Plasma generator for electrothermal gun cartridge
US5549046A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 5, 1994 |
| Grant date | Aug 27, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 5, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF42B6/006
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A plasma generator (44) for an electrothermal gun cartridge has elongated metallic rod and tube members (58,60) extending along a central axis thereof with the tube member (58) having at least one axial gap (62) and with an elongated annular insulator located between and in engagement with both metallic members to provide support therebetween as an electrical voltage generates an electrical arc at the axial gap to provide a plasma that ignites a propellant (46). Different embodiments of the plasma generator have a plurality of the axial gaps (62) located along the tube member (60) and are constructed for both simultaneous and sequential firing with fuses (74) controlling the timing. Helically extending member portions (78) provide rotation of the electrical arc and hence the plasma generated to distribute it for ignition of the propellent (46).
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.