The present disclosure is related to the field of methods and systems for producing projectiles for munitions, in particular, projectiles made of bio-carbon.
Conventional firearm munitions comprise projectiles, or bullets, typically made of metal. Typically, bullets are made of lead where the projectile is made completely of lead or can be jacketed with another metal or metal alloy. Projectiles that are fired from firearms which do not strike an object or target will eventually fall to the ground and remain there. This can cause an environmental hazard as the lead projectile will not decompose and can contaminate the environment.
It is, therefore, desirable to provide a projectile for munitions that can break down and decompose if left in the outside environment.
A method a system for producing a bio-degradable munitions projectile is provided. In some embodiments, a munitions projectile can be formed by heating carbon sourced from one or more of bio-carbon, biochar and carbon black and then pressing the heated carbon under pressures greater than 100,000 pounds per square inch in a die to form the projectile. In some embodiments, the bio-carbon projectile can then be placed in a cartridge to form a munitions round for use in a firearm.
Broadly stated, in some embodiments, a method can be provided for making a projectile for a munition cartridge, the method comprising; processing raw bio-carbon into powdered bio-carbon; heating the powdered bio-carbon; and pressing the heated powdered bio-carbon into the projectile.
Broadly stated, in some embodiments, a projectile can be provided for a munition cartridge, the projectile made by a method comprising: processing raw bio-carbon into powdered bio-carbon; heating the powdered bio-carbon; and pressing the heated powdered bio-carbon into the projectile.
Broadly stated, in some embodiments, the method can further comprise passing the raw bio-carbon through a roller mill to produce the powdered bio-carbon.
Broadly stated, in some embodiments, the method can further comprise screening the powdered bio-carbon.
Broadly stated, in some embodiments, the method can further comprise screening the powdered bio-carbon to a size of 70 mesh.
Broadly stated, in some embodiments, the method can further comprise heating the powdered bio-carbon to at least 500° Celsius.
Broadly stated, in some embodiments, the method can further comprise tumbling the powdered bio-carbon as the powdered bio-carbon is being heated.
Broadly stated, in some embodiments, the method can further comprise pressing the heated powdered bio-carbon in a projectile die.
Broadly stated, in some embodiments, the method can further comprise pressing the heated powdered bio-carbon at a pressure of at least 100,000 pounds per square inch.
Broadly stated, in some embodiments, a system can be provided for making a projectile for a munition cartridge, the system comprising: a roller mill configured for processing raw bio-carbon into powdered bio-carbon as it passes therethrough; a heater configured for heating the roller mill whereby the powdered bio-carbon is heated as it passes through the roller mill; and a press configured for pressing the heated powdered bio-carbon into the projectile.
Broadly stated, in some embodiments, the system can further comprise a screen configured for screening the powdered bio-carbon.
Broadly stated, in some embodiments, the screen can be configured for screening the powdered bio-carbon to a size of 70 mesh.
Broadly stated, in some embodiments, the heater can be configured for heating the powdered bio-carbon to at least 500° Celsius.
Broadly stated, in some embodiments, the system can further comprise a tumbler configured for tumbling the powdered bio-carbon as it is being heated.
Broadly stated, in some embodiments, the press can be configured for pressing the heated powdered bio-carbon in a projectile die at a pressure of at least 100,000 pounds per square inch.
In this description, references to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, or “embodiments” mean that the feature or features being referred to are included in at least one embodiment of the technology. Separate references to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, or “embodiments” in this description do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment and are also not mutually exclusive unless so stated and/or except as will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the description. For example, a feature, structure, act, etc. described in one embodiment can also be included in other embodiments, but is not necessarily included. Thus, the present technology can include a variety of combinations and/or integrations of the embodiments described herein.
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In some embodiments, the bio-carbon powder can be sourced from Northern Bio-carbon Processing Ltd. of Parksville, British Columbia, Canada or from any other CFIA, OMRI or USDA approved producer. In some embodiments, bio-carbon 10 can in the form of a powder either obtained in the desired powder form or can be milled down to powder form. In some embodiments, the bio-carbon powder can be screened to a size of 70 mesh for making projectiles. Bio-carbon can be a high-carbon, fine-grained residue that is produced through modern pyrolysis processes. It can be the direct thermal decomposition of biomass in the absence of oxygen (preventing combustion). The use bio-carbon offers several benefits for soil health. Many benefits are related to the extremely porous nature of the processed bio-carbon, which can be effective at retaining both water and water-soluble nutrients. In some embodiments, bio-carbon can increase soil fertility of acidic soil (low PH soils), increase agricultural productivity and provide protection against some foliar and soil-borne diseases. Bio-carbon also can, when introduced to water can, in the rawest form, attract Algae blooms, phosphorus, red tide and other toxins thereby enabling a cleansing or filtering effect on the water.
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In some embodiments, projectile 18 can be assembled into cartridge 20, that can further comprise of projectile 18 placed into casing 2 filled with propellant 3 (such as gunpowder), wherein casing 2 can comprise of rim 4 for use with a firearm extractor and of primer 5 that can ignite propellant 3 when struck with a firing pin of a firearm.
In some embodiments, a projectile made from bio-carbon as described herein can be considered to be a green technology as it is environmentally friendly in that a bio-carbon projectile can enhance soils and promote growth as it decomposes after having been fired on land. When fired into rivers, lakes, oceans and other waterways, bio-carbon projectiles, as they break down and decompose, can aid in the filtering of toxins and help control algae growths in the water and even attract heavy metals and remove them from the water.
Although a few embodiments have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made to these embodiments without changing or departing from their scope, intent or functionality. The terms and expressions used in the preceding specification have been used herein as terms of description and not of limitation, and there is no intention in the use of such terms and expressions of excluding equivalents of the features shown and described or portions thereof, it being recognized that the invention is defined and limited only by the claims that follow.
This application claims priority of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 63/072,341 filed Aug. 31, 2020, which is incorporated by reference into this application in its entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
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63072341 | Aug 2020 | US |