Gun with combined operation by chemical propellant and plasma

US5233903A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• The State of Israel, Atomic Energy Commission, Soreq Nuclear Research Center CNT ILX COD 07 · IL

Inventors

• David Saphier · Rehovot, IL
• Shlomo Wald · Rehovot, IL
• Joseph Ashkenazi · Rehovot, IL
• Zvi Kaplan · Rehovot, IL
• Boaz Brill · Rehovot, IL

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 4, 1992
• Grant date: Aug 10, 1993
• Expiry date: Jun 4, 2012

Classification

• Technology area (CPC F): Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
• CPC primary: F41A1/02
• WIPO field: Other special machines
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A hybrid gun for launching a projectile by a combined propulsion effect of a chemical propellant and electrothermal energy. The gun comprises a breech-associated electrothermal propulsion energy injector having a plasma beam generator and a tubular chamber holding a light working fluid that during the travel of the projectile in the barrel produces at the rear of the projectile a light gaseous buffer zone. Optionally the gun may have in addition one or more electrothermal propulsion energy injectors mounted on the barrel. There is also provided ammunition for use with a hybrid gun having a chemical propellant holding cartridge designed for ignition by working fluid injected by the breech associated electrothermal propulsion energy injector.