Abstract: The injection piston of a regenerative liquid propellant gun is attached to a second piston that has a programmed hydraulic resistance which controls its motion, thus the propellant injection rate from the injection piston and the burning rate of the injected propellants is controlled to provide better propellant pressure-time burning characteristics.

Abstract: By angling the propellant fluid inlet to the charging chamber of a liquid propellant gun and having a central vent, the tangential swirling of the entering fluid clears the chamber and the fluid of entrapped gas.

Abstract: A feature of this invention is the provision of a booster charge of liquid propellant from a main supply to adiabatically compress a quantity of gas and then progressively inject the booster charge into the heated gas.

Abstract: An igniter assembly for use in liquid propellant guns comprises an outer tubular conductor and an inner conductor spaced apart by a volume of tightly packed, irregular granules of an insulating material, such as a mineral powder. The outer conductor is supported in a longitudinal bore of a gun bolt.

Abstract: A mechanism is provided to detect the occurrence of a misfire in an automatic gun and for thereupon halting, prior to the unlocking of the gun, the further operation of the gun; which is particularly adapted to liquid propellant guns having a rotating drum.

Abstract: A gun has a projectile housing and a cartridge chamber, aft thereof, aligned between a barrel and a breech bolt containing a striker. The striker is positioned to impact on primer caps of expendable propellant cartridges, which are placed in the cartridge chamber from a spring-loaded magazine or other conventional means and then ejected when spent. A helical projectile duct, concentric with a bore in the projectile housing intersects the bore just forward of the intersection of the bore with the cartridge chamber, for automatically placing projectiles, one by one, into the bore. A gas port leading from the cartridge chamber enters the projectile duct at a distance from the intersection of that duct with the bore such that gas therefrom will urge a selected number of projectiles into the bore whenever a cartridge is fired.

Abstract: A liquid propellant gun having a chamber adapted to receive a projectile liquid propellant and having a breech area containing a fuel injection system and a valve internally thereof and a bolt which is chambered within said valve and adapted to move from a projectile load to a fire position. The movement of the bolt from projectile load to fire position is done in one movement and this is possible in that the valve is able to hold high-pressure, making unnecessary a forward jogging of the bolt before firing.

Abstract: An ignitor for a liquid propellant gun having a center electrode supported nd surrounded by insulation so that only a planar or domed face is exposed. The assembly is firmly seated in the bolt nose of the gun and several outer electrode configurations with little or no precombustion area are disclosed.

Abstract: A liquid propellant modular gun has a slim profile and is constructed for wide latitude in gun cluster configuration.The modular gun has a stationary barrel and is externally driven and cam operated by a drive cam and a control cam.The drive cam has one internal spiral cam track for driving the bolt forward to a projectile firing position and another internal spiral cam track for driving the bolt rearward to a projectile loading position.The control cam is mounted for rotation at the forward end of the drive cam and controls the injection of liquid propellant into the combustion chamber and an electrical igniter.A water injection mechanism is also associated with the control cam for injecting a small amount of water into the combustion chamber after the firing of each round to cool the combustion chamber structure by internal water cooling. The water injection mechanism is also effective to purge propellant from the combustion chamber in the event of a misfire.

Abstract: A liquid propellant modular gun has a slim profile and is constructed for wide latitude in gun cluster configuration.The modular gun has a stationary barrel and is externally driven and cam operated by a drive cam and a control cam.The drive cam has one internal spiral cam track for driving the bolt forward to a projectile firing position and another internal spiral cam track for driving the bolt rearward to a projectile loading position.The control cam is mounted for rotation at the forward end of the drive cam and controls the injection of liquid propellant into the combustion chamber and an electrical igniter.A water injection mechanism is also associated with the control cam for injecting a small amount of water into the combustion chamber after the firing of each round to cool the combustion chamber structure by internal water cooling. The water injection mechanism is also effective to purge propellant from the combustion chamber in the event of a misfire.

Abstract: A liquid propellant modular gun has a main cam which is driven at a multiple of the gun firing rate and which has internal cam surfaces operatively associated with the bolt while the bolt is driven forward to load and fire and backward to accept another projectile.The gun incorporates a control cam driven at the gun firing rate and effective to unlock the bolt after firing of a projectile so that the bolt can be returned to its rearward position under the control of the main cam.The main cam acts to time all the remaining mechanisms of the gun to the bolt motion.The accelerating force for the bolt is provided by hydraulic pressure applied directly to the bolt area.Energy stored in the bolt from the force of the accelerating hydraulic pressure is converted into rotary energy and is stored in the main cam and other rotating devices geared to the main cam.

Abstract: A liquid propellant gun and gun loading process wherein a predetermined ant of a gas is intimately mixed with the propellant charge.

Abstract: An improved bi-propellant injection system for a liquid propellant gun inding a valve which is positively opened at the start of the injection of the fuel and oxidizer into the gun chamber and held at a predetermined displacement to provide a constant size propellant orifice throughout the fuel and oxidizer injection cycle.

Abstract: A projectile firing device utilizing a fluid propellant in which an electronic control responsive to a charging signal, cycling of the bolt in the breechblock to a fully closed position and pressure in the firing chamber below a preset value opens a valve to permit pressurized propellant to flow into the firing chamber and closes the valve and enables electronic triggering circuits when the pressure reaches the preset value. The muzzle velocity of the device may be varied by varying the pressure of the propellant in the firing chamber and the rate of fire in the automatic mode may be adjusted electronically. A spring biased injector finger carried by the bolt urges a projectile from a magazine into the bore of the barrel and retains it there to form a gas tight seal until the propellant is ignited. When no projectiles remain in the magazine, the injector finger prevents the bolt from closing completely and therefore inhibits the electronic control from recharging the firing chamber with propellant.

Abstract: A gun and ammunition system utilizing a round of ammunition which contains a supply of liquid propellant and after ignition pumps this propellant into the combustion chamber of the gun.

Abstract: A gun and ammunition system utilizing a round of ammunition which contains a supply of liquid propellant and after ignition pumps this propellant into the combustion chamber of the gun.

Abstract: A gas rifle which utilizes at least one combustible gas to drive the bullet and which includes a barrel and an associated combustion chamber with two gas storage containers and valve means for feeding gas at a controlled rate from gas supply cylinders into the combustion chamber. The rifle is provided with a pivoting breechblock and a piezoelectric crystal firing mechanism which ignites the gas or gaseous mixture in the combustion chamber by means of an electric spark upon pressing the trigger. Bullets may be fed into the breechblock in manual, semi-automatic or automatic mode of operation by a bullet feed linkage system in cooperation with a clip. A suitable recoil means can be utilized to permit semi-automatic and automatic modes of operation.

Abstract: This invention provides a gun and ammunition system utilizing a liquid propellant traveling charge provided by a cavity generator which programs the dynamics of ignition and combustion.

Abstract: A combustion chamber system for the production of propelling gases, partiarly for propelling projectiles includes a tubular member defining a combustion chamber which is adapted to be located adjacent one end of a gun barrel having a passage for a projectile. A piston is slidable in the combustion chamber toward and away from the projectile and it includes a ring portion of wider diameter which is movable in a widened portion of the tubular member defining the combustion chamber. Propellant components are introduced into the combustion chamber by the movement of the piston which is effected by the combustion of the gases within the combustion chamber. For this purpose, the combustion chamber is connected through passages defined in the piston and fixed end plates of the combustion chamber which extend to supply tanks for the various propellant components.

Abstract: A propelling or driving force generating system for propelling a device such as projectile in a fire arm comprises a combustion chamber cylinder formed at the end of a barrel containing a bore for the passage of a projectile and in which is movable in pressure differential piston. The piston includes an annular ring portion having surfaces on respectively axially opposite ends which are exposed to pressure forces existing in intermediate chambers defined between these surfaces and end walls of the surrounding cylinder in widened annular portions of the cylinder. The cylinder and piston are provided with one or more passages for the passage of a propellant component into the combustion chamber. The various propellant components which are preferably of a nature such that they will react hypergolically, are connected through valve means in these passages and by a central plunger element of said valve means into the combustion chamber.

Abstract: A liquid propellant gun loading, propellant injection and firing mechanism haracterized by a rotating breech block having a generally spherical contour. The breech block is intermittently rotated to and locked in sequential loading, fuel injection and firing positions.

Abstract: Helicopter fire fighting apparatus includes a large quick-connect and disconnect fire-fighting fluid tank, a pump mounted near the engine, a fire fighting control station on the rear of the helicopter and a nozzle broom swiveled near the control station. A helicopter lands, quickly drops an empty tank and hooks up a full tank before rising to the proper location to fight a fire, such as in an office building. The boom breaks windows for access to the fire, and a hardened water-driven projectile may be propelled from the nozzle boom to break a window.

Abstract: An igniter assembly for use in liquid propellant guns comprises an outer tubular conductor and an inner conductor spaced apart by a volume of tightly packed, irregular granules of an insulating material, such as a mineral powder. The outer conductor is supported in a longitudinal bore of a gun bolt.

Abstract: A gun and ammunition system utilizing a round of ammunition which contains a supply of liquid propellant and after ignition pumps this propellant into the combustion chamber of the gun.

Abstract: A gun and ammunition system utilizing a round of ammunition which contains a supply of liquid propellant and after ignition pumps this propellant into the combustion chamber of the gun.

Abstract: A liquid propellant modular gun has a slim profile and is constructed for wide latitude in gun cluster configuration.The modular gun has a stationary barrel and is externally driven and cam operated by a drive cam and a control cam.The drive cam has one internal spiral cam track for driving the bolt forward to a projectile firing position and another internal spiral cam track for driving the bolt rearward to a projectile loading position.The control cam is mounted for rotation at the forward end of the drive cam and controls the injection of liquid propellant into the combustion chamber and an electrical igniter.A water injection mechanism is also associated with the control cam for injecting a small amount of water into the combustion chamber after the firing of each round to cool the combustion chamber structure by internal water cooling. The water injection mechanism is also effective to purge propellant from the combustion chamber in the event of a misfire.

Abstract: A gun and ammunition system is provided which utilizes the difference in density between the combustion gases and the charge of liquid propellant as the source of energy for the injection of propellant into the combustion chamber.

Abstract: A liquid propellant gun utilizes a plurality of combustor assemblies or cells located about the periphery of the breech end of a gun barrel. Scaling to larger size guns may be achieved by using different numbers of identical combustor assemblies about the periphery of the bore. Further adjustments may be made by changing the stroke length. Such a standardized piston may be developed for a single cell gun where it may be perfected prior to adding pluralities of said cells to form larger guns. Due to each cell burning propellant progressively, each generates gas at a fixed rate so that for example eight cells supply eight times the rate of one cell. Hence scaling becomes a rational procedure.

Abstract: A liquid investment seal is provided for the firing chamber of a gun, which seal is renewed at the commencement of each firing.

Abstract: A liquid propellant gun utilizes a differential piston having a plurality of bores through its head, which head divides the liquid propellant pumping chamber from the combustion chamber, and propellant supply means providing liquid propellant under pressure into said pumping chamber, which propellant under pressure both advances the piston to enlarge the pumping chamber and to decrease the combustion chamber and injects and atomizes a predetermined quantity of propellant through said bores from said pumping chamber into said combustion chamber.

Abstract: A liquid propellant gun has a combustion chamber which receives liquid propellant from a differential piston operating in a supply chamber, has a gun barrel for the discharge of a projectile, and a balancing nozzle for the discharge of combustion gas. The effective open cross-sectional area of the balancing nozzle is controlled by a plug coupled to the differential piston so that at the start of combustion the nozzle is substantially closed, is subsequently progressively opened in a controlled manner independent of the displacement of the projectile, and is finally fully opened or closed.

Abstract: A two stage telescoped launcher wherein propellant compresses a gas which turn ejects a projectile from a gun launch tube. The two stages are telescoped to shorten the gun and to permit breech loading of the projectile.

Abstract: A liquid propellant gun featuring concentric propellant pump, valve and b. Forward movement of the bolt causes forward movement of the propellant pump by interconnection of ball detents. The valve is forced open by differential pressure and closed by abutment of pump surfaces. At this juncture the ball detent connection is relieved and the bolt continues forward to pressurize the propellant charge before firing.

Abstract: A liquid propellant gun utilizes a differential piston having a plurality of bores through its head, which head divides the liquid propellant pumping chamber from the combustion chamber, and propellant supply means providing liquid propellant under pressure into said pumping chamber, which propellant under pressure both advances the piston to enlarge the pumping chamber and to decrease the combustion chamber and injects and atomizes a predetermined quantity of propellant through said bores from said pumping chamber into said combustion chamber, and a check valve which precludes flow of liquid propellant under pressure from said piston to said propellant supply means and damps said piston at the end of its combustion stroke by means of a damping cylinder.

Abstract: The injector assembly for liquid propellant guns is slidably mounted for ement into or out of the firing chamber of the gun as a sliding breech block. The bolt is movable within the injector assembly in one portion and the firing device is chambered in the alternate portion of the block.

Abstract: Nitric acid and n-octane are injected into a gun and utilized to propel pectiles.

Abstract: An injection system for a liquid propellant gun including coaxial flow vas giving complete mixing of two propellant components by convergent streams, wherein ullage is eliminated by closely contouring the valves with the gun chamber and the flow valves are automatically controlled by action of the propellant pump.

Abstract: A liquid propellant gun system which operates by the direct injection of a two-component hypergolic liquid propellant, i.e., a liquid oxidizer and a liquid fuel, into the combustion chamber in the gun to the rear of the projectile to be propelled. The preferred embodiment is an adaption of the inventive gun system for use as a rapid fire, small caliber, high muzzle velocity aircraft cannon system. As the hypergolic components come into contact and burn, the projectile is propelled forwardly through and out of the gun barrel by the resultant combustion gases. Unlike the prior art, the inventive system permits a significantly higher rate of fire of projectiles, eliminates the need for an igniter, prevents misfires and detonations, materially increases the reliability of the gun and the system thereof, and greatly reduces both the weight and the volume needed to house and to use the gun and the other components of the system.

Abstract: An improvement to a liquid propellant gun system wherein a hydrocarbon used n conjunction with nitric acid is predominantly the exo form of tetrahydrodicyclopentadiene and/or its methyl or dimethyl or ethyl derivatives or a mixture thereof. Other suitable hydrocarbons are as follows: a mixture of trans-syn-2-methyldecalin and trans-anti-1-methyldecalin, trans-perhydroacenaphthene and perhydrofluorene.

Abstract: 47. A device for firing a projectile from a firing position comprising:A barrel for guiding the projectile from the device,Firing means operatively associated with the projectile in the firing position and being operative to fire the projectile through the barrel and being mounted in spaced relationship to the barrel,Said firing means comprising an air cylinder and a firing chamber and an air flow passage connecting said cylinder to said firing chamber,One of said barrel and said firing means being axially movable relative to the other between a firing position and a loading position,A separate movable connecting member mounted between and in line with said barrel and said firing means and connecting said barrel to said firing means in the firing position,And means for moving said member transversely between the firing position in line with said barrel and a loading position spaced outwardly therefrom.

Abstract: A gun of the kind in which liquid propellant is burned in the firing chamber to fire a projectile from the gun is constructed so that a number of gun modules can be combined in a modular gun. Each gun module is cam controlled, and a common cam is used to control each gun module in the modular gun. The cam can be a flexible cam having a belt configuration to permit the gun modules to be arranged in both circular groupings and in non-circular groupings, such as side by side. The modular gun includes fixed, non-rotating gun modules to eliminate the need for tangential velocity correction factors in the fire control and the need to accelerate the mass of the barrel assembly to operational speed. The individual gun module includes propellant injection mechanism for injecting propellant at high pressure when a non-hypergolic bi-propellant is used as the propellant. One or more hydraulic actuators are used to develop the high injection pressures and to operate other components of the gun, such as the bolt.

Abstract: A toy cannon for firing a resilient projectile when a compressed fuel-air mixture is ignited. Air is compressed into a chamber containing fuel as the resilient projectile is forced into the barrel of the cannon. An ignitor in the chamber is actuated from a shielded position externally of the chamber to ignite the fuel-air mixture.