Abstract: An electromechanical firing mechanism having a stack of piezoelectric elements arranged to move a firing pin by switching the piezoelectric material from a static state to an electrically charged state. The electromechanical firing mechanism is comprised of a bolt housing a striker and a firing pin. The bolt further includes a base plate and a center axis whereby the firing pin is moveable along that axis. The striker has a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end is fixed to a base plate and the proximal end is coupled to the firing pin. The striker consists of a stack of piezoelectric elements. A control circuit and battery is electrically connected to the piezoelectric materials for switching and powering the piezoelectric material from a static state to an electrically charged state. The stack of piezoelectric elements moves the firing pin into the primer of the cartridge when electrically charged.

Abstract: An electromechanical firing mechanism having a stack of piezoelectric elements arranged to move a firing pin by switching the piezoelectric material from a static state to an electrically charged state. The electromechanical firing mechanism is comprised of a bolt housing a striker and a firing pin. The bolt further includes a base plate and a center axis whereby the firing pin is moveable along that axis. The striker has a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end is fixed to a base plate and the proximal end is coupled to the firing pin. The striker consists of a stack of piezoelectric elements. A control circuit and battery is electrically connected to the piezoelectric materials for switching and powering the piezoelectric material from a static state to an electrically charged state. The stack of piezoelectric elements moves the firing pin into the primer of the cartridge when electrically charged.

Abstract: A floating barrage comprising an air-containing buoyancy member (13) and a curtain suspended from the buoyancy member (13) which curtain is maintained in approximately vertical position in the water by a ballast member (9) connected to the curtain, wherein the buoyancy member and the curtain are constituted by an envelope formed by a flexible film (4) having a lower edge (7) connected to the ballast member (9) and in which the envelope contains air in a significantly smaller amount than the amount required to inflate the envelope but sufficient to keep the envelope and the ballast floating in water with part of the envelope projecting above the water surface.