of the present invention. Numerous modifications may be made to a muzzle launcher for use with existing iimpulse cartridges where the propellant charge is fixed described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

ClaimsWhat is claimed is:

1. A muzzle launcher for use with an impulse cartridge containing a fixed propellant charge and a projectile, the muzzle launcher comprising: an interface for mounting a muzzle launcher mount to a muzzle of a weapon; a bore that houses the projectile; wherein each bore defines an initial volume behind the projectile before the weapon is fired; and wherein the initial volume regulates an initial pressure on the projectile when the weapon is fired, providing a reduced total projectile impulse that results in a reduced recoil energy.

2. The muzzle launcher of claim 1, wherein the impulse cartridge contains a plurality of projectiles; and wherein further comprising a plurality of bores that house the plurality of projectiles.

3. The muzzle launcher of claim 1, wherein the initial volume causes a reduction of the initial pressure on the projectile.

4. The muzzle launcher of claim 1, wherein the bore has a length that is selected in combination with the initial volume to provide a predetermined muzzle velocity.

5. The muzzle launcher of claim 1, wherein the bore comprises a rifled bore.

6. The muzzle launcher of claim 4, wherein the projectile comprises a spin- stabilized projectile.

7. The muzzle launcher of claim 1, wherein the bore has a length that is selected in combination with the initial volume behind the projectile, and a mass of the projectile are selected to provide predetermined muzzle velocity, muzzle energy, and trajectory of the projectile.

8. The muzzle launcher of claim 2, further comprising a manifold to deflect a propellant gas, diffusing a gas pressure so that consistent gas pressure is applied to all the bores.

9. The muzzle launcher of claim 8, wherein the projectiles are launched concurrently.

10. The muzzle launcher of claim 1, wherein the projectile comprises a net.

11. The muzzle launcher of claim 1, wherein the projectile comprises a non-lethal blunt impact projectile.

12. The muzzle launcher of claim 1, wherein the projectile comprises a flash bang projectile.

13. The muzzle launcher of claim 1, wherein the projectile comprises an electric stun projectile.

14. The muzzle launcher of claim 1, wherein the projectile comprises a fragmenting grenade.