Multi-barrel gun with fixed barrels, controlled by autonomous rotary exciter
Patent Information
- Application Number
- RU2025137587
- Authority / Receiving Office
- RU · RU
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-12-22
- Publication Date
- 2026-10-02
- Estimated Expiration
- 2045-12-22
Smart Images

Figure 00000019_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] The invention relates to artillery and small arms for land, sea and air based, in particular, designed to repel attacks by drones, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and unmanned boats (UB), namely, to multi-barrel guns with fixed barrels.
[0002] Multi-barrel guns became indispensable with the advent and development of jet aircraft, when increased aircraft speeds necessitated higher rates of fire for cannons and machine guns, unachievable with single-barrel guns due to barrel heat generation and overheating. Indeed, the previously insufficient rate of fire of cannons allowed high-speed targets to pass undamaged through a "window" in a volley of shells. Multi-barrel guns were manufactured using the Gatling system—with rotating barrel assemblies—and were mounted on aircraft as their main armament. Currently, multi-barrel guns are part of air, sea, and land-based air defense systems, primarily due to their effectiveness in repelling attacks by swarms of UAVs and unmanned aerial vehicles.
[0003] The objective function to be maximized is the rate of fire, or "rate of fire," r of a multi-barrel gun—the number of shots fired per unit of time. Another key characteristic of any gun—the firing rate of each individual barrel, v—completely determines the heating of its barrels and is subject to limitation. For a multi-barrel gun, its rate of fire r is determined by the formula:
[0004]
[0005] where n is the number of barrels in a multi-barrel gun block.
[0006] For a multi-barrel Gatling gun with a rotating barrel block, with a full rotation of this block, each barrel fires exactly one shot, and then the frequency of shots on each barrel v is equal to the frequency of rotation of the barrel block f:
[0007]
[0008] The rotational speed of the barrel block f determines the dynamic load of the gun. As the rotational speed f increases, its accuracy, reliability, and efficiency decrease.
[0009] Taking into account (1), (2) for a Gatling gun we have:
[0010]
[0011] There are fundamental unresolved issues with the functionality, reliability, and efficiency of rapid-fire multi-barrel guns with rotating barrel assemblies, which are used to engage fast-moving and / or multiple enemy targets. Their rate of fire is up to 16,000 rounds per minute, compared to 600 rounds per minute for single-barrel guns—a limitation caused by barrel overheating.
[0012] According to working formula (3), in order to increase the rate of fire of a multi-barreled gun r, the rotation frequency f of its barrel block and / or the number of barrels n in the rotating block itself are increased. Such designs are "wildly suboptimal" for non-stationary rapid rotations, on the order of 1000 rpm, relative to the common axis of rotation, according to the criteria of functionality, accuracy, simplicity, reliability, efficiency, and all other factors. Multi-barreled guns contain 4-10 or even more barrels in a rotating block: the latest Chinese products have 20 / Electronic resource. Military Review. Artillery, from 05 / 28 / 2021: https: / / topwar.ru / 183442-novyj-jeksperiment-kitaja-20-stvolnaja-artillerijskajaustanovka.html / . The barrels in the block are connected to each other by a series of bandages and / or enclosed by an external casing. The rotor speed reaches 1000 rpm or more. An external drive, typically an electric motor, is used.Due to such rapid barrel rotation, vibrations and impact loads, and the appearance of a circumferential component of projectile velocity due to barrel rotation, the gun's accuracy and grouping of fire decreases sharply, while the cost of each shot is quite high. The massive, heat-resistant, and durable barrel block itself is highly inert, leading to delays at the start and end of firing, ammunition loss during these firing phases, and the significant energy expenditure required to rotate such an inert barrel block.
[0013] The M61 Vulcan is a widely known 20mm six-barrel rapid-fire aircraft cannon with a rotating barrel block weighing 190 kg (excluding ammunition), measuring 1,875 mm in length and firing at 6,000 rounds per minute. / Electronic resource. General Electric Gatling Cannon M61A1 GAU-4 20-mm Vulcan Cannon: https: / / www.f-106deltadart.com / weapons_20mm_cannon.htm / , adopted as a prototype. All US-made F-16 multirole fighters are equipped with this particular small arms and cannon armament. This most widely produced fourth-generation fighter has been produced since 1975. To rotate its massive, high-inertia barrel assembly at 1000 rpm, especially during start-up and shutdown, a very powerful, energy-hungry electric motor is required. For example, the M61 Vulcan gun requires a 26 kW electric motor!
[0014] Automatic cannons and machine guns of this design are widely used in aviation, naval, and ground anti-aircraft artillery. The rate of fire is regulated by an electric drive rheostat and varies from 3,000 to 6,000 rounds per minute. Each barrel has its own bolt and chamber. The bolts are moved by rollers attached to them, which move along a special groove in the receiver. The barrels are locked by rotating the bolt cylinder. Case ignition is by electric pulse. Ammunition can be fed from a standard disintegrating belt or via a linkless feed mechanism from a drum magazine with a capacity of 1,000 rounds through a special sleeve. Spent cartridges are returned to the magazine.
[0015] The even more powerful 30mm GAU-8 / A Avenger seven-barrel aircraft cannon has a lower rate of fire: each GAU-8 / A barrel fires a maximum of 10 rounds per second, while the M61 barrel fires almost 17, with the same muzzle velocity of 1,050 m / s. Essentially, the maximum rate of fire was traded for a heavier and more accurate projectile, and to ensure a long barrel life, a lower firing rate for each barrel was required. It was precisely this rather bulky seven-barrel aircraft cannon that the US developed the A-10 Thunderbolt attack aircraft, known since 1976, designed to support ground forces, destroy tanks, armored vehicles, and other ground targets.
[0016] The smaller 20mm M61 Vulcan aircraft cannon, chambered for the standard 7.62mm NATO rifle ammunition, is also the well-known M134 Minigun. It is mounted on multirole fighters, ground support aircraft, attack and troop-transport helicopters to provide fire cover during takeoff and landing, air rescue operations, and other missions.
[0017] This design allows loading, firing, and case extraction to occur simultaneously on separate barrels, eliminating the problem of barrel overheating and wear when using a single barrel due to the extremely high rate of fire. Furthermore, the thermal energy of the shots is divided among several barrels: in different systems, from three (GAU-19 / A) to twelve (Fokker-Leimberger), reducing their heating. Thus, compared to a single-barrel system, overheating of each barrel occurs significantly later, thereby increasing the permissible continuous firing time. The barrel block rotation drive is electric, pneumatic, hydraulic, or gas-operated; barrel cooling is air or water.
[0018] Foreign designs prefer an external, most often electric, barrel drive. The main inherent drawback of the rotating barrel block design is the high inertia of the massive barrel block, which slows its rate of fire upon opening fire and also hinders the final stage, when some ammunition is wasted. When firing, the barrels first begin rotating via the electric drive, and then the weapon fires. This principle is designed for the rapid rate of fire, as with such a rapid feed rate (80-100 rounds per second), a new barrel is needed for each subsequent round. At the end of a burst, all rounds must be removed from the chambers, which also means a needless waste of ammunition.
[0019] It is obvious that the inertia of the barrel block progressively increases with the increase in the caliber of the barrels, i.e. from a machine gun to a multi-barrel cannon.
[0020] Thus, the entire development of multi-barreled guns invariably follows the concept of the Gatling gun – a multi-barreled rapid-fire weapon with a rotating barrel block / Richard J. Gatling. Improvement in Revolving Battery-Gun. Patent US 36836A. November 4, 1862 / . This "Gatling" is equipped with a top-mounted magazine with a gravity feed of ammunition (without a spring). During the cycle of a full rotation of the barrel block by an angle of 2π, each barrel fires a single shot, is released from the case, and is loaded again. The rotation of the barrels of the first Gatling models was carried out manually, while in later ones it was carried out by an electric drive. The rate of fire of manually driven models ranged from 200 to 1000 rounds per minute, and with an electric drive it could reach 3000 rounds per minute. Thus, in 1898, a ten-barrel gun with water-cooled barrels and an electric motor built directly into the body of the gun was patented / Richard J. Gatling. Machine-Gun.Patent US 502185A. July 25, 1898 / .
[0021] The predecessors of the Gatling gun are the mitrailleuse, pepperbox and organ, respectively, in reverse chronological order / Electronic resource https: / / wikitropes.ru / wiki Multi-barrel machine gun / .
[0022] From the creation of the Maxim heavy machine gun in 1883 until the transition to jet aviation after World War II, multi-barreled guns with a rotating barrel block were completely replaced by single-barrel rapid-fire automatic cannons. It is enough to recall the domestic machine guns "Maxim", Tokarev, Degtyarev, Goryunov, DShK, ShVAK, ShKAS, and the infamous German machine guns MG 131, MG 81, MG 34, and MG 42, as well as the aircraft cannons MK151, MK151 / 20, MK FF, MK 101, MK 103, MK 108, VK 3.7, VK 5, and others.
[0023] Electric ignition vs. impact ignition
[0024] There are two main directions in the development of artillery and small arms shot initiation:
[0025] 1. Electrical ignition of warheads by supplying low-energy pulses to the electric cap and
[0026] 2. Percussion, by means of a mechanical strike of the firing pin of the firing mechanism (HM) on the percussion cap.
[0027] Outwardly, the spark-ignition ammunition is often indistinguishable from the historically earlier percussion-ignition ammunition. Its primer consists of a filament placed in a cap containing a pyrotechnic compound. One contact of this filament is the central metal circle on the primer, the other is the cartridge case body. After the cartridge or projectile is chambered, an electrical impulse is sent to the bolt contact, which touches the central conducting circle, and the shot is fired.
[0028] Working principle:
[0029] 1. Electric signal.
[0030] When you press the trigger of a cannon or machine gun, an electrical impulse is generated.
[0031] 2. Electric trigger contacts.
[0032] This pulse passes through the electric trigger contacts, which are part of the gun mechanism.
[0033] 3. Cap ignition.
[0034] Upon receiving an electrical signal, the contacts close and current passes through the projectile's primer, causing it to ignite.
[0035] 4. Initiating a shot.
[0036] The ignition of the primer causes the propellant charge in the cartridge to ignite, which initiates the shot.
[0037] 5. Ensuring cyclicity.
[0038] Returning the system to its previous state, ready for the next shot.
[0039] Thus, instead of relying on the striker striking the primer as in a mechanical system, electric ignition uses an electrical pulse. The electric current heats a thin wire or a special compound in the primer, causing the charge to instantly fire. Using electric ignition of warheads instead of a percussion cap in artillery is a modern technology that offers a number of significant advantages.
[0040] Advantages of electric ignition:
[0041] 1. Speed, simplicity and reliability.
[0042] Ensures fast and reliable weapon response, which is important for instant response to the target.
[0043] 2. Remote control.
[0044] Allows you to control fire from a certain distance, which improves operator safety.
[0045] 3. Integration with on-board electronics.
[0046] Easily integrated with other on-board systems of the object, such as guidance and target designation systems.
[0047] 4. Economy and maintainability.
[0048] Due to its simple design, electric ignition is cheaper and better suited for maintenance and repair in combat conditions.
[0049] 5. No shocks or vibrations.
[0050] The trigger mechanism is an additional source of shock and vibration, which reduces the wear resistance of the gun and the accuracy of its shots.
[0051] 6. High security.
[0052] The electric ignition system is significantly safer for the crew. There is no need for a mechanical striker, which can be accidentally triggered by shock or vibration.
[0053] 7. Increased reliability.
[0054] The electric pulse ensures more reliable charge initiation, especially in difficult conditions such as low temperatures or when the trigger mechanism is worn out.
[0055] 8. Flexible fire control.
[0056] Electric ignition enables more complex and precise fire control systems. It allows for salvo fire, synchronized shots, or delayed shots with high precision.
[0057] 9. Reduction of reaction time.
[0058] The electric system operates almost instantly, reducing the time between the command to fire and the shot itself.
[0059] 10. Use in automated systems.
[0060] This technology is essential for modern self-loading and automatic guns, as it simplifies the loading mechanics and eliminates potential failures associated with mechanical parts.
[0061] 11. Troubleshooting the impact mechanism.
[0062] The absence of a striking mechanism reduces the load on the system and simplifies its design, eliminating potential problems such as misfires.
[0063] 12. Power supply availability.
[0064] The power supply is practical for on-board or stationary use of the gun.
[0065] Use examples
[0066] Electric ignition technology is used in modern air, land, and naval weapons where high rates of fire, reliability, and safety are essential. Early examples of the use of electric igniters in weapons appeared before World War II in domestic and foreign designs. Currently, electric ignition of propellants in aircraft cannons is the standard method for firing, provided by an electric current supplied from the aircraft's onboard system through the trigger contact to the cartridge's primer. This mechanism allows for rapid and remote firing, which is critical for effective aerial combat.
[0067] In France, as early as the 19th century, "galvanic obturating tubes" powered by current from portable storage batteries were used for the 120mm and 152mm caliber Canet naval guns, which were an early example of electric ignition.
[0068] The electric charge ignition system was widely used in Rheinmetall products. Among these, a special place is occupied by one of the most infamous aircraft cannons of World War II, the 30mm MK 108, developed in 1940 and put into production in late 1941. Its main feature was a high rate of fire for a 30mm caliber, reaching 650-660 rounds per minute, and on later modifications of the gun, reaching a record 900 rounds per minute. This rate of fire was more consistent with machine guns than cannons, especially of this caliber. / Electronic resource https: / / www.aimar.ru / weapon / guns / mk-108.html / .
[0069] This gun utilized an electric ignition system, which became the hallmark of Rheinmetall guns. A contact was transmitted from the onboard electrical system through the gun body, barrel, and cartridge case to the electric igniter, which then connected to a "contact striker," which ignited the charge. To ensure electrical conductivity, the cartridge case was made of copper-coated steel instead of the usual paint.
[0070] Electric ignition of the cap, or more precisely, the electric ignition sleeve, by means of an electric discharge was also used in Rheinmetall's 30mm MK 103 cannon, which appeared in early 1942. The contact was transmitted from the on-board electrical system through the gun body, barrel, and cartridge case to the S / 23 St electric ignition sleeve and connected to a "contact striker," which ignited the charge / Electronic resource https: / / vmw.airwar2.ru / weapon / guns / mk-103.html / . It is worth noting the experience of interchangeability of warheads with electric and impact ignition. The cartridges for the MK 103 cannon were identical to those used for the MK 101 impact-ignition cannon—30x184 V—except for the replacement of the S / 33 St capsular percussion sleeve with a S / 23 St electric igniter and the cartridge case, which for the MK 103 cannon was made of brass or copper-plated steel to ensure electrical conductivity. Older cartridge cases for the MK 101 impact-ignition cannon were made of varnish-coated steel, which served as an insulator.The 30x184 V cartridges issued for the MK 103 gun could be used in the MK 101 gun when the S / 23 St electric ignition sleeve was replaced with the S / 33 St percussion cap. However, the MK 101 cartridges, when the percussion cap was replaced with the electric ignition sleeve, could not be used in the MK 103, since they did not conduct electricity due to the varnish coating.
[0071] Later versions of the MG 131 aircraft machine gun from the same company were also equipped with an electric ignition system.
[0072] Modern Development of Gatling Gun Systems
[0073] A new boom in the development of multi-barrel guns coincided with the dawn of the jet age. At transonic speeds, aerial combat became fleeting, and single-barrel machine guns simply couldn't fire the required number of rounds to destroy a high-speed target. They fired no faster than 1,400 rounds per minute, and a high-speed aerial target would pass through the "window" of their burst. Basic calculations indicated that any gun could melt as the rate of fire increased. Attempts were made to cool cannons and machine guns, but they still quickly exhausted their service life. Then the Gatling gun was recalled: the American company General Electric adopted the principle of a multi-barrel gun with a rotating barrel block, but due to the rotating barrel block, the Gatling gun forever acquired an unacceptable side effect, described in detail below. The six-barreled M61 Vulcan with a 20 mm caliber was adopted into service in 1956 and has remained virtually unchanged since then.These are the weapons that all modern F-16 aircraft are equipped with. The same applies to the smaller version of the M61 Vulcan aircraft cannon—the M134 Minigun.
[0074] The side effect of a rotating multiple barrel system is quite obvious. Rotating the massive barrel block, which has a high moment of inertia, especially during start-up and stop modes, requires a fairly powerful electric motor. For example, the M61 Vulcan requires 26 kW of power. Angular vibrations of the barrels during the rotation of the rather bulky rotating barrel block unacceptably reduce the accuracy and precision of fire, especially at long ranges—approximately 1,000 m.
[0075] The vibration and impact of the rotating barrel assembly is a very negative factor: when firing, resonant oscillations often occur, sometimes leading to disruption of the normal operation of onboard electronic equipment. For example, when firing the M61A1 cannon installed on an F-16 aircraft (September 1979), vibrations disrupted the normal operation of the navigation computer / Electronic resource http: / / www.airwar.ru / weapon / guns / m61.html / .
[0076] To eliminate the circumferential component of the projectile velocity upon exiting the muzzle due to the high barrel rotation speed, while simultaneously creating additional torque on the barrel block due to their recoil, skewed barrels were used / Harold McC. Otto - Multibarrel Gun with Skewed Bore Axes. Patent US 2872847A. August 18, 1954 / . In this patent, the barrels of a four-barreled Gatling gun with an external drive are slightly tilted in the direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the block. According to the patent, the angle of deviation of the barrel axis from the axis of rotation can be approximately 5 degrees so that the recoil torque of each barrel is added to the torque of the electric motor, reducing its energy consumption, albeit minimally. At the same time, the geometric deviation of the barrels compensates for the tangential component of the velocity that the projectiles acquire due to the rotation of the barrel block, and which leads to their deviation in the direction of rotation.The above leads to the rather disappointing conclusion of the unacceptably low accuracy and precision of fire with such expensive ammunition. A forced concept was adopted that every target, regardless of its cost and significance, be it a cheap drone or any other unmanned vehicle with the lowest performance characteristics, is destroyed by a highly wasteful "swarm, or cloud," of very expensive ammunition. Considering the "wildly suboptimal" design of the rotating barrel block of the multi-barrel gun in terms of functionality and cost-effectiveness, all further developments must be considered dead ends.
[0077] To address these shortcomings, a design is proposed for a rapid-fire multi-barrel gun with the same highly inertial barrel block, but stationary rather than rotating. An electric drive is also used, but not a powerful one (26 kW) for the rapid rotation of the highly inertial barrel block. A very low-power micro-electric motor is used for the slow rotation of the control element—a virtually inertia-free miniature multiplier, low-speed excitation rotor with permanent magnets, which induces electrical pulses in the stator coils to initiate firing and subsequently reload the self-loading barrels of the multi-barrel gun.
[0078] For electric pulse initiation of shots from an n-barrel gun with a highly inertial barrel block, but stationary rather than rotating, a very low-power electric drive rotates a lightweight compact rotor with permanent magnets uniformly attached to its surface. These magnets periodically induce electric pulses in n stationary electric coils uniformly attached around the stator's circumference. The rotor itself can be designed as a regular star with mn+1, mn, or mn-1 beams, reinforced with a stiffening ring, where m is the multiplier coefficient and is any natural number: m=1, 2, 3,…, with the beams made of magnetic material with powerful permanent magnets, such as rare-earth magnets, attached to their ends.
[0079] The complete periodic induction of electrical impulses for the ignition of the gun's warheads in n coils occurs during not a full rotation of the rotor, but only during its small rotation, respectively, in the forward or reverse direction relative to the direction of rotation of the rotor, while a sequential electrical impulse for the ignition of the charges from each coil is fed through its circuit to the breech of the corresponding gun barrel to initiate the electric trigger, and each barrel is made self-loading.
[0080] The rotating rotor is designed to periodically induce an electromotive force in the stator coils. Each induction coil, through its own electrical circuit, transmits a current pulse to its respective gun barrel, electrically igniting its propellant charge. The rotor speed, which determines the rate of fire, can be easily and smoothly adjusted by simply adjusting the trigger pressure on the electric rotor drive, which simultaneously activates the automatic burst.
[0081] Each shot, as in the prototype, is initiated by electric ignition instead of a firing mechanism, eliminating shock loads, vibrations, trigger mechanism inertia, and rapid mechanical wear of this very expensive, critical weapon component. The fixed gun barrel block, which experiences vibrations and impacts, and the control device, which generates electrical impulses to ignite the projectiles, are remotely separated. Thus, the control device can be located in the operator's cabin, close to the trigger, while the barrel block is mounted on the turret near the outer side of the weapon, protecting the sensitive control equipment from vibrations and shock loads associated with rapid-fire barrel block firing. The automatic weapon is extremely simple and reliable to operate.Pressing the trigger instantly initiates the rotation of the microelectromechanical, inertialess, autonomous excitation rotor and a volley of fire, while releasing it stops it just as instantly. Alternatively, varying the trigger pressure changes the required rate of fire.
[0082] Thus, the stated problem is solved in that in a lightweight compact control device for electric pulse ignition of charges of an n-barrel gun, the stator is equipped with n induction coils uniformly distributed around the circumference, and the rotor contains mn+1 or mn-1 powerful magnets uniformly distributed around the circumference, where m is the multiplier coefficient: m=1, 2, 3,…. In this case, electric ignition pulses for each of the n gun barrels are generated sequentially and continuously during not a full revolution of the rotor, but only during its rotation by an angle of 2π / (mn+1) or 2π / (mn-1) in the direction coinciding with the direction of rotation of the rotor (direct ignition) or opposite (reverse ignition), respectively.
[0083] Therefore, the firing rate on each barrel v of the multiplier gun, instead of (2), turns out to be equal to the rotor speed f, multiplied by mn+1 or mn-1, respectively.
[0084] The above-stated essence is explained by the drawings, where Fig. 1 shows a diagram of a multi-barrel gun, for clarity, a four-barrel gun, n=4, with an induction ignition control device for a multiplier coefficient m=2. The number of induction coils with the corresponding electric circuits for transmitting electrical impulses for ignition of charges n=4, according to the number of gun barrels. Fig. 2 shows the operating principle of the induction ignition multiplier of barrel charges, generating a sequence of electrical impulses of ignition. As an example, a diagram of direct ignition for a 4-barrel gun, n=4, with a multiplier coefficient value m=2 is also given. In Fig. 3, 4 show, respectively, the time sweeps of the overlap area S of the rotor magnets and the stator induction coils and the induced electromotive forces ε, which create electrical impulses for ignition of charges, simultaneously for all four electrical circuits of the 4-barrel gun, n=4. Fig.5, 6 illustrate the multiplier effect of a multi-barrel gun with fixed barrels for forward and reverse ignition, respectively, compared to the Gatling prototype.
[0085] Diagram of a multi-barrel gun with fixed barrels
[0086] A multi-barrel gun with n fixed barrels (Fig. 1) consists of a control device - a multiplier rotating rotor, the function of which is to rotate permanent magnets 1, a fixed stator with n induction coils 3 placed on it with corresponding electric circuits 4 for transmitting ignition pulses to the barrels of the gun, and a block of n barrels 5. As an embodiment, the rotor is made in the form of a regular star with uniformly distributed rays made of ferromagnetic material (iron, nickel, cobalt, magnetic alloys), at the ends of which powerful permanent magnets 1 are fixed, for example, neodymium (NdFeB alloy) or other rare earth, with an angular magnitude of γ r, reinforced with stiffening ring 2.
[0087] The stator contains n uniformly distributed induction coils 3 of angular magnitude γ s When the rotor rotates, the magnetic fields of its powerful permanent magnets 1 of angular magnitude γ r periodically intersect the cross-sectional area of the fixed induction coils 3. Electrical ignition pulses are generated in the windings of the coils 3, which are transmitted via connecting wires 4 to the electric primers of the gun barrels 5. Each gun barrel is controlled by its own separate channel. The electrical circuit of each channel consists of the windings of the induction coil 3, connecting wires 4, and the electric primer of the barrel 5. The subscripts r and s in the γ notation r and γ s are intended to emphasize the belonging of these angular quantities to the rotor (rotating) and stator (stationary) parts of the control device.
[0088] The rotor contains mn+1 or mn-1 permanent powerful magnets 1, fixed at the ends of beams made of magnetic material, reinforced by a stiffening ring 2, where m is the multiplier coefficient, is any natural number: m=1, 2, 3,…. Let us denote by γ the total (total) angular magnitude of the rotor magnet 1 and the stator coil 3:
[0089] γ=γ r +γ s .
[0090] In this case, the angles γ r and γ s should be close to each other in magnitude (Fig. 1, 2), so that the area of their overlap in time S(t) does not contain horizontal sections (Fig. 3) on which the induced EMF ε(t) is not generated (Fig. 4).
[0091] The rotor contains mn+1 magnets 1 for direct ignition of the charges and mn-1 magnets for reverse ignition, relative to the rotor's direction of rotation. To create non-overlapping electrical impulses for ignition of the charges on the gun barrels, so that the time cycles of generating induction currents on adjacent coils do not overlap, the total angle y must satisfy the following conditions:
[0092]
[0093] to realize direct ignition,
[0094]
[0095] for the reverse, and the number of induction coils 3 with corresponding electric circuits 4, as indicated above, is n, where n is the number of gun barrels.
[0096] If the angle γ is a particular characteristic of a specific technical implementation of a control device for electric ignition of charges, determined by its geometric dimensions, then the angle δ is a fundamental geometric constant, depending only on the numbers m and n, and is a characteristic of the device at which continuous ignition is achieved, which will be indicated below.
[0097] When the multiplier rotor with magnets 1 rotates, each of the n induction coils 3, via separate n electrical circuits 4, sends sequential electrical impulses to each of the n stationary barrels 5 of the gun at a rotation speed many times greater than the rotor speed, igniting the charges in either a forward or reverse direction relative to the rotor rotation. Following the electrical impulse initiation of a shot in each self-loading barrel 5 of the multi-barrel gun, it is immediately reloaded sequentially.
[0098] Operating principle of a multi-barrel automatic gun with a fixed barrel block. Analysis of forward and reverse continuous multiplier generation of electric pulses for ignition of charges
[0099] To initiate automatic firing from fixed barrels 5 (Fig. 1), the operator presses the micro-electric motor trigger (not shown in Fig. 1), which instantly initiates the slow rotation of the inertia-free rotor with magnets 1, the rotational speed of which is many times lower than the required firing rate of each gun barrel. The induction coils 3 of the stator begin a rapid sequential supply of ignition pulses to the barrels 5. When the trigger is released, the micro-electric motor and rotor 1 immediately stop, the supply of ignition pulses ceases, and the firing mode ends until the rotor is rotated again. Optionally, the rotor rotational speed, and consequently the gun's rate of fire, increases with increasing trigger pressure, i.e., with increasing trigger offset. This allows the required rate of fire of the gun to be easily adjusted.The compactness and lightness of the microelectromechanical system for electric pulse shot initiation allows it to be placed in any location protected from vibration and impact, for example, remote from the weapon itself.
[0100] To illustrate the operating principle of the barrel charge ignition multiplier, Fig. 2 shows a diagram of direct ignition for a 4-barrel gun, n=4, using an mn+1-magnetic rotor, m=2, with reference angles indicated. The reverse ignition diagram, using an mn-1-magnetic rotor, is distinguished by the opposite direction of ignition relative to the rotor rotation and operates similarly.
[0101] The direction of rotation of rotor 1 is shown by the circular arrow marked f. From here on, f will also denote its rotation frequency. The angular velocity of the rotor is ω=2πf.
[0102] The front edges of the magnets 1 of the rotor in the direction of its rotation are designated by rotating radii r (solid lines), and the front edges of the induction coils 3 of the stator are designated by fixed radii s j (dash-dotted lines), with indices i, j corresponding to the serial numbers of magnets 1 and coils 3.
[0103] The key feature of the proposed circuit, as can be seen from these drawings, is that:
[0104] 1. Consecutive angles between radii r i ,, s i , i = 2, 3, 4... make up (i-1)δ, i.e. form a natural sequence (1, 2, 3, …)δ.
[0105] 2. The rotating device has axial symmetry of order mn+1 or mn-1, i.e. when it is rotated around the axis of rotation by an angle of 2π / (mn+1) or by an angle of 2π / (mn-1), respectively, it aligns with itself.
[0106] It is these two circumstances that ensure that the complete cycle of sequential ignition of all barrel charges occurs not during the entire rotor rotation period, as in the prototype—a Gatling gun with a rotating barrel block—but only during mn+1 or mn-1 of its duration. Rapid ignition pulses are caused by the slow rotation of the rotor.
[0107] The device operates as follows. Let the leading edge of one of the mn+1 magnets 1 initially coincide with the leading edge of one of the n coils 3 (Figs. 1, 2). In Fig. 2, this corresponds to the coil occupying the vertical upper position, marked with the Roman numeral I. The magnetic field of the magnet begins to intersect the cross-section of this coil 3, and in accordance with the law of electromagnetic induction, an electromotive force (EMF) is generated in it, creating a current in circuit 4, initiating the discharge of barrel 5. The induction of EMF ends when the trailing edge of the magnet reaches the trailing edge of coil 3. Then the generation of the ignition pulse ceases.
[0108] Thus, the induction of an EMF in the coil is produced during the rotation of the rotor by an angle γ. After some time delay (discrete ignition, for γ < δ) or immediately after this (continuous ignition, for γ = δ), the induction of an EMF on the adjacent coil, marked with the Roman numeral II in Fig. 2, begins in the forward or reverse direction relative to the direction of rotation of the rotor, and exactly the same ignition pulse is formed on it. Indeed, when the rotor 1 rotates exactly by an angle δ = 2π / n / (mn+1) (for forward ignition) or by an angle δ = 2π / n / (mn-1) (for reverse ignition), the corresponding magnet begins to induce an EMF on the adjacent coil in the direction or counter to the rotation of the rotor. By constructively choosing the angle δ relative to the universal constant δ, which depends only on the numbers m and n, the required time interval for generating ignition currents for barrel charges is achieved.
[0109] It is obvious that the complete cycle of electric pulse ignition of barrel charges does not occur during the full period of rotor rotation, as in the prototype - a multi-barrel gun with a rotating block of Gatling barrels, but only during its mn+1 or mn-1 part, due to the axial symmetry of the control device of the mn+1 or mn-1 order, when when it is rotated around the axis of rotation by an angle of 2π / (mn+1) or by an angle of 2π / (mn-1), respectively, it is aligned with itself. Therefore, when the rotor is rotated by an angle of 2π / (mn+1) = nδ or by an angle of 2π / (mn-1) = nδ, a sequential and uniform induction of EMF in all coils in the forward (coincident) or reverse (counter) direction relative to the rotor rotation will occur. Thus, the ignition frequency at the same rotor speed is mn+1 or mn-1 times higher than in the prototype.Therefore, the required rotation frequency of the mn+1-magnetic or mn-1-magnetic rotor must be mn+1 or mn-1 times less than the rotation frequency of the prototype that produces the same ignition frequency.
[0110] Thus, the control device performs the function of a multiplier, i.e. a multiplier of the ignition frequency by mn+1 or mn-1 times, and its rotation frequency must be reduced by the same amount.
[0111] The important conclusions from the analysis of the operation of the multiplier control device are as follows.
[0112] 1. The pulse generation on each subsequent stator coil always begins when the rotor rotates by an angle δ after the pulse generation on the previous coil. The pulse repetition on the same coil always begins when the rotor rotates by an angle nδ.
[0113] 2. The end of pulse generation on each stator coil occurs when the rotor rotates by an angle γ=γ r +γ s after its beginning.
[0114] 3. Due to the design of the multiplier control device, the angle γ has a domain of definition γ≤nδ. The choice of angle γ - a particular characteristic of the specific technical implementation of the electric ignition control device of charges, determined by the angular values of the rotor magnet γ r and stator coils γ s relative to the angle δ - the fundamental geometric constant of the multiplier device, depending only on the numbers m and n, the required operating mode of the control device is set: continuous or discrete ignition. Namely:
[0115] 4. When γ=δ, continuous ignition is realized.
[0116] 5. At γ<δ - discrete ignition (Fig. 4). Note that the overlapping, or overlapping, mode of operation, at δ<γ <nδ, в данном устройстве не применяется.
[0117] Fig. 3 shows the time sweeps of the overlap areas S(t) of the rotor magnets and the stator induction coils, simultaneously for all four electrical circuits of a 4-barrel gun, n=4. Fig. 4 shows the time sweeps of the induced electromotive forces ε(t), creating electrical impulses for ignition of charges for the same technical characteristics of the gun. The angular magnitude γ=γ r +γ s may occupy a part of the value δ (discrete ignition, γ<δ, as in Fig. 1-4) or be equal to it (continuous ignition, γ=δ, for small values of δ, due to large values of the parameters m and / or n, by virtue of formulas (4, 5)). It is only important to ensure the approximate equality of γ r ≈ γ s for the absence of horizontal sections of the S(t) diagrams and, accordingly, zero sections of the ε(t) diagrams.
[0118] So, a permanent magnet rotor exciter rotates inside a stationary stator with induction coils attached to it, the number of which equals the number of gun barrels. A multi-channel circuit for electric ignition of charges in the gun barrels is used, with each coil and its corresponding electrical circuit dedicated to its own barrel. The stator's induction coil generates electric current, converting the mechanical energy of the rotor's rotation into electrical energy according to the law of electromagnetic induction. The operating principle is that as the rotor's magnetic fields rotate, the magnetic flux within the coils periodically changes, induced in their turns an electromotive force that generates pulses of electric current in the gun barrel's electric ignition circuits. Let's structure the electrical circuit.
[0119] Electric module of the device
[0120] Purpose
[0121] EMF generators are used to convert the mechanical energy of the rotor rotation into the electrical energy of ignition pulses generated by the stator induction coils and transmitted through the corresponding electrical circuits to the gun barrels.
[0122] Device
[0123] Autonomous rotor excitation: a lightweight compact rotor can be made in the form of an mn+1, mn-1 or mn-ray star (Fig. 1), at the ends of which powerful permanent magnets 1 are fixed, for example, neodymium or other rare earth magnets, reinforced with a stiffening ring 2. This embodiment has the form of a lightweight wheel with spokes made of magnetic material, at the ends of which very powerful rare earth magnets are fixed (Fig. 1).
[0124] Stator winding: Coil 3 consists of insulated wire, wound on a non-magnetic frame or without one, to suppress self-induction EMF. It is important that the wire turns be insulated from each other to prevent short circuits within the coil.
[0125] Working principle
[0126] Generation of current pulses: the electromotive force (EMF) generated in each coil 3 due to a change in the magnetic flux passing through it induces a pulsed electric current in it, which is fed through its circuit 4 to the breech of each gun barrel 5 for electric ignition of charges.
[0127] Magnetic excitation: An alternating magnetic field is required to generate electric current. This is achieved by rotating an independent permanent magnet rotor exciter inside a stator with individual coils for each gun barrel.
[0128] EMF generated in the stator induction coil when the rotor permanent magnet passes by it:
[0129]
[0130] where
[0131]
[0132] Ф - magnetic flux passing through the coil,
[0133] B - magnetic induction of the permanent magnet of the rotor,
[0134] S - the area of overlap of the stator coil contour by the rotor magnet crossing it,
[0135] N - number of coil turns,
[0136] Harmful effects of self-induction electromotive force
[0137] The sharp increase in the induction current in the circuit of each coil as the excitation rotor magnet passes by is slowed by the generation of an electromotive force (EMF) of self-induction, which must therefore be minimized. The relationship between the EMF of self-induction and inductance:
[0138]
[0139] where L is the inductance of the coil, I is the current in its circuit.
[0140] Methods for suppressing self-induction
[0141] Self-induction cannot be completely eliminated, as it is a physical property of a conductor, but its effect can be minimized. According to (7), to suppress self-induction EMF, the coil inductance should be reduced. The coil inductance L depends on its geometry, the number of turns, and the core material:
[0142]
[0143] where L is the inductance, μ0 is the magnetic constant, μ is the magnetic permeability of the core material, N is the number of turns, s is the cross-sectional area of the coil, l is the length of its winding.
[0144] From (8) follow the methods for minimizing inductance.
[0145] 1. Reducing the number of turns.
[0146] Inductance is directly proportional to the square of the number of turns.
[0147] Reducing the number of turns greatly reduces the inductance.
[0148] 2. Selecting geometry.
[0149] Reducing the cross-sectional area of the coil and increasing its length also helps to reduce the inductance.
[0150] 3. Using non-magnetic core:
[0151] The presence of a ferromagnetic core significantly increases inductance. Removing it or replacing it with a non-magnetic material significantly reduces inductance.
[0152] To compensate for the reduction in the number of turns and the elimination of the magnetic core of the coils to suppress harmful self-induction EMF (7), while maintaining the required generated working induction EMF (6), the most powerful permanent magnets should be used. Rare earth magnets, such as neodymium, are currently very strong, compact, inexpensive, and readily available.
[0153] Summary of working formulas for calculating multiplier multi-barrel guns with fixed barrels
[0154] For multi-barrel guns, the rate of fire r is determined by the formula:
[0155]
[0156] where n is the number of barrels in a multi-barrel gun block, v is the frequency of shots on each barrel.
[0157] For multiplier multi-barrel guns with fixed barrels, with a full rotation of the control rotor, each barrel produces mn+1 shots for direct ignition, mn-1 for reverse ignition, and then the frequency of shots on each barrel v is increased multiple of the rotor rotation frequency f:
[0158]
[0159] for direct ignition,
[0160]
[0161] for reverse ignition.
[0162] Taking into account (9), (10) instead of (1) we have:
[0163]
[0164] for direct ignition,
[0165]
[0166] for reverse ignition.
[0167] Thus, the firing rate of each gun barrel v and the rate of fire r of multi-barrel guns with a fixed barrel block are significantly increased compared to the same characteristics of multi-barrel guns with a rotating barrel block. This increase is greater the greater the multiplier coefficient m and the number of barrels n in the gun.
[0168] The case γ=δ corresponds to continuous ignition, when successive activations of the rotor magnets occur continuously, without breaks in time, and the case γ<δ corresponds to discrete ignition, when successive activations of the rotor magnets occur with certain breaks in time, i.e. there is a certain time pause between successive activations of the rotor magnets (Fig. 4).
[0169] Thanks to the proposed design, the rotor's entire rotation time is spent solely on its primary function—generating non-overlapping electrical pulses to ignite the barrel propellant charges. Unproductive, idle rotation of the rotor, simply to rotate its magnet toward the stator's induction coil, is completely eliminated.
[0170] The closed state time (the operating time of the rotor magnet on one stator coil) is
[0171]
[0172] in the case of continuous ignition, when γ=δ, and
[0173] τ = (γ / δ) / (vn) = (γ / δ) / r - (14)
[0174] in the case of discrete, for γ < δ.
[0175] For direct and reverse ignition, respectively, instead of (14) we have
[0176] τ=(mn+1)γ / (2π) / v, (15)
[0177] τ = (mn-1)γ / (2π) / v. (16)
[0178] Very important conclusions follow from (13)-(16).
[0179] 1. The closed-state time in the case of continuous ignition is determined solely by the rate of fire of the weapon r and is the same for any multiplier coefficients m. Indeed, from (13) it is clear that the multiplier coefficient m is not included in the formula for the closed-state time. This is explained by the following circumstance. To ensure the same rate of fire r of a multiplier weapon relative to the prototype, the rotor speed f must be reduced by mn+1 or mn-1 times compared to the prototype, for any multiplier coefficient m. But the fundamental geometric constant δ of the device, equal to the total angular magnitude of the rotor magnets and stator coils γ, decreases by the same amount, due to (4), (5), i.e., the rotor speed f and the angular magnitude of the ports γ of the device decrease by the same number of times.And then the time it takes for the rotor magnet to pass the stator coil does not depend on the multiplier coefficient m = 1, 2, 3, …, that is, changing the multiplier coefficient m keeps the closed state time the same.
[0180] 2. The closed-state time in the case of discrete ignition increases linearly with increasing multiplier coefficient m, due to (15) and (16), which is very favorable in terms of the device's functionality, accuracy, and reliability. This is due to the fact that increasing the multiplier coefficient m leads to a decrease in the required rotor speed f by a factor of mn+1 or mn-1 to achieve the same rate of fire r of the gun, and the time it takes for the rotor magnet to pass the stator coil increases by the same factor.
[0181] An example of calculating a multiplier multi-barrel gun with fixed barrels
[0182] Instead of formula (2) for a Gatling gun with a rotating block of barrels, for a multiplier multi-barrel gun with fixed barrels we have the following relationships between the frequency of shots on each barrel v and the frequency of rotation of the rotor f:
[0183] v = (mn+1)f - for direct ignition,
[0184] v = (nm-1)f - for the reverse,
[0185] Let the required firing frequency on each of the gun's barrels be v = 10 Hz. Then, according to (2), the rotational speed of the barrel block f, as used in the prototype Gatling gun, is f = 10 rpm = 600 rpm, regardless of the number of barrels.
[0186] The rate of fire r of the prototype for a four-barreled gun, n = 4, according to (3), is r = nv = 40 rounds / s = 2400 rounds / min.
[0187] Rate of fire of the prototype for a six-barreled gun, n = 6, according to (3), - r = nv = 60 rounds / s = 3600 rounds / min.
[0188] 1. An example of calculating the direct ignition mode, when the sequence of shots from the gun barrels coincides with the direction of rotation of the rotor and forms a rotating wave on these barrels, the rotation frequency of which is mn+1 times higher than the rotation frequency of the rotor
[0189] As a first example, we will calculate the direct ignition scheme for a 4-barrel gun, n=4, using an mn+1 magnetic rotor, for the first three values of the multiplier number m=1, 2, 3. Let the required firing frequency on each of the gun's barrels be v=10 Hz. Then the rotation period T and the rotor speed f will be:
[0190] Т=(mn+1) / v, f=v / (mn+1).
[0191]
[0192] Comparison with the rotation frequency of the barrel block of the prototype - Gatling, which is 10 rpm, shows that the multiplier effect reduces the rotation frequency of the rotor by an order of magnitude or more.
[0193] 2. An example of calculating the reverse ignition mode, when the sequence of shots from the gun barrels is opposite to the direction of rotation of the rotor and forms a rotating wave on these barrels, the rotation frequency of which is mn-1 times higher than the rotation frequency of the rotor
[0194] As a second example, we will calculate the reverse ignition circuit for a 6-barrel gun, n=6, using an mn-1 magnetic rotor, for the first three values of the multiplier number m=1, 2, 3. Let the required firing frequency on each of the gun's barrels be v=10 Hz. Then the rotation period T and the rotor speed f will be:
[0195] Т=(mn-1) / v, f=v / (mn-1).
[0196]
[0197] Comparison with the rotation frequency of the barrel block of the prototype - Gatling, which is 10 rpm, shows that the multiplier effect further reduces the rotation frequency of the rotor, also by an order of magnitude or more.
[0198] 3. An example of calculating the simultaneous ignition mode, when all gun barrels fire simultaneously and form a standing wave on them, the frequency of which is mn times higher than the rotor speed.
[0199] As a third example, we will calculate the simultaneous ignition scheme for a 6-barrel gun, n=6, using an mn-magnetic rotor, for the first three values of the multiplier number m=1, 2, 3. Let the required firing frequency on the gun barrels be v=10 Hz. Then the rotation period T and the rotation frequency f of the rotor will be:
[0200] T = mn / v, f = v / (mn).
[0201]
[0202] This simultaneous ignition mode, where all gun barrels fire simultaneously and create a standing wave, is exclusive to the claimed device—a multi-barrel gun with a fixed barrel block—because it is not feasible on the prototype—a multi-barrel gun with a rotating Gatling-type barrel block. Therefore, the multiplier effect can be estimated by comparing the rotational speeds of the rotor, which creates rotating forward and backward waves on these barrels. The rotor rotational speeds, as can be seen from the comparison, are similarly low.
[0203] General conclusion. Considering that for the prototype—a multi-barrel gun with a rotating Gatling barrel block—the rotational speed of the barrel block would be 10 rpm, we see that for the multiplier microelectromechanical device, the rotational speed of the multi-magnetic rotor is suppressed by an order of magnitude. The ignition multiplication effect is clearly visible, manifested in an mn+1, mn-1, or mn-fold reduction in the required rotational speed of the multi-magnetic rotor. To illustrate the multiplier effect, Figs. 5 and 6 show, respectively, the rotor rotational speed f as a function of any required firing rate v on a single barrel for a four-barrel direct-ignition gun and a six-barrel reverse-ignition gun versus the Gatling prototype.
[0204] Note that the above results for direct, reverse, and simultaneous barrel ignition are very similar. This confirms that direct ignition (mn+1), reverse ignition (mn-1), and simultaneous ignition (mn), with a multiplication factor of m, have the same efficiency in terms of rotor speed reduction.
[0205] When the number of gun barrels n is small, it is more advantageous to use direct ignition, but when n is large, it is more advantageous to use reverse or simultaneous ignition, because the design of the angular value of the rotor magnets and stator coils is approximately the same.
[0206] The main thing is that by increasing the multiplier coefficient m, it is possible to infinitely reduce the rotation frequency of the rotor micromotor in order to suppress the power of friction forces and heat generation, vibration, wear, and increase the accuracy, efficiency, functionality and reliability of the device due to its simplicity compared to the prototype.
[0207] This is a clear demonstration of the principle of multiplication, meaning that a low rotor speed produces a high frequency stator reaction wave. This wave can be traveling, as in cases of direct or reverse ignition, or standing, as in the case of simultaneous ignition. An additional effect is the ability to reverse the direction of rotation of the traveling stator reaction wave while maintaining the same rotor rotation.
[0208] Conclusions. Technical result
[0209] 1. Instead of a fast-rotating, high-inertia, bulky block of n barrels for automatic firing, a simpler design is used: a slowly rotating, autonomous control element—an inertialess, compact rotor shaped like a perfect star made of magnetic material and equipped with powerful permanent rare-earth magnets at their tips, inducing ignition pulses in n electrical circuits, the number of which is equal to the number of barrels. The stationary barrels significantly improve the accuracy and precision of the gun's fire. The rotor speed is reduced by an order of magnitude or more compared to the prototype, which suppresses frictional forces in the bearing assemblies and improves the accuracy of control signals. The device does not require an external power source to initiate fire. When the rotor rotates, a sequence of electrical pulses is generated to ignite the warheads.The correct star is self-balanced and does not require balancing to eliminate vibrations when it rotates slowly.
[0210] 2. Electric pulse ignition of the charges is used instead of firing mechanisms, which are subject to vibration, impact, and wear. This is particularly convenient and justified when using the gun on board an aircraft or any other mobile or stationary object, since the high-precision control device for issuing electric pulses and the stationary barrel block, which is subject to vibration and impact from the barrels' recoil, are remotely separated. This increases the functionality, reliability, and accuracy of the device.
[0211] 3. Using an mn+1 or mn-1 magnetic rotor and n stator induction coils, where n is the number of gun barrels and m is the multiplier coefficient, reduces the rotor speed by a factor of mn+1 or mn-1, respectively, while maintaining the same required firing rate. In the first case, the ignition sequence is forward, and in the second, reverse relative to the rotor rotation direction. Periodic ignitions of stationary barrels form a fast traveling rotating wave with a significantly slower rotor rotation. Reducing the micromotor speed suppresses heat generation, vibration, friction, and wear of bearing assemblies, increasing the precision, reliability, and efficiency of the device. A simple and reliable autonomous circuit for inducing ignition pulses using strong compact magnets of a rotating rotor, as these magnets move relative to the stator induction coils, has been implemented.
[0212] 4. The need to shift the barrels toward the centerline of their block to reduce the moment of inertia of the gun's barrel block is eliminated due to the absence of rotation. Furthermore, the fixed self-loading barrels can be positioned completely freely relative to each other.
[0213] 5. The inertialess and compact rotor—the control element of a multi-barrel gun—ensures the most economical, smooth, and constant rotation, without the sudden jolts, impacts, and vibrations typical of gun systems with a rotating barrel block.
[0214] 6. Each barrel is equipped with its own reloading device, which increases the weapon's durability: the weapon as a whole is immune to misfires due to the quality of the ammunition. The failure of any one barrel does not affect the operation of the others.
[0215] 7. An external electric drive allows for smooth adjustment of the gun's rate of fire directly during firing by simply changing the trigger pressure, which alters the rotor speed. This is very useful when engaging targets of varying speeds, such as land, sea, or air targets.
[0216] 8. Compared to a rotating barrel block, a gun with fixed barrels gains the additional capability of continuous salvo firing simultaneously from all barrels. The use of an mn-magnetic rotor and n stator induction coils, where n is the number of barrels and m is the multiplier coefficient, enables automatic simultaneous salvo firing from all barrels, reducing the rotor speed by a factor of mn for the same required firing rate. In this mode, periodic barrel ignitions form a standing wave in either direction of rotor rotation. Reducing the micromotor speed suppresses heat generation, vibration, friction, and wear of bearing assemblies, improving the accuracy, reliability, and efficiency of the device.
[0217] 9. The autonomous mechanical ignition control device is not susceptible to radiation, electromagnetic, or thermal effects, which are typical of modern weapons. The device does not contain programmable microcontrollers and does not require electronic firmware, which can often malfunction, and can be repaired outside of a repair facility. Microprocessor-based electronic ignition systems, on the other hand, lack sufficient field maintainability and radiation, electromagnetic, and thermal resistance in combat situations.
[0218] 10. The multiplier effect greatly contributes to the reliability of the shot initiation process: for any required ignition frequency on each barrel v, with an increase in the multiplier coefficient m, the closed state time t remains the same for continuous ignitions and increases linearly for discrete ones.
[0219] 11. Autonomous control devices that do not require external power supply for the electric circuits that initiate shots are simple, reliable, and economical to manufacture and operate, and are also easy to repair and very affordable to maintain.
[0220] 12. The most powerful, currently very inexpensive and widespread, rare earth magnets are used, allowing the creation of strong magnetic fields in the most compact design possible.
[0221] References
[0222] 1. Electronic resource. Military Review. Artillery, from May 28, 2021: https: / / topwar.ru / 183442-novyj-jeksperiment-kitaja-20-stvolnaja-artillerijskaja-ustanovka.html.
[0223] 2. Electronic resource. General Electric Gatling Cannon M61A1 GAU-4 20-mm Vulcan Cannon: https: / / www.f-106deltadart.com / weapons_20mm_cannon.htm (prototype).
[0224] 3. Richard J. Gatling. Improvement in Revolving Battery-Gun. Patent US 36836A. November 4, 1862.
[0225] 4. Richard J. Gatling. Machine-Gun. Patent US 502185A. July 25, 1898.
[0226] 5. Electronic resource https: / / wikitropes.ru / wiki / Многостольный пумемет.
[0227] 6. Electronic resource https: / / www.airwar.ru / weapon / guns / mk-108.html
[0228] 7. Electronic resource https: / / www.airwar2.ru / weapon / guns / mk-103.html
[0229] 8. Electronic resource http: / / www.airwar.ru / weapon / guns / m61.html
[0230] 9. Harold McC. Otto. Multibarrel Gun with Skewed Bore Axes. Patent US 2872847A. August 18, 1954.
[0231] 10. Sviyazheninov E.D. Multiplier multi-barrel gun with a fixed barrel block. Russian Federation Patent for Invention No. 2849084. Priority date: May 7, 2025.
Claims
1. A multi-barrel gun with fixed barrels, controlled by an autonomous rotary exciter, including a block of n barrels with electric pulse ignition of charges, an electric rotation drive, a drive control means, characterized in that the low-power electric drive rotates a compact lightweight rotor, on the surface of which mn+1 or mn-1 uniformly distributed magnets of angular magnitude γ are fixed. r , where m is any natural number: m=1, 2, 3, …, the rotor rotates inside a stationary stator containing n uniformly distributed induction coils of angular magnitude γ s, periodically creating pulses of induction electric currents in them, while the complete sequential cycle of generation of these current pulses in all stator coils occurs during not a full revolution of the rotor, but only during its rotation by an angular value of 2π / (mn+1) or 2π / (mn-1), respectively, in the forward or reverse direction relative to the direction of rotation of the rotor, and so that the current pulses of adjacent coils do not overlap each other in time, the angular value γ must satisfy the condition: γ≤δ, where γ=γ r +γ s , δ is the angular value at which continuous sequential generation of pulses of adjacent coils is achieved, determined by the relations: δ=2π / n / (mn+1) - for direct ignition, δ=2π / n / (mn-1) - for reverse ignition, pulses of the induction electric current of each coil are fed to the breech of the corresponding gun barrel along its own circuit to initiate ignition of the charges, and each barrel is self-loading.
2. A multi-barreled weapon with fixed barrels, controlled by an autonomous rotary exciter according to paragraph 1, characterized in that the rotation speed of the rotor changes with a change in the pressure applied to the trigger controlling its electric drive.
Citation Information
Patent Citations
Multi-barrel machine gun
EP0181932A1
Belt feed machine gun
RU2300725C2
Continuous commutation multiplicator
RU2665875C1
Weapon
RU2815020C1
Multi-barrel split-breach rapid fire gun
US10845141B2