Non-metallic projectile and method of manufacturing the same

Abstract

The invention includes a non-metal, polymer projectile that can be launched from a launching device having a smooth or rifled bore, wherein the launch is facilitated using combustion, vacuum, air pressure, or hydraulic pressure.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A non-metallic projectile, comprising a projectile body manufactured as a single, integral piece of polymer, said body including a tip, a bearing surface, an ogive, a meplat and a tail. 
     
     
         2 . The projectile of  claim 1  wherein said body has a specific gravity at least equal to a specific gravity of water and less than 270% greater than a specific gravity of water. 
     
     
         3 . The projectile of  claim 1  wherein said body has a tensile strength of at least 10,000 pounds per square inch. 
     
     
         4 . The projectile of  claim 1  wherein said body has a compressive strength of at least 10,000 pounds per square inch. 
     
     
         5 . The projectile of  claim 1  wherein said body has a coefficient of friction of no more than 0.3. 
     
     
         6 . The projectile of  claim 1  wherein said projectile component includes a hollow interior region. 
     
     
         7 . The projectile of  claim 6  wherein said hollow interior region is chosen from a region that extends from said tip to said tail such that said hollow interior region extends completely through said projectile, a region that extends from said tip into said body, and a region that extends from said tail into said body. 
     
     
         8 . The projectile of  claim 1  wherein said projectile is chosen to have a specific gravity that matches a specific gravity of a medium into which the projectile will be fired. 
     
     
         9 . The projectile of  claim 1  wherein said projectile is chosen to have a specific gravity that will maximize a ballistic pressure wave created by said projectile upon impact with a medium into which the projectile will be fired. 
     
     
         10 . The projectile of  claim 6  wherein said hollow interior region includes at least one of a helical structure and a groove. 
     
     
         11 . A non-metallic projectile, comprising:
 one-piece body having an absence of fins, being manufactured entirely of polymer, weighing more than 7 grains, and having a bearing surface, a rearward end, and a forward end.   
     
     
         12 . The projectile of  claim 11  wherein said polymer has a specific gravity of at least 1.0 and at most 2.16 g/cc. 
     
     
         13 . The projectile of  claim 11  wherein said polymer has a tensile strength of at least 6000 pounds per square inch, and a compressive strength of at least 6000 pounds per square inch. 
     
     
         14 . The projectile of  claim 11  wherein said polymer has a dynamic coefficient of friction against a steel surface of at most 0.5. 
     
     
         15 . The projectile of  claim 11  wherein said body includes a bore chosen from a bore extending axially through said rearward end of said body and into a central region of said body, a bore extending axially through said forward end of said body and into said central region of said body, and a bore extending axially through said forward end, through said central region and through said rearward end of said body, said bore including a hollow interior surface having a surface feature chosen from a groove formed circumferentially on said hollow interior surface of said bore, a helical structure formed on said hollow interior surface of said bore, said helical structure used to convert between rotational and linear movement or force, and a smooth interior surface on said hollow interior surface of said bore. 
     
     
         16 . A launching system, comprising:
 a launching device including a carbon fiber barrel that includes an interior barrel surface that defines a launching aperture; and   a one-piece projectile manufactured entirely of polymer, said projectile including a bearing surface that engages said interior surface and obturates said launching aperture of said barrel so as to facilitate a pressure increase within said launching device prior to launch of said projectile.   
     
     
         17 . The launching system of  claim 16  wherein said interior surface of said barrel contacts and etches said projectile bearing surface as said projectile passes through said barrel so as to facilitate spin stabilization of said projectile during launch. 
     
     
         18 . The launching system of  claim 17  wherein said projectile includes a body having an open ended bore, said bore including an interior bore surface threaded with a helical structure that converts an axially linear force on said body into rotational movement of said body. 
     
     
         19 . The launching system of  claim 17  wherein said projectile includes a body having an open ended bore, said bore including an interior bore surface having a groove formed circumferentially there around. 
     
     
         20 . The launching system of  claim 16  wherein said projectile includes a ballistic coefficient in a range of 0.02 to 0.1 and an in flight velocity of at least 4100 feet per second.