US3613499A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Switch for projectile-accelerating system
Assignee: Department of National Defence
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Filing: 1969-09-24
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Granted: 1971-10-19
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Expires: 1989-09-24
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for accelerating a projectile through the barrel of a weapon is provided by a plurality of spaced-apart stations or sections along the barrel which are responsive to the passage of the projectile and cause an electrical discharge whereby enthalpy at each station is added to the expanding gas behind the projectile resulting in an increase in the projectile velocity.
Inventors
- 👤 Frank T Hubbard
- 👤 Gaston Demers
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 14:44
CPC Classifications
F; F41; F41B; F41B6/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
174 words
An apparatus for accelerating a projectile in which the projectile is caused to move down a barrel under the influence of a high pressure gas, the improvement which comprises, including an insulating section in said barrel, defining a preacceleration and a postacceleration section, an electrode in said insulating section contiguous with said barrel, a hole defined in said electrode extending away from the barrel, and a rupturable electrically insulating diaphragm covering said hole on the outward side of said electrode with respect to the barrel, a second electrode beyond said diaphragm, a space defined between said diaphragm and said second electrode, and means for connecting a high potential electric source between said second electrode and an adjacent electrically coNducting surface of said barrel; gas in said preacceleration section behind said projectile escaping through said outwardly extending hole, upon passage of said projectile along said barrel and past said hole, rupturing said diaphragm and permitting electrical discharge between said second electrode, through said first electrode, and thence to said electrically conducting surface of said barrel.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
174 words
An apparatus for accelerating a projectile in which the projectile is caused to move down a barrel under the influence of a high pressure gas, the improvement which comprises, including an insulating section in said barrel, defining a preacceleration and a postacceleration section, an electrode in said insulating section contiguous with said barrel, a hole defined in said electrode extending away from the barrel, and a rupturable electrically insulating diaphragm covering said hole on the outward side of said electrode with respect to the barrel, a second electrode beyond said diaphragm, a space defined between said diaphragm and said second electrode, and means for connecting a high potential electric source between said second electrode and an adjacent electrically coNducting surface of said barrel; gas in said preacceleration section behind said projectile escaping through said outwardly extending hole, upon passage of said projectile along said barrel and past said hole, rupturing said diaphragm and permitting electrical discharge between said second electrode, through said first electrode, and thence to said electrically conducting surface of said barrel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said electrically conducting surface comprises the postacceleration section of the barrel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein said rupturable diaphragm comprises a thin film of polytetrafluorethylene.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said high-potential source comprises a capacitor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
61 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein a plurality of said insulating sections are disposed along said barrel and interposed between sections defined by conductive casings, an individual high-potential electric source being connected between the second electrode of each insulating section and the associated conductive casing forming its postaccelerating section and the rupturable diaphragms each comprising a thin film of polytetrafluorethylene.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-10-18 | 1975-04-19 | 1975-10-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-10-18 | 1979-04-19 | 1979-10-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-10-18 | 1983-04-19 | 1983-10-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |