Abstract: Apparatus for cooling the barrel of a gun having a receiver configured to receive a magazine, has a housing dimensionally similar to a magazine for insertion into the receiver and contains a fan including a fan motor and shroud with an air inlet and outlet. An electric power source and circuit connector/disconnector operate the fan motor to establish an air flow path through the air inlet and outlet, with the outlet being positioned so that the air flow path passes through the gun barrel.

Abstract: A handguard system for use on a rifle having a barrel and a receiver, the hand guard system includes a barrel nut having an inner surface with a threaded portion adapted to threadably engage the receiver for securing the barrel to the receiver and an outer surface, and a tubular handguard having an end. The tubular handguard is receivable about the barrel and is received about the barrel nut, engaging the outer surface thereof.

Abstract: A weapon for firing a projectile is provided that includes a receiver within which is disposed a loading mechanism for loading and unloading the weapon. A feed system supplies the loading mechanism with ammunition and a firing mechanism releases the loading mechanism for loading and firing the projectile. A barrel is rotatively secured to the receiver and preferably includes a rifled bore that imparts a gyroscopic spin on the projectile and a rotational force on the barrel causing the barrel to rotate as the projectile is fired. In a preferred embodiment, the barrel is provided with a plurality of blades that capture air and generate airflow across the weapon and barrel to cool the barrel.

Abstract: A fire control system for a firearm, such as a rifle, operates a bolt action for increased rate of fire and convenience while retaining the secure locking of the firing chamber by manual bolt actions. After a controller determines that a round has been fired, one or more actuators, such as electrically actuated tooth wheels or gears, unlocks and reciprocates the bolt action to extract the spent shell and to load an unfired cartridge. Thereby, a consistent locking action is achieved avoiding the inconsistent sealing of conventional automatic bolt actions. Consistent accuracy with increased firing rate operation is further achieved with a cooling system activated when the firearm exceeds an optimum temperature operating range.

Abstract: A firearm heat sink is provided that may be easily affixed to, and removed from, a firearm. The heat sink is provided with a plurality of cooling fins. In a preferred embodiment, the firearm heat sink is held in place by a cooperating collet and ring on each end of the heat sink. In an alternate embodiment, the firearm heat sink is formed in halves and is mechanically fastened together about the barrel of the firearm. In either embodiment, an underlying heat conducting material optionally may be added to insure a proper thermal path between the firearm and the heat sink.

Abstract: A firearm heat sink is provided that may be easily affixed to, and removed from, a firearm. The heat sink is provided with a plurality of cooling fins. In a preferred embodiment, the firearm heat sink is held in place by a cooperating collet and ring on each end of the heat sink. In an alternate embodiment, the firearm heat sink is formed in halves and is mechanically fastened together about the barrel of the firearm. In either embodiment, an underlying heat conducting material optionally may be added to insure a proper thermal path between the firearm and the heat sink.

Abstract: A firearm heat sink is provided that may be easily affixed to, and removed from, a firearm. The heat sink is provided with a plurality of cooling fins. In a preferred embodiment, the firearm heat sink is held in place by a cooperating collet and ring on each end of the heat sink. In an alternate embodiment, the firearm heat sink is formed in halves and is mechanically fastened together about the barrel of the firearm. In either embodiment, an underlying heat conducting material optionally may be added to insure a proper thermal path between the firearm and the heat sink.

Abstract: The invention is an electric generator comprising a portable electric generator and a thermal electric co-generator. The co-generator converts heat produced by the portable electric generator into electricity. In one embodiment of the present invention, the portable electric generator is a microturbine. In another embodiment, the portable electric generator is a fuel cell. In a further embodiment, the thermal electric generator comprises a hot thermocouple and a cold thermocouple.

Abstract: A weapon barrel includes a liner having first and second circumferential regions; a jacket surrounding the liner; and an arrangement for effecting a heat transfer outwardly from the liner at a greater rate from the first circumferential region than from the second circumferential region.

Abstract: The service life of gun barrels of firearms with a high cyclic rate can be extended by means of the cooling device of the invention. To this end, coolant (7) is conveyed from a reservoir (6) into a pressure cylinder (10) by drawing up a hydraulic cylinder (13), while the feed line (14) to the gun barrel is closed. Thereafter the hydraulic piston (13) is moved in the opposite direction by a pressure reversal and the coolant (7) in the pressure cylinder (10) is placed under a defined operating pressure. Prior to triggering a volley, the feed line (14) is opened, so that the coolant (7) can flow via the feed line (14) and the nozzle (16) to the gun barrel (1). The coolant (7) is pushed back by the gas pressure respectively being created when a shot is fired, and following the lowering of the gas pressure to the operating pressure, it is again injected into the gun barrel (1).

Abstract: A cooling apparatus for introducing a coolant fluid into a weapon barrel through a breech end thereof for cooling internal wall faces of a loading chamber of the barrel. The cooling apparatus includes a bellows having a circumference provided with a plurality of holes. The bellows has a retracted state and an elongated, tubular expanded state and is introducible into the weapon barrel in the retracted state. The cooling apparatus further has a coolant driving arrangement coupled to the bellows for introducing the coolant into the bellows to place the bellows into the expanded state and to force the coolant out of the bellows through the holes.

Abstract: A weapon system includes a gun barrel and a vibration absorber fitted onto a free end of the gun barrel. The vibration absorber includes a compliant energy storage device, such as a spring, and a mass secured to the energy storage device. The potential energy stored in the spring and the kinetic energy stored in the mass inertia are dissipated in part as friction, and re-introduced in part to the gun barrel such that the re-introduced energy is out of phase relative to the gun barrel motion. As a result, the vibration absorber does not totally dissipate the stored energy, but rather reshapes the receptance of the gun system so as to significantly reduce the vibration energy that migrates into the gun structure from known disturbances. This improves the overall accuracy of the gun system. In addition, the vibration absorber reduces the load between the gun barrel and the projectile during launch, thereby reducing the gun barrel muzzle wear and the exit yaw rate of the projectile.