Technical Field
The embodiments herein generally relate to hand grenade sized dissemination devices, and more particularly to non-pyrotechnic disseminators.
Description of the Related Art
The conventional CS (teargas) grenade (M7A3), shown in
Bursting type grenades can provide a near instantaneous disseminated cloud. The obsolete ABC-M25 A2, shown in
A number of commercial riot control disseminators are available. These devices typically rely on pyrotechnics, explosives, or propellants (gas) to disseminate the riot control agent, and most use pyrotechnic fuze/delay systems. The pyrotechnic devices generally employ double and triple walled configurations to contain the pyrotechnic flame internally to try to reduce the risk of starting fires.
Furthermore, there are a number of devices that use compressed springs to propel a projectile, although many of these devices are focused on the toy and paintball industries, and whose primary function is to propel small projectiles. An example conventional grenade type device that uses compressed springs in its operation is provided below, the complete disclosure of which, in its entirety, is herein incorporated by reference.
U.S. Pat. No. 8,061,276 issued to Danon et al. for a “Non-Lethal Projectile” uses an internal spring to absorb energy upon impact of the device with the intended target. While this conventional solution is suitable for the purpose for which it was designed, it generally does not provide a suitable solution for both non-pyrotechnic and non-lethal uses, and accordingly there remains a need for a new non-pyrotechnic, non-lethal compressed spring powered disseminator.
In view of the foregoing, an embodiment herein provides a non-pyrotechnic disseminator comprising a body portion; a cover on the body portion; a first compartment adjacent to the cover, wherein the first compartment is configured to hold disseminating materials; a piston in the first compartment; a spring attached to the piston and a base of the first compartment; a cable connecting the piston to a base of the body portion; a second compartment adjacent to the first compartment; a control mechanism operatively connected to the second compartment; and an initiator mechanism operatively connected to the second compartment. The control mechanism may set a delay timing countdown for initiation of dissemination of the disseminating materials out of the body portion. The initiator mechanism may begin the delay timing countdown.
The second compartment may comprise a delay fuze module; and a cutting mechanism in contact with the cable. The delay fuze module may process the delay timing countdown, and upon expiration of the countdown, sends a signal to the cutting mechanism to cut the cable. Upon cutting of the cable, the spring may uncoil and push the piston towards the cover thereby pushing the disseminating materials out of the body portion by rupturing the cover. The non-pyrotechnic disseminator may further comprise an actuating mechanism operatively connected to the second compartment, wherein actuation of the actuating mechanism activates the delay fuze module, allowing the delay timing countdown to be set by the control mechanism and initiated by the initiator mechanism, and wherein expiration of the countdown immediately causes the cutting mechanism to cut the cable. The disseminating materials may exit the body portion as an aerosol. The disseminating materials may comprise any of a powder, slurry, and liquid. The non-pyrotechnic disseminator may further comprise a self-righting mechanism operatively connected to the body portion.
Another embodiment provides a grenade comprising a body portion; a first compartment configured in the body portion, wherein the first compartment is configured to hold disseminating materials; a force transfer device in the first compartment; an energy storage device attached to the force transfer device by a cable; a control mechanism operatively connected to the body portion; and an initiator mechanism operatively connected to the body portion. The grenade may further comprise a cover on the body portion; and a second compartment adjacent to the first compartment, wherein the energy storage device is attached to a base of the first compartment, wherein the control mechanism sets a delay timing countdown for initiation of dissemination of the disseminating materials out of the body portion, and wherein the cable is connected to a base of the body portion. The initiator mechanism may begin the delay timing countdown.
The second compartment may comprise a delay fuze module; and a dislodgment mechanism in contact with the cable. The delay fuze module may process the delay timing countdown, and upon expiration of the countdown, sends a signal to the dislodgment mechanism to dislodge the cable. Upon dislodging of the cable, the energy storage device may transfer energy to the force transfer device, which transfers a force towards the cover thereby pushing the disseminating materials out of the body portion past the cover. The grenade may further comprise an actuating mechanism operatively connected to the second compartment, wherein actuation of the actuating mechanism sends a signal to the delay fuze module, and wherein expiration of the countdown immediately causes the dislodgment mechanism to dislodge the cable from the base of the body portion. The disseminating materials may exit the body portion as an aerosol. The disseminating materials may comprise any of a powder, slurry, and liquid. The grenade may further comprise a self-righting mechanism operatively connected to the body portion.
These and other aspects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating preferred embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.
The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following detailed description with reference to the drawings, in which:
The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
The embodiments herein provide a non-pyrotechnic hand grenade sized device for the dissemination of powders and other disseminating materials, such as non-lethal riot control agents. The device is applicable to many riot control situations, and is particularly advantageous for use within confined spaces, such as buildings, where the risk of starting a fire is greatest. Being completely non-pyrotechnic allows the device to be classified as non-munitions which significantly reduces handling and storage requirements. Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to
A non-pyrotechnic powder disseminator for dispersing non-lethal riot control material rapidly is desirable both from a military and law enforcement perspective. As provided in
The control mechanism 90 is configured to set a delay timing countdown for initiation of dissemination of the disseminating materials 80 out of the body portion 12. The initiator mechanism 65 is configured to begin the delay timing countdown. The second compartment 75 comprises a delay fuze module 71 and a dislodgment mechanism 95, which may be configured as a cutting mechanism, in contact with the cable 70. The delay fuze module 71 is configured to process the delay timing countdown, and upon expiration of the countdown, sends a signal to the dislodgment mechanism (e.g., cutting mechanism) 95 to dislodge or cut the cable 70. Upon dislodging or cutting of the cable 70, the energy storage device (e.g., spring) 60 uncoils and pushes the force transfer device (e.g., piston) 30 towards the cover 15 thereby pushing the disseminating materials 80 out of the body portion 12 by rupturing the cover 15. The non-pyrotechnic disseminator 10 further comprises an actuating mechanism 50 operatively connected to the second compartment 75, wherein actuation of the actuating mechanism 50 activates said delay fuze module (71), allowing the delay timing countdown to be set by said control mechanism (90) and initiated by said initiator mechanism (65), and wherein expiration of the countdown immediately causes the dislodgment mechanism (e.g., cutting mechanism) 95 to dislodge (e.g., cut) the cable 70.
Preferably, the embodiments herein utilize a metallic high compressive force spring to push non-lethal fluidized CS powder 80 out of one end of a cylindrical shaped grenade body 12. The energy storage device (e.g., spring) 60 is contained within the first compartment 20, which extends for most of the entire length of the body portion 12. In one embodiment, the energy storage device 60 is configured as a tapered spring. As an example, the tapered spring could be configured with a major diameter of 2.375-in to match the inner diameter of the body portion 12 and a minor diameter of 1.625-in and an average spring constant of 22.3 lbf/in or greater.
One end 62 of the energy storage device (e.g., spring) 60 is physically attached to the base 63 of the second compartment 75 of the body portion 12, and the other end 64 of the energy storage device (e.g., spring) 60 is biased against and attaches to the force transfer device (e.g., piston) 30 and is able to move the force transfer device (e.g., piston) 30 based on the predetermined compressive strength of the energy storage device (e.g., spring) 60. The force transfer device (e.g., piston) 30 is selectively sized with a diameter just smaller than the diameter of the body portion 12 and the diameter of the first compartment 20, thereby providing a light seal to keep the payload powder 80 from falling below the force transfer device (e.g., piston) 30.
In its operational state, as generally shown in
An actuating mechanism 50 comprising a pull ring 52 connected to a safety pin 55 is configured through the base 72 of the body portion 12 into the time delay fuze 71, and secures the disseminator 10. When the time comes to operate the disseminator 10, the safety pin 55 is removed by a user (not shown) to energize the delay sequence. The control mechanism 90 controls the delay sequence, wherein the control mechanism 90 may be embodied as a knob or button on the base 72 of the body portion 12. A delay time could be selected, and the initiator mechanism 65 is selected to start the delay count down. The disseminator 10 would then be thrown by an operator (not shown). Once the delay time expires, the dislodgment mechanism (e.g., cutting mechanism) 95 inside the second compartment 75 severs the piston retention cable 70, as shown in
The non-pyrotechnic powder disseminator 10 eliminates the risk of fire as well as the risk of personnel being burned by a hot grenade body. The disseminator 10 could safely be used in confined spaces and within combustible environments. The non-pyrotechnic powder disseminator 10 increases safety by eliminating fire and shrapnel hazards and reducing handling and storage restrictions. Furthermore, the disseminator 10 produces an almost instantaneous cloud of aerosol 99, as shown in
In addition, alternative embodiments may also include any material that is suitable for use in the construction of the non-pyrotechnic disseminator 10, and the type of disseminating materials being disseminated could include slurries and liquids in addition to or alternative to the powder 80 described above. Further embodiments, as shown in
The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
The embodiments described herein may be manufactured, used, and/or licensed by or for the United States Government.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
3618522 | Henderson | Nov 1971 | A |
3678857 | Evans | Jul 1972 | A |
3878639 | Scheelar | Apr 1975 | A |
4059917 | Sims | Nov 1977 | A |
4319426 | Lee | Mar 1982 | A |
4944521 | Greeno | Jul 1990 | A |
4976201 | Hamilton | Dec 1990 | A |
5018449 | Eidson, II | May 1991 | A |
5753849 | Posey | May 1998 | A |
5996503 | Woodall | Dec 1999 | A |
6047644 | Malecki | Apr 2000 | A |
6453819 | Coates | Sep 2002 | B1 |
6871594 | Estrella | Mar 2005 | B1 |
7784455 | Chong | Aug 2010 | B1 |
7975615 | Apple | Jul 2011 | B1 |
8469011 | Mroczka | Jun 2013 | B2 |
8733334 | Mroczka | May 2014 | B2 |
8899156 | Tseng | Dec 2014 | B1 |
20030036335 | Juy | Feb 2003 | A1 |
20080257193 | Siu | Oct 2008 | A1 |
20120266852 | Mroczka | Oct 2012 | A1 |
20120266853 | Mroczka | Oct 2012 | A1 |