Frangible payload-dispensing projectile
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
InventorsRobert Woodall, Felipe Garcia
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A frangible payload-dispensing projectile has a spherical capsule filled h a dispersible fill material. The exterior surface of the capsule has a plurality of spaced-apart dimples formed therein. Thickness at the base of each dimple is insufficient to withstand impact forces delivered thereto upon contact with a target whereas thickness between dimples is sufficient to withstand launch forces.
Claims21
A frangible payload-dispensing projectile that is to be launched from a launcher towards a target, comprising:
- a spherical capsule defining a closed interior and defining an exterior surface having a plurality of dimples formed therein with areas of spacing provided between said plurality of dimples wherein, at a base of each of said plurality of dimples, thickness of said spherical capsule is insufficient to withstand impact forces delivered thereto upon contact with said target and wherein, at said spacing, thickness of said spherical capsule is greater than said thickness at each said base and sufficient to withstand launch forces delivered thereto by said launcher, said capsule further having drag-enhancing channels cut into said capsule at said exterior surface in said areas of spacing, wherein each of said channels terminates at either end thereof at one of said plurality of dimples;
- a second plurality of dimples formed in an interior surface of said spherical capsule, each of said second plurality of dimples aligned with one of said areas of spacing between said plurality of dimples formed on said exterior surface;
- and
- a dispersible fill material contained within said closed interior.
A frangible payload-dispensing projectile that is to be launched from a launcher towards a target, comprising:
- a spherical capsule defining a closed interior and defining an exterior surface having a plurality of identical dimples formed therein and uniformly distributed thereabout with areas of spacing provided between said plurality of identical dimples wherein, upon impact with said target, localized fractures form in said spherical capsule at each base of said plurality of identical dimples, said capsule further having drag-enhancing channels cut into said capsule at said exterior surface in said areas of spacing, wherein each of said channels terminates at either end thereof at one of said plurality of identical dimples;
- a second plurality of identical dimples formed in an interior surface of said spherical capsule, each of said second plurality of identical dimples aligned with one of said areas of spacing between said plurality of identical dimples formed on said exterior surface;
- and
- a dispersible fill material contained within said closed interior.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.