Directed energy ignition of standard primers
AssigneeMegaWatt Lasers, Inc.
InventorBenjamin M.W. Hart
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Described herein are systems and methods for igniting ammunition via directed energy upon standard primers designed for mechanical or electrical ignition, wherein ignition is produced by methods originating from outside of the cartridge and without modification to the primer, cartridge, or ammunition wherein the cartridge can be fired using either the outlined methods of a directed energy pulse or a traditional mechanical or electrical method.
Claims20
An improved method for percussion primer ignition comprising:
- applying at least one form of directed energy via at least one firing system to at least one percussion primer contained in at least one ammunition cartridge;
- wherein the at least one form of directed energy applied to the at least one percussion primer causes the at least one percussion primer in the at least one ammunition cartridge to ignite;
- and
- wherein no mechanical contact with the at least one percussion primer nor electrical contact with the at least one percussion primer occurs.
An improved system for percussion primer ignition comprising;
- a firing system comprising
- at least one pump chamber;
- at least one doped rod;
- and
- at least one spherical lens;
- wherein the firing system generates at least one form of directed energy via the at least one pump chamber and the at least one doped rod and applies the at least one form of directed energy to at least one percussion primer in at least one ammunition cartridge via the at least one spherical lens thereby causing the at least one percussion primer in the at least one ammunition cartridge to ignite.
A method for retrofitting an existing weapon platform to provide improved percussion primer ignition comprising;
- introducing a firing system into the existing weapon platform that includes:
- at least one pump chamber;
- at least one doped rod;
- and
- at least one spherical lens;
- wherein the firing system generates at least one form of directed energy via the at least one pump chamber and the at least one doped rod and applies the at least one form of directed energy to at least one percussion primer in at least one ammunition cartridge via the at least one spherical lens thereby causing the at least one percussion primer in the at least one ammunition cartridge to ignite.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.