Method for Thermal Processing Bullets

Abstract

A method for thermal processing bullets to reduce adhesive stress, the method includes obtaining one or more bullets configured to be propelled down a gun barrel, disposing the one or more bullets within a chamber having a temperature gradient between ambient temperature and cryogenic temperature, the chamber having a plurality of temperature zones, moving the one or more bullets between the plurality of temperature zones of the chamber, and returning the one or more bullets to the ambient temperature to reduce adhesive stress between the bullets and the gun barrel.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for thermal processing bullets to reduce adhesive stress, the method comprising:
 obtaining one or more bullets configured to be propelled down a gun barrel;   disposing the one or more bullets within a chamber having a temperature gradient between ambient temperature and cryogenic temperature, the chamber having a plurality of temperature zones;   moving the one or more bullets between the plurality of temperature zones of the chamber; and   returning the one or more bullets to the ambient temperature to reduce adhesive stress between the bullets and the gun barrel.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of temperature zones includes a first temperature zone ranging from about 60° F. to about 80° F., a second temperature zone ranging from about 0° F., and a third temperature zone ranging from about −200° F. to about −500° F. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the chamber includes a temperature reducing agent. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the temperature reducing agent group including liquid nitrogen, gaseous nitrogen, dry ice. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more bullets are moved between the plurality of temperature zones of the chamber using a mechanical means including a ball screw mechanism, a pulley mechanism, and a conveyor mechanism. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the one or more bullets are moved at a predetermined rate of less than 5 degrees per minute. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein internal structures of the one or more bullets are stress relieved after being moved between the plurality of temperature zones and then back to the ambient temperature. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein an adhesive stress between the bullets and the gun barrel is reduced causing an increase in sealing capacities between the bullets and the gun barrel. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the increase in sealing capacities between the bullets and the gun barrel results in higher travel velocity, axial symmetry and concentricity of the bullet in flight. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein an external perimeter of the one or more bullets has a uniform compressive stress after being moved between the plurality of temperature zones and then back to the ambient temperature. 
     
     
         11 . A system for thermal processing bullets to yield a refined grain structure, the system comprising:
 a chamber containing a plurality of cooling agents to form a plurality of temperature zones, with temperatures getting progressively cooler at each deeper temperature zone;   a bullet carrier configured to hold one or more bullets to be moved through the plurality of temperature zones, each bullet comprising a bullet cartridge case detachably affixed to a bullet lead core jacketed with a gilding metal such that, upon firing the bullet, the bullet lead core with gilding metal jacket is propelled down a bore of a gun barrel; and   a mechanical mechanism configured to first lower the bullet carrier holding the one or more bullets through the plurality of temperature zones and then raise the carrier holding the one or more bullets back up through the plurality of temperature zones,   wherein the bullet carrier and the one or more bullets held in the bullet carrier are moved through the plurality of temperature zones at a predetermined rate and wherein at least one of the plurality of temperature zones is predetermined to cause a grain size of the bullet lead core with gilding metal jacket of the one or more bullets to become less than 50 microns.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the plurality of temperature zones includes a first temperature zone ranging from 60° F. to 80° F., a second temperature zone intermediate of 60° F. and −200° F. and a third temperature zone ranging from −200° F. to −459.67° F. 
     
     
         13 . The system of claim l 1 , wherein the chamber includes a temperature reducing agent. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the temperature reducing agent comprises at least one of liquid nitrogen, gaseous nitrogen, and dry ice. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the mechanical mechanism configured to lower and raise the bullet carrier holding the one or more bullets through the plurality of temperature zones comprises at least one of a ball screw mechanism, a pulley mechanism, and a conveyor mechanism. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the predetermined rate is less than 5° F. per minute. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein internal structures of the one or more bullets are stress relieved after being moved between the plurality of temperature zones and then back to an ambient temperature. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein an external perimeter of the one or more bullets has a uniform compressive stress after being moved between the plurality of temperature zones and then back to the ambient temperature. 
     
     
         20 . A system for thermal processing bullets to yield a refined grain structure, each bullet comprising a bullet cartridge case detachably affixed to a bullet lead core jacketed with a gilding metal such that, upon firing the bullet, the bullet lead core with gilding metal jacket is propelled down a bore of a gun barrel; the system comprising:
 a chamber configured to have a first temperature zone and a different second temperature zone, wherein the second temperature zone is predetermined to cause a grain size of the bullet lead core with gilding metal jacket of each of the one or more bullets to be less than 50 microns; and   a bullet carrier configured to hold one or more bullets to be moved through the first and second temperature zones,   wherein the bullet carrier and the one or more bullets held in the bullet carrier are moved through the first and temperature zones at a predetermined rate and wherein the second temperature zone is predetermined to cause a grain size of the bullet lead core with gilding metal jacket of the one or more bullets to become less than 50 microns.