Electromagnetic muzzle velocity controller and booster for guns
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsJames A. Grossnickle, Dejan Nikic
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Systems and methods for electromagnetically controlling the muzzle velocity of a conventional gun using a coil gun on a barrel extension. This method can also provide an electromagnetically induced increase to muzzle velocity beyond that capable by conventional explosives. With higher muzzle velocity, the weapons will have longer range, higher penetrating power and stand-off distances. A section of coil gun can also be used to center the projectile in the barrel to control the exit trajectory. Using a coil gun to control muzzle velocity and center the projectile can be a retrofit to existing weapons that would greatly increase their down-range accuracy.
Claims18
A system that is capable of firing a projectile using chemical propellant, comprising:
- a gun barrel having a muzzle and an axis;
- a barrel extension attached to said muzzle of said gun barrel, said barrel extension having an axis which is coaxial with said axis of said gun barrel;
- a multiplicity of electrically conductive coils arranged in sequence along said axis of said barrel extension and surrounding respective axial portions of said barrel extension;
- a multiplicity of sources of electrical current;
- a multiplicity of switches, each of said switches being connected to a respective coil and to a respective source of electrical current;
- a sensor system for detecting positions of a projectile as it exits said muzzle;
- and
- control electronics programmed or configured to alter the state of one or more of said multiplicity of switches based on signals output by said sensor system.
A system that is capable of firing a projectile using chemical propellant, comprising:
- a first gun barrel section having a breech and a muzzle;
- a second gun barrel section coupled to and aligned with said first gun barrel section;
- a multiplicity of electrically conductive coils arranged in sequence along said second gun barrel section and surrounding respective axial portions of said second gun barrel section;
- a multiplicity of capacitor banks;
- a multiplicity of switches, each of said switches being connected to a respective coil and to a respective capacitor bank;
- a sensor system for detecting positions of a projectile as it exits said muzzle;
- and
- control electronics programmed or configured to alter the state of one or more of said multiplicity of switches based on signals output by said sensor system.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.