BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1A is a pictorial diagram of a 7.62 mm minigun constructed in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 1B is a front end view of the minigun of FIG. 1A.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional diagram of a portion of the minigun of FIGS. 1A-B, taken along section line 14-14 of FIG. 1B, illustrating the forward and radial pressure relief vents in the rotor assembly portion thereof, in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a detailed perspective view of the rotor assembly portion of the minigun of FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 2.
FIG. 4 is a front end view of the minigun rotor assembly of FIG. 3.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional diagram of the rotor assembly of FIG. 3, taken along section line 14-14 of FIG. 4.
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a prior art minigun illustrating a rotor assembly that does not include the forward and radial pressure relief vents of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional diagram of a portion of the minigun of FIGS. 1A and 1B, illustrating the flow of high-pressure gases and debris through the forward and radial pressure relief vents in the case of an over pressure situation.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring now to FIGS. 1A-B, there is shown a 7.62 minigun having six barrels 16 terminating at a forward end 21 of the minigun and having a main housing 15. Referring additionally to FIG. 2, there is shown a cross-sectional diagram of a portion of the minigun of FIGS. 1A-B containing a rotor assembly 1 constructed in accordance with the present invention to include a plurality of radial pressure relief vents 3 and a plurality of forward pressure relief vents 4. FIG. 2 also illustrates a surface 7 representing the forward end of rotor assembly 1, a surface 9 representing the operator's end of the minigun, a forward bearing 10, a rear bearing 11, and a rotor cap 12. In the detailed perspective diagram of FIG. 3, rotor assembly 1 is shown separated from barrels 16 and main housing 15 of the minigun. Rotor assembly 1 includes six conventional barrel locator orifices 2 and a conventional axial opening 8. Axial opening 8 facilitates manufacture of rotor assembly 1. In addition, rotor assembly 1 includes the aforementioned plurality of radial pressure relief vents 3 and forward pressure relief vents 4.
Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, there are shown a front end view of the rotor assembly 1 of FIG. 3 and a cross-sectional diagram thereof, respectively. FIG. 4 again illustrates the forward pressure relief vents 4 that are positioned radially from axial opening 8, between adjacent ones of the barrel orifices 2, and generally parallel to barrel orifices 2. In addition, FIG. 5 illustrates the radial pressure relief vents 3 and the way in which they intersect axial opening 8.
Referring now to FIG. 6, there is shown a prior art rotor assembly 13 installed in main housing 15. Prior art rotor assembly 13 does not include the radial or forward pressure relief vents 3, 4 of the present invention that are illustrated in FIGS. 2-5.
Referring now to FIG. 7, there is shown the detailed cross-sectional diagram of FIG. 2, including a cartridge 17 chambered in one of the barrels 16. In the event of a hang fire or overpressure situation, high-pressure gases emanate from the vicinity of a base 20 of cartridge 17. These gases, as well as debris, flow along the path 19, through the forward pressure relief vents 4, so as to exit rotor assembly 1 forward and away from the operator of the minigun who is positioned behind surface 9. Similarly, these gases and debris also flow along the path 18, through the radial pressure relief vents 3, so as to exit rotor assembly 1 through axial opening 8.
Patent Application
20080092726
