Weapon with electro-mechanical firing mechanism for use with combination percussive and electrically responsive cartridge primer

Abstract

A weapon for utilizing a combination percussive and electrically responsive cartridge primer includes an electromechanical firing mechanism that operates to fire rounds percussively and electrically, and an electrical controller for regulating the firing of rounds electrically. A method of firing a combination percussive and electrically responsive cartridge primer includes mechanically firing a first round having the primer, and electrically firing subsequent rounds having the primer. A weapon may have an energy generating mechanism and a device for utilizing the energy, where the energy generating mechanism generates energy from the kinetic energy of one or more moving components. Alternately, the energy generating mechanism may include a thermoelectric generator.

Description

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/513,721, filed Oct. 23, 2003, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/523,890, filed Nov. 20, 2003.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to weapons operations and, more particularly, to a firing system that regulates a firing rate and employs both percussive and electrical methods of cartridge primer detonation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF RELATED DEVELOPMENTS

Automatic weapons have a tendency toward reduced control and accuracy when firing in fully automatic mode, especially at high rates of fire. For example, all weapons experience some degree of muzzle rise due to recoil. When the rate of full-auto-fire exceeds a certain optimal rate for a particular weapon design, the muzzle no longer has sufficient time to return to the original point of aim between successive rounds and causes the weapon to progressively “climb” away from the original point of aim. This results in wasted ammunition and, more importantly, the possible unintentional hitting of objects other than the intended target.

This control problem is compounded by the desire to reduce the size and weight of newly developed weapons. In particular, while a reduction in weight makes a weapon easier to transport and applicable to a larger user population, less weapon mass generally decreases stability and control during rapid rates of fire.

An electronic rate-control-mechanism is advantageous in that it allows a weapon designer to first determine and then employ the precise optimal rate-of-fire relative to that, weapon's stability, control and hit-probability. An added advantage of such a rate control mechanism system is the ability to precisely employ multiple rates-of-fire and multiple modes-of-fire in the same weapon to meet specific end-user requirements.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,379,677, 5,485,776, 5,713,150, 5,770,814 and U.S. application Ser. No. 10/349,206 by Ealovega disclose various techniques for controlling the firing rate of an automatic weapon by controlling the movement of the bolt of the weapon.

In particular, U.S. Pat. No. 5,713,150 describes percussively discharging rounds using an electrical system that includes an actuator attached to a piezo-electric member. Movement of the piezo-electric member causes an automatic mechanical sear to move between a hammer holding position and a hammer release position. While, after the first firing, the system may be electronically controlled, all firings involve substantially all moving parts of the firing mechanism and are limited to percussively discharging rounds.

U.S. application Ser. No. 10/349,206 describes percussively discharging rounds using a system that includes a piezo-electric member that operates as an electrically controlled automatic sear. Similar to the '150 patent, all firings involve substantially all moving parts of the firing mechanism and only fire rounds percussively.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, the present invention is directed to a weapon for utilizing a combination percussive and electrically responsive cartridge primer. The weapon includes an electromechanical firing mechanism that operates to fire rounds percussively and electrically, and an electrical controller for regulating the firing of rounds electrically.

In another embodiment, the present invention is directed to a method of firing a combination percussive and electrically responsive cartridge primer. The method includes mechanically firing a first round having the primer, and electrically firing subsequent rounds having the primer.

In still another embodiment, the present invention is directed to a weapon having an energy generating mechanism and a device for utilizing the energy. The energy generating mechanism may generate energy from the kinetic energy of one or more moving components. The energy generating mechanism may also include a thermoelectric generator.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing aspects and other features of the present invention are explained in the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an elevational side view of a weapon incorporating features of the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of primer which is simultaneously capable of detonation by both percussive and electrical means;

FIGS. 3A and 3B are cross-sectional views of a portion of a lower receiver and trigger mechanism of the weapon shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an electrical system for use with the present invention;

FIG. 5 is an additional cross sectional view of a portion of the lower receiver and trigger mechanism illustrating the operation and details of another embodiment of the present invention; and

FIGS. 6A and 6B are cross-sectional views of a portion of a lower receiver and trigger mechanism illustrating still another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows an elevational side view of a weapon 10 incorporating features of the present invention. The weapon 10 may be similar to an M16/M4 type of rifle used by the United States Armed Forces. Although the present invention is being described with respect to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, it should be understood that the present invention can be used with any suitable gas operated, blow back, or other type of firearms including assault weapons, machine guns, and submachine guns. In addition, it should also be understood that the present invention may incorporate any suitable size, shape, or type of elements and suitable type of materials without departing from the spirit of the invention.

The present invention is directed to a system and method for cyclic-rate-control/regulation of fully automatic weapons; to the combined employment of both percussive and electrical methods of cartridge primer detonation in a rate regulating system; to a cartridge primer capable of detonation by both percussive means and electrically responsive means; and to the harvesting of energy from weapons operations.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the weapon 10 may include a stock 12 mounted on a receiver 14. The receiver 14 has a cartridge magazine 16 mounted therein. A barrel 18 is operatively connected to the receiver 14 and has a handgrip 20 mounted thereupon for isolating a user's hand from direct contact with the barrel 18. The receiver 14 generally houses a firing mechanism 22, which generally includes a bolt assembly 24 and a trigger mechanism 26. The receiver 14 is generally comprised of metal and has a lower receiver 28 and an upper receiver 29 which are held together by two pins or screws 19 and 21. The lower receiver 28 generally houses the trigger mechanism 26 and the upper receiver 29 may be generally provided with a longitudinal cavity or chamber into which the bolt assembly 24 is reciprocally mounted. The weapon also includes an electrical system 400 shown in FIG. 4 that includes one or more sensors and an electrical firing system 34.

One aspect of the present invention includes a cartridge detonator, also refereed to as a primer 210, as shown in FIG. 2. Primer 210 is simultaneously capable of both mechanical percussive detonation and electrical energy detonation. Such a combination primer generally includes both the necessary relevant components of a percussive primer and also the components of an electrical detonation device. Primer 210 includes an impact receiving device 220, such as a firing pin cup, an electrical energy receiving device 225, such as an electrode, and explosive material 230.

In one embodiment, the impact receiving device 220 and the electrical energy receiving device 225 may be the same. Explosive material 230 may be detonated by impact and by application of electricity. In another embodiment, primer 210 may include two separate types of explosive material, one that detonated by impact and another that is detonated by application of electricity. A round containing such a combination primer could therefore be discharged either by a physical impact to the primer or alternatively by the application of an electrical charge.

In another embodiment, the electrically responsive components or elements of this dual capability primer could be similar in design to the electrically responsive EtronX™ primer manufactured by the Remington Arms Company.

FIGS. 3A and 3B show one embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 3A, the trigger mechanism 26 includes a trigger 30, a trigger sensor 96, and a disconnector 32. As part of the weapon's electrical system 400 (FIG. 4), the firing mechanism 22 includes one or more sensors, for example a firing sensor 63 for indicating that the bolt assembly 24 is at a battery position and/or that the bolt assembly 24 has cycled after firing of the weapon 10. A member 65, such as a magnet, may be located on the bolt assembly 24 to actuate the firing sensor 63. In an alternate embodiment, any suitable type of sensor or switch could be used to indicate that the bolt assembly 24 is at the battery position and/or that the bolt assembly 24 has cycled after firing of the firearm. Rather than sense the movement or position of the bolt assembly 24, the firing sensor 63 could sense the location or movement of the hammer 36 or other suitable component to provide an indication that the weapon has fired.

In accordance with the present invention, the trigger sensor 96 controls an electrical controller, referred to herein as an electronic firing system 34 (FIG. 4) such that when the trigger 30 is pulled, the electronic firing system 34 is activated or otherwise operational, and when the trigger 30 is released, the electronic firing system 34 is disabled or deactivated. Sensor 63 is also connected to or in communication with electronic firing system 34.

The electronic firing system 34 may generally include, be coupled to, or control an electrical detonation device 300, for example, a device similar to a spark-plug of an internal combustion engine which causes an electrical spark which in turn causes a detonation of a fuel, energy or propellant source such as explosive material 230 (FIG. 2). Another exemplary detonation device 300 could include a filament which generates sufficient heat and energy to detonate or discharge a round when electrical energy is channeled through the filament. This device could produce energy similar to the flash of heat-energy produced in a common photographic flash-bulb. Any other suitable detonation device which utilizes electrical energy to detonate a propellant, which in turn operates upon a projectile, could be employed.

When the trigger 30 is pulled, the electronic firing system 34 is activated or otherwise operational and controls the electrical detonation device 300, and when the trigger 30 is released, the electronic firing system 34 is disabled or deactivated and no electrical power is provided to the electrical detonation device 300.

The bolt assembly 24, trigger 30 and disconnector 32 may be similar to the bolt assembly, trigger, and disconnector in an M16/M4 type of rifle. The firing mechanism 22 may also include a hammer 36 and a selector switch 38 which may be similar to the hammer and selector switch in an M16/M4 type of rifle.

In this exemplary embodiment, when the selector switch 38, is set to a semi-automatic firing setting (see FIGS. 2A and 2B), during the first actuation of the trigger 30 and a resulting first round discharge, the trigger 30, disconnector 32 and hammer 36 may function the same as in an M16/M4 type of rifle.

The trigger 30 is pivotally mounted within the lower receiver 28 by a transversely orientated pivot pin 40. The trigger 30 has an elongated upper portion, which includes a forward trigger sear 42 adapted to retain the hammer 36. Additionally mounted on the pivot pin 40 is the disconnector 32. The lower portion of the disconnector 32 is located within a groove 44 in the upper portion of the trigger 30. A compression spring 46 is interposed between the bottom of the groove 44 and the underside of the disconnector 32 in order to urge the rear of the disconnector in an upward direction about the pivot pin 40. The hammer 36 is provided with a first sear abutment 48, a second sear abutment 50, and a third sear abutment 52. The hammer 36 is pivotally mounted to the lower receiver 28 at the pivot pin 54.

The disconnector 32 includes a vertically extending portion, which includes a hook sear 56. The trigger 30, by virtue of its pivotal mounting on the pin 40, is adapted to pivot from a first position shown in FIG. 3A to a second position shown in FIG. 3B. In the first position shown in FIG. 3A the trigger sear 42 is suitably located to engage the first sear abutment 48 and hold the hammer 36 in its cocked position shown. The selector switch 38 shown in FIG. 3A is set at a semi-automatic firing position. In this position the selector switch 38 allows the rear end of the disconnector 32 to move upward as shown in FIG. 3B.

In this embodiment, when the selector switch 38 is set to the semi-automatic position it may generally enable or engage the electronic firing system 34.

Upon a first rearward pivotable movement of the trigger 30 about its pivot pin 40, that is, when the trigger is pulled against the bias of the trigger spring 58 for the first time, the trigger sear 42 moves down to thereby release the first sear abutment 48. The trigger sensor 96 senses the pulled position of the trigger 30. The hammer 36 swings upwardly under the bias of a hammer spring 60 about its pivot pin 54. During upward swinging between its cocked position shown in FIG. 3A and a firing position or battery position in which the hammer 36 contacts the firing pin 61, the hammer 36 passes through a bottom longitudinal aperture or slot in the lower portion of the bolt assembly 24. Upon striking the firing pin 61 a chambered cartridge is percussively fired.

When the bolt assembly 24 recoils, the hammer 36 is urged by the bolt assembly 24 in a downward or counterclockwise direction. Assuming that the trigger 30 has been retained in its depressed position shown in FIG. 3B during this downward movement, the second sear abutment 50 of the hammer 36 engages the hook sear 56 on the disconnector 32 after temporarily displacing the disconnector 32 in a counterclockwise direction about the pivot pin 40. Conversely, if the trigger 30 is immediately returned to its first position after firing of the chambered cartridge, the hammer 36 will be caught by the trigger sear 42 at the first sear abutment 48 to retain the hammer 36 back at its cocked position shown in FIG. 3A.

After the hammer 36 is caught on the hook sear 56 the user must release the trigger 30 in order to percussively fire the firearm again. When the user releases the trigger 30, the trigger sear 42 moves into a path in front of the first sear abutment 48. The trigger 30 also presses upward on the disconnector 32 at the front of the disconnector to thereby pivot the disconnector in a counterclockwise direction.

As the disconnector 32 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction the hook sear 56 disengages from the second sear abutment 50, which releases the hammer 36 from the disconnector 32. The hammer 36 rotates upwards slightly but is held at its cocked position by engagement of the trigger sear 42 with the first sear abutment 48. The user may percussively fire the weapon 10 again by actuating the trigger 30 again.

FIG. 4 shows a block diagram of the weapon's electrical system 400 including the electrical firing system 34 and sensors used in the weapon 10. The electrical firing system 34 generally controls a supply of electricity from a power source 410 to the detonation device 300 using trigger sensor 96 and sensor 63.

The electrical firing system 34 may include circuitry 420 for applying a charge to the detonation device 300 at a predetermined rate, or after receiving a signal from sensor 63. The electrical firing system 34 may also include circuitry 430 for applying a charge to the detonation device 300 a predetermined number of times, corresponding to a number of rounds to be fired. The electrical firing system 34 may also include circuitry 440 for applying a charge to the detonation device 300 for a predetermined period of time. Power source 410 may be a battery in this embodiment, but may include any suitable source of electrical power.

Returning to FIGS. 3A and 3B, as mentioned above, the trigger sensor 96 senses the position of trigger 30. In this embodiment, if after the first percussive discharge, the user maintains the trigger 30 in a pulled position, the electronic firing system 34 electronically controls subsequent round discharges. As a result of the first percussive discharge, the electronic firing system 34 receives a signal from sensor 63 indicating that the weapon has fired. In response, the electronic firing system 34 energizes the detonation device 300 to cause an electrically initiated round discharge.

This sequence continues until the trigger 30 is released, all rounds have been expended, or a certain predetermined number of rounds have been fired, for example, a two or three round burst. Each discharge caused by the electronic firing system 34, is always dependent upon the successful discharge of a previous round. One discharge causes the generation of a signal from sensor 63, which in turn, causes the discharge of a subsequent round. This discharge then causes the generation of another signal, which in turn, causes the discharge of a subsequent round, and so on.

Upon receiving a signal from sensor 63, the electronic firing system 34 may delay energizing the detonation device 300 for a preset time period, thus determining a cyclic rate of fire for the weapon 10. This delay may be user programmable, or may be predetermined at the time of manufacture, or may be predetermined by certain conditions or rules, etc.

FIG. 5 is a further cross sectional view illustrating the operation and details of another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the weapon 10 includes an energy generating mechanism. For example, power source 410 may include a mechanism for harvesting the energy generated within the weapon 10. This embodiment may include using the kinetic energy of a moving mass (such as a component of a weapon's operating mechanism) to generate electrical power. Generating energy from thermal effects is also contemplated.

For example, power source 410 may utilize an electrical generating device such as a piezo electric crystal 510 that, when deformed by action of the bolt assembly 24, produces electrical power. As a further example, an existing bolt-buffer in weapon 10 may be replaced with the electrical generating device, or the electrical generating device could simply be positioned within the bolt buffer. Each time the operating mechanism of the weapon 10 is cycled, the impact of the bolt on the electrical generating device located in the buffer, or replacing the buffer, may cause power to be generated.

In another embodiment, the electrical generating device such as piezo electric crystal 510 may be positioned so that movement of any other component of weapon 10 causes deformation and generation of electrical power. In one embodiment, such a power source could employ Face International Corporation's product currently known as “Lightning”.

The energy generating mechanism could include a magnetic electrical generating device. For example, a magnet 520 could be connected to bolt assembly 24 such that movement of the bolt causes the magnet 520 to pass in the vicinity of a coil 525 or other device for generating an electric current in the presence of a magnetic field. The coil could be connected to power source 410 or any other device that may utilize electrical energy. The magnet and coil may be mounted on any components of the weapon 10 that move relative to each other.

The energy generating mechanism could include a thermoelectric generator. For example, a Peltier device 530 could be attached to the weapon in a position to receive heat generated by the weapon, such as from the chamber. The thermoelectric generator 530 could also be exposed to the environment or any other source of heat. The thermoelectric generator 530 could in turn be connected to the power source 410 or any other device that may utilize electrical energy. The thermoelectric generator 530 may be located anywhere that provides adequate heat for generating electrical power.

The electrical power generated by the electrical generating device during the first percussive discharge may then be utilized by electrical firing system 34 to control further discharges as described herein. In this embodiment, the only source of electrical power may be the electrical generating device.

In the present invention, in any burst of fire, the first discharge is always caused by a mechanical release of the mechanical trigger mechanism causing a firing-pin or striker device to cause the percussive detonation of a primer. In any burst of fire, the second and all subsequent discharges are caused by the electrical firing system 34 and the detonation of the combined percussive and electrically responsive primers.

In any burst of full-auto fire, the operation of the electrical firing system 34 and the detonation of the combined percussive and electrically responsive primers/rounds are always dependent on a first mechanical release of the solely mechanical trigger mechanism causing a hammer or striker device to cause a percussive detonation of the primer of the first round of the burst of full-auto-fire. The operation of the fully mechanical trigger mechanism is always totally independent of the operable condition or even the very existence of the electro-mechanical rate-control and firing mechanism to cause a discharge.

Alternately, power source 410 may include the piezo electric device 510 and a rechargeable battery or other electrical storage device 460 (FIG. 4) such as a capacitor. The stored energy may then be used to operate electrical firing system 34 and or any other electronic accessory or device.

In yet another embodiment, one selectable mode could enable an initial first round firing utilizing the detonation device to fire an electrically responsive primer. This embodiment would be desirable in order to create an electronic, non-mechanically released trigger system for sniper use. Such an electronic trigger system would allow for extremely light trigger pulls and exceptionally fast lock times resulting in increased accuracy.

In this embodiment, electrical firing system 34 senses an initial trigger pull through trigger sensor 96 and energizes detonation device 300 to fire a round. Subsequent rounds would be controlled by the electrical firing system 34, as described above, and firing continues until the trigger 30 is released, all rounds have been expended, or a certain predetermined number of rounds have been fired, for example, a one, two, or three round burst. As mentioned above, each discharge caused by the electronic, firing system 34 is always dependent upon the successful discharge of a previous round.

By way of example, one embodiment could include certain electronic design elements similar to the electronic design elements found in the Remington Model 700™ EtronX™ weapon. However, it must be emphasized that this embodiment would only be practical for military/battle-field use as an additional mode to be included within the design of the embodiments previously described in FIGS. 3A and 3B because, should the electrical firing system 34 fail, the original fully mechanical trigger mechanism would still be required as a fail-safe back-up. Also, the mechanical mechanism would be still necessary to fire standard percussively detonated primers in the event the new combination percussive and electrically detonated ammunition was unavailable.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, weapon 10 could utilize only the components of the electrical firing system 34 to fire rounds where power source 410 includes the storage device 460 to fire the first round and the electrical generating device 510 to fire subsequent rounds. One, would have to accept that there was no fully mechanical back-up system in this embodiment, but the advantage would be an extremely compact and energy efficient firing mechanism with extremely fast lock time and a very light trigger pull. This could be applicable to a very special purpose semi-auto and fully automatic weapon, very compact and very accurate, but perhaps not suitable as a main infantry type battle weapon in all cases. Also, such a weapon may only operate with electrically detonated cartridges.

Turning to FIGS. 4, 6A and 6B, the electrical firing system 34 may also include an antenna or other device 450 for detecting an electromagnetic signal and include receiving capabilities 455 for receiving and conditioning the signal for use by the electrical firing system 34. The electrical firing system 34 may also include an actuator 710.

The electrical firing system 34 may receive radio or other types of signals allowing weapon 10 to be controlled remotely in response to those signals. Remote control may be implemented using various techniques, for example, radio, infrared, magnetic, any other type of optical or electromagnetic signaling. A remote control signal may modify operation of the electrical firing system, for example, by specifying a burst rate, or by enabling or disabling use of the detonation device 300.

In one embodiment, the electrical firing system 34 may operate actuator 710 to lock the firing mechanism of weapon 10 in a safe, non-operable condition. Actuator 710 may include a piezo electric device that changes shape in response to a signal from electrical firing system 34. As shown in FIG. 6A, actuator 710 may be positioned so that in one shape it disables trigger assembly 22, thus preventing firing of the weapon, and as shown in FIG. 6B, assumes a shape that allows trigger assembly 22 to operate unimpeded, thus enabling the weapon to be fired. Electrical firing system may signal actuator 710 in the event of a failure or in response to receiving a signal through antenna 450.

In one embodiment, the electrical firing system 34 could signal actuator 710 in response to a signaling device 465 such as a magnet, a transmitter, or some other device, which remotely emits a form of energy recognized by the electrical firing system 34. For example, if the signaling device 465 is within a certain distance of the weapon 10, the electrical firing system 34 could signal the actuator 710 so that trigger operations are allowed. If a predetermined distance between the signaling device 465 and the weapon 10 is exceeded, the electrical firing system 34 could again signal the actuator 710, disabling trigger operations. Actuator 710 could be positioned to block operations of other components in order to disable weapon 10.

The present invention is advantageous because it could be used to eliminate the need for an electro-mechanical full auto sear or a solid-state full auto sear as described in the references discussed above. This could result in a significant component cost savings and also in a reduction of physical space required for the total rate-regulation system. This, in turn, would allow for the employment of the system in much smaller weapon designs such as existing and future pistols and mini-sub machine guns. Another advantage is that the combined percussive and electrically responsive primer may well prove to require substantially less electrical power than that which may be required to operate an electro-mechanical full-auto-sear.

Another advantage of the present invention is that the original mechanical full auto sear of a weapon such as the M4/M16 could now be retained as a fail-safe backup device. This would now be possible because in the present invention, the electrical firing system 34 is activated and operated with the original fully mechanical trigger mechanism and mechanical mode selector in semi-auto mode. A separate trigger sensor 96 activates the electrical firing system 34 electronically operated full auto-fire. In the '150 patent and U.S. application Ser. No. 10/349,206, a failure in the electro-mechanical rate-regulation system generally results in a weapon that could still continue to be fired in mechanical semi-auto mode, but not in full-auto-mode. In the present invention, although the significant advantages of electrical rate regulation could be lost when employing the original solely mechanical full auto sear, retaining the original mechanical full-auto-sear would mean that the weapon could fire in both mechanical semi auto mode and mechanical full auto mode with standard percussive detonated rounds should the electrical firing system 34 fail or should dual propose, combination percussive and electrically detonated rounds not be available.

It is important to note that a significant feature of the present invention is that it provides a viable weapon that utilizes rounds simultaneously capable of both mechanical percussive detonation and electrical energy detonation. Related to this aspect, the present invention has further advantages in that it may make use of three different types of ammunition depending upon availability: percussively fired rounds, electrically fired rounds, and combination percussively and electrically fired rounds, thus providing a unique level of versatility. Furthermore, in the event of a failure of either the mechanical firing system or the electrical firing system, as long as the other system remains functional, the weapon will still fire.

It should be understood that the foregoing description is only illustrative of the invention. Various alternatives and modifications can be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variances, which fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A weapon for utilizing a combination percussive and electrically responsive cartridge primer comprising:

an electromechanical firing mechanism that operates to fire rounds percussively and electrically; and

an electrical controller for regulating the firing of rounds electrically.

2. The weapon of claim 1, wherein the electromechanical firing mechanism includes components for regulating the firing of rounds percussively.

3. The weapon of claim 1, further comprising a trigger sensor connected to the controller such that when the trigger sensor senses a pulled trigger the controller is activated and when the trigger sensor senses a released trigger the controller is deactivated.

4. The weapon of claim 1, wherein the electromechanical firing mechanism operates to fire a first round percussively and subsequent rounds electrically.

5. The weapon of claim 1, wherein the controller operates to control a number of the electrically fired rounds.

6. The weapon of claim 1, wherein the controller operates to control a firing rate of the electrically fired rounds.

7. The weapon of claim 1, further comprising a firing sensor connected to the controller such that a round is fired electrically only after a previous firing.

8. The weapon of claim 1, further comprising a power source for the controller that includes a mechanism for harvesting energy generated by movements within the weapon.

9. The weapon of claim 8, further comprising a bolt assembly, wherein the power source includes a piezo electric crystal that, when deformed by action of the bolt assembly, produces electrical power for the controller.

10. The weapon of claim 1, further comprising an actuator that changes shape in response to a signal from the controller, such that in one shape the actuator prevents the weapon from firing and in another shape the actuator allows the weapon to fire.

11. The weapon of claim 1, wherein the controller includes a device for detecting a remote control signal.

12. The weapon of claim 11, wherein the controller utilizes a burst rate in response to the remote control signal.

13. The weapon of claim 11, further comprising an actuator that changes shape in response to a signal from the controller, such that in one shape the actuator prevents the weapon from firing and in another shape the actuator allows the weapon to fire, wherein the controller signals the actuator in response to the remote control signal.

14. A method of firing a combination percussive and electrically responsive cartridge primer comprising:

mechanically firing a first round having the primer; and

electrically firing subsequent rounds having the primer.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising activating the electrical firing upon sensing a pulled trigger and deactivating the electrical firing upon sensing a released trigger.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising controlling a number of the electrically fired rounds.

17. The method of claim 14, further comprising controlling a firing rate of the electrically fired rounds.

18. The method of claim 14, further comprising firing a round electrically only after a previous firing.

19. The method of claim 14, further comprising harvesting energy generated by firing rounds to power the electrical firing of the subsequent rounds.

20. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

receiving a remote control signal; and

disabling or enabling mechanically and electrically firing in response to the remote control signal.

21. A weapon comprising:

an energy generating mechanism; and

a device for utilizing the energy.

22. The weapon of claim 21, further comprising one or more moving components, wherein the energy generating mechanism generates energy from the kinetic energy of the one or more moving components.

23. The weapon of claim 22, wherein the moving components include a firing assembly.

23. The weapon of claim 22, wherein the moving components include a trigger assembly.

24. The weapon of claim 22, wherein the moving components comprise a bolt assembly.

25. The weapon of claim 21, wherein the energy generating mechanism includes a piezoelectric device deformed by a moving component of the weapon.

26. The weapon of claim 21, wherein the energy generating mechanism includes a magnetic electrical generating device.

27. The weapon of claim 21, wherein the energy generating mechanism includes a thermoelectric generator.

28. The weapon of claim 27, wherein the thermoelectric generator is powered by heat from the weapon.

29. The weapon of claim 27, wherein the thermoelectric generator is powered by heat in an environment in which the weapon is present.

30. The weapon of claim 21, wherein the device for utilizing the energy includes a controller for regulating the firing of the weapon.