Abstract: A method of propelling a projectile from a device by applying a high power pulse of electrical current to a thin metal conductor wire causing the wire to explode and disperse hot spots of molten metal throughout an aluminum fuel powder/water mixture which reacts to generate hydrogen gas at high pressure in a chamber. The hydrogen gas is used to push the projectile from the device.

Abstract: Railgun structure having a pair of spaced-apart electrically conductive rails. A source of electrical energy is connected to the rails. An armature vessel is positioned between the rails and is movable along the rails. The armature vessel contains an electrically conductive plasma or gas through which electrical current flows when the rails are electrically energized. When electrical current flows through the plasma or gas, the pressure of the plasma or gas within the armature vessel becomes very high. At least one of the rails is provided with a series of vent apertures along the length thereof. The armature vessel has an opening therein which comes into communication with the vent apertures as the armature vessel travels along the rails. Thus, a portion of the plasma or gas is released through the vent apertures, and the pressure within the armature vessel is controlled. Therefore, the armature vessel travels at a very high velocity.

Abstract: A device for accelerating projectiles from a muzzle of a launching tube, with an electrically heated plasma, the plasma being produced by two electrodes between which is formed an electric arc that creates and heats the plasma. To assure in a simple manner that the pressure at the projectile base is almost constant during launching of the projectile, one of the two electrodes is provided at a breechblock of the tube and the other is formed by the base of the projectile.

Abstract: A pulsed high pressure, supersonic plasma jet for accelerating a projectile through an elongated confined bore is derived from a dielectric structure including a capillary passage having an interior wall surface from which plasma forming material is ablated in response to a discharge voltage applied to first and second electrodes respectively forming a nozzle and plug at opposite ends of the passage. The nozzle injects the plasma into the bore behind the projectile.

Abstract: An electrostatic projectile accelerator apparatus and related method for accelerating an electrostatic projectile charged to a first polarity through a plurality of pairs of split plates. The pairs of split plates are alternately charged to the first polarity and a second polarity opposite the first polarity. A first ion generator neutralizes the polarity of the projectile or charges the projectile to the second polarity as the projectile passes through the first pair of split plates. A second ion generator recharges the projectile to the first polarity as the projectile passes through the second pair of split plates.

Abstract: A fuel assisted electromagnetic launcher wherein a payload is contained in a forward portion of a pointed cylindrical launch container and rocket fuel is contained in a rearward portion; and wherein a launch preparation unit in the launcher cools and heats alternate junctions in circular disposed thermopiles around the cylindrical launch container; and wherein electrical coils encased in plastic form a cylindrical barrel. With the coils with spacers in between each containing a photoelectric detector charged by an external D.C.

Abstract: An electromagnetic projectile launcher provides acceleration of a superconducting projectile through the diamagnetic repulsion of the superconducting projectile. A superconducting layer is provided aft of the projectile, either directly on the projectile or on a platform upon which the projectile is carried, and a travelling magnetic field is caused to propagate along a magnetic field drive coil in which the projectile is disposed. The resulting diamagnetic repulsion between the superconducting projectile and the travelling magnetic field causes the projectile to be propelled along the coil. In one embodiment, a segmented drive coil is used to generate the travelling magnetic field.

Abstract: A round for placement and firing in the barrel of a large caliber gun, the round comprising a cartridge case defining a cylindrical chamber having axially opposed open and closed ends, a plurality of axially-adjacent annualr explosive charges coaxially-disposed in the chamber, the charges defining a bore coaxial with said chamber and each charge being shaped to generate on detonation a predetermined shock wave in the case, a projectile disposed in the chamber proximate the closed end, the projectile having a trailing end shaped to convert shock waves generated by detonation of the annular charges to projectile acceleration, an explosive in the case for initially propelling the projectile axially through the bore toward the open, end, an electrical detonator for each annular charge responsive to an electrical signal, and a power source and circuit for generating the electrical signal in response to axial movement of the projectile in the bore.

Abstract: A gun for accelerating projectiles in which the travelling chemical charges are ignited by electrothermal energy sources. By one mode there are provided electrothermal energy injectors along the gun barrel which are fired synchronously with the displacement of the projectile within the barrel, each such injector igniting a distinct chemical propellant charge attached to the projectile. Essentially that mode of the gun operates by the travelling charge principle in which the boosting of the thrust on the projectile is brought about by successively ignited propellant charges attached to the projectile itself while the electrothermal energy injectors on the barrel serve for ignition only.By an alternative mode a plasma injector unit is mounted at the rear of the gun coaxially with the barrel and the injected plasma acts via fluid to initiate the chemical propellant and enhances the chemical propellant burning rate to improve the gun performance.

Abstract: A projectile is accelerated in a bore of a barrel by applying a plasma to the bore behind the projectile. The plasma has a tendency to occupy a volume in the bore behind a location in the bore where the plasma is applied. A magnetic field is applied to the plasma synchronously with application of the plasma to the bore for substantially preventing the plasma from flowing into the bore volume behind the location.

Abstract: A projectile is accelerated through a barrel by a high pressure hydrogen gas jet that is derived by exothermically reacting water or a water-hydrogen peroxide liquid mixture with metal or a metal hydride. The temperature of the reaction is controlled by controlling the power in a plasma discharge applied to a reaction chamber containing the liquid and particles of the metal or metal hydride. A non-vaporous metal oxide resulting from the reaction is centrifugally separated from the hydrogen that drives the projectile.

Abstract: A method of propelling a projectile from a device by applying a high power pulse of electrical current to a thin metal conductor wire causing the wire to explode and disperse hot spots of molten metal throughout a titanium fuel/powder/water mixture which reacts to generate hydrogen gas at high pressure in a chamber. The hydrogen gas is used to push the projectile from the device.

Abstract: An electrically charged spherical projectile for use in acceleration devices such as betatrons, cyclotrons, linear accelerators and similar devices. The spherical projectile having a large hollow or low mass filled spherical body which can be electrically charged and perform the same functions as an electron or ion.

Abstract: An electromagnetic launcher or railgun includes a projectile or armature which is comprised of an optically activated semiconductor switch device including a body of bulk semiconductor material, such as gallium arsenide (GaAs) or gallium arsenide doped with chromium (Cr: GaAs), located between a pair of rails across which is connected a relatively high current source. A source of optical energy, such as a pulsed laser, directs optical energy to at least one surface of the semiconductor switch device where the conductivity of the semiconductor body is thereby increased and current from the source is transferred between the rails through the semiconductor body, causing an electromagnetic Lorentz type drive force to be built up behind the armature, which is set into motion and rapidly accelerated along the rails.

Abstract: A projectile which is intended for firing from an electromagnetic projectile acceleration device equipped with parallel acceleration rails and forming a plasma arc cushion. To realize high speeds as well as uniform stress on the projectile during the acceleration phase, the projectile, when seen in the direction of flight, is composed of at least two spaced partial projectile sections which are arranged one behind the other and are separated from one another by intermediate projectile portions, and plasma forming substances are disposed at the rear ends of the respective partial projectile sections.

Abstract: The gun has two parts. The first part is an ordinary gun with an ammunition feeder, a chamber and breech and a barrel. The second part has electromagnet assemblies, which includes plural electromagnets serially arranged in gradually reducing spirals. Equal electromagnets are arranged on opposite sides of the bore in two or three or more equally counter rotating cylinders. The electromagnets are sequentially energized beginning when a sensor along the barrel senses the passage of the powder propelled projectile. The reduction in angular twist of the magnets and the increased linear steps near the muzzle uniformly linearly accelerates the projectile through the electromagnetic drivers. Pairs of magnets allows increased number of electromagnets with sufficient space between contacts and magnets. A firing pin is activated at a precise time to deliver the accelerating projectile to the accelerated by the first electromagnets as the rotating assemblies position the first magnets along the gun.

Abstract: An electromagnetic launcher having spaced-apart rails for launching a projectile by means of a current-carrying armature between the rails includes a breech end loop connected to a current commutating firing switch. A low resistance shorted loop is positioned in proximity to the breech loop and generates a current in a direction counter to the commutated breech current. The arrangement reduces the equivalent breech inductance which in turn reduces communication arcing energy as well as the duration of arcing, thereby prolonging firing switch life.

Abstract: An electromagnetic projectile launcher with augmenting conductors and a circuit breaker at the breech which closes as the projectile is launched to recover inductive energy from the launching rails for successive shots and a launcher with coaxial conductors which greatly reduce external flux.

Abstract: An electromagnetic projectile launching system is provided with a pair of conductive projectile launching rails which are connected to a high current inductive power source. Current from an inductive energy storage coil is switched to the launcher rails to successively launch a series of projectiles. As each projectile is launched, the inductance of the coil is reduced to increase inductor current so that each successive projectile is launched at approximately the same muzzle velcoity.

Abstract: Electrical circuit inductively coupled to the circuit of an electromagnetic projectile launcher for beneficially reducing switch arcing duration and switch arc energy dissipation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for supersonically accelerating a projectile in a thermally choked subsonic combustion mode. A projectile (50) is initially preaccelerated using either a tank (24) of compressed helium or a chemical propellant charge preaccelerator (152). The projectile enters a portion of a tube (22) filled with a combustible mixture (54) of a gaseous fuel and an oxidizer and is propelled by a ram acceleration process as the mixture burns. In several different embodiments, various devices are used to control the velocity of a shock wave generated as the projectile enters the combustible mixture and the dynamic impulse pressure immediately behind the projectile, so that the shock wave attaches to the projectile along an aft portion, thereby establishing a stable subsonic combustion zone along the aft end (64) of the projectile, in which combustion of the gaseous fuel accelerates the projectile down the bore of the tube.

Abstract: A projectile is accelerated in a barrel bore by applying a plasma jet to a projectile propelling fluid. The plasma jet is derived from a structure forming a capillary passage having a wall formed by a low molecular weight, dielectric powdery filler or water in many rigid containers, shaped as spheres or straw-like tubes having axes parallel to the passage longitudinal axis. The fluid and jet interact so the fluid is heated by the jet, whereby low atomic weight constituents of the fluid are sufficiently heated to become mixed with the plasma to form a high pressure mixture that is injected into the bore to accelerate the projectile. The fluid is dragged into the plasma during mixing to cool the plasma and form a boundary layer between the plasma and the barrel walls so that the mixture does not cause substantial damage to the walls of the bore. The plasma is energized by applying voltage from an electric pulse source to electrodes at opposite ends of the passage.

Abstract: A projectile launch package for use in electromagnetic launching systems is provided with separable armature and projectile assemblies. The armature assembly includes a conductive element which initially conducts accelerating current. After a certain time, the conductive element fuses, thereby forming a plasma which further accelerates the projectile assembly. Following the plasma initiation, the armature assembly is expelled from the launcher under its own momentum.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a ranging gun (1a to 1f) for a mass (17, 18) which is to be accelerated. The ranging gun comprises a coaxial system as acceleration system, which coaxial system consists of an outer conductor (2) and an inner conductor (3) which are electrically connected with one another by means of a short-circuit bridge (9) which terminates the coaxial system. In the coaxial system, a strong current pulse is fed at one side. Next, an explosive charge, which is aligned along the coaxial system, is ignited at the feed location so that the outer and inner conductors (2, 3) contact and a closed hollow space (10) is formed. The front termination is formed by a plasma bridge (11) which has formed from the short-circuit bridge (9) by means of the vaporization of the bridge material after feeding the strong current pulse.

Abstract: A device for accelerating projectiles from a launching tube by means of an electrically heated plasma and two electrodes between which burns an electric arc so as to heat the plasma. To cause the pressure for accelerating the projectile in the launching tube to be as high as possible, the two electrodes and thus the electric arc which heats the plasma are disposed within a rear portion of the projectile.

Abstract: A multiple bore electromagnetic projectile launcher is provided with series circuit elements connected to the muzzle end of conductive rails of a bore to continue current conduction in those rails following the launch of a projectile and during the launch of a successive projectile. This current flow augments the flux in the successive bore during the launching of a successive projectile. Individual firing switches can be provided for each bore or additional conductive rails can be provided in an automatic switching arrangement to conduct current from a muzzle of a fired bore to the breech of a successive bore.

Abstract: A device and apparatus, consisting of a standard barrel, a superconductive magnet winding wrapped around the barrel, a large mass piston and a projectile. This device is a direct-current powered hybrid coil gun which operates to accelerate projectiles to high velocity without the requirement of gigawatt power pulses. The device also lowers the cost of power required per shot and makes possible extended life of the individual parts of the apparatus.

Abstract: An electromagnetic launcher having parallel rails bridged by a projectile driving armature. Another set of rails, acting as current feed rails, delivers current, from an energy source, to the projectile rails at the far or muzzle end thereof as opposed to the breech end, as is done in conventional electromagnetic launchers.

Abstract: An apparatus designed to move mass without contact is described. The apparatus contains a chamber which is formed by alternating sections of superconducting material and electromagnetic coils. The chamber is cooled to below the critical temperature of the superconducting material, and a magnetic object is disposed in the center of the chamber. A series of coils along the chamber are sequentially energized by direct current to form electromagnetic fields. The sequence and direction of these fields causes the movement of the magnetized object within the chamber.

Abstract: An electrothermal acceleration device, having a housing with a breechblock at one end, wherein a plasma burner disposed at the breechblock includes a plurality of plasma channels which are arranged so as to be electrically insulated from one another and from the housing. Preferably, the plasma burner has a conical shape so as to realize good gas tightness.

Abstract: A gun in which the interior wall of the breech portion of the bore is proed with a series of small annular combustion chambers distributed along the axis which are filled with liquid monopropellant to provide a propellant lined breech. Propellant is pumped into the annular combustion chambers through ports or fill orifices which communicate with an annular chamber surrounding the breech. This construction of the propellant in a series of small discrete volumes which eliminates the hydrodynamic instabilities associated with combustion of bulk loaded liquid propellants.

Abstract: An electromagnetic railgun having a layer of low conductivity material along the rails to interface with the armature as the armature is propelled along the rails. The low conductivity material has been found to permit rapid current penetration between the layer and armature, thereby inhibiting undesirable high current density formation along the trailing edge of the armature. Advantageously, inhibiting the high current density formation permits use of a solid armature at velocities exceeding one kilometer per second. Preferably, the layer is composed of graphite or a graphite/copper mixture. A layer of copper or other high conductivity material is preferably laminated to the low conductivity graphite layer to reduce the overall railgun circuit resistance. In the preferred embodiment, the layer of low conductivity material increases in thickness from the breech to the muzzle to decrease railgun circuit resistance.

Abstract: An electromagnetic railgun having electrically conductive segments overlying but insulated from the rails. Switches are connected between each segment and its underlying rail. As a projectile and its plasma armature pass each segment, the switch associated with that segment opens, disconnecting the flow of current into the area behind the plasma armature. Without a source of current, parasitic current flow is prevented.

Abstract: An energy supply system for mobile electric weapons, for the operation of a storage unit, has a turbine which can be acted upon for a short time by a combustion chamber with hot gas of a high pressure and temperature. In the idling operation, the turbine is maintained at an idling speed by exhaust gas from a vehicle driving system. As a result, a fast charging of the storage unit is achieved, and at the same time, the space requirement of the storage unit and of the energy generating device is reduced.

Abstract: A rail gun utilizing a combination of chemical energy for propelling a piston and a projectile. The piston movement creates electromagnetic energy in rails which further increases the velocity of the projectile as it leaves the gun barrel. In operation, propellants are introduced into the gun and ignited. High pressure gas produced from the combustion accelerates the piston and the projectile along the rails. An external field normal to the piston is applied from a dipole magnet wound around the gun bore. The piston movement induces emf thus charging the rails which act as an inductor. The current flowing in the rails further increases the velocity of the projectile along the barrel to its final exit velocity.

Abstract: A device which delivers high velocity projectiles to specified or targeted sites. Said device operates to bore at extreme speeds a channel leading to specified sites and then to subsequently place explosive charges substantially below the surface of a region adjacent to or surrounding said targets. High velocity projectiles are fired in rapid succession with shaped explosive charges ranging from conventional plastic explosives to nuclear or thermonuclear devices detonating either upon impact or some distance below the point of impact. The multiple stage launch mode of the aforesaid device consists of three separate and distinct phases or stages, and/or multiples of said stages. Electropropulsive elements embodied within the devices consist of an automated plasma injection means, a primary arcing source, Tesla discharging means and propagating rails, magnetic induction elements and ancillary systems.

Abstract: A reusable and regenerative electromagnetic propulsion method and operating system is provided for propelling high mass payloads to orbital velocities which does not require a vacuum environment. The propulsion system comprises a self supporting superconducting dipole coil several kilometers in diameter that is accelerated by magnetic repulsive forces generated by a plurality of giant superconducting field coils mounted in underground tunnels. The propulsion dipole is mounted inside a circular hypersonic wing-like structure equipped with movable aerodynamic control surfaces for guidance. The propulsion system can accelerate a payload with any desired launch azimuth by accelerating along a line of magnetic induction generated by the field coils having the desired azimuth angle. The payload is attached to the propulsion system by a plurality of cables.

Abstract: A projectile is initially accelerated to a supersonic velocity and then injected into a launch tube filled with a gaseous propellant. The projectile outer surface and launch tube inner surface form a ramjet having a diffuser, a combustion chamber and a nozzle. A catalytic coated flame holder projecting from the projectile ignites the gaseous propellant in the combustion chamber thereby accelerating the projectile in a subsonic combustion mode zone. The projectile then enters an overdriven detonation wave launch tube zone wherein further projectile acceleration is achieved by a formed, controlled overdriven detonation wave capable of igniting the gaseous propellant in the combustion chamber. Ultrahigh velocity projectile accelerations are achieved in a launch tube layered detonation zone having an inner sleeve filled with hydrogen gas.

Abstract: Electrical circuitry for preventing or substantially reducing electrical arcing at the muzzle of an electromagnetic projectile launcher. The circuitry provides a plurality of switches which interconnect portions of the rails of the launcher so that a unidirectional current flows through, the armature of the launcher is a first direction when the armature is in a first section of the launcher and a second section of the launcher. The switches, also cause a current, in a direction opposite the direction of the first direction, to flow through the armature of the launcher when the armature is in the second section of the launcher.

Abstract: Improved bulk-loaded liquid propellant guns are provided having a plurality of channels within the master chamber but not in contact with the gun barrel so as to obviate destructive pressure variances.

Abstract: An electromagnetic projectile launcher (commonly referred to as a "railgun") consists of an electrical direct current power supply, two parallel rails (52), and switching armature (54) releasably linked to a projectile armature (56), each armature being slideably located in mutually parallel channels between and along the length of the rails. The rails are each provided with two overlapping conductive zones along their length, the first zone (60) being electrically connected to the power source and in electrical contact with the switching armature in its start position. In operation, electromagnetic forces induced by the power supply propel the switching armature (54), and hence the projectile armature (56) linked to it, along the rails from the start position until the projectile armature comes into electrical contact with the second conductive zone (62).

Abstract: A switching system for switching large electric currents such as those utilized in the electromagnetic launching of projectiles, includes a plurality of controllable switching elements such as solid state switching devices which are electrically connected in parallel with each other and are also electrically connected in parallel with a pair of mechanical switch contacts. Current flow through the solid state switching devices also flows through a series connected structure which utilizes electromagnetic forces generated by this current to close the mechanical contacts, thereby shorting across the solid state switching device circuit branches. This switching system can be utilized in an electromagnetic projectile launching system to conduct current between a pulse current source and a pair of projectile launching rails. Launch current flow is initiated by the switching system and the mechanical switch contacts remain closed until current is interrupted at a current zero following a projectile launch.

Abstract: A projectile is accelerated to hypersonic velocity in an initially closed barrel of a diameter considerably larger than the projectile diameter which is filled with a compressed fuel-oxidizer mixture. The projectile comprises a conical nose portion, an intermediate portion formed to generate oblique detonation waves, and a tapering tail portion provided with several radial vanes. The projectile is propelled by an initiator gun at supersonic speed through one of the intitially closed ends in the barrel, were the detonation waves cause detonation and combustion of the fuel-oxidizer mixture. The detonation results in a high pressure increase to the rear of the projectile accelerating it along the barrel and shooting it at the reached hypersonic speed through the other, initially closed end of the barrel into the open.

Abstract: A barreled weapon with chemical-electrical hybrid propulsion through the intermediary of regenerative injection of fluid propellants through at least one axially movable piston. The propellant components and/or the gases which are developed due to the reaction of the propellant components, are forcibly conducted past an electrode arrangement of a plasma burner in such a manner whereby the electrical energy of a light corona or arc discharge is coupled into the matter streaming therepast.

Abstract: A projectile intended to be fired from an electric rail gun having spaced current-carrying rails between which the projectile is accelerated when fired, includes an armature mounted on the projectile and arranged to make contact simultaneously with the rails to electrically connect the rails to one another. The armature is of annular configuration and rotates as the projectile is propelled through the electric rail gun.

Abstract: An electromagnetic projectile launcher which uses a pulsed AC generator with a power supply. The generator is operative to supply a relatively low current pulse to initially accelerate the armature after which an extremely high current pulse is applied for main acceleration. The pre-acceleration pulse may be derived from an auxiliary winding on the generator or may be provided by a relatively smaller generator operated in synchronism with the main generator or physically coupled thereto.

Abstract: A liquid propellant gun system has an annular differential piston journaled for telescopic movement with respect to an annular control valve and to the chamber of the firing bore; uses the piston, the valve and the projectile as valve means for controlling the injection of liquid propellant into the combustion chamber of the gun system; uses a displacement type control means to limit the rate of the loading of liquid propellant and to provide a positive evacuation of misfired liquid propellant from the combustion chamber; and incorporates a vernier control circuit to give direct control over the performance of the gun.

Abstract: A coil launcher having a barrel segmented into sections formed of sets of poly-phase energizable coils which are energized in succession by a power supply comprised of capacitors, with one capacitor coupled to a respective section of coils. A predetermined number of sections of coils disposed at the breech end of the barrel are merged, and the resultant merged section is coupled to a like number of pre-energized capacitors which are connected successively and cumulatively in series to that merged section of coils by way of switch circuits, whereby the number of capacitors connected in series increases over time to increase the level and resonant frequency of energy supplied to that merged section of coils.

Abstract: To improve the performance and life of a charging current-conducting commutating switch in an inductor storage-type electromagnetic launcher, the energy expended in propelling a mass through a breech rail gun section at a high velocity is utilized to generate a current in the breech section rails which flows through the commutating switch in opposition to the inductor charging current. The switch is opened in coordination with the movement of the mass through the launcher with little or no arcing when the current therethrough has been depressed to a minimal level to commutate inductor discharging current into the rails of a longitudinally aligned launch rail gun section of the launcher to accelerate the mass therethrough to a high exit velocity.

Abstract: A projectile accelerator using reversed magnetic fields to accelerate a cylindrical projectile. The magnetic slingshot (MSA) includes an outer coil which produces a magnetic field within itself and a coaxial inner cylinder with breakable contacts, called a flux reverser. The magnetic field produced by the outer coil is suddenly reversed, trapping the original magnetic field within the flux reverser and storing magnetic energy in the form of magnetic flux lines that curve around the aft end of the projectile, which fits just inside the flux reverser. The stored magnetic field interacts with azimuthal currents, causing an accelerating force along the axis of the coil. A contact in the flux reverser opens aas the projectile passes, allowing the flux lines to closely trail the accelerating projectile and maintaining an imbalance in the accelerating force.