Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6526686
-
Patent Number
6,526,686
-
Date Filed
Thursday, November 1, 200122 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, March 4, 200321 years ago
-
Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
Agents
- Price, Heneveld, Cooper, DeWitt & Litton
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 042 84
- 089 2805
- 089 281
- 089 135
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
An electric charging system for a firearm includes a port in operable communication with a chamber adapted to receive an amount of expanding gas created by an ignited charge, and a cavity in operable communication with the port and adapted to receive an amount of the expanding gas therefrom. The charging system also includes a charging assembly in operable communication with the cavity, wherein the charging assembly creates an electric charge when impinged by the expanding gas located within the cavity, and a conductor in electrical communication with the charging assembly, wherein the conductor receives the electrical charge from the charging assembly. The charging system further includes a power storage unit in electrical communication with the conductor, wherein the storage unit stores the electrical charge received from the conductor.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a firearm containing a power storage unit therein, and in particular to a charging system for charging the power storage unit located within the firearm.
Semiautomatic and automatic firearms typically include a bolt assembly that includes things such as a bolt carrier, bolt extractor, ejector, firing pin, etc. Upon firing of the associated firearm, a portion of the expanding gas following a projectile down the barrel is directed back to the bolt assembly, thereby providing the force required to eject a spent shell casing from the firing chamber of the associated firearm and replace the spent cartridge with a new shell. Other firearms such as bolt action and single-shot firearms also generate such force, however, these types of firearms do not utilize direct forces for purposes of unloading and loading.
Numerous kinds of powered scopes are utilized with the modern firearms of today, including infrared scopes, heat-sensing scopes, laser/range finding scopes and “night-vision” scopes. Each of the powered scopes requires that a power source be located within the firearm or carried externally by the user. If these scopes are used for an extended period of time, replacement power units must be provided and/or recharging facilities must be located. Drawbacks to non-rechargeable sources include requiring the operator to carry replacement power sources such as batteries, while rechargeable sources requires the user to find a power source which may not be available.
Therefore, it would be advantageous to develop an electric charging system that utilizes the force generated by the firing of an associated firearm to charge a power storage unit located within the firearm.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One aspect of the present invention is to provide an electric charging system for a firearm that includes a port in operable communication with a chamber adapted to receive an amount of expanding gas created by an ignited charge.
Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a firearm including a power charging system, the firearm including a bolt assembly and a barrel having an internal bore and operably connected to the bolt assembly. The firearm also includes a port in operable communication with the bore, the bore adapted to receive an amount of expanding gas created by an ignited charge, and a cavity in operable communication with the port and adapted to receive an amount of expanding gas therefrom. The charging system also includes a charging assembly in operable communication with the cavity, wherein the charging assembly creates an electric charge when impinged by the expanding gas located within the cavity, and a conductor in electrical communication with the charging assembly, wherein the conductor receives the electric charge from the charging assembly. The charging system further includes a power storage unit in electrical communication with the conductor, wherein the storage unit stores the electrical charge received from the conductor
Yet another aspect of the present invention is to provide an improvement to a firearm that includes a bolt assembly, a barrel in operable communication with the bolt assembly, and having an internal bore, a gas tube in fluid communication with the internal bore of the barrel and the bolt assembly, wherein the gas tube is adapted to receive an amount of expanding gas from the barrel as created by an ignited charge. The improvement includes a port in fluid communication with the internal bore of the barrel and adapted to receive an amount of the expanding gas created by the ignited charge, and a cavity in fluid communication with the port and adapted to receive an amount of the expanding gas therefrom. The improvement also includes a charging assembly in operable communication with the cavity, wherein the charging assembly creates an electric charge when impinged on by the expanding gas located within the cavity, and a power storage unit in electrical communication with the charging assembly and adapted to store the electrical charge created by the charging assembly.
The present inventive charging system provides a standardized power source that may be utilized within numerous weapon systems, eliminates the requirement of the user carrying reserve power sources, eliminates the necessity of replacing expired power sources, and provides a multi-function power supply that is rugged, reliable, and lightweight. The charging system further provides a rechargeable power storage unit that is readily adaptable to existing weapon systems, is applicable to all gas operated, or ported barrel weapons, and is particularly well adapted for the proposed use.
These and other advantages of the invention will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following written specification, claims, and appended drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1
is a partial schematic side elevational view of a prior art firearm, including a front hand guard assembly, a barrel, a gas block, and a gas tube;
FIG. 2
is a partial schematic, partial cross-sectional exploded side elevational view of the charging system;
FIG. 3
is a partial schematic side elevational view of a firearm assembly with an electric charging system embodying the present invention; and
FIG. 4
is a schematic view of a power charging circuit.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
For purposed of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in FIG.
1
. However, it is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative orientations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification are exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.
The reference numeral
10
(
FIG. 1
) generally designates a typical semiautomatic or automatic firearm assembly. It should be noted that while the present invention is described with respect to semi-automatic and automatic firearms, the charging system may also be utilized within other types of firearms including, but in no way limited to, bolt action and single shot firearms. Firearm assembly
10
includes a bolt or breaching assembly
12
(shown schematically) that includes things such as a bolt carrier (not shown), bolt extractor (not shown), ejector (not shown), firing pin (not shown), firing chamber (not shown), and the like typically associated with semiautomatic and automatic firearms. Firearm assembly
10
further includes a barrel
14
fixedly attached with bolt assembly
12
and having an internal bore
16
in operable communication with the firing chamber (not shown). Firearm assembly
10
further includes a gas block
18
fixedly attached with firearm
10
and having a gas exhaust hole or gas port
20
in fluid communication with internal bore
16
of barrel
14
. A gas tube
22
extends between gas block
18
and bolt assembly
12
. An internal passage
24
located within gas tube
22
provides fluid communication between gas port
20
and bolt assembly
12
as is well known in the art.
The reference number
26
(
FIGS. 2 and 3
) generally designates an electric charging system
26
embodying the present invention. In the illustrated example, the gas block
18
of firearm assembly
10
is replaced with a sight/gas block
28
. The sight/gas block
28
includes an internal passage
30
that provides fluid communication between internal passage
24
of gas tube
22
and a conically shaped cavity
32
located within sight/gas block
28
. Cavity
32
opens into and is in fluid communication with a tubular shaped cavity
34
having a first end
36
and a second end
38
that defines a circularly shaped aperture within sight/gas block
28
. It should be noted that while cavities
32
and
34
are described herein as having particular geometrical shapes, other shapes may be utilized. An access plug
35
is threadably engaged within a threaded access aperture
37
located within sight/gas block
28
. Aperture
37
provides access to cavity
32
allowing cleaning thereof. Cavity
34
further includes a snap-ring groove
40
that divides cavity
34
into a first portion
42
and second portion
44
.
The charging system
26
further includes a pressure diagram
46
having a thick outer ring
48
circumferentially extending about a thin interior baffle
50
. Diagram
46
is preferably constructed of steel, however, other suitable materials may be utilized. Charging system
26
further includes a steel spring washer
49
having an outer diameter that is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the interior baffle
50
of diagram
46
.
The charging system
26
further includes a plurality of piezo electric crystals
52
that provide an electric charge when under compression. A conductor element
54
abuts crystals
52
and is in electrical communication therewith. Conductor element
54
includes an electrode
56
. A cup-shaped insulator cap
58
is configured to receive conductor
54
and crystals
52
within an interior
60
thereof. Cap
58
also includes an end wall
62
having a centrally located aperture
64
extending therethrough. Electric charging system
28
further includes an electrical lead wire
66
having an electrode
68
connected thereto and in electrical communication therewith. Electrode
68
is adapted to electrically and physically connect with electrode
56
of conductor element
54
. Lead wire
66
is in electrical communication with a power storage unit
70
.
In the illustrated example, the power storage unit
70
(
FIG. 4
) includes a rechargeable battery pack
72
and a power charging circuit
93
. Power charging circuit
93
includes a bridge rectifier circuit
94
, a capacitor
96
, a current limiter
98
, and a voltage monitor
100
. Specifically, the voltage and associated current traveling in a direction indicated by arrow
101
generated by the crystals
53
is first directed to bridge rectifier circuit
94
which rectifies the polarity of the current from crystals
53
, thereby delivering the same polarity to the battery
72
at all times of compression and decompression of crystals
53
. Capacitor
96
then receives the rectified current from rectifier circuit
94
. In the illustrated example, capacitor
96
is adapted to withstand high voltages, and shields battery
72
from directly receiving such voltages which may damage battery
72
. The voltage is then delivered to the constant current or current limiting circuit
98
, thereby effectively shielding battery
72
from a high voltage output from crystals
53
. Voltage monitor
100
prevents an overcharge of battery
72
. As illustrated in
FIG. 4
, battery
72
is in electrical communication with any such device
102
within firearm assembly
10
requiring power. Power storage unit
70
is shown within bolt assembly
12
for illustration purposes only, and may be located at any location within the firearm providing adequate space or within an external unit carried by the operator.
In assembly, diaphragm
46
is held within first portion
42
of cavity
34
by a snap ring
74
that is adapted to be snappingly received within snap ring groove
40
. Cap
58
is placed within second portion
44
of cavity
34
and houses insulator
54
and crystals
52
therein. When assembled, an end face
76
of cap
58
abuts snap ring
74
and spring washer
49
is frictionally held between crystals
52
and interior baffle
50
of diaphragm
46
. Cup
58
is held within second portion
44
of cavity
34
by a threaded end cover
78
that is threadably received within a plurality of threads
80
extending inwardly from second end
38
of cavity
34
. End cover
78
includes a centrally located aperture
82
for receiving lead wire
66
therethrough and a centrally located threaded aperture
84
. A tube connector
86
is threadably connected within aperture
84
of end cover
78
via a plurality of threads
88
. A centrally located aperture
90
extends through tube connector
84
and is adapted to receive an outer tube
92
therein. Outer tube
92
surrounds lead wire
66
and is adapted to protect the same. Lead wire
66
extends through outer tube
92
, aperture
82
of end cover
78
and aperture
64
of cap
58
, where electrode
68
is physically connected with electrode
56
of conductor element
54
.
In operation, the power storage unit
70
is provided with an electrical charge each and every time the associated firearm is fired. Specifically, a portion of the expanding gases caused by the ignition of the propellant of a shell located within the firing chamber of the associated firearm is ported from internal bore
16
of barrel
14
via gas port
20
and internal passage
30
to cavity
32
. The expanding gas within cavity
32
impinges and places pressure upon interior baffle
50
of diaphragm
46
causing interior baffle
50
to flex away from cavity
32
and into cavity
34
. As interior baffle
50
of diaphragm
46
flexes into cavity
34
a pressure is placed upon spring washer
49
, which is in turn placed upon crystal
52
, thereby compressing crystals
52
between spring washer
49
and end wall
62
of cap
58
. The crystals
52
create an electrical charge when under compression, which is in turn conducted to conductor element
54
. The electrical charge is then transmitted via electrode
56
of conductor element
54
to electrode
68
of wire
66
, and is in turn conducted to power storage unit
70
, thereby recharging power unit
70
.
The charging system
26
as disclosed herein may be used in conjunction with numerous attachments used in association with firearms, including but in no way limited to, infrared scopes, heat vision scopes, laser scopes, night vision scopes, range find equipment, charge ignition systems, directional finding equipment and the like.
The charging system
26
provides a standardized power source that can be used within numerous kinds and types of firearms, and eliminates the necessity of the user to carry back up battery, thereby resulting in lighter loads and greater liability. The charging system
26
also eliminates the requirement of changing batteries or power units, provides a multifunction power supply that is rugged, reliable and lightweight and extends the life expectancy of existing equipment. The charging system
26
further extends the operational limits of the associated weapon system that would limit access to replace power storage units, may be readily adapted to existing weapon systems and is applicable to all gas operated, or ported barrel weapons.
In the foregoing description, it will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art that modifications may be made to the invention without departing from the concepts disclosed herein. Such modifications are to be considered as included in the following claims, unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise.
Claims
- 1. An electric charging system for a firearm, comprising:a port in operable communication with a chamber adapted to receive an amount of expanding gas created by an ignited charge; a cavity in operable communication with the port and adapted to receive an amount of the expanding gas therefrom; a charging assembly in operable communication with the cavity, the charging assembly creating an electric charge when impinged by the expanding gas located within the cavity; a conductor in electrical communication with the charging assembly, the conductor communicating the electric charge from the charging assembly; and a power storage unit in electrical communication with the conductor, the storage unit storing the electrical charge received from the conductor.
- 2. The charging system of claim 1, wherein the charging assembly includes at least one piezo electric crystal.
- 3. The charging system of claim 2, further including:a flexible member in communication with the cavity and adapted to deform when impinged on by the expanding gas, and wherein the flexible member compresses the piezo electric crystal when impinged on by the expanding gas.
- 4. The charging system of claim 3, wherein the storage unit includes a battery.
- 5. The charging system of claim 4, further including:a rectifying circuit that rectifies the polarity of a voltage as produced by the charging assembly.
- 6. The charging system of claim 5, further including:a current limiter that receives the electrical charge from the charging assembly prior to the electrical charge being received by the power storage unit.
- 7. The charging system of claim 6, further including;a voltage regulator in electrical communication with the power storage unit and that prevents the power storage unit from being charged beyond a predetermined point.
- 8. The charging system of claim 7, wherein the chamber includes a barrel of a firearm.
- 9. The charging system of claim 8, wherein the cavity is at least in part defined by a housing that includes a mount for a front site of the firearm.
- 10. The charging system of claim 9, wherein the cavity is at least in part defined by an insulating cap that is received by the housing, and wherein the cap insulates the piezo crystal and the conductor.
- 11. The charging system of claim 1, wherein the chamber includes a barrel of a firearm.
- 12. The charging system of claim 1, wherein the storage unit includes a battery.
- 13. The charging system of claim 1, further including:a rectifying circuit that rectifies the polarity of a voltage as produced by the charging assembly.
- 14. The charging system of claim 1, further including:a current limiter that receives the electrical charge from the charging assembly prior to the electrical charge being received by the power storage unit.
- 15. The charging system of claim 1, further including:a voltage regulator in electrical communication with the power storage unit and that prevents the power storage unit from being charged beyond a predetermined point.
- 16. The charging system of claim 1, wherein the charging assembly and the conductor are housed within an insulating cap.
- 17. A firearm including a power charging system, comprising:a bolt assembly; a barrel having an internal bore and operably connected to the bolt assembly; a port in operable communication with the bore, the bore adapted to receive an amount of expanding gas created by an ignited charge; a cavity in operable communication with the port and adapted to receive an amount of the expanding gas therefrom; a charging assembly in operable communication with the cavity, the charging assembly creating an electric charge when impinged by the expanding gas located within the cavity; a conductor in electrical communication with the charging assembly, the conductor communicating the electric charge from the charging assembly; and a power storage unit in electrical communication with the conductor, the storage unit storing the electrical charge received from the conductor.
- 18. The firearm of claim 17, wherein the charging assembly includes at least one piezo electric crystal.
- 19. The firearm of claim 18, further including:a flexible member in communication with the cavity and adapted to deform when impinged on by the expanding gas, and wherein the flexible member compresses the piezo electric crystal when impinged on by the expanding gas.
- 20. The firearm of claim 19, wherein the storage unit includes a battery.
- 21. The firearm of claim 20, further including:a rectifying circuit that rectifies the polarity of a voltage as produced by the charging assembly.
- 22. The firearm of claim 21, further including:a current limiter that receives the electrical charge from the charging assembly prior to the electrical charge being received by the power storage unit.
- 23. The firearm of claim 22, further including:a voltage regulator in electrical communication with the power storage unit and that prevents the power storage unit from being charged beyond a predetermined point.
- 24. The firearm of claim 23, wherein the cavity is at least in part defined by a housing that includes a mount for a front site of the firearm.
- 25. The firearm of claim 24, wherein the cavity is at least in part defined by an insulating cap that is received by the housing, and wherein the cap insulates the piezo crystal and the conductor.
- 26. The firearm of claim 17, wherein the storage unit includes a battery.
- 27. The firearm of claim 17, further including:a rectifying circuit that rectifies the polarity of a voltage as produced by the charging assembly.
- 28. The firearm of claim 17, further including:a current limiter that receives the electrical charge from the charging assembly prior to the electrical charge being received by the power storage unit.
- 29. The firearm of claim 17, further including:a voltage regulator in electrical communication with the power storage unit and that prevents the power storage unit from being charged beyond a predetermined point.
- 30. The firearm of claim 17, wherein the charging assembly and the conductor are housed within an insulating cap.
- 31. The firearm of claim 17, wherein the cavity is at least in part defined by a housing that includes a mount for a front site of the firearm.
- 32. An improvement to a firearm that includes a bolt assembly, a barrel in operable communication with the bolt assembly and having an internal bore, a gas tube in fluid communication with the internal bore of the barrel and the bolt assembly, the gas tube adapted to receive an amount of expanding gas from the barrel as created by an ignited charge, the improvement comprising:a port in fluid communication with the internal bore of the barrel and adapted to receive an amount of the expanding gas created by the ignited charge; a cavity in fluid communication with the port and adapted to receive an amount of the expanding gas therefrom; a charging assembly in operable communication with the cavity, the charging assembly creating an electric charge when impinged on by the expanding gas located within the cavity; and a power storage unit in electrical communication with the charging assembly and adapted to store the electrical charge created by the charging assembly.
- 33. The improvement of claim 32, wherein the charging assembly includes at least one piezo electric crystal.
- 34. The improvement of claim 33, wherein the charging assembly further includes a flexible member in operable communication with the cavity and adapted to deform when impinged on by the expanding gas, and wherein the flexible member compresses the piezo electric crystal when impinged on by the expanding gas.
- 35. The improvement of claim 34, further including:a conductor in electrical communication with the charging assembly and the storage unit, and adapted to communicate the electric charge from the charging assembly to the storage unit.
- 36. The improvement of claim 35, wherein the power storage unit includes a battery.
- 37. The improvement of claim 36, further including:a rectifying circuit that rectifies the polarity of a voltage as produced by the charging assembly.
- 38. The improvement of claim 37, further including:a current limiter that receives the electrical charge from the charging assembly prior to the electrical charge being received by the power storage unit.
- 39. The improvement of claim 17, further including:a voltage regulator in electrical communication with the power storage unit and that prevents the power storage unit from being charged beyond a predetermined point.
- 40. The improvement of claim 32, wherein the cavity is at least in part defined by a housing that includes a mount for a front site of the firearm.
US Referenced Citations (3)
Number |
Name |
Date |
Kind |
3987729 |
Andrews et al. |
Oct 1976 |
A |
5040463 |
Beaverson |
Aug 1991 |
A |
5838138 |
Henty |
Nov 1998 |
A |