The present invention relates to a method for providing a predetermined pyrotechnic energy output to a pyrotechnic separating device for separating an electrical line, such as a cable, a wire, a conductor path or the like, leading to an electrical energy source, such as a battery or an accumulator, for outputting and/or receiving electrical energy, in which: a temperature of or in the vicinity of the electrical energy source is detected; and, when the detected temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature threshold, the pyrotechnic separating device is remotely activated to separate the electrical line at a location spatially remote from the electrical energy source.

Methods and apparatus are described for extracting and storing electrical energy from the gaseous discharge of a firearm. In one embodiment a muzzle device is provided comprising of at least one thermoelectric generator which generates electric power, to be stored in a battery, using heat transferred from the gaseous discharge of a firearm to the thermoelectric generator by a heat sink.

Methods and apparatus are described for extracting and storing electrical energy from the gaseous discharge of a firearm. In one embodiment a muzzle device is provided comprising of at least one thermoelectric generator which generates electric power, to be stored in a battery, using heat transferred from the gaseous discharge of a firearm to the thermoelectric generator by a heat sink.

A projectile propulsion system comprises a housing defining a chamber, a propulsive charge including a propulsive charge material loadable into the chamber, a projectile loadable into the chamber proximate to the propulsive charge material, an electric pulse discharge subsystem that provides an electric pulse having a specified pulse amperage for a specified pulse period, a current delivery subsystem electrically connecting the electric pulse discharge subsystem to the chamber to deliver the electric pulse to the propulsive charge material, wherein the specified pulse amperage and the specified pulse period are sufficient to cause at least a portion of the propulsive charge material to generate a propulsive force that is at least partially directed onto the projectile to drive the projectile out of the chamber, and a barrel in fluid communication with the chamber configured to receive the projectile as it is driven from the chamber.

A projectile propulsion system comprises a housing defining a chamber, a propulsive charge including a propulsive charge material loadable into the chamber, a projectile loadable into the chamber proximate to the propulsive charge material, an electric pulse discharge subsystem that provides an electric pulse having a specified pulse amperage for a specified pulse period, a current delivery subsystem electrically connecting the electric pulse discharge subsystem to the chamber to deliver the electric pulse to the propulsive charge material, wherein the specified pulse amperage and the specified pulse period are sufficient to cause at least a portion of the propulsive charge material to generate a propulsive force that is at least partially directed onto the projectile to drive the projectile out of the chamber, and a barrel in fluid communication with the chamber configured to receive the projectile as it is driven from the chamber.

A separate-loading firearm, which may be configured as a muzzle-loading pepperbox pistol, uses a battery-powered electric resistance heating element to ignite a propellant. A relatively long current pulse, which may be of controllable duration, is used to ignite the propellant and a much shorter pulse may be used to test the integrity of the heater. Detection of the firearm's recoil may be used to terminate the relatively long firing pulse, which can increase the service life of the heating element and reduce the current drain from the battery.

A separate-loading firearm, which may be configured as a muzzle-loading pepperbox pistol, uses a battery-powered electric resistance heating element to ignite a propellant. A relatively long current pulse, which may be of controllable duration, is used to ignite the propellant and a much shorter pulse may be used to test the integrity of the heater. Detection of the firearm's recoil may be used to terminate the relatively long firing pulse, which can increase the service life of the heating element and reduce the current drain from the battery.

Methods and apparatus are described for extracting and storing electrical energy from the gaseous discharge of a firearm. In one embodiment a muzzle device is provided comprising of at least one thermoelectric generator which generates electric power, to be stored in a battery, using heat transferred from the gaseous discharge of a firearm to the thermoelectric generator by a heat sink.

Methods and apparatus are described for extracting and storing electrical energy from the gaseous discharge of a firearm. In one embodiment a muzzle device is provided comprising of at least one thermoelectric generator which generates electric power, to be stored in a battery, using heat transferred from the gaseous discharge of a firearm to the thermoelectric generator by a heat sink.

The present disclosure provides systems and techniques for monitoring the transfer of electric charge and determining whether a threshold amount of electric charge has been transferred. Aspects of the present disclosure may be performed by a fire control system, and the fire control system may be implemented in a gun. The fire control system may generate an integrated voltage using an integrator to integrate a current induced voltage that is present across a resistor, compare the integrated voltage against a reference voltage to determine whether the integrated voltage exceeds the reference voltage, and generate an output voltage that indicates whether the integrated voltage exceeds the reference voltage. The output voltage may be generated based on comparing the integrated voltage against the reference voltage using a comparator circuit, and the reference voltage may correspond to a threshold amount of electric charge.