Firearm Retargeting via Combustion Gas Feedback Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Rifles experience momentary torque during recoil, causing the line-of-sight to deviate from the target, which cannot be accurately compensated by grip or manual re-acquisition, especially in automatic firing, leading to dispersion of subsequent shots.

Innovation Solution

A feedback-controlled re-targeting apparatus attached to the firearm's barrel, using sensors to measure initial and deviation angles, and controlling combustion gas discharge through circumferentially disposed ports to generate compensating thrust, ensuring the line-of-sight remains on target by rapidly modulating gas jets with piezoelectric actuators and a feedback control loop.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If automatic firing is used to increase shooting speed, then productivity is improved, but the line-of-sight deviates from target due to recoil torque

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshooting speedVSAvoidline-of-sight accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies a counter-torque through controlled combustion gas discharge before the recoil torque fully develops. The feedback control unit calculates the required compensating torque based on predicted recoil characteristics and applies it proactively through the gas discharge ports, preventing line-of-sight deviation rather than correcting it after occurrence.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors line-of-sight position using sensors and feeds this information back to the control unit, which adjusts the combustion gas discharge in real-time to maintain zero deviation. This closed-loop control ensures that any deviation caused by recoil is immediately detected and corrected, maintaining accuracy during automatic firing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Measurement precision

If manual re-acquisition is used to correct line-of-sight deviation, then measurement precision is improved, but time is lost between shots

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveline-of-sight accuracyVSAvoidtime between shots

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs automatic line-of-sight correction without requiring operator intervention. The feedback control unit continuously monitors deviation and automatically adjusts combustion gas discharge to maintain accuracy, eliminating the need for manual re-acquisition and the associated time loss between shots.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system maintains continuous line-of-sight correction throughout the automatic firing sequence. Rather than intermittent manual adjustments, the feedback control operates continuously, constantly monitoring and adjusting the compensating torque to ensure the line-of-sight remains on target throughout sustained automatic fire.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Ease of operation

If grip adjustment is used to compensate for recoil, then ease of operation is maintained, but measurement precision deteriorates due to inability to exactly compensate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegrip operationVSAvoidline-of-sight accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces the mechanical grip-adjustment method with a controlled gas discharge mechanism. Instead of relying on the operator's manual grip adjustments, the system uses precisely controlled combustion gas discharge through electronically actuated ports to generate the compensating torque, achieving superior precision while maintaining ease of operation.

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

The apparatus effectively compensates for recoil torque, maintaining the rifle's line-of-sight on target, allowing for precise follow-up shots and automatic targeting of multiple targets without manual re-acquisition.

Implementation Method 1

a chamber disposed in the body that receives combustion gases from the barrel during a firing sequence of the firearm

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCombustion: Combustion

Implementation Method 2

controls the discharge of the combustion gases to generate forces on the barrel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThrust: Reaction (physics)

Implementation Method 3

rapidly modulating gas jets with piezoelectric actuators

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS9212861B2Feedback-controlled re-targeting apparatus for automatic firearm

Publication Date: 2015.12.15 PANTATEK INC

AI summary

An apparatus having a body that attaches to a barrel of a firearm and a chamber disposed in the body that receives combustion gases from the barrel during a firing sequence of the firearm. Sensors, mounted on the body, capture a measurement of an initial line-of-sight to a target prior to the firing sequence and measure deviation from the initial line-of-sight after capture of the measurement of the initial line-of-sight and during the firing sequence. Ports, in communication with the chamber, are controllable to vary discharge of the combustion gases from the chamber. A feedback control unit receives the measurement of the initial line-of-sight and the deviation from the sensors and controls the ports to vary discharge of the combustion gases from the chamber during the firing sequence to generate forces on the barrel to drive the deviation to a minimum.