Selectively disabled ammunition and remote ammunition disabling system and method of use

The present invention provides an ammunition disabling system for selectively disabling ammunition that is operatively coupled to a selectively changeable material. In the operative state the material permits transmission of a percussive impact through the material for enabling firing of the ammunition; and in the deactivated state the material inhibits transmission of the percussion wave through the material for preventing firing of the ammunition. The ammunition disabling system includes an energy wave generator with an energy wave source that emits an energy wave at a frequency resonant a natural frequency of the material. When the ammunition with the material are exposed to the energy wave, the energy wave induces a response (physical and/or chemical) in the material that results in a mechanical change in the material from the operative state to the deactivated state by degrading the mechanical structure of the material.

BACKGROUND

Applicant hereby incorporates herein by reference any and all patents, published patent applications, and other publications cited or referred to in this specification.

By way of background, gun violence has become all too common in the United States, and really the world over, in recent years, as evidenced by the senseless and tragic shootings at public schools in Columbine, Colo. in 1999 and Newtown, Conn. in 2012, on college campuses from coast to coast, such as Virginia Tech in 2007 and Umpqua Community College in Oregon in 2015, at a Denver, Colo. movie theater in 2012, and at a South Carolina church in 2015. Gun control advocacy group EVERY TOWN FOR GUN SAFETY has identified at least ninety-four (94) school shootings alone in thirty-three (33) states since the Newtown massacre, which left 20 children and 6 teachers dead, according to an article in The Huffington Post on Jan. 18, 2016. Other sources indicate that in just the year 2015 there were at least three hundred fifty-five (355) mass shootings in the U.S. alone.

Though gun laws and gun rights is an ageless debate and legal, regulatory, and technological solutions to the problem of gun violence and gun-related crimes have been sought for decades if not centuries, recent “mass shootings” and other gun violence as highlighted above has sparked even more interest in finding ways to curb gun violence, to this point without much if any success. In general, proposals for gun laws relate to restrictions on and documenting and tracking who can purchase or has purchased firearms, magazines or to limitations or regulations on the types of firearms and ammunition that can be purchased, which actions have virtually no impact on the roughly over three hundred million firearms already in the United States. Some states, such as California, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York, have enacted laws limiting magazine capacity. Ultimately, of course, in the United States any such rules, laws, and regulations and related gun and ammunition technologies are in tension with and are to be consistent with or not run afoul of the fundamental right to lawfully “keep and bear arms” under the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

In terms of technology, personalized guns or “smart guns” have been developed in recent years that include a safety feature or features that allow them to fire only when activated by an authorized user (i.e., the owner). These safety features are intended to prevent misuse, accidental shootings, gun thefts, use of the weapon against the owner, and self-harm by distinguishing between authorized users and unauthorized users in several different ways, including the use of RFID chips or other proximity tokens, fingerprint recognition, magnetic rings, or mechanical locks, though it will be appreciated that such “smart guns” can do nothing about an authorized user firing them, in any location or direction and at any person or object.

More recently, microstamping has been proposed, which entails laser etching the firing pin and breech face of a semi-automatic firearm, for example, so that when a round is fired a unique identifying mark is left on the primer by the firing pin and another is left on the cartridge case by the breech face etching. This approach to identifying a shooter by the discharged casings is rife with shortcomings. For one, the microstamping technology only links a casing to a gun, not necessarily a shooter. And even the link to a particular gun can be foiled by removing casings from a crime scene or salting the crime scene with casings from other guns or using a revolver or other weapon that does not discharge the casings. Semiautomatic weapons sold with microstamping technology can also be easily retrofitted by replacing the firing pin, slide, barrel or ejector as needed to effectively disable the microstamping feature. Or the etching can be removed using a diamond-coated file or may simply wear away after a number of rounds are fired. And, as noted above, any such technology has no bearing on the over three hundred million guns already in the United States. Fundamentally, microstamping and other such techniques at best can help link a firearm and potentially an owner or user to a crime, but have virtually no impact on actually preventing a gun-related crime in the first place they can serve as a deterrent but can in no way actually stop a gun from being fired.

In attempting to address the ammunition itself rather than the firearms, there has been proposed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,881,284 a “limited-life cartridge primer” that utilizes an explosive that can be designed to become inactive in a predetermined period of time: a limited-life primer. The explosive or combustible material of the primer is an inorganic reactive multilayer (RML). The reaction products of the RML are sub-micron grains of non-corrosive inorganic compounds that would have no harmful effects on firearms or cartridge cases, with the sensitivity of an RML determined by the physical structure and the stored interfacial energy and lowering with time due to a decrease in interfacial energy resulting from interdiffusion of the elemental layers. Time-dependent interdiffusion being predictable, the functional lifetime of an RML primer may be predetermined by the initial thickness and materials selection of the reacting layers. Without regard to the efficacy of this approach or any commercial adoption thereof, it will be appreciated that such RML layer interdiffusion or other such chemical degradation essentially would only render ammunition inactive over time or in a time-dependent manner, not being capable of selectively disabling ammunition at any particular, desired time or doing so in a location-dependent manner.

Thus, there still exists a need for a technology that has heretofore been unavailable that can directly impact and selectively control or disable the use or operation of firearms based on their location, thereby preventing essentially unlawful uses while allowing lawful uses such as self-defense, hunting, and recreation. Such a solution would provide a substantial safety benefit and prevention of certain mass shootings and other gun violence and would preferably achieve this result without any changes to or retrofitting of existing firearms and ammunition configurations, thereby being effective in both new and existing firearms, thus providing a practical solution for the roughly three hundred million guns already in the United States.

Aspects of the present invention fulfill these needs and provide further related advantages as described in the following summary.

SUMMARY

The present invention solves the problems described above, and more, by providing an ammunition disabling system for selectively disabling ammunition that is operatively coupled to a material, where the material is selectively changeable from an operative state to a deactivated state. In the operative state the material permits transmission of a percussive impact through the material for enabling firing of the ammunition; and in the deactivated state the material inhibits transmission of the percussion wave through the material for preventing firing of the ammunition. The ammunition disabling system generally comprises an energy wave generator with an energy wave source that emits an energy wave through the air to create a protected space, where the energy wave is emitted at a frequency resonant a natural frequency of the material. When the ammunition is positioned within the protective space the material can be selectively exposed to the energy wave; and, upon exposure to the energy wave, the energy wave induces a response (physical and/or chemical) in the material that results in a mechanical change in the material from the operative state to the deactivated state by degrading the mechanical structure of the material.

The above described drawing figures illustrate aspects of the invention in at least one of its exemplary embodiments, which are further defined in detail in the following description. Features, elements, and aspects of the invention that are referenced by the same numerals in different figures represent the same, equivalent, or similar features, elements, or aspects, in accordance with one or more embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Turning first toFIG. 1A, there is shown a schematic cross-sectional side view of an illustrative prior art ammunition A generally comprising a bullet B and a case C having a primer cavity E opposite the bullet B in which a primer P is positioned. As is known in the art, the case C may be filled in whole or in part beneath the bullet B with a propellant R, commonly and generically referred to as “gun powder.” Typically, the primer P is formed having a flat bottom configured to be struck by the firing pin I (FIGS. 2A and 2B) of a firearm (not shown) into which the ammunition A is loaded so as to then detonate an explosive mixture or priming compound M housed within the primer P, which in turn detonates the propellant R as by “flashing” through the flash hole F communicating between the primer cavity E and thus the primer P and the interior space of the case C where the propellant R is contained, thereby igniting the propellant R and causing an explosion so as to thus fire the bullet B. As used herein, a firing pin I can be in any known means to strike the ammunition for discharging the firearm, including strikers, hammers, and the like.

By way of illustration and not limitation, the primer mixture (also known as priming compound) M may be a compound including one or more of lead (Pb) azide, lead (Pb) styphnate, lead (Pb) thiocyanate, barium nitrate, antimony trisulfide, powdered aluminum, powdered tetrazene, potassium perchlorate, and diazodinitrophenol (DDNP), fulminated mercury, or other compound. In a bit more detail regarding the primer P, with reference to the enlarged schematic cross-sectional side views ofFIGS. 2A and 2B, in its “unfired” configuration or first mode of operation with the primer P not detonated, the strike hammer or firing pin I is simply adjacent the bottom of the primer P and the explosive compound or mixture M is dormant or undetonated. Then, as shown inFIG. 2B, when the gun is fired, the firing pin I is caused to strike the bottom of the primer P, which creates mechanical vibrational waves, shock energy waves, percussion waves that propagate into and through the primer mixture M, increasing the internal kinetic energy, causing the priming compound M to explode as illustrated. It will be appreciated that while a firing pin I is shown and described throughout, any such hardware incorporated within a gun so as to strike and fire a bullet, including but not limited to a hammer or striker, is encompassed, such that the term “firing pin” is to be understood as being all-inclusive and not any specific firearm device. Though not shown, this explosion of the primer mixture M in turn causes a flame or flash of heat or fire to pass out of the primer P through the flash hole F and into the propellant R (FIG. 1), igniting it and causing an explosion and rapid pressure surge of expanding hot gas that shoots or pushes the bullet B out of the case C (FIG. 1) and down the barrel of the gun (not shown) toward a desired target, all in a split second. As shown inFIGS. 1 and 2A and 2B, the primer P is typically further formed with an anvil N at its upper end, opposite the side struck by the firing pin I, which anvil N provides a substantially downwardly-facing surface to reflect the shock waves induced by the firing pin I and to effectively allow the primer mixture M to be crushed and/or percussed, thereby better ensuring detonation of the mixture M, with the anvil N further having one or more lateral or side openings O to allow the induced flash to still leave the primer P and ignite the propellant R as above-described and is generally known in the art. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the illustrated ammunition A includes what is commonly referred to as a “centerfire primer,” which generally means that the primer P is configured to be struck by the firing pin centrally.

More particularly, the illustrated primer P is commonly referred to as a “Boxer primer,” in which design the anvil N is part of the primer P, configured as a downwardly-facing stirrup piece that sits inverted in the primer cup and, when inserted in the case C, is substantially centered beneath a single centered flash hole F. Another common “centerfire” primer or cartridge arrangement, not illustrated, is known as a “Berdan primer,” which is characterized generally by having the anvil effectively built or incorporated into the case so as to project downwardly substantially centrally toward the primer, then having usually two flash holes on opposite sides of the anvil. There are also employed, though in relatively fewer applications, so-called “Rimfire primers” that are fired by striking the bottom of the case anywhere (not necessarily the center and oftentimes, as the name implies, the rim). Those skilled in the art will appreciate that while a particular generic Boxer-style “centerfire primer” ammunition arrangement is shown and described herein both in connection with the typical “prior art” ammunition A and with various exemplary embodiments of the ammunition20and primer40according to aspects of the present invention as illustrated inFIG. 3and following, this is merely illustrative and non-limiting. That is, it is to be understood that a variety of ammunition and primer arrangements and sizes, both now known and later developed, may be employed in conjunction with the present invention without departing from its spirit and scope, both in terms of the physical, mechanical design of the primer, as in part dictated by the overall configuration of the ammunition, and in terms of the explosive primer mixture that may be selectively employed therein.

More generally, it is to be expressly understood and appreciated as a threshold matter that all figures are effectively schematics to illustrate the design and function of various ammunition and primers and so are not to be taken literally or to scale. Relatedly, the proportional size or actual dimensions are not shown by or to be taken from the drawings, except as expressly noted, and even then for illustration only, which drawings are simply to illustrate the configurations of the primers and various components thereof and not their exact sizes or dimensions, in any absolute or relative sense. Particularly, once more, as it relates to the overall ammunition configuration and the selection and resulting illustration of a particular primer as being of the “Boxer” variety versus “Berdan” or “Rimfire” or any other such arrangement now known or later developed, it is to be understood that all primers shown and described may have their dimensions and proportional sizes, such as the width or diameter of a primer relative to its height, modified to suit a particular ammunition configuration. By way of further illustration and not limitation, those skilled in the art will appreciate that ammunition is generally sized to different barrel inside diameters or bores, known as “calibers,” typically ranging from 0.17 inch (4 mm) to 0.50 inch (12.7 mm), with the most common sizes generally being the 0.22 inch (5.56 mm) caliber, the 0.357 inch (9 mm) caliber, and the 0.45 inch (11.43 mm) caliber. Again, other sizes or calibers of ammunition beyond those described above, whether now known or later developed, may be employed according to aspects of the present invention. For each such caliber gun and ammo category, different primer sizes have been employed accordingly, with some standardization developing so that primers can be universally built and selectively installed in cases or cartridges of known or spec'd ammunition. Ultimately, as set forth in more detail below, it is preferred that primers according to aspects of the present invention be configured to fit within primer cavities of ammunition cartridges or cases now known or later developed so as to not require redesign or customization of either the ammunition itself (case and bullet) or the related firearms, which those skilled in the art will appreciate has tremendous advantage in implementation and use. Accordingly, once more, it will be appreciated that the drawings and related description herein are merely illustrative of ideas, concepts, features and aspects of the present invention and are thus non-limiting; other configurations and sizes of primers and related ammunition now known or later developed may be practiced according to aspects of the present invention without departing from its spirit and scope.

Referring now toFIGS. 3A and 3B, there are shown exploded and assembled schematic cross-sectional side views of a first exemplary ammunition20according to aspects of the present invention generally comprising a bullet22and a case24having a primer cavity26opposite the bullet22in which a primer40is positioned. Once more, the actual and proportional sizes of the components are not to be taken literally or to scale and are non-limiting and illustrative, though for purposes of illustration it is to be understood that the case24is generally configured just as the prior art case C ofFIG. 1, on which basis the primer cavity E of the prior art case C is substantially equal in size and shape to the primer cavity26of the case24. Accordingly, it will again be appreciated that the new and novel primer40may thus be configured for installation in a standard ammunition case24, again of any configuration now known or later developed, so as to not require redesign or retrofit of the ammunition (case or bullet) or any firearms such ammunition is to be loaded into and fired from. As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the primer40is configured in the illustrated embodiment to seat within existing ammunition casings or cartridges, though this is not necessarily the case, as primers according to aspects of the present invention may again be employed in any ammunition cases now known or later developed without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. As will be discussed in reference toFIGS. 13-16, the present invention may material80may be positioned external to the primer cup50.

By way of further illustration, and as will be appreciated from the below dimensional discussion in connection withFIGS. 9A-9C, one relatively easy modification as needed would be to change the geometry of the anvil60(FIG. 4A) to reduce its protrusion into the cup50to provide more space for the priming compound70, which could be done without changing the overall size and shape or “envelope” of the primer40. In any event, the primer40is essentially pressed as by an interference fit into the primer cavity26so as to be seated within the case24in the finished ammunition20as shown inFIG. 3B, with the flat bottom wall52exposed for being selectively struck by the firing pin I (FIG. 4et al.). As also shown, the case24may be filled in whole or in part beneath the bullet22with a propellant30such as “gun powder,” with a single central flash hole28provided in the bottom of the case24, again here in the exemplary “Boxer” type “centerfire primer,” so as to communicate with the primer cavity26and allow ignition of the propellant30by the fire flash of the primer40caused by detonation of the explosive primer material70during use, more about which is said below.

Turning toFIGS. 4A-4D, there are shown enlarged schematic cross-sectional side views of a first exemplary primer40as would be included in an ammunition20as illustrated inFIGS. 3A and 3B. Once more, the primer40has an illustrated overall configuration or defines an “envelope” substantially equivalent to prior art primers P configured for the same or similar cartridge or case C (FIGS. 1 and 2) so as to selectively seat within the primer cavity26of the ammunition case24to form the finished ammunition20(FIGS. 3A and 3B). A notable distinction of the inventive primer40over the prior art primer P is the inclusion of a material80selectively changeable in response to an external energy wave (changeable by collapsing, deteriorating, fracturing, softening, aggregating, bursting, fragmenting, degrading, or other form of mechanical weakening) in the place of or displacing some of the explosive primer material70or otherwise taking up some of the volume within the primer40cup50(or external from the primer cup50, as described in additional embodiments).

In the illustrated embodiment, the primer40comprises a cup50having a bottom wall52and a side wall54configured to contain a quantity of explosive primer material70(also known as priming compound), with the changeable material80positioned within the cup50between the bottom wall52and the primer material70, or basically underneath the primer material70opposite the bullet (with the primer material70between the changeable material80and the propellant30), though it will be appreciated that the changeable material80may also be positioned, in addition or instead, over and/or adjacent to the explosive primer material70in some embodiments. Furthermore, though shown as spanning the width of the cup50, the changeable material80may instead only occupy or span a portion thereof, being surrounded by either the primer material70or by some other filler, whether explosive or inert. It will be further appreciated that in some embodiments the cup50may not be a separate component but may instead be formed or integrated within the ammunition case24, such that the bottom and/or side walls52,54are effectively defined by or incorporated within the primer cavity26. In general, during operation the changeable material80may be configured such that in a first state (which may also be called the operative state) it is capable forming a mechanical link for sufficiently transmitting the percussive wave, vibrational energy, shock energy, or crushing force of the firing pin I impacting the bottom wall52of the primer cup50to the explosive primer material70so as to cause it to detonate and such that in a second state (which may also be called the deactivated state) it is selectively collapsed so as to effectively create a void, gap, space, or other change which absorbs the percussive wave or otherwise disrupts the mechanical link so as to sufficiently prevent the vibrational or shock energy or crushing force of the firing pin I impacting the bottom wall52of the primer cup50from reaching and/or causing the detonation of the explosive primer material70, thereby selectively neutralizing, deactivating, or disabling the primer40and thus the ammunition20and not allowing it to be fired. It will thus be appreciated by those skilled in the art that “collapsible” or being able to “collapse” is to be understood broadly as that quality or feature of any structure or material that enables it to shift into a state wherein the structure or material occupies a relatively smaller space or volume or such state in which the structure or material is otherwise inhibited from or no longer able to transmit to the primer material a force or energy sufficient to cause detonation (such as being compressible, partitionable, frangible, and the like). In the first state the material80may also be sufficiently incompressible so that it can form the required mechanical link; and in the second state, the material80

In the illustrated embodiment ofFIG. 4A, the changeable material80(in this embodiment a collapsible material) is configured as a layer of microspheres82along the bottom wall52of the primer cup50so as to effectively fill the bottom portion of the space within the cup50. Above the microspheres82there is filled or layered a select quantity of explosive primer material70. Also in the illustrated embodiment, the primer40includes an anvil60at its upper end opposite the bottom wall52, the anvil60here again being configured as the prior art anvil N illustrative of a conventional “Boxer” style “centerfire primer,” though once more such configuration of the overall primer40and any related anvil60being merely exemplary and non-limiting. More will be said about the microspheres82below, particularly in connection withFIGS. 10A-10D, but here it is noted that the microspheres82or any other such changeable material80are configured of a size and shape and material so as to provide in its normal or first or operable configuration sufficient rigidity or to be sufficiently strong and thereby convey or transmit percussive, vibratory, or shock waves or impact forces, whether individually or as a layer, from the firing pin I through the bottom wall52below the microspheres82to the primer material70above the microspheres82so as to still enable detonation and thus firing of the ammunition20(FIGS. 3A and 3B), while the microspheres82are further able under certain selective conditions to be capable of collapse and thus be rendered inactive or unable to sufficiently transmit vibratory or shock waves or impact forces to the primer material70, thereby effectively disabling the primer40and the host ammunition20. It will be appreciated, including with reference to the further embodiments shown and described herein, that a variety of other forms of the selectively changeable material80beyond the layer of microspheres82shown inFIGS. 4A-4Dis possible according to aspects of the present invention without departing from its spirit and scope (as described in reference toFIGS. 15 and 16below). By way of illustration and not limitation, rather than a layer of multiple microspheres, there could instead be a single disc or pancake-shaped hollow member (i.e., a single “microsphere”) capable of transmitting energy or force when not disabled and creating a void when it is disabled or collapsed. Conversely, the plurality of microspheres82may not in fact be spherical, but could instead be oblong, amorphous, or some other shape while still functioning according to aspects of the present invention. Again, by way of illustration and not limitation, rather than a layer of multiple microspheres, there could instead be material that is solid, hollow, gas-filled, or other structure, such as a plate, a disk, a slug, a column, a coating, a plurality of microspheres, a plurality of particles, a lattice, a compacted material, a solid material, or a loosely packed material.

Continuing with the exemplary embodiment ofFIG. 4A, the primer40is shown in a first mode of operation with the primer40not struck or detonated or disabled, the firing pin I simply being adjacent to the primer40in the “ready to fire” position. Again, no distances, such as the spacing from the firing pin I to the bottom wall52, are to be understood from the schematic representations of the figures. As a further threshold matter, it is noted that the orientations of the primer40and firing pin I are essentially vertical in the figures, while it will be appreciated that in use such components would rather typically be oriented substantially horizontally. It is expected that the present invention would operate in substantially the same manner in any orientation and that gravity or gravitational effects are expected to be substantially negligible in use. By way of illustration and not limitation, the selectively changeable material80, such as microspheres82in the exemplary embodiment, may be closely packed or even somewhat unitary in construction, as through slight fusing or adhesion between the surfaces of adjacent microspheres82. Instead or in addition, the layer or filler of primer material70may be substantially solid or semi-solid or otherwise not readily flowable such that it also serves to maintain substantially a consistent shape and/or to exert a substantially constant force or retention on the selectively collapsible material80layer to further assist in maintaining the relative positions of the components within the primer40, again regardless of its physical orientation. In fact, in the exemplary embodiment wherein the explosive primer material70is a lead (Pb) azide- or lead (Pb) styphnate-based compound, for example, it will be appreciated that such compounds are characterized as being somewhat clay-like in consistency; however, it will be appreciated that other materials and phases or consistencies are possible according to aspects of the present invention. Thus, for ease of viewing and explanation, the primer40and firing pin I are shown oriented vertically in the figures, though again this will be appreciated as simply illustrative and non-limiting.

Turning toFIG. 4B, in a second mode of operation, the primer40is now struck and detonated, as by rapidly shifting the firing pin I into the bottom wall52of the primer cup50(i.e., “firing” or discharging the firearm). Such action effectively causes a percussive, vibrational, or shock wave to pass through the primer40and/or a crushing force to be applied to the primer40. In the illustrated embodiment, such force is first transmitted through the microspheres82defining the layer of selectively collapsible material80, which at this point are not collapsed or deactivated. The “force” can again be a percussive, vibrational, shock, or other such energy wave induced by the firing pin l's strike against the primer bottom wall52and/or a mechanical force as by even physically lifting the microspheres82located above the area where the firing pin I struck and mechanically deformed or indented the primer bottom wall52, in either case such energy or force being transmitted from the firing pin I through the microspheres82to the primer material70, thereby percussing, crushing, or otherwise detonating the primer material70and causing an explosive flash that then passes through the one or more openings62in the anvil60and further through the flash hole28into the case24so as to ignite the propellant30(i.e., gun powder or other such material) and “fire” the bullet22(FIGS. 3A and 3B). In the illustrated “Boxer” primer arrangement, it will be appreciated that, specifically, the explosive primer material70may be crushed or pinched between the lifted microspheres82and the bottom wall64of the anvil60, thereby causing the illustrated detonation. Along with the microspheres82, small solid particles (not shown) may be added to the layer of selectively collapsible material80to further facilitate the energy transfer from the firing pin I to the explosive primer material70and thereby help ensure detonation when the ammunition20is in its active (non-disabled) state as shown inFIG. 4B.

Alternatively, in a third mode of operation of the primer40ofFIG. 4A, prior to the primer40being struck or detonated, it can instead be disabled as shown inFIG. 4Cby, for example, passing one or more particular energy waves124through the primer40that serve to, one or more of, break apart, shrink, aggregate, sinter, burst, deflate, collapse, and/or undergo a morphologic change in the at least some of microspheres82or other component(s) comprising the selectively changeable material80that is layered within the primer40, more about which energy waves is said below particularly in connection withFIGS. 10A-10Dand the “science” of the selectively changeable material80. As illustrated inFIG. 4C, the energy waves124serve to physically collapse the selectively collapsible material80, here layers of discrete microspheres82, so that they are effectively flattened or even break apart altogether, in a deactivated state. The result is gaps or voids throughout what was once a fairly cohesive layer of the selectively collapsible material80. As best seen inFIG. 4D, in a fourth mode when the microspheres82or selectively collapsible material80is fully collapsed and settles to the bottom of the primer cup50, there is a fairly substantial void or gap between what remains of the microspheres82and the explosive primer material70. Based on the foregoing discussion and as will generally be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the primer material70being in most cases clay-like, solid, or not a flowable material such as liquid or powder, remains substantially adhered in position where it was at the upper end of the primer cup50, or closer to and substantially about the anvil60, regardless of the orientation of the primer40. As shown particularly inFIG. 4D, with the primer40oriented vertically upward, as when the gun (not shown) is raised or pointed upward, the collapsed or disrupted microspheres82or other such material may thus have a tendency to sink to or collect on the bottom wall52of the primer cup50; however, where the weapon (not shown) in which the ammunition20(FIGS. 3A and 3B) is loaded is holstered or otherwise pointed downwardly, the collapsed microspheres82may instead collect against the primer material70at the top or nose-end of the primer40, in which case there would still remain a mechanical gap between the bottom wall52struck by the firing pin I and the primer material70. Or, where the weapon is held somewhat horizontally as in the typical firing position and thus the ammunition20and primer40is also generally horizontal, the collapsed microspheres82may instead settle to one side within the primer cup50, essentially pooling against one side wall54. In any event, it will be appreciated that in all such instances, or any orientation of the gun and loaded ammo20and hence primer40, the selectively collapsible material80such as microspheres82being collapsed renders there no longer a direct mechanical link or connection between the primer bottom wall52and the primer material70, thereby disabling the primer40and hence the ammunition20irrespective of any gravitational effects. In fact, in one exemplary embodiment, the microspheres82or other selectively changeable material80are configured such that the total volume of material in the collapsed state is one-half or less of the total volume within the primer cup50bounded by the cup bottom and side walls52,54and the primer material70so as to insure that, for example, when the gun (not shown) and hence ammunition20and primer40are oriented horizontally and the collapsed microspheres82settle to one side there is still insufficient material to bridge between the primer bottom wall52and the primer material70, thereby ensuring that the primer40is disabled (i.e., that the primer material70cannot be detonated) and the ammunition20cannot be fired. Alternatively, the deactivated microspheres82or other selectively changeable material80may simply burst (or otherwise be mechanically disrupted or compromised) and stay in place without creating an actual gap between the priming material70and the selectively changeable material80; instead, in the deactivated state, the selectively changeable material80absorbs or otherwise disperses a sufficient portion of the percussive impact so that the primer material70cannot be detonated.

It will again be appreciated that such may be accomplished in a virtually infinite variety of primer arrangements and employing a wide range of selectively collapsible materials (types and arrangements of materials) without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, such that the exemplary embodiment ofFIGS. 4A-4Dis to be understood as illustrative and non-limiting. Regarding the purpose and context for selectively disabling the primer40through any such means, more is said below in connection withFIGS. 12A-12D, though it will be appreciated that generally the idea is that when a gun (not shown) loaded with ammunition20according to aspects of the present invention is carried into certain public places equipped with at least one energy wave generator122, such ammunition20, and particularly the primer40thereof, is thus disabled as described herein, thereby preventing the gun from being fired and potentially saving lives.

Turning toFIG. 5A, there is shown a further alternative arrangement of a primer40according to aspects of the present invention similar to that ofFIG. 4A, except now there is added a support washer100as a barrier layer between the primer material70and the selectively collapsible material80. Such support washer100may be free-floating within the primer cup50, essentially resting on top of the layer of microspheres82, or may instead be supported on an inwardly-projecting support lip56formed on the primer side wall54, which lip56may be continuous or intermittent. In either case (support lip56or no support lip56), the support washer100may distribute the load across the microspheres82and/or facilitate loading or packing the primer material70from above without adversely affecting the microspheres82or the primer material70and rendering further predictability in manufacturing or loading of ammunition20(FIGS. 3A and 3B). As best shown in the perspective view ofFIG. 5B, in the exemplary context of substantially annular ballistics, such that the primer cup50itself is substantially annular, the support washer100is also formed so as to be annular, having a circular outer perimeter edge102substantially corresponding to the inside diameter of the primer cup50, or the inner surface of the cup side wall54. The support washer100is further formed with a substantially centered through-hole104, which it will be appreciated allows for mechanical, vibrational, or shock-wave energy to pass therethrough to the explosive primer material70that lies just beyond the washer100. Relatedly, the support washer100would serve to block, disperse, or dampen any energy that may be off-center or not directly along the line of the firing pin I in the common “centerfire” primer arrangement, as might be the case as noted above when the firearm (not shown) is in the substantially horizontal position and the collapsed microspheres82or other material may pool between the primer cup bottom wall52and the primer material70basically off-center or to one side. It will be further appreciated that such arrangement of the support washer100would be equally beneficial whether a Boxer- or Berdan-style centerline primer cartridge is to be employed, whereas for a Rimfire primer cartridge, the washer100may not be employed or may be configured differently, such as with openings around its perimeter edge102rather than one central opening104.

Referring next briefly toFIGS. 6A and 6B, there are shown schematic cross-sectional side views of a further alternative embodiment primer40according to aspects of the present invention, here configured much like that ofFIG. 4Awith a layer of microspheres82as the selectively changeable material80beneath the primer material70, or positioned between the bottom wall52of the primer cup50and the primer material70, only now having added amongst the microspheres82metal fibers88or other fibers or a second material or materials of varying geometry that facilitates the selective collapsing, shredding, or bursting of the microspheres82, and/or that provide additional structural support to the microspheres (or material80in general) to further facilitate transmission of the percussive wave to the primer material70. For example, with the fibers88being adjacent and in contact with various ones of the microspheres82, when the primer40is exposed to energy waves124the vibration induced in the fibers88may assist in or contribute to the rupturing or collapsing of at least some of the microspheres82, as shown inFIG. 6B, which again results in essentially deactivating or disabling the primer40and hence the ammunition20the primer40is inserted in (FIGS. 3A and 3B). Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the number, size, placement and type of material of the fibers88may vary depending on a number of factors, particularly the configuration of the microspheres82and thus what kind of added functionality may assist in their selective collapse. Indeed, while the fibers88may be formed of metal such as aluminum or copper, it will be appreciated that other non-metal materials and composites may also be employed as being responsive to the selected energy wavelengths employed.

Turning now toFIGS. 7A-7C, a still further alternative exemplary embodiment primer40according to aspects of the present invention is shown in multiple modes of operation. Once more, the alternative primer40is quite similar to that ofFIG. 4A, again having a layer of microspheres82beneath the primer material70, closest to the bottom wall52of the primer cup50. Only here, there is a second layer of microspheres68beneath the bottom wall64of the anvil60so as to form a shock-absorbing layer66that may further selectively assist in disabling the primer40. While the layer66is shown as being relatively thin or as having microspheres68of such a size as to essentially comprise a single row of microspheres68as illustrated, those skilled in the art will appreciate that such shock-absorbing layer66may configured in a variety of other ways without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, including the layer66not even having microspheres68but instead being comprised of some other material or structure or the layer not necessarily covering or extending along the full anvil bottom wall64. Regardless, the idea or purpose behind the shock-absorbing layer66is to further prevent unwanted detonation of the primer material70within the primer40, as by blunting, absorbing, or diffusing any mechanical or shock or vibrational energy directed toward the anvil60. In one embodiment such may be accomplished based on the presence of the shock-absorbing layer66unaltered; that is, the presence of the shock-absorbing layer66and it being composed of a material that is not disabled upon exposure to one or more particular energy waves124may alone provide the desired energy dampening effect when the firing pin I (FIG. 7C) strikes the primer bottom wall52.

In other embodiments, the shock-absorbing layer66may be composed of microspheres68that actually harden and/or expand when exposed to such energy waves124as illustrated inFIG. 7Bso as to further blunt or absorb any energy resulting from firing pin I impact. As also shown inFIG. 7B, if the microspheres68of the shock-absorbing layer66expand, in one exemplary embodiment, the layer66thus serves to displace some of the primer material70from beneath it, thereby further reducing the likelihood of detonation, which is again desired in the context of exposure of the primer40to select energy wave(s) so as to ultimately prevent unwanted or unsafe firing of a weapon (not shown). Turning briefly toFIG. 7C, there is shown a firing pin I that has not just struck the primer bottom wall52but has passed therethrough and come closer to the anvil bottom wall64. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that on occasion a firing pin I may strike the cup bottom wall52with such force and/or the bottom wall52be relatively weakened so that the pin I can actually break through the bottom wall52of the primer40and traverse some distance therein toward the anvil60, thereby potentially detonating the primer material70as by striking the primer material70directly or the anvil bottom wall64directly so as to cause a crushing or such a mechanical or vibrational shock that the primer material70explodes even when the primer40has supposed to have been disabled as by being exposed to certain energy waves124. Such action of the firing pin I is not typical and generally not desired, though it will be appreciated that such can happen, particularly when the overall primer40configuration is relatively flatter or shallower, such as illustrated inFIGS. 8A and 8Bdiscussed below, it being further appreciated that the relatively tall primers40illustrated are a bit exaggerated from what is typical. Accordingly, once again, by placing a shock-absorbing layer66, here of selectively expanding microspheres68, immediately beneath the anvil bottom wall64, in the event of primer40disablement as by exposing the primer40to select energy wave(s) as herein described wherein it is desired that the primer40not be detonated and the related ammunition20(FIGS. 3A and 3B) not be fired, it follows that even were the firing pin I to penetrate the primer40, the presence and selective expansion of the shock-absorbing layer66thus prevents unwanted detonation of the primer material70. Again, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the actual and proportional size of the primer40, including the pre- and post-expansion shock-absorbing layer66, and the related travel of the firing pin I are exaggerated inFIGS. 7A-7Cto illustrate features and aspects of the present invention, such that these figures, once more, as all the others, are not to be taken literally or to scale but are merely illustrative and non-limiting.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that while the exemplary alternative embodiments of the primer40according to aspects of the present invention are shown inFIGS. 4-7as essentially adding or varying one feature each, any such features may be combined in virtually any manner to yield still further exemplary embodiments. That is, for example, two or more of the illustrated features or any other such features may be combined to produce further alternative primer40arrangements beyond those expressly shown and described. By way of further illustration and not limitation, then, reference is now made to the exploded and assembled cross-sectional side views of still another exemplary primer40shown inFIGS. 8A and 8B. Here, effectively all separately disclosed optional features are brought together as a further alternative primer40assembly, including the shock-absorbing layer66beneath the anvil60, the support washer100between the primer material70and the selectively changeable material80, and the fibers88within the primer cup50interspersed among the microspheres82of the selectively changeable material80layer. Again, those skilled in the art will appreciate that any and all such features and/or other related features may be combined in a variety of ways beyond those shown and described without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, such that all illustrated primers40are to be understood as exemplary and non-limiting. Relatedly, once more, while the drawings are not to be taken literally or to scale, it will be appreciated that a general comparison ofFIG. 8toFIGS. 4-7reveals that the primer cup50is shown as being proportionally shorter or shallower, with the anvil60being a separate component installed over the top or opening of the cup50. Those skilled in the art will again appreciate that none of the drawings are to be taken as true scale or even as being proportionally scaled, each instead being shown to simply convey the exemplary inventive concepts. Moreover, any materials and methods of construction and related means of assembly, now known or later developed, are contemplated according to aspects of the present invention, such that, for example, whether or how the anvil60is formed and integrated with the cup50may vary without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Again, the inclusion of one or more optional features such as the support washer100and the method of doing so in the fabrication or assembly of the finished primer40may again vary according to aspects of the invention, such that any particular illustrated embodiment is to be understood as exemplary and non-limiting.

Referring next toFIGS. 9A-9C, there are shown an illustrative prior art primer P with representative dimensional call-outs (FIG. 9A) and then an exemplary primer40according to aspects of the present invention in a first mode of operation with the primer40not struck or detonated or disabled (FIG. 9B) and then in a third mode of operation with the primer40not struck or detonated and now disabled (FIG. 9C), with representative dimensional call-outs for such new and novel primer40for comparison with the prior art primer P and between the “before and after” disablement configurations (the second and fourth modes of the primer40wherein it is detonated, whether not disabled or disabled, respectively, are not shown here as not adding anything to the discussion of the exemplary dimensions). As a threshold matter, it will again be appreciated and is to be expressly understood that all actual or proportional dimensional call-outs are illustrative and non-limiting, as such can vary widely depending on the caliber of the ammunition20(FIGS. 3A and 3B) and other design considerations and resulting product configurations, it again being noted that any materials and methods of construction now known or later developed may be employed in the present invention without departing from its spirit and scope. In present ammunition, again being generally sized to different barrel inside diameters or bores, known as “calibers,” the typical size range is from 0.17 inch (4 mm) to 0.50 inch (12.7 mm), with the most common sizes generally being the 0.22 inch (5.56 mm) caliber, the 0.357 inch (9 mm) caliber, and the 0.45 inch (11.43 mm) caliber. Though there is still in the industry a wide variety of related primer sizes from manufacturer to manufacturer, some standardization has been implemented. As such, for typical Boxer primers, which again is the primer type illustrated in the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, there are generally four primer diameters that are most often employed: (1) 0.175 inch (4.45 mm) diameter “small pistol primers” used with calibers such as the “0.357”; (2) 0.209 inch (5.31 mm) diameter primers for shotgun shells and inline muzzleloaders; (3) 0.210 inch (5.33 mm) diameter “large rifle primers” and “large pistol primers” each having a slightly different cartridge configuration relating to the type of weapon and firing pin operation and impact force; and (4) 0.315 inch (8.00 mm) diameter “0.50 BMG primers” for the 0.50 Browning Machine Gun cartridge and derivatives. The height or thickness of most primers P and40is in the range of 0.100 to 0.125 inch (approximately 2.50 to 3.25 mm). For purposes of illustration relative toFIGS. 9A-9C, there are shown primers P and40nominally configured for small or large pistols, the primers P and40having a nominal outside diameter of 5.0 mm and a nominal height of 3.0 mm, such again being illustrative and it being fundamentally appreciated that both primers P and40are substantially the same in overall dimension to allow for the new and novel primers40according to aspects of the present invention to be installed in conventional ammunition A, and particularly the primer cavity E formed in the cartridge or case C (FIG. 1), so as to enable the improvement of ammunition20that may be selectively disabled yet without having to redesign the ammunition or the weapon (not shown) it is loaded in and fired from. Referring first toFIG. 9A, then, the illustrated conventional or “prior art” primer P with anvil N again has an overall width or diameter D1of 5.00 mm and an overall height H1of 3.00 mm. With nominal wall thicknesses W1of 0.25 mm, it follows that the interior cup height H2is then 2.50 mm (with an outer cup height of nominally 2.75 mm in this configuration with the anvil N installed on top of the primer cup). The nominal or maximum height or more accurately protrusion depth H3of the anvil N is 0.75 mm in this exemplary typical primer P arrangement. By comparison, with reference now toFIG. 9Bshowing a primer40according to aspects of the present invention, while the overall width or diameter D1is again nominally 5.00 mm and the overall height H1is again nominally 3.00 mm, due to the changes within the primer40the interior dimensions may vary or be represented differently, though again, for example, with the overall size or “envelope” of the primer40being substantially equivalent to the conventional primer P, the interior cup height H2would again be nominally 2.50 mm in this example and the protrusion length H3of the anvil60would again be nominally 0.75 mm. As will be appreciated, the overall interior cup height H2is in this example composed of the thickness H4of the selectively collapsible material80layer, the thickness H5of the support washer100, and the distance H6from the top of the support washer100to the top of the cup50; that is, H2=H4+H5+H6. In the exemplary embodiment shown inFIGS. 9B and 9C, H4is nominally 1.00 mm, H5is nominally 0.25 mm, and H6is nominally 1.25 mm, adding to the nominal interior cup height H2of 2.50 mm. With continued reference toFIG. 9Billustrating the exemplary primer40according to aspects of the present invention in its first mode as being neither struck nor detonated or disabled (i.e., capable of being fired as having not been exposed to the requisite energy waves but not yet fired), it can be seen that the selectively collapsible material80(e.g., microspheres82(FIG. 8A)) is not collapsed and so substantially fills the space between the bottom wall52of the cup50and the support washer100; particularly, though not shown as having the microspheres82extending to the very bottom of the support washer100as between the radial support lip56(FIG. 5A), it will be appreciated that such space may also be filled in whole or in part by the selectively collapsible material80. Above the support washer100it will be appreciated that the volume within the primer40is a bit irregular, though still substantially symmetrical in the exemplary “centerfire” primer context, with the otherwise disc or cylindrical shaped space being partially displaced by the downwardly-protruding anvil60, which again in the exemplary embodiment has a nominal height H3of 0.75 mm. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that while about the perimeter of the anvil60the primer material70is at a full nominal depth of 1.25 mm, in the center, or beneath the anvil60or between the anvil60and the support washer100, the nominal depth of the primer material70is 0.50 mm. Furthermore, in the exemplary embodiment wherein a shock-absorbing layer66is positioned directly beneath the anvil60, the center depth of the primer material70is further reduced as it is displaced all the more by the anvil60in combination with the shock-absorbing layer66. By way of illustration, the nominal “at rest” or un-activated thickness H7of the shock-absorbing layer is 0.25 mm, resulting in a center thickness of the primer material70, or thickness directly beneath the anvil60and shock-absorbing layer66of about 0.25 mm as well. As such, in the non-disabled configuration of the primer40as shown inFIG. 9B, it will be appreciated that mechanical or vibrational or shock energy transmitted from impact of the firing pin I (FIGS. 2A and 4A) against the bottom wall52of the primer cup50and through the selectively collapsible material80layer need only agitate or crush that 0.25 mm thick disc or layer of primer material70so as to cause a detonation within the primer40and fire the ammunition20. Whereas, with reference now toFIG. 9C, the primer40is now shown as disabled, as when it has been exposed to particular energy waves to, as shown and further described throughout, cause the microspheres82of the selectively collapsible material80layer to collapse. The result is that the thickness or depth H4of such layer, which is nominally 1.00 mm as shown and described above in connection withFIG. 9B, is effectively divided into two distinct layers for purposes of illustration (assuming here horizontal orientation of the primer40and resulting gravitational effects): a layer of collapsed material80settled along the bottom wall52represented by thickness H4′; and a void or gap above the collapsed material80layer, between the collapsed material80and the support washer100represented by thickness H4″, where H4=H4′+H4″. In the illustrated embodiment, H4′ is nominally 0.40 mm and H4″ is nominally 0.60 mm. As also shown inFIG. 9C, upon exposure to select energy waves, while the microspheres82of the selectively collapsible material80layer may collapse or break apart, in one exemplary embodiment the microspheres68(FIGS. 7A-7C) of the shock-absorbing layer66may harden and/or expand so as to prevent unwanted detonation as by energy or the firing pin I itself striking the anvil60. In the exemplary embodiment, the shock-absorbing layer may expand in thickness by about fifty percent (50%), such that the nominal thickness H7of the layer66of 0.25 mm may increase to approximately 0.35 to 0.40 mm, then leaving nominally 0.10 to 0.15 mm for the primer material70between the expanded shock-absorbing layer66and the support washer100. As shown, expansion of the shock-absorbing microspheres68and related layer66further displaces primer material70or reduces the amount or thickness of primer material70beneath the anvil60. That effect coupled with the collapse of the selectively collapsible material80results in disablement of the primer40, with there again being a void layer H4″ effectively between the bottom wall52of the primer cup50and the primer material70and further energy dissipation at the anvil60. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that all such dimensions are again illustrative and non-limiting and that a variety of other such dimensional characteristics is possible depending on the overall size and configuration of the primer40and the included features, as in part dictated by the ammunition20that the primer40is to be placed in. If, for example, additional space for the layers within the primer40or to better accommodate particularly the selectively collapsible material80and the formation of a sufficient gap resulting from disabling such layer80and thus the primer40was desired, such could relatively easily be accomplished by modifying the geometry of the anvil60, which could be done without changing the overall size and shape or “envelope” of the primer40. It will be further appreciated that for purposes of illustration “round numbers” have been used but that even the overall dimensions of the primer40may not and likely would not be precisely 5.00 mm in diameter and 3.00 mm in height, such that these overall dimensions and the resulting inner dimensions of the components and layers is again merely exemplary. It will also be appreciated that the thicknesses of the various layers can differ from those described even staying within the nominal 5.00 mm×3.00 mm “envelope” for the representative Boxer centerfire primer40. For example, while the support washer100is described as having a nominal thickness of 0.25 mm, it may be thinner, such as on the order of 0.10 mm, or in other embodiments even thicker. Regardless, and whether or not a support washer100is even employed, it will be appreciated that there may be some interspersing of the primer material70and the selectively collapsible material80along their interface, such that the clean, defined, substantially planar interface may in reality not be the case, with again in the support washer100context one or both of the primer material70and the selectively collapsible material80potentially even squeezing into the through-hole104(FIG. 5B) of the support washer100or particularly the selectively collapsible material80filling in behind the support washer100including the space bounded by any support lip56formed in the cup side wall54. Fundamentally, those skilled in the art will appreciate once more that the schematic drawings representing features and aspects of the present invention are not to be taken literally but instead as illustrative of such aspects of the invention and non-limiting. Accordingly, again, as one feature is added or removed or dimensional change made other changes are in turn made within the primer40construction to accomplish one or more of the design objectives while preferably staying within an overall primer size to suit or fit within existing ammunition configurations, thought that is again not necessarily the case, as particular primers40and resulting purpose-built, primer-specific ammunition20may also be configured according to aspects of the present invention without departing from its spirit and scope. By way of further illustration and not limitation, at least one or more of the following variables can be modified in particular primer40configurations to suit certain objectives, ammunition caliber size constraints, etc.: inner cup height; cup thickness; anvil depth; primer material or mixture; collapsible material size and composition (e.g., microsphere configuration); shock-absorbing material size and composition; support washer size and shape; and size or thickness of void space.

Turning now toFIGS. 10A-10D, there are shown enlarged schematic cross-sectional side views of a single representative microsphere82a quantity of which comprises the exemplary selectively changeable or collapsible material80employed in any of the exemplary primers40ofFIGS. 3-9. Once more, none of the drawings are to be taken to scale, in the absolute or proportional sense, as the size and configuration of such microspheres82can vary widely in keeping with the aspects of the present invention, and particularly for the purpose of the present focus on the microspheres82themselves, none of the drawings are to be taken as a representation or quantification of the number of microspheres82that may be employed, which again may vary widely based on the size of the individual microspheres82and of the resulting selectively collapsible material80layer and the space provided therefor within the primer40(FIGS. 3-9). Moreover, while such beads are generically described as or named “microspheres,” it is to be understood that “micro” in this context simply means “small” and is not indicative of actual size in any unit of measurement; accordingly, microspheres82, for example, may include “nanospheres” and other such beads, particles, grains, and the like, whether now known or later developed. Generally, depending on such factors, there may be anywhere from even one or on the order of only a few dozen microspheres82to hundreds or even thousands of microspheres82in a single primer40.

Referring first toFIG. 10A, by way of illustration and not limitation, there is shown a single hollow microsphere82having a nominal outside diameter D2in the range of one micron to one thousand microns (1-1,000 μm or 0.001-1.0 mm) and a nominal wall thickness T1in the range of a quarter micron to twenty microns or greater (0.25-20 μm). Again, while such may be the typical size range for a “microsphere” when understood as a sphere in the micron size range, again, herein, “microsphere” is to be understood more broadly simply as a “small sphere,” such that each microsphere can be smaller or larger than the above noted size range without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. In the exemplary embodiment ofFIGS. 9B and 9Cdescribed above wherein the microspheres82in their normal state occupy a layer having a nominal thickness of 1.0 mm and then collapse down to a layer having a nominal thickness of on the order of 0.3-0.5 mm, the microspheres82may more preferably have a diameter of on the order of ten microns to five hundred microns (10-500 μm or 0.01-0.50 mm), though it will again be appreciated that even a microsphere up to on the order of 1,000 microns or 1.0 mm in diameter could be positioned within such primer40and have the desired effect. Each such microsphere82can be formed from a variety of natural and synthetic materials, including but not limited to glass, polymer and ceramic, with such polymer materials including but not limited to polyethylene and polystyrene. While a single layer or monolithic wall is shown, it will be appreciated that the microspheres may also be formed having multiple layers of material defining the spherical wall, such as having a thermoplastic shell that encapsulates a low boiling point hydrocarbon. Though shown hollow, such microspheres may also be solid, and where hollow may essentially be evacuated (contain a vacuum and be truly hollow) or may be filled with air or an inert gas such as carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen (N2), hydrogen (H2), helium (He), neon (Ne), argon (Ar), krypton (Kr), xenon (Xe), bromine (Br), and dilithium (Dt), or any combination thereof, though any other generally non-reactive gas(es) or gaseous compound(s) may be employed within the microspheres82placed in the primer40according to aspects of the present invention without departing from its spirit and scope, more about which is said below in connection withFIG. 10D. Exemplary microspheres82include the Expancel® line of microspheres by Boud Minerals in the United Kingdom and the Micropearl® line of microspheres by Lehmann & Voss in Germany.

By way of summary, at least six factors may contribute to the selection and performance of a microsphere82according to aspects of the present invention, again depending on the application: (1) material of sphere wall; (2) tensile strength of sphere material; (3) resonance frequency (f) of sphere material; (4) gas or air fill of sphere and at what pressure; (5) diameter or cross-sectional size of sphere; and (6) thickness of sphere wall. It will again be appreciated that a variety of microsphere configurations are possible depending on a number of such factors, with any such microsphere82as employed herein fundamentally being sufficiently strong in compression to withstand and transmit mechanical forces and/or vibrational or shock waves induced by the impact of the firing pin I on the primer40so as to cause the desired detonation of the primer material70under normal operation and firing of the ammunition20(FIGS. 3A and 3B) while also being susceptible to selective collapse so as to disable or neutralize the primer40and thereby not allow the ammunition20to operate normally or be fired. Again, a wide variety of microspheres82meet this criteria, including those shown and described herein, each of which is to be understood as illustrative and non-limiting.

Shown schematically inFIG. 10B, the illustrated hollow microsphere82is exposed to one or more energy waves124, causing failure points84within the sphere wall. And then inFIG. 100, as a result, the microsphere82is shown schematically as having collapsed or essentially flattened due to the failure of its spherical wall or surface. Though shown as flattening but otherwise remaining somewhat intact, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the spherical wall may instead break into smaller pieces, in whole or in part, or may not have any failures or breaks but may still weaken to the point of collapse or flattening, either way resulting in the selectively collapsible or changeable material80collapsing or compressing down, with the spheres82no longer maintaining their shape or having the related mechanical integrity to hold their form and occupy a relatively larger volume within the primer40and thereby transmit forces or energy waves to the primer material70or otherwise.

It will again be appreciated that the at least one mechanism, if not the primary mechanism, for causing such failure or collapse of the microspheres82is energy waves124acting on the material of the microspheres82, more particularly effectively inducing resonance frequency and causing vibration and expansion and/or collapse of the microsphere82, resonance frequency or mechanical resonance being that tendency of a mechanical system to respond at relatively greater amplitude when the frequency of its oscillations matches the system's natural frequency of vibration (i.e., its resonance frequency). As such, when a particular microsphere82is exposed to an energy wave124having a frequency that approximates its own resonance frequency (where the frequency, pulse time, and/or power output of the energy wave generator is paired or tuned to the natural frequency of the material), the resulting increased vibrational frequency of the sphere82can cause it to break apart and fail and collapse. In one further exemplary embodiment, multiple wave generators122(FIG. 12) operating at multiple respective wavelengths may be employed simultaneously as may be multiple different sizes and/or materials of the microspheres82within a single primer40so as to further render the reaction unique and resistant to ambient sound and to better ensure that at least a sufficient number or portion of the spheres82collapse so that the primer40and related ammunition20is disabled. By way of illustration and not limitation, two to three different energy waves124and related generators122may be employed, in one embodiment each such generator122and wave124paired with respective two or three microspheres82of particular size and construction. In a bit more detail, any such energy waves124may categorically fall within “sound waves” or “light waves” (also known as “radiation” or “electromagnetic radiation,” whether the light is visible or invisible), either of which being characterized by frequency, more about which is said below, such that in some systems120multiple energy wave generators122may be employed, each generating a different kind of wave124—i.e., one or more generating a sound wave and one or more an electromagnetic wave. With reference toFIG. 10D, there is shown a further schematic cross-sectional side view of a microsphere82here with additional collapse-inducing mechanisms employed. First, there is shown metal or other such fibers88interspersed or laying or scattered about the microspheres82. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that such fibers88would also have a resonance frequency, and in the exemplary embodiment the material and size of such fibers88is selected so as to have a resonance frequency that approximates that of the microsphere82so as to also vibrate when exposed to the energy wave124and thereby assist in breaking or bursting or otherwise collapsing the microsphere82. Alternatively, the fibers88may be selected having a resonance frequency that by design is different from that of the microsphere82, with a variety of energy waves124then being transmitted, as by one or more wave generators122(FIG. 12), so as to separately or individually agitate or induce a resonance frequency response in each of the microspheres82and fibers88, together cooperating to selectively cause the microspheres82to collapse. Furthermore, as also shown inFIG. 10D, the microsphere82may be filled with a gas86, again such as carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen (N2), or other inert or generally non-reactive gas, which it will be appreciated may expand when exposed to the energy waves124and thereby further contribute to rupturing and collapsing the microsphere82, whether the gas86is nominally contained at substantially ambient pressure within the sphere82or is already under pressure even before agitation or any exposure to particular energy waves124. Once more, such agitation or expansion of any such gas86may be induced by substantially the same waves124or frequencies as affecting the microsphere82itself and/or the fibers88or may respond to a different energy frequency. In one exemplary embodiment, specifically, three wave generators122may be employed emitting three respective energy waves124, each paired or associated with one of the microsphere82, the gas within the microsphere86, and the fibers88around or interspersed among the microspheres88, or as noted above with different microspheres82employed within the same primer40, again by way of illustration and not limitation, with again any such energy waves124potentially being of different frequencies and/or types to suit a particular context. Where the microsphere82is filled with an inert or substantially non-reactive gas86, and whether or not such gas86in and of itself expands or otherwise contributes to the rupture or collapse of the sphere82, those skilled in the art will appreciate that such gas would then escape the ruptured or failed sphere82and generally fill the space within the primer40beneath the explosive primer material70, thereby helping deny or displace oxygen (O2) or otherwise inhibiting ignition of the primer material70and thus further contributing to disabling the primer40and preventing the ammunition20from being fired. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that a variety of combinations of collapse-inducing mechanisms are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, such that each such mechanism may be employed alone or in combination with any other mechanism now known or later developed according to aspects of the present invention. By way of further example and with specific reference to the one or more energy waves124or frequencies that may be employed according to aspects of the present invention, in the exemplary embodiment, ultrasound waves are generated and transmitted so as to induce a response within the primer40as above described, which waves are typically in the range of 20,000 Hz or 20 kHz (104Hz), or above the range of audible sound, up to 10 MHz (107Hz) or greater. It may also be possible to employ so-called infrasound waves that are below the audible range or in the sub 20 Hz range. Where the energy waves124are instead light waves or electromagnetic radiation, such are also typically in the range of 1 kHz (103Hz) up to 10 MHz (107Hz) or greater, though usually no higher than approximately one hundred Terahertz (1014Hz) waves, where the infrared and then the visible light spectrums begin, such range of electromagnetic energy waves of roughly 103Hz to 1014Hz generally comprising long, medium and short wave radio waves and microwaves along with the “terahertz” gap waves between radio waves and infrared light, all generally comprising “non-ionising” radiation. Non-thermal microwaves and conventional radio waves may also be employed, though there is the possibility of metallic shielding that could prevent such waves from reaching and disabling the primer40. As such, ultrasound waves of varying frequencies again typically in the range of ten Kilohertz (104Hz) to Megahertz (106Hz) or higher may preferably be employed, as again may be Terahertz electromagnetic waves on the order of one to one hundred Terahertz (1012-1014Hz) or long or medium radio waves in the kilohertz to gigahertz range (103-109Hz), for example. Once again, a variety of such energy waves124of various kinds and frequencies may be employed according to aspects of the present invention without departing from its spirit and scope. In other microsphere applications, for example, acoustic scattering and transmission are measured in the frequency range from 700 kHz to 12.5 MHz, further demonstrating a workable ultrasonic wave energy range in the context of agitating or inducing a response from a range of microspheres82, which relatively low power sound waves are in relatively widespread use in medical diagnostics and other applications with no known adverse effects, with further research being done on the less common but quite promising Terahertz waves that may also safely induce a mechanical response in the microspheres82. Relatedly, while no chemical reaction is induced, per se, the vibrational response or acoustic cavitation, piezoelectric effect and heat generation that is or may be induced through exposure to such energy waves, also known as sonochemistry, particularly where, as here, one frequency range of the energy waves124may fall within the ultrasonic spectrum is a related potential contributor to the selective collapse of the microsphere82(an example of a possible chemical reaction is described further below in reference to the description of the experimental data). That is, whether filled with gas or perhaps more preferably in this application water, acoustic cavitation induced by ultrasonic energy waves may result in mechanical activation destroying the attractive forces of the molecules in liquid phase such that, with the continued application of or exposure to ultrasound compressing the liquid followed by rarefaction or expansion, in which a sudden pressure drop forms small, oscillating bubbles of gaseous substances which then expand with each cycle or wave of applied ultrasonic energy until they reach an unstable size and collide and/or violently collapse. This potential “bubble within a bubble” phenomenon may also be employed alone or in conjunction with a water releasing compound independent of or part of the microspheres as yet another exemplary contributor to the activation of the selectively collapsible material80layer within the primer40so as to deactivate or disable it. In this context, it may be possible to employ hydrogel microspheres or other such materials now known or later developed. Once more, those skilled in the art will appreciate that a variety of such materials and wave technologies may be employed, whether now known or later developed, in a primer40according to aspects of the present invention without departing from its spirit and scope.

Referring briefly toFIGS. 11A-11D, there is shown a still further alternative exemplary primer40according to aspects of the present invention, here as being similar to that ofFIGS. 4A-4Donly now employing a lattice92as the selectively collapsible or changeable material80layer rather than microspheres82. The lattice92is shown as a cross-pattern of generally straight members intersecting substantially perpendicularly, though it will be appreciated that a virtually infinite variety of configurations of such structural lattice92may be employed according to aspects of the present invention without departing from its spirit and scope. Those skilled in the art will further appreciate that in any such configuration, the lattice92may be of sufficient structural integrity and compressive strength to withstand and transmit mechanical forces and/or vibrational or shock waves induced by the impact of the firing pin I on the primer40so as to cause the desired detonation of the primer material70under normal operation and firing of the ammunition20(FIGS. 3A and 3B) while also being susceptible to selective collapse so as to disable or neutralize the primer40and thereby not allow the ammunition20to operate normally or be fired. By way of illustration and not limitation, such lattice92may be made of a resin, polymer, crystal, or inorganic compound or material or any other such structural material now known or later developed. Similar to the microspheres, any such material may be selected and configured based on its properties and geometrical configuration to be subject to resonance frequency vibration or other such response to select energy waves124so as to itself vibrate and fail or collapse. Again, a variety of such lattice92configurations are possible according to aspects of the present invention. Once more, the primer40has an illustrated overall configuration or defines an “envelope” substantially equivalent to prior art primers P configured for the same or similar cartridge or case C (FIGS. 1 and 2) so as to selectively seat within the primer cavity26of the ammunition case24to form the finished ammunition20(FIGS. 3A and 3B). In a bit more detail, inFIG. 11A, the primer40is shown in a first mode of operation with the primer40not struck or detonated or disabled, the firing pin I simply being adjacent to the primer40in the “ready to fire” position. Again, the selectively collapsible material80here configured as lattice92may be installed within the bottom of the primer cup50adjacent to the bottom wall52(FIG. 11B), with the layer of explosive primer material70as a solid or semi-solid inserted over and serving to maintain a substantially constant force or retention on the selectively collapsible material80layer to further assist in maintaining the relative positions of the components within the primer40, again regardless of its physical orientation. Referring toFIG. 11B, in a second mode of operation, the primer40is now struck and detonated, as by rapidly shifting the firing pin I into the bottom wall52of the primer cup50(i.e., “firing” the gun). Such action effectively causes a vibrational or shock wave to pass through the primer40and/or a crushing force to be applied to the primer40, here such force being first transmitted through the lattice92defining the layer of selectively collapsible material80, which at this point is not collapsed or deactivated. The “force” can again be a vibrational, shock, or other such energy wave induced by the firing pin l's strike against the primer bottom wall52and/or a mechanical force as by even physically lifting the lattice92located above the area where the firing pin I struck and mechanically deformed or indented the primer bottom wall52, in either case such energy or force being transmitted from the firing pin I through the lattice92to the primer material70, thereby crushing or otherwise detonating the primer material70and causing an explosive flash that then passes through the one or more openings62in the anvil60and further through the flash hole28into the case24so as to ignite the propellant30(i.e., gun powder or other such material) and “fire” the bullet22(FIGS. 3A and 3B). In the illustrated “Boxer” primer arrangement, it will be appreciated that, specifically, the explosive primer material70may be crushed or pinched between the lifted lattice92and the bottom wall64of the anvil60, thereby causing the illustrated detonation. Again, along with the lattice92, small solid particles (not shown) may be added to the layer of selectively collapsible material80to further facilitate the energy transfer from the firing pin I to the explosive primer material70and thereby help ensure detonation when the ammunition20is in its active (non-disabled) state as shown inFIG. 11B. Alternatively, microspheres82may be employed in combination with the lattice92, at the same or different resonance frequencies by design, to further cooperate in selective firing or disabling of the primer40. In a third mode of operation of the primer40ofFIG. 11Awith it not struck or detonated, it can instead be disabled as shown inFIG. 11Cby, for example, passing one or more particular energy waves124through the primer40that serve to break apart or collapse the lattice92or other component(s) comprising the selectively collapsible material80that is layered within the primer40, more about which energy waves is said above in connection withFIGS. 10A-10Dand the “science” of the selectively collapsible material80. As illustrated inFIG. 11C, the energy waves124serve to physically collapse the selectively collapsible material80, here a composite lattice92, so that it is effectively flattened or breaks apart. The result is one or more gaps or voids throughout what was once a fairly cohesive layer of the selectively collapsible material80. As best seen inFIG. 11D, then, when the lattice92or selectively collapsible material80is fully collapsed and settles to the bottom of the primer cup50, there is a fairly substantial void or gap between what remains of the lattice92and the explosive primer material70. Based on the foregoing discussion in connection withFIGS. 4A-4Dand as generally appreciated by those skilled in the art, the primer material70being in most cases clay-like, or not a flowable material such as liquid or powder, remains substantially where it was at the upper end of the primer cup50, or closer to and substantially about the anvil60, regardless of the orientation of the primer40. As shown particularly inFIG. 11D, with the primer40oriented vertically upward, as when the gun (not shown) is raised or pointed upward, the lattice92or other such material may thus have a tendency to sink to or collect on the bottom wall52of the primer cup50; however, where the weapon (not shown) in which the ammunition20(FIGS. 3A and 3B) is loaded is pointed downwardly or horizontally, the collapsed lattice92may instead collect against the primer material70or at one side of the primer40, in any case there still remaining a mechanical gap between the bottom wall52struck by the firing pin I and the primer material70, such that the selectively collapsible material80such as lattice92being collapsed renders there no longer a direct mechanical connection between the primer bottom wall52and the primer material70, thereby disabling the primer40and hence the ammunition20irrespective of any gravitational effects. Once again, in one exemplary embodiment, the lattice92or other selectively collapsible material80is configured such that the total volume of material in the collapsed state is one-half or less of the total volume within the primer cup50bounded by the cup bottom and side walls52,54and the primer material70so as to insure that, for example, when the gun (not shown) and hence ammunition20and primer40are oriented horizontally and the collapsed lattice92settles to one side there is still insufficient material to bridge between the primer bottom wall52and the primer material70, thereby ensuring that the primer40is disabled (i.e., that the primer material70cannot be detonated) and the ammunition20cannot be fired. It will again be appreciated that such may be accomplished in a virtually infinite variety of primer arrangements and employing a wide range of selectively collapsible materials (types and arrangements of materials) without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, such that the further exemplary embodiment ofFIGS. 11A-11Dis again to be understood as illustrative and non-limiting.

Turning toFIGS. 12A-12D, as a threshold matter it is again to be understood that the general purpose and context for selectively disabling the primer40through any such means as shown and described in connection withFIGS. 3-11hereof is that when a gun (not shown) loaded with ammunition20according to aspects of the present invention is carried into certain public or private places equipped with at least one energy wave generator122, such ammunition20, and particularly the primer40thereof, is thus disabled as described herein, thereby preventing the gun from being fired and potentially saving lives. As referred to herein, an ammunition disabling system120according to aspects of the present invention is essentially an ammunition (i.e., bullet)20containing a selectively disabled primer40combined with at least one energy wave124configured to selectively disable the primer40and thus the ammunition20. As shown inFIG. 12A, a first exemplary ammunition disabling system120generally comprises one such energy wave generator122positioned at a corner of a perimeter V about a building U such as a school, move theater, bank, government or other public service building, medical building, mall or retail store or strip, or the like, such generator122being configured to emit energy waves124in a somewhat fan pattern typical of a radio wave so as to effectively cover or reach substantially all of the area bounded by the perimeter V and particularly the building U located somewhat centrally within the perimeter V. While a building U is illustrated, it will be appreciated that other public or private places without buildings, such as parks, parking lots, fairgrounds, and the like, may also be protected by an ammunition disabling system120according to aspects of the present invention. By way of illustration and not limitation, the energy wave generator122may be configured to selectively emit ultrasound energy waves124of a particular frequency, such as 1.0 MHz (106Hz), which is tuned to or near the resonance frequency (or frequencies of the material80or multiple materials80. It will be appreciated that by having only ammunition20(FIGS. 3A and 3B) publicly available that is equipped with primers40having a selectively collapsible material80(FIGS. 4-11) that is configured having a resonance frequency of approximately 1.0 MHz (106Hz) in this example or to otherwise collapse when exposed to energy waves124of such a frequency, if a gun loaded with such ammunition20were to enter or be carried onto the premises of the building U or come within the perimeter V or protected area so as to be exposed to the energy waves124continuously or selectively (periodic or automatically emitted pulses or manually emitted pulses) emitted by the energy wave generator122, such primer40and thus ammunition20would thus be disabled as herein described. As illustrated, then, an exemplary primer40located outside of the perimeter V is shown as being still activated or not disabled, such as shown inFIG. 4A, while a similar primer40brought within the perimeter V is deactivated and disabled and thus unable to be fired as also shown inFIG. 4C. Those skilled in the art will thus appreciate that the incorporation of a primer40according to aspects of the present invention in ammunition20available on the market results in guns loaded with such ammunition20rendered selectively disabled when brought into certain public or gun-free zones for the safety and protection of all those in such places, again such as a school or movie theater where acts of gun violence have been committed historically. As noted above, ultrasonic energy as identified here in the illustrative embodiment is effectively harmless to people and other living things while at the same time having the desired effect of causing the selectively collapsible or changeable material80such as a layer of microspheres82or a lattice92structure to collapse, again disabling the primer40and thus the ammunition20. Even so, for reasons related to wave interference, power savings, or other such factors, it is again noted that the energy waves124may be continuous, as in the generator122being “always on,” or may be selectively emitted as by turning the energy wave generator122on if there is concern about a gun threat, such as by a teacher, administrator, staff person, security person or the like noting a suspicious, unauthorized, or visibly armed individual entering the perimeter V. Any such authorized person on the premises could be issued and carry on their person a remote control such as a pendant or the like that enables selective operation of the energy wave generator122with the “push of a button,” or any such “alarm” could be pulled at select locations within the building U, for example, so as to activate or turn on the generator122and thereby neutralize the ammunition20in any gun being carried onto the premises within the perimeter V. It will be appreciated that armed security personnel and law enforcement, for example, may still be issued ammunition A (FIGS. 1 and 2) without selectively disabled primers so that such authorized personnel and peacekeepers may still be effectively armed while criminals would not, again, at least within the perimeter V. The same would be true of military-issue ammunition20(it would not have selectively disabled primers40). It will also be appreciated that once primers40and related ammunition20are disabled, they do not become re-enabled once removed from the premises or taken outside the perimeter V. Rather, it is understood that in the exemplary embodiment the primers40once disabled, as by collapsing the selectively collapsible material80, are irreversibly disabled and rendered permanently neutralized. A gun with such disabled ammunition20would simply not fire, as would be the case for any ammunition20carried onto the premises within the perimeter V that is equipped with such a selectively disabled primer40, whether loaded in a gun or not, whereas ammunition20even equipped with selectively disabled primers40would operate and fire normally if never brought within any such perimeter V or otherwise exposed to the respective disabling energy waves124. According to further aspects of the present invention, disabled ammunition may be identified as such, for example, by a visible color change on the cartridge. Fundamentally, then, it will be appreciated that according to aspects of the ammunition disabling system120of the present invention, individuals using ammunition20configured with selectively disabled primers40as disclosed herein would have their firearms operate as normal in areas where no energy wave generators122are operational, whereas in areas where such generators122are present and operational, no firearms would function except those of law enforcement. Accordingly, the guns of private citizens even when shooting ammunition20that may be selectively disabled according to aspects of the present invention would generally operate conventionally when shooting recreationally such as at a range or when out hunting and at their homes in self-defense, but again not when brought onto a premises having an operational energy wave generator122as herein described, such as a “gun-free” public place. To address the potential concern of a criminal attempting to disable a homeowner's gun, all generators122may be configured to run on AC or non-portable power only and/or may be configured with coded or secret frequencies not easily “reverse engineered.” Conversely, law enforcement could have mobile generators122not available to the general public in order to disable criminals' guns, assuming they are loaded with ammunition20having selectively disabled primers40. Any mounted energy wave generator122as illustrated inFIG. 12Amay be installed in any desired location and at any height so long as the wave propagation effectively covers the desired area down to ground level. Specifically, while shown in the exemplary embodiments as being outside the illustrated buildings U, it will be appreciated that such energy wave generators122may be positioned inside any such buildings U as well that is, the one or more generators122may be outside of a building U, inside the building U, or both. The generator122may operate on AC, DC, solar, or other power source now known or later developed and in addition to “always on” or remote control operation may also be equipped in certain instances with motion detection technology and the like for selectively powering on. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that any such technology now known or later developed may be employed in the present invention without departing from its spirit and scope. Again, a single generator122may be employed in some situations, generating one or more frequencies as desired, or multiple generators122may be employed, each generating one or more frequencies. As shown inFIG. 12B, as an alternative, a single energy wave generator122may instead be installed substantially centrally within the perimeter V or basically adjacent to the building U, particularly at an entrance or point of ingress. As illustrated, such a generator122would here emit a radial or circular wave pattern124that still substantially covers the area within the perimeter V, or such waves124may only emanate immediately about such entrance to effectively form an invisible “protective curtain” at such point of ingress while otherwise not affecting a wider area. Again, a primer40brought within the perimeter V or toward the entrance nearer to the generator122would be disabled as illustrated, while a primer40that remains away from the entrance or outside the perimeter V and the effective radius of the generator122would not be disabled. By way of further example, with reference now toFIG. 12C, there is illustrated a relatively larger building U or building complex that is essentially of too great a size or over too great an area for one energy wave generator122to cover, which units may have an effective range of on the order of half a mile, for example. Accordingly, as shown, four energy wave generators122may be positioned at corners of the building U or premises so as to establish a virtual perimeter V thereabout. As illustrated, each such generator122, as inFIG. 12A, may emit a broad or narrow fan-shaped wave124that together cover substantially the entire area within the perimeter V, including the building U or campus, particularly its exteriors and thus points of ingress. Accordingly, as again illustrated, a primer40brought within the perimeter V or toward one of the buildings U would be disabled as illustrated, while a primer40that remains away from the building U complex or outside the perimeter V and the effective area covered by the illustrated four generators122would not be disabled. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that such number and positioning of the energy wave generators122is exemplary and non-limiting. Referring finally toFIG. 12D, there is shown yet another exemplary ammunition disabling system120according to aspects of the present invention, here again having a single corner-positioned, fan-shaped wave124emitting generator122to protect an area within a perimeter V including a building U, much like the embodiment ofFIG. 12A, only now further including an electromagnetic transmitter132or the like configured to send and receive such signals. Particularly, in the illustrated embodiment, all primers40may be further equipped with a detector strip110that when in the presence of the transmitter132or transceiver is wirelessly detected and communicates identifying information relative to the ammunition20or particularly the primer40, somewhat analogous to serialization or other traceability or trackability technologies now known or later developed. The detector strip110may be positioned anywhere on the primer40or alternatively on or in the ammunition case24. As illustrated, the identifying detector strip110associated with a primer40that has come within the perimeter V, whether disabled yet or not, communicates wirelessly with the transmitter132, shown for illustrative purposes as located on the roof of the building U, the transmitter132in turn communicating with a broadcast tower W and thus over a wide area network as now known or later developed so as to alert law enforcement, on-site security or management personnel, or other such interested parties of the presence of an unauthorized weapon or ammunition20within the vicinity of the building U. It will be appreciated that any network and related hardware and communication protocol now known or later developed, including but not limited to cellular, satellite, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or the like, may be employed in such complimentary identification and notification functionality as enabled by the detector strip110and transmitter132. Again, those skilled in the art will appreciate that a variety of configurations and locations of both the detector strip110and transmitter132are possible according to aspects of the present invention without departing from its spirit and scope.

In many applications, there may be line-of-sight issues, where the energy wave124is unable to reach and affect the material80within the ammunition due to obstructions positioned between the ammunition and the energy wave generator122, such as a wall or other similar obstruction. Although the energy waves124are illustrated as being emitted over a circular (360 degree) or wide angle (fan-shaped) pattern, the beams produced by many of the transducers, magnetrons, etc. used in the energy wave generator122are narrowly focused over a small angle. Thus, the energy wave generator122can be mounted on a rotating or oscillating base to sweep the area with an energy wave124beam, producing, in effect, a fan or circular pattern. The energy wave generator122can be mounted on a linear or curvilinear track or the like to enable travel along the path to reorient the energy wave source (such as a magnetron or a transducer), optionally including rotation as the energy wave generator122travel along the track. Further, two or more energy wave generators122can be mounted in a cluster (back-to-back, radial, or other arrangement) with each energy wave generator122aimed outwardly in adjacent, closely or nearly adjacent, or overlapping energy wave124cones, to produce a plurality of energy waves124that provide coverage over a broad or circular angle. The cluster of energy wave generators122can also be rotated or oscillated. The energy wave generator122can be mounted on the ceiling or wall of the building on a track or otherwise mounted, to cover blind areas (somewhat similar to providing WI-FI coverage within and around buildings). The energy wave generator122may be focused, collimated, or directed to provide a focused wave. For example, a hand-held unit may be directed manually toward the ammunition or shooter by sight or laser sight. The mounted energy wave generator122can automatically or manually be directed to the ammunition, such as by detecting the infrared signal through use of a detector and targeting the heat source. In one example, the energy wave generator122is mounted around a door opening (or other constricted point of entry, exit, or transition), with a first energy wave generator122directed downward toward the opening and a second energy wave generator122directed horizontally toward the opening (transverse to the first energy wave generator122). The energy wave generator122can be mounted to travel linearly along a path, oscillate through an angular sweep, or rotate through a full circle. Further, the energy wave generator122can be mounted to an unmanned aerial vehicle (drone). The energy wave generator122can be comprised of phased array transducers. Additionally, the energy wave generator122can be remotely activated. Moreover, the structures or portions of the structures may be arranged, designed, and utilized to facilitate or guide the propagation of the energy wave124into blind areas (areas not normally covered by the energy wave124), such as using a radio or other energy reflective surface or other devices or amplifiers or means to redirect the energy waves124toward an area, through use of reflection, refraction, diffraction, echo effects, and so on.

Looking now atFIGS. 13-16, four alternate embodiments of the present ammunition disabler are shown. Instead of the selectively changeable material80being positioned within primer cup50, the material80is positioned externally from the primer cup50, either being contained within a separate material cup46, positioned within the primer cavity26between the primer cup50and a barrier48that encloses the primer cavity26, or simply inserted or layered on the bottom wall52of the primer cup50.FIG. 13illustrates an embodiment where the material80is a grouping of microspheres either held within the primer cavity26by the barrier48or adhered in place without the barrier48(not shown) where the microspheres82may be adhered to one another and/or the primer cavity26or may be suspended within a matrix held within the primer cavity26. The barrier48may be any material or configuration which protects the material80, permits the percussion of the firing pin I to be transmitted to the material80without substantial hindrance, and permits sufficient passage of the energy wave124therethrough to permit selective destruction of at least a portion of the material80. Although a barrier48or some other membrane is preferred, it is not required. The barrier48is preferably made of plastic (polymer), paper, or other material, material configuration, or material thickness substantially transparent to the energy waves (allowing sufficient passage to permit disablement).

FIGS. 13-16further illustrates a primer cup50having a reduced overall height H1(seeFIG. 9B) (compared to the primer cups illustrated in earlier-described embodiments or a standard primer cup) to permit the insertion of the selectively changeable material80, while maintaining a combined seating depth within the primer cavity26slightly below flush. Alternatively, a standard sized primer cup50may be used, where the primer cavity26is bored slightly deeper within the case24(preferably less than 1 mm) to provide additional depth to place the material80behind the primer cup50, with the material80situated at or near the opening of the primer cavity26with the primer cup50situated beneath the material80and at or near the bottom of the bore defining the primer cavity26.

FIG. 14illustrates yet another embodiment of the present ammunition disabler, where the selectively changeable material80is contained within a separate material cup46, which may be pressed or adhered into the primer cavity26atop the primer cup50. The exemplary material cup46is illustrated as a complete enclosure that completely seals the material80(microspheres82is this example) within the material cup46. However, the material cup46may be configured to partially enclose the material80instead; for example, the innermost wall of the material cup46(closest to the bottom wall52of the primer cup50) may be fully or partially excluded so that the material80directly contacts the bottom wall52or is in close proximity thereof. Much like the barrier48, the material cup is preferably made of a material or of a configuration that permits sufficient passage of the energy wave124therethrough, such as being made of a polymer material, a thin material, a material with perforations or strategic openings that permit entry of the energy waves124. Referring back to the embodiments of the invention that position the material80within the primer cup50, the walls of the primer cup50and/or at least a portion of the ammunition case24may also be made of a material (polymer, etc.) that that permits sufficient passage of the energy wave124therethrough which enables the disrupting the mechanical structure of the selectively changeable material80without the case24or the primer cup50unduly shielding the material80. Furthermore, current firearms and necessarily have designed-in apertures which permit ingress of the energy waves124, continuously or during certain actions and movements of the firearm or accessories, such as the witness holes in the ammunition magazine, the ejection port, gaps between parts, such as the gap between the cylinder and the frame or when the cylinder of a revolver is rotated to the open position to expose the chambers for reloading, and other openings inherent to the design of the firearm or as the user is transferring the ammunition to the firearm. Further, ammunition in pouches or other storage may also be disabled before they are loaded. Moreover, even if a first shot is discharged, as the spent case is being ejected through the ejection port, the following round or multiples successive rounds of ammunition may be exposed to the energy waves124for a sufficient time to disable the ammunition. Even if only one round of ammunition is disabled, this will likely cause the firearm to jam or at least require a much slower manual extraction of the disabled ammunition, thus slowing the overall rate of fire. Thus, the material80can be exposed to the energy waves124in numerous conditions, such as when loading the magazine, inserting the magazine into the firearm, retracting the slide, discharging the spent cartridge, loading a revolver, and through any temporary or permanent apertures within the firearm.

The example embodiments ofFIGS. 15-16illustrate the embodiments similar in some respects to that ofFIGS. 13-14, respectively, except the material80is not a grouping of microspheres. Instead, the material could be is solid, hollow, gas-filled, or other structure, such as a plate, a disk, a slug, a column, a coating, a plurality of microspheres, a plurality of particles, a lattice, a compacted material, a solid material, or a loosely packed material. Further, the above-described embodiments, such as those illustrated in detail inFIGS. 3A-B,4A-D,5A,6A-B,7A-C,8A-B,9B-C, and11A-D, can be modified to replace the microspheres with the material80ofFIGS. 15-16, except the material80would be located inside the primer cup50rather than outside. The hatching inFIGS. 15 and 16schematically represents a material80that is not a grouping or layer or plurality of microspheres. The barrier48shown inFIG. 15would be similar to the barrier48ofFIG. 13, and would serve to at least protect the material80, and thus the primer material70from inadvertent impacts, and may also serve to hold the material80within the primer cavity26. The material cup46is similar to the material cup46shown inFIG. 14, except the material80would not be microspheres82.

Several experiments were carried out to determine the how various energy waves change the structural integrity of the exemplary sample of material which may comprise the present changeable material80. The images of the various samples before and after exposure to the energy waves was taken using a FEI NOVA 600 scanning electron microscope. In a first series of experiments, a sample was exposed to ultrasound through an acoustic gel medium for the purpose of testing the sample under near-ideal conditions. The experimental setup included a QSONICA Q500 ultrasound transducer emitting an ultrasound signal at a frequency of 20 kHz with a power output of 100 W utilizing a piezoelectric convertor/transducer for producing a mechanical vibration in the acoustic gel. The sample was placed 2 mm from the tip of the probe, with the acoustic gel providing a medium through which the ultrasonic mechanical vibrations can travel from the probe to the sample.FIG. 17Ais a microscopic image of nickel oxide microspheres before exposure to ultrasound; andFIG. 17Bis a microscopic image of nickel oxide (NiO) microspheres after approximately 1 minute of exposure to ultrasound. It can be seen that the nickel oxide microspheres are whole inFIG. 17Awith the shells unbroken and the structural integrity intact. After exposure to the ultrasound energy, it can be seen inFIG. 17Bthat the shells of the microspheres have been burst open, fractured, and structurally changed to a material that would absorb a percussive impact and/or would create a substantial gap between the firing pin and priming compound due to the reduction in overall volume of the microspheres. The microscopic image illustrates the result that there were no microspheres visible in the sample after exposure to the ultrasound.

Under the same conditions, polyvinylidene fluoride microspheres were exposed to the ultrasound.FIG. 18Aillustrates the polyvinylidene fluoride microspheres before exposure to ultrasound; andFIG. 18Billustrates the polyvinylidene fluoride microspheres after exposure to ultrasound. When comparing the two images, it can be seen that, inFIG. 18B, the microspheres have been burst open and fragmented. Thus, this indicates that the microspheres are structurally changed to a material that would absorb a percussive impact and/or would create a substantial gap between the firing pin and priming compound due to the reduction in individual and overall volume of the material, or a parting, cleaving, or other displacement of the material. The nickel oxide (NiO) may be manufactured by known techniques described by “Fabrication of β-Ni(OH)2 and NiO hollow spheres by a facile template-free process”, Chemical Communications, Issue 41, (Sep. 20, 2005), pp. 5231-5233, Wang, et al., which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Further tests were conducted using a CEM MARS 5 research grade microwave digester with a 1200 W magnetron at a frequency of 2455 mHz. A 5.0 mg sample of material was placed suspended in the center of the oven on a PYREX plate at a distance of 15.25 cm (air gap) from the magnetron and exposed to two 30 second pulses of microwave energy at 600 W.FIG. 19Aillustrates a polystyrene coated lead zirconium titanate microspheres sample (PZT ceramic) before exposure to microwave energy. It can be seen inFIG. 19Athat most if not all of the microspheres are closely grouped together which enables the transmission of a percussive wave through the grouping. After exposure to the microwave energy, as shown inFIG. 19B, the microspheres sinter or aggregate into small groups with the groups separated by large spaces. Again, the large spaces would inhibit transmission of the percussive wave through disruption of the overall mechanical integrity of the material. Under the same conditions, nickel oxide microspheres are exposed to microwave energy over an air gap.

FIG. 20Aillustrates the nickel oxide microspheres before exposure to microwave energy, under similar conditions as described in reference toFIGS. 19A-B, where the grouping or plurality of microspheres together are structurally capable of transmitting a percussive wave from the firing pin to the primer material for detonating the primer material.FIG. 20Bshows the nickel oxide microspheres after exposure to the microwave energy over an air gap. The nickel oxide microsphere structure is at least in part fragmented and crumbling. Instead of transmitting the percussive wave, the crumbled material tends to absorb and deaden the impact from the firing pin, even if the entire thickness of the nickel oxide microsphere structure is not crumbled and mechanically degraded, so long as a sufficient thickness at the firing pin striking point is degraded, the priming compound will fail to ignite.

The present material80(whether it be nickel oxide or some other responsive material) may be integrated into the construction of the primer cup50, instead of being positioned externally or internally. For example, the bottom wall52may be made wholly or in part from the selectively changeable material80(such as a sheet or plate material); or the entire primer cup50may be made out of the selectively changeable material80. In one example, portions of the primer cup50and/or the case24can be made of a polymer or other material that is radio-transparent or radio-translucent to the energy waves124to permit sufficient passage of the energy waves124to permit a mechanical change in the material80, such as a nonmetallic material and the like.

Under the same experimental conditions as the materials ofFIGS. 19A-Band20A-B, polyvinylidene fluoride microspheres are exposed to microwave energy.FIG. 21Aillustrates the polyvinylidene fluoride microspheres before exposure to microwave energy; andFIG. 21Billustrates the polyvinylidene fluoride microspheres after exposure to microwave energy across an air gap. ComparingFIG. 21AwithFIG. 21B, measurements indicate a 10% reduction is size when comparing the sum of contiguous diameters of the microspheres before and after exposure. This 10% reduction is sufficient to create a gap within or around the material to disrupt the mechanical link between the firing pin and the priming compound.

Although final result of exposure to the energy wave124is shrinkage, fragmenting, bursting, or other mechanical degradation, the destruction may be caused by a chemical process induced by the energy wave124. For example, in the experiments testing the polystyrene and the polyvinylidene fluoride microspheres, a swelling of the microspheres was observed prior to shrinkage and/or bursting, which is possibly indicative of chemical change and a breaking of chemical bonds. Furthermore, the materials and experimental conditions in the above-described experiments could be integrated with the teachings of the embodiments of the present ammunition disabler, the material80, the ammunition20, primer cup50, and/or material cup46, such as the power ranges, the frequencies, and other experimental settings.

Aspects of the present specification may also be described as follows:

1. A selectively disabled ammunition having a primer comprising: a cup having a bottom wall and a side wall and configured to contain a quantity of explosive primer material; and a selectively collapsible material positioned within the cup adjacent to the primer material.

2. The primer of embodiment 1 wherein the selectively collapsible material is positioned between the bottom wall and the primer material.

3. The primer of embodiment 1 or embodiment 2 wherein: an anvil is positioned within the cup substantially opposite the bottom wall; and the selectively collapsible material is positioned between the bottom wall and the anvil.

4. The primer of embodiment 3 wherein the selectively collapsible material is positioned between the bottom wall and the primer material.

5. The primer of embodiment 3 or embodiment 4 wherein the anvil is installed integrally with the cup so as to protrude substantially downwardly within the cup toward the bottom wall.

6. The primer of any of embodiments 3-5 wherein the anvil is formed having at least one opening for selective communication of the primer material outside of the cup.

7. The primer of embodiment 6 wherein the primer is configured to be received within a primer cavity of a case of the ammunition containing a propellant, whereby the primer material selectively communicates with the propellant through the opening in the anvil and an at least one flash hole formed in the case.

8. The primer of any of embodiments 3-7 further comprising a shock-absorbing layer positioned adjacent to the anvil between the anvil and the bottom wall.

9. The primer of embodiment 8 wherein the shock-absorbing layer comprises microspheres.

10. The primer of any of embodiments 1-9 wherein the bottom wall and the side wall define a cup profile that substantially corresponds to a primer cavity of the ammunition.

11. The primer of any of embodiments 1-10 wherein in a first or second mode of operation of the ammunition the selectively collapsible material mechanically bridges between the bottom wall and the primer material, whereby an impact to the bottom wall from a firing pin is transmitted to the primer material via the selectively collapsible material.

12. The primer of any of embodiments 1-11 wherein the cup defines a height in the range of 2.50 mm to 3.25 mm and the selectively collapsible material defines a layer having a nominal height within the cup in the range of 0.50 mm to 2.50 mm.

13. The primer of any of embodiments 1-12 wherein the selectively collapsible material is substantially in contact with the primer material.

14. The primer of any of embodiments 1-13 wherein in a third or fourth mode of operation of the ammunition the selectively collapsible material forms a gap within the primer, whereby an impact to the bottom wall from a firing pin is not transmitted to the primer material.

15. The primer of embodiment 14 wherein the gap is formed between the bottom wall and at least a portion of the primer material.

16. The primer of embodiment 14 or embodiment 15 wherein the cup defines a height in the range of 2.50 mm to 3.25 mm and the selectively collapsible material defines a layer having a nominal height within the cup in the range of 0.10 mm to 1.25 mm, whereby the gap is nominally in the range of 0.40 mm to 2.40 mm.

17. The primer of any of embodiments 1-16 configured as a centerfire Boxer-type primer.

18. The primer of any of embodiments 1-16 configured as a centerfire Berdan-type primer.

19. The primer of any of embodiments 1-16 configured as a Rimfire-type primer.

20. The primer of any of embodiments 1-19 further comprising a support washer positioned between the selectively collapsible material and the primer material.

21. The primer of embodiment 20 wherein the support washer comprises at least one through-hole.

22. The primer of embodiment 20 or embodiment 21 wherein the cup is formed having an inwardly-projecting support lip formed on the side wall so as to selectively support the support washer.

23. The primer of any of embodiments 1-22 wherein the primer material is selected from the group consisting of lead (Pb) azide, lead (Pb) styphnate, lead (Pb) thiocyanate, barium nitrate, antimony trisulfide, powdered aluminum, powdered tetrazene, potassium perchlorate, diazodinitrophenol (DDNP), fulminated mercury, and any combination thereof.

24. The primer of any of embodiments 1-23 wherein the primer material is a solid or semi-solid.

25. The primer of any of embodiments 1-24 wherein the selectively collapsible material is configured to collapse when exposed to an energy wave.

26. The primer of any of embodiments 1-25 wherein the selectively collapsible material comprises one or more microsphere.

27. The primer of embodiment 26 wherein the microsphere has a nominal outside diameter in the range of approximately one micron to one thousand microns (1-1,000 μm or 0.001-1.0 mm).

28. The primer of embodiment 27 wherein the microsphere more preferably has a diameter of approximately ten microns to five hundred microns (10-500 μm or 0.01-0.50 mm).

29. The primer of any of embodiments 26-28 wherein the microsphere has a nominal wall thickness in the range of approximately a quarter micron to twenty microns (0.25-20 μm).

30. The primer of any of embodiments 26-29 wherein the microsphere is formed from a material selected from the group consisting of glass, ceramic, polymer, polyethylene, polystyrene, thermoplastic, hydrogel, and any combination thereof.

31. The primer of any of embodiments 26-30 wherein the microsphere is hollow.

32. The primer of any of embodiments 26-31 wherein the microsphere is filled with air.

33. The primer of any of embodiments 26-31 wherein the microsphere is filled with an inert gas.

34. The primer of embodiment 33 wherein the inert gas is selected from the group consisting of carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen (N2), hydrogen (H2), helium (He), neon (Ne), argon (Ar), krypton (Kr), xenon (Xe), bromine (Br), dilithium (Dt), and any combination thereof.

35. The primer of any of embodiments 1-25 wherein the selectively collapsible material comprises a lattice.

36. The primer of embodiment 35 wherein the lattice is formed from a material selected from the group consisting of resin, polymer, crystal, inorganic compound, and any combination thereof.

37. The primer of any of embodiments 1-36 wherein the selectively collapsible material is configured to collapse to a height fifty percent (50%) or less of that of the selectively collapsible material in its uncollapsed state.

38. The primer of any of embodiments 1-37 further comprising one or more metal fiber positioned within the selectively collapsible material.

39. The primer of any of embodiments 25-38 wherein the energy wave is selected from the group consisting of ultrasound waves, infrasound waves, long wave radio waves, medium wave radio waves, short wave radio waves, microwaves, terahertz waves, and any combination thereof.

40. The primer of any of embodiments 25-39 wherein the energy wave is in the frequency range of approximately 103Hz to 1014Hz.

41. The primer of any of embodiments 25-40 wherein the selectively collapsible material has a resonance frequency and the energy wave has a frequency substantially equivalent to the resonance frequency.

42. The primer of any of embodiments 25-41 wherein the energy wave is sourced from at least one energy wave generator.

43. The primer of embodiment 42 wherein the energy wave generator is positioned near a building so as to define a perimeter about the building.

44. The primer of any of embodiments 1-43 further comprising a detector strip configured to interface with a transmitter.

45. An ammunition disabling system comprising an ammunition having a primer as defined in any of embodiments 1-44.

46. The ammunition disabling system of embodiment 45 further comprising at least one energy wave generator.

47. The ammunition disabling system of embodiment 46 wherein the energy wave generator emits waves at a single frequency.

48. The ammunition disabling system of embodiment 46 wherein the energy wave generator emits waves at multiple frequencies.

49. The ammunition disabling system of embodiment 46 wherein multiple energy wave generators emit waves at a single frequency.

50. The ammunition disabling system of embodiment 46 wherein multiple energy wave generators emit waves at multiple frequencies.

51. The ammunition disabling system of any of embodiments 46-50 wherein the energy wave generator is positioned a distance from a building so as to define a perimeter about the building.

52. The ammunition disabling system of any of embodiments 46-51 wherein the energy wave generator is positioned immediately adjacent to an entrance to a building.

53. The ammunition disabling system of any of embodiments 46-52 wherein the energy wave generator is substantially constantly powered.

54. The ammunition disabling system of any of embodiments 46-52 wherein the energy wave generator is selectively powered.

55. The ammunition disabling system of any of embodiments 45-54 further comprising at least one transmitter for detection of a detector strip of the primer and transmitting related information obtained from the detector strip.

56. A method of employing an ammunition having a primer as defined in any of embodiments 1-44, the method comprising the steps of: (a) installing the primer in the ammunition; and (b) disabling the primer.

57. The method of embodiment 56, wherein the step of installing the primer comprises inserting the primer within a primer cavity of the ammunition.

58. The method of embodiment 56 or embodiment 57, wherein the step of disabling the primer comprises exposing the primer to an energy wave so as to collapse a selectively collapsible material of the primer.

59. The method of embodiment 58, wherein the step of exposing the primer to an energy wave comprises transporting the ammunition within a perimeter.

60. The method of embodiment 58 or embodiment 59, wherein the step of exposing the primer to an energy wave comprises emitting the energy wave from an energy wave generator.

61. The method of embodiment 60, wherein the step of emitting the energy wave from an energy wave generator is selectively controlled.

62. Use of an ammunition having a primer as defined in any of embodiments 1-44 to selectively disable the ammunition.

63. The use according to embodiment 62, wherein the use comprises an ammunition disabling system as defined in any of embodiments 45-55.

64. The use according to embodiment 62 or embodiment 63, wherein the use comprises a method as defined in any of embodiments 56-61.

65. An ammunition disabler responsive to an energy wave for selectively disabling ammunition is provided, and generally includes a material selectively changeable from an operative state to a deactivated state upon exposure to the energy wave, the material being positioned between the firing pin and the priming compound when the ammunition is chambered within the firearm; wherein, when the material is in the operative state, the material is capable of forming a mechanical link between the firing pin and the priming compound so that the percussion wave from the firing pin is transmitted through the material to ignite the priming compound when the firing pin is activated; and wherein, when the material is in the deactivated state, the degradation of the material disrupts the mechanical link and inhibits transmission of the percussion wave through the material to prevent ignition of the priming compound.

66. The ammunition disabler of embodiment 65 where the priming compound is contained within a primer cup comprising a bottom wall, a side wall, and an anvil.

67. The ammunition disabler of one or both the embodiments 65-66 where the material is contained within the primer cup between the bottom wall and the priming compound.

68. The ammunition disabler of embodiment 65 where the material is contained outside the primer cup.

69. The ammunition disabler of one or both the embodiments 65 or 68 where the material is contained within a material cup, the material cup positioned adjacent to the bottom wall of the primer cup.

70. The ammunition disabler of one or all of the embodiments 65, 68, or 69 where one or both of the primer cup and the material cup are made of a nonmetallic material.

71. The ammunition disabler of one or more of the embodiments 65, 68, 69-70 where the primer cup is made of polymer.

72. The ammunition disabler of one or more of the embodiments 65-71 where the material comprises one or any combination of a nickel oxide material, a polyvinylidene fluoride material, a polystyrene coated lead zirconium titanate material, a glass material, a ceramic material, a polymer material, a polyethylene material, a polystyrene material, a thermoplastic material, a resin material, a crystal material, an inorganic compound material, a clay material, or a hydrogel material.

73. The ammunition disabler of one or more of the embodiments 65-72 where the material is structurally configured as one or more of a plate, a disk, a slug, a column, a coating, a plurality of microspheres, a grouping of microspheres individually or entirely coated with a coating material, a plurality of particles, a lattice, a compacted material, or a loosely packed material.

74. The ammunition disabler of one or more of the embodiments 65-73 where the material degrades from the operative state to the deactivated state through one or more of a reduction in size of at least some of the material, a collapsing of at least some of the material, a fracturing of at least some of the material, an aggregation of at least some of the material, a sintering of at least some of the material, a bursting of at least some of the material, a chemical reaction in at least some of the material, or breakage of at least some of the material.

75. The ammunition disabler of one or more of the embodiments 65-73 where the material degrades from the operative state to the deactivated state by continuous or pulsed exposure to the energy wave, the energy wave comprising one or any combination of an ultrasound wave, a microwave, an infrasound wave, a long wave radio wave, a medium wave radio wave, a short wave radio wave, or a terahertz wave.

76. The ammunition disabler of at least the embodiment 75 where an ultrasound frequency of the ultrasound wave is varied between one more ultrasound frequencies resonant to the material.

77. The ammunition disabler of at least the embodiment 75 where a microwave frequency of the microwave is varied between one more microwave frequencies resonant to the material.

78. The ammunition disabler of at least the embodiment 65 where the ammunition is one of a centerfire configuration or a rimfire configuration.

79. The ammunition disabler of at least the embodiment 65 where a second material is one or more of positioned within the material, integrated within the material, or positioned adjacent to the material.

80. The ammunition disabler of one or more of the embodiments 65-79 where a gap disrupts the mechanical link between the firing pin and the priming compound.

81. The ammunition disabler of one or more of the embodiments 65-80 where a microsphere structure is hollow and is filled with one or more of air, an inert gas, or a reactive gas.

82. The ammunition disabler of one or more of the embodiments 65-81 where the energy wave is in the frequency range of approximately 103Hz to 1014Hz.

83. The ammunition disabler of one or more of the embodiments 65-82 where the energy wave is emitted from an energy wave generator positioned externally from the firearm and arranged to emit the energy wave through a protected space, wherein the material is changed from the operative state to the deactivated state when the material is located within the protected space.

84. The ammunition disabler of one or more of the embodiments 65-83 where the energy wave comprises an ultrasound wave produced by an ultrasound transducer.

85. The ammunition disabler of one or more of the embodiments 65-83 where the energy wave comprises an microwave produced by a magnetron.

86. The ammunition disabler of one or more of the embodiments 65-85 where a second energy wave generator is positioned to expand the protected space or provide a second protected space.

87. An ammunition disabler responsive to an energy wave for selectively disabling ammunition is provided, and generally comprises a grouping of microspheres, at least some of the microspheres selectively degradable from an operative state to a deactivated state upon exposure to the energy wave, the grouping of microspheres being positioned within the primer cup between the firing pin and the priming compound when the ammunition is chambered within the firearm; wherein, when the grouping of microspheres is in the operative state, the grouping of microspheres are capable of forming a mechanical link between the firing pin and the priming compound so that the percussion wave from the firing pin is transmitted through the grouping of microspheres to ignite the priming compound when the firing pin is activated; and wherein, when the grouping of microspheres is in the deactivated state, the degradation of one or more of the microspheres disrupts the mechanical link and inhibits transmission of the percussion wave through the grouping of microspheres to prevent ignition of the priming compound.

88. An ammunition disabling system is provided for selectively disabling ammunition operatively coupled to a material that is selectively changeable from an operative state to a deactivated state, in the operative state the material permits transmission of a percussive impact through the material for enabling firing of the ammunition, in the deactivated state the material inhibits transmission of the percussion wave through the material for preventing firing of the ammunition, the ammunition disabling system comprising: an energy wave generator having an energy wave source that emits an energy wave through the air to create a protected space, the energy wave being emitted at a frequency resonant a natural frequency of the material; wherein, when the ammunition is positioned within the protective space the material can be selectively exposed to the energy wave, and upon exposure to the energy wave, the energy wave induces a response in the material that results in a mechanical change of the material from the operative state to the deactivated state by degrading the mechanical structure of the material.

89. The ammunition disabler of embodiment 88 where the mechanical structure of the material degrades from the operative state to the deactivated state by continuous or pulsed exposure to the energy wave.

90. The ammunition disabler of one or more of the embodiments 88-89 where the energy wave comprising one or any combination of an ultrasound wave, a microwave, an infrasound wave, a long wave radio wave, a medium wave radio wave, a short wave radio wave, or a terahertz wave.

91. The ammunition disabler of one or more of the embodiments 88-89 where the energy wave source comprises an ultrasound transducer and the energy comprises an ultrasound wave, wherein the ultrasound transducer is a fixed frequency transducer or a variable frequency transducer.

92. The ammunition disabler of one or more of the embodiments 88-91 where an ultrasound frequency of the ultrasound wave is varied between one more ultrasound frequencies resonant to the material.

93. The ammunition disabler of one or more of the embodiments 88-89 where the energy wave source comprises a magnetron and the energy comprises a microwave.

94. The ammunition disabler of one or more of the embodiments 88-89, 93 where a microwave frequency of the microwave is varied between one more microwave frequencies resonant to the material.

95. The ammunition disabler of one or more of the embodiments 88-94 where a power output of the energy wave is sufficient to induce the response in the material over an air gap between the energy wave source and the material.

96. The ammunition disabler of one or more of the embodiments 88-95 where the frequency of the energy wave is in the range of 103Hz to 1014Hz.

97. The ammunition disabler of one or more of the embodiments 88-96 where the energy wave induces a change in the material from the operative state to the deactivated state through one or more of a reduction in size of at least some of the material, a collapsing of at least some of the material, a fracturing of at least some of the material, an aggregation of at least some of the material, a sintering of at least some of the material, a bursting of at least some of the material, a chemical reaction in at least some of the material, or breakage of at least some of the material.

98. The ammunition disabler of one or more of the embodiments 88-97 where the system further comprises a second energy wave source that emits a second energy wave, the second energy wave being emitted at a second frequency matching the frequency of the energy wave or differing from the frequency of the energy wave.

99. The ammunition disabler of one or more of the embodiments 88-98 where a second energy wave generator comprises the second energy wave source, the second energy wave generator being positioned apart from the first energy wave generator.

100. The ammunition disabler of one or more of the embodiments 88-99 where the energy wave generator further comprises the second energy wave source, the energy wave source being directed in a first direction and the second energy wave source being directed in a second direction.

101. The ammunition disabler of one or more of the embodiments 88-100 where at least a portion of the energy wave generator oscillates to reorient the energy wave to change the protected space.

102. The ammunition disabler of one or more of the embodiments 88-101 where the portion of the energy wave generator reorients the energy wave through one or both of a linear path or an angular rotation.

103. The ammunition disabler of one or more of the embodiments 88-102 where the energy wave generator is one of a floor mounted system, a wall mounted system, a ceiling mounted system, a manned vehicle mounted system, an unmanned vehicle mounted system, a hand-held system, or a track mounted system.

104. The ammunition disabler of one or more of the embodiments 88-103 where the energy wave generator emits waves at multiple frequencies.

In closing, it is to be understood that although aspects of the present specification are highlighted by referring to specific embodiments, one skilled in the art will readily appreciate that these disclosed embodiments are only illustrative of the principles of the subject matter disclosed herein. Therefore, it should be understood that the disclosed subject matter is in no way limited to a particular compound, composition, article, apparatus, methodology, protocol, and/or reagent, etc., described herein, unless expressly stated as such. In addition, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that certain changes, modifications, permutations, alterations, additions, subtractions and sub-combinations thereof can be made in accordance with the teachings herein without departing from the spirit of the present specification. It is therefore intended that the following appended claims and claims hereafter introduced are interpreted to include all such changes, modifications, permutations, alterations, additions, subtractions and sub-combinations as are within their true spirit and scope.

Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing a characteristic, item, quantity, parameter, property, term, and so forth used in the present specification and claims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about.” As used herein, the term “about” means that the characteristic, item, quantity, parameter, property, or term so qualified encompasses a range of plus or minus ten percent above and below the value of the stated characteristic, item, quantity, parameter, property, or term. Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the specification and attached claims are approximations that may vary. For instance, as mass spectrometry instruments can vary slightly in determining the mass of a given analyte, the term “about” in the context of the mass of an ion or the mass/charge ratio of an ion refers to +/−0.50 atomic mass unit. At the very least, and not as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents to the scope of the claims, each numerical indication should at least be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques.

Although the present material80has been described in the present specification and exemplary embodiments as being useful for disabling ammunition or primer by exposing the material80to an energy wave124emitted at a resonant or optimal frequency, power, pulse time, the present material may be used in any application where it is a desire to activate or deactivate, loosen or tighten, turn on or turn off, open or close, or to induce any change of the mechanical state of a mechanism (move, rotate, shift, and so on). For example, the present material80may be integrated, installed, or positioned on or in a valve mechanism, where the valve changes state (from open to closed or closed to open) due to exposure of the material80to an energy wave124. In yet another alternate example, the present material80may be used with fasteners to release or tighten the fasteners (for example, in applications similar to existing shape memory fastener applications). Thus, the inventive material80is suitable for usage in many applications beyond the examples described in the present specification.

Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and values setting forth the broad scope of the invention are approximations, the numerical ranges and values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as possible. Any numerical range or value, however, inherently contains certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in their respective testing measurements. Recitation of numerical ranges of values herein is merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate numerical value falling within the range. Unless otherwise indicated herein, each individual value of a numerical range is incorporated into the present specification as if it were individually recited herein.

When used in the claims, whether as filed or added per amendment, the open-ended transitional term “comprising” (and equivalent open-ended transitional phrases thereof like including, containing and having) encompasses all the expressly recited elements, limitations, steps and/or features alone or in combination with unrecited subject matter; the named elements, limitations and/or features are essential, but other unnamed elements, limitations and/or features may be added and still form a construct within the scope of the claim. Specific embodiments disclosed herein may be further limited in the claims using the closed-ended transitional phrases “consisting of” or “consisting essentially of” in lieu of or as an amended for “comprising.” When used in the claims, whether as filed or added per amendment, the closed-ended transitional phrase “consisting of” excludes any element, limitation, step, or feature not expressly recited in the claims. The closed-ended transitional phrase “consisting essentially of” limits the scope of a claim to the expressly recited elements, limitations, steps and/or features and any other elements, limitations, steps and/or features that do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristic(s) of the claimed subject matter. Thus, the meaning of the open-ended transitional phrase “comprising” is being defined as encompassing all the specifically recited elements, limitations, steps and/or features as well as any optional, additional unspecified ones. The meaning of the closed-ended transitional phrase “consisting of” is being defined as only including those elements, limitations, steps and/or features specifically recited in the claim whereas the meaning of the closed-ended transitional phrase “consisting essentially of” is being defined as only including those elements, limitations, steps and/or features specifically recited in the claim and those elements, limitations, steps and/or features that do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristic(s) of the claimed subject matter. Therefore, the open-ended transitional phrase “comprising” (and equivalent open-ended transitional phrases thereof) includes within its meaning, as a limiting case, claimed subject matter specified by the closed-ended transitional phrases “consisting of” or “consisting essentially of.” As such embodiments described herein or so claimed with the phrase “comprising” are expressly or inherently unambiguously described, enabled and supported herein for the phrases “consisting essentially of” and “consisting of.”

Lastly, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, which is defined solely by the claims. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to that precisely as shown and described.