Airborne weapon system

Abstract

A weapon system includes a rotatable part having a plurality of barrels arranged in an array, a drive motor connected to the rotatable part so as to drive the barrels in rotation, a static part positioned rearwardly of the rotatable part, a magazine positioned rearwardly of the static part, and an ammunition feed mechanism cooperative with projectiles in the magazine so as to move the projectiles from the magazine to a position adjacent to the end of the plurality of barrels. The static part has a plurality of combustion chambers communicating with the plurality of barrels and with the end of the plurality of barrels. The combustion chambers are adapted to ignite a gaseous fuel therein so as to drive a projectile outwardly through the barrels. A plurality of actuators are adapted to load the projectiles into the end of the plurality of barrels.

Claims

1. A weapon system comprising: a rotatable part having a plurality of barrels arranged in an array, the plurality of barrels extending parallel planar relationship to each other, the plurality of barrels having an open end, the open end being affixed to a plate, the plate having an opening corresponding to the open end of the plurality of barrels; a drive motor connected to said rotatable part so as to drive the plurality of barrels in rotation; a static part positioned rearwardly of said rotatable part, said static part having a plurality of combustion chambers communicating with the plurality of barrels and a plurality of actuators cooperative with the end of the plurality of barrels, the plurality of combustion chambers being adapted to ignite a gaseous fuel therein so as to drive a projectile outwardly through the barrel, the plurality of actuators adapted to load the projectiles into the end of the plurality of barrels; a magazine positioned rearwardly of said static part, said magazine having a gas tank and the projectiles therein, the gas tank communicating with the plurality of combustion chambers; and an ammunition feed mechanism cooperative with the projectiles in said magazine so as to move the projectiles from the magazine to a position adjacent the end of the plurality of barrels.

2. The weapon system of claim 1, the plurality of barrels comprising more than barrels.

3. The weapon system of claim 1, the plurality of barrels being in a rotatable array such that the end of the plurality of barrels faces one of the plurality of combustion chambers at the same time that another of the plurality of barrels faces one of the plurality of actuators.

4. The weapon system of claim 3, the plurality of combustion chambers being half the number of plurality of barrels, the plurality of actuators being equal to the number of the plurality of actuators and arranged so as to alternate respectively between the plurality of combustion chambers.

5. The weapon system of claim 1, the plate having an axle extending outwardly therefrom on a side opposite the plurality of barrels, the axle being engaged with said drive motor such that said drive motor drives the axle so as to rotate the plate.

6. The weapon system of claim 1, each of the plurality of barrels having a barrel shroud surrounding the open end of the plurality of barrels at the plate, the barrel shroud being adapted to absorb a shock of ignition of the gaseous fuel in the combustion chamber.

7. The weapon system of claim 6, the barrel shroud having a pressure equalizer extending therearound, the pressure equalizer having an O-ring with a hydraulic fluid therein or thereon, the hydraulic fluid being equal that in the combustion chamber and adapted to mitigate leaks and to absorb a force of ignition.

8. The weapon system of claim 1, said static part having a housing residing adjacent to the plate of said rotatable part, the housing having the plurality of combustion chambers affixed thereto, each of the plurality of combustion chambers having an opening extending through the housing.

9. The weapon system of claim 8, the housing having a plurality of ammunition injection holes opening therethrough, each of the plurality of ammunition injection holes having a diameter slightly less than a diameter of the projectile, the projectile being loaded by the actuator against the ammunition injection hole.

10. The weapon system of claim 9, the plate having an axle hole formed centrally thereof, the axle of said rotatable part extending through the axle hole so as to engage with said drive motor.

11. The weapon system of claim 8, said housing having a lip at a periphery thereof, the lip surrounding the periphery of the plate of said rotatable part.

12. The weapon system of claim 1, said drive motor being an electric motor, the electric motor having a drive belt cooperative with a shaft extending from the electric motor.

13. The weapon system of claim 12, the drive belt being cooperative with the plurality of actuators so as to drive the plurality of actuators between an extended position and a retracted position, the extended position driving the projectile into the open end of the barrel, the retracted position allowing the projectile to be loaded into an area between the end of the barrel and an end of the actuator.

14. The weapon system of claim 13, each of the plurality of actuators being movable by the drive belt such that a one-half turn causes the actuator to move to the extended position and another one-half turn moves the actuator to the retracted position.

15. The weapon system of claim 1, said magazine having the projectiles arranged in a helically-stacked array therein, the gas tank positioned centrally of the helically-stacked array.

16. The weapon system of claim 15, wherein the projectiles of the helically-stacked array are connected to each other by a line, the line being cooperative with said ammunition feed mechanism such that said ammunition feed mechanism pulls each of the plurality of projectiles into the loaded position.

17. The weapon system of claim 16, wherein the ammunition feed mechanism is positioned at a periphery of the plate of said rotatable part.

18. The weapon system of claim 1, said magazine having a plurality of feed lines extending outwardly therefrom, the plurality of feed lines being respectively connected to the plurality of combustion chambers such that the gaseous fuel from the gas tank is fed continuously to the plurality of combustion chambers.

19. The weapon system of claim 1, the gas tank having a pressurized oxyhydrogen gas therein.

20. The weapon system of claim 19, the gas tank comprising a hydrogen tank and an oxygen tank arranged separately from each other in the magazine in said magazine.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is an upper perspective view of the weapon system in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

(2) FIG. 2 is a partially exploded view showing the arrangement of projectiles and gas tank within the magazine of the weapon system of the present invention.

(3) FIG. 3 is a side elevational view showing the relationship between the static part and the rotatable part of the weapon system of the present invention.

(4) FIG. 4 is a lower perspective view of the configuration of the rotatable part of the present invention.

(5) FIG. 5 is an end view showing the configuration of the housing associated with the static part of the present invention.

(6) FIG. 6 is an end view of the weapon system of the present invention showing, in particular, the configuration of the electric motor, the actuators, and the combustion chambers.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(7) Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown the weapon system 10 in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. The weapon system 10 includes a rotatable part 12, a drive motor 14, a static part 16, a magazine 18 and an ammunition feed mechanism 20. The rotatable part 12 has a plurality of barrels 22 arranged in an array. The plurality of barrels 22 extend in parallel planar relationship to each other. Each of the plurality of barrels 22 includes a muzzle 24 at an end away from the static part 16 and an open end 26 adjacent the static part 16. The open ends 26 are affixed to a plate 28. The plate 28 has openings corresponding to the open ends 26 of the plurality of barrels 22. The drive motor 14 is connected to the rotatable part 12 so as to drive the plurality of barrels 22 in rotation.

(8) The static part 16 is positioned rearwardly of the rotatable part 12. The static part 14 has a plurality of combustion chambers 30 communicating with the plurality of barrels 22. The static part 16 also includes a plurality of actuators 32 that are cooperative with the end of the plurality of barrels 22. The plurality of combustion chambers 30 are adapted to ignite a gaseous fuel therein so as to drive a projectile outwardly of the muzzle 24 of the plurality of barrels 22. The plurality of actuators 32 are adapted to load the projectiles into the end 26 of the plurality of barrels 22.

(9) The magazine 18 is positioned rearwardly of the static part 16. As will be described hereinafter, the magazine 18 has a gas tank and a plurality of projectiles stored therein. The gas tank is designed so as to communicate with the plurality of combustion chambers through the use of feed lines 34. The ammunition feed mechanism 20 is cooperative with the plurality of projectiles in the magazine 18 so as to move the projectiles from the magazine 18 to a position adjacent to the open ends 26 of the plurality of barrels 22.

(10) As can be seen in FIG. 1, the plurality of barrels comprise eight barrels that are equally spaced from each other in a rotatable array. Supports 36 engage with the plurality of barrels 22 so as to support the array of barrels in a sturdy fashion. The plurality of barrels 22 will have the open ends 26 such that the open end 26 of the plurality of barrels 22 faces one of the plurality of combustion chambers 30 at the same time that another of the plurality of barrels 22 faces one of the plurality of actuators 32.

(11) FIG. 2 shows the configuration on the interior of the magazine 18. In particular, the projectiles 40 arranged in a helically-stacked array within the interior of the magazine 18. The gas tank 42 is shown as positioned in the interior 44 of the helically-stacked array of projectiles 40. As will be described hereinafter, each of the projectiles of the helically-stacked array 40 are connected to each other by a line. FIG. 2 shows that struts 46 support the gas tank 42 and the magazine 18 relative to the static part 16 of the weapon system 10 of the present invention.

(12) FIG. 3 shows a detailed view of the weapon system 10 and, in particular, the junction of the rotatable part 12 with the static part 14. In particular, the static part illustrates barrels 22 as having an open end 26 at a plate 28. Plate 28 is obscured by the housing 50 of the static part 14. The housing 50 includes a lip 52 that surrounds the periphery of the plate 28. As such, the plate 28 will be rotatable within the interior of the housing 50 and, in particular, within the interior of the rim 52 of housing 50. Each of the barrels 22 has a barrel shroud 54 extending therearound. Barrel shroud 54 is intended to absorb a shock of ignition of the gas within the combustion chambers 30. The barrel shroud 54 surrounds the open end 26 of the plurality of barrels 22 at the plate 28. The barrel shroud 54 will have a pressure equalizer 56 therein. This pressure equalizer 56 has an O-ring with hydraulic fluid therein or thereon. The hydraulic fluid can be selectively pressurizable so as to absorb the shock of ignition as desired. In particular, pressure equalizer 56 is illustrated as mounted to the housing 54 as shown as mounted to the housing 50 so as to be cooperative with the barrel shroud 54.

(13) The static part 14 has housing 50 residing against the plate 28 of the rotatable part 12. The housing 50 has the plurality of combustion chambers 30 affixed thereto. Each of the plurality of combustion chambers 30 has an opening extending through the housing 50.

(14) FIG. 3 further shows the drive motor 14. The drive motor 14 will have a shaft extending therefrom. The shaft can be connected to an axle associated with the rotatable part 12 (as will be described hereinafter). The plurality of actuators 32 comprise four actuators in which the four actuators are arranged so as to alternate respectively between the four combustion chambers 30. The drive motor 14 is, in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, an electric motor. This drive motor 14 has a drive belt 60 cooperative with the shaft of the drive motor 14. The drive belt 60 is cooperative with the plurality of actuators 32 so as to drive the plurality of actuators between an extended position and a retracted position. The extended position drives the projectile into the open end of the barrel 22. The retracted position allows the projectile to be loaded into an area between the end of the barrel 22 and the end of the actuator 32. Area 64 illustrates an area for the ammunition in-feed. The plurality of actuators 32 are configured so as to be movable by the drive belt 30 such that a one-half turn causes the actuators 32 to move to the extended position and another one-half turn moves the actuators 32 to the retracted position.

(15) FIG. 3 shows that there are feed lines 66 and 68 that extend to the combustion chambers 30. Each the feed lines 66 and 68 are connected separately to an oxygen tank and a hydrogen tank. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the magazine 18 (as shown in FIG. 1) can incorporate separate oxygen and hydrogen tanks therein. The serves to reduce the weight of the gas fuel therein. Alternatively, the gas tank can be a single tank in which the hydrogen is separated by a diaphragm from the oxygen.

(16) FIG. 4 shows an end view of the plate 28 associated with the rotatable part. Plate 28 has a generally circular configuration with an outer periphery 70. The outer periphery 70 will reside adjacent to the lip 52 of the housing 50 of the static part 14. There are a total eight barrel in-feed the holes 72 opening through the plate 28. Barrel shroud 54 extends around these barrel in-feed holes. Each of the barrel in-feed holes 72 will have a diameter that is slightly less than the outer diameter of the projectile that is placed into the loading position. Each of the barrel in-feed holes 72 will communicate with the respective barrels 22. FIG. 4 shows that each of the barrel in-feed holes 72 includes the pressure equalizer 56. It can be seen that pressure equalizer 56 is in the nature of an O-ring with a hydraulic fluid positioned thereon or therein. As such, the pressure within this O-ring can be adapted to counter the explosive forces within the combustion chambers in order to minimize the shock to the weapon system 10.

(17) FIG. 4 shows that there is an axle 74 extending outwardly of plate 28. Axle 74 is engageable with the shaft of the drive motor 14. As such, the drive motor 14 can impart rotational movement to the rotatable part 14 by rotating the axle 74 and the attached plate 28.

(18) FIG. 5 illustrates the housing 50. Housing 50 includes lip 52 that has an inner diameter 78 that surrounds the periphery of the plate 28 of the rotatable part 12. The housing 50 includes a plate-like surface 80 having a plurality of ammunition injection holes 82 formed therethrough. Once again, ammunition injection holes 82 will have an inner diameter slightly less than the outer diameter of the ammunition. An axle hole 84 is formed centrally of the surface 80 of the housing 50.

(19) FIG. 5 shows the array of combustion chambers 30. The combustion chambers 30 have an opening 86 that opens at the surface 80 of the housing 50. It can be seen that the ammunition injection holes 82 alternate relative to the combustion chambers 30. The axle 74 of the static part 12 will extend through the axle hole 84 so as to engage with the drive motor 14. As such, the static part 14 will remain stationary while the rotatable part 12 will rotate by the action of the drive motor 14 on the axle 74. Feed lines 66 and 68 extend to the combustion chambers 30 so as to supply the gaseous fuel for the combustion chambers 30. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, this gaseous fuel is oxyhydrogen fuel. One of the feed line 66 will carry oxygen and the other feed line 68 will carry hydrogen. Oxyhydrogen fuel is important in the present invention since this can be manufactured in remote locations by simple electrolysis of water. As such, fuel will be available for use as the explosive force associated with a weapon system 10 of the present invention.

(20) FIG. 6 is an end view of the weapon system 10 of the present invention. In particular, FIG. 6 shows that the drive motor 14 is located centrally of the housing 50. The actuators 32 are illustrated as positioned between adjacent combustion chambers 30. Feed lines 90 extend each of the combustion chambers 30 so as to supply the oxyhydrogen fuel to each of the combustion chambers.

(21) The operation of the present invention is quite unique. Initially, the ammunition feeding mechanism will pull on a line associated with the plurality of projectiles 40 in the magazine 18. This pulling action (in contrast to pushing systems used in the prior art) effectively draws each of the projectiles into a proper position adjacent to the ammunition injection holes 42. As such, the four ammunition injection holes 82 will have the projectiles respectively facing thereto. As the projectiles are placed in this position adjacent to the ammunition injection holes 82, the actuators 32 will be in the retracted position by action of the drive motor 14. Similarly, each of the combustion chambers 30 will be filled with the oxyhydrogen gas because of the pressurization in the gas tank 42. No valves are positioned between the gas tank 42 and the combustion chambers 30. As such, the combustion chambers 30 will continuously be filled with explosive gas. Spark plugs, or other ignition devices, can be associated with the combustion chambers so as to ignite the combustion. At the instant that the gas in the combustion chambers ignites, a complete propulsive force is exerted upon the projectile positioned adjacent to the ammunition injection hole 42 so that the projectile is launched outwardly of the muzzle 24 of the barrel 22.

(22) When the projectile is positioned adjacent to the ammunition injection hole 82, it will be retained in place because the ammunition injection hole 82 has a diameter slightly less than the diameter of the projectile. When the actuator moves to its extended position, it will extrude the ammunition through the ammunition loading hole 72. Once the projectile is fully installed into the loading hole 72 of the rotatable part 12, it will be surrounded by the barrel and the barrel shroud. As the rotatable part 12 is rotated by the drive motor 14, the loaded barrel will move into a position adjacent to the opening of the combustion chamber 30. Once in this position, the combustion chamber can be ignited so as to exert the propulsive force to the projectile and thereby send the projectile through the barrel 22.

(23) It is important to note that this is carried out in an extremely rapid, continuous and smooth manner. Loading of the open combustion chamber occurs continuously. The release of gas from the combustion chamber is blocked by surfaces of the plate 28 in the area between adjacent loading holes 72. It is only when the loading hole 72 aligns with the opening of the combustion chamber (and the gaseous mixture is ignited) that combustion occurs and gas is released. As the rotatable part 12 rotates and the plate 28 moves, the surfaces of the plate 28 will further block the opening of the combustion chamber so that gas from the gas tank 42 can load the combustion chamber (almost instantly) with fuel by way of the feed lines 66 and 68.

(24) Similarly, the actuator 32 will exert a strong force onto the end of the projectile. When the loading hole 72 on the plate 28 rotates so as to match with the ammunition injection hole 82 of the housing 50, the actuator will force the bullet through the ammunition injection hole 82 and into the loading hole 72. This action occurs almost instantly and automatically because of the alignment with these holes. The bullet is prevented from exiting its position adjacent the end of ammunition injection hole 82 because of the surfaces of the plate 28. It is only when the holes align that the bullet is moved into this position. As such, the continuous spinning of the rotatable part 12 allows for the automatic loading and launching of projectiles through the barrels 22.

(25) Importantly, unlike the GAU-8 weapon, the present invention actually can launch four projectiles per rotation of the rotatable part 12. As can be seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, there are four actuators and four combustion chambers. The four actuators alternate between the combustion chambers. As such, when the actuator causes the projectile to enter the loading hole 72, a rotatable part moves one-eighth of a turn so that the loaded projectile now faces the combustion chamber. The combustion chamber is then fired. The rotatable part will then moves one-eighth of a turn so that the barrel from which the projectile has been fired now faces the ammunition injection hole. Once again, another one-eighth turn causes the loaded projectile to face the open end of the combustion chamber for firing. As such, in a rapid-fire sequence, the present invention allows four times the number of projectiles to be released in a firing sequence.

(26) The configuration the present invention provides greater reliability and faster firing. The present invention can put twice as much energy with the same amount of recoil. The GAU-8 has seven barrels as compared to the eight barrels of the present invention. The present invention offers the capability of 32,000 rounds firing from each barrel. The present invention does not have any opening or closing valves. The gas is constantly fed. Because of the oxyhydrogen fuel used for the firing of the combustion chambers, there are fewer moving parts. The present invention, by avoiding the charge associated with each bullet, reduces the weight of the ammunition. As such, the present invention can have more mass devoted to the gun rather than to the ammunition. The present invention reduces recoil in flight. Through the use of the barrel shrouds and the associated pressure equalizers, recoil is minimized. This also allows projectile velocities to be much greater. In other words, the present invention has increased velocity of the projectiles at the same energy as the GAU-8. The present invention produces less momentum and, thus, less recoil.

(27) The present invention avoids the need for storage space for casings. No casings are required by the projectiles fired by the present invention. Since the present invention allows the ammunition to be stored in a helical stack, a greater amount of ammunition can be stored within the magazine of the present invention. The present invention is an entirely electric device that can operate off the electricity system of the flying or moving platforms. The present invention is a relatively simple construction. As such, the costs associated with the manufacture of the GAU-8 weapon are substantially reduced. The present invention does not require any casing release slots associated with the weapon nor any space required on the aircraft for the collection of such casings. As such, all hazards associated with the collection of casings are avoided by the present invention.

(28) The use of oxyhydrogen fuel allows the fuel to be manufactured on-site through a simple electrolysis process. The amount of oxyhydrogen fuel introduced into each of the combustion chambers can be varied depending on the desired velocities to be achieved.

(29) The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention is illustrative and explanatory thereof. Various changes in the details of the illustrated construction can be made is the scope of the present invention without departing from the true spirit of the invention. The present invention should only be limited by the following claims and their legal equivalents.