Aug 11, 2026

US12704363 - Non-destructive projectile recovery

A method and apparatus for the intact recovery of ammunition projectiles. A high pressure fluid cutting device severs the casing of the ammunition cartridge, rearward on the cartridge beyond the rearward extent of the projectile. An automated feeding apparatus collects, orients, and feeds the first halves so severed to a separation press. The separation press includes a press ram, and a brace block. The brace block has a through opening sized to pass the projectile without alteration, and an internal side wall engaging the first half by the portion of the casing. The method includes a pressing force applied to the first half by contacting a rearward extent of the projectile, until the projectile separates from the portion of the casing.

Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Army
Inventors: Joshua F. Brunn, Robert M. Kim
Filing date: 2025-06-05

ammunitionprojectilerecoverymethoddevice

The patent describes a method and apparatus for the non-destructive recovery of ammunition projectiles by using a high-pressure fluid cutting device to sever the cartridge casing. An automated feeding apparatus and a separation press are employed to collect and separate the projectile from the casing without altering its integrity.

Claim 1

1 . An apparatus for the intact recovery of ammunition projectiles, the apparatus comprising: a high pressure fluid cutting device operative to direct a fluid stream to erosively sever a casing of an ammunition cartridge, rearward on the cartridge beyond the rearward extent of the projectile, forming a first half of the cartridge including the projectile and at least a portion of the casing; an automated feeding apparatus collecting therein, orienting, and feeding therefrom a plurality of said first halves so severed; and a separation press, the separation press including a press ram, and a brace block having a through opening therein sized to pass the projectile without alteration thereof, and an internal side wall engaging the first half by the portion of the casing.

Google Patents

https://patents.google.com/patent/US12704363

USPTO PDF

https://image-ppubs.uspto.gov/dirsearch-public/print/downloadPdf/12704363