Electromagnetic Percussion Device for Medium Caliber Weapons

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current medium and large caliber weapon systems face challenges in accurately firing while the carrier is in motion due to the excessive reaction time between spring compression and projectile exit, which is not compatible with the rapid time requirements of firing in movement.

Innovation Solution

An electromagnetic percussion device with a sear mechanism that immobilizes and releases the firing pin, utilizing a cam and actuator to control the firing pin's translation and spring compression, ensuring precise alignment and timing for accurate firing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a cam mechanism is used to compress spring means and release the firing pin, then the firing pin can be reliably actuated, but the reaction time between spring compression and projectile exit exceeds a few tenths of a second which is incompatible with firing in movement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereliability of firing pin actuationVSAvoidreaction time between spring compression and projectile exit

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The firing sequence is divided into two independent phases: (1) cam-driven spring compression and firing pin positioning, and (2) electromagnetic actuator-driven rapid firing pin release. This segmentation allows the time-consuming spring compression to occur independently before the rapid firing action, enabling the release phase to occur within the required few hundredths of a second window for moving target engagement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The spring means are compressed and the firing pin is positioned in the armed state during the ammunition loading phase, before the actual firing command is given. This preliminary action prepares the system in advance so that when the firing command is received, only the rapid electromagnetic release action is needed, achieving the required sub-100ms reaction time for firing in movement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Speed

If the firing pin is allowed to remain in the armed position for rapid firing, then firing speed is improved, but the risk of accidental discharge increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefiring speedVSAvoidsafety against accidental discharge

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The sear acts as an intermediary safety mechanism between the compressed spring means and the firing pin. It physically blocks the firing pin from moving forward despite spring pressure, and can only be displaced by the electromagnetic actuator when a valid firing command is given. This intermediary component enables the system to maintain the armed state safely until intentional discharge.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the state parameter of the sear from locked to displaced through electromagnetic actuation. The sear remains in the locked state during armed condition to prevent accidental discharge, and transitions to the displaced state only when the electromagnetic actuator receives a valid firing command, enabling controlled rapid firing when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If a sear mechanism with actuator is added to control firing pin release, then firing timing precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefiring timing precisionVSAvoidcomplexity of percussion device

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The traditional purely mechanical cam-based firing release mechanism is replaced with an electromagnetic actuator system. The electromagnetic actuator provides precise, programmable control over the sear displacement timing, enabling the computer to trigger firing at the exact moment when the gun barrel is aligned with the target, achieving the required timing precision without complex mechanical linkages.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution reduces the time between the firing command and ammunition discharge, allows adaptation to various caliber weapons, enables manual operation in power failures, and prevents 'out-of-zone' firing by ensuring alignment before percussion, enhancing precision and reliability.

Implementation Method 1

compression of spring means

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic potential energy: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a sear displaced by an actuator so as to release the firing pin

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic actuation: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS20100236392A1Percussion device for a medium or large calibre weapon

Publication Date: 2010.09.23 CTA INT VERSAILLES FR

AI summary

A percussion device for a medium or large caliber weapon incorporating a firing pin, spring means and a drive cam for the firing pin enabling its displacement in translation up to an “armed” position and the compression of the spring means, such device wherein it incorporates means to immobilize the firing in the “armed” position, these means being supported by the weapon breech and able to take up a position in which they immobilize the firing pin and another in which they release the firing pin.