Projectile

Abstract

A projectile ( 10 ) comprises a cylindrical body ( 12 ) with a first (leading) end ( 14 ) and a second trailing axially opposed end ( 16 ). An internal cavity ( 18 ) is formed between the ends ( 14 and 16 ) and holds a volume of propellant material ( 22 ). The first end ( 14 ) is closed by a nose ( 20 ) that is fixed to the body ( 12 ). The end ( 14 ) is sealed with a base seal ( 26 ) that seats a primer ( 24 ) for igniting the propellant ( 22 ). The primer ( 24 ) is located inboard of the second end ( 16 ) and the base seal ( 26 ) to reduce the likelihood of accidental activation. Seals ( 30 ) are formed about the body ( 12 ) for maintaining gas pressure of deflagrating propellant. The seals ( 30 ) may be formed integrally with the body ( 12 ) or separately from the body ( 12 ) and seated in respective grooves ( 40 ) formed circumferentially about the body ( 12 ). Also disclosed is a breech sleeve ( 810 ) shaped to complement the breech of the weapon and a throughway ( 816 ) defined by an internal surface, the projectile being able to pass through the throughway ( 816 ).

1 . A caseless projectile for firing out of a barrel of a small arms weapon, the barrel having an inner diameter, the projectile comprising:
 a substantially cylindrical body with first and second axially opposite ends and a cavity defined between the first end and the second end, the first end being closed by a nose integral to the body, the cylindrical body having a first outer diameter which is less than the inner diameter for the barrel,   at least two spaced apart seals extending about an outer circumferential surface of the body and formed integral to the body wherein at least one of the seals is near the first end of the body and at least another of the seals is near the second end of the body; and   a sleeve disposed in the cavity configured to hold a volume of propellant, the sleeve being made of a material which undergoes minimal expansion due to pressure generated by deflagration of the propellant   
   
   
       2 . The caseless projectile according to  claim 1  wherein the sleeve has an open end near the second end of the body 
   
   
       3 . The caseless projectile in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the sleeve has a closed end near the first end of the body. 
   
   
       4 . The caseless projectile according to  claim 3  wherein the closed end of the sleeve is closed by a wall formed integrally with the sleeve. 
   
   
       5 . The caseless projectile in accordance with  claim 1  further comprising a primer for igniting the propellant, the primer being supported by the body near the second end and being centrally disposed about a longitudinal axis of the body. 
   
   
       6 . The caseless projectile according to  claim 1  wherein the seals comprise first and second sets of seals, each set of seals comprising a plurality of closely spaced seals wherein the first set of seals is disposed near the first end of the body and the second set of seals is disposed near the second end of the body. 
   
   
       7 . A caseless projectile for firing out of a barrel of a small arms weapon, the barrel having an inner diameter, the projectile comprising: a substantially cylindrical body with first and second axially opposite ends and a cavity defined between the first end and the second end for holding a quantity of propellant, the first end being closed by a nose fixed to the body, the cylindrical body having a first outer diameter less than the inner diameter of the barrel; and, at least two sets of a plurality of closely spaced seals extending about an outer circumferential surface of the body, each seal protruding radially from the body to form a substantial seal against an inner circumferential surface of the barrel having a second outer diameter greater than the first outer diameter and equal to or greater than the inner diameter of the barrel, wherein a first set of seals is disposed near the first end and a second set of seals is disposed near the second end. 
   
   
       8 . A projectile according to  claim 7 , wherein each seal is deformed as the seal contacts the inner circumferential surface of the barrel. 
   
   
       9 . The projectile according to  claim 7  comprising a sleeve disposed in the cavity configured to hold the propellant, the sleeve being made of a material which undergoes minimal expansion due to pressure generated by deflagration of the propellant 
   
   
       10 . The caseless projectile according to  claim 9  wherein the sleeve has an open end near the second end of the body 
   
   
       11 . The caseless projectile in accordance with  claim 9  wherein the sleeve has a closed end near the first end of the body. 
   
   
       12 . The caseless projectile according to  claim 11  wherein the closed end of the sleeve is closed by a wall formed integrally with the sleeve. 
   
   
       13 . The projectile according to  claim 7  further comprising a primer for igniting the propellant, the primer being supported by the body near the second end of the body and being centrally disposed about a longitudinal axis of the body.