Abstract:
A fluid projectile launcher (10) comprises a barrel having an open end and a closed end defining a breech portion (50). The breech portion (50) is arranged to hold a dosage of fluid (56) in the form of an ionizing medium for rendering the fluid electrically conductive and an active substance which induces a physiological reaction in living organisms. The projectile launcher (10) includes a launching initiation circuit in the form of a capacitor (22) and an inductance (36), and a pair of electrodes (38A, 38B) forming part of the breech portion (50). Trigger means (40) are provided for allowing the energy storage means (22) to discharge into the dosage of fluid (56) in the breech portion (50) via the electrodes (52, 38A, 38B) so as to cause the dosage of fluid (56) to be projected from the open end of the barrel as a fluid projectile. The leads (38A, 38B) connecting the capacitor (22) and inductance (36) are arranged in a radially symmetrical pattern about a tubular first electrode so as to create an electromagnetic field which is functionally symmetrical in the plane normal to the central axis of the barrel. The launcher may be in the form of a portable hand held device.
Abstract:
An electrothermal chemical propulsion apparatus (10) comprises a projectile (12), at least one chemical propellant module (20), an extensible energy coupling device (22) therebetween, and an electrical power supply (24) electrically connected to the device so as to vaporize the device creating a plasma augmenting the gas expansion behind the accelerating projectile at a predetermined time after ignition of the chemical propellant. The method of propelling a projectile includes the steps of providing an extensible conductor (22) between a power supply and the rear of the projectile (12), igniting the propelling charge to generate a gas pressure in the chamber (16), extending the conductor behind the projectile (12), and passing an electrical current pulse through the conductor (22) when the conductor is fully extended.
Abstract:
본 발명은 발사장치에 관한 것으로서, 특히 안전하면서도 저전력으로 구동이 가능하도록 내부가 비고 비자성체 소재로 이루어진 관이 나선형으로 감겨진 가속관과, 상기 가속관의 외측을 둘러싸도록 복수 개의 코일이 감겨져 전류 인가시 자화되어 자기장을 형성하는 고정자와, 상기 자기장에 의해 힘을 받아 가속관을 따라 회전하며 외부로 발사되는 자성체를 포함하는 것을 특징으로 하는 회전 자성체를 이용한 발사장치에 관한 것이다.
Abstract:
This invention relates to launching of a flight vehicle, such as a rocket, an aircraft and the like, from a generally upwardly directed subterranean launch shaft of at least 300 m length, preferably of a length of 500 m or more. Preferably, the launch shaft is an amortized mine shaft. Launching is by means of one of, or a combination of, several possible propulsion systems. For each system, at least some components are external of the flight vehicle and associated with or mounted in the launch shaft. One kind of propulsion system may use expansion of gas in the launch shaft behind the flight vehicle. Other propulsion systems use electromagnetism or Lorentz-type actuators, such as a coil gun or gauss gun, a linear induction motor or linear synchronous motor, or a rail gun. The launch shaft mounts guiding means for guiding the flight vehicle along the launch shaft.
Abstract:
A controllable launcher for propelling a payload through a predictable and repeatable trajectory to a desired height. The launcher has an energy source for propelling a carriage and a piston in substantially opposing directions and a controller for controlling the trajectory of the propelled payload to enable the payload to land gently at a safe impact distance from the edge of a destination structure.
Abstract:
This invention relates to a breech assembly (10) of a gun adapted to fire caseless charges, ignited and enhanced with electrothermal chemical (ETC) charges. The gun utilises charges as propellant and a plasma generator cartridge (PGC) (17) for generating plasma when an electrical current is applied thereto. The breech assembly (10) comprises a breech ring (13), a tilting block assembly (14), with a spindle (15) installed and a sliding block (16) for supporting or locking the tilting block assembly (14) in a sealed position. The tilting block assembly (14) is movable between a PGC firing orientation and a PGC loading/removal orientation. The breech assembly (10) further includes a crank means, which includes a guide means (26) for rotating the tilting block assembly (14) from the PGC firing orientation to the PGC loading/removal orientation.
Abstract:
Electrothermal accelerator, preferably two-stage. The first stage is an electrothermal accelerator, in particular an electrothermal accelerator with electromagnetic amplification, and the second stage is a light-gas accelerator.
Abstract:
The present disclosure relates to a launch system (20), a launch vehicle (200) for use with the launch system (20), and methods of launching a payload utilizing the launch vehicle (200) and/or the launch system. The disclosure can provide for delivery of the payload at a terrestrial location, an Earth orbital location, or an extraorbital location. The launch vehicle (200) can comprise a payload (240), a propellant tank (230), an electrical heater (220) wherein propellant, such as a light gas (e.g., hydrogen) is electrically heated, and an exhaust nozzle (210) from which the heated propellant expands to provide an exhaust velocity of, for example, 7-16 km/sec. The launch vehicle can be utilized with the launch system, which can further comprise a launch tube (100) formed of at least one tube (110, 130), which can be electrically conductive and which can be combined with at least one insulator tube (120). An electrical energy source (300) also can be provided.