A need exists for a warfighter in remote locations to artificially generate high peak voltages when the usual power sources are unavailable to function needed devices. Certain explosive pulse power applications, for example, have large power sources that need to be vehicle towed. Some pulse power sources (i.e., Marx generators) require a battery for recharge purposes. Electrical energy may be needed yet be unavailable for charging capacitor-based systems or perhaps to initiate devices such as the Marx generator remotely in the field. This need has to date remained not adequately satisfied.
The invention assists by converting mechanical energy into electrical energy for charging capacitor-based systems or to initiate devices such a Marx generator. This invention might also serve as a charging supply for directed energy sources. This invention utilizes high pressure gas from an ignited M200 5.56 mm blank round in a carbine barrel to supply mechanical force into a ferroelectric pulse generator. The invention combines a modified M 24 Blank Firing Adaptor (BFA) and a machined housing that holds a ferroelectric generator (FEG) and it mounts to a standard M4A1 Carbine. This invention will allow the warfighter to provide a dismounted portable solution for a portable pulse power source. It converts unused mechanical energy of blank ammunition in small arms weapons into electrical energy. This invention eliminates need for modification to the existing weapon system; one maintains ability to change from pulse power generation back to ordinary live fire (such as of ball rounds).
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide means for a warfighter in remote locations to artificially generate high peak voltages by rifle fire when the usual power sources are unavailable.
Another object of the present invention is to use high pressure gas from an ignited M200 5.56 mm blank round in a carbine barrel to supply mechanical force into a ferroelectric pulse generator, for voltage generation.
It is a further object of the present invention to utilize a modified M4 Carbine M24 Blank Firing Adapter (BFA) in order to supply mechanical force to a piezoelectric element upon firing of a blank cartridge, for peak voltage generation.
It is yet another object of the present invention to utilize firing of blank cartridges in various weapons to provide voltage generation.
These and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent in view of the within detailed descriptions of the invention, the claims, and in light of the following drawings and/or tables wherein reference numerals may be reused where appropriate to indicate a correspondence between the referenced items. It should be understood that the sizes and shapes of the different components in the figures may not be in exact proportion and are shown here just for visual clarity and for purposes of explanation. It is also to be understood that the specific embodiments of the present invention that have been described herein are merely illustrative of certain applications of the principles of the present invention. It should further be understood that the geometry, compositions, values, and dimensions of the components described herein can be modified within the scope of the invention and are not generally intended to be exclusive. Numerous other modifications can be made when implementing the invention for a particular environment, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
In the drawings, which are not necessarily to scale, like or corresponding parts are denoted by like or corresponding reference numerals.
A novel portable adapted pulse gun 10 uses the explosive pulse power from a blank firearm cartridge to supply mechanical force to a ferroelectric element. The blank firearm cartridge may be fired from, for example, a rifle. The rifle may be an unmodified standard issue U.S. Army M4 5.56 mm caliber rifle. Other calibers of rifles may also be used, A blank firing adapter (BFA) is attached to the muzzle of the rifle. The ferroelectric element transforms the mechanical energy created by firing the blank cartridge to an electrical pulse of energy. The electrical pulse of energy is carried through a cable line 42 to power up a select device 43.
The proposed invention intends to utilize the explosive pulse power from a M200 5.56 mm blank round by modifying the M4 Carbine M24 Blank Firing Adapter (BFA) in order to supply mechanical force to a piezoelectric element. The piezoelectric element produces an electrical pulse of voltage which can be used to charge up or power units in the field. The M200 (
The electrical output along 42 of the ferroelectric generator 20 may be amplified if desired or modified to change the electrical pulse length, or sharpen the rise time of the electrical pulse created by ferroelectric generator 20 which pulse waveform is a sharp rise pulse with an exponential decay. Known passive circuits may be used to change the pulse waveform, for example, a step recovery diode may be used to sharpen the pulse, and a capacitor and an inductor (both in parallel with the step recovery diode) may be used to control the decay rate of the pulse. The gun 10 is one man portable. Preferably, gun 10 weighs no more than 31 pounds. In
The invention has an M4A1 M24 Blank Firing Adaptor modification comprising of a frame housing assembly with modified restrictor stem intended to utilize the explosive pulse power of a blank ammunition to supply mechanical force to a ferroelectric element. No modification to the existing weapon system itself is needed. By way of results, analytical peak voltages were calculated to be 20 kV peak through a high impedance load using M4A1 Carbine/M 200 blank ammunition/BFA-PEG design. It might become a charging supply for directed energy sources. Multiple caliber/weapon applications include lightweight non-lethal weapons. No battery or power source requirement is needed to function the invention. It might be used for .50 caliber/12 gauge solutions as well.
A system here is shown of electrically connecting an explosive pulse power generator to a barrel plug/gas transport component. The barrel plug/gas transport device as was mentioned, plugs the rifle at the muzzle. Such barrel plug/gas transport could be implemented by a blank firing adaptor (BFA) with a through-hole, as was shown in
While the invention may have been described with reference to certain embodiments, numerous changes, alterations and modifications to the described embodiments are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims, and equivalents thereof.
This application is a continuation-in-part of commonly assigned application Ser. No. 15/205,211 filed Jul. 8, 2016 entitled ELECTROMAGNETIC PULSE TRANSMITTER MUZZLE ADAPTOR which application is in itself a continuation in part of commonly assigned application Ser. No. 14/487,205 filed Sep. 16, 2014 entitled ELECTROMAGNETIC PULSE TRANSMITTER MUZZLE ADAPTOR, which complete patent applications and their the wrapper contents are all hereby incorporated by reference as though fully set forth.
The inventions described herein may be made, used, or licensed by or for the U.S. Government for U.S. Government purposes.
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Max Teodorescu, US Army devises electricity cannon attachment for the M4 rifle—fries enemy electronics , Apr. 24, 2015, Electronic Products, https://www.electronicproducts.com/Military/Weapons/US_Army_devises_electricity_cannon_attachment_for_the_M4_rifle_fries_enemy_electronics.aspx, pp. 1-2 (Year: 2015). |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 15205211 | Jul 2016 | US |
Child | 16141117 | US | |
Parent | 14487205 | Sep 2014 | US |
Child | 15205211 | US |