Patent Grant
11733015
The present invention relates in general to the field of ammunition, specifically to compositions and methods of making primer inserts made by joining two or more primer insert portions to form a primer insert for polymer ammunition.
Not Applicable.
Not Applicable.
Without limiting the scope of the invention, its background is described in connection with lightweight polymer cartridge casing ammunition. Conventional ammunition cartridge casings for rifles and machine guns, as well as larger caliber weapons, are made from brass, which is heavy, expensive, and potentially hazardous. There exists a need for lighter weight ammunition and cartridge replacement for brass ammunition to increase mission performance and operational capabilities. Lightweight polymer cartridge casing ammunition must meet the reliability and performance standards of existing fielded ammunition and be interchangeable with brass cartridge casing ammunition in existing weaponry. Although, ammunition cartridges made partially of polymer has been known for many years, their safety, ballistic, handling characteristics, and survive physical and natural conditions to which they will be exposed during the ammunition's intended life cycle have all failed to meet the standards necessary.
For example, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/160,682 discloses a base for a cartridge casing body for an ammunition article, the base having an ignition device; an attachment device at one end thereof, the attachment device being adapted to the base to a cartridge casing body; wherein the base is made from plastic, ceramic, or a composite material.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,610,858 discloses an ammunition cartridge assembled from a substantially cylindrical polymeric cartridge casing body defining a casing headspace with an open projectile-end and an end opposing the projectile-end, wherein the casing body has a substantially cylindrical injection molded polymeric bullet-end component with opposing first and second ends, the first end of which is the projectile-end of the casing body and the second end has a male or female coupling element; and a cylindrical polymeric middle body component with opposing first and second ends, wherein the first end has a coupling element that is a mate for the projectile-end coupling element and joins the first end of the middle body component to the second end of the bullet-end component, and the second end is the end of the casing body opposite the projectile end and has a male or female coupling element; and a cylindrical cartridge casing head-end component with an essentially closed base end with a primer hole opposite an open end with a coupling element that is a mate for the coupling element on the second end of the middle body and joins the second end of the middle body component to the open end of the head-end component; wherein the middle body component is formed from a material more ductile than the material head-end component is formed from but equal or less ductile than the material the bullet-end component is formed from. Methods for assembling ammunition cartridges and ammunition cartridges having the headspace length larger than the corresponding headspace length of the chamber of the intended weapon measured at the same basic diameter for the cartridge casing without being so large as to jam the weapon or otherwise interfere with its action are also disclosed.
Shortcomings of the known methods of producing plastic or substantially plastic ammunition include the possibility of the projectile being pushed into the cartridge casing, the bullet pull being too light such that the bullet can fall out, the bullet pull being too insufficient to create sufficient chamber pressure, the bullet pull not being uniform from round to round, and portions of the cartridge casing breaking off upon firing causing the weapon to jam or damage or danger when subsequent rounds are fired or when the casing portions themselves become projectiles. To overcome the above shortcomings, improvements in cartridge case design and performance polymer materials are needed.
The present invention provided a two piece primer insert for ammunition comprising: a first primer insert portion 12 comprising: an cylindrical insert coupling element 18 having an insert tip 20 at one end opposite a cylindrical first primer insert portion joining region 24, and an insert transition 22 located between the insert tip 20 and the cylindrical first primer insert portion joining region 24; a second primer insert portion 14 comprising: an inner surface 28 connected to an extraction flange 44 by a cylindrical second primer insert portion joining region 40, a primer recess 32 located within the cylindrical second primer insert portion joining region 40, a primer flash aperture 30 through the inner surface 28 into the primer recess 32, and a flash aperture groove 38 around the primer flash aperture 30 in the primer recess 32; and an insert joint 16 located between the first primer insert portion 12 and the second primer insert portion 14, wherein the cylindrical first primer insert portion joining region 24 is adjacent to the cylindrical second primer insert portion joining region 40 to form a two piece primer insert.
The two piece primer insert, wherein the insert joint is threaded, riveted, locked, friction fitted, pressed, coined, snap fitted, chemical bonded, chemical welded, soldered, smelted, sintered, adhesive bonded, laser welded, ultrasonic welded, friction spot welded, friction stir welded or a combination thereof. The two piece primer insert, wherein the first primer insert portion 12, the second primer insert portion 14 or both are formed independently by metal injection molding, polymer injection molding, stamping, pressing, milling, molding, machining, punching, fine blanking, smelting, or any other method that will form insert portions that may be joined together to form a primer insert. The two piece primer, wherein the first primer insert portion 12, the second primer insert portion 14 or both independently comprises a polymer, a metal, an alloy, or a ceramic alloy. The two piece primer, wherein the first primer insert portion 12 and the second primer insert portion 14 comprise of the same material or different materials. The two piece primer, further comprising a support structure 90 positioned about the cylindrical insert coupling element 18. The two piece primer insert, wherein the support structure 90 is positioned about the insert transition 22. The two piece primer insert, wherein the support structure 90 extends at least partially into the insert joint 16. The two piece primer insert, wherein the support structure 90 is a mesh, a sheet or a weave. The two piece primer insert, further comprising one or more surface protrusions 100 positioned about the cylindrical insert coupling element 18.
The present invention provided a method of making a two piece primer insert for ammunition comprising the steps of: providing a first primer insert portion 12 comprising: an cylindrical insert coupling element 18 having an insert tip 20 at one end opposite a cylindrical first primer insert portion joining region 24, and an insert transition 22 located between the insert tip 20 and the cylindrical first primer insert portion joining region 24; providing a second primer insert portion 14 comprising: a inner surface 28 connected to an extraction flange 44 by a cylindrical second primer insert portion joining region 40, a primer recess 32 located within the cylindrical second primer insert portion joining region 40, a primer flash aperture 30 through the inner surface 28 into the primer recess 32, and a flash aperture groove 38 around the primer flash aperture 30 in the primer recess 32; inserting the cylindrical second primer insert portion joining region 40 into the cylindrical first primer insert portion joining region 24 to form an insert joint 16 located between the first primer insert portion 12 and the second primer insert portion 14 to form a two piece primer insert.
The method, wherein the insert joint is threaded, riveted, locked, friction fitted, pressed, coined, snap fitted, chemical bonded, chemical welded, soldered, smelted, sintered, adhesive bonded, laser welded, ultrasonic welded, friction spot welded, friction stir welded or a combination thereof. The method, wherein the first primer insert portion 12, the second primer insert portion 14 or both are formed independently by metal injection molding, polymer injection molding, stamping, pressing, milling, molding, machining, punching, fine blanking, smelting, or any other method that will form insert portions that may be joined together to form a primer insert. The method, wherein the first primer insert portion 12, the second primer insert portion 14 or both independently comprises a polymer, a metal, an alloy, or a ceramic alloy. The method, wherein the first primer insert portion 12 and the second primer insert portion 14 comprise of the same material or different materials. The method, further comprising the step of positioning a support structure 90 between the cylindrical second primer insert portion joining region 40 and the cylindrical first primer insert portion joining region 24 wherein the support structure 90 extends about the cylindrical insert coupling element 18. The method, wherein the support structure 90 is positioned about the insert transition 22. The method, wherein the support structure 90 extends at least partially into the insert joint 16. The method, wherein the support structure 90 is a mesh, a sheet or a weave. The method, further comprising the step of adding one or more surface protrusions 100 positioned about the cylindrical insert coupling element 18.
The present invention provided a polymer ammunition cartridge comprising: a two piece primer insert for ammunition comprising: a first primer insert portion 12 comprising: an cylindrical insert coupling element 18 having an insert tip 20 at one end opposite a cylindrical first primer insert portion joining region 24, and an insert transition 22 located between the insert tip 20 and the cylindrical first primer insert portion joining region 24; a second primer insert portion 14 comprising: a inner surface 28 connected to an extraction flange 44 by a cylindrical second primer insert portion joining region 40, a primer recess 32 located within the cylindrical second primer insert portion joining region 40, a primer flash aperture 30 through the inner surface 28 into the primer recess 32, and a flash aperture groove 38 around the primer flash aperture 30 in the primer recess 32; and an insert joint 16 located between the first primer insert portion 12 and the second primer insert portion 14, wherein the cylindrical first primer insert portion joining region 24 is adjacent to the cylindrical second primer insert portion joining region 40 to form a two piece primer insert; a substantially cylindrical polymeric middle body extending about the two piece primer insert, wherein the substantially cylindrical polymeric middle body comprises: a substantially cylindrical polymeric bullet-end coupling element at a first end of the substantially cylindrical polymeric middle body opposite a substantially cylindrical polymeric coupling end connected by a powder chamber, wherein the substantially cylindrical polymeric coupling end extends over the substantially cylindrical coupling element and covers an circumferential surface of the primer flash hole aperture; and a substantially cylindrical polymeric bullet-end upper portion comprising a bullet-end coupling element connected to the substantially cylindrical polymeric bullet-end coupling element opposite a projectile aperture adapted to engage a bullet.
The polymeric ammunition cartridge wherein the polymeric ammunition cartridge has a caliber selected from .223, .243, .25-06, .270, .300, .308, .338, .30-30, .30-06, .45-70 or .50-90, 50 caliber, 45 caliber, 380 caliber or 38 caliber, 5.56 mm, 6 mm, 7 mm, 7.62 mm, 8 mm, 9 mm, 10 mm, or 12.7 mm. The polymeric ammunition cartridge wherein the polymeric ammunition cartridge has a caliber selected from .308, .338, 50 caliber, 5.56 mm, 7.62 mm, or 12.7 mm. The polymeric ammunition cartridge wherein the substantially cylindrical polymeric middle body is formed from a ductile polymer, a nylon polymer or a fiber-reinforced polymeric composite. The polymeric ammunition cartridge wherein the substantially cylindrical polymeric bullet-end upper portion comprises a ductile polymer, a nylon polymer or a fiber-reinforced polymeric composite. The polymeric ammunition cartridge wherein the substantially cylindrical polymeric middle body comprise a polymers selected from the group consisting of polyurethane prepolymer, cellulose, fluoro-polymer, ethylene inter-polymer alloy elastomer, ethylene vinyl acetate, nylon, polyether imide, polyester elastomer, polyester sulfone, polyphenyl amide, polypropylene, polyvinylidene fluoride or thermoset polyurea elastomer, acrylics, homopolymers, acetates, copolymers, acrylonitrile-butadinen-styrene, thermoplastic fluoro polymers, inomers, polyamides, polyamide-imides, polyacrylates, polyatherketones, polyaryl-sulfones, polybenzimidazoles, polycarbonates, polybutylene, terephthalates, polyether imides, polyether sulfones, thermoplastic polyimides, thermoplastic polyurethanes, polyphenylene sulfides, polyethylene, polypropylene, polysulfones, polyvinylchlorides, styrene acrylonitriles, polystyrenes, polyphenylene, ether blends, styrene maleic anhydrides, polycarbonates, allyls, aminos, cyanates, epoxies, phenolics, unsaturated polyesters, bismaleimides, polyurethanes, silicones, vinylesters, urethane hybrids, polyphenylsulfones, copolymers of polyphenylsulfones with polyethersulfones or polysulfones, copolymers of poly-phenylsulfones with siloxanes, blends of polyphenylsulfones with polysiloxanes, poly(etherimide-siloxane) copolymers, blends of polyetherimides and polysiloxanes, and blends of polyetherimides and poly(etherimide-siloxane) copolymers. The polymeric ammunition cartridge wherein the substantially cylindrical polymeric bullet-end upper portion comprise a polymers selected from the group consisting of polyurethane prepolymer, cellulose, fluoro-polymer, ethylene inter-polymer alloy elastomer, ethylene vinyl acetate, nylon, polyether imide, polyester elastomer, polyester sulfone, polyphenyl amide, polypropylene, polyvinylidene fluoride or thermoset polyurea elastomer, acrylics, homopolymers, acetates, copolymers, acrylonitrile-butadinen-styrene, thermoplastic fluoro polymers, inomers, polyamides, polyamide-imides, polyacrylates, polyatherketones, polyaryl-sulfones, polybenzimidazoles, polycarbonates, polybutylene, terephthalates, polyether imides, polyether sulfones, thermoplastic polyimides, thermoplastic polyurethanes, polyphenylene sulfides, polyethylene, polypropylene, polysulfones, polyvinylchlorides, styrene acrylonitriles, polystyrenes, polyphenylene, ether blends, styrene maleic anhydrides, polycarbonates, allyls, aminos, cyanates, epoxies, phenolics, unsaturated polyesters, bismaleimides, polyurethanes, silicones, vinylesters, urethane hybrids, polyphenylsulfones, copolymers of polyphenylsulfones with polyethersulfones or polysulfones, copolymers of poly-phenylsulfones with siloxanes, blends of polyphenylsulfones with polysiloxanes, poly(etherimide-siloxane) copolymers, blends of polyetherimides and polysiloxanes, and blends of polyetherimides and poly(etherimide-siloxane) copolymers. The polymeric ammunition cartridge wherein the substantially cylindrical polymeric bullet-end and the substantially cylindrical polymeric bullet-end upper portion are welded or bonded together. The polymeric ammunition cartridge wherein the substantially cylindrical polymeric bullet-end coupling element is welded or bonded to the substantially cylindrical polymeric bullet-end upper portion. The polymeric ammunition cartridge wherein the insert joint is threaded, riveted, locked, friction fitted, pressed, coined, snap fitted, chemical bonded, chemical welded, soldered, smelted, sintered, adhesive bonded, laser welded, ultrasonic welded, friction spot welded, friction stir welded or a combination thereof. The polymeric ammunition cartridge wherein the first primer insert portion 12, the second primer insert portion 14 or both are formed independently by metal injection molding, polymer injection molding, stamping, pressing, milling, molding, machining, punching, fine blanking, smelting, or any other method that will form insert portions that may be joined together to form a primer insert. The polymeric ammunition cartridge wherein the first primer insert portion 12, the second primer insert portion 14 or both independently comprises a polymer, a metal, an alloy, or a ceramic alloy. The polymeric ammunition cartridge wherein the first primer insert portion 12 and the second primer insert portion 14 comprise of the same material or different materials. The polymeric ammunition cartridge further comprising a support structure 90 positioned about the cylindrical insert coupling element 18. The polymeric ammunition cartridge wherein the support structure 90 is positioned about the insert transition 22. The polymeric ammunition cartridge wherein the support structure 90 extends at least partially into the insert joint 16. The polymeric ammunition cartridge wherein the support structure 90 is a mesh, a sheet or a weave. The polymeric ammunition cartridge further comprising one or more surface protrusions 100 positioned about the cylindrical insert coupling element 18.
The present invention provided a method of making a polymer ammunition cartridge comprising the steps of: providing a two piece primer insert for ammunition comprising: a first primer insert portion 12 comprising: an cylindrical insert coupling element 18 having an insert tip 20 at one end opposite a cylindrical first primer insert portion joining region 24, and an insert transition 22 located between the insert tip 20 and the cylindrical first primer insert portion joining region 24; a second primer insert portion 14 comprising: a inner surface 28 connected to an extraction flange 44 by a cylindrical second primer insert portion joining region 40, a primer recess 32 located within the cylindrical second primer insert portion joining region 40, a primer flash aperture 30 through the inner surface 28 into the primer recess 32, and a flash aperture groove 38 around the primer flash aperture 30 in the primer recess 32; and an insert joint 16 located between the first primer insert portion 12 and the second primer insert portion 14, wherein the cylindrical first primer insert portion joining region 24 is adjacent to the cylindrical second primer insert portion joining region 40 to form a two piece primer insert; overmolding a substantially cylindrical polymeric middle body by molding a polymer over the two piece primer insert, wherein the substantially cylindrical polymeric middle body comprises: a substantially cylindrical polymeric bullet-end coupling element at a first end of the substantially cylindrical polymeric middle body opposite a substantially cylindrical polymeric coupling end connected by a powder chamber, wherein the substantially cylindrical polymeric coupling end extends over the substantially cylindrical coupling element and covers an circumferential surface of the primer flash hole aperture; molding a substantially cylindrical polymeric bullet-end upper portion comprising a bullet-end coupling element connected to the substantially cylindrical polymeric bullet-end coupling element opposite a projectile aperture adapted to engage a bullet; and connecting the substantially cylindrical polymeric middle body and the substantially cylindrical polymeric bullet-end upper portion to form a polymer ammunition cartridge.
The method wherein the polymeric ammunition cartridge has a caliber selected from .223, .243, .25-06, .270, .300, .308, .338, .30-30, .30-06, 0.45-70 or .50-90, 50 caliber, 45 caliber, 380 caliber or 38 caliber, 5.56 mm, 6 mm, 7 mm, 7.62 mm, 8 mm, 9 mm, 10 mm, or 12.7 mm. The method wherein the polymeric ammunition cartridge has a caliber selected from .308, .338, 50 caliber, 5.56 mm, 7.62 mm, or 12.7 mm. The method wherein the substantially cylindrical polymeric middle body is formed from a ductile polymer, a nylon polymer or a fiber-reinforced polymeric composite. The method wherein the substantially cylindrical polymeric bullet-end upper portion comprises a ductile polymer, a nylon polymer or a fiber-reinforced polymeric composite. The method wherein the substantially cylindrical polymeric middle body comprise a polymers selected from the group consisting of polyurethane prepolymer, cellulose, fluoro-polymer, ethylene inter-polymer alloy elastomer, ethylene vinyl acetate, nylon, polyether imide, polyester elastomer, polyester sulfone, polyphenyl amide, polypropylene, polyvinylidene fluoride or thermoset polyurea elastomer, acrylics, homopolymers, acetates, copolymers, acrylonitrile-butadinen-styrene, thermoplastic fluoro polymers, inomers, polyamides, polyamide-imides, polyacrylates, polyatherketones, polyaryl-sulfones, polybenzimidazoles, polycarbonates, polybutylene, terephthalates, polyether imides, polyether sulfones, thermoplastic polyimides, thermoplastic polyurethanes, polyphenylene sulfides, polyethylene, polypropylene, polysulfones, polyvinylchlorides, styrene acrylonitriles, polystyrenes, polyphenylene, ether blends, styrene maleic anhydrides, polycarbonates, allyls, aminos, cyanates, epoxies, phenolics, unsaturated polyesters, bismaleimides, polyurethanes, silicones, vinylesters, urethane hybrids, polyphenylsulfones, copolymers of polyphenylsulfones with polyethersulfones or polysulfones, copolymers of poly-phenylsulfones with siloxanes, blends of polyphenylsulfones with polysiloxanes, poly(etherimide-siloxane) copolymers, blends of polyetherimides and polysiloxanes, and blends of polyetherimides and poly(etherimide-siloxane) copolymers. The method wherein the substantially cylindrical polymeric bullet-end upper portion comprise a polymers selected from the group consisting of polyurethane prepolymer, cellulose, fluoro-polymer, ethylene inter-polymer alloy elastomer, ethylene vinyl acetate, nylon, polyether imide, polyester elastomer, polyester sulfone, polyphenyl amide, polypropylene, polyvinylidene fluoride or thermoset polyurea elastomer, acrylics, homopolymers, acetates, copolymers, acrylonitrile-butadinen-styrene, thermoplastic fluoro polymers, inomers, polyamides, polyamide-imides, polyacrylates, polyatherketones, polyaryl-sulfones, polybenzimidazoles, polycarbonates, polybutylene, terephthalates, polyether imides, polyether sulfones, thermoplastic polyimides, thermoplastic polyurethanes, polyphenylene sulfides, polyethylene, polypropylene, polysulfones, polyvinylchlorides, styrene acrylonitriles, polystyrenes, polyphenylene, ether blends, styrene maleic anhydrides, polycarbonates, allyls, aminos, cyanates, epoxies, phenolics, unsaturated polyesters, bismaleimides, polyurethanes, silicones, vinylesters, urethane hybrids, polyphenylsulfones, copolymers of polyphenylsulfones with polyethersulfones or polysulfones, copolymers of poly-phenylsulfones with siloxanes, blends of polyphenylsulfones with polysiloxanes, poly(etherimide-siloxane) copolymers, blends of polyetherimides and polysiloxanes, and blends of polyetherimides and poly(etherimide-siloxane) copolymers. The method wherein the substantially cylindrical polymeric bullet-end and the substantially cylindrical polymeric bullet-end upper portion are welded or bonded together. The method wherein the substantially cylindrical polymeric bullet-end coupling element is welded or bonded to the substantially cylindrical polymeric bullet-end upper portion. The method wherein the insert joint is threaded, riveted, locked, friction fitted, pressed, coined, snap fitted, chemical bonded, chemical welded, soldered, smelted, sintered, adhesive bonded, laser welded, ultrasonic welded, friction spot welded, friction stir welded or a combination thereof. The method wherein the first primer insert portion 12, the second primer insert portion 14 or both are formed independently by metal injection molding, polymer injection molding, stamping, pressing, milling, molding, machining, punching, fine blanking, smelting, or any other method that will form insert portions that may be joined together to form a primer insert. The method wherein the first primer insert portion 12, the second primer insert portion 14 or both independently comprises a polymer, a metal, an alloy, or a ceramic alloy. The method wherein the first primer insert portion 12 and the second primer insert portion 14 comprise of the same material or different materials. The method further comprising a support structure 90 positioned about the cylindrical insert coupling element 18. The method wherein the support structure 90 is positioned about the insert transition 22. The method wherein the support structure 90 extends at least partially into the insert joint 16. The method wherein the support structure 90 is a mesh, a sheet or a weave. The method further comprising the step of adding one or more surface protrusions 100 positioned about the cylindrical insert coupling element 18.
The present invention provided a polymeric ammunition comprising: a two piece primer insert for ammunition comprising: a first primer insert portion 12 comprising: an cylindrical insert coupling element 18 having an insert tip 20 at one end opposite a cylindrical first primer insert portion joining region 24, and an insert transition 22 located between the insert tip 20 and the cylindrical first primer insert portion joining region 24; a second primer insert portion 14 comprising: a inner surface 28 connected to an extraction flange 44 by a cylindrical second primer insert portion joining region 40, a primer recess 32 located within the cylindrical second primer insert portion joining region 40, a primer flash aperture 30 through the inner surface 28 into the primer recess 32, and a flash aperture groove 38 around the primer flash aperture 30 in the primer recess 32; and an insert joint 16 located between the first primer insert portion 12 and the second primer insert portion 14, wherein the cylindrical first primer insert portion joining region 24 is adjacent to the cylindrical second primer insert portion joining region 40 to form a two piece primer insert; a substantially cylindrical polymeric middle body extending about the three piece primer insert, wherein the substantially cylindrical polymeric middle body comprises: a substantially cylindrical polymeric bullet-end coupling element at a first end of the substantially cylindrical polymeric middle body opposite a substantially cylindrical polymeric coupling end connected by a powder chamber, wherein the substantially cylindrical polymeric coupling end extends over the substantially cylindrical coupling element and covers an circumferential surface of the primer flash hole aperture; a substantially cylindrical polymeric bullet-end upper portion comprising a bullet-end coupling element connected to the substantially cylindrical polymeric bullet-end coupling element opposite a projectile aperture adapted to engage a bullet; a propellant at least partially filling the powder chamber; a primer inserted into the primer recess; and a bullet frictionally fitted in the bullet-end aperture.
The polymeric ammunition wherein the polymeric ammunition cartridge has a caliber selected from .223, .243, .25-06, .270, .300, .308, .338, .30-30, .30-06, .45-70 or .50-90, 50 caliber, 45 caliber, 380 caliber or 38 caliber, 5.56 mm, 6 mm, 7 mm, 7.62 mm, 8 mm, 9 mm, 10 mm, or 12.7 mm. The polymeric ammunition wherein the polymeric ammunition cartridge has a caliber selected from .308, .338, 50 caliber, 5.56 mm, 7.62 mm, or 12.7 mm. The polymeric ammunition wherein the substantially cylindrical polymeric middle body is formed from a ductile polymer, a nylon polymer or a fiber-reinforced polymeric composite. The polymeric ammunition wherein the substantially cylindrical polymeric bullet-end upper portion comprises a ductile polymer, a nylon polymer or a fiber-reinforced polymeric composite. The polymeric ammunition wherein the substantially cylindrical polymeric middle body comprise a polymers selected from the group consisting of polyurethane prepolymer, cellulose, fluoro-polymer, ethylene inter-polymer alloy elastomer, ethylene vinyl acetate, nylon, polyether imide, polyester elastomer, polyester sulfone, polyphenyl amide, polypropylene, polyvinylidene fluoride or thermoset polyurea elastomer, acrylics, homopolymers, acetates, copolymers, acrylonitrile-butadinen-styrene, thermoplastic fluoro polymers, inomers, polyamides, polyamide-imides, polyacrylates, polyatherketones, polyaryl-sulfones, polybenzimidazoles, polycarbonates, polybutylene, terephthalates, polyether imides, polyether sulfones, thermoplastic polyimides, thermoplastic polyurethanes, polyphenylene sulfides, polyethylene, polypropylene, polysulfones, polyvinylchlorides, styrene acrylonitriles, polystyrenes, polyphenylene, ether blends, styrene maleic anhydrides, polycarbonates, allyls, aminos, cyanates, epoxies, phenolics, unsaturated polyesters, bismaleimides, polyurethanes, silicones, vinylesters, urethane hybrids, polyphenylsulfones, copolymers of polyphenylsulfones with polyethersulfones or polysulfones, copolymers of poly-phenylsulfones with siloxanes, blends of polyphenylsulfones with polysiloxanes, poly(etherimide-siloxane) copolymers, blends of polyetherimides and polysiloxanes, and blends of polyetherimides and poly(etherimide-siloxane) copolymers. The polymeric ammunition wherein the substantially cylindrical polymeric bullet-end upper portion comprise a polymers selected from the group consisting of polyurethane prepolymer, cellulose, fluoro-polymer, ethylene inter-polymer alloy elastomer, ethylene vinyl acetate, nylon, polyether imide, polyester elastomer, polyester sulfone, polyphenyl amide, polypropylene, polyvinylidene fluoride or thermoset polyurea elastomer, acrylics, homopolymers, acetates, copolymers, acrylonitrile-butadinen-styrene, thermoplastic fluoro polymers, inomers, polyamides, polyamide-imides, polyacrylates, polyatherketones, polyaryl-sulfones, polybenzimidazoles, polycarbonates, polybutylene, terephthalates, polyether imides, polyether sulfones, thermoplastic polyimides, thermoplastic polyurethanes, polyphenylene sulfides, polyethylene, polypropylene, polysulfones, polyvinylchlorides, styrene acrylonitriles, polystyrenes, polyphenylene, ether blends, styrene maleic anhydrides, polycarbonates, allyls, aminos, cyanates, epoxies, phenolics, unsaturated polyesters, bismaleimides, polyurethanes, silicones, vinylesters, urethane hybrids, polyphenylsulfones, copolymers of polyphenylsulfones with polyethersulfones or polysulfones, copolymers of poly-phenylsulfones with siloxanes, blends of polyphenylsulfones with polysiloxanes, poly(etherimide-siloxane) copolymers, blends of polyetherimides and polysiloxanes, and blends of polyetherimides and poly(etherimide-siloxane) copolymers. The polymeric ammunition wherein the substantially cylindrical polymeric bullet-end and the substantially cylindrical polymeric bullet-end upper portion are welded or bonded together. The polymeric ammunition wherein the substantially cylindrical polymeric bullet-end coupling element is welded or bonded to the substantially cylindrical polymeric bullet-end upper portion. The polymeric ammunition wherein the insert joint is threaded, riveted, locked, friction fitted, pressed, coined, snap fitted, chemical bonded, chemical welded, soldered, smelted, sintered, adhesive bonded, laser welded, ultrasonic welded, friction spot welded, friction stir welded or a combination thereof. The polymeric ammunition wherein the first primer insert portion 12, the second primer insert portion 14 or both are formed independently by metal injection molding, polymer injection molding, stamping, pressing, milling, molding, machining, punching, fine blanking, smelting, or any other method that will form insert portions that may be joined together to form a primer insert. The polymeric ammunition wherein the first primer insert portion 12, the second primer insert portion 14 or both independently comprises a polymer, a metal, an alloy, or a ceramic alloy. The polymeric ammunition wherein the first primer insert portion 12 and the second primer insert portion 14 comprise of the same material or different materials. The polymeric ammunition further comprising a support structure 90 positioned about the cylindrical insert coupling element 18. The polymeric ammunition wherein the support structure 90 is positioned about the insert transition 22. The polymeric ammunition wherein the support structure 90 extends at least partially into the insert joint 16. The polymeric ammunition wherein the support structure 90 is a mesh, a sheet or a weave. The polymeric ammunition further comprising one or more surface protrusions 100 positioned about the cylindrical insert coupling element 18.
The present invention provided a method of making polymeric ammunition comprising the steps of: providing a two piece primer insert for ammunition comprising: a first primer insert portion 12 comprising: an cylindrical insert coupling element 18 having an insert tip 20 at one end opposite a cylindrical first primer insert portion joining region 24, and an insert transition 22 located between the insert tip 20 and the cylindrical first primer insert portion joining region 24; a second primer insert portion 14 comprising: a inner surface 28 connected to an extraction flange 44 by a cylindrical second primer insert portion joining region 40, a primer recess 32 located within the cylindrical second primer insert portion joining region 40, a primer flash aperture 30 through the inner surface 28 into the primer recess 32, and a flash aperture groove 38 around the primer flash aperture 30 in the primer recess 32; and an insert joint 16 located between the first primer insert portion 12 and the second primer insert portion 14, wherein the cylindrical first primer insert portion joining region 24 is adjacent to the cylindrical second primer insert portion joining region 40 to form a two piece primer insert; overmolding a substantially cylindrical polymeric middle body by molding a polymer over the two piece primer insert, wherein the substantially cylindrical polymeric middle body comprises: a substantially cylindrical polymeric bullet-end coupling element at a first end of the substantially cylindrical polymeric middle body opposite a substantially cylindrical polymeric coupling end connected by a powder chamber, wherein the substantially cylindrical polymeric coupling end extends over the substantially cylindrical coupling element and covers an circumferential surface of the primer flash hole aperture; molding a substantially cylindrical polymeric bullet-end upper portion comprising a bullet-end coupling element connected to the substantially cylindrical polymeric bullet-end coupling element opposite a projectile aperture adapted to engage a bullet; and connecting the substantially cylindrical polymeric middle body and the substantially cylindrical polymeric bullet-end upper portion to form a polymer ammunition cartridge; forming a propellant chamber that extends from the projectile aperture to the flash hole; inserting a primer into the primer recess; disposing a propellant at least partially filling the powder chamber; and fitting a bullet in the bullet-end aperture.
The method wherein the polymeric ammunition cartridge has a caliber selected from .223, .243, .25-06, .270, .300, .308, .338, .30-30, .30-06, .45-70 or .50-90, 50 caliber, 45 caliber, 380 caliber or 38 caliber, 5.56 mm, 6 mm, 7 mm, 7.62 mm, 8 mm, 9 mm, 10 mm, or 12.7 mm. The method wherein the polymeric ammunition cartridge has a caliber selected from .308, .338, 50 caliber, 5.56 mm, 7.62 mm, or 12.7 mm. The method wherein the substantially cylindrical polymeric middle body is formed from a ductile polymer, a nylon polymer or a fiber-reinforced polymeric composite. The method wherein the substantially cylindrical polymeric bullet-end upper portion comprises a ductile polymer, a nylon polymer or a fiber-reinforced polymeric composite. The method wherein the substantially cylindrical polymeric middle body comprise a polymers selected from the group consisting of polyurethane prepolymer, cellulose, fluoro-polymer, ethylene inter-polymer alloy elastomer, ethylene vinyl acetate, nylon, polyether imide, polyester elastomer, polyester sulfone, polyphenyl amide, polypropylene, polyvinylidene fluoride or thermoset polyurea elastomer, acrylics, homopolymers, acetates, copolymers, acrylonitrile-butadinen-styrene, thermoplastic fluoro polymers, inomers, polyamides, polyamide-imides, polyacrylates, polyatherketones, polyaryl-sulfones, polybenzimidazoles, polycarbonates, polybutylene, terephthalates, polyether imides, polyether sulfones, thermoplastic polyimides, thermoplastic polyurethanes, polyphenylene sulfides, polyethylene, polypropylene, polysulfones, polyvinylchlorides, styrene acrylonitriles, polystyrenes, polyphenylene, ether blends, styrene maleic anhydrides, polycarbonates, allyls, aminos, cyanates, epoxies, phenolics, unsaturated polyesters, bismaleimides, polyurethanes, silicones, vinylesters, urethane hybrids, polyphenylsulfones, copolymers of polyphenylsulfones with polyethersulfones or polysulfones, copolymers of poly-phenylsulfones with siloxanes, blends of polyphenylsulfones with polysiloxanes, poly(etherimide-siloxane) copolymers, blends of polyetherimides and polysiloxanes, and blends of polyetherimides and poly(etherimide-siloxane) copolymers. The method wherein the substantially cylindrical polymeric bullet-end upper portion comprise a polymers selected from the group consisting of polyurethane prepolymer, cellulose, fluoro-polymer, ethylene inter-polymer alloy elastomer, ethylene vinyl acetate, nylon, polyether imide, polyester elastomer, polyester sulfone, polyphenyl amide, polypropylene, polyvinylidene fluoride or thermoset polyurea elastomer, acrylics, homopolymers, acetates, copolymers, acrylonitrile-butadinen-styrene, thermoplastic fluoro polymers, inomers, polyamides, polyamide-imides, polyacrylates, polyatherketones, polyaryl-sulfones, polybenzimidazoles, polycarbonates, polybutylene, terephthalates, polyether imides, polyether sulfones, thermoplastic polyimides, thermoplastic polyurethanes, polyphenylene sulfides, polyethylene, polypropylene, polysulfones, polyvinylchlorides, styrene acrylonitriles, polystyrenes, polyphenylene, ether blends, styrene maleic anhydrides, polycarbonates, allyls, aminos, cyanates, epoxies, phenolics, unsaturated polyesters, bismaleimides, polyurethanes, silicones, vinylesters, urethane hybrids, polyphenylsulfones, copolymers of polyphenylsulfones with polyethersulfones or polysulfones, copolymers of poly-phenylsulfones with siloxanes, blends of polyphenylsulfones with polysiloxanes, poly(etherimide-siloxane) copolymers, blends of polyetherimides and polysiloxanes, and blends of polyetherimides and poly(etherimide-siloxane) copolymers. The method wherein the substantially cylindrical polymeric bullet-end and the substantially cylindrical polymeric bullet-end upper portion are welded or bonded together. The method wherein the substantially cylindrical polymeric bullet-end coupling element is welded or bonded to the substantially cylindrical polymeric bullet-end upper portion. The method wherein the insert joint is threaded, riveted, locked, friction fitted, pressed, coined, snap fitted, chemical bonded, chemical welded, soldered, smelted, sintered, adhesive bonded, laser welded, ultrasonic welded, friction spot welded, friction stir welded or a combination thereof. The method wherein the first primer insert portion 12, the second primer insert portion 14 or both are formed independently by metal injection molding, polymer injection molding, stamping, pressing, milling, molding, machining, punching, fine blanking, smelting, or any other method that will form insert portions that may be joined together to form a primer insert. The method wherein the first primer insert portion 12, the second primer insert portion 14 or both independently comprises a polymer, a metal, an alloy, or a ceramic alloy. The method wherein the first primer insert portion 12 and the second primer insert portion 14 comprise of the same material or different materials. The method further comprising a support structure 90 positioned about the cylindrical insert coupling element 18. The method wherein the support structure 90 is positioned about the insert transition 22. The method wherein the support structure 90 extends at least partially into the insert joint 16. The method wherein the support structure 90 is a mesh, a sheet or a weave. The method further comprising one or more surface protrusions 100 positioned about the cylindrical insert coupling element 18.
For a more complete understanding of the features and advantages of the present invention, reference is now made to the detailed description of the invention along with the accompanying figures and in which:
While the making and using of various embodiments of the present invention are discussed in detail below, it should be appreciated that the present invention provides many applicable inventive concepts that can be embodied in a wide variety of specific contexts. The specific embodiments discussed herein are merely illustrative of specific ways to make and use the invention and do not delimit the scope of the invention.
Shortcomings of the known methods of producing polymer or substantially polymer ammunition include the possibility of the projectile being pushed into the cartridge casing, the bullet pull being too light such that the bullet can fall out, the bullet pull being too insufficient to create sufficient chamber pressure, the bullet pull not being uniform from round to round, and portions of the cartridge casing breaking off upon firing causing the weapon to jam or damage or danger when subsequent rounds are fired or when the casing portions themselves become projectiles. The present invention overcomes these and other shortcomings and provides improvements in cartridge case design and performance polymer materials.
Reliable cartridge manufacture requires uniformity from one cartridge to the next in order to obtain consistent ballistic performance. Among other considerations, proper bullet seating and bullet-to-casing fit is required. In this manner, a desired pressure develops within the casing during firing prior to bullet and casing separation. Historically, bullets employ a cannelure, which is a slight annular depression formed in a surface of the bullet at a location determined to be the optimal seating depth for the bullet. In this manner, a visual inspection of a cartridge could determine whether or not the bullet is seated at the proper depth. Once the bullet is inserted into the casing to the proper depth, one of two standard procedures is incorporated to lock the bullet in its proper location. One method is the crimping of the entire end of the casing into the cannelure. A second method does not crimp the casing end; rather the bullet is pressure fitted into the casing.
The polymeric ammunition cartridges of the present invention are of a caliber typically carried by soldiers in combat for use in their combat weapons. The present invention is not limited to the described caliber and is believed to be applicable to other calibers as well. This includes various small, medium and large caliber munitions, including 5.56 mm, 7.62 mm, 308, 338, 3030, 3006, and .50 caliber ammunition cartridges, as well as medium/small caliber ammunition such as 380 caliber, 38 caliber, 9 mm, 10 mm, 20 mm, 25 mm, 30 mm, 40 mm, 45 caliber and the like. The projectile and the corresponding cartridge may be of any desired size, e.g., .223, .243, .25-06, .270, .300, .308, .338, .30-30, .30-06, .45-70 or .50-90, 50 caliber, 45 caliber, 380 caliber or 38 caliber, 5.56 mm, 6 mm, 6.5 mm, 7 mm, 7.62 mm, 8 mm, 9 mm, 10 mm, 12.7 mm, 14.5 mm, 14.7 mm, 20 mm, 25 mm, 30 mm, 40 mm, 57 mm, 60 mm, 75 mm, 76 mm, 81 mm, 90 mm, 100 mm, 105 mm, 106 mm, 115 mm, 120 mm, 122 mm, 125 mm, 130 mm, 152 mm, 155 mm, 165 mm, 175 mm, 203 mm or 460 mm, 4.2 inch or 8 inch. The cartridges, therefore, are of a caliber between about 0.05 and about 5 inches. Thus, the present invention is also applicable to the sporting goods industry for use by hunters and target shooters.
The present invention includes primer inserts that are made as a multi-piece insert. In one embodiment the multi-piece insert is a 2 piece insert but may be a 3, 4, 5, or 6 piece insert. Regardless of the number of pieces the multi-piece insert each piece may be of similar or dissimilar materials that are connected to form a unitary primer insert. The portions of the primer insert may be constructed from similar or dissimilar materials including metal-to-metal, polymer-to-polymer and metal-to-polymer.
Each of the pieces may be independently formed by a variety of methods and processes. For example. Each of the components may be formed by injection molding, including metal, alloy, polymer, composite injection molding. Each of the pieces may be independently made by any compressive forming process including deformation in an uniaxial or multiaxial compressive loading. The processes include rolling, where the material is passed through a pair of roller, extrusion, where the material is pushed through an orifice, die forming where the material is stamped by a press around or onto a die, forging where the material is shaped by localized compressive forces, indenting, where a tool is pressed into the workpiece. In addition the individual pieces may be formed by blanking and piercing, trimming, shaving, notching, perforating, nibbling, dinking, lancing, cutoff, stamping: progressive, coining, straight shearing; forging: smith, hammer forge, drop forge, press, impact, upset, no draft, high-energy-rate, cored, incremental and powder; rolling, cold rolling, hot rolling, sheet metal, shape, ring, transverse, cryorolling, orbital, cross-rolling, pressing, stretch forming, blanking, bulging, necking, nosing, bending, hemming, redrawing, ironing, flattening, swaging, spinning, peening, guerin process, wheelon process, magnetic pulse, staking, seaming, flanging, straightening, decambering, cold sizing, hubbing, hot metal gas forming, curling, hydroforming. The individual pieces may be formed by additive manufacturing including 3D printing; filament winding, produces composite pipes, tanks, etc.; direct metal laser sintering, fused deposition modeling; laminated object manufacturing; laser engineered net shaping; selective laser sintering or stereolithography.
In addition the individual pieces may be joined by one or more techniques including welding, electron beam welding, laser welding, thermite welding, induction welding; brazing, torch, induction brazing, furnace brazing, dip brazing; soldering, induction soldering, dip soldering, wave soldering, ultrasonic soldering; sintering; adhesive bonding; thermo-setting bonding, thermoplastic bonding, epoxy bonding, adhesive alloy bonding; riveting; clinching; pinning; stitching; stapling; press fitting.
The individual pieces may be formed by punching, pressing, stamping, molding, coining, or by additive manufacturing. The individual pieces may be joined using various methods including smelting, clinching, pressing welding soldering, sintering, adhesive gluing, staking, and iterative addition by forming one piece into another piece.
In addition, the various components of the multi-piece insert may be pressed together to form a unitary insert. The individual portions held in position using stakes or retainers (e.g., ring and slot, stake, etc.). The method of connecting the individual pieces to form a unitary insert will depend on the materials being joined. For example, a metal insert may be constructed from two or more metal pieces with similar melting points are joined together to form a unitary insert through sintering. Similarly, a metal insert constructed from two or more metal pieces may be pressed together to form a unitary insert.
A metal insert constructed from two or more metal pieces may be joined by clinching or press-joining where the metal components are joined without additional components, using special tools to form an interlock between two or more components. The process is generally performed at room temperature but can be pre-heated to improve the material ductility. Additionally, a metal insert constructed from two or more metal pieces may be crimped together to form a unitary insert.
Regardless of the number of section each portion may be made from a single material that is milled, stamped, forged, machined, molded, cast or other method of forming a primer insert portion.
The support structure 90 may be a mesh, weave, a sheet, perforated sheet, a textured sheet, individual fibers, strands, filaments or similar structure. The support structure 90 may be constructed from one or more polymers, one or more metals, one or more alloys or a combination there of. The mesh may be a wire mesh, a polymer mesh, an alloy mesh or a combination thereof. The mesh may be of a significant hole density (i.e., 1 to 800 holes per inch and more specifically at least about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119, 120, 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 127, 128, 129, 130, 131, 132, 133, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, 139, 140, 141, 142, 143, 144, 145, 146, 147, 148, 149, 150, 151, 152, 153, 154, 155, 156, 157, 158, 159, 160, 161, 162, 163, 164, 165, 166, 167, 168, 169, 170, 171, 172, 173, 174, 175, 176, 177, 178, 179, 180, 181, 182, 183, 184, 185, 186, 187, 188, 189, 190, 191, 192, 193, 194, 195, 196, 197, 198, 199, 200, 201, 202, 203, 204, 205, 206, 207, 208, 209, 210, 211, 212, 213, 214, 215, 216, 217, 218, 219, 220, 221, 222, 223, 224, 225, 226, 227, 228, 229, 230, 231, 232, 233, 234, 235, 236, 237, 238, 239, 240, 241, 242, 243, 244, 245, 246, 247, 248, 249, 250, 251, 252, 253, 254, 255, 256, 257, 258, 259, 260, 261, 262, 263, 264, 265, 266, 267, 268, 269, 270, 271, 272, 273, 274, 275, 276, 277, 278, 279, 280, 281, 282, 283, 284, 285, 286, 287, 288, 289, 290, 291, 292, 293, 294, 295, 296, 297, 298, 299, 300, 301, 302, 303, 304, 305, 306, 307, 308, 309, 310, 311, 312, 313, 314, 315, 316, 317, 318, 319, 320, 321, 322, 323, 324, 325 or more holes per inch). In addition, the mesh may be uniformed or asymmetric in hole positioning. For example, the mesh may have a hole density of around 200 holes per inch at the mesh at the bottom of the insert and about 100 holes per inch at the opposite end of the insert.
In addition, the support structure 90 may be formed, shaped, pressed, pulled, woven into shape or otherwise altered such that the support structure 90 contours to the shape (or roughly approximates the shape) of the insert walls.
The support structure 90 may be loosely placed, frictionally held in the insert, welded into position in or on the insert, affixed to the insert using an adhesive, resin, epoxy, polymer metal, welds, melts, or other material.
The individual pieces may be formed by punching, pressing, stamping, molding, coining, or by additive manufacturing. The individual pieces may be joined by clinching, pressing welding soldering, sintering, adhesive gluing, staking, and iterative addition by forming one piece into another piece.
In addition, the various components of the multi-piece insert may be pressed together to form a unitary insert. The individual portions held in position using stakes or retainers (e.g., ring and slot, stake, etc.). The method of connecting the individual pieces to form a unitary insert will depend on the materials being joined. For example, a metal insert may be constructed from two or more metal pieces with similar melting points are joined together to form a unitary insert through sintering. Similarly, a metal insert constructed from two or more metal pieces may be pressed together to form a unitary insert.
Multiple piece inserts of the present invention may be configured in various ways. For example, the insert may be include three insert pieces, three insert pieces configured without the need for a diffuser, three insert pieces where one piece is a diffuser, three insert pieces where the diffuser is between the other insert pieces.
The present invention includes a diffuser that is positioned between the primer and the bottom of the primer recess. The diffuser includes a diffuser aperture that aligns with the flash hole and may include a diffuser aperture extension that fits in the flash hole. The diffuser diverts the combustion effect away from the over-molded polymer material of the middle body component. The affects being the impact from igniting the primer as far as pressure and heat to divert the energy of the primer off of the polymer and directing it to the flash hole. The diffuser can be between 0.0001 to 0.015 inches (e.g., 0.0001, 0.0002, 0.0003, 0.0004, 0.0005, 0.0006, 0.0007, 0.0008, 0.0009, 0.001, 0.002, 0.003, 0.004, 0.005, 0.006, 0.007, 0.008, 0.009, 0.010, 0.011, 0.012, 0.013, 0.014, or 0.015) in thickness and made from metal, polymer, composite, or other material, e.g., half hard brass. For example, the diffuser can be between about 0.005 inches thick for a 5.56 diffuser 50. For example, the outer diameter of the diffuser for a 5.56 or 223 case is 0.173 and the inner diameter is 0.080. The diffuser could be made of any material that can withstand the energy from the ignition of the primer, e.g., alloys, metals, steel, stainless, cooper, aluminum, resins and polymers. The diffuser can be produced in “T”, ‘L” or “I” shape by drawing the material by MIM, PIM, milling, machining, or using a stamping and draw die. In the “T”, ‘L” or “I” shape diffusers the center ring can be 0.001 to 0.010 tall and the outer diameter is 0.090 and the inner diameter 0.080, individually 0.001, 0.002, 0.003, 0.004, 0.005, 0.006, 0.007, 0.008, 0.009, 0.010, 0.011, 0.012, 0.013, 0.014, 0.015, 0.02, 0.02.5, 0.03, 0.04, 0.05, 0.06, 0.07, 0.08, 0.09, 0.1, or 0.2.
The inserts joint may connect the upper primer insert portion, the middle insert and the lower primer insert portion by threading, riveting, locking, friction fitting, coining, snap fitting, chemical bonding, chemical welding, soldering, smelting, sintering, adhesive bonding, laser welding, ultrasonic welding, friction spot welding, friction stir welding spin-welding, vibration-welding, ultrasonic-welding or laser-welding techniques. In addition, multiple methods may be used to increase the joint strength.
Chemical welding and chemical bonding involves the use of chemical compositions that undergoes a chemical or physical reaction resulting in the joining of the materials and the formation of a unitary primer insert. The chemicals may join the surfaces through the formation of a layer that contacts both surfaces or by melting the surfaces to a single interface between the surfaces.
Adhesive bonding involves the use of a polymeric adhesive, which undergoes a chemical or physical reaction, for eventual joint formation. The upper primer insert portion mates to the lower primer insert portion at the insert joint to which an adhesive material has been added to form a unitary primer insert. The adhesive includes high-strength and tough adhesives that can withstand both static and alternating loads.
Sintering involves the process of compacting and forming a solid mass of material by heat and/or pressure without melting it to the point of liquefaction. Materials that are identical or similar may be sintered in the temperature range for the specific time, e.g., stainless steel may be heated for 30-60 minutes at a temperature of between 2000-2350° F. However, materials that are dissimilar may be heated at the within the common temperature range (±400° F.) for the specific time (±0.5-2 hours). For example, the upper primer insert portion may be stainless steel with a temperature range form 2000-2350° F. for 30-60 minutes and the lower primer insert portion may be nickel 1850-2100° F. for 30-45 minutes (and vice versa) to allow the sintering at between 2000-2100° F. for 30-60 minutes. Similarly, the upper primer insert portion may be stainless steel with a temperature range form 2000-2350° F. for 30-60 minutes and the lower primer insert portion may be tungsten carbide 2600-2700° F. for 20-30 minutes to allow the sintering at between 2300-2600° F. for 30-60 minutes or longer if necessary. The skilled artisan readily understands the parameters associated with sintering materials of similar and different compositions and therefor there is no need in reciting all of the various combinations that can be formed in this application.
Welding techniques including laser welding, ultrasonic welding, friction spot welding, and friction stir welding. The welding methods can use the existing materials to fill in the insert joint or an additional material may be used to fill in the insert joint. The dissimilar multi-metal welded unitary primer insert must be examined to determine the crack sensitivity, ductility, susceptibility to corrosion, etc. In some cases, it is necessary to use a third metal that is soluble with each metal in order to produce a successful joint.
The two piece primer insert used in polymeric cartridge cases includes an upper primer insert portion and a lower primer insert portion joined at insert joint. The individual upper primer insert portion and lower primer insert portion may be formed in various methods. For example the individual upper primer insert portion and lower primer insert portion may be formed by metal injection molding, polymer injection molding, stamping, milling, molding, machining, punching, fine blanking, smelting, or any other method that will form insert portions that may be joined together to form a primer insert.
The two piece primer insert includes an individual upper primer insert portion and lower primer insert portion formed in various methods. For example, the individual upper primer insert portion and lower primer insert portion may be formed by stamping, milling, or machining and then joined together to form a primer insert.
For example, the individual upper primer insert portion, the lower primer insert portion or both may be formed by fineblanking, punching, pressing, stamping, molding, coining, milled, stamped, forged, machined, molded, cast or by additive manufacturing. The individual pieces may be joined by clinching, pressing welding soldering, sintering, adhesive gluing, staking, and iterative addition by forming one piece into another piece. Fineblanking is a specialty type of metal stamping that can achieve part characteristics such as flatness and a full sheared edge to a degree that is nearly impossible using a conventional metal cutting or punching process and is used to achieve flatness and cut edge characteristics that are unobtainable by conventional stamping and punching methods. When the punch makes contact with the sheet, the metal begins to deform and bulge around the point of the punch. As the yield strength of the part material is exceeded by the downward force of the press, the point of the punch begins to penetrate the metal's surface. Both the punch and matrix, or button, begin to cut from their respective sides. When the ultimate tensile strength has been reached, the metal breaks or fractures from the edge of the punch to the edge of the matrix. This results in a cut edge that appears to be partially cut and partially broken or fractured. This cut edge condition often is referred to as the “cut band.” In most cases, the cut edge has about 10 percent to 30 percent of shear, and the remainder is fractured. The fracture has two primary causes. The distance between the punch and the matrix creates a leverage action and tends to pull the metal apart, causing it to rupture. The deformation that is allowed during the cutting process also allows the metal to fracture prematurely. Allowing the metal to deform severely during the cutting process results in straining of the metal, which in turn causes a stress. Trapped stresses in a product cause it to lose its flatness, which is why it is very difficult to maintain a critical flatness characteristic using conventional methods. Fineblanking requires the use of three very high-pressure pads in a special press. These pads hold the metal flat during the cutting process and keep the metal from plastically deforming during punch entry. Most fineblanking operations incorporate a V-ring into one of the high-pressure pads. This ring also is commonly referred to as a “stinger” or “impingement” ring. Before the punch contacts the part, the ring impales the metal, surrounds the perimeter of the part, and traps the metal from moving outward while pushing it inward toward the punch. This reduces rollover at the cut edge. Fineblanking operations usually require clearances of less than 0.0005 inch per side. This small clearance, combined with high pressure, results in a fully sheared part edge. Fineblanking is much like a cold extruding process. The slug (or part) is pushed or extruded out of the strip while it is held very tightly between the high-pressure holding plates and pads. The tight hold of the high-pressure plates prevents the metal from bulging or plastically deforming during the extrusion process.
The two piece primer insert includes an individual upper primer insert portion and lower primer insert portion formed in various methods. For example, the individual upper primer insert portion and lower primer insert portion may be formed by molding, injection molding or metal injection molding and then joined together to form a primer insert. For example, when the individual upper primer insert portion and lower primer insert portion or both are metal injection molded, the raw materials are metal powders and a thermoplastic binder. There are at least two Binders included in the blend, a primary binder and a secondary binder. This blended powder mix is worked into the plasticized binder at elevated temperature in a kneader or shear roll extruder. The intermediate product is the so-called feedstock. It is usually granulated with granule sizes of several millimeters. In metal injection molding, only the binders are heated up, and that is how the metal is carried into the mold cavity. In preparing a feedstock, it is important first to measure the actual density of each lot of both the metal powders and binders. This is extremely important especially for the metal powders in that each lot will be different based on the actual chemistry of that grade of powder. For example, 316L is comprised of several elements, such as Fe, Cr, Ni, Cu, Mo, P, Si, S and C. In order to be rightfully called a 316L, each of these elements must meet a minimum and maximum percentage weight requirement as called out in the relevant specification. Hence the variation in the chemistry within the specification results in a significant density variation within the acceptable composition range. Depending on the lot received from the powder producer, the density will vary depending on the actual chemistry received. The metal may be low alloy steels 2200, 2700, 4605, 316L, 420, 430L, 17-4, 17-4PH, 17-7, F15, Fe-3% Si, Fe-50% Ni, and Fe-50% Co. In addition to the specific metal compositions may include common commercial designations e.g., C-0000 Copper and Copper Alloys; CFTG-3806-K Diluted Bronze Bearings; CNZ-1818 Copper and Copper Alloys; CNZP-1816 Copper and Copper Alloys; CT-1000 Copper and Copper Alloys; CT-1000-K Bronze Bearings; CTG-1001-K Bronze Bearings; CTG-1004-K Bronze Bearings; CZ-1000 Copper and Copper Alloys; CZ-2000 Copper and Copper Alloys; CZ-3000 Copper and Copper Alloys; CZP-1002 Copper and Copper Alloys; CZP-2002 Copper and Copper Alloys; CZP-3002 Copper and Copper Alloys; F-0000 Iron and Carbon Steel; F-0000-K Iron and Iron-Carbon Bearings; F-0005 Iron and Carbon Steel; F-0005-K Iron and Iron-Carbon Bearings; F-0008 Iron and Carbon Steel; F-0008-K Iron and Iron-Carbon Bearings; FC-0200 Iron-Copper and Copper Steel; FC-0200-K Iron-Copper Bearings; FC-0205 Iron-Copper and Copper Steel; FC-0205-K Iron-Copper-Carbon Bearings; FC-0208 Iron-Copper and Copper Steel; FC-0208-K Iron-Copper-Carbon Bearings; FC-0505 Iron-Copper and Copper Steel; FC-0508 Iron-Copper and Copper Steel; FC-0508-K Iron-Copper-Carbon Bearings; FC-0808 Iron-Copper and Copper Steel; FC-1000 Iron-Copper and Copper Steel; FC-1000-K Iron-Copper Bearings; FC-2000-K Iron-Copper Bearings; FC-2008-K Iron-Copper-Carbon Bearings; FCTG-3604-K Diluted Bronze Bearings; FD-0200 Diffusion-Alloyed Steel; FD-0205 Diffusion-Alloyed Steel; FD-0208 Diffusion-Alloyed Steel; FD-0400 Diffusion-Alloyed Steel; FD-0405 Diffusion-Alloyed Steel; FD-0408 Diffusion-Alloyed Steel; FF-0000 Soft-Magnetic Alloys; FG-0303-K Iron-Graphite Bearings; FG-0308-K Iron-Graphite Bearings; FL-4005 Prealloyed Steel; FL-4205 Prealloyed Steel; FL-4400 Prealloyed Steel; FL-4405 Prealloyed Steel; FL-4605 Prealloyed Steel; FL-4805 Prealloyed Steel; FL-48105 Prealloyed Steel; FL-4905 Prealloyed Steel; FL-5208 Prealloyed Steel; FL-5305 Prealloyed Steel; FLC-4608 Sinter-Hardened Steel; FLC-4805 Sinter-Hardened Steel; FLC-48108 Sinter-Hardened Steel; FLC-4908 Sinter-Hardened Steel; FLC2-4808 Sinter-Hardened Steel; FLDN2-4908 Diffusion-Alloyed Steel; FLDN4C2-4905 Diffusion-Alloyed Steel; FLN-4205 Hybrid Low-Alloy Steel; FLN-48108 Sinter-Hardened Steel; FLN2-4400 Hybrid Low-Alloy Steel; FLN2-4405 Hybrid Low-Alloy Steel; FLN2-4408 Sinter-Hardened Steel; FLN2C-4005 Hybrid Low-Alloy Steel; FLN4-4400 Hybrid Low-Alloy Steel; FLN4-4405 Hybrid Low-Alloy Steel; FLN4-4408 Sinter Hardened Steel; FLN4C-4005 Hybrid Low-Alloy Steel; FLN6-4405 Hybrid Low-Alloy Steel; FLN6-4408 Sinter-Hardened Steel; FLNC-4405 Hybrid Low-Alloy Steel; FLNC-4408 Sinter-Hardened Steel; FN-0200 Iron-Nickel and Nickel Steel; FN-0205 Iron-Nickel and Nickel Steel; FN-0208 Iron-Nickel and Nickel Steel; FN-0405 Iron-Nickel and Nickel Steel; FN-0408 Iron-Nickel and Nickel Steel; FN-5000 Soft-Magnetic Alloys; FS-0300 Soft-Magnetic Alloys; FX-1000 Copper-Infiltrated Iron and Steel; FX-1005 Copper-Infiltrated Iron and Steel; FX-1008 Copper-Infiltrated Iron and Steel; FX-2000 Copper-Infiltrated Iron and Steel; FX-2005 Copper-Infiltrated Iron and Steel; FX-2008 Copper-Infiltrated Iron and Steel; FY-4500 Soft-Magnetic Alloys; FY-8000 Soft-Magnetic Alloys; P/F-1020 Carbon Steel PF; P/F-1040 Carbon Steel PF; P/F-1060 Carbon Steel PF; P/F-10C40 Copper Steel PF; P/F-10050 Copper Steel PF; P/F-10060 Copper Steel PF; P/F-1140 Carbon Steel PF; P/F-1160 Carbon Steel PF; P/F-11C40 Copper Steel PF; P/F-11050 Copper Steel PF; P/F-11060 Copper Steel PF; P/F-4220 Low-Alloy P/F-42XX Steel PF; P/F-4240 Low-Alloy P/F-42XX Steel PF; P/F-4260 Low-Alloy P/F-42XX Steel PF; P/F-4620 Low-Alloy P/F-46XX Steel PF; P/F-4640 Low-Alloy P/F-46XX Steel PF; P/F-4660 Low-Alloy P/F-46XX Steel PF; P/F-4680 Low-Alloy P/F-46XX Steel PF; SS-303L Stainless Steel—300 Series Alloy; SS-303N1 Stainless Steel—300 Series Alloy; SS-303N2 Stainless Steel—300 Series Alloy; SS-304H Stainless Steel—300 Series Alloy; SS-304L Stainless Steel—300 Series Alloy; SS-304N1 Stainless Steel—300 Series Alloy; SS-304N2 Stainless Steel—300 Series Alloy; SS-316H Stainless Steel—300 Series Alloy; SS-316L Stainless Steel—300 Series Alloy; SS-316N1 Stainless Steel—300 Series Alloy; SS-316N2 Stainless Steel—300 Series Alloy; SS-409L Stainless Steel—400 Series Alloy; SS-409LE Stainless Steel—400 Series Alloy; SS-410 Stainless Steel—400 Series Alloy; SS-410L Stainless Steel—400 Series Alloy; SS-430L Stainless Steel—400 Series Alloy; SS-430N2 Stainless Steel—400 Series Alloy; SS-434L Stainless Steel—400 Series Alloy; SS-434LCb Stainless Steel—400 Series Alloy; and SS-434N2 Stainless Steel—400 Series Alloy.
Titanium alloys that may be used in this invention include any alloy or modified alloy known to the skilled artisan including titanium grades 5-38 and more specifically titanium grades 5, 9, 18, 19, 20, 21, 23, 24, 25, 28, 29, 35, 36 or 38. Grades 5, 23, 24, 25, 29, 35, or 36 annealed or aged; Grades 9, 18, 28, or 38 cold-worked and stress-relieved or annealed; Grades 9, 18, 23, 28, or 29 transformed-beta condition; and Grades 19, 20, or 21 solution-treated or solution-treated and aged. Grade 5, also known as Ti6Al4V, Ti-6Al-4V or Ti 6-4, is the most commonly used alloy. It has a chemical composition of 6% aluminum, 4% vanadium, 0.25% (maximum) iron, 0.2% (maximum) oxygen, and the remainder titanium. It is significantly stronger than commercially pure titanium while having the same stiffness and thermal properties (excluding thermal conductivity, which is about 60% lower in Grade 5 Ti than in CP Ti); Grade 6 contains 5% aluminum and 2.5% tin. It is also known as Ti-5Al-2.5Sn. This alloy has good weldability, stability and strength at elevated temperatures; Grade 7 and 7H contains 0.12 to 0.25% palladium. This grade is similar to Grade 2. The small quantity of palladium added gives it enhanced crevice corrosion resistance at low temperatures and high pH; Grade 9 contains 3.0% aluminum and 2.5% vanadium. This grade is a compromise between the ease of welding and manufacturing of the “pure” grades and the high strength of Grade 5; Grade 11 contains 0.12 to 0.25% palladium; Grade 12 contains 0.3% molybdenum and 0.8% nickel; Grades 13, 14, and 15 all contain 0.5% nickel and 0.05% ruthenium; Grade 16 contains 0.04 to 0.08% palladium; Grade 16H contains 0.04 to 0.08% palladium; Grade 17 contains 0.04 to 0.08% palladium; Grade 18 contains 3% aluminum, 2.5% vanadium and 0.04 to 0.08% palladium; Grade 19 contains 3% aluminum, 8% vanadium, 6% chromium, 4% zirconium, and 4% molybdenum; Grade 20 contains 3% aluminum, 8% vanadium, 6% chromium, 4% zirconium, 4% molybdenum and 0.04% to 0.08% palladium; Grade 21 contains 15% molybdenum, 3% aluminum, 2.7% niobium, and 0.25% silicon; Grade 23 contains 6% aluminum, 4% vanadium, 0.13% (maximum) Oxygen; Grade 24 contains 6% aluminum, 4% vanadium and 0.04% to 0.08% palladium. Grade 25 contains 6% aluminum, 4% vanadium and 0.3% to 0.8% nickel and 0.04% to 0.08% palladium; Grades 26, 26H, and 27 all contain 0.08 to 0.14% ruthenium; Grade 28 contains 3% aluminum, 2.5% vanadium and 0.08 to 0.14% ruthenium; Grade 29 contains 6% aluminum, 4% vanadium and 0.08 to 0.14% ruthenium; Grades 30 and 31 contain 0.3% cobalt and 0.05% palladium; Grade 32 contains 5% aluminum, 1% tin, 1% zirconium, 1% vanadium, and 0.8% molybdenum; Grades 33 and 34 contain 0.4% nickel, 0.015% palladium, 0.025% ruthenium, and 0.15% chromium; Grade 35 contains 4.5% aluminum, 2% molybdenum, 1.6% vanadium, 0.5% iron, and 0.3% silicon; Grade 36 contains 45% niobium; Grade 37 contains 1.5% aluminum; and Grade 38 contains 4% aluminum, 2.5% vanadium, and 1.5% iron. The mechanical properties are very similar to Grade 5, but has good cold workability similar to grade 9. One embodiment includes a Ti6Al4V composition. One embodiment includes a composition having 3-12% aluminum, 2-8% vanadium, 0.1-0.75% iron, 0.1-0.5% oxygen, and the remainder titanium. More specifically, about 6% aluminum, about 4% vanadium, about 0.25% iron, about 0.2% oxygen, and the remainder titanium. For example, one Ti composition may include 10 to 35% Cr, 0.05 to 15% Al, 0.05 to 2% Ti, 0.05 to 2% Y2O5, with the balance being either Fe, Ni or Co, or an alloy consisting of 20±1.0% Cr, 4.5±0.5% Al, 0.5±0.1% Y2O5 or ThO2, with the balance being Fe. For example, one Ti composition may include 15.0-23.0% Cr, 0.5-2.0% Si, 0.0-4.0% Mo, 0.0-1.2% Nb, 0.0-3.0% Fe, 0.0-0.5% Ti, 0.0-0.5% Al, 0.0-0.3% Mn, 0.0-0.1% Zr, 0.0-0.035% Ce, 0.005-0.025% Mg, 0.0005-0.005% B, 0.005-0.3% C, 0.0-20.0% Co, balance Ni. Sample Ti-based feedstock component includes 0-45% metal powder; 15-40% binder; 0-10% Polymer (e.g., thermoplastics and thermosets); surfactant 0-3%; lubricant 0-3%; sintering aid 0-1%. Another sample Ti-based feedstock component includes about 62% TiH2 powder as a metal powder; about 29% naphthalene as a binder; about 2.1-2.3% polymer (e.g., EVA/epoxy); about 2.3% SURFONIC N-100° as a Surfactant; lubricant is 1.5% stearic acid as a; about 0.4% silver as a sintering Aid. Examples of metal compounds include metal hydrides, such as TiH2, and intermetallics, such as TiAl and TiAl3. A specific instance of an alloy includes Ti-6Al,4V, among others. In another embodiment, the metal powder comprises at least approximately 45% of the volume of the feedstock, while in still another, it comprises between approximately 54.6% and 70.0%. In addition, Ti—Al alloys may consists essentially of 32-38% of Al and the balance of Ti and contains 0.005-0.20% of B, and the alloy which essentially consists of the above quantities of Al and Ti and contains, in addition to the above quantity of B, up to 0.2% of C, up to 0.3% of O and/or up to 0.3% of N (provided that O+N add up to 0.4%) and c) 0.05-3.0% of Ni and/or 0.05-3.0% of Si, and the balance of Ti.
Examples of metals for use in the present invention include but are not limited to: stainless steel including martensitic and austenitic stainless steel, steel alloys, tungsten alloys, soft magnetic alloys such as iron, iron-silicon, electrical steel, iron-nickel (50Ni-50F3), low thermal expansion alloys, or combinations thereof. In one embodiment, the powdered metal is a mixture of stainless steel, brass and tungsten alloy. The stainless steel used in the present invention may be any 1 series carbon steels, 2 series nickel steels, 3 series nickel-chromium steels, 4 series molybdenum steels, series chromium steels, 6 series chromium-vanadium steels, 7 series tungsten steels, 8 series nickel-chromium-molybdenum steels, or 9 series silicon-manganese steels, e.g., 102, 174, 201, 202, 300, 302, 303, 304, 308, 309, 316, 316L, 316Ti, 321, 405, 408, 409, 410, 416, 420, 430, 439, 440, 446 or 601-665 grade stainless steel. For example, the individual upper primer insert portion and lower primer insert portion may be formed from SAE grade: 409, 410, 430, 440A, 440B, 440C, 440F, 410, 416, 420, 420F, 430F, 431, 630 (17-4 stainless steel), 301, 301LN, 304, 304L, 304L, 304LN, 304H, 305, 310, 310S, 316, 316LN, 316L, 316L, 316L, 316Ti, 316LN, 317L, 321, 321H, 2304, 2205, J405, 904L, or 254SMO,
As known to those of ordinary skill in the art, stainless steel is an alloy of iron and at least one other component that imparts corrosion resistance. As such, in one embodiment, the stainless steel is an alloy of iron and at least one of chromium, nickel, silicon, molybdenum, or mixtures thereof. Examples of such alloys include, but are not limited to, an alloy containing about 1.5 to about 2.5 percent nickel, no more than about 0.5 percent molybdenum, no more than about 0.15 percent carbon, and the balance iron with a density ranging from about 7 g/cm3 to about 8 g/cm3; an alloy containing about 6 to about 8 percent nickel, no more than about 0.5 percent molybdenum, no more than about 0.15 percent carbon, and the balance iron with a density ranging from about 7 g/cm3 to about 8 g/cm3; an alloy containing about 0.5 to about 1 percent chromium, about 0.5 percent to about 1 percent nickel, no more than about 0.5 percent molybdenum, no more than about 0.2 percent carbon, and the balance iron with a density ranging from about 7 g/cm3 to about 8 g/cm3; an alloy containing about 2 to about 3 percent nickel, no more than about 0.5 percent molybdenum, about 0.3 to about 0.6 percent carbon, and the balance iron with a density ranging from about 7 g/cm3 to about 8 g/cm3; an alloy containing about 6 to about 8 percent nickel, no more than about 0.5 percent molybdenum, about 0.2 to about 0.5 percent carbon, and the balance iron with a density ranging from about 7 g/cm3 to about 8 g/cm3; an alloy containing about 1 to about 1.6 percent chromium, about 0.5 percent or less nickel, no more than about 0.5 percent molybdenum, about 0.9 to about 1.2 percent carbon, and the balance iron with a density ranging from about 7 g/cm3 to about 8 g/cm3; and combinations thereof.
Suitable tungsten alloys include an alloy containing about 2.5 to about 3.5 percent nickel, about 0.5 percent to about 2.5 percent copper or iron, and the balance tungsten with a density ranging from about 17.5 g/cm3 to about 18.5 g/cm3; about 3 to about 4 percent nickel, about 94 percent tungsten, and the balance copper or iron with a density ranging from about 17.5 g/cm3 to about 18.5 g/cm3; and mixtures thereof.
The polymeric and composite casing components may be injection molded. Polymeric materials for the bullet-end and middle body components must have propellant compatibility and resistance to gun cleaning solvents and grease, as well as resistance to chemical, biological and radiological agents. The polymeric materials must have a temperature resistance higher than the cook-off temperature of the propellant, typically about 320° F. The polymeric materials must have elongation-to-break values that to resist deformation under interior ballistic pressure as high as 60,000 psi in all environments (temperatures from about −65 to about 320° F. and humidity from 0 to 100% relative humidity). According to one embodiment, the middle body component is either molded onto or snap-fit to the casing head-end component after which the bullet-end component is snap-fit or interference fit to the middle body component. The components may be formed from high-strength polymer, composite or ceramic.
Examples of suitable high strength polymers include composite polymer material including a tungsten metal powder, nylon 6/6, nylon 6, and glass fibers; and a specific gravity in a range of 3-10. The tungsten metal powder may be 50%-96% of a weight of the bullet body. The polymer material also includes about 0.5-15%, preferably about 1-12%, and most preferably about 2-9% by weight, of nylon 6/6, about 0.5-15%, preferably about 1-12%, and most preferably about 2-9% by weight, of nylon 6, and about 0.5-15%, preferably about 1-12%, and most preferably about 2-9% by weight, of glass fibers. It is most suitable that each of these ingredients be included in amounts less than 10% by weight. The cartridge casing body may be made of a modified ZYTEL® resin, available from E.I. DuPont De Nemours Co., a modified 612 nylon resin, modified to increase elastic response.
Examples of suitable polymers include polyurethane prepolymer, cellulose, fluoro-polymer, ethylene inter-polymer alloy elastomer, ethylene vinyl acetate, nylon, polyether imide, polyester elastomer, polyester sulfone, polyphenyl amide, polypropylene, polyvinylidene fluoride or thermoset polyurea elastomer, acrylics, homopolymers, acetates, copolymers, acrylonitrile-butadinen-styrene, thermoplastic fluoro polymers, inomers, polyamides, polyamide-imides, polyacrylates, polyatherketones, polyaryl-sulfones, polybenzimidazoles, polycarbonates, polybutylene, terephthalates, polyether imides, polyether sulfones, thermoplastic polyimides, thermoplastic polyurethanes, polyphenylene sulfides, polyethylene, polypropylene, polysulfones, polyvinylchlorides, styrene acrylonitriles, polystyrenes, polyphenylene, ether blends, styrene maleic anhydrides, polycarbonates, allyls, aminos, cyanates, epoxies, phenolics, unsaturated polyesters, bismaleimides, polyurethanes, silicones, vinylesters, or urethane hybrids. Examples of suitable polymers also include aliphatic or aromatic polyamide, polyeitherimide, polysulfone, polyphenylsulfone, poly-phenylene oxide, liquid crystalline polymer and polyketone. Examples of suitable composites include polymers such as polyphenylsulfone reinforced with between about 30 and about 70 weight percent, and preferably up to about 65 weight percent of one or more reinforcing materials selected from glass fiber, ceramic fiber, carbon fiber, mineral fillers, organo nanoclay, or carbon nanotube. Preferred reinforcing materials, such as chopped surface-treated E-glass fibers provide flow characteristics at the above-described loadings comparable to unfilled polymers to provide a desirable combination of strength and flow characteristics that permit the molding of head-end components. Composite components can be formed by machining or injection molding. Finally, the cartridge case must retain sufficient joint strength at cook-off temperatures. More specifically, polymers suitable for molding of the projectile-end component have one or more of the following properties: Yield or tensile strength at −65° F.>10,000 psi Elongation-to-break at −65° F.>15% Yield or tensile strength at 73° F.>8,000 psi Elongation-to-break at 73° F.>50% Yield or tensile strength at 320° F.>4,000 psi Elongation-to-break at 320° F.>80%. Polymers suitable for molding of the middle-body component have one or more of the following properties: Yield or tensile strength at −65° F.>10,000 psi Yield or tensile strength at 73° F.>8,000 psi Yield or tensile strength at 320° F.>4,000 psi.
Commercially available polymers suitable for use in the present invention thus include polyphenylsulfones; copolymers of polyphenylsulfones with polyether-sulfones or polysulfones; copolymers and blends of polyphenylsulfones with polysiloxanes; poly(etherimide-siloxane); copolymers and blends of polyetherimides and polysiloxanes, and blends of polyetherimides and poly(etherimide-siloxane) copolymers; and the like. Particularly preferred are polyphenylsulfones and their copolymers with poly-sulfones or polysiloxane that have high tensile strength and elongation-to-break to sustain the deformation under high interior ballistic pressure. Such polymers are commercially available, for example, RADEL® R5800 polyphenylesulfone from Solvay Advanced Polymers. The polymer can be formulated with up to about 10 wt % of one or more additives selected from internal mold release agents, heat stabilizers, anti-static agents, colorants, impact modifiers and UV stabilizers.
The polymers of the present invention can also be used for conventional two-piece metal-plastic hybrid cartridge case designs and conventional shotgun shell designs. One example of such a design is an ammunition cartridge with a one-piece substantially cylindrical polymeric cartridge casing body with an open projectile-end and an end opposing the projectile-end with a male or female coupling element; and a cylindrical metal cartridge casing head-end component with an essentially closed base end with a primer hole opposite an open end having a coupling element that is a mate for the coupling element on the opposing end of the polymeric cartridge casing body joining the open end of the head-end component to the opposing end of the polymeric cartridge casing body. The high polymer ductility permits the casing to resist breakage.
One embodiment includes a multi-cavity nose mold for the nose portion and a multi-cavity base mold for the base portion having a metal insert over-molded with a polymer based material. In this embodiment the polymer in the base includes a lip or flange to extract the case from the weapon.
One multi-cavity nose mold to produce the nose of the 5.56, 7.62, 50 caliber, 12.7 mm case can be made using a stripper plate tool using an Osco hot spur and two subgates per cavity. Another embodiment includes a subsonic version, the difference from the standard and the subsonic version is the walls are thicker thus requiring less powder. This will decrease the velocity of the bullet thus creating a subsonic round.
The extracting inserts is used to give the polymer case a tough enough ridge and groove for the weapons extractor to grab and pull the case out the chamber of the gun. The insert may be made of 17-4 or 17-7 stainless steel that is hardened to between 30-70rc or between 42-45rc. The insert may be made of aluminum, brass, cooper, steel or even an engineered resin with enough tensile strength.
The insert is over molded in an injection molded process using a nano clay particle filled Nylon material. The inserts can be machined or stamped. In addition, an engineered resin able to withstand the demand on the insert allows injection molded and/or even transfer molded.
One of ordinary skill in the art will know that many propellant types and weights can be used to prepare workable ammunition and that such loads may be determined by a careful trial including initial low quantity loading of a given propellant and the well known stepwise increasing of a given propellant loading until a maximum acceptable load is achieved. Extreme care and caution is advised in evaluating new loads. The propellants available have various burn rates and must be carefully chosen so that a safe load is devised.
The components may be made of polymeric compositions, metals, ceramics, alloys, or combinations and mixtures thereof. In addition, the components may be mixed and matched with one or more components being made of different materials. For example, the middle body component (not shown) may be polymeric; the nose may be polymeric; and a substantially cylindrical insert (not shown) may be metal. Similarly, the middle body component (not shown) may be polymeric; the nose may be metal; and a substantially cylindrical insert (not shown) may be an alloy. The middle body component (not shown) may be polymeric; the nose may be an alloy; and a substantially cylindrical insert (not shown) may be an alloy. The middle body component (not shown); the nose; and/or the substantially cylindrical insert may be made of a metal that is formed by a metal injection molding process.
The primer insert is bound to the middle body component. In the metal injection molding process of making the primer insert a mold is made in the shape of the primer insert including the desired profile of the primer recess (not shown). The primer insert includes a coupling element extending from a bottom surface that is opposite a top surface (not shown). Located in the top surface (not shown) is a primer recess (not shown) that extends toward the bottom surface. A primer flash hole (not shown) is located in the primer insert and extends through the bottom surface into the powder chamber. The coupling end (not shown) extends through the primer flash hole (not shown) to form an aperture coating (not shown) while retaining a passage from the top surface (not shown) through the bottom surface (not shown) and into the powder chamber to provides support and protection about the primer flash hole (not shown). When contacted the coupling end (not shown) interlocks with the coupling element, through the coupling element that extends with a taper to a smaller diameter at the tip (not shown) to form a physical interlock between primer insert and middle body component.
For example, the metal injection molding process, which generally involves mixing fine metal powders with binders to form a feedstock that is injection molded into a closed mold, may be used to form a substantially cylindrical insert. After ejection from the mold, the binders are chemically or thermally removed from the substantially cylindrical insert so that the part can be sintered to high density. During the sintering process, the individual metal particles metallurgically bond together as material diffusion occurs to remove most of the porosity left by the removal of the binder.
The raw materials for metal injection molding are metal powders and a thermoplastic binder. There are at least two binders included in the blend, a primary binder and a secondary binder. This blended powder mix is worked into the plasticized binder at elevated temperature in a kneader or shear roll extruder. The intermediate product is the so-called feedstock. It is usually granulated with granule sizes of several millimeters. In metal injection molding, only the binders are heated up, and that is how the metal is carried into the mold cavity.
The two piece primer insert includes an individual upper primer insert portion and lower primer insert portion formed in various methods. For example, the individual upper primer insert portion may be formed by metal injection molding, polymer injection molding, stamping, milling, molding, machining, punching, fine blanking, smelting, or any other method. The lower primer insert portion may be formed by metal injection molding, polymer injection molding, stamping, milling, molding, machining, punching, fine blanking, smelting, or any other method that will form insert portions.
The individual upper primer insert portion may be formed from any material, any metal, any alloy, any plastic, any polymer or any composition known to the skilled artisan or listed herein. The individual lower primer insert portion may be formed from any material, any metal, any alloy, any plastic, any polymer or any composition known to the skilled artisan or listed herein.
The upper primer insert portion, the lower primer insert portion or both may be made from entirely or in part from a copolymer of polylactic acid and polycarbonate, the concentration polylactic acid may be between 5-97% and the polycarbonate may be between 5-97%. The 5-97% is meant to be inclusive and include all percentages between 5 and 97 including fractional increments thereof, e.g., 5, 5.25, 5.5, 6, 6.75, 7, 7.4, 8, 8.9, 9, 10 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, or 97. In addition, the copolymer may include other polymers, additives, fibers, nanoclay, metals etc. When other polymers or components are present the combined percentage of polylactic acid and polycarbonate may be 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, or 100.
The description of the preferred embodiments should be taken as illustrating, rather than as limiting, the present invention as defined by the claims. As will be readily appreciated, numerous combinations of the features set forth above can be utilized without departing from the present invention as set forth in the claims. Such variations are not regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.
It will be understood that particular embodiments described herein are shown by way of illustration and not as limitations of the invention. The principal features of this invention can be employed in various embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, numerous equivalents to the specific procedures described herein. Such equivalents are considered to be within the scope of this invention and are covered by the claims.
All publications and patent applications mentioned in the specification are indicative of the level of skill of those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains. All publications and patent applications are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.
The use of the word “a” or “an” when used in conjunction with the term “comprising” in the claims and/or the specification may mean “one,” but it is also consistent with the meaning of “one or more,” “at least one,” and “one or more than one.” The use of the term “or” in the claims is used to mean “and/or” unless explicitly indicated to refer to alternatives only or the alternatives are mutually exclusive, although the disclosure supports a definition that refers to only alternatives and “and/or.” Throughout this application, the term “about” is used to indicate that a value includes the inherent variation of error for the device, the method being employed to determine the value, or the variation that exists among the study subjects.
As used in this specification and claim(s), the words “comprising” (and any form of comprising, such as “comprise” and “comprises”), “having” (and any form of having, such as “have” and “has”), “including” (and any form of including, such as “includes” and “include”) or “containing” (and any form of containing, such as “contains” and “contain”) are inclusive or open-ended and do not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps.
The term “or combinations thereof” as used herein refers to all permutations and combinations of the listed items preceding the term. For example, “A, B, C, or combinations thereof” is intended to include at least one of: A, B, C, AB, AC, BC, or ABC, and if order is important in a particular context, also BA, CA, CB, CBA, BCA, ACB, BAC, or CAB. Continuing with this example, expressly included are combinations that contain repeats of one or more item or term, such as BB, AAA, AB, BBC, AAABCCCC, CBBAAA, CABABB, and so forth. The skilled artisan will understand that typically there is no limit on the number of items or terms in any combination, unless otherwise apparent from the context.
All of the compositions and/or methods disclosed and claimed herein can be made and executed without undue experimentation in light of the present disclosure. While the compositions and methods of this invention have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, it will be apparent to those of skill in the art that variations may be applied to the compositions and/or methods and in the steps or in the sequence of steps of the method described herein without departing from the concept, spirit and scope of the invention. All such similar substitutes and modifications apparent to those skilled in the art are deemed to be within the spirit, scope and concept of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application No. 62/694,868, filed Jul. 6, 2018 the contents of which is incorporated by reference.
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