Non-destructive projectile recovery
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
InventorsJoshua F. Brunn, Robert M. Kim
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for the intact recovery of ammunition projectiles. A high pressure fluid cutting device severs the casing of the ammunition cartridge, rearward on the cartridge beyond the rearward extent of the projectile. An automated feeding apparatus collects, orients, and feeds the first halves so severed to a separation press. The separation press includes a press ram, and a brace block. The brace block has a through opening sized to pass the projectile without alteration, and an internal side wall engaging the first half by the portion of the casing. The method includes a pressing force applied to the first half by contacting a rearward extent of the projectile, until the projectile separates from the portion of the casing.
Claims16
An apparatus for the intact recovery of ammunition projectiles, the apparatus comprising:
- a high pressure fluid cutting device operative to direct a fluid stream to erosively sever a casing of an ammunition cartridge, rearward on the cartridge beyond the rearward extent of the projectile, forming a first half of the cartridge including the projectile and at least a portion of the casing;
- an automated feeding apparatus collecting therein, orienting, and feeding therefrom a plurality of said first halves so severed;
- and a separation press, the separation press including a press ram, and a brace block having a through opening therein sized to pass the projectile without alteration thereof, and an internal side wall engaging the first half by the portion of the casing.
A method of recovering an ammunition projectile from an ammunition cartridge, the method comprising:
- directing a high pressure fluid stream to sever the casing of the ammunition cartridge rearward on the cartridge beyond the rearward extent of the projectile, forming a first half of the cartridge including the projectile and at least a portion of the casing;
- orienting said severed first half for presentation to a separation press;
- placing one or more of said first halves into a brace block of the separation press, the brace block having a through opening therein sized to pass the projectile without alteration thereof, the press block engaging the first half by the portion of the casing;
- and
- applying a pressing force to said first half by contacting a rearward extent of the projectile, until the projectile separates from the portion of the casing.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.