Abstract
The present invention relates to a gear cassette (1) for firearms, comprising: a trigger unit (3), the trigger unit comprising means for activating firing of the firearm, and a combustion unit (20) comprising: —a combustion chamber part (21) having an inlet end section (22) and an outlet end section (23) and an annular wall (24) arranged between the inlet end section and the outlet end section, the annular wall and the end sections comprising an inner surface (25) and an outer surface (26), at least one gas inlet (31, 32) and a fire outlet (33), and at least one spark plug (34) projecting into the combustion chamber, wherein the combustion unit further comprises a gas hose (6, 7) connected to the gas inlet (31, 32) of the combustion chamber part (21) for bringing the combustion chamber (74) in fluid communication with a gas unit comprising at least one gas container (4, 5), and wherein the trigger unit (3) is adapted to activate firing of the firearm by igniting gas in the combustion chamber.
Claims
1. Gear cassette for firearms, comprising: a trigger unit, the trigger unit comprising means for activating firing of the firearm, and a combustion unit comprising: a combustion chamber part having an inlet end section and an outlet end section and an annular wall arranged between the inlet end section and the outlet end section, the annular wall and the end sections comprising an inner surface and an outer surface, at least one gas inlet and a fire outlet, and at least one spark plug projecting into the combustion chamber, wherein the combustion unit further comprises a gas hose connected to the gas inlet of the combustion chamber part for bringing the combustion chamber in fluid communication with a gas unit comprising at least one gas container, and wherein the trigger unit is adapted to activate firing of the firearm by igniting gas in the combustion chamber, and wherein the spark plug is arranged in the inlet end section of the combustion chamber part.
2. Gear cassette for firearms according to claim 1, wherein the inlet end section and the outlet end section are opposing each other.
3. Gear cassette for firearms according to claim 1, wherein the inlet end section comprises two gas inlets.
4. Gear cassette for firearms according to claim 1, wherein the combustion unit comprises a mixing chamber arranged between the gas inlets and the combustion chamber i.e. downstream from the gas inlets.
5. Gear cassette for firearms according to claim 1, wherein the outer surface of the combustion chamber comprises heat dissipation means.
6. Gear cassette for firearms according to claim 1, wherein the outlet end section comprises a projecting fire stud or fire barrel from the outer surface of the outlet end section, whereby the fire stud or barrel is in fluid communication with the combustion chamber.
7. Gear cassette for firearms according to claim 1, wherein the combustion chamber and/or the gas hose(s) further comprise/comprises at least one solenoid valve for opening and shutting the flow of gas to the combustion chamber.
8. Gear cassette for firearms according to claim 6, wherein the fire barrel/fire stud and/or the combustion chamber comprise/comprises an injector arranged to inject a fluid into the fire barrel/fire stud and/or the combustion chamber.
9. Gear cassette for firearms according to claim 3, wherein the combustion unit comprises at least two gas inlets.
10. Gear cassette for firearms according to claim 9, wherein the combustion unit comprises a gas mixing chamber for mixing a first gas and a second gas.
11. Gear cassette for firearms according to claim 1, wherein the combustion unit comprises more than one solenoid valve and wherein the solenoid valves stay open in different time intervals.
12. Gear cassette for firearms according to claim 1, wherein the pressure in the first gas container and the second gas container are different.
13. Replica firearm comprising a gear cassette according to claim 1.
Description
(1) The invention and its many advantages will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, which for the purpose of illustration show some non-limiting embodiments and in which:
(2) FIG. 1 shows in a partly transparent view a firearm having a gear cassette according to the invention installed in the body of the firearm,
(3) FIG. 2 shows a firearm comprising the gear cassette as in FIG. 1 having internal containers for gas,
(4) FIG. 3 shows a combustion unit having two gas inlets,
(5) FIG. 4 shows the firearm of FIG. 1 including a fanny pack and flame from the nozzle,
(6) FIG. 5 shows a gear cassette according to the invention,
(7) FIGS. 6A-6F show an embodiment of the combustion chamber, and
(8) FIGS. 7A-7B show another embodiment of the combustion chamber.
(9) All the figures are highly schematic and not necessarily to scale, and they show only those parts which are necessary in order to elucidate the invention, other parts being omitted or merely suggested.
(10) FIG. 1 shows a gear cassette 1 arranged in a firearm 2. The gear cassette 1 comprises a trigger unit 3. The trigger unit 3 comprises means for activating firing of the firearm 2. The firearm 2 is shown having a first gas canister 4 and a second gas canister 5 arranged outside the stock of the firearm 2. The gas canisters 4, 5 are in fluid communication with the combustion chamber (not shown) by a first gas hose 6 and a second gas hose 7. It is to be understood that the gas considered may be various gasses, e.g. propane in the one canister and oxygen in the other canister. The firearm further comprises a firearm barrel 8. At least partly inside the hollow firearm barrel 8, a fire barrel 9 projects from the combustion chamber (not shown). In FIG. 1, the fire barrel 9 is indicated by dotted lines.
(11) The canisters 4, 5 may be carried by the person in a bag or fanny pack (not shown). The canisters 4, 5, may also simply be arranged in a pocket in the clothing of the user or similar.
(12) FIG. 2 shows a firearm 2 similar to that shown in FIG. 1. However, in this embodiment, the two gas canisters 4, 5 are arranged in the stock 10 of the firearm 2. In a further embodiment, the canister(s) may be arranged in the firearm itself e.g. in the body of the firearm or in the ammunition magazine (not shown).
(13) FIG. 3 shows a combustion unit 20. In this embodiment, the combustion unit 20 comprises a combustion chamber part 21 having an inlet end section 22 and an outlet end section 23 and an annular wall 24 arranged between the inlet end section 22 and the outlet end section 23. The annular wall and the end sections 22, 23 comprise an inner surface (not shown, shown in a later figure) substantially defining a combustion chamber and an outer surface 26.
(14) The combustion chamber part 21 further comprises a first gas inlet 31 and a second gas inlet 32 and a fire outlet 33. Furthermore, a spark plug 34 is arranged in the inlet end section 22. The spark plug 34 is arranged so as to project into the combustion chamber.
(15) FIG. 3 further shows that two gas hoses 6, 7 are connected to the gas inlets 31, 32. The gas inlets 31, 32 provide fluid communication from outside the combustion chamber to the combustion chamber. The first gas hose 6 comprises a first solenoid valve 41 and the second gas hose 7 comprises a second solenoid valve 42. Furthermore, both gas hoses 6, 7 comprise a tube insert of metal 43, 44. The metal tube inserts 43, 44 are arranged in the gas hoses in order to protect the gas hoses against the heat from the combustion chamber. In this embodiment, each of the gas hoses further comprises a non-return valve 45, e.g. a duck bill or similar. The return valves 45 serve to stop back firing from the combustion chamber. Hence, it is preferred that the non-return valves 45 are arranged between the combustion chamber and e.g. a softer section of the gas hoses and/or between the combustion chamber and the solenoid valves 41, 42 in order to protect these from heat. The non-return valves may be one-way valves.
(16) The gas hoses 6, 7 facilitate fluid communication from the canisters (not shown) to the gas inlet 31, 32 of the combustion chamber part 21 for bringing the gas into the combustion chamber. When the fluid is led to the combustion chamber, it is possible to initiate combustion in the combustion chamber by activating the spark plug 34. The activation of the spark plug 34 is carried out by the trigger (shown in FIG. 1). Hence, when the trigger unit is adapted to activate firing of the firearm by igniting gas in the combustion chamber, a firing of the firearm is achieved. In a typical manner for combustion, the gas will expand and hence create a blast through the outlet 33 into the fire barrel 9.
(17) It is shown that the inlet end section 22 and the outlet end section 23 are opposing each other. In this way, it is possible to have an inline flow through the combustion unit 20. The overall outer shape of the combustion chamber part 21 may be barrel-shaped. Both the barrel shape and the inline configuration ensure that the combustion unit 20 is easy to install in a gear cassette as well as in firearms that typically have an elongated shape.
(18) FIG. 4 shows the firearm 2 similar to that of FIG. 1. The external canisters 4, 5 and a battery 40 and a PCB 46 are positioned in a fanny pack 47. Furthermore, it is seen that an injector 48 is arranged to inject a substance into the fire barrel 9. The substance may e.g. be a solution of sodium and water i.e. saltwater. Injecting a substance like this facilitates changing of the colour of the muzzle flame 49. When using e.g. propane and oxygen as gas, the flame may be rather blue. When using gun powder, i.e. live ammunition, the colour of the flame is in the yellow range. Hence, it is desired to be able to change the colour of the flame according to the specific firearm and live ammunition it is simulating. In this way, it is achieved that the firearm 2 visually fully simulates firing of blank ammunition and live ammunition as well. The substance injector 48 may also be arranged to be injected directly into the combustion chamber. The coloured flame will be directed through the fire outlet which lets fire/flame escape from the combustion chamber and the flame 49 is seen at the end of the muzzle.
(19) FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of the gear cassette 1 where the combustion unit 20 shown in FIG. 3 is mounted in the gear cassette 1. It is to be understood that the outer outline of the gear cassette 1 could vary in many ways in order to fit into a specific firearm. Hence, contour of the gear cassette shown in FIG. 3 is merely one embodiment. The combustion chamber part 21 is arranged in an opening 50 of the cassette body 51 of the gear cassette 1. The fire barrel 9 is connected to the combustion chamber part 21 and projects from the cassette body 51 of the gear cassette 1 through an opening in the cassette body 51. Gas hoses 6, 7 extend from the combustion chamber part 21 through a part of the cassette body 51 and out of the cassette body 51 for connecting to the gas containers (not shown). It is seen that the opposing inlet end section and outlet end section facilitate an overall stretched shape of the combustion unit 20 rendering it generally easy to fit into firearms. Two solenoid valves 41, 42 are shown in the hoses positioned outside the cassette body 51. However, they may also be positioned on the hoses inside the cassette body. A wire 52 is shown connected to the combustion chamber part 21. The wire 52 connects to the spark plug (not shown) or another ignition generator and a power source 53. The power source 53 may simply be a battery or a high voltage generator connected to a battery. The trigger unit 3 comprises a trigger 54 for activating firing of the firearm. Via the wires 55, the solenoid valves are controlled. The wires 55 to the solenoid valves may be connected directly to the trigger unit 3 or to a PCB comprising a computer arranged elsewhere, e.g. in the stock or in a fanny pack.
(20) FIGS. 6A-F show an embodiment of the combustion chamber part 21 in various views. FIG. 6A is a perspective view of the combustion chamber part 21. The inlet end section is shown having a first and a second gas inlet 31 and 32 for inlet of gas to the combustion chamber and further an ignition aperture 63 arranged to receive ignition means, e.g. a spark plug. The inlet end section 22 and the outlet end section 23 both comprise heat dissipation means 64. In this embodiment, the heat dissipation means 64 are fins for increasing the total outer surface of the combustion chamber part 21. Extending from the outlet end section 23, the fire outlet 33 is seen.
(21) FIG. 6B is a cross sectional view of the combustion chamber part 21. It is shown that the gas inlets 31, 32 continue in the combustion chamber part 21 via two conduits 71 and 72 into a mixing chamber 73. The mixing chamber 73 is arranged between the gas inlets and the combustion chamber 74 and ensures a mixing of gas of the different gas supplied. The mixing chamber 73 then leads the mixed gas to the combustion chamber 74. In the combustion chamber 74, the actual explosion of the gas or mixed gas is initiated by the ignition means, i.e. the spark plug (not shown) and the fire/flame is led out of the combustion chamber through the fire outlet 33 and into a fire stud 75 and/or a fire barrel (not shown). Hence, a fluid communication is achieved from the gas inlets 31, 32 to the fire outlet 33.
(22) FIG. 6C shows the inlet end section 22. In order to better understand the cross-sectional view shown in FIG. 6B, it is indicated by arrows where the cross sectional plane is seen.
(23) FIG. 6D is a further cross-sectional view of the combustion chamber part 21 seen orthogonally to the view in FIG. 6C. In this view, it is better shown that the mixing chamber 73 is in fluid communication with the combustion chamber 74. A delimiting wall 76 facilitates that the flow of gas from the two gas inlets 31, 33 is forced to change direction, i.e. changing the direction substantially 90°, and by this a better mixing of the gasses is achieved. Furthermore, the delimiting wall may create a back wall in the combustion chamber 74 focusing the exit path of the explosion in the combustion chamber 74 towards the outlet 33 and further into the fire stud 75. The inner diameter FSI of the fire stud may be from 1 mm-15 mm. The fire stud 75 may comprise a thread or other means for connecting a fire barrel to the fire stud 75.
(24) FIG. 6E shows a further view of the combustion chamber part 21 in order to show the position of the cross-sectional view of FIG. 6D. Furthermore, it is shown that the heat dissipation means 64 extend partly along the longitudinal axis of the combustion chamber part. The length L may be from 10 mm-150 mm. The outer diameter of the fire stud may be from 3 mm-30 mm. The width of the combustion chamber part 21 i.e. the radius when the combustion chamber part is barrel-shaped may be from 3 mm-500 mm.
(25) FIG. 6F shows a view of the combustion chamber part 21 seen from the outlet end part direction. In this view, it is shown that the heat dissipation means, i.e. the cooling fins, extend radially and are equidistantly arranged.
(26) FIGS. 6A-6F all show the combustion chamber part 21 as one solid part. This is achievable, e.g. by casting, sintering, 3D printing or advanced milling techniques. The material may be stainless steel or similar materials/alloys withstanding the temperatures in the combustion chamber.
(27) FIGS. 7A and 7B show an embodiment of the combustion chamber part 21 where the combustion chamber part consists of a number of parts. In this way, it is facilitated that maintenance of the combustion chamber is possible. Furthermore, it is possible to adapt the size of the combustion chamber or the properties of the inlets/outlet to specific needs.
(28) FIG. 7A shows an inlet end section 22 as an inlet part 80, an intermediate combustion chamber part 81 and a cover part 82. This embodiment further comprises a first and a second O-ring 84, 85 for ensuring a fluid tight connection between the parts. In inlet part 80 it is shown that it comprises a mixing chamber 73 and a first gas inlet 31 and a second gas inlet 32. Furthermore, the inlet part 80 comprises a thread 86 arranged to threadingly engage with a corresponding thread on the cover part 82. The inlet part further comprises a number of projections for ensuring a firm grip during rotating the parts in order to mount the inlet part 80 with the intermediate combustion chamber part 81 and the cover part 82. The cover part 82 has an opening 88 with a diameter DCO arranged to be able to receive the fire stud 75 of the intermediate combustion chamber part 81.
(29) FIG. 7B shows a cross-sectional view of the multiple part combustion chamber part 21 in its assembled state. It is shown that the intermediate combustion chamber part 81 is brought into contact with the inlet part 80 and the two parts are kept together by the cover part 82. The cover part 82 is secured to the inlet part 80 by means of the thread 86 on the inlet part 80 and an internal thread 89 on the cover part 82. The intermediate combustion chamber part is shown having an internal thread 90 arranged to receive a matching threaded part of a fire barrel (not shown). It is shown that the combustion chamber is formed by an annular wall 24 of the intermediate combustion chamber part 81 and a surface of the inlet part 80. It is to be understood that a similar build-up may be held together by welding, gluing or press fitting the parts together.
(30) Although the invention has been described in the above in connection with preferred embodiments of the invention, it will be evident for a person skilled in the art that several modifications are conceivable without departing from the invention as defined by the following claims.
