PRECISION AMMUNITION AND AUTOMATIC APPARATUS FOR HIGH SPEED PRECISION PORTIONING OF GRANULES BY WEIGHT

PRECISION AMMUNITION AND AUTOMATIC APPARATUS FOR HIGH SPEED PRECISION PORTIONING OF GRANULES BY WEIGHT

This application claims the benefit of US Provisional Application 61/947,274, filed March 3, 2014; US App. Ser. No.14/464,339, filed August 20, 2014; and US App. Ser. No. 14/464,405, filed August 20, 2014.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to projectiles fired or launched along the center line of an apparatus with a cantilever portion from which a projectile is fired or launched; and in particular, to vibrations of the cantilever component of such an apparatus. More specifically, the present invention relates to rifles, where the rifle barrel is a cantilever portion, and methods for increasing the accuracy of projectiles fired from the rifle.

The present invention also relates generally to the precise automatic measurement of granules by weight; and more particularly to the precise automatic high speed portioning of dry granular chemicals and compounds, such as in the mass production of ammunition cartridges.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

While the precision with which mass-produced, commercially available ammunition has substantially improved over many decades, a plateau has been reached in the accuracy of highly uniform ammunition. It is well known that when a round of ammunition is discharged through any rifled barrel, the barrel exhibits vibrations that can significantly reduce accuracy. These vibrations perturb the trajectory of a projectile as it exits the rifle barrel's muzzle. Prior art teaches the use of mechanical attachments to dampen the amplitude of such vibration so as to observably improve accuracy as evidenced by random scatter in target groupings of successively fired projectiles. Moreover, prior art pertaining to mass production of highly accurate ammunition has focused on the precision of manufacture of precisely uniform ammunition, including undifferentiated cartridge configurations, propeilant loads, and projectiles, that are made for use with any rifle or firearm capable of firing the same caliber and cartridge configuration.

The vibration of a rifle's barrel upon firing of a projectile is comprised by transverse waves, harmonic resonances, axial compression waves caused by the acceleration of a projectile's inertia! mass as it is axialiy rotated or "twisted" by barrel rifling, by acoustic pressure waves conducted through the firearm's barrel material and expanding gasses from the combustion of propeliant from the cartridge. The interaction of off-axis attachments to the barrel, including the rifle stock, scopes, flash guards, and other masses, significantly contribute to the alteration of the barrel's vibration, thereby, in each instance, modifying the waveform dynamics of any particular individual rifle. All of the hereinabove stated constituents of rifle barrel waveform dynamics are hereinafter referred to as barrel "harmonics."

One of the most effective ways to discover a means of reducing the random scatter in target groupings of successively fired projectiles from a particular, individual, and specific rifle is to experiment with specific and precisely graduated increments of the amount of propeliant loaded in ammunition cartridges so as to determine the amount of propeliant necessary to achieve observably optimum accuracy. This process is referred to as "tuning" or "timing" the ammunition for a particular, individual, and specific rifle. Experimental evidence conclusively demonstrates the efficaciousness of this process by demonstrating significant and substantial reduction of random scatter in target groupings of successively fired projectiles.

Once an optimal propeliant charge has been determined for use with a particular, individual, and specific rifle, precisely uniform ammunition for that rifle must thereafter be loaded with an identical measure of propeliant so as to achieve and maintain consistent accuracy. An optimum propeliant charge can significantly improve the relative accuracy of any rifle, including those of the same make and model, regardless of ammunition caliber, and regardless of any of a multiplicity of configurations including, but not limited to, rifle barrel length and taper, stock configuration including shape and material, and the post manufacture addition of various appliances such as scopes and other devices. While comparable results can be achieved by means of manual loading of the precisely optimal measure of propellant for a particular, individual, and specific rifle, such manual loading requires considerable skill, painstaking attention to detail, specialized assembly equipment, highly accurate measurement equipment, sufficient workspace, the storage and use of hazardous component materials, and a significant amount of time and financial investment.

The measurement of portions of granulated compounds is a critical process in a wide range of manufacturing processes. As an example, without limiting the application of the present disclosure, in the manufacture of small arms ammunition cartridges, precise propellant loads are required to ensure that projectiles (bullets) are accelerated consistently. The prior art discloses various methods to measure the volume of propellant prior to being loaded into cartridge cases. Although the prior art also teaches several different methods of measuring the weight of portions of granules, the methods are either too slow or too inaccurate to be practically applied to the high speed mass production of precision small arms ammunition.

The size and density of propellant granules vary with each manufactured batch or "lot" of propellant. At present the density of each granule of propellant can vary by as much as 16%. Contributing factors to the variability of propellant lots include the temperature and humidity of the environment at the time propellant granules are manufactured, shipped, and handled; minute variations in the calibration of the equipment that determines the size of each granule; statistically anomalous granulation; and other factors. While volumetric measurement of spherically shaped propellant can be accurate to within one tenth of a grain (0.000229 ounces) of propellant granules of the same lot, because the size and specific density of granules in different lots is inconsistent, portions of measured propellant, and the specific impulse imparted when the propellant is fired, is significantly inconsistent from lot to lot. Moreover, ammunition propellant granules are designed in several different varieties of shapes and sizes for use with various types of cartridges and in various types of firearms. Non-spherical shapes and larger sizes are less accurately measured by volumetric means alone. Additionally, the metering system should be capable of feeding the cartridge loading process at a rate consistent with the speed with which automatic cartridge loading apparatus are capable of assembly. Depending on the size and shape of cartridges being loaded, the speed with which modern cartridge loading systems operate can exceed 240 units per minute. Generally, the speed of production is constrained by the speed with which propellant can be apportioned and deposited into ammunition cartridge cases during assembly.

The prior art teaches various means of mechanically producing portions of granules. Whereas these processes may be reasonably accurate in the uniform portioning of spherical granules, volumetric measurement of granules that are not spherical in shape produce inconsistent results because the volume such granules occupy is affected by the position of the granules within the volume. As an example, granule flakes, as well as elongated cylindrical forms called "stick" granules, may either be randomly oriented or stacked. The density, and therefore the weight, of a small volume of flake or stick granules can significantly vary depending on the orientation of the granules within the volume of measurement.

Additionally, the most accurate methods of mechanically producing portions of granules by volume disclosed in prior art involve techniques such as worm screws and various methods of volume isolation by means of the movement of hard-edged volumetric capsules relative to hard-edged granule feed source tubes or troughs. These mechanical methods have a tendency to crush or slice non-spherical granules such as flake and stick shaped granules. Crushing and slicing propellant granules results with burn rate variations and inconsistency in the rate of acceleration of projectiles. This results with undesirable and inconsistent barrel pressure, projectile acceleration, muzzle velocity, and thereby accuracy, when ammunition is fired.

Military personnel are trained to select ammunition of the same lot where accuracy of fired projectiles is considered mission critical. By selecting ammunition of the same lot, it is assumed that each lot of ammunition contains the same lot of manufactured propellant material. Using a particular manufactured lot of spherical propellant material, the prior art can obtain volumetric measurement accuracy to within ten percent (10%) of a grain (0.000229 ounces) of each successively measured portion of granules. Since the specific density of a volume of propellant varies widely by manufactured lot, using the same volume to measure a different lot of propellant results with significant deviation between manufactured cartridges. However, volumetric measurement of various shapes of granules can be widely inconsistent. The volumetric measurement of flat or "flake" propellant, or elongated cylindrical forms, called "stick" propellants, are significantly less accurate by volume than spherical granules, called "ball" propellants. The shape of propellant granules is a critical design attribute of the propellant affecting the rate of burn and thereby the internal ballistics of ammunition when fired. The physical shape of propellant granules is a preferred means of regulating the internal pressure and the specific impulse imparted by during the propellant burn.

Moreover, the mass production of harmonically resonant ammunition, which in the best instance differentiates minutely precise variations in the weight of portions of propellant loads to a resolution of individual granules of propellant, the specific weight of propellant of various classes of harmonic loads necessitates that the granule metering system be capable of adjustment so as to consistently conform production to the specifically desired weight of propellant. It is well known that harmonically resonant or "tuned" ammunition, when matched to specific individual rifles, can more than double the accuracy of fired projectiles. However, because harmonically resonant ammunition requires precise portions of propellant measured to consistently match the rate of projectile acceleration with the harmonic properties of individual rifles, cost effective mass production of such ammunition has not been practicable. The present invention enables the mass production of such harmonically resonant ammunition by providing not only for more accurate measurement of propellant by weight, but also by enabling the automatic adjustment of portions of propellant to accurately differentiate between a range of propellant load classes so that users can reliably select the class that is most accurate when used with a particular rifle.

The accuracy of measurement and portioning by the present invention is consistent regardless of variations in the size, shape, density, and the volume of aggregates of various lots of granules of the same chemical or compound. In the production of ammunition propellant loads, provided that isolated portions of propellant do not contain crushed or sliced granules, the specific impulse, rate of burn, and internal ballistic pressure curves are most consistent.

SUMMARY

The present invention is a method for providing ammunition in propellant classes that, one of which may be selected to improve the accuracy of a plurality of specific rifles. The different classes precisely synchronize the acceleration and subsequent exit of a projectile from the muzzle of a rifle barrel to coincide with reduced physical distortions of the barrel caused by the interaction of the projectile with the barrel's unique harmonic attributes.

The practical application of the present invention, whether used alone or in conjunction with mechanical attachments to dampen the amplitude of vibration, significantly and substantially improves the accuracy of projectiles than can otherwise be achieved utilizing precisely uniform ammunition intended for use in any rifle capable of utilizing that caliber and cartridge configuration.

Matching the propellant load of the ammunition to the rifle can improve accuracy from more than 1 arc minute to within 7 arc seconds. An arc minute is about 1 inch per 100 yards. Overall, harmonically tuned ammunition can be up to ten times more accurate than an "off-the-shelf non-tuned variety, depending on the harmonic attributes of a given particular rifle.

Exemplary methods of the invention include providing ammunition cartridges for use in a rifle, comprising the steps of: providing multiple cartridges for use in a particular rifle and dividing the multiple cartridges into classes where each class is differentiated by specific and precisely graduated increments of propellant load contained in each class relative to each other class.

Furthermore, a customer can experiment with a range of classes within a type of ammunition product category to enable the identification and selection of the optimal class of ammunition for a particular, individual, and specific rifle. The optimal selection of the class of ammunition more uniformly accelerates the projectile of such class of ammunition to cause and closely coincide with a period of harmonically attenuated vibration as the projectile exits the muzzle of a specific, particular, and individual rifle. The period of harmonically attenuated amplitude of vibration reduces deflection, or more particularly, induced perturbation of the trajectory of a fired projectile.

Reduction of the perturbation of a fired projectile results in significant and substantial improvement in accuracy as evidenced by the reduction of random scatter in target groupings of successively fired projectiles of the same optimal class. A customer's selection and purchase of an optimally accurate class of

ammunition is convenient, eliminates the need for considerable skill on the part of an end user in the manual assembly of "timed" or "tuned" optimized ammunition propellant loads, eliminates the need for the customer to expend painstaking attention to detail in the assembly of optimal ammunition, eliminates the need for the customer to expend resources to obtain specialized assembly equipment or highly accurate measurement equipment, and sufficient and appropriate workspace to assemble custom ammunition for a particular, specific, individual firearm that is more accurate when used in the unique firearm than ammunition manufactured for general use in a non-specific firearm, eliminates the need for the customer to store, use, and manipulate hazardous component materials, and eliminates the need for the customer to expend significant time and financial resources in the assembly of custom ammunition.

An economy of scale in the production of such classes of product can reduce the cost of manufacture of such product relative to custom manufactured product that may be made specifically for use with a particular, individual, and specific rifle, can increase profit in the manufacture of such product relative to custom manufactured product that may be made specifically for use with a particular, individual, and specific rifle, and can reduce the cost to customers of product relative to custom manufactured product that may be made specifically for use with a particular, individual, and specific rifle.

Product distribution, by means of direct sales, wholesale distribution, and retail distribution, of ammunition to end users is demonstrably, significantly, and substantially more accurate, as evidenced by reduced random scatter in target groupings of successively fired projectiles of the same optimal class, than any mass produced ammunition not "timed" or "tuned" to a customer's particular, individual, and specific firearm, is accomplished.

To achieve the cost effective mass production of "timed" or "tuned" harmonically resonant ammunition, each of the different classes of precisely graduated loads of propellant can be portioned by weight. This is best accomplished by means of an automated process whereby, prior to insertion into cartridge cases during an automated cartridge assembly process, each propellant load is accurately weighed and

incrementally adjusted as necessary to assure the highest practical precision. In the alternative, the specific impulse of propellant utilized in each class can be of precise weight such that the acceleration of projectiles of each class are predictably

differentiated. In both former and later methods, the calibration of precise measures and the portioning process should be performed at a rate equal to the optimal assembly rate of high-speed automated cartridge assembly systems.

A kit can contain a listing of class ranges, or actual selections of product of different classes, of any of a plurality of types of ammunition of uniform caliber and cartridge configuration divided into classes where such caliber and certain cartridge components and configurations are physically uniform, including the primer, cartridge case, and the projectile of each cartridge configuration, but where each class is differentiated by specific and precisely graduated increments of propellant load contained in each class relative to each other class.

A customer's experimentation with the range of classes within the kit enables the identification and selection of the optimally accurate class of ammunition for a particular, individual, and specific rifle by means of evaluation of random scatter in target groupings of successively fired projectiles so as to determine which of the classes is most accurate.

An alternative to use of a kit includes pre-identification of individual firearm characteristics including, but is not limited to, the make, model, and identification of various attachments such as a scope, stocks, flash guards and other fixtures. This information can be used to statistically predict a significantly reduced set of ammunition classes than would otherwise be required to ascertain, by means of experimentation, an optimally accurate class.

The present disclosure also provides for the accurate portioning by weight of any granulated chemicals or compounds in industrial materials applications as diverse as, without limitation, pharmaceuticals, metallurgy, polymers, composites, ceramics, nanomaterials formulation and synthesis, and ammunition assembly.

The present disclosure is of a high speed automatic apparatus that precisely measures granular chemicals and compounds by weight and automatically recalibrates and adjusts portions to match desired target weights. Inconsistency in the size, shape, and density of the material both by manufactured lot as well within each lot, does not result with significant variation in the mass of the precisely measured portions. Moreover, the accuracy of portioning of granules by the disclosed apparatus can be to within the weight of an individual granule; and the apparatus avoids crushing and slicing of granules during processing.

As an example, without limiting applications of the present disclosure, a preferred embodiment of the present invention may be applied to the manufacture of ammunition. The accuracy of conventional ammunition when fired is significantly affected by the accuracy of propellant apportioned to cartridges during manufacture. In addition to precise uniformity of propellant loads, the present invention enables the mass production of harmonically resonant ammunition by providing not only for more accurate high speed measurement of propellant by weight, but also by enabling the automatic adjustment of portions of propellant to accurately differentiate between a range of propellant load classes such that users can reliably select the class of cartridge that is most accurate when used with a particular individual rifle.

The present disclosure also provides for the portioning by weight of ammunition propellant loads at rates equal to or greater than the nominal production rate of high speed automatic mass production cartridge assembly apparatus and is capable of exceeding 240 portions per minute.

The present invention also eliminates the need for manual calculation of the specific density of a manufactured lot of propellant. Volumetric measure of propellant requires such calculation to approximate the volume required to produce portions that approximate an intended product weight.

Additionally, volumetric measurement of non-spherical propellant used in rifle ammunition cartridges is notoriously inaccurate and frequently results with inconsistent cartridge loads.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the apparatus effectively improves the accuracy of the measure of portions of granules by weight. The physical shape, size, and weight of each of the granules of the type being processed are not significant to the accuracy of measure or to the speed with which they are processed. The accuracy of weight measurement of a portion of granules are within the weight of an individual granule regardless of the shape, size, physical configuration, or weight of the type of granules being processed.

According to the exemplary embodiment of the invention, the apparatus effectively avoids crushing or slicing spherical and non-spherical granules as the portions are measured and processed.

According to the exemplary embodiment of the invention, the apparatus can be entirely computer controlled such that no manual operator is necessary. The apparatus is capable of quick and automatic adjustment of the measure of each portion. The apparatus is capable of automatically purging the type of granules being processed so that another type can be processed. The measurement of the weight of each portion of granules can be accomplished without friction that could otherwise affect the accuracy of said weight measurement. The calibration of measures can be quickly and automatically accomplished.

According to the exemplary embodiment of the invention, the apparatus provides for the production of accurately measured portions at a rate comparable to the highest rate of consumption of such portions by subsequent manufacturing processes. The apparatus provides for extensibility to increase the practical production rate of the present invention as needed such that future increased production rates of subsequent manufacturing processes are possible without the replacement of the majority of the existing apparatus. The apparatus design configuration provides for a high MTBF (Mean Time Between Failure) of the apparatus as a whole. The apparatus design configuration provides for ease of maintenance, repair, and replacement of components that comprise the system.

Numerous other advantages and features of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description of the invention and the embodiments thereof, from the claims and from the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is an elevation view of a rifle schematically showing vibration of the barrel during firing;

Figure 2 is a schematic end view, looking down the rifle barrel, schematically showing vibration patterns without use of optimized propellant ammunition;

Figure 3 is a schematic end view of the rifle barrel showing looking down the rifle barrel, schematically showing vibration patterns with use of optimized propellant ammunition;

Figure 4 is an elevation view of a hypothetical target with bullet holes without use of optimized propellant ammunition;

Figure 5 is an elevation view of a hypothetical target with bullet holes with use of optimized propellant ammunition;

Figure 6 is a schematic sectional view of a known rifle cartridge;

Fig. 7 is a schematic, sectional diagram of a volumetric portioning part of an apparatus according to the invention;

Fig. 8 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of the volumetric portioning part of Fig. 7;

Fig. 8A is a perspective view of the portion shown in Fig. 8 in an assembled state; Fig. 9 is a schematic, sectional diagram of a weighing apparatus for a portion of the an apparatus according to the invention;

Fig. 10 is a schematic, sectional diagram of the weighing apparatus of Fig. 9 in a further stage of operation;

Fig. 1 1 is a schematic, sectional view of a weight portioning part of the apparatus according to the invention;

Fig. 12 is a plan view of the apparatus part shown in Fig. 1 1 ;

Fig. 13 is a schematic, sectional diagram of a dispensing part of the apparatus according to the invention;

Fig. 14 is a schematic, sectional diagram of the dispensing part of Fig. 13 in a further stage of operation;

Fig. 15 is a front view of the apparatus according to the invention;

Fig. 16 is a side view of the apparatus of Fig. 15;

Fig. 17 is a plan view of the apparatus of Fig. 15;

Fig. 18 is a plan view of a combination of four apparatus according to Fig. 15; Fig. 19 is a front view of the apparatus of Fig. 18;

Fig. 20 is a schematic, sectional view of a granule source hopper for the apparatus of Figure 18;

Fig. 21 is a schematic, sectional view of a granule consolidation assembly to be fed by the apparatus of Figure 18;

Fig. 22 is a schematic, sectional view of a tube consolidation and reject container to be fed by the apparatus of Fig. 18;

Fig. 23 is a process flow diagram for the apparatus of Fig. 15;

Fig. 24 is a schematic sectional view of an alternate dispensing conveyor to that shown in Figure 1 1 ; and

Fig. 24A is a sectional view taken generally along line 24A-24A in Figure 24.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there are shown in the drawings, and will be described herein in detail, specific embodiments thereof with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated.

This specification incorporates by reference US Provisional Application 61/947,274, filed March 3, 2014; US App. Ser. No.14/464,339, filed August 20, 2014; and US App. Ser. No. 14/464,405, filed August 20, 2014.

FIG. 1 shows a representation of a rifle 10 and, in particular, the muzzle 12 of a rifle barrel 14 indicating by arrows 16 the location of critical vibration that affects the deflection of the trajectory of a fired projectile. FIG. 2 shows a representation of the vibration of the rifle muzzle 12, not attenuated by means of the use of an optimum load of propellant, sighting down the barrel 14 from the muzzle 12 toward a chamber 20 as a projectile (not shown) exits the muzzle. The overlaid circles 12¹ indicate the moving positions of the muzzle 12 during firing. The arrow 24 represents the direction of acceleration of axial rotation, or "twist," resulting from the most common direction of barrel rifling as the projectile moves toward the point of view of the reader.

FIG. 3 shows a representation of the vibration of a rifle muzzle, attenuated by means of the use of an optimum load of propellant, sighting down the barrel from the muzzle toward the chamber as a projectile (not shown) exits the muzzle. The overlaid circles 12¹ indicate the moving positions of the muzzle 12 during firing. The arrow 24 represents the direction of acceleration of axial rotation, or "twist," resulting from the most common direction of barrel rifling as the projectile moves toward the point of view of the reader. In comparison to FIG. 2 it is apparent that the muzzle 12 moves in a more restricted pattern of circles 12¹ during firing. FIG. 4 shows a target 30 with a hypothetical representation of 5 random scattered bullet holes 32 in target groupings of successively fired projectiles where vibration of the muzzle has not been attenuated by an optimum load of propellant.

FIG. 5 shows a target 34 with a hypothetical representation of reduced random scattered bullet holes 36 in target groupings of successively fired projectiles where vibration of the muzzle has been attenuated by an optimum load of propellant. Compared to FIG. 4, the accuracy of the projectiles has been improved.

FIG. 6 illustrates a typical rifle cartridge 50. The cartridge 50 includes a projectile 52, a case 56, propellant 60 within the case and a primer 62 used to ignite the

propellant when the rifle fires the cartridge. According to the embodiments of the invention the amount of propellant 60 within the case 56 is adjusted according to different propellant classes.

The present invention provides a method to cost effectively mass-produce and sell a plurality of classes of ammunition where each such class is differentiated by precisely graduated increments of propellant loads, or the formulation of propellant so as to differentiate the specific impulse imparted by a similar volume or weight of propellant such that the acceleration and muzzle velocity of projectiles of the same weight and physical configuration are similarly differentiated by class, but are otherwise highly uniform in all other respects. This present disclosure embodies the practical production, selection, and sale of ammunition that, when fired by a particular, individual, and specific rifle, exhibits significant and substantial improvement in accuracy relative to ammunition manufactured with high precision but with propellant loads not differentiated for use with a particular, individual, and specific rifle.

Table 1 shows exemplary propellant loads for a Winchester .308 (7.62mm

NATO) cartridge with the following components: a Sierra 150 grain boat tail spitzer projectile (ballistic coefficient of .416 with a sectional density of .226); Winchester 748 Smokeless Ball Powder (W748). The example propellant range is from 44.0 grains to 46.9 grains; with First Selection Tier in 0.4 grain increments, followed by Second Tier Increments in 0.1 grain increments. A broader or narrower range can be utilized in First Tier Selection. First Tier selection can also be accomplished in 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, and 0.5 grain increments as necessary to facilitate optimally efficient discovery of the most accurate loads depending on cartridge components, the make and model of rifle, and desired muzzle velocity range within maximum safe load specifications. TABLE 1 : Stock Keeping Load Classes (0.4 grain first tier, 0.1 grain second tier) Class Designation Increments

Primary Subsidiary 0.4gr 0.1 gr

1 44.0

b 44.1 c 44.2 d 44.3

2 44.4

f 44.5 g 44.6 h 44.7

3 44.8

j 44.9 k 45.0

I 45.1

4 46.2

n 46.3

0 46.4

P 46.5

5 46.6

r 46.7 s 46.8 t 46.9

Note: 0.1 grains = 0.000229 ounces = 6.48 milligrams In the alternative to the precise measure of propellant by weight to differentiate between classes of harmonically resonant ammunition, the formulation of propellant so as to differentiate the specific impulse imparted by a similar volume or weight of propellant such that the acceleration and muzzle velocity of projectiles of the same weight and physical configuration are similarly differentiated by class, to achieve the desired improvement in accuracy.

To reduce the total number of test firings necessary to determine the optimal load class, the selection methodology can utilize First Tier test firing to achieve significant improvement in accuracy. Thereafter, refinement utilizing Second Tier increments to determine the absolutely optimal load for a particular rifle can be accomplished.

A user can determine through trial and error, or by use of a test kit, or by utilizing a narrower test range derived from statistical analysis of a field of optimal load data from the same make and model of rifle, that a class 2-f propellant-loaded cartridge is most accurate for the user's rifle. Class 2-f could thereafter be supplied for that rifle with resultant improved accuracy.

The present invention provides a method whereby ammunition optimized for accuracy by means of precisely "timed" or "tuned" ammunition is produced for a particular, individual, and specific rifle's unique barrel harmonics. The present disclosure pertains, and is efficacious, regardless of make, model, variations in manufacture, and configuration of each particular, individual, and specific rifle.

The present invention provides for mass production of a plurality of various classes of ammunition sufficient to produce the desired result of the present disclosure. The purpose of such a plurality of classes is to enable customers to experimentally determine the optimal load of propellant for a particular, individual, and specific rifle or other firearm and thereafter select "off-the-shelf at retail, in person, online, by mail, or by any other practicable means, the class of product within that type that in particular contains the optimal load for the customer's particular, individual, and specific firearm. The present disclosure also embodies a commercial process that effectively utilizes online sales as a commercial modality where ROI per square foot of retail shelf space is less critical to maintain an inventory of a plurality of classes of otherwise similar product. By means of the presently disclosed method, customers may avoid the necessity of manual, or otherwise causing the production of, custom ammunition. By this means, customers avoid expending considerable expense and time otherwise necessary to acquire considerable skill, specialized assembly equipment, highly accurate measurement equipment, sufficient workspace, can avoid the storage and use of hazardous component materials, and need not devote the painstaking attention to detail necessary to manually produce unique ammunition for a particular, individual, and specific firearm.

Each specific and precisely graduated class of propellant load or formulation is differentiated by packaging and/or descriptions printed, posted online, or otherwise published as technical material and/or marketing messages, and stocked as separate and distinct stock keeping units ("SKUs").

To effectuate the advantageous utility of a finished product containing the optimal load or formulation of propellant for a customer's particular, individual, and specific rifle, customers may experiment within the range of specific and precisely graduated propellant classes pertaining to a desired caliber and cartridge configuration so as to determine for themselves which of the classes exhibits the best accuracy with their particular, individual, and specific firearm. Thereafter, to maintain optimal accuracy with the particular individual firearm, customers need only select the same packaged product previously determined by them to be optimal, unless and until the firearm is materially modified. Manufacturers of firearms may also pre-classify each of the rifles they produce, marking the rifle, its packaging, or providing other messages, so that customers may avoid the necessity of experimentation within the range of specific and precisely graduated propellant classes to determine for themselves which of the classes exhibits the best accuracy with a particular, individual, and specific firearm.

In the event of a material change or modification of the firearm affecting barrel harmonics, such as the addition of a scope, alternate stocks, a vibration dampener, a flash suppressor or flash guard, or other equipment, customers may again experiment within the range of specific and precisely graduated propellant classes pertaining to a desired caliber and cartridge configuration to determine which of the classes exhibits the best accuracy with their particular, individual, and specific firearm. Thereafter, to maintain optimal accuracy with the particular, individual, and specific firearm, customers need only select the same packaged product previously determined to be optimal unless and until the firearm is again materially modified. Barrel harmonics constitute temporally evolving vibrations, comprised of a complex compound waveform containing a multiplicity of harmonic frequencies, wave amplitudes, and reverberations in both compound pressure waves and transverse waves throughout the length of a rifle barrel and pronounced at the muzzle of the barrel. These vibrations, while exhibiting evolving cumulative amplitudes comprised of numerous harmonics, are consistently repeated each time a particular individual rifle is fired using uniformly identical ammunition, provided that the barrel and other fixtures are firmly seated.

By means of sequential, specific, and precisely graduated changes of the propellant load, or propellant formulations, the acceleration of a projectile is modified so as to change the interval between the firing of the cartridge's primer and the exit of the projectile from the barrel, enabling synchronization of the arrival at the barrel's muzzle of harmonically attenuated vibration with the arrival of the projectile. When the amplitude of such vibration is reduced, the stability and trajectory of a projectile concurrently exiting the muzzle is least perturbed or deflected, thereby significantly improving accuracy as evidenced by significant and substantial reduction of random scatter in target groupings of successively fired projectiles.

Multiple "windows" of harmonically attenuated vibration occur during the period between the detonation of ammunition primer and exit of the projectile from the muzzle. However, the specific timing of the arrival of each incident of reduced vibration at the muzzle of a particular individual rifle is dependent on a particular individual rifle's specific and unique barrel harmonics, including modification of the waveform resulting from the characteristics of the specific ammunition propellant charge. The attack, sustain, and decay of each rifle's harmonic waveform is modified by the propellant load or formulation and projectile attributes of each specific and precisely graduated class within each type of ammunition. Thus, precise prediction of the formulation of each rifle's barrel harmonics is problematic. Other than general statistical predictions, only after a rifle has been fully assembled and configured for field use can a propellant load be determined to optimally "time" the arrival of a projectile coincident with the temporal arrival of an incident of suitably attenuated vibration. As each load is modified with experimentation, windows of reduced vibration can be seen to be approached, and ultimately safely exploited, thereby causing random scatter in target groupings of successively fired projectiles to be observably, significantly, and substantially reduced. Although an optimal class of propellant load or formulation, sufficient to produce the desired results of the present disclosure, cannot be reliably determined without direct experimentation with the particular, individual, and specific firearm, the present invention also incorporates the production or designation of experimental kits with which an optimal class of ammunition can be determined using a significantly reduced set of classes of ammunition by means of the elimination of statistically outlying increments of propellant load or formulation that would otherwise be required to ascertain an optimally accurate propellant load. The basis of statistical prediction of a narrower subset of test classes is a derivation of the harmonic vibrations resulting from highly similar physical characteristics of different firearms of the same make and model; and can incorporate common attachments. These characteristics include, but are not limited to similarities in: the length, thickness, and taper of barrels; the shape, density, and elasticity of stocks; magazine configuration; and receiver assemblies structures between multiple copies of the same make and model of rifle; as well as the addition of the most common scopes and other optional equipment.

To effectuate optimal accuracy of any firearm, regardless of ammunition load, the barrel and all other assemblies and masses are firmly seated and attached. This is so that the barrel harmonic waveforms can be reliably replicated each time a cartridge is fired.

While precisely optimal "timing" of propellant can reduce random scatter in target groupings of successively fired projectiles from a particular, individual, and specific rifle to less than ten arcseconds of variation, because the attenuation of harmonic vibration increases as an absolutely optimal propellant load is approached, significant and substantial improvement in accuracy can be achieved while limiting the absolute variety of propellant loads to a practical subset of the total possible variety of graduations differentiating each classes for each caliber and cartridge configuration of ammunition. Production Methodology Utilizing industrial high-precision mass-production manufacturing techniques to produce functionally identical highly uniform ammunition, the subject invention is realized in the production of specific and precisely graduated increments of propellant loads, or in the formulation of propellant so as to differentiate the specific impulse imparted by a similar volume or weight of propellant in ammunition cartridges that are otherwise highly uniform and functionally identical.

The present disclosure's utility is realized by achieving a reasonable balance between the most accuracy technically possible by means of the disclosed technique, and the cost effective production, inventory maintenance, and sale of a reasonably limited variety of propellant load classes necessary to achieve significant and substantial improvement in the accuracy of a customer's rifle. The economy of scale of manufacture and sale of such classes of propellant loads can thereby be obtained. Assembly, maintenance, and packaging of a sufficient variety of stock keeping units ("SKUs") in quantities sufficient to meet sales demand and customer expectations, that also strikes a reasonable balance such that produced ammunition is substantially and significantly more accurate than uniform ammunition, is the practical result of the present invention.

To achieve the cost effective mass production of "timed" or "tuned" harmonically resonant ammunition, each of the different classes of precisely graduated loads of propellant can be portioned by weight. This is best accomplished by means of an automated process whereby, prior to insertion into cartridge cases during an automated cartridge assembly process, each propellant load is accurately weighed and

incrementally adjusted as necessary to assure the highest practical precision. In the alternative, the specific impulse of propellant utilized in each class can be of precise weight such that the acceleration of projectiles of each class are predictably differentiated. In both former and later methods, the calibration of precise measures and the portioning process should be performed at a rate equal to the optimal assembly rate of high-speed automated cartridge assembly systems. An advantageous method and apparatus for precisely loading ammunition casings with propellant is described in Figures 7-24A below.

Each specific and precisely graduated increment of propellant class is differentiated by packaging and descriptive materials marketed as separate and distinct SKUs. Customers are enabled to effectuate the advantageous use of finished product containing an available optimal load of propellant for a particular, individual, and specific rifle. By experimenting within the range of specific and precisely graduated product classes for a particular firearm's caliber and desired cartridge configuration, customers are able to determine which of the classes of product exhibits the best accuracy with their particular, individual, and specific rifle. Thereafter, to maintain optimal accuracy with the particular individual firearm, customers need only select the same packaged product and class thereof previously determined by them to be optimal, unless and until the firearm is materially modified.

In the event of a material change or modification of the firearm affecting barrel harmonics, such as the addition of a scope, alternate stock, a vibration dampener, a flash suppressor, or other equipment, customers may again experiment within the range of specific and precisely graduated product classes pertaining to a desired caliber and cartridge configuration to determine which of the classes exhibits the best accuracy with their particular, individual, and specific firearm. Thereafter, to maintain optimal accuracy with the particular individual firearm, customers need only select the same packaged product and class thereof previously determined to be optimal, unless and until the firearm is again materially modified.

The present invention comprises a number of unique innovations in the measurement and portioning of granular chemicals and compounds by mass. The application of the methods herein disclosed pertain to the accurate automated measurement and portioning of dry granulated chemicals and compounds in industrial materials applications as diverse as, without limitation, pharmaceuticals, metallurgy, polymers, coatings, composites, ceramics, and nanomaterials formulation and synthesis. Variation in the physical shape of the granules has no effect on the accuracy of granule portioning.

One advantageous use for the present invention is to precisely load ammunition to tune ammunition to the utilized rifle for shooting accuracy as described in Figures 1 -6 above.

An exemplary embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 7-24A operates as follows. Granular material 1 10 is retained by a granule source hopper 1 12 that releases small quantities of free flowing granular material so as to limit the weight of material bearing down on the volumetric metering system or volumetric assembly 1 14. A photo sensor 1 16 detects when the small portion of granules being fed into a chamber 1 18 of the volumetric assembly 1 14 requires replenishment. Granular material from the small portion of granules is fed by gravity into the volumetric assembly 1 14 comprised of a multiplicity of spring-loaded telescoping chambers 1 18, the compression of which, and thereby the interior volume of which, may be modified as needed by a gear mechanism 126 (Fig. 15) and stepper motor assembly 128 under the control of a computer. The material 1 10 is then acted on by a screed 132 on a screed plate 133. The screed includes a flexible steel and rubber mesh immediately followed by a round or angular surface to remove excess material from the top of the telescoping chamber 1 18 without slicing or crushing the granules as they are isolated in the chamber. The resulting volumetrically measured portion of the subject material is transferred to a container of a granule cup assembly 136 as the volumetric assembly 1 14 rotates under the control of a further gear mechanism 144 and stepper motor 148 assembly under the control of the computer (Fig. 16). The granule cup assembly 136 is itself located in a position on a rotational plate or platform 150 holding a plurality of additional granule cup assemblies 136. As the rotational platform 150 rotates, it delivers the subject granule cup assembly 136 containing the granular portion to a scale 156. The granule cup assembly 136 is installed on the rotational platform 150 such that it rests through a hole in the rotational platform and is able to move vertically without obstruction, held axially in position by two positioning pins 160 that also pass through the rotational platform 150. When the granule cup assembly 136 is positioned in the center of the scale 156, the rotational platform rotates minutely backward so that the granule cup assembly 136 and positioning pins 160 are free standing on the scale 156 with preferably no point whatsoever in contact with the rotational platform 150; thus eliminating any possible friction between the rotational platform 150 and the granule cup assembly 136 that might otherwise adversely affect the accuracy of weight measurement. The granule cup assembly 136 and subject material portion 1 10 are then weighed to determine, less the weight of the container, an exact weight measurement of the subject material 1 10.

If the material 1 10 is overweight, the computer causes the retention of the material as the rotational platform 150, under computer control, causes the granule cup assembly 136 to pass over other stations until the subject granule cup assembly is positioned where the overweight portion may be dumped. Preferably, the granule cup assembly 136 is emptied of all granules during the dump. The subject material is dumped into a chute 166 that directs the material 1 10 into a container 170 for rejected granule portions so that the material 1 10 may be reprocessed. Simultaneously, the computer causes the interior volumes of the volumetric assembly's 1 14 volumetric measurement chambers 1 18 to be automatically incrementally reduced, thus reducing the weight of subsequent granule portions.

If the weight of the subject portion 10 is more than a small number of granules underweight, the computer causes the retention of the material as the rotational platform 150, under computer control, causes the granule cup assembly 136 to pass over other stations until the subject granule cup assembly 136 is positioned where the underweight portion may be dumped. Preferably, the granule cup assembly 136 is emptied of all granules during the dump. The subject material 1 10 is dumped into a chute that directs the material into a container for rejected granule portions so that the material may be reprocessed. Simultaneously, the computer causes the interior volumes of the volumetric assembly's 1 14 volumetric measurement chambers 1 18 to be automatically incrementally increased, thus increasing the weight of subsequent granule portions. When the weight of the subject volumetric measure is equal to or slightly less than, but never over, the target weight specification, the automatic volumetric calibration is complete. However, automatic volumetric calibration is reinitiated whenever this said condition is no longer valid.

With the subject granule cup assembly 136 is in position on the scale 156, a granule meter assembly 180 that can be computer controlled, adds a small number of additional individual granules 1 10 until the target weight of the portion is achieved to within the weight of an individual granule 1 10. Any error causing an overweight portion in this instance does not initiate volumetric calibration, but the computer causes the retention of the material as the rotational platform, under computer control, rotates the granule cup assembly 136 to pass it over other stations until the subject granule cup assembly 136 is positioned where the overweight portion may be dumped. Preferably, the granule cup assembly 136 is emptied of all granules during the dump. The subject material is dumped into the chute 66 that directs the material into the container 170 for rejected granule portions so that the material may be reprocessed.

When a weighed portion of granules meets the target weight specification, the computer causes the rotational platform 150 to move the subject granule cup assembly 136 to where the portion may be delivered by means of a chute 188 to a granule consolidation assembly 192 to time the release of the portion for further processing depending on the intended application of the subject material. Preferably, the granule cup assembly 136 is emptied of all granules during the delivery to the chute 188.

The operation of the granule meter assembly 180 is as follows: granular material is retained by a second granule source hopper 196 that releases small quantities of free flowing granular material 1 10 so as to limit the weight of material bearing down into the internal working of the granule meter assembly 180; a horizontal conveyor 206 limits the flow and regulates the feed rate of granular material 1 10 into the assembly 180; a narrow inclined conveyor 210 with compartments, cups, indentations, or depressions 216 such that only one granule of the type being processed may be situated within a compartment 216 at one time and moves and isolates individual granules in preparation for release from the assembly; a gear mechanism 222 drives the action of both conveyors 206, 210 where the horizontal conveyor 206 is slower than the inclined conveyor 210; a computer controlled stepper motor 228 drives the gear mechanism 222; a V-shaped trough 234 directs the flow of granules 1 10 onto the inclined conveyor 210 when they fall from the horizontal conveyor 206; an electric motor 240 with an off- axis weight, or a transducer, vibrates the V-shaped trough 234; a brush 244 prohibits back spilling granules 1 10 as they are fed to the V-shaped trough 234 from the horizontal conveyor 206; a brush 248 at the apex 252 of the inclined conveyor 210 clears granules 1 10 not properly seated within a compartment 216 of the inclined conveyor 210; a photo sensor 260 at the apex 252 of the inclined conveyor 210 verifies the presence of an individual granule 1 10; a chute 266 directs individual granules 1 10 as they fall from the end of the inclined conveyor 210 to an exit port 388 of the granule meter assembly 180; a photo sensor 276 at the exit port 388 of the granule meter assembly 180 verifies the release of an individual granule 1 10; and a computer controlled solenoid 282 closes an exit port hatch 272 of the granule meter assembly whenever a granule cup assembly 136 is not at rest in position on the scale.

Fig. 7 is a diagram showing the granule metering process whereby the interior volume of a telescoping cylinder 1 18 controls the volume of granules to be weighed. Also indicated is a cross section of a portion of a rotational platform containing a granule cup assembly 136 into which metered granules are deposited.

Fig. 7 shows the granule feed hopper 1 12. Fig. 7 shows the photo sensor 1 16 that triggers the computer controlled release of granules from the granule source hopper 1 12 when the chamber 1 18 is low. Granules 1 10 are gravity fed into the granule feed hopper 1 12 in small quantities to reduce pressure as granules 1 10 are fed into the volumetric chamber 1 18. The screed 132 then divides feed source granules 1 10 from the granules 1 10 that have been portioned in a chamber 1 18 of the volumetric assembly 1 14 as the chamber moves relative to a Base Plate 273 and the Screed Plate 133. Fig. 7 shows the side view of a flexible steel and rubber mesh embedded into the screed 132 of the volumetric assembly 1 14. The flexible steel and rubber mesh, together with a rounded or angular leading edge, pushes granules as the volumetric assembly is rotated relative to and between the screed plate 133 and the base plate 273 while avoiding slicing or crushing granules of any shape as the screed 132 divides an initial volumetric measurement of granules from the feed source. Fig. 7 shows a detachable feed tube 290 that carries granules from a hopper meter (Fig. 20) to the hopper 1 12.

The metered volume of granules is variable as required to most closely yield the target weight 294 of granules, equal to or less than the target weight parameter, as measured by the scale 156. This is accomplish as the screed plate 133 is moved vertically relative to the base plate 273 which changes the relative vertical position of the top and bottom chamber plates 302, 304 of the volumetric assembly 1 14. The vertical position of the screed plate 133 is automatically adjusted by means of computer control of a stepper motor 128 and gear configuration 126; an example of which configuration is provided in Figs. 16-18. The top chamber plate 302 is separated from the screed plate 132 by means of a bearing ring (not shown) which maintains the relative vertical position of each plate 202, 133 while permitting the top chamber plate 302 to rotate in unison with the bottom chamber plate 304. The bottom chamber plate 304 is separated from the Base Plate 273 by means of a bearing ring (not shown) which maintains the relative vertical position of each plate 273, 304 while permitting the bottom plate 304 to rotate under computer control of a gear mechanism 330, and stepper motor assembly 334 (Fig. 16).

When a granule filled chamber 1 18 moves into position, the granules 1 10 drop, through a slosh ring 340, which is a part of each granule cup assembly 136, that inhibits the loss of any granules as the granule cup assembly 136 is rotated rapidly, and which sits on a rotational platform 150 that transports one or more granule cup assemblies 136. Preferably, the chamber 1 18 is emptied of all granules during the drop. The orientation of the granule cup assembly 136 is maintained by the positioning pins 160 that guide each granule cup assembly to freely move vertically as needed in the next process. Two or more pins 160 are provided which protrude through respective holes 161 through the plate 150.

Fig. 8 and 8A are three dimensional drawings showing the relationship of the top and bottom portion of a rotational volume assembly that enables variable volumetric measurement of granules as in Fig. 7. The components are also shown in an assembled position (Fig. 8A).

The top and bottom plates 302, 304 incorporate top and bottom nesting or telescoping chamber tubes 350, 354. Openings 351 , 352 in the chamber tubes 350, 354 permit the tubes to nest, thus providing a variable interior volume with variation in the proximity of the top and bottom plates 302, 304. Apertures 356, 358 through the top and bottom plates permit granules to enter each of the chambers 1 18 from above, and exit from below.

Fig. 9 is a diagram of a section of the rotational platform with a granule cup assembly 136 containing a metered portion of granules deposited by the volumetric measurement process of Fig. 7 as it encounters a scale platform so that the specific weight of the portion of granular aggregate may be measured.

Fig. 9 shows a section of the rotational platform 150 with a granule cup assembly 136 being moved into position for weight measurement. A replaceable steel platform cover 362 is depicted that fits on the top of the scale 156 with an incline leading edge 362a that lifts the granule cup assembly 136 permitting it to be centered on the scale 156 to be weighed thereby. As the platform cover 362 wears from continuous use, it can be easily replaced as can worn granule cup assemblies 136.

Fig. 10 is a diagram showing a granule cup assembly sitting on the scale as the rotational platform 150 is halted and the granule cup assembly 136 is able to freely rise and fall in relation to the rotational platform as its weight is measured by the scale 156.

Fig. 10 shows the granule cup assembly 136 containing a portion of granules being weighed. The granule cup assembly 136 can freely move vertically so that the weight of the assembly together with the portion of granules can be sampled. The total weight, less the weight of the granule cup assembly 136, yields the weight of the portion of granules.

Fig. 1 1 is a diagram showing a granule meter assembly that can release individual granules, as needed, so that the weight of each granule cup assembly with the granular aggregate matches the target specification while the granule cup assembly is on the scale depicted in Fig. 10. Fig. 1 1 shows a simplified side view of a granule meter assembly 180, a device that isolates and releases individual granules 1 10 to a waiting granule cup assembly 136 as it is being weighed as in Fig. 10. Granules may be added until the precise target weight specification is achieved. Granules are fed to the apparatus by means of a tube 372 and retained in the small hopper 196. The horizontal conveyor 206 drops small quantities of granules into a V-shaped inclined trough 234 (Fig. 12) vibrated by an electric motor 240 with an off-axis weight, or a transducer, so that an inclined conveyor 210 can capture individual granules 1 10. The V-shaped inclined trough 234 is vibrated by the electric motor 240 (Fig. 12) with an off-axis weight, or a transducer, to assist the movement of individual granules 1 10 onto the inclined conveyor 210. The surface 210a of the inclined conveyor 210 has nubs 216 sized and spaced to accommodate no more than one individual granule of the approximate shape and size being processed. A brush 241 prohibits granules from falling backward as the conveyor enters the V-shaped trough. A brush 248 near the apex 252 of the inclined trough 210 prohibits the release of more than one individual granule at a time. A photo detector 260 confirms the presence of each granule at the apex of the inclined conveyor 210. When each individual granule 1 10 is released (see arrow 154), the photo detector 276 confirms the release. A gate 272 is open during release, but closed during the movement of granule cup assemblies 136, actuated by a computer controlled solenoid 282. The inclined conveyor 210 is actuated by a stepper motor 228. A gear mechanism 222 advances the horizontal conveyor 206 via a gear mechanism 223 at a slower rate than the inclined conveyor 210 so that granules are not accumulated as they are fed to the inclined conveyor.

Fig. 12 shows a simplified top view of a granule meter assembly 180. The top of the gear mechanism 222 advances the horizontal conveyor 206. The stepper motor 228 that drives both the horizontal and inclined conveyors is shown. The horizontal conveyor's 206 unpowered roller 384 positions granules for their fall into the V-shaped trough 234. Fig. 12 shows the position of the outlet aperture 388 for individual granules as they exit the granule meter assembly. The granule hopper 196 is the inlet for granules for processing by the granule meter assembly 180. A V-shapes panel 402, beneath the horizontal conveyor 206 at the feed end of the V-shaped trough 234 confines granules and directs them onto the inclined conveyor 210. A relative position of the top surface 206a of the horizontal conveyor 206 is shown. A top surface 210a of the inclined conveyor 210 isolates and transports individual granules 1 10 (granules not shown) to the apex 252 of the conveyor 210 where individual granules are released.

Fig. 13 is a diagram showing the next station as the rotational platform delivers the granule cup assembly for release of granules into a chute.

Fig. 13 shows one of two granule cup assembly release stations 406. A granule cup assembly 136 is first positioned by the rotational platform 150 over the fall chute 188 in preparation for release of the granules to the granule consolidation assembly 192 (Fig. 21 ). At this release station 406, only if the target weight of the granule aggregate is correct will the granules be released. If the initial volumetric measure exceeds the precise target weight specification, the granules will not be released. Instead, the granular aggregate will proceed to the next identical station where they will be released and accumulated in the overweight container 170 (Fig. 22). In each case, as a granule cup assembly 136 is positioned, a cover 408 stabilizes the granule cup assembly's vertical position for release. The granule cup assembly's release tab 420 is positioned so that the release arm 424 can engage the tab 420. A solenoid actuator 428 is shown in its idle position.

Fig. 14 is a diagram showing the release of the granular aggregate into the chute as a solenoid is actuated.

Fig. 14 shows the granule cup assembly 136 releasing its load with its spring loaded hatch 430, pulled toward closed by the spring 431 , drawn open by the action of the solenoid 428 acting on the tab 420.

Fig. 15 is a drawing showing a front view of one complete modular assembly 500 including the location of the drive gear 506 for the spring loaded chamber tubes 1 18 sandwiched between the screed plate 133 and the base plate 273 of the volumetric assembly 1 14. Each tube 1 18 is surrounded by a coil spring 1 19, which is compressed as the plate 133 is adjusted to approach the plate 273. The chamber tubes 1 18 may also be advanced using a central shaft directly connected to a stepper motor or solenoid ratchet mechanism. Fig. 15 depicts the side of the gear mechanism 510 that compresses the spring loaded chamber tubes 1 18 of the volumetric assembly 1 14 causing the chamber tube assembly to telescope, uniformly expanding or reducing the interior volume of each chamber 1 18, thereby expanding or reducing the volume of initially portioned material as needed. Fig. 15 shows the granule source inlet 290 to the Volumetric Assembly. Fig. 15 depicts the granule hopper 196 that is the inlet for granules for processing by the granule meter assembly 180. Fig. 15 shows the drive gear 506 and shaft connected to the stepper motor 128 and advances the gear mechanism 126 that compresses the chamber tubes 1 18. Fig. 15 shows the location of the non-moving granule meter assembly 180, positioned over a granule cup assembly 136 in position on the scale 156. Fig. 15 shows a granule cup assembly 136 in position to release its granular aggregate into the feed chute 188 to deliver the granular aggregate to the next process. Fig. 15 shows a granule cup assembly 136 in position to release its overweight granular aggregate into the feed chute 166 to deliver its granular aggregate to a container for overweight granular aggregates rejected during the automatic portion calibration process and for any overweight granular aggregates produced during production cycles. Fig. 15 depicts a side view of the drive gear 330 that advances the rotational platform 150 into which the granule cup assemblies 136 are fitted. The rotational platform may also be advanced using a central shaft directly connected to a stepper motor or solenoid ratchet mechanism. Fig. 15 shows the location of one of four the worm gears (screw) 530 that contracts or expands the distance between the screed plate 133 and the Base Plate 273 of the volumetric assembly. Each of the gears 530 are rotated by a gear 126a, 126c, 126f, 126h, respectively (Fig. 17).

Fig. 16 is a drawing showing a side view of one complete modular assembly. Fig.

16 shows the granule source inlet 290 to the volumetric assembly 1 14. Fig. 16 shows the location of the worm gears (screw) 530 that contracts or expands the distance between the screed plate 133 and the base plate 273 of the volumetric assembly. Fig. 16 shows the location of the non-moving granule meter assembly 180 and the stepper motor 228 that powers its internal conveyors. Fig. 16 depicts a side view of the drive gear that advances the rotational platform 150 into which the granule cup assemblies 136 are fitted. Fig. 16 depicts the granule hopper 196 that is the inlet for granules for processing by the granule meter assembly 180. Fig. 16 depicts the side of the gear mechanism 126 that compresses the spring loaded chamber tubes 1 18 causing the chamber tubes to telescope, uniformly expanding or reducing the interior volume of each chamber 1 18, thereby expanding or reducing the volume of initially portioned material as needed. Fig. 16 depicts the location of the drive gear 144 for rotating the volumetric assembly 1 14. Fig. 16 shows the drive gear and shaft 506 connected to the stepper motor and advances the gear mechanism 126 that compresses the chamber tubes 1 18. Fig. 16 shows the feed chute 188 that delivers the granular aggregate to the next process. Fig. 16 shows the feed chute 166 that delivers granules to the container for overweight granular aggregates rejected during the automatic portion calibration process and for any overweight loads produced during production cycles.

Fig. 17 is a drawing showing a top view of one complete modular assembly 500. Fig. 17 shows the location of a volumetric chamber 1 18 positioned to drop its load into a granule cup assembly 136. Fig. 17 shows the top of the rotational platform 150 into which the granule cup assemblies are fitted. Fig. 17 shows a granule cup assembly positioned over the feed chute 188 that delivers the granular aggregate to the next process. Fig. 17 shows a granule cup assembly in position on the scale where the granule meter assembly 80 deposits individual granules as needed to achieve the target weight specification. Fig. 17 depicts the location of a granule cup assembly 136 positioned over the feed chute 166 that delivers granules to the container for overweight granular aggregates rejected during the automatic portion calibration process and for any overweight loads produced during production cycles. Fig. 17 identifies the first of eight gears 126a-126h in the gear mechanism that compresses the spring loaded chamber tube assembly 1 18 causing the chamber tube assembly to telescope, uniformly expanding or reducing the interior volume of each chamber 1 18, thereby expanding or reducing the volume of initially portioned material as needed. Gears 126a, 126c, 126f, and 126h drive the screws 530 while gears 126b, 126d, 126e and 126g are idler gears that ensure common rotation direction for gears 126a, 126c, 126f, 126h. Fig. 17 indicates the chamber plates 302, 304. Fig. 17 shows one 1 18a of the telescoping chamber tubes 1 18 in position to receive granules from the granule hopper and that is the inlet to modular assemblies for granule portioning. Fig. 17 shows the drive gear and shaft 335 connected to the stepper motor and advances the gear mechanism 330 that advances the rotational platform 150 into which the granule cup assemblies 136 are fitted. Fig. 17 shows the drive gear and shaft 506 connected to the stepper motor 128 and advances the gear mechanism 126a-126h that compresses the chamber plates 133, 273 that thereby expand or reduce the volume of initially portioned material as needed.

Fig. 18 is a drawing showing a top view of four modular assemblies 500, arranged in a cross pattern that complete one cycle assembly. Any number of modular assemblies can be combined in this fashion, as needed, to increase the rate of production of precise granule portions to match the feed rate of subsequent processing equipment in any application.

Fig. 19 is a drawing showing a side view of four modular assemblies that complete one cycle assembly.

Fig. 20 is a diagram showing a side view of a granule source hopper 600, one of two for each complete cycle assembly. Fig. 20 shows a hopper 600 holding granules to be distributed to each of the modular assemblies by means of four solenoid controlled gates 604a-d (three shown). Fig. 20 shows the relative position of the solenoid of one of the solenoid controlled gates 604a. An identical gate is on the directly opposite side of the assembly (not shown). Fig. 20 shows a side view of one of the solenoid gates 604b with the solenoid actuated, and the gate 604f in the open position to allow granules to fall into the chute that feeds the granule hopper 196 that is the inlet for granules for processing by the granule meter assembly 180, or alternatively, the granule hopper 1 12 that is the inlet for granules for processing by the volumetric assembly 1 14. Fig. 20 shows a side view of the solenoid gate 604c, opposite the solenoid gate 604b, with solenoid in the idle position and the gate in the closed position to restrict the flow of granules. Although separate hoppers 1 12, 196 are shown in the drawings, a common hopper could be used to feed both the volumetric assembly 1 14 and the metering assembly 180 (or 180') though tubes or ducts. Alternatively, a common hopper, such as the hopper 600, could feed the separate hoppers 1 12, 196 though tubes or ducts.

Fig. 21 is a diagram showing a side view of a granule consolidation assembly

700 for one complete cycle assembly including timing gates 704a, 704b, 704c for sequentially feeding subsequent processing equipment such as a cartridge loading machine. The diagram shows a side view of three timing gates with a fourth (not shown) behind the center gate 704c. The purpose of the device is to time the release of granular aggregates previously released into each of the four feed chutes 188 into which granule cup assemblies release granular aggregates to the next process. The device is utilized to serially feed granular aggregate at a rate exceeding the processing rate of an individual modular assembly 500 to processing equipment such as, as an example, a high speed automatic cartridge loader. Fig. 21 shows a solenoid actuated gate 704a that releases retained granular aggregate in series with each of the other gates. Fig. 21 shows the reverse side of a gate 704b releasing its granular aggregate. Fig. 21 shows how serially released granular aggregate product is consolidated to the feed tube 704f of an external processor.

Fig. 22 is a diagram showing a side view of tubes 166 consolidated to flow into the reject container 170 where overweight granular aggregates rejected during the automatic portion calibration process, and any overweight granular aggregates produced during production cycles from each of four modular assemblies that together comprise one complete cycle assembly, are collected.

Fig. 23 is a process flow diagram of one complete modular assembly. The steps happen in overlapping time sequences and are not necessarily sequential. The steps and components of the flow diagram are as follows: Step 1 is the operation of the granule source hopper 602; Step 2 is the operation of the release solenoid 604b - granule source hopper for the volumetric assembly; Step 3 is the operation of the stepper motor 148 for the volumetric assembly; Step 4 is the operation of the stepper motor for the volumetric assembly volume adjustment 128; Step 5 is the operation of the stepper motor 334 for the rotational platform; Step 6 is the operation of the digital scale 156; Step 7 is the operation of the stepper motor 334 for the rotational platform; Step 8 is the operation of the release solenoid 604b for the granule source hopper to the granule meter assembly 180; Step 9 is the operation of the release solenoid 428 for the overweight chute release; Step 10 is the operation of the photo sensor 260 for the granule meter conveyor apex; Step 1 1 is the operation of the release solenoid 428 for the consolidation chute; Step 12 is the operation of the stepper motor 228 for the granule meter assembly 180; Step 13 is the operation of the photo sensor for the granule meter outlet 276; Step 14 is the operation of the release solenoid 704b for the granule consolidation assembly; and Step 15 represents the next process depending on the application.

Figures 24 and 24A illustrate an alternate embodiment granule meter assembly 180' to the granule meter assembly 180 shown in Figure 1 1 and 12. An inclined screw conveyor 800 replaces the inclined conveyor 210 detailed in Figures 1 1 and 12. The horizontal conveyor 206 deposits granules 1 10 in a V-shaped trough 803. The screw conveyor 800 includes an apex port 808 to release individual granules. The sensor is not shown, but is not deleted. The V-shaped trough 803 is open the entire length of the conveyor to avoid slicing or crushing granules of any shape. The trough 803 has a hemi-cylindrical bottom 812 to contain and escalate granules 1 10. Fig. 24 is a side view of the screw conveyor. The V-shaped trough 803 includes a back wall 816 to prohibit back-spill of the granules.

As described in Fig. 1 1 , the horizontal conveyor 206 deposits granules 1 10 into the V-shaped trough 803 at a rate slower than they are escalated by the screw conveyor. A gear mechanism 824 and motor 826 to drive the two conveyors 206, 800 are shown schematically. The brushes in Fig. 1 1 and 12 have been deleted. The V- shaped trough 803 is vibrated by means of a motor 830 with an off-axis weight or transducer. All other aspects of the granule meter assembly 180 remain the same.

The gates 604a-604c and 704a-704c can be spring loaded and configured like the hatch 430, spring 431 and solenoid 428 shown in Figure 14. The measuring systems described avoid crushing or slicing spherical and non- spherical granules of any size or density as the portions are measured and processed. The means for adding individual granules while a portion is being weighed avoids crushing or slicing spherical and non-spherical granules of any size or density as the portions are measured and processed. Overweight granule portions are rejected and retained such that said rejected portions may be easily reprocessed. A plurality of said measuring system consolidate rejected overweight and/or underweight granule portions such that said rejected portions are retained in a single container so that they may be easily reprocessed. The apparatus can be partially or entirely computer controlled such that no manual operator is necessary. The apparatus is extensible and capable of increasing the rate at which portions are measured as may be needed in the future to keep pace with increased future production rates of subsequent manufacturing processes and without necessitating the replacement of the majority of the existing apparatus. The design configuration of the apparatus provides for a high calculated MTBF (Mean Time Between Failure) of the apparatus as a whole and provides for ease of maintenance, repair, and replacement of each of the components that comprise the system. The calibration of weight to physical density between lots of the same type of granules is accomplished quickly and automatically. The apparatus is capable of quick, accurate, and automatic adjustment of the specific weight of each portion as required to differentiate precisely weighed portions to conform to a programmed target weight. The accuracy of weight measurement of a portion of granules is to within the weight of an individual granule regardless of the shape, size, physical configuration, or weight of the type of granules being processed. Precisely measured granule portions are delivered from one or a plurality of measuring systems to subsequent processing systems. The precisely measured granule portions are delivered to subsequent processing systems when triggered, as needed, by the subsequent processing systems.