Plasma firing mechanism and method for firing ammunition
AssigneeGamma Recherches & Technologies Patent SA
InventorsJan Henrik Jebsen, Gerard Aknine
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The invention comprised a device and method for firing firearm ammunition using a plasma torch generator. In a particular embodiment, the device relates to the control or management of the rate of fire and number of rounds fired in a burst firing mode for automatic firearms. The device can be incorporated into firearms of a variety of sizes and configurations to provide precise control of the rate of fire. The device and method can be applied to conventional mechanical primer ammunition or used without the need for a primer, particularly in field artillery, aircarft, and watercraft.
Claims39
A method for firing a primer or propellant charge, comprising:
- providing a plasma torch generator comprising a cathode, an anode, a gas passage for allowing pressurized gas to flow between the anode and cathode, and a power source electrically coupling the anode and cathode;
- generating an arc between the anode and cathode;
- providing pressurized gas to the arc via the gas passage;
- and
- applying a current between the anode and cathode to generate a plasma torch,
- wherein the plasma torch generator is positioned so that a plasma torch is capable of contacting a primer, cartridge, or propellant charge.
A plasma firing device for use with a firearm comprising:
- a vortex cathode;
- an anode;
- a gas passage for pressurized gas to flow between the cathode and the anode;
- a gas supply for supplying gas to the gas passage;
- and
- a power source electrically connected to the cathode and the anode for generating a plasma torch,
- wherein a plasma torch generated between the cathode and anode is capable of contacting a cartridge, primer, or propellant charge loaded into the firearm.
A firearm comprising:
- a chamber for accommodating a projectile and a propellant charge;
- a breech operably connected to the chamber, wherein the breech prevents the escape of gases from the detonation of the propellant charge when closed;
- and
- a plasma firing device connected to the breech for generating a plasma torch to detonate the propellant charge, the plasma firing device comprising a cathode, an anode, a gas passage between the cathode and the anode, a gas supply for supplying gas via the gas passage, and a power supply electrically connected to the cathode and the anode for generating a plasma torch, wherein the plasma torch generated is capable of contacting a surface of the propellant charge.
A firearm capable of firing one or more cartridges, the firearm comprising:
- a chamber for accommodating a cartridge;
- a bolt head configured to alternate between a forward position and a rearward position in response to the firing of one or more cartridges;
- and
- a plasma firing device positioned in the bolt head for generating a plasma torch to detonate the primer of a chambered cartridge, the plasma firing device comprising a cathode, an anode, a gas passage between the cathode and the anode, a gas supply for supplying pressurized gas to the gas passage, and a power supply electrically connected to the cathode and the anode for generating a plasma torch to fire the firearm.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.