BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to high speed projectiles and more specifically it relates to a magnetohydrodynamic sensor system for efficiently testing or arming high speed projectiles by consistently providing a high speed signal at the time of projectile exit from a barrel of a firearm.

Description of the Related Art

Any discussion of the related art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such related art is widely known or forms part of common general knowledge in the field.

In the struggle between powder manufacturers and projectile manufacturers to produce the most effective projectile round, a successful gas seal is required. The projectile industry generally desires a projectile to be as fast and accurate as possible while the powder industry generally desires to produce large amounts of pressure during combustion of the powder and want to use a minimum amount of powder so the projectile round can be made smaller. A flawed seal in the projectile causes variable exit velocities for the shells, thus causing errors in delivered ballistic performance, varying accuracy, etc. A successful projectile shell design includes a seal which allows for containment of the highest combustion pressure with minimal leakage of hot gases to propel the projectile at the highest velocity using the smallest amount of powder. Generally, projectiles are tested to evaluate new seal designs and evaluation of velocity, etc. components.

The most prolific design used to detect projectile muzzle exit currently in operation uses optical based technologies. However, when the propellant pressure exceeds the projectile's seal capabilities, a hot tongue of flame "blowby", generally comprised of leaking gases, precedes the projectile out of the muzzle. The hot tongue of flame triggers the optical sensors early so the resulting high speed photography only takes a picture of the firearm or barrel with the projectile still inside the barrel. Because of the high cost of certain projectiles, these failures can cause unnecessarily expensive testing procedures.

Another problem with certain projectiles having onboard electrical circuitry, such as guidance, detonation, or arming systems, is that the circuitry must often times be armed prior to firing the projectile. This can lead to risky and dangerous scenarios of having a freely armed projectile not yet loaded within the firearm. It is safer to arm the onboard electrical circuitry after the projectile exits the firearm barrel so as to minimize risks of accidental detonation of the projectile. In addition, some guided projectiles must have a fresh battery loaded into the projectile or charged before the projectile can be fired, which can reduce operational flexibility and response by the firing crew. Optimally, the battery is charged when firing the projectile to improve operational response time of the crew. Because of the inherent problems with the related art, there is a need for a new and improved magnetohydro dynamic sensor system for efficiently testing or arming high speed projectiles by consistently providing a high speed signal at the time of projectile exit from a barrel of a firearm. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A system for efficiently testing or arming high speed projectiles by consistently providing a high speed signal at the time of projectile exit from a barrel of a firearm. The invention generally relates to a high speed projectile which includes a magnet, a first electrode, and a second electrode, wherein the second electrode is spaced apart from the first electrode. The first electrode and the second electrode detect an induced voltage caused by a conductive gas passing through a properly oriented magnetic field as the gas exits the barrel with a projectile. The sensor unit may be mounted on the barrel of a firearm, etc., may be mounted on the projectile, and/or motor of the projectile (e.g. rocket). When mounted on a projectile, the sensor unit or onboard electrical circuitry are preferably located at the rear end of the projectile to allow activation of the onboard electrical circuitry and/or sensor unit when substantially the entire projectile exits the barrel for added safety.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, some of the features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and that will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction or to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of the description and should not be regarded as limiting. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is an upper perspective view of the sensor unit.

FIG. 2 is a first side view of the sensor unit.

FIG. 3 is a second side view of the sensor unit.

FIG. 4 is an exemplary front view of the sensor unit mounted to a muzzle end of a barrel.

FIG. 5 is an exemplary front view of a plurality of sensor units mounted to a muzzle end of a barrel.

FIG. 6 is an exemplary side view of the sensor unit mounted to a muzzle end of a barrel and axial gases escaping from the barrel in front of the projectile and not coming in contact with the sensor unit.

FIG. 7 is an exemplary side view of the sensor unit mounted to a muzzle end of a barrel and radial gases escaping from the barrel behind the projectile and coming in contact with the sensor unit.

FIG. 8 is an exemplary side view of the sensor unit mounted to a muzzle end of a barrel and an exemplary plurality of high-speed cameras positioned proximate the path of the projectile and the barrel for photographing. FIG. 9 is an exemplary rear view of a projectile with a plurality of sensor units positioned thereon.

FIG. 10 is an exemplary side view of a projectile with a plurality of sensor units positioned thereon.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A. Overview.

Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views, FIGS. 1 through 10 illustrate a magnetohydrodynamic sensor system 10, which comprises a magnet 23, a first electrode 25, and a second electrode 26, wherein the second electrode 26 is spaced apart from the first electrode 25. The first electrode 25 and the second electrode 26 detect an induced voltage caused by a radial conductive gas 15 passing through a properly oriented magnetic field 24 of the magnet 23 as the gas 15 exits the muzzle end 14 of the barrel 13 with a projectile 16.

The sensor unit 20 may be mounted on the barrel 13 of a firearm 12, etc., may be mounted on the projectile 16, and/or motor of the projectile 16 (e.g. rocket). When mounted on a projectile 16, the sensor unit 20 is preferably located at the rear end of the projectile 16 to allow activation of the onboard electrical circuitry 18 and/or sensor unit 20 when substantially the entire projectile 16 exits the barrel 13 for added safety.

The conductive hot gases 15 are ionic in nature and includes carbon, ionic radicals, and other combustible particles from the firing of the projectile 16. The gas 15 follows the projectile 16 out of the barrel 13 at a high velocity and pressure which causes the gas 15 to exit the barrel 13 in a perpendicular radial manner to the direction of the traveling projectile 16, thus contacting the electrodes 25, 26 of the sensor unit 20, such as illustrated in Figure 7. Any conductive gases 11 leaking past the projectile 16 that exit prior to the projectile 16 travel in a substantially linear manner and do not activate the sensor unit 20, such as illustrated in Figure 6. The sensor unit 20 only activates via the radial gases 15 following the projectile 16 thus providing for a consistent timing of the generated electrical current and transfer of the electrical current to the desired electrical device.

The electrical current is suitable for powering electrical devices. Such electrical devices may include firearm 12 or barrel 13 mounted cameras 19, such as to photograph a projectile 16 in flight within the barrel 13, as the projectile 16 is exiting the barrel 13, or after exiting the barrel 13 in midflight. The camera 19 is generally mounted separate from the firearm 12 and barrel 13 in a position to photograph the projectile 16 or inside of the barrel 13. Various types of high speed cameras 19 may be utilized, such as visual, infrared, X-ray, etc. Other external electronic devices may also be utilized as appreciated.

The electrical circuitry 18 of the projectile 16 may also be comprised of various electronics onboard the projectile 16, such as detonation systems, arming systems, global positioning systems, guidance systems, etc. The electrical current may activate the onboard electrical circuitry 18 or may be stored within an electrical storage device, such as a capacitor (e.g. ultra-capacitor) or a battery, thus ensuring that the projectile 16 is in flight before the activating electrical circuitry 18. The electrical energy generated by the sensor unit 20 is preferably great enough to last the duration of the flight of the projectile 16 if generating power to operate the electrical circuitry 18 of the projectile 16. Projectiles 16 may be comprised of rockets, missiles, bombs, mortar, other ammunition, or various other structures that are projected at high speeds from barrels 13, etc. Firearm 12 may also refer to anything that propels projectiles 16, such as a rifle, pistol, cannon, or rocket.

B. Magnetohydrodynamic Sensor Unit.

The sensor/generator unit is comprised of a magnetohydrodynamic type to use magnetic fields 24 to induce currents in a moving conductive fluid 15. The sensor unit 20 does not require an auxiliary power supply to produce the electrical current and can thus be used in remote areas and without conventional batteries or power. The sensor unit 20 is constructed in a manner to withstand outside environments, such as including rain, snow, extreme heat, etc. The sensor unit 20 is also relatively small and lightweight, such as to be easily mounted to a barrel 13 of a firearm 12 and/or a projectile 16. It is appreciated that multiple sensor units 20 each including at least one magnet 23 and at least one electrode 25 or 26 may be positioned around the barrel 13 to ensure at least one of the sensor units 20 receives the conducting gases 15 exiting from the barrel 13 and/or to generate additional electrical energy. The sensor unit 20 generally includes a base 21 that is directed laterally away from the muzzle end 14 of the barrel 13 in a perpendicular manner so that the longitudinal axis of the base 21 is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the barrel 13. The base 21 is also positioned directly at the muzzle end 14 of the barrel 13 to receive the radial conductive gases 15 exiting the barrel 13 behind the projectile 16. The positioning of the sensor unit 20 perpendicularly outward from the muzzle end 14 of the barrel 13 is important to prevent the sensor unit 20 from being activated by possible axial flow gases 11 forward of the projectile 16 and only allow the sensor unit 20 to be activated by blast wave radial flow gases 15 behind and following the projectile 16 exiting the barrel 13.

The base 21 of the sensor unit 20 includes a magnet 23. The magnet 23 may comprise the base 21, be attached to the base 21, or be positioned within the base 21 as appreciated. The magnet 23 produces a suitable magnetic field 24 to generate the electrical current needed to operate the electrical device 19. Thus, various types and sizes of magnets 23 may be used depending on the desired application. The magnet 23 may be comprised of various lengths with respect to the base 21.

The first electrode 25 and the second electrode 26 also extend from the base 21 of the sensor unit 20. The first electrode 25 and the second electrode 26 are electrically isolated from each other and the magnet 23 and each include at least one electrically conductive surface for detecting the electrical signal generated by the conductive gas 15 and the magnetic field 24 of the magnet 22.

The first electrode 25 and the second electrode 26 are spaced apart upon the sensor unit 20 to allow for the conductive gas 15 to travel between thereof and generate a voltage signal as the conductive gases 15 pass through the magnetic field 24 of the magnet 23. The first electrode 25 and the second electrode 26 are generally oriented in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the barrel 13 and thus perpendicular to the base 21 of the sensor unit 20. The first electrode 25 and the second electrode 26 may be comprised of various shapes, such as but not limited to triangular, rods, half moons, elongated structures, or anything that should extend sufficiently into conductive gases 15 which are within the magnetic field 24. Leads, wireless transmitters, etc. 28 can also be used with the sensor unit 20 to transfer the electrical signal to a desired electrical device 19.

C. Mount.

Various mounts 30 may be used to secure the sensor unit 20 to the muzzle end 14 of the barrel 13. The mounts 30 preferably allow for removable connection of the sensor unit 20 to the barrel 13; however fixedly mounting means may be utilized. In one embodiment, the mount 30 includes a collar 31 which wraps around the muzzle end 14 of the barrel 13. The sensor unit 20 is generally fixedly attached to the collar 31.

A sensor mount 33 may be used to mount the sensor thereon and/or may also be used to provide an electrode, wherein the sensor unit would only include a first electrode 25 and the sensor mount 33 would include the other ground electrode (not illustrated). The mount 30 is generally very stable upon the barrel 13 to prevent the movement of the sensor unit 20 with respect to the barrel 13 when the projectile 16 is fired. Fasteners or other tightening mechanisms 35 may also be used to tighten the collar 31 around the barrel 13.

D. Projectile Mounted.

When mounting the sensor units 20 upon the projectile 16 to activate onboard electrical circuitry 18, the sensor units 20 are preferably mounted at the rear end of the projectile 16 so as to arm the projectile 16 when the projectile 16 has entirely exited the barrel 13 and to ensure sufficient contact with the hot expanding gases 15.

A single sensor unit 20 may be positioned upon the projectile 16 or a multitude of sensor units 20 may be upon the projectile 16, such as positioned around a rear end 17 perimeter of the projectile 16. The rear end 17 is generally tapered to provide room for the sensor units 20 within the barrel 13. The multitude of sensor units 20 may be used to output more electrical energy and/or to ensure at least one of the sensor units 20 makes contact with the radially expanding gases 15.

E. Operation of Preferred Embodiment.

In use, as the projectile 16 is fired from the barrel 13 of the firearm 12, combustible gases 15 are formed behind the projectile 16 which serve as the generating medium for the sensor unit 20. As the projectile 16 exits the muzzle end 14 of the barrel 13, the high pressure and high velocity gases 15 naturally radiate perpendicularly outward from the muzzle end 14 of the barrel 13.

As the gases 15 pass through the magnetic field 24 of the magnet 23 (which is preferably oriented perpendicular to the incoming gases 15), a voltage signal is generated which contacts the first electrode 25 and the second electrode 26. The electrical signal is then transferred to the desired electrical device 19, such as a high speed camera to photograph the high speed projectile 16. Alternately or additionally, the sensor unit 20 may be onboard the projectile 16 and be activated as the projectile 16 exits the barrel 13 due to the projection of the hot gases 15 thus causing electrical circuitry 18 onboard the projectile 16 to activate circuitry 18 or store the electrical energy.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although methods and materials similar to or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, suitable methods and materials are described above. All publications, patent applications, patents, and other references mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety to the extent allowed by applicable law and regulations. In case of conflict, the present specification, including definitions, will control. The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, and it is therefore desired that the present embodiment be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. Any headings utilized within the description are for convenience only and have no legal or limiting effect.