DE102021101262B4 - Small caliber tracking bullet - Google Patents

Abstract

Projectile (1) with a caliber of less than 13 mm, comprising a projectile body (3) in which a position transmitter (15) and an antenna (17) connected to the position transmitter (15) are embedded in such a way that the antenna (17) is at least partially exposed during the flight of the projectile (1), the position transmitter (15) and the antenna (17) being accommodated in a rear-side recess (13) in the projectile body (3) and the position transmitter (15) in one of the recesses (13) partially filling casting compound (19), in particular a casting and/or reactive compound, such as epoxy resin, polyurethane, polyester or silicone, is embedded.

Description

The present invention relates to a bullet with a caliber of less than 13 mm. The present invention further relates to a system for tracking such a projectile.

When using firearms for hunting, it is necessary to locate the animal that has been shot. This can be complicated by various circumstances. For example, it may happen that a trained bloodhound is not available or a non-lethal shot is carried out at dusk, for example, so that it is impossible to subsequently search for the injured animal. When hunting, there is therefore a general need to make it easier to find animals that have been shot, whether dead or alive. In military-official use, it may be necessary to mark a target in order to be able to track its position and/or generate movement profiles.

Digitally trackable ammunition is known in large-caliber applications, but with the aim of guiding and/or controlling the large-caliber projectile after it has been fired. When the bullet hits a target, the large-caliber bullet ignites, destroying it and its electronics. The large dimensions of the large-caliber ammunition make it possible to accommodate the electronics required for digital tracking of the bullet, such as a position transmitter and an energy source, in the large-caliber bullet without any problems.

In the area of small-caliber ammunition, there are initial approaches to integrating electronics, particularly for tracking the position of the projectiles. For example, the applicant's German patent application discloses DE102019102722A1 a projectile with a cavity and a position transmitter arranged in the cavity. The bullet according to DE102019102722A1 has generally proven itself and is very popular. Nevertheless, the inventors of the present invention have identified potential for improvement with regard to the transmission power and the associated traceability or detectability of the fired projectiles. Because the position transmitter is surrounded by solid material, particularly metal, the position transmitter cannot develop its full transmission range. In order to increase the transmission range, expensive equipment must be used.

Furthermore is over DE102012022894A1 a projectile with a rear cavity is known, in which an antenna and other electronics are housed. However, the traceability and transmission power of the projectile is also appropriate DE102012022894A1 not satisfactory.

Out of DE 10 2008 062 940 A1 a projectile for a handgun with a device for emitting electromagnetic radiation, such as a transmitter, is known.

Out of US 2019 / 0 226 821 A1 and US 7,331,887 B1 It is known to track or locate a bullet in archery.

Out of US 2006/0213105 A1 A projectile is known with an antenna that separates from the projectile when it hits a target.

EP 0 624 805 A1 discloses a control system for weapons with a caliber of 20 mm to 45 mm.

US 2006 / 0 244 612 A1 reveals the tracking of a bullet using RFID technology.

It is the object of the present invention to overcome the disadvantages of the known prior art, in particular to further develop a generic projectile in such a way that its position tracking or transmission power is improved.

The task is solved by the features of the independent claims.

According to this, a bullet, in particular a small-caliber bullet, with a caliber of less than 13 mm, preferably about 12.7 mm, less than 12 mm, 11 mm, 10 mm, 9 mm, 8 mm, 7 mm or less than 6 mm, provided. Caliber is generally a measurement of the outside diameter of a bullet and/or the inside diameter of a firearm's barrel. The floor can be, for example, a solid floor, which can be made of a homogeneous material. In particular, it is a jacketless bullet.

The projectile according to the invention comprises a projectile body. The projectile body can be made from a homogeneous material and/or from one piece. For example, the projectile body comprises a projectile nose, in particular shaped like an ogive, and a projectile tail, for example cylindrical or tapering in diameter towards the rear. Viewed in the longitudinal direction of the projectile, a guide band that determines the caliber can be provided between the nose of the projectile and the rear of the projectile and which is connected to the projectile when the projectile is fired Firearm barrel is in contact. The projectile body can be made, for example, from metal, a metal alloy, for example comprising steel, brass, copper, lead or the like, or from a frangible material. Furthermore, the projectile body can extend along a longitudinal axis of the projectile and/or be constructed rotationally symmetrically. For example, the projectile bow and possibly the guide band adjoining it are designed to be free of internal cavities, namely made in particular from solid material.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a position transmitter and an antenna connected to the position transmitter are embedded in the projectile body such that the antenna is at least partially exposed during the flight of the projectile. This means that the position of the projectile can be tracked after it has been fired. The position transmitter can be designed to emit position signals that can be detected, for example, by an external position signal receiver. The antenna can generally be a device for transmitting and/or receiving, in particular, electromagnetic waves.

In this context, embedding can be understood to mean that the position transmitter and the antenna are accommodated or accommodated in the projectile body and are completely encapsulated, in particular so that the position transmitter and the antenna are not accessible from the outside and/or protected from the environment. The embedding or encapsulation can ensure that the position transmitter and the antenna remain intact during the firing of the projectile by means of a firearm and/or are not exposed to the expansion gases and/or particles resulting from the firing of the projectile.

For example, telemetry and/or direction finding transmitters can be used. Telemetry or remote measurement can generally be the transmission of signals from a signal transmitter located at any location to a spatially separate location, in particular where the transmitted signals can be collected, recorded and/or evaluated. For example, the position transmitter can be an RFID transponder (“radio-frequency identification”). RFID transponders differ, for example, according to the transmission frequency, although according to the present invention there are no restrictions in this regard. The structure of an RFID transponder can, for example, be constructed as follows: an antenna, at least one circuit for receiving and transmitting (transceiver), such as a microcontroller, and a memory that contains the preferably unchangeable identity of the projectile. It is also possible that the position transmitter is a GPS transmitter (“Global Positioning System”). The global positioning system is a global navigation satellite system for positioning, i.e. a system for determining positions on earth and in the air by receiving signals from navigation satellites and/or pseudolites. Furthermore, GPS-based solutions can be considered in which the position transmitter itself does not send out position signals, but is implemented as a GPS receiver that receives radio waves from the GPS system, for example from the satellite or pseudolite, and thus determines and tracks the position over a period of time - and distance determination or detection takes place in relation to the transmitter. It should be clear that any other type or type of position transmitter is included in the disclosure content of the present application, which is suitable for the purpose according to the invention, in particular meets the requirements for transmission ranges in the kilometer range or globally, dimensioning and transmission strength.

The position transmitter can work based on radio navigation or satellite navigation. The term radio navigation can be understood as methods for (terrestrial) navigation in which radio waves are used to determine position. Radio navigation is generally based on transmitting stations that send out signals that help a receiver determine its position. In satellite navigation methods, which also use radio waves, the basis is the distance measurement between the receiver and the current, precisely recorded satellite position.

Furthermore, the position transmitter can have an electronic data carrier, preferably a readable or transmitting one, for storing and/or providing electronic data, such as its position and/or a particular individual identifier. The data carrier provided, for example, with an individual identifier, which can be individual, for example, in relation to the shooter, the weapon or the like, makes it possible to clearly and identifiablely mark the projectile, that is to say to provide it with the individual identifier in order to use it at a later date to be able to identify or track the data again. A data carrier can be understood as meaning active or passive transmitter and/or sensor units that can make the data permanently available, which in particular means that the position transmitter can be an active position transmitter or a passive position transmitter.

For the purposes of the disclosure of the present application, the term position transmitter is to be understood in particular to mean that it provides the possibility of specifying and/or tracking the position, the trajectory, parameters associated with the trajectory and/or the impact location of the projectile. For this purpose, it is not necessary for the position transmitter to send out position signals in particular actively and/or permanently. An important aspect can be that the position transmitter remains intact after the impact on the target, for example the animal, so that the position tracking is still intact even after the impact, for example to ensure that animals that have been shot, whether dead or alive, can be found.

The inventors of the present invention have recognized that the tracking of the projectile or the effective transmission and/or reception power of the position transmitter can be significantly improved by at least partially exposing the antenna at least after the projectile impacts the target. Because the antenna is no longer completely surrounded by material of the projectile, in particular the projectile body, its transmission and/or reception performance is significantly improved. The particularly electromagnetic waves to be emitted and/or received can propagate unhindered. They are no longer weakened or dampened by the bullet body material. A key inventive idea regarding the first aspect is to move away from completely encapsulating electronics within the projectile, regardless of the manner in which the antenna exposure mechanism is specifically implemented. Exposing the antenna according to the invention breaks away from the previous practice of protecting and encapsulating electronic components within projectiles as stably and permanently as possible.

In an exemplary embodiment, the projectile body has a rear, particularly central, recess in which the position transmitter and the antenna are accommodated. The recess is closed by a protective cap which is detachably connected to the projectile body and which is removed from the recess to expose the antenna during the flight of the projectile. For example, the protective cap is pressed with the projectile body, in particular a projectile jacket surrounding the recess. The bullet jacket can be made in one piece with the bullet body. The depression can extend from a floor in the longitudinal direction of the floor by at least 5%, in particular at least 10% or at least 20%, preferably at most 50%, 40% or at most 30%, of a total longitudinal dimension of the floor. Viewed transversely to the longitudinal direction of the projectile, the recess is delimited by a sleeve-shaped jacket, the outside of which faces the surroundings and the inside of which forms the recess wall. The protective cap serves primarily to protect the components accommodated within the recess, in particular from mechanical influences when the projectile is fired and/or thermal influences when the projectile is fired, such as hot gases, combustion particles, etc. The pressing can be done, for example, by a classic press fit, Transition fit or clearance fit can be realized. What is crucial is that the connection of the protective cap to the projectile body is detachable and is implemented in such a way that the protective cap moves away from the projectile body or is torn away from it during the flight of the projectile. In this way the antenna can be at least partially exposed. In this respect, the tail cap must be designed in such a way that it essentially fulfills two main functions: a protective function, particularly when the projectile is fired; and a release mechanism in the flight phase. When implementing the protective cap, care must also be taken to ensure that it does not impair the precision of the projectile, for example because the protective cap has unfavorable aerodynamics or changes the trajectory of the projectile due to unwanted contact with the firearm barrel or the ammunition casing. For example, the protective cap can be dimensioned such that its dimension transverse to the longitudinal direction of the projectile is at least minimally smaller than the projectile caliber.

According to an exemplary development, the protective cap is inserted into the recess from the rear side and/or placed, in particular grafted, onto the projectile body in such a way that the protective cap circumferentially surrounds a projectile casing surrounding the recess. The protective cap can at least partially protrude into the recess or fill it. For example, the protective cap has a closed annular groove on its front side viewed in the direction of flight, which is adapted in shape with respect to the floor of the projectile, in particular the sleeve-shaped projectile body jacket, in particular to form a press fit, transition fit or clearance fit. The protective cap can have a particularly circumferential flow driver which protrudes radially over the projectile jacket and surrounds it or overlaps it when viewed transversely to the longitudinal direction of the projectile. For example, the flow driver can be responsible for the protective cap being removed, in particular torn away, from the projectile body during the flight of the projectile under the influence of the air flow. Through the With a suitable design of the protective cap, an air resistance acting on the brake cap, in particular the flow driver, builds up during the flight phase, which exceeds the fastening force between the protective cap and the projectile body, so that the protective cap is detached from the projectile body. The protective cap can therefore be viewed as a kind of sacrificial section, which is only used when the projectile is fired to protect the electronic components and is intended to detach from the projectile during flight in order to expose the antenna.

According to a further exemplary embodiment, the protective cap is made of a fireproof material, in particular metal, a metal alloy, ceramic or a high-performance plastic. The metal alloy can contain, for example, steel, brass, tombac, etc. Ceramics can contain, for example, tungsten carbide or similar. Possible high-performance plastics include polyetherimides, polyethersulfones, Teflon, Kapton, etc. In general, fireproof materials are characterized by the fact that they have an operating temperature of well over 600° Celsius. The protective cap can be made of a fireproof material with a high melting point or high temperature inertia, that is, a low thermal conductivity. In general terms, the protective cap can be made of any material, as long as it is ensured that the material remains stable during the firing of the projectile or can protect the electronic components from the hot gases or particles that are produced when the projectile is fired.

The position transmitter and the antenna are housed in a rear recess in the projectile body and the position transmitter is embedded in a casting compound that partially fills the recess, in particular a casting and/or reactive compound, such as epoxy resin, polyurethane, polyester or silicone. The position transmitter is securely fixed within the recess by means of the casting compound. For example, the casting compound can be firmly attached to the projectile body, in particular to a recess wall. The attachment can, for example, be carried out in a form-fitting, non-positive and/or cohesive manner, in particular by means of gluing or welding.

According to a further exemplary embodiment of the projectile according to the invention, the position transmitter and the antenna are accommodated in a rear recess in the projectile body and the antenna comprises, for example, a flexible wire, such as titanium or stainless steel. Furthermore, the antenna is connected to the position transmitter, in particular for transmission and/or reception signal transmission. The wire consists partly of a casting compound that partially fills the recess, in particular a casting and/or reactive compound, such as epoxy resin, polyurethane, polyester or silicone, in which the position transmitter is embedded. The part of the wire protruding from the casting compound can be accommodated within the recess in a compressed manner, in particular compressed or rolled up. When the antenna is exposed, the wire section protruding from the casting compound can unfold, in particular fan out or roll out, for example in order to protrude additionally from the recess.

In a further exemplary embodiment, the position transmitter and the antenna are housed in a rear recess in the projectile body. Furthermore, the antenna is connected to the position transmitter and accommodated in the recess in such a way that the antenna protrudes from the recess after the protective cap has been removed, in particular torn away. Regarding the removal of the protective cap from the recess during the flight of the projectile, reference can be made to the previous statements. For example, the protective cap can at least partially pull the antenna out of the recess in order to expose it even better.

According to a further exemplary development, the position transmitter and the antenna are accommodated in a rear recess, in particular in a free space between the protective cap and the casting compound, in the projectile body in such a way that the antenna is compressed, in particular compressed or rolled up, and is during the flight of the Projectile unfolds when exposed, in particular fans out or rolls out. Initially, that is, before the projectile is fired, the projectile is in a compact, closed form, which is abandoned after the projectile is fired during its flight, namely in particular by removing the protective cap from the projectile body, whereby the antenna is removed can unfold to protrude from the recess so that the best possible transmission and / or reception performance is possible. The compression or unfolding of the antenna can be designed, for example, by elastic compression or subsequent expansion and/or by space-saving accommodation in the recess, for example by zigzag folding or rolling up, as well as subsequent fanning out or rolling out.

In a further exemplary embodiment, the protective cap is designed and/or in this way attached to the recess so that the protective cap is torn away from the recess by the air flow during the flight of the projectile. During the flight of the bullet, airflow resistance builds up, which overcomes the fastening force between the protective cap and the bullet body. For example, the projectile cap is torn away from the recess by the air flow as soon as the protective cap is at least partially outside the air flow wake, for example when the flight speed of the projectile decreases. The inventors of the present invention have recognized that when the bullet leaves the firearm barrel, it has such a high exit velocity that the tail of the bullet, in particular the rear protective cap, is in the air flow wake or dead water area. During this flight phase, as long as the protective cap is in the air flow wake, the fastening force between the protective cap and the bullet body is sufficient to hold the protective cap on the bullet body. As the flight speed of the projectile decreases, the tail of the projectile and in particular its protective cap enters the area of the air flow, i.e. moves away outside the air flow wake, so that in particular, sufficient air resistance continuously builds up, which exceeds the fastening force in order to tear away the protective cap. For example, when the protective cap is torn out, the antenna is exposed and unfolds, in particular fans out or rolls out. In general, the location and magnitude of the airflow wake depend on the bullet velocity or, more precisely, the Mach number. The protective cap and the projectile are matched in shape to one another in such a way that when the projectile is fired, the protective cap is located completely within the air flow wake. As the flight speed decreases, the air flow wake decreases and the protective cap, in particular, continuously moves outside the air flow wake into the area of the air flow, so that its air resistance increases, in particular, continuously.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, which can be combined with the preceding aspects and exemplary embodiments, a bullet with a caliber of less than 13 mm, preferably about 12.7 mm, less than 12 mm, 11 mm, 10 mm, 9 mm, 8 mm, 7 mm or less than 6 mm, provided. Caliber is generally a measurement of the outside diameter of a bullet and/or the inside diameter of a firearm's barrel. The bullet can be, for example, my solid bullet, which can be made from a homogeneous material. In particular, it is a jacketless bullet.

The projectile comprises a projectile body in which a position transmitter and an activation device are embedded. The projectile body can be made from a homogeneous material and/or from one piece. For example, the projectile body comprises a projectile nose, in particular shaped like an ogive, and a projectile tail, for example cylindrical or tapering in diameter towards the rear. Viewed in the longitudinal direction of the projectile, a guide band that determines the caliber can be provided between the nose of the projectile and the rear of the projectile and is in contact with the firearm barrel when the projectile is fired. The projectile body can be made, for example, from metal, a metal alloy, for example comprising steel, brass, copper, lead or the like, or from a frangible material. Furthermore, the projectile body can extend along a longitudinal axis of the projectile and/or be constructed rotationally symmetrically. For example, the projectile bow and possibly the guide band adjoining it are designed to be free of internal cavities, namely made in particular from solid material.

The activation device is assigned to the position transmitter in such a way that it can switch the position transmitter from a passive state to an active state. For example, the position transmitter does not send out any position signals in the passive state. The active state can be characterized by the position transmitter sending out position signals and/or being supplied with energy.

According to the further aspect of the invention, the activation device is set up to be initiated by the air flow during the flight of the projectile in order to switch the position transmitter to the active state. In this way, the activation device can be designed to be very simple and cost-effective, since the initiation mechanism utilizes the air flow that is already present or that occurs during the flight of the projectile. For example, the activation device includes parts of the position transmitter and possibly parts of the protective cap. The activation device can include a flow driver, which is detected by the air flow at least in a specific flight phase during the flight of the projectile and initiates the activation of the position transmitter. The activation device can also have a trigger that is actuated by the flow driver to activate the position transmitter. For example, the trigger for an initiation be assigned to the position transmitter bridge, so that when the trigger is initiated by means of the flow driver, the trigger activates the initiation bridge to activate the position transmitter, in particular destroys it. The initiation bridge can have a predetermined breaking or predetermined separation point for, in particular, predefined destruction of the initiation bridge. By means of the chain reaction according to the invention, initiated by the air flow during the flight of the projectile, reliable activation of the position transmitter is possible. An antenna connected to the position transmitter can also be accommodated or embedded within the recess. In this context, reference is made to the previous aspects and exemplary statements, which are also applicable or transferable to this application aspect.

In a further exemplary embodiment, the projectile is designed such that the position transmitter is activated when the protective cap is removed from the recess, in particular torn out. In other words, the position transmitter only sends out position signals when the protective cap to expose the antenna is removed and when the best possible transmission and/or reception performance of the antenna can be achieved. For example, the protective cap can have the trigger or be connected to it. Furthermore, the protective cap can have the flow driver or be connected to it.

In a further exemplary embodiment, the position transmitter has an initiation bridge, such as a wire bridge, which can be severed, in particular destroyed, to activate the position transmitter. The initiation bridge can be designed in such a way that it is actuated, in particular severed, when the protective cap is removed, in particular torn away, from the recess. In other words, the initiation bridge can be actuated to activate the position transmitter by separating the protective cap from the projectile body.

In an exemplary further development, the protective cap further has a trigger which is assigned to the initiation bridge in such a way that when the protective cap is removed from the recess, the trigger actuates, in particular cuts through, the initiation bridge. The trigger can, for example, be made in one piece with the protective cap or be firmly connected to it. Activating the position transmitter in this way has the particular advantage that the antenna can be exposed and the position transmitter can be activated in functional union and/or at the same time. Furthermore, it is possible for a time delay to be taken into account between uncovering the antenna and activating the position transmitter. For example, the position transmitter can be designed in such a way that the position transmitter can only send out and/or receive position signals with its particular predetermined time offset after the initiation bridge has been actuated, in particular severed.

According to an exemplary development, the trigger has a hook that engages behind the initiation bridge; the acceleration forces that occur when the protective cap is torn out of the recess on the protective cap and thus also on the hook are sufficient to run through the initiation bridge, i.e. to destroy it.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, which is combinable with the preceding aspects and exemplary embodiments, a projectile with a caliber of less than 13 mm is provided, preferably about 12.7 mm, less than 12 mm, 11 mm, 10 mm, 9mm, 8mm, 7mm or less than 6mm, provided. Caliber is generally a measurement of the outside diameter of a bullet and/or the inside diameter of a firearm's barrel. The bullet can be, for example, my solid bullet, which can be made from a homogeneous material. In particular, it is a jacketless bullet.

The projectile comprises a floor with a recess in which a brake cap is accommodated such that the brake cap is at least partially torn out of the recess by the air flow during flight. A position transmitter and an antenna connected to it can be accommodated or embedded within the recess. In this context, reference is made to the previous aspects and exemplary statements, which are also applicable or transferable to this application aspect. The brake cap can also be designed according to one of the exemplary embodiments of the protective cap described above. Reference can also be made to the previous statements with regard to the tearing out of the brake cap from the recess under the influence of the air flow. In principle, as has already been described, the brake cap can be designed in such a way that, particularly as the flight speed decreases, the brake cap increasingly moves away from the air flow wake or dead water area and enters the area of the air flow, so that increasing air resistance builds up, which moves the brake cap out of the Tears out depression.

According to the further aspect of the present invention, the brake cap comprises a particularly circumferential flow driver, which is intended in particular to be flowed against by the air flow, so that the air resistance builds up on it. The flow driver protrudes radially over a jacket that adjoins the floor in the longitudinal direction of the floor, the longitudinal extent of which is at least 10% of the floor length. The projectile casing can have a cylindrical shape next to the base of the projectile or can increase slightly in diameter towards the bow. The radial protrusion of the flow driver over the outer diameter of the projectile jacket ensures that it can build up sufficient air resistance to remove the brake cap from the recess reliably and/or early in the flight phase. This advantage is particularly noticeable when the components of the position transmitter and the antenna and/or the activation device mentioned in the previously described aspects or exemplary embodiments are housed in the recess and have to be released and/or activated for position tracking. The structure of the flow driver according to the invention ensures that the brake cap is torn out reliably and/or not too late. For example, at least the flow driver can be adapted to the shape of the projectile base and/or the projectile casing, in particular nestling against an outer contour of the projectile base and/or the projectile casing. In this way, while reliably ensuring that the brake cap is torn off, good aerodynamics are also provided for the projectile, so that the projectile has sufficient precision and/or firing range.

In an exemplary embodiment, the flow driver is formed as an annular wall segment, in particular as a sleeve section, which overlaps and/or surrounds the projectile casing transversely to the longitudinal direction of the projectile, in particular the wall thickness of the annular wall segment increasing continuously in the direction of the rear of the projectile. When dimensioning the flow driver, a compromise between good aerodynamics on the one hand and sufficient ability to build up air resistance on the other hand must be taken into account. The flow driver of the projectiles according to the invention can be dimensioned in such a way that an optimum of aerodynamics on the one hand and the ability to build up air resistance on the other hand is guaranteed.

According to an exemplary development, a fastening force between the brake cap and the projectile body is adjusted such that the air resistance of the flow driver resulting during the flight of the projectile exceeds the fastening force in order to at least partially tear the brake cap out of the recess. For example, the attachment can be positive and/or non-positive. For example, the brake cap can be pressed in and/or grafted on, with classic press fits, transition fits or clearance fits being set in particular. It is clear that the flow resistance is the force that the surrounding air opposes the movement of the projectile.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, which can be combined with the preceding aspects and exemplary embodiments, a fragmentation bullet is in particular with a caliber of less than 13 mm, preferably about 12.7 mm, less than 12 mm, 11 mm, 10 mm, 9mm, 8mm, 7mm or less than 6mm, provided. Caliber is generally a measurement of the outside diameter of a bullet and/or the inside diameter of a firearm's barrel. The bullet can be, for example, my solid bullet, which can be made from a homogeneous material. In particular, it is a jacketless bullet. A decomposition bullet is generally a projectile which, after impacting on a target, carries out a particular predefined decomposition.

The disassembly projectile comprises a projectile bow, in particular the shape of an ogive, and an adjoining projectile rear, in which a position transmitter is housed. With regard to the position transmitter and possibly an antenna and their accommodation in the projectile body, reference can be made to the previous aspects and exemplary statements. The relevant exemplary embodiments can also be used for the further aspect of the invention.

According to the further aspect of the invention, the nose of the projectile and the tail of the projectile are connected to one another in such a way that the nose of the projectile and the tail of the projectile separate from one another upon impact with a target. By specifically separating the tail of the projectile, which has the position transmitter and possibly the antenna, from the nose of the projectile, their effect or deformation within the target can be influenced or consciously adjusted through a suitable design of the nose of the projectile and/or the rear of the projectile. For example, the front of the projectile and the rear of the projectile are made from one piece, in particular from solid material, with the rear of the projectile having a rear-side, In particular, a central recess can be made to accommodate the electronic components.

According to an exemplary embodiment, a predetermined breaking point is provided at the transition between the nose of the projectile and the rear of the projectile, in particular a weakening of the material, such as a particularly circumferential groove or notch. The predetermined breaking point can be set so that the forces acting on the projectile upon impact with a target, in particular deformation and/or negative acceleration forces, activate the predetermined breaking point, i.e. force a separation of the rear of the projectile and the nose of the projectile in the area of the predetermined breaking point. According to an exemplary further development, the predetermined breaking point is set in such a way that a predefined separation of the nose and rear of the projectile is achieved and/or the position transmitter is encapsulated in the separated rear of the projectile on the bow side. The predefined separation can prevent the electronic components housed within the rear of the projectile from being damaged. Because the separation takes place in such a way that the rear of the projectile is closed on the bow side, the position transmitter can be encapsulated so that it is protected while penetrating the target.

In a further exemplary embodiment of the projectile according to the invention, the nose of the projectile and the rear of the projectile are separated in such a way and/or the nose of the projectile and the rear of the projectile are designed in such a way that the rear of the projectile, including the position transmitter, penetrates less deeply into the target than the nose of the projectile, thereby increasing the feasibility and thus the traceability of the projectile, in particular the rear of the projectile carrying the position transmitter, can be improved. According to an exemplary development, the predetermined breaking point, viewed in the longitudinal direction of the projectile, is arranged at a predetermined axial height and / or shaped in such a way that when the rear of the projectile and the nose of the projectile are separated, the position transmitter remains intact, in particular that a separating plane between the nose of the projectile and the rear of the projectile is spaced from the position transmitter and / or for deepening, especially for the deepening base.

According to a further exemplary development, a bow-side separating surface of the rear of the projectile and/or a rear-side separating surface of the projectile's nose is essentially flat and/or oriented transversely to the longitudinal direction of the projectile after the separation of the nose of the projectile and the rear of the projectile. Due to the flat, bow-side separating surface of the tail of the bullet, which is oriented essentially transversely to the longitudinal direction of the bullet and thus the direction of flight, the tail of the bullet experiences a particularly high resistance when penetrating the target due to the poor aerodynamic shape, so that the tail of the bullet is braked significantly and spreads less deeply into the target than that Projectile bow.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, which can be combined with the preceding aspects and exemplary embodiments, a method for position tracking of a projectile designed in particular according to one of the previously described aspects or exemplary embodiments with a caliber of less than 13 mm, preferably approximately 12, is provided. 7mm, less than 12mm, 11mm, 10mm, 9mm, 8mm, 7mm or less than 6mm provided. Caliber is generally a measurement of the outside diameter of a bullet and/or the inside diameter of a firearm's barrel. The bullet can be, for example, my solid bullet, which can be made from a homogeneous material. In particular, it is a jacketless bullet.

According to the method, a position transmitter and an antenna connected to the position transmitter are embedded in the projectile in such a way that the antenna is at least partially exposed during the flight of the projectile. This significantly improves the tracking of the projectile and the effective transmission and/or reception performance of the position transmitter.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, which can be combined with the preceding aspects and exemplary embodiments, a system for tracking a projectile with a caliber in particular of less than 13 mm is provided. The system according to the invention comprises a projectile, which is designed according to one of the previously described aspects or exemplary embodiments, and a position signal receiver for receiving the position signals emitted by the position transmitter of the projectile. It can be provided that, depending on the position transmitter used, a corresponding position signal receiver is used, which is set up to receive, process and/or evaluate the position signals emitted by the position transmitter. Furthermore, the position signal receiver can have suitable software, which can be implemented depending on the area of application of the system according to the invention.

Preferred embodiments are given in the subclaims.

• 1 eine schematische Schnittansicht einer beispielhaften Ausführung eines erfindungsgemäßen Geschosses;
• 2 das Geschoss aus 1 in einer Flugphase;
• 3 das Geschoss aus 1 kurz vor dem Aufprall auf ein Ziel;
• 4 eine schematische Schnittansicht einer weiteren beispielhaften Ausführung eines erfindungsgemäßen Geschosses;
• 5 das Geschoss aus 4 in einer Flugphase;
• 6 eine schematische Schnittansicht einer weiteren beispielhaften Ausführung eines erfindungsgemäßen Geschosses; und
• 7 das Geschoss aus 6 nach dem Aufprall auf ein Ziel.

Further properties, features and advantages of the invention will become clear below by describing preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying exemplary drawings, in which:

• 1 a schematic sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a projectile according to the invention;
• 2 the bullet 1 in a flight phase;
• 3 the bullet 1 just before impacting a target;
• 4 a schematic sectional view of a further exemplary embodiment of a projectile according to the invention;
• 5 the bullet 4 in a flight phase;
• 6 a schematic sectional view of a further exemplary embodiment of a projectile according to the invention; and
• 7 the bullet 6 after impacting a target.

Exemplary embodiments of projectiles according to the invention, which are generally provided with the reference number 1, are described using the accompanying figures. What all exemplary embodiments have in common is that the floor 1 is fundamentally a solid floor, that is, it is made of solid material. The basic idea of projectiles 1 according to the invention is to arrange the components required for position tracking, in particular electronic components, in the projectile 1 or to design the projectile 1 in such a way that the best possible transmission and/or reception power and/or range is possible.

In the 1 until 3 A first exemplary embodiment is shown, whereby the 1 until 3 schematically represent different points in time during a flight phase.

First of all, referring to 1 The basic structure of floor 1 is explained. The projectile 1 comprises a projectile body 3, which is made of solid material and which has a front projectile bow 5 viewed in the direction of flight F and a rear projectile tail 7. The projectile body 3 can also have a guide band 9, which determines the projectile caliber and on which the projectile body 3 has the maximum outside diameter. The projectile bow can, for example, have an ogivoid shape and open into a projectile tip 11.

At the rear, the projectile body 3 has a recess 13, which, for example, has a constant cross section viewed in the longitudinal direction of the projectile, which can be rectangular, round or polygonal. The depression 13 extends in the longitudinal direction of the projectile by approximately 25% of the total longitudinal extent of the projectile and has enough storage space to accommodate a position transmitter 15 and an antenna 17 connected to it. As in 1 can be seen, the position transmitter 15 is completely accommodated in the casting compound 19 which is firmly connected to the projectile body 3, so that the position transmitter 15 cannot move away from the projectile body 3. The antenna, made as a flexible wire made of titanium or stainless steel, for example, protrudes from the casting compound 19, which fills approximately 40% to 60% of the interior of the recess. With regard to exemplary designs and properties of the position transmitter, the antenna and the potting compound, reference is made to the previous general description, which refers to the specific designs of the 1 until 7 applicable or transferable.

The recess 13 is circumferentially delimited by a sleeve section 21 formed in one piece with the remaining projectile body 3, the end face of which facing opposite to the direction of flight F forms a projectile base 23. In other words, the floor 23 has a closed annular surface.

The recess 13 is closed at the rear by means of a protective cap 25, which also functions or can be referred to as a brake cap. The protective cap 25 serves primarily to protect the components accommodated within the recess, in particular the antenna 17 and the position transmitter 15, when the projectile 1 is fired, in particular against the combustion gases and particles. The protective cap 25 is according to 1 for example, dimensioned so that it partially protrudes into the recess 13, leaving a free space 27 between the protective cap 25 and the casting compound 19, in which the antenna part protruding from the casting compound 19 is compressed, in particular rolled up or folded in a zigzag manner, compressed, accommodated is. In 1 the protective cap 25 is grafted, for example, onto the projectile body 3 or onto the rear of the projectile 7. The protective cap 25 has a circumferential receiving recess 29 for the sleeve section 21 which is shaped in relation to the sleeve section 21. Radially on the outside, there remains an annular brake cap section 31 which delimits the receiving recess 29 on the outside and, according to one aspect of the present invention, is called a so-called Flow driver acts, which will be discussed below.

Under a summary of the 1 until 3 , which represent in chronological order a flight phase of a projectile 1 according to the invention, it can be seen that the protective cap 25 detaches from the projectile body 3 ( 2 ) during flight and the projectile 1 without the protective cap 25 hits a target, which is indicated by reference number 33. Removing the rear protective cap 25 from the projectile body 3 represents an exemplary embodiment of an exposing mechanism according to the invention, which ensures significantly improved transmission or reception lines or ranges. As in 2 can be seen, the antenna 17 is at least partially exposed during the flight phase of the projectile 1. While the antenna 17 is exposed, it unfolds, in particular it fans out or rolls out, so that it can protrude from the rear recess 13, all the more unhindered, that is, without being encapsulated by the projectile body, which dampens the transmitting and receiving waves or can affect or spread. The dashed lines, which are indicated by the reference numerals 35, schematically indicate the separation of the rear protective cap 25 from the projectile body 3.

According to a further essential aspect of the present invention, the rotating flow driver 31 is realized in such a way that it is carried along by the air flow during the flight of the projectile 1, so that the protective cap 25 is torn away from the recess 13. In order to reliably realize the automatic tearing away of the protective cap 25 from the recess 13, it must be ensured, on the one hand, that a maximum external dimension, in particular an external diameter, of the protective cap 25 is at least minimally smaller than the projectile caliber, since otherwise the protective cap 25 is already in place when the projectile is fired the ammunition case into which the projectile 1 is pressed would be removed. On the other hand, the flow driver 31 must be dimensioned appropriately for reliable separation during the flight of the projectile.

In the exemplary embodiments of the figures, the flow driver 31 is designed as a sleeve-shaped jacket, which increases in wall thickness towards the rear of the projectile and overlaps the sleeve section 21 of the rear of the projectile 7 or surrounds it circumferentially. In this way, particularly as the flight speed decreases, the flow driver 31 increasingly moves out of the so-called dead water area or air flow wake and into the area of the air flow, so that in particular an air resistance increasingly builds up, which is directed opposite to the direction of flight F. As soon as the air resistance exceeds the fastening force between the protective cap 25 and the projectile body 3, the protective cap 25 is torn out of the recess 13. At least it is possible to reliably tear off the protective cap 25 and thus expose the antenna 17 in a structurally simple manner.

Again referring to 1 It can be seen that the flow driver 31 surrounds the sleeve section 21 at least in sections. This means that the flow driver 31 projects radially beyond the sleeve section 21. Starting from the guide band 9, the projectile body diameter decreases increasingly towards the rear, so that the flow driver can encompass the rear sleeve section 21 of the projectile body radially on the outside, but without protruding radially beyond the guide band section 9 defining the projectile caliber.

Referring to the 4 and 5 Another aspect of the present invention is described. In the 4 and 5 Another exemplary embodiment of a projectile 1 is partially shown, with the front section of the projectile being omitted. In contrast to the embodiment of 1 until 3 includes floor 1 of the 4 and 5 an activation device, which is generally provided with the reference number 37, with which the position transmitter 15 can be switched from a passive state in which it does not emit or receive position signals to an active state in which the position transmitter 15 can emit and receive position signals. By means of the activation device 37, the projectile 1 according to the invention is designed such that the position transmitter 15 is activated when the protective cap 25 is removed from the recess 13. The position transmitter 15 according to 4 and 5 comprises an initiation bridge 39, which forms a type of engagement tab for a trigger 41 on the protective cap side. The trigger 41 is, for example, shaped as a hook and/or made in one piece with the protective cap 25. From a comparison of the 4 and 5 the combination of the projectiles 1 according to the invention emerges: In particular under the influence of the air flow, which exerts an air resistance on the flow driver 31 of the protective cap that exceeds the fastening force of the protective cap on the projectile body 3, the protective cap 25 is torn away from the projectile body 3, so that firstly the antenna 17 is exposed and secondly the position transmitter 15 is activated. The position transmitter 15 is activated by actuating the initiation bridge 39 using of the trigger 41. In the exemplary embodiment of the 4 and 5 the hook-shaped trigger 41 cuts through the tab-shaped initiation bridge 39 of the position transmitter, which can have a predetermined breaking point or predetermined separation point for destroying the initiation bridge 39, in particular in a predefined manner. Furthermore, reference can be made to the previous statements. By destroying the initiation bridge, the position transmitter 15 is activated.

In the 6 and 7 a further exemplary embodiment of a projectile 1 according to the invention is shown, which differs from the embodiment of 1 until 3 essentially differs in that a predetermined breaking point 43 is introduced into the projectile body 3, which causes a predefined disassembly of the projectile 1 upon impact with a target, which is indicated, for example, by the reference number 33. In 6 The predetermined breaking point 43 is realized, for example, as a material weakening, such as a circumferential groove, the cross-section of which is shown, for example, as V-shaped, but can also be round or otherwise shaped in cross-section, depending on the desired decomposition behavior of the projectile 1. It should be mentioned in the introduction that the projectile 1 according to the 6 and 7 Otherwise it is designed like the previous floors, so that the It should be understood that, for example, a protective cap 25 has already been removed from the projectile body 3 in order to expose the antenna 17.

Like in particular 7 As can be seen, the predetermined breaking point 43 causes a predefined separation of the nose of the projectile 5 and the rear of the projectile 7, namely in such a way that the position transmitter 15 and the antenna 17 are encapsulated at least on the bow side in the rear of the projectile 7 in order to be protected when penetrating the target 33. The projectile 1 is dismantled in such a way that the nose of the projectile penetrates significantly deeper into the target 33 than the tail of the projectile with the position tracking components. Due to the lower penetration depth of the bullet tail into the target, the transmission and reception performance and range are further improved compared to a bullet that penetrates significantly deeper into the target, as is usually the case. Given the low penetration depth, the antenna can even be dimensioned in such a way that it protrudes from the target 3 in order to provide the best possible transmission/reception performance.

As in 7 can be seen, the bullet nose 5 and the bullet tail 7 follow two different penetration paths 47, 49 starting from the bullet hole 45 in the target 33, the penetration path 49 of the bullet tail 7 extending significantly less deeply into the target 33 than the penetration path 47 of the bullet tail 7 Projectile noses 5. Furthermore, the tail of the projectile 7 is deflected significantly more from the original flight path than is the case with the projectile nose 5, particularly due to its poor aerodynamic shape. It can be advantageous to bring the predetermined breaking point 43 as close as possible to the recess base 51, that is, an axial position of the predetermined breaking point with respect to the longitudinal direction of the projectile should be arranged slightly in front of the recess base 51. This can ensure that, on the one hand, the position tracking components are not destroyed when the projectile 1 is dismantled and, on the other hand, it can be ensured that the rear of the projectile 7 is significantly smaller and therefore significantly lighter than the nose of the projectile 5, so that the rear of the projectile 7 is braked significantly more strongly can be in the target 33. The predetermined breaking point 43 can also be designed in such a way that there is a substantially straight separation between the nose of the projectile 5 and the rear of the projectile 7, which results in an essentially flat or oriented transverse to the longitudinal extent of the projectile 1 bow-side separating surface 53 of the projectile as well as a rear-side separating surface 55 of the projectile bow that is essentially flat or oriented transversely to the longitudinal extent of the projectile bow 5.

The features disclosed in the above description, the figures and the claims can be important both individually and in any combination for the implementation of the invention in the various embodiments.

Reference symbol list

1

bullet

3

bullet body

5

Projectile bow

7

bullet tail

9

Guide band

11

bullet tip

13

deepening

15

Position transmitter

17

antenna

19

Potting compound

21

sleeve section

23

floor

25

protective cap

27

free space

29

Recording depth

31

Flow driver

33

Goal

35

dashed line

37

Activation facility

39

Initiation bridge

41

trigger

43

Predetermined breaking point

45

Bullet hole

47, 49

Penetration path

51

Reason for deepening

53, 55

Separation surface

F

Direction of flight

Claims (21)

Projectile (1) with a caliber of less than 13 mm, comprising a projectile body (3) in which a position transmitter (15) and an antenna (17) connected to the position transmitter (15) are embedded in such a way that the antenna (17) is at least partially exposed during the flight of the projectile (1), the position transmitter (15) and the antenna (17) being accommodated in a rear recess (13) in the projectile body (3) and the position transmitter (15) in one of the recesses (13) partially filling casting compound (19), in particular a casting and/or reactive compound, such as epoxy resin, polyurethane, polyester or silicone, is embedded. Projectile (1). Claim 1 , wherein the rear, in particular central, recess (13), in which the position transmitter (15) and the antenna (17) are accommodated, is closed by a protective cap (25) which is detachably connected to the projectile body (3) and which is used to expose the antenna (17) is removed from the recess (13) during the flight of the projectile (1), in particular the protective cap (25) being pressed with a projectile jacket surrounding the recess (13). Projectile (1). Claim 2 , wherein the protective cap (25) is inserted into the recess (13) from the rear side and/or is placed, in particular grafted, onto the projectile body (3) in such a way that the protective cap (25) surrounds a projectile casing surrounding the recess (13). encompasses. Projectile (1) after one of the Claims 2 or 3 , wherein the protective cap (25) is made of a fireproof material, in particular metal, a metal alloy, ceramic or a high-performance plastic. Projectile (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the casting compound (19) is fastened to the projectile body (3), in particular a recess wall, in a form-fitting, non-positive and/or material-locking manner. Projectile (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the position transmitter (15) and the antenna (17) are accommodated in a rear recess (13) in the projectile body (3) and the antenna (17) is, for example, a flexible wire, such as titanium or stainless steel, is connected to the position transmitter (15) and which consists of a casting compound (19) which partially fills the recess (13), in particular a casting and/or reactive compound, such as epoxy resin, polyurethane, polyester or silicone, in which the Position transmitter (15) is embedded, protrudes. Projectile (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the position transmitter (15) and the antenna (17) are accommodated in the rear recess (13) in the projectile body (3), the antenna (17) being connected to the position transmitter (15 ) is connected and accommodated in the recess (13) so that the antenna (17) protrudes out of the recess (13) after removing, in particular tearing away, a protective cap (25). Projectile (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the position transmitter (15) and the antenna (17) in the rear recess (13), in particular in a free space (27) between a protective cap (25) and the casting compound (19), are accommodated in the projectile body (3) in such a way that the antenna (17) is compressed, in particular compressed or rolled up, and unfolds, in particular fans out or rolls out, during the flight of the projectile (1) when exposed. Projectile (1) after one of the Claims 2 until 8th , wherein the protective cap (25) is designed and / or fastened in the recess (13) in such a way that the protective cap (25) is torn away from the recess (13) by the air flow during the flight of the projectile (1), in particular as soon as the protective cap (25) is at least partially outside the air flow wake, the antenna (17) being exposed and unfolding, in particular fanning out or rolling out, in particular when the protective cap (25) is torn out. Projectile (1), in particular according to one of the preceding claims, with a caliber of less than 13 mm, comprising a projectile body (3) in which a position transmitter (15) and an activation device (37) are embedded, which correspond to the position transmitter (15). is assigned in such a way that it can switch the position transmitter (15) from a passive state to an active state, the activation device (37) being activated for this purpose is intended to be initiated by the air flow during the flight of the projectile (1) in order to switch the position transmitter (15) into the active state, the projectile (1) being designed in such a way that the position transmitter (15) is then activated, when a protective cap (25) is removed from the recess (13). Projectile (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the position transmitter (15) has an initiation bridge (39), such as a wire bridge, which can be actuated, in particular severed, to activate the position transmitter (15). Projectile (1). Claim 10 or 11 , wherein the protective cap (25) has a trigger (41) which is assigned to the initiation bridge (39) in such a way that when the protective cap (25) is removed from the recess (13), the trigger (41) actuates the initiation bridge (39), in particular severed, in particular the trigger (41) comprising a hook which engages behind the initiation bridge (39). Projectile (1), in particular according to one of the preceding claims, in particular with a caliber of less than 13 mm, comprising a projectile base (23) with a recess (13) in which a brake cap is accommodated in such a way that the brake cap during the projectile flight the air flow is at least partially torn out of a recess (13), the brake cap having a particularly circumferential flow driver (31) which protrudes radially over a projectile casing adjoining the projectile base (23) in the longitudinal direction of the projectile, the longitudinal extent of which is at least 10% of the projectile length. Projectile (1). Claim 13 , wherein the flow driver (31) is formed as an annular wall segment which overlaps the projectile jacket transversely to the longitudinal direction of the projectile (1), in particular the wall thickness of the annular wall segment increasing continuously in the direction of the rear of the projectile (7). Projectile (1). Claim 13 or 14 , wherein a fastening force between the brake cap and the projectile body (3) is adjusted such that the air resistance of the flow driver (31) resulting during the flight of the projectile (1) exceeds the fastening force in order to at least partially tear the brake cap out of the recess (13). Disintegration projectile (1), in particular according to one of the preceding claims, in particular with a caliber of less than 13 mm, comprising a particularly ogive-shaped projectile bow (5) and an adjoining projectile tail (7), in which a position transmitter (15) is housed, wherein the projectile bow (5) and the projectile tail (7) are connected to one another in such a way that the projectile bow (5) and the projectile tail (7) separate from each other when impacting a target (33). fragmentation bullet (1). Claim 16 , whereby a predetermined breaking point (43) is provided at the transition between the projectile bow (5) and the projectile rear (7), in particular a weakening of the material, such as a particularly circumferential groove, in particular the predetermined breaking point (43) being set in such a way that a predefined separation of the projectile bow ( 5) and tail (7) and / or the position transmitter (15) is encapsulated in the separated tail (7) on the bow side. fragmentation bullet (1). Claim 16 or 17 , whereby the nose of the projectile (5) and the rear of the projectile (7) are separated in such a way and/or the nose of the projectile (5) and the rear of the projectile (7) are designed in such a way that the rear of the projectile (7), including the position transmitter (15), penetrates less deeply into the projectile Target (33) penetrates as the projectile nose (5). Dismantling bullet (1) according to one of the Claims 16 until 17 , wherein a bow-side separating surface of the rear of the projectile (7) and/or a rear-side separating surface of the projectile's nose (5) is essentially flat after the separation of the nose of the projectile (5) and the rear of the projectile (7) and/or oriented transversely to the longitudinal direction of the projectile (1). is. Method for position tracking, in particular according to one of the Claims 1 until 15 trained projectile (1) or one according to one of the Claims 17 until 20 designed fragmentation projectile (1) with a caliber of less than 13 mm, in which a position transmitter (15) and an antenna (17) connected to the position transmitter (15) are inserted into a rear-side recess (13), which is partially covered by a casting compound (19 ), in particular a casting and / or reactive material, such as epoxy resin, polyurethane, polyester or silicone, is embedded in the projectile body (3) of the projectile (1) so that the antenna (17) during the flight of the projectile (1 ) is at least partially exposed. System for tracking a projectile (1), comprising one according to one of Claims 1 until 15 trained projectile (1) or one according to one of the Claims 16 until 19 trained fragmentation bullet (1) with a caliber in particular of less than 13 mm and a position signal Receiver for receiving the position signals emitted by the position transmitter (15).

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