Method of manufacturing composite projectile body embedded with preformed fragments

US11041704B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army · US

Inventors

• Michael E. Ellis · Lake Hopatcong, US
• Michael Bruno · Hoboken, US
• Deepak Kapoor · Rockaway, US
• Tony F. Zahrah · Fairfax, US
• Roderick Rowland · Fairfax, US
• Steven Lawver · Sterling, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 25, 2017
• Grant date: Jun 22, 2021
• Expiry date: Mar 14, 2039

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02P10/25
• WIPO field: Materials, metallurgy
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A method for preparing a composite projectile body with preformed fragments precisely embedded within the walls of the projectile body. The process utilizes a combination of additive manufacturing and advanced powder metallurgy fabrication techniques. Specifically a skeletal structure or prefabricated cage body is filled with preformed fragments. The cage structure may be situated on a mandrel or tool inside a container. The container is filled with metal powder, degassed under vacuum, and sealed. The canister is then subjected to heat and pressure to consolidate the powder to full density. The canister is then removed and the compacted billet product is further machined to obtain a desired projectile body.