Manufacturing process to produce metalurgically programmed terminal performance projectiles
AssigneeVista Outdoor Operations LLC
InventorScott E. MOORE
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention in some aspects is directed to small arms ammunition and programmed upset characteristics thereof imparted to them using high energy beams. More particularly, the invention relates to ammunition and methods of making ammunition having predetermined patterns of engraving and/or cutting or hardening and/or annealing imparted in the ammunition's forward portion using a programming laser or electron beam system adapted for treating projectiles to effect predetermined and consistent upset configurations.
Claims23
A method of forming a jacketed bullet having a front end portion, comprising the steps of:
- a) providing a cup shaped jacket;
- b) providing a core;
- c) inserting the core into the jacket;
- forming the jacketed bullet with a front end portion;
- d) providing a high energy beam system capable of directing a narrow high energy beam on specific patterns on the front end portion of the bullet;
- and
- e) cutting and/or engraving the front end portion of the bullet with the narrow high energy beam emitted from the high energy beam system in the shape of a first predetermined pattern, the first predetermined pattern being symmetrical about the axis of the jacketed bullet;
- wherein the cutting and/or engraving in the shape of a first predetermined pattern is controlled by using a control processor comprising an automated computer having storage and operator interface.
The method of claim, wherein the narrow high energy beam is oriented and fired at a perpendicular angle relative to a tangent of a targeted surface point of the jacket to form the first predetermined pattern and the orientation of the high energy beam is provided by positioning equipment to move the high energy beam about the bullet.
12-20. (canceled)
A method of forming a jacketed bullet having a tip, comprising the steps of:
- a) providing a jacketed bullet with a core and a tip;
- b) providing a high energy beam system capable of directing a narrow high energy beam about the tip of the bullet;
- c) cutting and/or engraving the jacket of the bullet about the tip of the bullet with the narrow high energy beam emitted from the high energy beam system in the shape of a first predetermined pattern, the first predetermined pattern being symmetrical about a longitudinal axis of the jacketed bullet;
- wherein the heat treating cutting and/or engraving the jacket in the shape of a first predetermined pattern is controlled by using a control processor comprising an automated computer having storage and operator interface.
A method of processing a bullet having a tip, comprising the steps of:
- a) providing a bullet with a tip;
- b) providing a high energy beam system capable of directing a narrow high energy beam about the tip of the bullet;
- c) cutting and/or engraving the bullet about the tip of the bullet with the narrow high energy beam emitted from the high energy beam system in the shape of a first predetermined pattern, the first predetermined pattern being symmetrical about the tip and a longitudinal axis of the jacketed bullet;
- d) wherein the cutting and/or engraving the bullet in the shape of a first predetermined pattern is controlled by using a control processor comprising an automated computer having storage and operator interface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.