US3736837A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrical initiation of percussive-primed cartridges
Assignee: United States Department of the Army
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Filing: 1971-12-28
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Granted: 1973-06-05
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Expires: 1991-12-28
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed is an electrical firing circuit for initiating percussive-primed cartridges wherein the base of the cartridge forms one electrode of a spark gap which has connected thereacross an RF pulse generating means and a charged capacitor. When energized, the pulse means ionizes the air in the spark gap whereupon the capacitor discharges thereacross causing heating of the cartridge base containing the primer mix whereby the primer mix is initiated and hence the cartridge.
Inventors
- 👤 E Kaprelian
- 👤 H Carroll
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 19:01
CPC Classifications
F; F41; F41A; F41A19/00; F41A19/58; F41A19/63
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
112 words
An low voltage electrical firing circuit for initiating percussive-primed cartridges comprising in combination: a percussive-primed cartridge affixed in a firearm and having the base thereof serving as one electrode of a spark gap, a terminal spaced from the base of said cartridge and exterior thereof and in alignment therewith forming the other electrode of said spark gap, radio-frequency pulse generating means coupled across said electrodes for ionizing said spark gap, high intensity electrical energy storage means coupled across said spark gap and operable to discharge across said spark gap when it is ionized by the said pulse generating means and heat said base whereby the primer of the percussive-primed cartridge is initiated.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
112 words
An low voltage electrical firing circuit for initiating percussive-primed cartridges comprising in combination: a percussive-primed cartridge affixed in a firearm and having the base thereof serving as one electrode of a spark gap, a terminal spaced from the base of said cartridge and exterior thereof and in alignment therewith forming the other electrode of said spark gap, radio-frequency pulse generating means coupled across said electrodes for ionizing said spark gap, high intensity electrical energy storage means coupled across said spark gap and operable to discharge across said spark gap when it is ionized by the said pulse generating means and heat said base whereby the primer of the percussive-primed cartridge is initiated.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
72 words
The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein said radio-frequency pulse generating means comprises a high tension induction coil having a primary and secondary winding, said primary winding coupled across a potential source through switching means for connecting and disconnecting said primary winding to or from said potential source, and said secondary winding having one terminal connected to said other electrode and another terminal connected to said one electrode through said firearm.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The invention in accordance with claim 2 wherein said high intensity electrical storage means comprises a capacitor coupled in parallel with said potential source and said spark gap.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
The invention in accordance with claim 3 and means for preventing the potential source from creating an electrical arc across said spark gap when ionized comprising a resistor connected in series with potential source and said other electrode.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
The invention in accordance with claim 4 and means for preventing the RF pulse generated by said pulse generating means from shorting to ground through said capacitor comprising a blocking impedance coupled between said other electrode and said capacitor.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2957391A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-06-04 | 1976-12-04 | 1977-06-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-06-04 | 1980-12-04 | 1981-06-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-06-04 | 1984-12-04 | 1985-06-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |