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US 11,187,488 B2Granted
Projectile accelerator with heatable barrel
AssigneeScience Applications International Corporation
InventorGary David Warren
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Systems, methods, and apparatuses are described for accelerating projectiles at high velocity. A barrel may include one or more heaters configured to heat a bore of the barrel prior to launch of a projectile. The barrel bore may be formed in a tungsten sleeve and may be heated to high temperatures. Heat from the barrel bore may be transferred to expanding propellant behind a projectile as it travels through the barrel bore.
Claims22
An apparatus comprising:
- a barrel comprising a bore and one or more controllable heaters configured to heat a surface of the bore;
- a first chamber configured to position a projectile relative to the barrel;
- a second chamber configured to direct a pressurized light gas behind the projectile for movement from the first chamber and acceleration through the bore;
- and
- a magazine moveable to place individual projectiles, of a plurality of projectiles held in the magazine, in position for acceleration through the bore,
- wherein each projectile, of the plurality of projectiles, is formed from compressed dust comprising at least 40% silicon dioxide.
3 more elements
An apparatus comprising:
- a barrel comprising:
- a bore formed in a tungsten sleeve and
- one or more controllable heaters configured to heat a surface of the bore;
- a launcher positioned adjacent an entrance of the barrel and configured to:
- position a projectile, formed from compressed dust comprising at least 40% silicon dioxide, relative to the barrel, and
- direct a pressurized light gas behind the projectile for acceleration of the projectile through the bore;
- and
- a gas supply, coupled to the launcher via a valve, containing a supply of the light gas, and wherein the light gas comprises one or more of hydrogen or helium.
5 more elements
A method comprising:
- heating, using one or more heaters positioned external to a bore of a barrel, a surface of the bore;
- positioning a projectile, formed from compressed dust comprising at least 40% silicon dioxide, relative to the barrel;
- and
- accelerating, by release of a pressurized light gas behind the projectile, the projectile through the bore.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.