Firearm ammunition, self-destructing projectiles, and methods of making the same
AssigneePurdue Research Foundation
InventorsRoman Motyka, Juan F. Rivera, Seung-Yun Song, Rachel Jean Stone, Ryan Brent Thompson, Esteban Ernesto Marinero-Caseres
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Firearm ammunition, projectiles and method of making such projectiles. The projectiles include a body formed of composite material with at least one particulate material dispersed in a matrix material, a cavity in the body, and a heat source located in the cavity of the body. During flight of the projectile, the heat source increases the temperature of the matrix material such that the body at least partially disintegrates after the projectile travels a distance or period of time after being fired (propelled) from a firearm.
Claims13
A projectile comprising:
- a solid body formed of a composite material with at least one particulate material dispersed in a matrix material wherein composite material has a ratio of the particulate material to the matrix material of 1:1 to 1:2, the body having a cavity therein;
- and
- a heat source located in the cavity of the body, the heat source being operable to be activated to generate heat and increase the temperature of the matrix material during flight of the projectile such that the body at least partially disintegrates after a predeterminable time period and the particulate material is no longer held together in a single mass.
A projectile comprising:
- a solid body formed of a composite material with at least one particulate material dispersed in a matrix material, the body having a cavity therein;
- and
- a heat source located in the cavity of the body, the heat source being an aluminum-nickel powder fuse or a titanium-carbon powder fuse and operable to be activated to generate heat and increase the temperature of the matrix material during flight of the projectile such that the body at least partially disintegrates after a predeterminable time period and the particulate material is no longer held together in a single mass.
A projectile comprising:
- a solid body formed of a composite material with at least one particulate material dispersed in a matrix material that includes a binder material comprising a material selected from the group consisting of polylactic acid (PLA) and bismuth-tin alloy, the body having a cavity therein;
- and
- a heat source located in the cavity of the body, the heat source being operable to be activated to generate heat and increase the temperature of the matrix material during flight of the projectile such that the body at least partially disintegrates after a predeterminable time period and the particulate material is no longer held together in a single mass.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.