Saab has been granted a patent for a substantially spheroidal fragmentation device that can be fired from a firearm. The device includes a protective exterior layer made of resilient material and an inner core containing an insensitive munition embedded in a polymeric matrix. The explosive material is enclosed within or surrounding the matrix. The device is designed to change direction upon rebounding from a surface. The patent also covers the use of the device in a firearm. GlobalData’s report on Saab gives a 360-degree view of the company including its patenting strategy. Buy the report here.
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According to GlobalData’s company profile on Saab, lidar scanners was a key innovation area identified from patents. Saab's grant share as of September 2023 was 65%. Grant share is based on the ratio of number of grants to total number of patents.
A spheroidal fragmentation device with a protective exterior layer
A recently granted patent (Publication Number: US11774223B2) describes a new type of fragmentation device that can be fired from a firearm. The device is designed to accommodate at least one warhead and has a substantially spheroidal shape. It consists of a protective exterior layer made of resilient material and an inner core that contains an insensitive munition (IM) embedded in a polymeric, plastic, and/or rubbery matrix. The explosive material is enclosed within or surrounds the matrix.
The ratio of the thickness of the protective exterior layer to the radius of the fragmentation device ranges from 0.25:1 to 0.4:1. The warhead is accommodated either within the protective exterior layer or between the inner core and the protective exterior layer. The resilient material used for the exterior layer can be plastics, polymers, and/or rubber.
The warhead of the fragmentation device includes heavy metal particles, which can be uniformly embedded in the exterior layer or placed in a fragmented metal sphere between the exterior layer and the inner core. The heavy metal particles have an average diameter ranging from 3 to 4 mm.
The fragmentation device also includes a Safety/Arming/Initiation (SAI) unit integrated with a fuze system. The fuze system can be activated by a battery arranged in the inner core of the device. Additionally, a piezoelectric sensor and a delay unit are connected to the fuze system.
The patent also describes a method of firing the fragmentation device. The device is aimed at a surface that enables rebounding, causing the device to change direction upon impact.
Overall, this patent presents a new design for a fragmentation device that can be fired from a firearm. The device's spheroidal shape, resilient exterior layer, and inclusion of heavy metal particles in the warhead make it unique. The integration of a SAI unit, fuze system, and various sensors further enhance its functionality. The method of firing the device allows for dynamic changes in direction upon impact.
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GlobalData, the leading provider of industry intelligence, provided the underlying data, research, and analysis used to produce this article.
GlobalData Patent Analytics tracks bibliographic data, legal events data, point in time patent ownerships, and backward and forward citations from global patenting offices. Textual analysis and official patent classifications are used to group patents into key thematic areas and link them to specific companies across the world’s largest industries.
