Subsonic polymeric ammunition

Abstract

The present invention provides a subsonic ammunition including a polymeric casing body comprising a generally cylindrical hollow polymer body having a body base at a first end thereof and a mouth at a second end to define a propellant chamber; a propellant insert positioned in the propellant chamber to reduce the internal volume of the propellant chamber, wherein the propellant chamber has an internal volume that is between 25 and 80% less than the open internal volume of a standard casing of equivalent caliber; a propellant disposed and confined within the propellant chamber; a primer insert positioned at the body base and in communication with the propellant chamber; a primer disposed in the primer insert in combustible communication with the propellant; and a projectile frictionally fitted in the mouth in combustible communication with the propellant.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]Not applicable.TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention generally relates to ammunition articles, and more particularly to subsonic ammunition casings and ammunition casing propellant inserts formed from polymeric materials.STATEMENT OF FEDERALLY FUNDED RESEARCH[0003]Not applicable.INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIALS FILED ON COMPACT DISC[0004]Not applicable.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0005]Without limiting the scope of the invention, its background is described in connection with lightweight polymer subsonic ammunition casing and more specifically to a lightweight polymer subsonic ammunition casing having a propellant insert positioned in the propellant chamber to reduce the internal volume of the propellant chamber.[0006]Generally, there are two types of ammunition: supersonic ammunition, which fires projectiles with velocities exceeding the speed of sound; and subsonic ammunition, which fires projectiles with vel...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

This invention is about a new type of ammunition that can fire at very low speeds. The ammunition is made of a flexible plastic casing, with a small amount of propellant inside. The ammunition has a primer inserted at the base of the casing, which is in communication with the propellant. The ammunition also has a small propellant insert in the propellant chamber to reduce its size. The ammunition will not exceed a certain speed when fired. The plastic casing material can be made of materials like polyphenylsulfone or polyamide. The ammunition may also contain additives like plasticizers, lubricants, molding agents, and coloring agents. The propellant insert may be cylindrical, have ribs, or have a cross-sectional shape like a circle or hexagon. The internal volume of the propellant chamber may be tapered along its length. The plastic casing body and propellant insert may be made of the same or different polymeric materials. Overall, this invention provides a unique type of ammunition with unique properties and performance characteristics.

Problems solved by technology

Unfortunately, this empty volume can cause numerous problems including inhibition of proper propellant burn, inconsistent propellant positioning, reduced accuracy and propellant detonation caused by extremely high propellant burn rates.

Finally, usage of subsonic ammunition, and its attending lower combustion pressures, frequently results in the inability to efficiently cycle semi-automatic or fully automatic weapons where the propellant charge must produce sufficient gas pressure and / or volume to accelerate the projectile and to cycle the firing mechanism.

With a reduced quantity of propellant, subsonic ammunition generally fails to produce sufficient pressure to properly cycle the firing mechanism.

However, the results of such prior attempts to solve the production of reliable subsonic cartridges have failed and let to subsonic rounds that have a larger variation in velocity and variance in accuracy potential.

In addition the use of polymer ammunition results in additional drawbacks, e.g., the possibility of the projectile being pushed into the cartridge casing, the bullet pull being too light such that the bullet can fall out, the bullet pull being too insufficient to create sufficient chamber pressure, the bullet pull not being uniform from round to round, and portions of the cartridge casing breaking off upon firing, causing the weapon to jam or damage, or danger when subsequent rounds are fired or when the casing portions themselves become projectiles.

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