RU2854141C1 - Projectile for throwing a net (variants) and device for throwing a net with increased range - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: technology.

SUBSTANCE: group of inventions is intended for intercepting unmanned aerial vehicles and can be used for catching small animals and birds by throwing and enveloping the object with a net to immobilise it. Projectiles for throwing a net according to options 1 and 2 comprise a body with a net placed inside it. The projectile body is an assembly in the form of a hollow cylinder formed by at least three longitudinal elements coupled together, identical in shape, size and weight. Each of the longitudinal elements in the upper part is connected to the net, serving as weights for its deployment when the projectile exits the barrel. In the projectile according to option 1, the longitudinal elements are connected to each other in the lower part by a bottom in the form of a disc with protrusions. In the projectile according to option 2, all longitudinal elements are connected to each other in the lower part by a cartridge case having a means for ejecting the projectile from the grenade launcher barrel.

EFFECT: increasing the effectiveness of counter-UAV devices and other low-flying targets with speeds up to 60 m/s.

3 cl, 8 dwg

Description

The group of inventions is designed to intercept unmanned aerial vehicles and can be used to catch small animals and birds by throwing and wrapping a net around an object to immobilize it.

The following devices are known: “Means of restraining the movements of biological objects SSD-3”, produced by the Scientific and Production Company “Technopharm” according to the Russian Federation patent No. 2548310 (published on 20.04.2015) [https://tehnofarm.com/]; mesh launcher "Tarantul" [https://zarya-russia.ru/snabzhenie/antidrony/tproduct/676648511-895107606242-setkomyot-tarantul], mesh launcher KPB "Polet" [https://kpb-polet.ru/], mesh launcher "Sturm" produced by NPO "VALAR" Ukraine [https://topwar.ru/33819-setkomet-shturm-dlya-policii-i-ohrannyh-struktur.html?ysclid=m8igp8nq3o363600100].

The main disadvantages of the aforementioned net throwers include the short range of the net when deployed (no more than 15 meters), and the complexity and high cost of the designs, especially for multi-barrel models. Due to the design complexity, high precision manufacturing of components and adherence to the weight specifications of the loads is required; otherwise, the net deployment is uneven around the perimeter, reducing the net's useful area. Another significant drawback is the spontaneous retraction of the net after the loads reach their extreme positions during deployment, as inertial forces weaken as the loads travel from the center to the periphery, while the stress in the net material increases.

A net for non-lethal immobilization of biological objects is known (RU Patent No. 2410625, published: 27.01.2011), containing a net web woven from strong elastic threads, and weights fixed to it, placed in a housing, while the net with weights is formed into a cylindrical block, inside which a folded net web is placed, and the weights are located outside evenly around the circumference, having an elongated shape, grooves at the ends and one or more protrusions located evenly along the length of the weight, while the protrusions of the weights are located on the cylindrical surface of the block, and the housing is made in the form of a glass installed on one end of the block, while the block is held in the glass by a destructible connection - spring tabs of the glass inserted into the grooves of the weights, in the bottom part of the glass a pyrotechnic retarder and an expelling powder charge are placed sequentially, between the powder charge and the net The piston is located on the web with the weights, and on the opposite side the weights of the block are connected by a ring inserted into the grooves of the weights.

This patent also discloses a device for remotely throwing a net, comprising a barrel and a propelling charge, wherein the barrel is made with internal spiral grooves, wherein the projections of the weights are engaged with the spiral grooves of the barrel body, and the propelling charge is located between the bottom of the barrel and the pyrotechnic retarder of the net.

The technical implementation of the above-described device is difficult both due to the extreme complexity of the projectile design and the difficulty of its use.

The projectile's design includes a delay in the deployment of the net depending on the distance to the intercepted target. To increase the firing range, the authors propose deploying the net in close proximity to the target. The delay is achieved by a pyrotechnic delay device, but there is no technical capability to quickly adjust the delay time, which negatively impacts its use in combat situations.

Another significant drawback is the presence of projectile parts that are in the trajectory of the net during its deployment, which leads to entanglement of the net during its deployment.

Another disadvantage is that the projectile's center of gravity is located at its rear, rather than in front relative to the direction of launch, which in turn leads to the projectile rotating during its flight relative to the transverse axis and, as a result, the net's flight trajectory is unpredictable.

The closest analogue of the proposed technical solution is an assembly for use as a projectile for throwing a net (US 2024410679 A1, published 2024-12-12), in which the principle of deploying the net is also based on the centrifugal force of the dispersion of weights that are attached to the net; the assembly comprises a housing in which the net is stored in a packed configuration; the housing is configured in such a way that rotation of the assembly causes the net to be ejected from the housing, thereby unpacking the net into an expanded configuration; the housing has a plurality of projections or ridges arranged around the circumference for engaging with corresponding rifling in the barrel to cause the assembly to rotate upon launch; the housing contains a plurality of weights connected to the net, configured in such a way that rotation of the assembly causes the plurality of weights to be ejected from the housing, thereby unpacking the net into an expanded configuration, wherein each weight protrudes from the housing when the net is in the packed configuration to provide a plurality of projections or ridges arranged around the circumference; wherein the housing includes at least one electromagnet configured to control the release of a plurality of weights from the housing; a timer for delaying the release of a plurality of weights from the housing; a drive configured to release a plurality of weights by remote control; a pyrotechnic cartridge configured to release and/or eject a plurality of weights from the housing.

The disadvantages of the above device are:

1. Using guides as weights, rigidly attached to the projectile body. The projectile rotates as it moves through the barrel bore, which has helical rifling along which the guides move. Consequently, the guide diameter is limited by the size of the helical rifling, and their length is limited to half the bore caliber. These limitations technically prohibit the production of large and heavy weights. Consequently, the centrifugal force generated by the rotation of the projectile with the small weights required to deploy the net will be extremely low. To increase centrifugal force in such devices, it will be necessary to increase the projectile rotation speed by decreasing the rifling pitch, which in turn increases friction and, consequently, reduces the initial velocity of the projectile and the range of the net.

2. Another drawback is the projectile body's opening transversely to the axis of rotation, which precludes the use of centrifugal force to deploy the projectile. To address this issue, the authors propose using additional technical solutions, such as adding elements such as an electromagnet, a squib, and others to the device. This, in turn, greatly complicates the design and operation of the system as a whole. When the projectile body opens transversely to the axis of rotation, dynamic forces will generate a force directed in the opposite direction of the projectile's flight, and parts of the body may become trapped within the opening zone of the net, leading to its entanglement.

3. Additional disadvantages of the assembly include the small internal volume of the housing for placing the net and the difficulty of laying it out, since the loads and opening elements are also located in this volume.

4. Another drawback that can be mentioned regarding the net throwing device models shown in Figures 2 and 3 is the short barrel length, equal to the projectile length, which results in low muzzle energy and inefficient use of the charge energy.

The objective of the invention is to eliminate the shortcomings of the prototype and create a highly effective, inexpensive mobile device for countering UAVs and other low-flying targets with speeds of up to 60 m/s, both directly on the battlefield and for the protection of civilian and industrial infrastructure.

The technical result is an increase in the efficiency of the device by increasing the firing range, the size of the net and its flight speed.

The stated task is achieved in that the proposed projectile for throwing a net (the first variant) includes a housing with a net placed inside it, wherein the housing of the projectile is an assembly in the form of a hollow cylinder formed by at least three longitudinal elements that are connected to each other and are identical in shape, size and weight, wherein each of the longitudinal elements in the upper part is connected to the net, performing the function of weights for its deployment when the projectile leaves the barrel, and in the lower part the longitudinal elements are connected to each other by a bottom that has the shape of a disk with protrusions.

In addition, when placing a net in the projectile body that has a square shape, a body formed by four conjugated longitudinal elements is used; when placing a net in the shape of a triangle, a body formed by three longitudinal elements is used; and when placing a round net, a body formed by six or more longitudinal elements is used.

It is preferable that the longitudinal elements of the projectile body are formed by dividing the hollow cylinder into geometrically equal longitudinal parts.

In addition, in the end of each longitudinal element at its lower part, grooves are made for fastening it to the bottom of the projectile, through which the torque is transmitted to the body of the projectile, and at the end of its upper part, through holes are made at an angle of 45° relative to the vertical axis, intended for fastening the net.

In addition, the bottom of the projectile body, made in the form of a disk with projections, has a diameter corresponding to the caliber of the barrel, and a number of projections corresponding to the number of helical rifling of the barrel, and in the upper part of the disk there are grooves, the number of which corresponds to the number of longitudinal elements of the projectile body.

The stated task is also achieved by the fact that the proposed projectile for throwing a net (the second variant) includes a housing with a net placed inside it, and the housing of the projectile is an assembly in the form of a hollow cylinder formed by at least three longitudinal elements that are connected to each other and are identical in shape, size and weight, and each of the longitudinal elements in the upper part is connected to the net, performing the function of weights for its deployment when the projectile leaves the barrel, and in the lower part all the longitudinal elements are connected to each other by a sleeve that has a means for ejecting the projectile from the barrel of the grenade launcher.

In addition, when placing a network in a square shape in a housing, a housing formed by four conjugated longitudinal elements is used; when placing a network in a triangle shape, a housing formed by three longitudinal elements is used; and when placing a round network, a housing formed by six or more longitudinal elements is used.

It is preferable that the longitudinal elements of the projectile body are formed by dividing a hollow cylinder into geometrically equal longitudinal parts.

In this case, in each longitudinal element at the end of its upper part, through holes are made at an angle of 45° relative to the vertical axis, intended for fastening the network.

In addition, the cartridge case contains a wad, a powder charge and a primer as a means of ejecting the projectile (propellant charge).

To place the projectile in the barrel, it is placed in a container with a piston.

The stated objective is also achieved by the fact that a device for throwing a net of increased range is proposed, containing a barrel with right-hand twist rifling and a projectile placed inside the barrel, made according to option 1.

Moreover, the barrel of the device is made with at least two screw grooves located diametrically opposite to each other.

Additionally, a fitting for connecting a flexible pipeline with compressed air is hermetically secured to the end of one side of the barrel.

The nozzle also serves as a support for the projectile in the vertical position of the device.

What is new in the proposed group of inventions is the implementation of the projectile body in the form of a hollow cylinder formed by interconnected longitudinal elements of identical shape, size and weight, each of which is connected to the net and performs the function of weights for deploying the net when the projectile exits the barrel.

The operating principle of the proposed extended-range net throwing device is based on the centrifugal force generated by the rotation of the projectile of the claimed design (Option 1) due to its movement axially through the barrel bore, which has helical rifling. The projectile has a flat, detachable base designed to withstand the loads of propellant gases or compressed gas. After the projectile exits the barrel, the weights are dispersed radially, and as the weights move away from the projectile's center of rotation, the net straightens and tightens. The inertial force of the projectile's rotation maintains the net taut throughout its flight.

Preferably, the projectile body is proposed to be manufactured from a hollow cylinder, divided into six equal longitudinal parts that serve as weights; these parts, when assembled, maintain the shape of the cylinder due to the barrel wall.

After the projectile leaves the barrel, its body breaks into six parts, which begin to move radially, thereby straightening the net. The rotational inertial forces remain at a sufficiently large distance from the launch site, ensuring the net remains taut throughout its flight.

The high flight speed and large area of the net make it possible to throw in a straight trajectory without lead time.

Other shaped bodies, such as cylinders or longitudinal bodies with a rectangular cross-section, can also be used as weights to form the body of the projectile, but the most optimal solution for making weights and forming the body (housing) of the projectile is a hollow cylinder, divided longitudinally into equal parts.

The invention is explained with graphic materials

Fig. 1 shows a drawing (isometric view) of a projectile for throwing a net according to variant 1.

Fig. 2 shows a drawing of the design solution of the barrel: a - top view, b - side view, section

Fig. 3 shows the external appearance of the device for throwing a net of increased range using a projectile according to variant 1: a - top view, b - side view, section.

Fig. 4 shows a drawing of the design solution of the projectile for option 2: a - top view (sleeve without flange); b - side view, section (sleeve without flange); c - side view, section (sleeve with flange); d - top view (sleeve with flange).

Fig. 5 shows a drawing showing the placement of the projectile according to option 2 in the barrel of the grenade launcher: a - top view, b - side view (section).

Fig. 6 shows the placement of a projectile according to variant 2 in a transport container, where Fig. 5a and 5b show a drawing (section) of a transport container for carrying projectiles for grenade launchers with a loading system from the muzzle and breech side, respectively, and Fig. 5c shows a transport container for a projectile with a flanged cartridge case.

Fig. 7 shows a test diagram of the claimed device for throwing an extended-range net.

Fig. 8 shows the operating principle of the claimed device for throwing a net of increased range.

A net throwing device according to variant 1 (Fig. 1) includes a projectile body 1 formed by six (6) longitudinal elements 2 having through holes 3 drilled at an angle of 45° at the end of the upper part for fastening the net 4 to each longitudinal element 2 forming the body 1. The body 1 is a hollow cylinder inside which the net 4 is placed. The longitudinal elements 2 have grooves 5 at the end of the lower part for fastening the bottom 6 of the projectile body 1 to them. The bottom 6 has a groove 7 and six projections 8 for fastening it to the projectile body 1, as well as two diametrically opposite projections 9 of a cylindrical shape. The projections 9 are intended to mate them with the helical rifling 10 of the barrel 11 (Fig. 2 a and b) of the claimed device for throwing an extended range net (Fig. 3).

The projectile according to variant 2 (Fig. 4 a-g) includes a projectile body 1 formed by six longitudinal elements 2, at the end of the upper part of which through holes 3 are made, drilled at an angle of 45° for attaching a net 4 to each longitudinal element 2, forming the body 1. The body 1 is a hollow cylinder, inside which a net 4 is placed. Longitudinal elements 2 have a groove 12 for attaching a sleeve 13, as well as leading projections 14 (similar to VOG-25). In the cavity of the sleeve 13 a wad 15 is placed, separating the powder charge 16 from the projectile body 1 and the net 4. Primer 17.

The sleeve 13 can be made of a cylindrical shape with a flange 18 (Fig. 4 c, d) or without it (Fig. 4 a, b) for use in grenade launchers in which loading occurs from the muzzle and breech of the barrel, respectively.

The body of the projectile 1 for both variant 1 and variant 2 is a hollow metal cylinder divided into longitudinal elements, and the number of elements depends on the shape of the network, for example, for a rectangular network 4 pieces are needed, for a triangular network 3 pieces, for a polygonal network in accordance with the number of vertices.

The projectile, according to variant 2, is a unitary projectile designed for use in a grenade launcher. The placement of the unitary projectile in the grenade launcher is shown in Fig. 5. The projectile operates with a net in grenade launcher 19 as follows: when trigger mechanism 20 is activated, primer 17 detonates, followed by ignition of propellant charge 16. This results in the formation of a large amount of propellant gases, which create excess pressure on wad 15, resulting in an axial force directed along the grenade launcher's bore. This force moves projectile body 1 and net 4 along the barrel bore, releasing them from cartridge case 13. The projectile and net 4 rotate due to the helical rifling in the bore and the projectile's leading projections 14. The walls of grenade launcher barrel 19 hold longitudinal elements 2 in place during movement along the bore, maintaining their mating relationship throughout their entire travel within the barrel. After projectile body 1 and net 4 exit the barrel, the weights (longitudinal elements 2) scatter diametrically due to centrifugal force.

The diameter of the projectile body 1 corresponds to the caliber of the grenade launcher barrel 19. The length of the projectile depends on the volume of the net in its folded form and is limited by the length of the grenade launcher barrel.

A transport container 21 (Fig. 6 (a-c)) is used to transport projectiles. It consists of a hollow cylindrical body 22, a piston 23, and a container bottom 24. According to variant 2, the projectile is placed in the cavity of the body 22 and closed by the bottom 23 and the piston 22. The grenade launcher is loaded by pressing on the piston, which in turn displaces the projectile and the bottom from the container body, the bottom is removed to the side, and the projectile is loaded into the grenade launcher. Fig. 6a and 6b show a transport container for carrying projectiles for grenade launchers with a muzzle-loading system and a breech-loading system, respectively. Fig. 6c shows a transport container for a projectile with a flanged cartridge case.

To test the model of the claimed extended-range net throwing device (Fig. 3) using the projectile of variant 1, the barrel 11 was made of ABS polymer, 300 mm long, with two helical rifling grooves located diametrically with a pitch of 300 mm, the direction of rotation is right-hand, the caliber is 40 mm. The body of the projectile 1 is assembled from six interconnected identical elements, made of a hollow steel cylinder with a diameter of 40 mm, a height of 60 mm, having an internal diameter of 34 mm, by dividing it longitudinally into 6 equal parts (longitudinal elements 2). In each element 2, at the end of its upper part, through holes 3 with a diameter of 1 mm, drilled at an angle of 45° relative to the vertical axis, are designed for fastening the net. In the end of the lower part of each longitudinal element, grooves 5 are made, through which the torque is transmitted to the body of the projectile. Net 4 is made of 0.3 mm diameter Kevlar thread, withstanding a tensile force of 20 kgf and has a mesh size of 200 x 200 mm, the net diameter is 4 m. The bottom 6 of the projectile is made of ABS plastic, 40 mm in diameter, 15 mm thick.

Assembly of the device begins with winding the net 4 onto the rod. To ensure tension during winding, longitudinal elements 2 are attached uniformly around the net's perimeter, serving as weights when unrolling the net. Winding is performed in the opposite direction of the projectile's rotation. The projectile body sections (longitudinal elements 2) are placed in a mandrel, where they form a hollow cylinder. The bottom 6 of the projectile is inserted into the lower portion of this cylinder, and the rod on which the net was wound is then removed. The assembled projectile is placed into the bore 11 such that the projections 9 of the projectile's bottom engage the helical rifling 10.

Testing of the model (Fig. 7) for variant 1 of the projectile was carried out in an open area, where pickets were set up in a straight line in advance, starting at 50 meters and then every 10 meters, with the last picket located at a distance of 100 meters from the launch site. Barrel 11 of the projectile is connected by flexible conduit 25 through fitting 26 (Fig. 3b) to receiver 27. Fitting 26 is hermetically sealed at the end of one side of the barrel for connecting a flexible compressed air line, which also serves as a support for the projectile in the vertical position of the device.

The projectile is loaded from the muzzle

Throwing was performed by hand, by opening ball valve 28 on receiver 27 and aiming the net along the picket line. The net's angle relative to the horizon was approximately 30°. The net, when deployed, traveled a distance of 100 meters. The initial velocity and rotational speed of the projectile were calculated to be 30 m/s and 950 rpm, respectively.

The energy source for throwing the projectile is compressed air; a 10-liter receiver is used for this purpose; the compressed air pressure is 10 atm. The receiver is equipped with a ball valve.

The optimal ratio of the weight of the load to the area of the net web, low aerodynamic resistance due to the thin threads of the net and their strength, as well as the design solution of the projectile body, make it possible to achieve the technical result .

The device allows the net to be thrown in an unfolded form with an area of more than 10 ^m2 over a distance of over 100 meters, while the net’s flight speed reaches 30 m/s, which significantly increases the possibility of intercepting a target and speeds up the aiming process.

The inertial force of the projectile's rotation allows the net to be kept taut throughout its entire flight, preventing distortion of its shape and direction of movement, as well as spontaneous folding of the net after the weights reach their extreme positions when the net is opened.

Claims (12)

1. A projectile for throwing a net, characterized in that it includes a housing with a net placed inside it, wherein the housing of the projectile is an assembly in the form of a hollow cylinder formed by at least three longitudinal elements that are connected to each other and are identical in shape, size and weight, wherein each of the longitudinal elements in the upper part is connected to the net, performing the function of weights for its deployment when the projectile leaves the barrel, and in the lower part the longitudinal elements are connected to each other by a bottom that has the shape of a disk with protrusions. 2. A projectile according to paragraph 1, characterized in that when placing a net in the projectile body that has the shape of a square, a body formed by four conjugated longitudinal elements is used; when placing a net that has the shape of a triangle, a body formed by three longitudinal elements is used; and when placing a round net, a body formed by six or more longitudinal elements is used. 3. A projectile according to paragraph 1 or 2, characterized in that the longitudinal elements of the projectile body are formed by dividing a hollow cylinder into geometrically equal longitudinal parts. 4. The projectile according to paragraph 1, characterized in that in each longitudinal element at the end of its lower part there are grooves for fastening it to the bottom of the projectile. 5. The projectile according to paragraph 1, characterized in that in each longitudinal element at the end of its upper part there are through holes made at an angle of 45° relative to the vertical axis, intended for fastening the net. 6. A projectile according to paragraph 1, characterized in that the bottom of the projectile body, made in the form of a disk, has a diameter corresponding to the caliber of the barrel, and a number of projections corresponding to the number of helical rifling of the barrel, and in the upper part of the disk grooves are made, the number of which corresponds to the number of longitudinal elements of the projectile body. 7. A projectile for throwing a net, characterized in that it includes a housing with a net placed inside it, wherein the housing of the projectile is an assembly in the form of a hollow cylinder formed by at least three longitudinal elements that are connected to each other and are identical in shape, size and weight, wherein each of the longitudinal elements in the upper part is connected to the net, performing the function of weights for its deployment when the projectile exits the barrel, and in the lower part all the longitudinal elements are connected to each other by a sleeve that has a means for ejecting the projectile from the barrel of the grenade launcher. 8. A projectile according to paragraph 7, characterized in that when placing a net in the projectile body that has the shape of a square, a body formed by four conjugated longitudinal elements is used; when placing a net that has the shape of a triangle, a body formed by three longitudinal elements is used; and when placing a round net, a body formed by six or more longitudinal elements is used. 9. A projectile according to paragraph 7 or 8, characterized in that the longitudinal elements of the projectile body are formed by dividing a hollow cylinder into geometrically equal longitudinal parts. 10. The projectile according to paragraph 7, characterized in that in each longitudinal element at the end of its upper part there are through holes made at an angle of 45° relative to the vertical axis, intended for fastening the net. 11. A projectile according to paragraph 7, characterized in that the cartridge case contains a wad, a powder charge, and a primer as a means of ejecting the projectile from the barrel of the grenade launcher. 12. A projectile according to paragraph 7, characterized in that, in order to place the projectile in the barrel of a grenade launcher, it is placed in a container having a piston.