Hybrid primer

Abstract

A hybrid primer device comprising electric primer and chemical primer housed in a percussion cap. The electrical primer comprises single pin or plurality of electrode pin pair. Each electrode pair comprises of at least one anode and cathode pin which are insulated and arranged at predetermined distance from central axis. The length of each pair of anode and cathode pins varies to help create multiple trigger points across the length of the cartridge. The chemical primer provides ignition of propellant in absence of the electric power. Application of high voltage electric pulse across the electrodes generates electric arcs between the pairs at multiple points inside cartridge resulting in instantaneous combustion of the propellant creating a high pressure in the cartridge case which improves the projectile's performance. The electric arcs generated will continue even after the chemical primer is exhausted thus enabling primer to continuously burn the propellant ensuring complete combustion.

Claims

1. A hybrid primer device for use within a cartridge having a longitudinal axis and a propellant charged disposed therein, comprising: an insulated base; an electrical primer comprising at least one pair of electrode pins, wherein said at least one pair of electrode pins comprises an anode and a cathode, wherein first ends of said anode and said cathode are fixedly mounted within said insulated base and are spaced apart from each other so as to be electrically insulated from each other and yet are adapted to be connected to a power source, wherein second opposite ends of said anode and said cathode are disposed a predetermined distance from each other so as to generate an arc spark between said anode and said cathode when electrical power is supplied to said anode and said cathode, and wherein said anode and said cathode extend substantially axially away from said insulated base for a predetermined axial distance, substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cartridge, such that the spark can be generated at a predetermined distance along the axial extent of the cartridge and at a predetermined distance from said insulated base; a chemical percussion primer housed within a percussion cap, wherein said percussion cap is disposed within said insulated base and is adapted to generate another spark as a result of a mechanical strike being imparted to said percussion cap; and at least one flash hole defined within said percussion cap so as to permit said spark, generated from said chemical percussion primer housed within said percussion cap as a result of the mechanical strike imparted to said percussion cap, to propagate into the cartridge, within which the propellant charge is disposed, such that the propellant charge, disposed within the cartridge, can be ignited by both of the sparks generated by said at least one anode and said at least one cathode of said electrical primer, and said mechanical strike imparted to said percussion cap.

2. The device as per claim 1, wherein: said at least one pair of electrode pins comprises a plurality of pairs of electrode pins wherein each pair of electrode pins is of a different axial length such that a plurality of arc sparks are simultaneously created at different axial positions along the axial extent of the cartridge upon application of high voltage electric pulses to said plurality of anodes and said plurality of cathodes, wherein the sparks lead to the instantaneous ignition of the propellant at multiple axial locations within the cartridge so as to improve rate of combustion of the propellant and reduce overall triggering time of the propellant.

3. The device as per claim 2, wherein: high voltage electric pulses are applied across the plurality of pairs of electrode pins so as to generate plasma or sparks until the propellant is emptied from the cartridge in order to achieve complete combustion.

4. The device as per claim 2, wherein: said plurality of pairs of electrode pins are disposed within a circumferential array around said longitudinal axis of the cartridge and at a predetermined distance from said longitudinal axis of the cartridge.

5. The device as set forth in claim 4, wherein: said plurality of pairs of electrode pins disposed within said circumferential array extending around the longitudinal axis of the cartridge comprises two pairs of electrodes equiangularly spaced from each other by means of 180.

6. The device as set forth in claim 4, wherein: said plurality of pairs of electrode pins disposed within said circumferential array extending around the longitudinal axis of the cartridge comprises four pairs of electrodes equiangularly spaced from each other by means of 90.

7. The device as set forth in claim 4, wherein: said plurality of pairs of electrode pins disposed within said circumferential array extending around the longitudinal axis of the cartridge comprises six pairs of electrodes equiangularly spaced from each other by means of 60.

8. The device as set forth in claim 4, wherein: said plurality of pairs of electrode pins disposed within said circumferential array extending around the longitudinal axis of the cartridge comprises eight pairs of electrodes equiangularly spaced from each other by means of 45.

9. The device as set forth in claim 4, wherein: each pair of said plurality of pairs of electrode pins comprises an anode and a cathode wherein said anode and cathode electrode pins of each pair of said plurality of pairs of electrode pins have different axial lengths, however each one of said pairs of said anode electrode pins and each one of said pairs of cathode electrode pins are of the same length, and wherein said pairs of said anode and cathode electrode are interconnected together at said first ends thereof so as to have a single contact point to which the high voltage power can be supplied.

10. The device as per claim 9, wherein: said anode and cathode electrode pins are oriented at a predetermined angle of inclination with respect to said base and a gap defined between said second ends of longer ones of said anode and cathode electrode pins having said different axial lengths is adjustable by changing the angle of inclination of said longer ones of said anode and cathode electrode pins with respect to shorter ones of said anode and cathode electrode pins and said base.

11. The device as per claim 2, wherein: instantaneous high pressure characteristics, created by said plurality of pairs of electrode pins at a plurality of axial positions along the longitudinal axis of the cartridge, multiplies velocity characteristics of a bullet disposed within the cartridge, wherein increased bullet velocity increases target range and accuracy.

12. The device as per claim 2, wherein: voltage applied to said plurality of pairs of electrode pins ranges from at least one kilovolt to at least one hundred thousand kilovolts.

13. The device as set forth in claim 2, wherein: each pair of said plurality of pairs of electrode pins comprising said anodes and said cathodes are of different axial lengths with respect to each other such that one pair of said anode and cathode electrode pins is longer than the other pair of said anode and cathode electrode pins.

14. The device as set forth in claim 13, wherein: said anode and cathode electrode pins are oriented at a predetermined angle of inclination with respect to said base and a gap defined between said second ends of shorter ones of said anode and cathode electrode pins having said different axial lengths is adjustable by changing the angle of inclination of said shorter ones of said anode and cathode electrode pins with respect to longer ones of said anode and cathode electrode pins and said base.

15. The device as set forth in claim 2, wherein: said anode and cathode electrode pins of a first pair of said plurality of pairs of electrode pins are oriented at a predetermined angle of inclination with respect to said base which is smaller than a predetermined angle of inclination at which said anode and cathode electrode pins of a second pair of said plurality of pairs of electrode pins are inclined with respect to said base such that a first gap defined between said first pair of said plurality of pairs of electrode pins, which are longer than the length of said second pair of said plurality of pairs of electrode pins, is less than a second gap defined between said second pair of said plurality of pairs of electrode pins.

16. The device as per claim 1, wherein: said insulated base of said hybrid primer is composed of a non-conducting material, wherein said at least one pair of electrode pins and the percussion cap are fitted within the non-conducting material, and wherein the electrode pins are effectively insulated from each other and also from the cartridge and a firearm.

17. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein: the base further comprises a plurality of flash hole channels and an anvil.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The other objects, features and advantages will occur to those skilled in the art from the following description of the preferred embodiment and the accompanying drawings in which:

(2) FIG. 1 illustrates a diagram of a side view of the hybrid primer, according to an embodiment herein.

(3) FIG. 2 illustrates a diagram of a bottom view of the hybrid primer, according to an embodiment herein.

(4) FIG. 3 illustrates a diagram of an application of the hybrid primer device in a centre-fired ammunition cartridge, according to an embodiment herein.

(5) FIG. 4 illustrates a diagram of top view of the hybrid primer, according to one embodiment herein.

(6) FIG. 5A illustrates a diagram of an alternate arrangement of the electrode pins in the hybrid primer device, according to an embodiment herein.

(7) FIGS. 5B and 5C illustrates a side view and a bottom view of an alternate arrangement of the electrode pins in the hybrid primer device, according to an embodiment herein.

(8) FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary diagram for a power supply to the hybrid primer device, according to one embodiment herein.

(9) FIG. 7 illustrates a diagram for an alternative arrangement of the hybrid primer, according to an embodiment herein.

(10) FIG. 8 illustrates an exploded view of the hybrid primer with single pin configuration, according to an embodiment herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(11) In the following detailed description, a reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which the specific embodiments that may be practiced is shown by way of illustration. The embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments and it is to be understood that the logical, mechanical and other changes may be made without departing from the scope of the embodiments. The following detailed description is therefore not to be taken in a limiting sense.

(12) FIG. 1 illustrates a diagram of a side view of the hybrid primer, according to an embodiment herein. With respect to FIG. 1, a hybrid primer device 100 comprising an electric primer and a chemical primer housed in a percussion cap 102. The electrical primer comprises a plurality of electrode pair or conductive pins 103. Each electrode pair 103 comprises one anode and one cathode pin. The anode and the cathode in each pair are insulated from each other. The plurality of anode and cathode 103 are arranged at a predetermined distance from a central axis. The length of each pair of anode and cathode pin increases with increase in its distance from the base. The chemical primer provides ignition of propellant in absence of the electric primer through a mechanical impact. The conductive pins 103 are place in an insulated base 101.

(13) FIG. 2 illustrates a diagram of a bottom view of the hybrid primer, according to an embodiment herein. With respect to FIG. 2, the conductive pins 103 are arranged at a predetermined distance from the percussion cap 102 which is at the central axis. The distance of the conductive pins 103 varies on the basis of a required voltage application so that current passes through them. The length of the conductive pins 103 and its distance for the central axis is arranged manipulatively to achieve an instantaneous combustion of the propellant encapsulated in the cartridge case 104 at multiple points. The conductive pins 103 are place in an insulated base 101 to avoid short-circuit. This is achieved by placing the conductive pins 103 on the insulated or non-conducting base 101 with the percussion cap 102 centrally placed in it. The non-conducting base of primer not only insulates the electrodes from each other but also provides insulation to the cartridge case 104 and the ignition chamber during a power supply to the head of the conductive pins 103 of the primer.

(14) FIG. 3 illustrates a diagram of an application of the hybrid primer device in a centre-fired ammunition cartridge, according to an embodiment herein. With respect to FIG. 3, the hybrid primer is provided in the cartridge case 104 that also holds a projectile 105 of the centre fired ammunition cartridge through a neck 108. An application of a predetermined amount of voltage creates sparks or plasma channel 106 in a zone between the conductive pins 103 near the neck, in the middle and near the base. The sparks in the various zones 106 results in an instantaneous combustion of the propellant 107. The voltage is provided through contact head of the conductive pins 103 that are placed on the base 101 at the predetermined positions from the percussion cap 102.

(15) FIG. 4 illustrates a diagram of top view of the hybrid primer, according to one embodiment herein. With respect to FIG. 4, the hybrid primer comprises the percussion cap 102 fitted in the centre of the base 101 containing the chemical primer. The percussion cap 102 is surrounded by the electrode pins arranged in a manner such that the longer electrode pin pair 402 is arranged closer that the shorter electrode pin pair 401. This arrangement allows a current to pass simultaneously through both of them creating an electric arc equally at tip ends of both the longer and shorter electrode pins (402 and 401 respectively). The current tries to take the shortest path available between the anode and cathode. The insulation barrier which acts as resistance between the anode and cathode is adjusted by manipulating a distance between the anode and cathode. Thus if the insulation barrier is equal between the longer and shorter electrode pairs (402 and 401 respectively), then the current passes equally between the electrode pairs generating the electric arc or spark instantaneously on application of very high voltage electric power pulse at the contacts. Hence, the distance (d1) between the shorter electrode pair 401 is greater than the distance (d2) between the longer electrode pair 402. The diameter of the electrode pin head that contacts the power supply is represented as d3. The flash holes of the percussion cap are shown as 403.

(16) In an alternate arrangement the flash-holes and anvil may be part of the base of the hybrid primer wherein a percussion-cup containing impact sensitive chemical-primer may be press fitted through the provisioned slot in the base.

(17) In an alternate arrangement if the cartridge case acts as the complementing electrode then the distance between the long pin and the cartridge case (d2) will be less than the distance between the short pin and the cartridge case (d1).

(18) FIG. 5A illustrates a diagram of an alternate arrangement of the electrode pins in the hybrid primer device, according to an embodiment herein. With respect to FIG. 5, the longer and shorter electrode pins (402 and 401 respectively) are interconnected to act as a single electrode with a single contact to supply power. They are also arranged at appropriate angles to adjust a distance between the electrode pins.

(19) FIGS. 5B and 5C illustrates a side view and a bottom view of an alternate arrangement of the electrode pins in the hybrid primer device, according to an embodiment herein. With respect to FIG. 5B, the arrangement shown in FIG. 5A is modified to reduce the distance between the tips of the longer and shorter electrode pins (402 and 401 respectively). The longer and shorter electrode pins (402 and 401 respectively) are arranged at angle with respect to base in such that each pins from an electrode pair lean towards each other. With respect to FIG. 5C, the electrode pins are arranged at eight equidistant points 501 on the base. The eight electrode pins are arranged at equal distance from each other at an angle of 45 with respect to the centre. The distance d4 is arranged such that the electrode pair (with pins 1 and 5) is not supplied with power while the other three pairs are supplied with power.

(20) According to an exemplary embodiment herein, let us assume that base or pin-heads of the pins 8, 7 and 6 are connected to the positive terminal and the pins 2, 3 and 4 are connected to the negative terminal of the high voltage electric power source. In this case, the electric arc is produced between the electrode pairs 8 and 2 as well as 6 and 4. With higher current rating the electric arc can be produced between electrode 7 and 3 also. This design makes the primer performance more predictable and consistent giving greater accuracy.

(21) According to another embodiment herein, in real case, the electric arcs will be broken intermittently due to movement of the gases and propellant and the electric arc will be produced between any of the complementing electrode pins where the insulation barrier is the least for a given instant. For example intermittent arcs may be produced between pins 7 and 2 or 7 and 4. In order to get consistent performance and accuracy out of the cartridge, it is recommended to have the distance (d4) between the complementing power supply contact terminals such that only one pair of the electrode pins is not in contact with power source while the rest are supplied with power.

(22) FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary diagram for a power supply to the hybrid primer device, according to one embodiment herein. With respect to FIG. 6, the anode 601 and the cathode 602 (the electrode pairs) are attached to a non-conducting unit of a bolt 604 with a hole 603 in the middle for a firing pin. The distance (d4) between the anode 601 and cathode 602 is greater than the diameter of the electrode pin head to prevent a short circuit while contacting an electrode pin head at the base. The anode 601 and cathode 602 are designed such that they contact only the electrode pins at the base and not the cartridge case. The distance of the anode 601 or the cathode 602 periphery from the centre is less than the radius of the base to avoid contact with the cartridge case.

(23) FIG. 7 illustrates a diagram for an alternative arrangement of the hybrid primer, according to an embodiment herein. With respect to FIG. 7, the hybrid primer comprises a single pin or electrode 701 with a plurality of optional spikes 702. The cartridge case 104 is made of a conductive material acting as a complementing electrode for the single pin 701. The complementing power supply terminals are shown as 703 and 704.

(24) FIG. 8 illustrates an exploded view of the hybrid primer with single pin configuration, according to an embodiment herein. With respect to FIG. 8, the hybrid primer with single electrode pin 701 has a cylindrical bottom press fitted with the percussion cap. The cylindrical base is provided with flash holes 801. The primer assembly is fitted on the non-conducting base 802.

(25) According to an exemplary embodiment herein, considering a traditional primer based cartridge with about 100 grains is capable of triggering only few grains of gunpowder ignited using the percussion cap resulting in slower rate of combustion as there is only one trigger point and also unlike the present invention discussed here the traditional primer design does not have the capability to continuously produce spark or plasma channel that aids the rapid combustion of propellants. In the case of the hybrid primer design in discussion here, when a high voltage electric power pulse is applied across the electrode pairs, then the spark is produced between them instantaneously. The spark ignites 10 grains of gunpowder between each pair of electrodes. The mechanical strike on the percussion cap simultaneously ignites another 10 grains at one end. Thus, overall 30 grains of 100 is ignited as soon as the conductive pins are triggered at three points near the neck, mid-section and base. After ignition, when a critical pressure is reached the bullet leaves the cartridge and enters the barrel of the firearm. Due to continuous application the high voltage electric power between the primer pins the propellant starts burning even as it exits the cartridge and is completely combusted before it reaches the end of the barrel.

(26) Due to complete combustion of the propellant, a high pressure is created in a miniscule time which is multiple times than the pressure created through conventional primers for the same time. This instantaneous high pressure leads to a higher speed of bullet leaving a barrel and thus ensures better range and accuracy in achieving a target.

(27) According to an embodiment herein, the present hybrid primer has ability to generate same power instantaneously by using least propellant in a cartridge case. For e.g. if a 100 grain of a propellant generates a prefixed amount of power through the conventionally used primer, then same power is generated by burning or ignition of 75 grain or lesser amount of propellant when the present hybrid primer is used.

(28) According to one embodiment herein, if the cartridge is made of a metal, metal alloys or any conducting material then the primer pins can act as anode and the cartridge case can act as cathode (or vice-versa). The spark or plasma channel is created through the application of high-voltage electric power. The primer pins may form a homogenous structure in this case along with the base with sufficient insulation between the base and the casing to prevent short circuit and provide necessary insulation between the electrodes.

(29) According to one embodiment herein, the hybrid primer is also be used in a caseless ammunition. In the caseless ammunition, the chamber or the projectile itself acts as an electrode and the primer forms a part of a bolt. The continuous application of plasma channel results in higher rate of combustion which in turn results in rapid buildup of pressure inside the cartridge case or the chamber and hence helps the projectile to move with greater kinetic energy.

(30) According to one embodiment herein, in one form the hybrid primer is used without the chemical primer and hence acts as a pure electrical primer.

(31) According to another embodiment herein, the electrical primer consists of a single pin, with or without multiple thorns or spikes on it. The pin acts as an electrode and the cartridge case or the encasing chamber acting as the complementing electrode.

(32) In a cartridge with the hybrid primer, there are multiple triggering points inside the cartridge that helps burn more propellant quickly all along the length of cartridge case resulting in much higher rate of combustion. The triggering time is lower hence the firing rate in the firearms using the hybrid primer will be higher. The muzzle flash is considerably reduced or completely eliminated as the continuous application of high voltage electric arcs or sparks completely burn the propellants even as they enter the barrel. Since the propellant completes burning before it exits the barrel it helps improve the stealth signature of soldiers and also significantly reduces the wastage of propellants. The ammunitions made out of the hybrid primer can be universally used in mechanical firearms too. The hybrid primer design does not necessitate change in the dimensions of existing ammunitions.

(33) It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in teams of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the claims.