Method of and apparatus for generating a high pressure gas pulse using fuel and oxidizer that are relatively inert at ambient conditions
US5612506A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 6, 1995 |
| Grant date | Mar 18, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 6, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF42B5/08
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A high pressure pulsed gas source for accelerating a projectile along a gun barrel comprises a structure including a high voltage electrode for establishing axial electrical discharges in corresponding axial gaps behind an outlet where the projectile is located. Plasma flows at right angles to the discharges into a propellant mass that is converted into a high pressure component of the gas pulse. The gaps are arranged so that after the projectile moves away from its initial position and is in the barrel, power applied to the plasma via gaps close to the outlet is greater than power applied to the plasma via gaps farther from the outlet. To avoid damage to the gun, the gaps are arranged so power applied to the plasma is substantially the same in the discharges when plasma is initially produced. The gaps include walls that are eroded differently by the discharges so gap walls close to the outlet erode faster than gap walls farther from the outlet. The propellant mass includes a solid fuel and an oxidizer that do not react at ambient conditions. A portion of the fuel abuts the structure and the fuel and oxidizer are vaporized and elevated to a sufficiently high temperature by the plas…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.