US3695246A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pneumatic machine gun with photo cell interrupted circuit
Assignee: United States Department of the Navy
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Filing: 1971-06-10
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Granted: 1972-10-03
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Expires: 1991-06-10
Abstract
Abstract A pellet firing pneumatic machine gun wherein a toothed wheel carries pellets from a hopper and conveyer assembly to a position adjacent one end of a barrel through which the pellets are propelled by an air blast from a solenoid valve, the periodic energization of which is effected by a photo-cell exposed to a light source, wherein the light source is placed on the opposite side of the periphery of the pellet delivering wheel from the photo-cell such that upon rotation of the wheel, the teeth thereof act to interrupt light from the light source falling on the photo-cell. In addition, a pellet slitting device mounted on the other end of the barrel, wherein the device includes adjustable blades which score the skin of dye containing pellets shot from a gun to render the pellets more frangible upon impact.
Inventors
- 👤 Ernest A Filippi
- 👤 Jack B Watson
- 👤 Larry E Hughes
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 16:51
CPC Classifications
F; F41; F41B; F41B11/00; F41B11/70; F41B11/71; F41B11/50; F41B11/57
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
152 words
In a pellet propeller operable from a source of A.C. electrical power and a source of compressed air and including a motor, a toothed wheel adapted to be driven in rotation by said motor for conveying pellets from storage means to a firing position adjacent a barrel, and firing solenoid valve means for releasing a blast of compressed air to fire each pellet, the improvement comprising: a light source disposed on one side of the periphery of said wheel; photo-cell means mounted on the opposite side of the periphery of said wheel such that light from said source falling on said photo-cell means is periodically interrupted by teeth of said wheel and said photo-cell provides an electrical output which fluctuates at the frequency of the passing of said teeth; and circuit means responsive to said fluctuations to effect energization of said solenoid valve means in timed relation to rotation of said wheel.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
152 words
In a pellet propeller operable from a source of A.C. electrical power and a source of compressed air and including a motor, a toothed wheel adapted to be driven in rotation by said motor for conveying pellets from storage means to a firing position adjacent a barrel, and firing solenoid valve means for releasing a blast of compressed air to fire each pellet, the improvement comprising: a light source disposed on one side of the periphery of said wheel; photo-cell means mounted on the opposite side of the periphery of said wheel such that light from said source falling on said photo-cell means is periodically interrupted by teeth of said wheel and said photo-cell provides an electrical output which fluctuates at the frequency of the passing of said teeth; and circuit means responsive to said fluctuations to effect energization of said solenoid valve means in timed relation to rotation of said wheel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
64 words
A pellet propeller as defined in claim 1, and further comprising: pneumatic clutch means between said motor and said wheel; clutch operating solenoid valve means connected between said source of compressed air and said clutch means; firing switch means operable to energize said clutch solenoid valve means to cause said clutch means to complete connection of said motor to said wheel to initiate firing.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
175 words
A pellet propeller as defined in claim 2, and further comprising: pelter slitter means mounted on said barrel and comprising blade means extending into the path of said pellets and operative to slit the pellets as they are fired. 4 A pellet propeller as defined in claim 3 and wherein said slitter means comprises: a body having a central bore in axial alignment with said barrel, said body having a plurality of radial bores extending inwardly toward said central bore but terminating short thereof, a plurality of radially extending slots each connecting one of said radial bores with said central bore; a plurality of blades each disposed in one of said slots; a plurality of blade holders each having one of said blades fixed thereto and each dispoSed for radial movement in said radial bores; spring means resiliently urging said blade holders and blades radially outwardly from said central bore; and screw means disposed in said radial bores and operative to advance or retract said blade holders and blades with respect to said central bore.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-10-03 | 1976-04-03 | 1976-10-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-10-03 | 1980-04-03 | 1980-10-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-10-03 | 1984-04-03 | 1984-10-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |