THERMAL TIPPED PENETRATOR BULLET

Abstract

A penetrating bullet, for use in an ammunition cartridge, has a jacket defining an internal volume and forming a closed base end opposite a nose end. A penetrator shaft is enclosed within the jacket and extends from the internal surface of the closed base end toward the nose end. Substantially filling the remainder of the internal volume is a core. The core is formed of two distinct regions, with a first stable region formed proximate the closed base end and extending to an intermediate location about the penetrator shaft. Forward from the stable region is a thermal region. The thermal region extends from the intermediate location to the nose end. The thermal region will ignite upon impact with a target to soften or otherwise weaken the target, allowing the penetrator shaft to more effectively penetrate deeper into the target medium.

Claims

1. A projectile for an ammunition cartridge, comprising: a jacket defining an internal volume and having a closed base end and a nose end; a penetrator shaft at least partially enclosed within the internal volume of the jacket and extending from the closed base end toward the nose end; and a core disposed within the jacket and around the penetrator shaft, the core having: (1) a stable region composed of a first material and formed proximate the closed base end and extending forward to an intermediate location, and (2) a thermal region composed of a second material, the thermal region extending forward from the intermediate location toward the nose end, wherein the thermal region is configured to ignite upon impact with a target.

2. The projectile of claim 1, wherein the penetrator shaft is tapered from the closed base end toward the nose end.

3. The projectile of claim 2, wherein the core comprises a reverse taper from the nose end to the base end.

4. The projectile of claim 3, wherein the penetrator shaft and the core substantially fill the internal volume of the jacket.

5. The projectile of claim 1, wherein the base end of the jacket further comprises a means for engaging the penetrator shaft.

6. The projectile of claim 5, wherein the engagement means comprises two grooves defined in an internal surface of the jacket at the base end and configured to receive a lower end of the penetrator shaft.

7. The projectile of claim 6, wherein the two grooves are spaced apart from one another by substantially 90 degrees.

8. The projectile of claim 7, wherein the lower end of the penetrator shaft further comprises at least two protrusions configured to mate with the two grooves formed in the base end.

9. The projectile of claim 8, wherein the stable region about the closed base end is configured to lock the two protrusions into mating engagement with the two grooves.

10. The projectile of claim 1, wherein the penetrator shaft is concentrically aligned about a longitudinal centerline of the jacket.

11. The projectile of claim 1, wherein a forward end of the penetrator shaft extends beyond the nose end of the jacket to define a bullet tip.

12. The projectile of claim 1, wherein the nose end of the jacket forms a hollow point tip.

13. The projectile of claim 1, wherein ignition of the thermal region upon impact with a target occurs solely based on inherent chemical properties of the second material.

14. The projectile of claim 13, wherein the second material is a compressed aluminum powder.

15. The projectile of claim 1, wherein the penetrator shaft is composed of a material harder than the jacket.

16. The projectile of claim 1, wherein the penetrator shaft is composed of tungsten.

17. The projectile of claim 1, further comprising a thrusting disk attached about the closed base end, the thrusting disk configured to thrust the penetrator shaft in a forward direction upon impact with a target.

18. A projectile for an ammunition cartridge, the projectile comprising: a jacket defining an internal volume and having a base end and a nose end; a penetrator shaft at least partially enclosed within the internal volume of the jacket, engaged to the base end, and extending from the base end toward the nose end; a two-piece core disposed within the jacket and around the penetrator shaft, the two-piece core having a lower region composed of a first material and an upper region composed of a second material, wherein the second material is combustible upon physical impact with a surface.

19. The projectile of claim 18, further comprising a reinforcement disk attached to the base end and configured as a hard backstop to thrust the penetrator shaft forward upon impact with a target.

20. The projectile of claim 18, wherein the second material is a compressed magnesium powder.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Other systems, methods, features and advantages of the invention will be or will become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the invention, and be protected by the accompanying claims. Component parts shown in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, and may be exaggerated to better illustrate the important features of the invention. Dimensions shown are exemplary only. In the drawings, like reference numerals may designate like parts throughout the different views, wherein:

[0015] FIG. 1 is a side view of one embodiment of a penetrating bullet according to the present invention.

[0016] FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view, taken along section lines A-A of FIG. 1, of one embodiment of a penetrating bullet.

[0017] FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view, taken along section lines A-A of FIG. 1, of an alternative embodiment of a penetrating bullet according to the present invention.

[0018] FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view, taken along section lines A-A of FIG. 1, of an alternative embodiment of a penetrating bullet having an elongated penetrator shaft.

[0019] FIG. 5 is a side cross-sectional view, taken along section lines A-A of FIG. 1, of an alternative embodiment of a hollow point penetrating bullet according to the present invention.

[0020] FIG. 6 is a side cross-sectional view, taken along section lines A-A of FIG. 1, of an embodiment of a reinforced penetrating bullet according to the present invention.

[0021] FIG. 7 is a side cross-sectional view, taken along section lines A-A of FIG. 1, of an alternative embodiment of the reinforced penetrating bullet according to the present invention.

[0022] FIG. 8 is a side cross-sectional view, taken along section lines A-A of FIG. 1, of a further alternative embodiment of a penetrating bullet according to the present invention.

[0023] FIG. 9 is a side cross-sectional view, taken along section lines A-A of FIG. 1, of a further alternative embodiment of a penetrating bullet.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] The following disclosure presents exemplary embodiments of a bullet engineered to fully penetrate a hardened target surface without substantially fragmenting or otherwise destroying the internal hardened bullet core. The bullet is engineered such that a distinct portion of the internal volume formed within the jacket can be filled with a flammable or incendiary material that will ignite upon initial impact with a target. The ignition of the flammable material creates a micro-oven at the target which softens the target such that the internal harden core can more effectively penetrate the target without destroying itself on impact. The penetrating bullet disclosed herein is thus particularly well suited for military and law enforcement uses and can be manufactured in virtually any caliber desired. These and other aspects of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in art in view of the following disclosure.

[0025] Note, throughout the disclosure the phrase hardened target or armored target should be understood to mean an armored target or a target that has otherwise been fortified against conventional small and medium caliber bullets. Thus, hardened or armored targets may include personal body armor, armored vehicles, armored or concrete bunkers and other fortifications that may be used to protect a target. Further, throughout the disclosure, the terms polymer and synthetic polymer and synthetic coating shall be interpreted in a non-limiting fashion and given a broad interpretation according to their plain and ordinary meaning. Polymer can mean a natural polymer or a synthetic polymer, and any invention described herein that refers to polymer shall be understood to mean either a synthetic or natural polymer. Examples of polymers as used herein include but are not limited to acrylic, polyethylene, polyolefin, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyvinylchloride, synthetic rubber, phenol formaldehyde, neoprene, nylon, polyacrylonitrile, PVB, silicone, and any of the foregoing in powdered, micronized powdered, or resin form.

[0026] FIG. 1 is a side view of one embodiment of a penetrating bullet 10 according to the present invention. The penetrating bullet 10 tapers inwardly at the forward end to form an ogive region 12. Opposite the ogive region 12, the penetrating bullet 10 tapers inwardly to define a boat tail 16. The boat tail 16 defines the base end 22 of the penetrating bullet 10. Opposite the base end 22, the penetrating bullet 10 has a nose end 18 which is integrally connected to the base end 22 by the body 14. The body 14 defines the maximum outer diameter for the penetrating bullet 10, which is determined as a result of the caliber of the bullet. The penetrating bullet 10 is enclosed by a jacket 20 which forms the outer most surface of the penetrating bullet. Preferably, the jacket 20 has a smooth outer surface, however, in some alternative embodiments, the jacket 20 may include a circumferential groove to allow for crimping of a cartridge neck thereabout, e.g., a cannelure.

[0027] In alternative embodiments, the base end 22 may be formed as a flat base without the boat tail 16. In such embodiments, the base end 22 can have substantially the same outer diameter as the body 14 of the penetrating bullet 10. The nose end 18 may also be formed with a rounded or pointed tip, depending on the desired use of the penetrating bullet 10. Alternatively, the nose end 18 may be formed as a hollow tip (e.g., FIG. 5). As will be detailed further below, in some embodiments, the jacket 20 may be injection molded, according to known techniques, using one or more polymer or metallic powders. Alternatively, the jacket 20 may be formed according to conventional practices using a metallic cup that is stretched and formed into final shape through a series of mechanical die presses.

[0028] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view, taken along section lines A-A of FIG. 1, of an embodiment of a penetrating bullet 10 according to the present invention. The jacket 20 defines an internal volume of the penetrating bullet 10. The jacket 20 encloses a penetrator shaft 24. The penetrator shaft 24 extends from the base end 22 toward the nose end 18 within the jacket 20. In some embodiments, the penetrator shaft 24 extends about the full internal longitudinal length of the jacket 20 from the base end 22 to the nose end 18. In some alternative embodiments, the length of the penetrator shaft 24 may be less than the full length from the base end 22 to the nose end 18. A forward end 26 of the penetrator shaft 24 may taper inward to form a pointed tip 28. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 3, the penetrator shaft 24 may have a rounded tip 30. The exact longitudinal length of the penetrator shaft 24 may be used to control the cross-sectional density of the penetrating bullet 10, where a longer length increases the cross-sectional density, which in turn increases the penetrability of the penetrating bullet 10. Similarly, the degree of taper for the forward end 26 of the penetrator shaft may be used to control the cross-sectional density of the penetrating bullet 10.

[0029] The penetrator shaft 24 is preferably composed of a hard metal that will not easily deform or otherwise fragment upon impact with a hardened target. In preferred embodiments, the penetrator shaft 24 is made from tungsten or tungsten alloy materials, such as tungsten carbide. However, in alternative embodiments, the penetrator shaft 24 may be formed from other hard metals, such as various grades of hardened steel, titanium, and other metals or metal alloys with physical properties similar to tungsten. Note, the actual material used for the penetrator shaft 24 may vary depending on the hardened target the penetrating bullet 10 is designed for use against and the degree of penetration that may be required. The penetrator shaft 24 is preferably a solid piece of metal that is centered and balanced in the jacket 20 during the formation process of the penetrating bullet 10. Alternatively, the penetrator shaft 24 may be formed from metal powders that have either been heated and injection molded into form according to known techniques or mechanically compressed into the desired shape.

[0030] The remainder of the internal volume formed by the jacket 20 after the penetrator shaft 24 is seated therein is completely filled with a reverse tapered core 31. The reverse tapered core 31 fills the volume left between the outer surface of the penetrator shaft 24 and the inner surface of the jacket 20. The reverse tapered core 31 is formed from two distinct regions that are composed of different materials. A stable core region 32 is formed proximate the base end 22 about the penetrator shaft 24. The stable core region 32 extends forward to an intermediate position 33 defined about the longitudinal length of the penetrator shaft 24, preferably somewhere along the taper of the forward end 26 of the penetrator shaft 24. The stable core region 32 can be made from tin, lead or other metals or polymeric materials that will not react under the intense heat and pressure generated upon initial impact with a target. The stable core region 32 is thus composed of a metal or polymer material that is insensitive to heat changes and will not chemically react due to external forces at impact, e.g., friction generated upon impact with a target. The stable core region 32 can be injection molded into the penetrating bullet 10 about the penetrator shaft 24. In some embodiments, the stable core region 32 is made from a material that is less dense than lead to reduce the overall mass of the penetrating bullet 10 in comparison to a conventional bullet of similar caliber and shape.

[0031] Extending forward from the intermediate position 33 and substantially filling the remaining internal volume of the jacket 22 is a thermal core region 34. The thermal core region 34 surrounds at least the tip 28 of the penetrator shaft 24 and fills any remaining void proximate the nose end 18 within the jacket 20. The thermal core region 34 is designed to ignite upon impact with a target based on the inherent chemical properties of the materials used. The materials making up the thermal core region 34 ignite based upon the heat generated by the initial impact of the penetrating bullet 10 with a target. Ignition of the thermal core region 34 is relatively quick but is concentrated at the impact area and can generate temperatures upwards of 5,000 degrees Fahrenheit. The concentration of extreme heat generated at the initial impact area by the thermal core region 34 is engineered to soften or otherwise weaken the impact area to allow the penetrator shaft 24 to more easily continue on its path through the now weakened/softened target surface and penetrate deeper into the target medium.

[0032] The thermal core region 34 may be composed of one or more metallic powders that are stable at standard environmental conditions but reactive in the presence of sufficient heat. Preferably, the thermal core region 34 is composed of metallic powders, such as aluminum or magnesium metal powders. In some embodiments, a mixture of aluminum and magnesium powders may be used to form the thermal core region 34. In alternative embodiments, a mixture of a flammable or incendiary material and a stable material may be used. For example, aluminum or magnesium metallic powders may be homogenously mixed with a tungsten metal powder to form the thermal core region 34. Mixing a stable material, such as a tungsten metal powder, with a flammable material, such as aluminum or magnesium, can increase the stability of the thermal core region 34 for purposes of transport and handling. Further, the mixture of a flammable material with a denser, stable material will aid in achieving proper balance of the penetrating bullet 10 by increasing the cross-sectional density of the forward end of the penetrating bullet 10.

[0033] FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view, taken along section lines A-A, of an alternative embodiment of an elongated penetrating bullet 40 according to the present invention. The elongated penetrating bullet 40 is similar to the penetrating bullet 10 and includes an extended penetrator shaft 42. The extended penetrator shaft 42 has a forward end 44 which tapers inwardly, similar to the forward end 26 described above. The tip 46 of the extended penetrator shaft 42 extends beyond the nose 18 of the jacket 20 to form the bullet nose. The extended penetrator shaft 42 therefore extends beyond the full longitudinal length of the jacket 20 from the base end 22 and through the nose 18. The extended penetrator shaft 42 further increases the cross-sectional density of the elongated penetrating bullet 40 which thereby increases the penetrability of the bullet in a target medium.

[0034] FIG. 5 is a side cross-sectional view, taken along section lines A-A, of an alternative embodiment of the penetrating bullet 10. In some embodiments of the penetrating bullet 10, the nose end 18 may be formed as a hollow point 48. Formation of the hollow point 48 in the penetrating bullet 10 occurs as the final step after the penetrator shaft 24 has been secured within the jacket 20 and the stable core region 32 and the thermal core region 34 have been formed therein. The nose end 18 of the jacket 20 is thereafter extended and folded back in on itself to form the hollow point 48. The folding of the nose end 18 back in on itself also serves to create a seal 49 to close off the internal volume of the jacket 20 for the penetrating bullet 10 about the forward end thereof.

[0035] FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate various embodiments of a penetrating bullet 10 that includes a thrusting disk 50 attached thereto. FIG. 6 is a side cross-sectional view, taken along section lines A-A, of an alternative embodiment of the penetrating bullet 10. FIG. 7 is also a cross-sectional view of a further alternative embodiment of the penetrating bullet 10. The penetrating bullet 10 may include a thrusting disk 50 engaged about the rear end 52 the penetrator shaft 24 (e.g., FIG. 6). Alternatively, the thrusting disk 50 may be engaged externally about the base end 22 of the jacket 20 (e.g., FIG. 7). The thrusting disk 50 is preferably a hard circular disk and can be made from metal, such as steel, although other metals may also be acceptable.

[0036] The thrusting disk 50 increases penetration of the penetrator shaft 24 by continuing the momentum of the penetrating bullet 10 in the forward direction upon impact with a target. The thrusting disk 50 acts as a hard backstop for the penetrator shaft 24 to work against upon initial impact with a target to ensure the forward momentum of the penetrating bullet 10 is carried deeper into the target. Further, the thrusting disk 50 can aid in preventing or resisting the occurrence of the penetrator shaft 24 being pushed out the base end 22 upon impact with a target before achieving optimal penetration.

[0037] The thrusting disk 50 is securely engaged to the penetrating bullet 10 to avoid problems that may occur from the inadvertent disengagement of the thrusting disk from the bullet during flight. For instance, if the thrusting disk 50 becomes disengaged from the penetrating bullet 10, it could act as a secondary projectile with an unknown flight path, thereby posing an unintended threat downrange. Thus, in some preferred embodiments, the thrusting disk 50 is adhesively secured to the penetrating bullet 10. This may involve placement of a small amount of adhesive internally at the base end 22 of the jacket 20 prior to insertion of the penetrator shaft 24. Alternatively, the penetrating bullet 10 may be fully formed prior to the thrusting disk 50 being adhesively secured to the external surface of the base end 22. In some other alternative embodiments, the thrusting disk 50 may be spot welded, laser welded, sonic welded, chemically welded, soldered, mechanically pressed or some combination thereof to secure the thrusting disk to the penetrating bullet 10. In further alternative embodiments, the thrusting disk 50 and the portion of the jacket 20 with which it will be engaged may be textured prior to the adhesive bonding. The texturing applied to the thrusting disk 50 and corresponding portion of the jacket 20 increases the reliability of the adhesive bonding therebetween by increasing the surface area available for bonding.

[0038] FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate various embodiments of a penetrating bullet 10 having a means for securing and centering the penetrator shaft 24 within the jacket 20. FIG. 8 is a side cross-sectional view, taken along section lines A-A, of one embodiment for securing and centering the penetrator shaft 24 within the jacket 20 and FIG. 9 is a side cross-sectional view an alternative embodiment for securing and centering the penetrator shaft in the jacket. As shown in FIG. 8, the jacket 20 may be formed with at least one groove 54 defined on the internal surface of the base end 22. The groove 54 is configured to matingly engage with a corresponding protrusion 56 formed at the rear end 52 of the penetrator shaft 24. In preferred embodiments, there is at least two opposing grooves 54 separated by about 90 degrees that matingly engage with a pair of corresponding protrusions 56 formed about the lower end 52 of the penetrator shaft 24. In alternative embodiments, such as that illustrated in FIG. 9, the internal surface of the base end 22 of the jacket 20 may be formed with a protrusion 60 that will matingly engage with a corresponding groove 58 formed in the rear end 52 of the penetrator shaft 24. Preferably, there are two 90 degree opposing protrusions 60 that matingly engage with a corresponding pair of opposing grooves 58 formed in the penetrator shaft 24.

[0039] Regardless of the configuration, the combination of grooves 54, 58 matingly engaged with the corresponding protrusions 56, 60 ensures the penetrator shaft 24 will be secured internally to the jacket 20. Further, engagement between the grooves 54, 58 and the protrusions 56, 60 causes the concentric alignment of the penetrator shaft 24 within the jacket 20 to provide for proper balance of the penetrating bullet 10. This concentric engagement also ensures the penetrator shaft 24 and the jacket 20 will share and maintain a common axis of rotation during flight to avoid issues of bullet disintegration or unwanted yawing of the bullet during flight.

[0040] In some exemplary embodiments, the length of the penetrator shaft 24 may be equal to about 50% to 110% the longitudinal length of the jacket 20 from the base end 22 to the nose end 18. Thus, the penetrator shaft 24 can be fully contained within the jacket 20 (e.g., FIG. 2) or be extended out the nose end 18 (e.g., FIG. 4) to form the tip of penetrating bullet 10. The internal volume of the jacket 20 remaining after engagement of the penetrator shaft 24 therein is then filled with the core 31. In some embodiments, the stable core region 32 may fill 50% to 80% of the remaining internal volume of the jacket 20 and the thermal core region 34 fills the remaining 20% to 50% of the internal volume about the nose end 18. More reactive materials used for the thermal core region 34 may require less volume of material to achieve the desired effect. For example, using powdered magnesium to form the thermal core region 34 may require only about 20% volume to achieve the desired incendiary effect whereas using powdered aluminum mixed with a stable material (e.g., tungsten) for the thermal core region 34 may require 50% volume. However, the exact percentages for each region of the core 31 will be dependent on the numerous external factors, such as bullet caliber, type of ammunition cartridge used in conjunction with the penetrating bullet 10, and the intended hardened target the bullet will be used on.

[0041] Exemplary embodiments of the invention have been disclosed in an illustrative style. Accordingly, the terminology employed throughout should be read in a non-limiting manner. Although minor modifications to the teachings herein will occur to those well versed in the art, it shall be understood that what is intended to be circumscribed within the scope of the patent warranted hereon are all such embodiments that reasonably fall within the scope of the advancement to the art hereby contributed, and that that scope shall not be restricted, except in light of the appended claims and their equivalents.