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).

Abstract: A firearm (W) is for discharging a projectile such as bullet (B) through a barrel (L). The firearm includes a firing mechanism (F) for firing the bullet through the barrel. The firing mechanism includes a trigger (T) which is operable by the person using the firearm to fire the weapon. A firing pin (P) is operatively connected to the trigger for contacting a cartridge (C) and effecting discharge of the bullet. A safety mechanism (10) is provided to inhibit operation of the firing mechanism. The safety mechanism includes a blocking element (28) movable into and out of contact with the firing mechanism. The blocking element has a first position inhibiting the firing mechanism from discharging the projectile, and a second position at which the firing mechanism is enabled to discharge the projectile. An audio receiver (14) is mounted on the firearm for receiving audio frequency signals such as a word or words spoken by the person using the firearm.

Abstract: A gun barrel for a hybrid propellant/electrothermal gun has a first barrel portion; a second barrel portion axially separated from the first barrel portion; and an insulator unit forming a third barrel portion. The insulator unit connects the first and second barrel portions to one another and defines a plasma path. There is further provided an arrangement for placing the first barrel portion on a first electric potential and for placing the second barrel portion on a second electric potential. The first and second potentials are different from one another for generating, in the plasma path, an electric arc having an orientation parallel to the barrel axis for heating propellant gases which initially accelerate the projectile.

Abstract: A device for firing a small or medium caliber firearm includes a rangefinder, an infrared detector supplying an electrical signal, an electronic triggering assembly for controlling firing, and an electrical energy source. The triggering assembly is associated with percussion firing, using an electromagnet connected to the firing pin of the weapon. Firing of the firearm is activated by the detection of the heat signature of a target with the infrared detector.

Abstract: A first member, such as a primer cartridge (33), is inserted in an aperture in a second member, such as a chamber (8) in a gun breech block (4,5), by means of an apparatus such as a primer loader (52), comprising a tubular member whose bore (16) serves as a guide for positioning the first member and which is aligned with the aperture in the second member. A fourth member, such as a ramming rod (19), may be provided to move the first member into the guide and thence into the aperture as the fourth member advances from a first to a second position. In the case where the primer cartridge passes across a gap (18) in order to enter the aperture, the fourth member may be arranged to advance an additional distance to a third position wherein the additional distance is not less than the width of the gap, the additional distance being the permitted movement of a fifth member, such as a slidable bush (38), between two positions.

Abstract: An electrical power feed assembly (12) for supplying high current to an electrothermal gun has first and second electrical connectors (38) and (42) with associated contact portions (40) and (44) for engaging and plastically deforming first and second side contacts (20,22) on a cartridge (14) to provide firing while maintaining the electrical contact without any arcing. The first connector (38) has a curved contact portion (40) that provides an interference fit to plastically deform the first contact (20) and establish the electrical contact as the cartridge (14) is inserted into the gun. The second connector (42) has a pair of curved knife edges (48) that engage and plastically deform the second contact (22) of the cartridge to establish and maintain the electrical contact under spring action of the second connector and by operation of a cam mechanism (50) of a breech block (26) of the gun.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are providing for converting energy into thrust, and directing the thrust to move an object. The apparatus includes a chamber having air disposed therein, a pulsed laser for converting an energy source into light pulses, and a lens for receiving the light pulses and directing the light pulses toward a focal point within the chamber. Each light pulse converges in a region which is proximate to the focal point and causes molecules within the air which are at the region to disassociate. Disassociation of the molecules generates pressure waves which provide thrust for powering the object to move.

Abstract: An improved system bearing on a firearm is proposed in which the barrel is clamped by means of a wedge-locking mechanism in the barrel bed of a receiver developed at the breech of the firearm. The wedge-locking mechanism can exhibit a tension wedge or a locking mechanism via normal inclined running wedge surfaces. The system bearing block is structured such that the barrel locking mechanism can make available an additional supplemental lock.

Abstract: A superconducting single phase alternator is connected by a circuit breaker across the breech ends of a pair of conductive launching rails. At a predetermined point on the alternator voltage wave a projectile establishes a current path between the rails to initiate a transient, sinusoidal current pulse effective in accelerating the projectile along the rails. A switch is actuated in response to the projectile exiting the muzzle ends of the rails to impose a short circuit across the rails. The circuit breaker disconnects the alternator from the rails as the current pulse goes to zero. The system provides higher launcher efficiency and reduced muzzle flash with minimum barrel length penalty.

Abstract: An apparatus that limits the amount of time that a hand weapon can be discharged during use, an apparatus for preventing the discharging of a hand weapon based on the weapon having been in an attitude that is good for concealed carrying, an apparatus for preventing the discharging of a hand weapon that has had a part not necessary for the discharging of the weapon removed to increase concealability, an apparatus that transmits an identifying signal from a hand weapon under various conditions, a means necessary for the firing of a hand weapon that provides a detectable magnetic field in the vicinity of the hand weapon, and an apparatus for preventing the discharging of a hand weapon based on conditions (e.g. a signal or a magnetic field) that can be created in a location where the weapon is likely to be used for criminal purposes.

Abstract: A firearm, such as a pistol, capable of accepting into its' magazine well either a narrow body (single cartridge row) or a wide body (double cartridge row) magazine is disclosed. The magazine well within the pistol's grip is bevelled to receive a bevelled wide body magazine. The magazine well has at least three contact points for contacting, aligning, and securely positioning a narrow body magazine within the grip. A firearm embodying the present invention can be a .45 ACP, semiautomatic, 1911 government model style pistol.

Abstract: A mortar design according to the present invention has been described. The mortar of the present invention weighs substantially less than the presently available mortars. Furthermore, the mortar of the present invention provides a dampening mechanism which substantially dampens the movement of the entire mortar assembly during firing of rounds.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed which provides coaxial connection between a high energy power supply and a plurality of plasma injectors in a gun breech assembly over a plurality of high energy transmission coaxial cables without losing the coaxial nature of the high energy transmission path at the connections between the coaxial cables and the plasma injectors. The apparatus includes a conductive bell housing for surrounding the connections while providing access for securing the connections with the bell housing in place.

Abstract: A sabot separator includes a sabot separation cylinder equipped with a pair of rail electrodes extending axially and connected with a muzzle end of a barrel of a projectile accelerator. An electrical power source is connected between the rail electrodes and applies a voltage to the rail electrodes for producing a force in a direction for decelerating the accelerating sabot. When the sabot enters the sabot separation cylinder, an electric current flows through the sabot and the sabot is suddenly stopped by a braking force resulting from the flow of the electric current.

Abstract: An ammunition transfer system, for large caliber artillery ammunitions of varying dimension, using a shuttle moveable through the transfer device's housing to transfer a projectile into or out of the said device. The said shuttle has gripping devices to engage the rotating band and base area of the projectile to release it according to biasing cams adjacent to the path of travel. The remainder of the projectile is supported by roller devices in the housing of the transfer device. A multiplicity of storage cavities provide the means to store projectiles. The said transfer device may be mounted to a positioning system capable of aligning it with any particular storage cell and transporting it to other destinations.

Abstract: An extended capacity cartridge magazine assembly for containing and feeding cartridges to a firearm is disclosed. The magazine includes a metal body for containing cartridges having an upper outlet through which cartridges may exit the magazine into the firing chamber of the firearm and a base plate for covering the bottom of the magazine body. A follower body is disposed within the body of the magazine for biasing cartridges toward the upper outlet. The follower body and the magazine body have certain dimensions to prevent an unwanted amount of rotation of the follower body when 0.45 caliber cartridges are being used. A collar slidably movable along the length of the magazine body is adapted to retain the base plate in a fixed position with respect to the magazine body. A flexible bumper plate interconnects with the bottom surface of the collar to secure the cartridge magazine assembly.

Abstract: A shotgun, such as a pump shotgun is retrofit with a kit that neutralizes or counters the recoil associated with firing the shotgun. The kit includes either a mechanical system or an electrical system or an electro-mechanical system and is activated by sensors or elements on the shotgun to deliver impact energy to the shotgun in a direction opposite to that of the recoil energy and at a time that is selected to most effectively neutralize that recoil energy. One form of the impact-delivering system includes a spring-biased weight that impacts a stop on the shotgun, and another form of the system includes a solenoid-controlled impact-delivering weight. A third form has a spring-assisted plunger of a solenoid-controlled impact-delivering element. The sensors are connected to the impact-element releasing system by a circuit that can include a sensitivity setting element whereby a user can adjust the sensitivity and/or the timing of the system to meet his or her needs and to account for changing conditions.

Abstract: A weapon stabilization system for an unbalanced gun tube pivotally mounted on a tank turret or other movable platform is disclosed. The system includes a muzzle position controller which accounts for flexion of the gun tube and which comprises a muzzle reference sensor and a muzzle deflection feedback circuit. The muzzle reference sensor provides a signal indicative of deflections of the gun tube. The muzzle deflection feedback circuit is responsive to this signal to adjust the position of the gun tube in a manner that accounts for the deflections of the gun tube. The gun tube is positioned using a hydraulic actuator with pressure feedback to the stabilization system. The system includes a feedforward controller to compensate for the positive pressure feedback due to dynamic external accelerations acting on the unbalanced gun tube.

Abstract: A transparent composite armor providing complete protection for small arms rojectiles up to and including caliber .50 AP M2 projectiles consisting of two or more layers of transparent material having a hard frangible face plate backed by one or more tough resilient plates to absorb the excess impact force after contact with the face plate, the several plates being bonded together with a suitable transparent adhesive.

Abstract: Mine tailings and similar materials are disposed of by replacing the tailings in underground mineworks including the shafts, adits and drifts by forming a slurry of tailings using dredging or similar mixing processes and pumping the slurry to the mineworks. Cementitious materials may be added to selected quantities of the tailings slurries to form cement plugs for placement at selected intervals in the mineworks to minimize connectivity of the mineworks shafting, adits and drifts. The mineworks may be dewatered to provide a source of water for the slurrification process and the water may be reused after separation from the slurry. The disposal process provides a convenient way of replacing mine tailings in a repository of similar mineralogy and at least partially eradicates abandoned mineworks, including shafting, adits and drifts, which otherwise might require continual monitoring and dewatering.