SUBSONIC POLYMERIC AMMUNITION
The present invention provides a subsonic ammunition comprising: a primer insert comprises a top surface opposite a bottom surface, a substantially cylindrical coupling element extending away from the bottom surface forming, a primer recess in the top surface that extends toward the bottom surface, a primer flash aperture positioned in the primer recess to extend through the bottom surface, a flash aperture groove in the primer recess that extends circumferentially about the primer flash aperture, and a flange that extends circumferentially about an outer edge of the top surface; a polymeric casing body comprising a generally cylindrical hollow polymer body molded over the substantially cylindrical coupling element, into the primer flash aperture and into the flash aperture groove to form a flash hole and extending toward a mid-body coupling joint; a nose comprising a projectile aperture that extends to a neck connected to a shoulder that transitions from the projectile aperture to a nose coupler, wherein the nose coupler is connected to the mid-body coupling joint; a propellant chamber formed between the projectile aperture and the primer flash aperture; a propellant insert positioned in the propellant chamber to reduce the internal volume of the propellant chamber by at least 10%, wherein the propellant insert comprises a first passage comprising a first aperture having a first diameter about the diameter of the flash hole that extends to about the shoulder wherein the first diameter has a uniformed first diameter, a second passage extending from the first passage wherein the second passage has a second diameter about the size of the projectile aperture, wherein the second diameter has a uniformed second diameter; a primer fitted in the primer pocket; a propellant disposed in the propellant chamber; and a projectile positioned in the projectile aperture.
1 . A subsonic ammunition comprising:
a primer insert comprises a top surface opposite a bottom surface, a substantially cylindrical coupling element extending away from the bottom surface forming, a primer recess in the top surface that extends toward the bottom surface, a primer flash aperture positioned in the primer recess to extend through the bottom surface, a flash aperture groove in the primer recess that extends circumferentially about the primer flash aperture, and a flange that extends circumferentially about an outer edge of the top surface;
a polymeric casing body comprising a generally cylindrical hollow polymer body molded over the substantially cylindrical coupling element, into the primer flash aperture and into the flash aperture groove to form a flash hole and extending toward a mid-body coupling joint;
a nose comprising a projectile aperture that extends to a neck connected to a shoulder that transitions from the projectile aperture to a nose coupler, wherein the nose coupler is connected to the mid-body coupling joint;
a propellant chamber formed between the projectile aperture and the primer flash aperture;
a propellant insert positioned in the propellant chamber to reduce the internal volume of the propellant chamber by at least 10%%, wherein the propellant insert comprises a first passage comprising a first aperture having a first diameter about the diameter of the flash hole that extends to about the shoulder wherein the first diameter has a uniformed first diameter, a second passage extending from the first passage wherein the second passage has a second diameter about the size of the projectile aperture, wherein the second diameter has a uniformed second diameter;
a primer fitted in the primer pocket;
a propellant disposed in the propellant chamber; and
a projectile positioned in the projectile aperture.
2 . The subsonic ammunition of claim 1 , wherein the internal volume that is about 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 25.1, 25.2, 25.3, 25.4, 25.5, 25.6, 25.7, 25.8, 25.9, 26.0, 26.25, 26.5, 26.75, 27, 27.5, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43,44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80% or incremental variations thereof less than the open internal volume of a standard casing of equivalent caliber.
3 . The subsonic ammunition of claim 1 , wherein the internal volume does not contain enough of a propellant for a projectile to exceed the velocity of 1200 feet per second at sea level under standard atmospheric conditions when fired.
4 . The subsonic ammunition of claim 1 , wherein the internal volume does not contain enough of a propellant for a projectile to exceed the velocity of 1086 feet per second at standard atmospheric conditions when fired.
5 . The subsonic ammunition of claim 1 , wherein the polymer body comprises a material selected from the group consisting of polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polyphenylsulfone, polycarbonate, and polyamide.
6 . The subsonic ammunition of claim 1 , wherein the polymeric casing body comprises a polymers selected from the group consisting of polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polyurethane prepolymer, cellulose, fluoro-polymer, ethylene inter-polymer alloy elastomer, ethylene vinyl acetate, nylon, polyether imide, polyester elastomer, polyester sulfone, polyphenyl amide, polypropylene, polyvinylidene fluoride or thermoset polyurea elastomer, acrylics, homopolymers, acetates, copolymers, acrylonitrile-butadinen-styrene, thermoplastic fluoro polymers, inomers, polyamides, polyamide-imides, polyacrylates, polyatherketones, polyaryl-sulfones, polybenzimidazoles, polycarbonates, polybutylene, terephthalates, polyether imides, polyether sulfones, thermoplastic polyimides, thermoplastic polyurethanes, polyphenylene sulfides, polyethylene, polypropylene, polysulfones, polyvinylchlorides, styrene acrylonitriles, polystyrenes, polyphenylene, ether blends, styrene maleic anhydrides, polycarbonates, allyls, aminos, cyanates, epoxies, phenolics, unsaturated polyesters, bismaleimides, polyurethanes, silicones, vinylesters, urethane hybrids, polyphenylsulfones, copolymers of polyphenylsulfones with polyethersulfones or polysulfones, copolymers of poly-phenylsulfones with siloxanes, blends of polyphenylsulfones with polysiloxanes, poly(etherimide-siloxane) copolymers, blends of polyetherimides and polysiloxanes, and blends of polyetherimides and poly(etherimide-siloxane) copolymers.
7 . The subsonic ammunition of claim 1 , wherein the propellant insert comprises a polymers selected from the group consisting of polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polyurethane prepolymer, cellulose, fluoro-polymer, ethylene inter-polymer alloy elastomer, ethylene vinyl acetate, nylon, polyether imide, polyester elastomer, polyester sulfone, polyphenyl amide, polypropylene, polyvinylidene fluoride or thermoset polyurea elastomer, acrylics, homopolymers, acetates, copolymers, acrylonitrile-butadinen-styrene, thermoplastic fluoro polymers, inomers, polyamides, polyamide-imides, polyacrylates, polyatherketones, polyaryl-sulfones, polybenzimidazoles, polycarbonates, polybutylene, terephthalates, polyether imides, polyether sulfones, thermoplastic polyimides, thermoplastic polyurethanes, polyphenylene sulfides, polyethylene, polypropylene, polysulfones, polyvinylchlorides, styrene acrylonitriles, polystyrenes, polyphenylene, ether blends, styrene maleic anhydrides, polycarbonates, allyls, aminos, cyanates, epoxies, phenolics, unsaturated polyesters, bismaleimides, polyurethanes, silicones, vinylesters, urethane hybrids, polyphenylsulfones, copolymers of polyphenylsulfones with polyethersulfones or polysulfones, copolymers of poly-phenylsulfones with siloxanes, blends of polyphenylsulfones with polysiloxanes, poly(etherimide-siloxane) copolymers, blends of polyetherimides and polysiloxanes, and blends of polyetherimides and poly(etherimide-siloxane) copolymers.
8 . The subsonic ammunition of claim 1 , further comprising at least one additive selected from the group consisting of plasticizers, lubricants, molding agents, fillers, thermo-oxidative stabilizers, flame-retardants, coloring agents, compatibilizers, impact modifiers, release agents, reinforcing fibers and reinforcing agents.
9 . The subsonic ammunition of claim 1 , wherein the propellant insert has a substantially cylindrical shape.
10 . The subsonic ammunition of claim 1 , wherein the propellant insert has a free formed shape.
11 . The subsonic ammunition of claim 1 , wherein the propellant insert has a one or more ribs extending into the propellant chamber.
12 . The subsonic ammunition of claim 1 , wherein the propellant insert has a radial cross-section selected from the group consisting of circular, ovoid, octagonal, hexagonal, triangular, star, ribbed, square and a combination thereof.
13 . The subsonic ammunition of claim 1 , wherein the radial cross-section of the propellant chamber is irregular along its longitudinal length.
14 . The subsonic ammunition of claim 1 , wherein the radial size of the propellant chamber tapers along its longitudinal direction.
15 . The subsonic ammunition of claim 1 , wherein the polymeric casing body and propellant insert are formed of different polymeric materials.
16 . The subsonic ammunition of claim 1 , wherein the polymeric casing body and propellant insert are formed of the same polymeric materials.
17 . The subsonic ammunition of claim 1 , wherein the propellant chamber is formed of a separate propellant insert disposed within the internal cavity of the generally cylindrical hollow polymer body.
18 . The subsonic ammunition of claim 1 , further comprising a diffuser disposed between the primer and the propellant chamber.
19 . The subsonic ammunition of claim 1 , wherein the projectile is a 22, .22-250, .223, .243, .25-06, .270, .300, .30-30, .30-40, 30.06, .300, .303, .308, .338, 5.45 mm, 5.56 mm, 6.5 mm, 6.8 mm, 7 mm, 7.62 mm, 12.7 mm, 14.5 mm, or 14.7 mm projectile.