Plasma actuated ignition and distribution pump
US5355764A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 4, 1992 |
| Grant date | Oct 18, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 4, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF41B6/00
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
The method and apparatus disclosed herein relates to harnessing plasma to ignite, pressurize and distribute plasma, plasma-ignited chemical fluid and fuel throughout a propellant mass. Particularly, the present invention enables the creation of a progressive burning surface whereby the propellant reaches maximum pressure controllably and losses pressure much more slowly thus creating high piezometric efficiency. More particularly, in gun-charge-projectile systems, by using radial perforations designed to provide a balanced plasma discharge through a capillary wall and by developing forward accelerating thrust components, induced by the plasma pressure on a plasma-ignited chemical fluid and fuel mixture, the propelling charge travels down the gun tube with the projectile thus exerting substantial uniform pressure throughout the tube length and yielding a high ballistic efficiency which results in the attainment of high muzzle velocities.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.