Abstract An electromagnetic projectile launching system is provided with an electromagnetic launcher portion and a chemically driven launcher portion. The electromagnetic launcher portion includes a pair of generally parallel conductive rails, a source of high current connected to the rails, and means for conducting current between the rails and for propelling a projectile along the rails. The powder driven portion includes a rifled barrel adjacent one end of the conductive rails and axially aligned with the conductive rails, and means for chemically propelling a projectile through the rifled barrel and into the bore of the electromagnetic launcher portion while causing the projectile to spin prior to its entry into the bore.
Inventors
👤 Carl J. Heyne
Bibliographic Details
Application Number—
JurisdictionUS
Data Sourcegoogle_patents
Last Synchronized2026-11-01 19:44
CPC Classifications
F; F41; F41B; F41B6/00; F41B6/006
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 2
Claim 1
Independent Claim
131 words
An electromagnetic projectile launcher comprising: a pair of generally parallel conductive rails lining an unrifled bore; a source of electric current connected to said conductive rails; a rifled barrel disposed adjacent to one end of said conductive rails and axially aligned with said bore; means for electrically insulating said barrel and said conductive rails; and means for propelling a projectile through said rifled barrel thereby causing said projectile to spin and then for propelling said projectile through said unrifled bore, said propelling means including a chemical propellant, said propellant combustile for propelling said projectile through said rifled barrel and for initiating a plasma by electrical breakdown of gases resulting from combustion of said propellant, said plasma for conducting current between said conductive rails and for propelling said projectile along said rails.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
131 words
An electromagnetic projectile launcher comprising: a pair of generally parallel conductive rails lining an unrifled bore; a source of electric current connected to said conductive rails; a rifled barrel disposed adjacent to one end of said conductive rails and axially aligned with said bore; means for electrically insulating said barrel and said conductive rails; and means for propelling a projectile through said rifled barrel thereby causing said projectile to spin and then for propelling said projectile through said unrifled bore, said propelling means including a chemical propellant, said propellant combustile for propelling said projectile through said rifled barrel and for initiating a plasma by electrical breakdown of gases resulting from combustion of said propellant, said plasma for conducting current between said conductive rails and for propelling said projectile along said rails.