Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02417602 2003-01-28
WO 02/10671 PCT/GB01/03320
Title:
Non-penetrating Projectile
This invention relates to a non-penetrating projectile which may be
adapted for use as a medication delivery system, for example for delivering a
tranquillising substance, drug, vaccine, medication, identification means or
tracking device to an animal or to any other target. The system may also be
used to take a sample of tissue. Such projectiles are commonly referred to as
tranquilliser darts and their primary purpose is to provide means for remotely
to delivering and injecting a tranquillising fluid or medication into an
animal
without causing undue harm or stress.
This invention also relates to a projectile which can be adapted for use
as a non-lethal projectile commonly referred to as a "baton round" or "rubber
bullet".
With reference to the first mentioned us, there has long been a need to
capture, study, relocate or medicate animals and various means are used.
The most commonly used method being by means of some form of adapted
syringe containing a tranquilliser which is propelled and injected on impact
into
the animal. These tranquilliser dart devices have serious disadvantages
primarily being lack of range and accuracy due to poor ballistic properties
and
the highly parabolic trajectory making range estimation critical. As a
projectile
the devices are inherently unstable due to length and weight and cannot be
spin stabilised to any useful degree due to the low velocity which is required
to
avoid deep penetration which is a major factor. The known devices are also
CA 02417602 2003-01-28
WO 02/10671 PCT/GB01/03320
2
complex to assemble and load often with highly toxic drugs and are heavy in
relation to the delivered payload.
It is one object of this invention to provide a tranquilliser or other
medication delivery system using a projectile, being preferably spin
stabilised
having improved range and accuracy and of an inherently stable ballistic
shape, being an improvement and a modification of the projectile described
and claimed in WO 00/71967A1 and GB2350414 Al.
Another alternative object is to provide a projectile which has limited,
controlled or no penetration into a target.
Yet a further alternative object is to provide a projectile which itself does
not include an explosive or gas producing charge.
A further alternative object of this invention to provide a non-lethal
projectile which may be fired with accuracy at a soft target directly and even
at
close ranges and which is designed not to penetrate to any significant extent
and which should only cause minimal injury to the limbs or torso.
Another alternative object is to provide a projectile which is capable of
marking the target for subsequent identification.
In accordance with a first aspect of this invention there is provided a
projectile including means to effectively retard the velocity of the
projectile on
impact with a target wherein the velocity is retarded in such a way as to
prevent excess injury or penetration by deployment of means, following impact
with a target, which rapidly expands to produce a large increase in the area
at
the nose of the projectile to spread the kinetic energy over a large area,
characterised in that said expansion of said means is effected using a
pressurised gaseous medium carried in the projectile.
CA 02417602 2003-01-28
WO 02/10671 PCT/GB01/03320
3
Preferably the velocity retarding means comprises an inflatable
membrane which is subject to the pressurised medium through means
actuated on impact with a target, for example by a impact sensor or by means
of a proximity sensing means, or by physical displacement actuating a valve
device, the membrane being inflated using said pressure, preferably being gas
pressure, stored in the projectile and preferably derived from the propulsive
charge gases occurring on firing the projectile from a weapon.
In accordance with a second aspect of this invention there is also
provided a projectile with means to effectively retard the velocity of the
io projectile on impact with the target for the purpose of preventing
penetration,
wherein the velocity retarding means comprises an inflatable membrane
actuated on or close to impact, for example by a impact sensor or by means of
a proximity sensing means, the membrane being inflated using gas pressure
stored in the projectile, said pressure being preferably derived from the
propulsive charge gases occurring on firing from a weapon.
In accordance with a third aspect of this invention there is provided a
projectile comprising a rear canister part and a forward nose part connected
therewith, the canister part containing or adapted to contain a pressure gas,
the forward end of the canister part having a valve means, the nose part
comprising a profiled impact deformable material with a portion to act on and
open the valve following impact, the nose part having a membrane around the
deformable material, the membrane being inflated on release of the pressure
gas through opening of the valve.
The velocity is retarded in such a way as to prevent excess injury or
penetration and may be achieved by means which rapidly produces a large
CA 02417602 2003-01-28
WO 02/10671 PCT/GB01/03320
4
increase in area at the nose of the projectile thus spreading and dissipating
the
kinetic energy over a large area.
Preferably the projectile is adapted to be fired from a barrel weapon
which may be rifled to impart spin. The projectile may be of sub-calibre
design
using a discarding sabot and be fired in a barrel having progressive rifled
pitch
to attain a velocity greater than 500 m/s.
In one preferred construction the projectile has a body with a cavity
containing a payload, such as a marker fluid or dye and an ogival nose.
The velocity retarding means comprises a means to significantly
lo increase the area of the projectile nose portion on initial impact by
inflation to
produce unfurling or unfolding, or by expansion through stretching or by a
combination of both.
In one construction the velocity retarding means comprises an inflatable
membrane which opens up or expands through gas pressure and actuated by
is a sensor on initial impact or using a proximity sensing means.
In an alternative the membrane is pre-pressurised and expands
following discarding of an overlaying covering forming a constraining means.
The membrane may be inflated through a detonator and gas producing
explosive charge or through use of stored gas pressure. This charge or stored
20 pressure may also serve for the purpose of dissipating the marker by
driving a
piston in the containing cavity.
The membrane can be located in the nose of the projectile comprising a
readily broken, fragmenting, unfurling or deployable cap. The membrane may
be in the form of a bag attached to and around a forward end of the projectile
25 nose thus preventing penetration beyond a predetermined depth.
CA 02417602 2003-01-28
WO 02/10671 PCT/GB01/03320
The nose part of the projectile may include a solid foam-like or gel-like
substance forming an energy absorbing material which spreads on impact.
More specifically the gel may comprise a nano-porous open cell foam of the
kind known by the trade mark Aerogel.
5 This invention is further described and illustrated with reference to the
drawings showing a modification of the embodiment disclosed in patent
application WO 00/71967A1 and further embodiments according to this
invention all shown by way of examples only. In the drawings:
Fig 1 shows an embodiment of projectile, in longitudinal section, which
uses stored gas pressure,
Fig 2 shows a detail of the nose of the projectile of Fig 1,
Fig 3 shows a detail of the base of the projectile of Fig 1.
Fig 4 shows a longitudinal cross-section of a non-lethal disabling or
marking projectile, which may optionally use stored gas pressure,
Fig 5 shows a longitudinal cross-section of a non-lethal disabling or
marking projectile which uses stored gas pressure derived from
the propulsive charge, and
Fig 6 shows a construction of baton round according to this invention
using stored gas pressure.
The embodiment is shown Figs 1 to 3 of the drawings is similar to that
disclosed in WO 00/71967A1 but here gas pressure for inflating the bag and
injecting the substance is derived from propulsion gases on firing the
projectile.
This arrangement avoids the need for the projectile itself to contain a gas
producing charge.
CA 02417602 2003-01-28
WO 02/10671 PCT/GB01/03320
6
As shown in Figs 1 to 3 the projectile has a casing 1 surrounding a
compartment 2 to contain the substance to be injected at 3 and a piston 4
which serves to drive the substance 3 forward through the needle 5 to exit via
one or more orifices 6. Surrounding the needle 5 is an expandable membrane
7 which may be of rubber or the like and capable of inflating in the manner of
a
balloon. The nose of the projectile has a casing 8 which supports an end plug
9 of the membrane 7, this plug 9 also supporting the end of needle 5.
The base of the projectile comprises and end cap 10 ultrasonically
welded to the casing 1. The end cap 10 has an orifice 11 with an internal seat
to against which a deformable, for example rubber, bead or cone 12 is pressed
by an internal bridge 13. The bridge 13 has apertures 14.
The projectile may be integrated with a propellant charge carrying
casing or may be caseless. The operation is as follows:
When the projectile is fired from weapon gas pressure from the
propulsive charge will be about 600 atmospheres sufficient to deform the bead
11 thus allowing pressure gas to enter via orifices 11 and 14 to the reservoir
space 15 behind piston 4. Once the projectile leaves the muzzle of the
weapon internal pressure in the reservoir 15 forces bead 11 back onto the seat
and closes the orifice 11.
On impact with a target the nose plug 9 is moved back over the needle
5 exposing the orifice 6 to permit some substance 3 in the cavity 2 to bleed
thus allowing piston 4 to move forward. This movement uncovers apertures 16
in the wafl of compartment 2 and permits stored gas pressure in compartment
15 to enter the cavity between casing 1 and compartment 2. This
compartment connects through passageways with the cavity 17 inside the
CA 02417602 2008-11-12
7 32903-0033 DJH:kkb
Patent App. No. 2,417,602
membrane 7 and thus rapidly inflates same. Where the membrane is of rubber it
will stretch and expand. The membrane could be of a non- or partly-
stretchable
material which is folded into the nose cone. During this action the nose 8 is
split
open and is discarded or peels back.
It will be appreciated that the sequence of events occurs rapidly in relation
the velocity of the projectile resulting in minimum penetration of the needle.
The
balloon-like inflation of the membrane 7 also has the effect of pushing the
projectile
back relative to the target thus withdrawing the needle 5 with the projectile
falling
to the ground. Modifications to the form of the membrane on inflation may he
made
in order to permit the projectile to be retained in the target if required.
Referring to Fig 4 of the drawings the projectile shown comprises a tubular
body casing 1 which may, if required, define a cavity 2 for containment of a
marker
or dye for example a fluid. The fluid may be stabilised by means of a sponge
or
similar material to prevent inertia to spin which may create instability in
flight.
Located towards the tip of a nose cap 5 is a gas producing detonator fired by
an impact fuse 8. In an alternative arrangement two, or more, otherwise inert
substances are to be brought together to initiate an action.
Attached to the detonator the neck 9 of an inflatable membrane or bag 10 of
which
an opposed end 11 is attached to the plug 3. A readily deformable tube 4
connects
the detonator assembly to the plug 3 and acts as a support. The rear end of
the
cavity 2 has a piston 12 the rear and of which communicates through concentric
passageways 13 around the cavity 2 and
CA 02417602 2008-11-12
8 30903-0033 DJH:kkb
Patent App. No. 2,417,602
ducts 14 in the plug 3 with the interior of the bag 10. The rear end of the
casing 1
is closed off by a tail piece 15.
The projectile has an inherently stable ballistic shape and may have a mass
of about 8 to 10 grammes and be some 1 .5 cm in calibre. Larger or
smaller calibre may be used as appropriate to the circumstances. The
projectile
may be embraced by a discarding sabot of plastics material and may be fired
from
a standard or progressive pitch rifled barrel giving a muzzle velocity of
about 500
m/s. The range under these conditions should be of the order of 150 m with a
mid
range trajectory fall of less than 20 cm.
The nose cap 5 is of a readily frangible plastics material and may include
structural lines of weakness to facilitate fragmentation. The inflatable bag
10 may
be of Kevlar material, latex or silicone as examples of suitable materials. An
impact
absorbing material such as Aerogel may be contained in the nose cap. A marking
dye substance may also be included.
In use, and following discharge from the weapon, the nose 5 will make initial
impact and the detonator is driven back along the support tube and fired via
the
ignition and retention cuff forming a fixed pin assembly 8 to thus inflate the
bag 10
rapidly. The bag 10 expands and prevents excess penetration whilst spreading
the
impact energy over a wide area. On inflation 20 of the bag the nose cap 5 is
broken
open and may be discarded. In an alternative arrangement the nose cap 5 may
spread open in a petaline manner and add to the retardation effect. The bag
may
be striated longitudinally or laterally and coated or impregnated with gas
producing
chemical compounds to both accelerate expansion and strengthen the bag
membrane. The bag
CA 02417602 2003-01-28
WO 02/10671 PCT/GB01/03320
9
inflation gas bleeds through ducts 14 and passageways 13 to drive piston 12
forward thus ejecting the marker through the tube 4.
In a modification excess gas pressure is used to further retard the
projectile by forward facing discharge nozzles.
In a modification of this embodiment the cavity behind piston 12 or the
cavity 2 is charged with a pressurised gas which may be collected from
rearward ports which are exposed to the propulsive charge on firing and
trapped by one-way valve means. The gas is released to inflate the membrane
on impact
10 In this embodiment the bag 10 is folded in the manner of a bellows as
shown, to provide greater expansion capability, and retained at the nose,
within
the cap 5, by an annular support 50 holding the detonator charge. This
support 50 also centralises the tube 4,6 and closes the nose completely. The
tail piece 15 comprises a removable plug 51 to permit filling of the cavity 2.
ls The container 1 here is a removable module carrying the tube 4 and is
housed
within the projectile outer case 52.
The propellant charge for the projectile may be included within an
integral cartridge casing forming a single piece round. The projectile may be
a
single use device pre-loaded with a defined marker and charge with different
charges being coded for ease of field use. The casing may comprise a carbon
fibre material or glass bonded hydrocarbon matrix.
The projectile may be packaged in such a way that arming only occurs
when removed from the pack.
The projectile has a particular use for soft targets presently require firing
at close range typically 20 m.
CA 02417602 2003-01-28
WO 02/10671 PCT/GB01/03320
A further advantageous embodiment is shown in Fig 5 and is similar in
concept to the embodiment of Figure 1, with gas pressure for inflating the bag
and ejecting the marker substance being derived from propulsion gases
formed on firing the projectile. This arrangement also avoids the need for the
5 projectile itself to contain a gas producing charge. The previously
described
embodiment of Fig 4 may be modified to include a pressurised gas
compartment or capsule rather than an explosive gas producing compound.
This would make distribution and compliance with regulations easier.
As shown in Fig 5 the projectile is in many respects similar to that of Fig
10 1 and includes a pressure gas storage chamber. The projectile has a casing
1
surrounding a compartment 2 to contain the marker substance to be ejected at
3 and a piston 4 which serves to drive the marker substance 3 forward through
the tube 5. Details are otherwise similar to Figs 1 to 3.
Fig 6 shows a construction of baton round according to this invention
using stored gas pressure.
Referring to Fig 6 the projectile has an inherently stable ballistic shape
and may have a mass of about 10 to 150 grammes and be some 10 to 50 mm
in calibre. Larger or smaller calibre may be used as appropriate to the
circumstances. The projectile may be embraced by a discarding sabot of
plastics material and may be fired from a standard or progressive pitch rifled
barrel giving a muzzle velocity of about 500 m/s. The range under these
conditions should be of the order of 150 m with a mid range trajectory fall of
less than 20 cm.
In the construction shown the projectile comprises a rear canister 30
forming a pressure gas reservoir 31 either pre-filled or filled by combustion
CA 02417602 2003-01-28
WO 02/10671 PCT/GB01/03320
11
gases on firing or by gases from a detonator and charge unit 37 and with a
forward closure 32 retaining an expandable membrane or cover bag 33. The
bag 33 is connected by an interlock 34 to a rim 35 on the closure 32. The
shape of the bag 33 is maintained and supported by a viscous filler 36 such as
Aerogel (a Trade Mark). The bag 33 may be protected by a nose cone being
relatively thin and easily deformed or broken on initial impact.
On impact with a target the Aerogel deforms and crushes initially and a
valve 38 opens by rearward movement of the stub part 36a of the Aerogel.
Pressure gas from the reservoir 31 or alternatively generated by the detonator
io unit 37 on impact, for example using an inertia detonator, enters cavity 39
past
the valve 38 and passes through ducts 40 to expand the bag 33.
As described the pressure gas for inflating the bag 33 may be derived
from either an inertia detonator with gas producing charge 37, from gas stored
in the container 31 or from the gases produced from the propulsive charge on
firing using ports at the base which are exposed to the propulsive gases with
intervening valve means to retain the gas pressure.
In another option the inertia detonator will initiate filling of the rear
cavity 31
with pressurised gas on firing and this pressure is retained during flight
against
the valve plate 38. In another alternative a pressurised capsule may be
incorporated to replace the inertia detonator.
A marker dye could be included between the nose cone and the
inflatable membrane.
In a modification excess gas pressure is used to further retard the
projectile by forward facing discharge nozzles.
CA 02417602 2003-01-28
WO 02/10671 PCT/GB01/03320
12
The propellant charge for the projectile may be included within an
integral cartridge casing forming a single piece round. The projectile may be
a
single use device pre-loaded with a defined marker and charge with different
charges being coded for ease of field use. The casing may comprise a carbon
fibre material or glass bonded hydrocarbon matrix.
The projectile may be packaged in such a way that arming only occurs
when removed from the pack.
The projectile may be integrated with a propellant charge carrying
casing or caseless.
It will be appreciated that the sequence of events occurs rapidly in
relation the velocity of the projectile resulting in no, or minimal,
penetration of
the nose. The balloon-like inflation of the membrane also has the effect of
pushing the projectile back relative to the target thus adding to the blow
inflicted on the target.
is The membrane used may comprise an expandable rubber material
which stretches or the material may comprise KEVLAR (a registered Trade
Mark) weft which initially inflates, then expands and finally allows gas
pressure
to bleed due to opening-up of the weave. In all embodiments a pressure relief
system may be included to avoid over extending the inflation of the membrane.
