Spin stabilized projectile for smoothbore barrels

Abstract

The Spin-stabilized Projectile for Smoothbore Barrels would provide for improved accuracy and a flatter trajectory in comparison tot current Foster design projectiles or statically stabilized finned projectiles. The method achieved for spin stabilization here can easily be up-scaled for larger caliber artillery projectiles for when a spin-stabilized projectile is desired from a smoothbore weapon.

Claims

1. An Assembly for a sub-caliber rotationally stabilized projectile for use in a smoothbore barrel firearm comprising: a. a projectile having a fore-end portion, an aft-end portion, and a sufficiently uniform distribution of mass extending radially from its longitudinal axis whereby said projectile is capable of spin stabilization; and b. a turbine having a turbine clutch, a turbine bearing, and at least one turbine blade, said turbine clutch can be mated to said aft-end portion of said projectile; and c. a gas seal having a gas seal bearing, and at least one gas seal port, said gas seal bearing can be mated to said turbine bearing whereby said turbine bearing is supported by and is and rotationally independent of said gas seal bearing, said gas port converts burning propellant into a gas jet imposing a force onto said turbine blade; and d. said turbine blade converts said gas jet force into a rotational force causing said turbine to rotate whereby said turbine imposes a rotational force onto said projectile whereby both said turbine and said projectile rotate while being supported by said gas seal and sabots; and e. at least one said sabot each having an inner surface that can be mated with and is rotationally independent from said projectile fore-end portion, each of said sabot has at least one sabot gas port whereby said gas jet is vented through said sabot and forward of said assembly, said sabots, said turbine, and said gas seal are eject-able from said projectile when said projectile exits said barrel.

Description

ILLUSTRATIONS

(1) FIG. 1 is a side view of the Spin-stabilized projectile and turbine assembly.

(2) FIG. 2 is a side view of the Spin-stabilized projectile and turbine separated.

(3) FIG. 3 is a side view of a SSP cartridge assembly, with sabots, and a gas seal.

(4) FIG. 4 is a sectional view from FIG. 3.

(5) FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a SSP cartridge assembly loaded into a cartridge.

(6) FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a Spin-stabilized projectile, sabots, and gas seal in a smoothbore barrel during firing.

(7) FIG. 7 is an enlargement from FIG. 6.

(8) FIG. 8 is a view of a Spin-stabilized projectile, sabots, and gas seal exiting barrel.

(9) FIG. 9 is a view of the Spin-stabilized projectile in flight, the turbine ejecting from projectile.

REFERENCE NUMERALS

(10) 1. Spin-stabilized projectile 2. Projectile aft-end 3. Turbine 4. Projectile fore-end 5. Turbine sleeve 6. Turbine clutch 7. Turbine bearing 8. SSP cartridge assembly 9. Sabot leaf 10. Turbine blade 11. Sabot gas port 12. Sabot projectile retainer 13. Sabot wind scoop 15. Gas seal 16. Gas seal aft end 17. Gas seal gas port 18. Gas seal bearing 19. Shell hull 20. SSP cartridge 21. Propellant 23. Primer 25. Gun barrel 27. Gas pressure 29. Gas jet
Description: Spin-Stabilized Projectile FIGS. 1-9

(11) FIGS. 1-9 shows the Spin-stabilized projectile, SSP cartridge assembly, a loaded SSP cartridge, and the Spin-stabilized projectile in flight. A SSP (Spin-stabilized Projectile) assembly (8) consists of a Projectile (1), Turbine (3), Gas seal 15, and Sabot leaf (9).

(12) A Projectile (1) has a Projectile aft-end (2) and a Projectile fore-end (4), and a sufficiently uniform distribution of mass extending radially from its longitudinal axis where said Projectile (1) is capable of spin stabilization. The Projectile (1) has a Projectile aft-end (2) mated to a Turbine clutch (6). Turbine (3) has a Turbine sleeve (5), Turbine clutch (6), and a Turbine bearing (7), the Bearing (7) is mated to a Gas seal bearing (18). The Gas seal (15) having at least one Gas seal gas port (17) and a Gas seal bearing (18). Gas seal gas port (17) has an opening at the aft end and fore end of the Gas seal (15) creating a channel.

(13) Each SSP assembly (8) has multiple Sabot leaves (9), each of which has at least one Sabot gas port (11), Sabot projectile retainer (12), and a Sabot wind scoop (13). Sabot gas port (11) has an opening at the aft end and fore end of the Sabot leaf (9) creating a channel. Sabot leaves (9) encases and supports the Projectile (1) while Spin-stabilized cartridge assembly (8) is loaded into the Shell hull (19) prior to firing and also during firing when in the Gun barrel (25).

(14) Operation: Spin-Stabilized Projectile FIGS. 1-9

(15) A SSP assembly (8) is loaded into a shell containing in arrangement for firing Propellant (21), Primer (23) and Shell hull (19). As the shell is fired the SSP cartridge assembly (8) is forced into the Gun barrel (25) by the Gas pressure (27) from the burning Propellant (21) against the Gas seal aft end (16) of Gas seal (15). Some of Gas pressure (27) is vented through Gas seal ports (17) and emerge as Gas jets (29) that are directed by Ports (17) onto Turbine blades (10) of the aft-end portion of the Turbine (3). The Gas jets (29) imposes a forward force onto the Turbine blades (10) that converts the Gas jets (29) into rotational energy onto the Turbine (3) that rotates around its horizontal axis. The Gas jets (29) are then vented through the Sabot gas ports (11) of Sabot leafs (9) and into the ambient air foreword of the Spin-stabilized cartridge assembly (8).

(16) The Turbine clutch (6) portion of the Turbine (3) is mated to the Projectile aft-end (2) and in turn transfers rotational force from Turbine (3) onto the Projectile (1). As a result the Projectile (1) rotates inside of Sabot leaves (9) as the SSP cartridge assembly (8) is forced through the Gun barrel (25). The Sabot leaves (9) contain and align the Projectile (1) along the central axis of the firearm barrel, the greater diameter of Sabot (9) substantially filling the void created by the Projectile (1) being sub caliber.

(17) As the SSP cartridge assembly (8) exits the end of the Gun barrel (25) Sabot wind scoops (13) encounter ambient air which provides a resistance that is converted by Scoops (13) into a force perpendicular to the trajectory of the Projectile (1) where all Leaves (9) eject simultaneously so as to not create any errant forces affecting the trajectory of Projectile (1).

(18) Once the Sabot leaves (9) have been ejected from the Projectile (1) the fore end portion of the Turbine blades (10) now encounter the ambient air creating a resistance onto the Blades (10) which forces the Turbine (3) rearward from Projectile (1). The Turbine blades will all be canted angularly and uniformly against the flow of ambient air thus imposing a force rearward onto Turbine (3) causing Turbine clutch (6) to disengage Projectile aft-end (2) causing Turbine (3) to eject rearward and away from Projectile (1) as it continues on its trajectory.

(19) The Spin-stabilized Projectile for Smoothbore Barrels relies on spin-stabilization to allow the projectile to be more effective at longer distances and improved accuracy at those longer distances than current statically stabilized projectiles relying on fins, and will have a much more aerodynamic efficient shape compared to finned projectiles as well.

(20) The Spin-stabilized Projectile for Smoothbore Barrels will also have twice the range of, and improved accuracy over current Foster style slugs, which rely only on a weighted fore-end combined with a lighter cylindrical aft-end.