Aerodynamic rotational stabilization techniques for projectiles

Abstract

A pliant projectile is provided with a plurality of 1-shaped grooves in the circumference thereof. The grooves are at an angle with the axis of the projectile and, in flight, will, through interaction with the air, cause the projectile to rotate about its axis, thereby stabilizing the flight path. The projectile may be provided with an additional stabilizing member extending from its tail which member includes a plurality of tabs each having a fin that can interact with the air, in flight, to add additional rotational forces to the projectile.

1 . A pliant projectile to be deployed from a weapon comprising: 
 a. A nose portion;    b. A tail portion; and    c. A substantially cylindrical body portion having a plurality of substantially L-shaped grooves formed therein, said grooves generally paralleling the cylindrical axis of said body portion but at a slight angle thereto.    
   
   
       2 . The pliant projectile of  claim 1  wherein each of said L-shaped grooves includes a substantially radial surface and a substantially circumferential surface, said radial surface being inclined at an angle with respect to a radius of said cylindrical body portion.  
   
   
       3 . The pliant projectile of  1  wherein each of said L-shaped grooves includes a substantially radial surface and a substantially circumferential surface, said circumferential surface being inclined at an angle with respect to the circumference of said cylindrical body portion.  
   
   
       4 . The pliant projectile of  3  wherein said radial surface is inclined at an angle with respect to a radius of said cylindrical body portion.  
   
   
       5 . The pliant projectile of  1  further including a stabilizing member extending from said tail portion, said stabilizing member having a plurality of axially extending tabs each with a tapered fin orthogonally extending therefrom.  
   
   
       6 . The pliant projectile of  1  further including a stabilizing member extending from said tail portion, said stabilizing member having a plurality of axially extending tabs each with a tapered fin extending therefrom at an acute angle.  
   
   
       7 . A projectile comprising: 
 a. A nose portion;    b. A tail portion; and    c. A substantially cylindrical body portion having a plurality of substantially L-shaped grooves formed therein, said grooves generally paralleling the cylindrical axis of said body portion but at a slight angle thereto.    
   
   
       8 . The projectile of  claim 7  wherein each of said L-shaped grooves includes a substantially radial surface and a substantially circumferential surface, said radial surface being substantially aligned with a radius of said cylindrical body portion.  
   
   
       9 . The projectile of  claim 7  wherein each of said L-shaped grooves includes a substantially radial surface and a substantially circumferential surface, said radial surface being inclined at an angle with respect to a radius of said cylindrical body portion.  
   
   
       10 . The projectile of  claim 7  wherein each of said L-shaped grooves includes a substantially radial surface and a substantially circumferential surface, said circumferential surface is substantially orthogonal to a radius of said cylindrical body portion.  
   
   
       11 . The projectile of  claim 7  wherein each of said L-shaped grooves includes a substantially radial surface and a substantially circumferential surface, said circumferential surface is inclined at an angle to a radius of said cylindrical body portion.  
   
   
       12 . The projectile of  claim 11  wherein said radial surface is inclined at an angle with respect to a radius of said cylindrical body portion.  
   
   
       13 . The projectile of  claim 7  further including a stabilizing member extending from said tail portion, said stabilizing member having a plurality of axially extending tabs.  
   
   
       14 . The projectile of  claim 7  further including a stabilizing member extending from said tail portion, said stabilizing member having a plurality of axially extending tabs each with a tapered fin orthogonally extending therefrom.  
   
   
       15 . The projectile of  claim 7  further including a stabilizing member extending from said tail portion, said stabilizing member having a plurality of axially extending tabs each with a tapered fin extending therefrom at an acute angle.