Non-lethal ballistic projectile with luminous marking of the impact area

Abstract

Projectile with luminous marking of the impact area, in particular a medium-calibre or small-calibre projectile, consisting of a hollow cylindrical body ( 1 ) in which an inertial mass ( 2 ) can move, said inertial mass being subjected to a movement by the positive or negative acceleration involved in the firing process, which movement causes the tearing of a diaphragm ( 3, 4 ) separating two chambers ( 5, 6 ), each containing a liquid with the potential of emitting light by chemiluminescence when they are mixed together. Upon impact, the light-emitting mixture is expelled to the outside through suitable orifices ( 21, 23 ) through the action of internal pressure possibly caused by the chemical generation of gas resulting from the chambers being brought into communication by effect of the diaphragm tearing.

1 . A projectile constructed and arranged for luminous marking of an impact area, composed of a hollow cylindrical body ( 1 ), comprising one or more inertial masses ( 2 ) capable of moving during acceleration, positive or negative, involved in a process of firing, which movement causes bursting of one or more membranes ( 3 ,  4 ) separating, inside said hollow body ( 1 ) of the projectile, two or more chambers ( 5 ,  6 ) each of which contains at least one liquid with chemiluminescent potential, which liquids emit light when mixed together. 
     
     
         2 . The projectile according to  claim 1  above, further characterized in that one or more of the inertial masses, when placed in motion, are arranged in the form of a piston ( 2 ) inside the hollow cylindrical body ( 1 ), and are capable of causing the expulsion to the outside, through one or more orifices ( 23 ) provided in the walls of said projectile, of a light-emitting liquid mixture. 
     
     
         3 . The projectile according to  claim 1  above, further characterized in that the membrane or membranes ( 3 ,  4 ) to be burst comprise, in addition to a physical separation of said chemical liquids prior to their being mixed, a barrier against diffusion of any component element of these liquids, which diffusion could hinder the preservation of integrity of their properties during storage. 
     
     
         4 . The projectile according to  claim 1 , further characterized in that the membrane or membranes are comprised of thin aluminum foil. 
     
     
         5 . The projectile according to  claim 4 , characterized in that said aluminum foil is lacquered on at least one of its faces with a heat-sealable polymer varnish, said aluminum foil having been heat-sealed at its periphery by means of instantaneous application of heat, to said body of the projectile, or any intermediate piece, so as to form said abovementioned chamber or chambers. 
     
     
         6 . The projectile according to  claim 5  above, characterized in that said heat-sealable polymer varnish is neutral without chemical influence on the liquids or preservation of the liquids with chemiluminescent potential with which it is in contact, and is itself not dissolved by the solvents of said liquids. 
     
     
         7 . The projectile according to  claim 1  above, further characterized in that it is provided at a front portion with a cylindrical-shaped plug ( 2 ) that can slide inside said body while extending beyond it in the front, in such a way that it is the first surface that meets the target upon impact, said cylinder being provided with hollow longitudinal fluting ( 21 ) on its peripheral surface that allows exiting of a luminous mixture under pressure, the hollow fluting comprising channels of small enough cross section to ensure a slight lamination of the liquid whose mixture is desired. 
     
     
         8 . The projectile according to  claim 1 , further characterized in that it comprises a duct providing communication between the interior of the projectile and the external atmosphere, which duct can allow expulsion of illuminated liquid and can be provided with a plug intended to be released during impact upon arrival. 
     
     
         9 . The projectile according to  claim 1 , further characterized in that said main body is sealed, without orifices allowing the expulsion of a luminous liquid, and has translucent or transparent walls. 
     
     
         10 . The projectile according to  claim 1 , further provided, in addition to the abovementioned liquids, in one or more of its chambers, with compounds ( 14 ) that can have a gas-emitting reaction when they are mixed together following bursting of one or more membranes separating said chambers. 
     
     
         11 . The projectile according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the body of the projectile and/or plug is made of an elastomeric polymer material. 
     
     
         12 . The projectile according to  claim 11 , further characterized in that, in a front part of the body, the walls thereof have accordion-like folds ( 12 ) so as to facilitate crushing against a target with reduction of volume. 
     
     
         13 . The projectile according to  claim 1 , characterized in that said inertial masses are provided, on the side facing a membrane, with a pointed or pyramidal structure ( 7 ) for facilitating bursting.