Multi-Bore Firearm Barrel Heat Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional single-bore firearms face challenges with overheating due to rapid heat buildup during sustained fire, leading to reduced combat capability and potential cook-offs, as well as complexity and weight penalties from traditional multi-barrel designs.
Innovation Solution
A multi-bore firearm system with side-by-side bores in a single barrel, utilizing charge blocks that distribute heat and eliminate the need for integral chambers and heavy mechanical firing systems, allowing for near-continuous operation and reduced weight and complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a single-bore barrel is used, then manufacturing complexity is reduced, but sustained fire capability deteriorates due to overheating
Solution Approach 1:
The barrel is divided into multiple bores (e.g., five 5.56mm bores) within a single barrel structure. This segmentation allows heat to be distributed across multiple bores rather than concentrating in one bore, enabling sustained fire capability while maintaining a single-barrel configuration that is easier to manufacture than multiple separate barrels.
2Reliability
If multiple barrels are used to improve sustained fire capability, then overheating is reduced, but device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple bores are merged into a single integrated barrel structure rather than using separate barrels. This combining approach achieves the heat distribution benefits of multiple barrels while eliminating the complexity of coordinating multiple independent barrel systems, mounting mechanisms, and separate magazine feeds.
Solution Approach 2:
The single multi-bore barrel serves multiple functions: it provides multiple firing channels for sustained fire capability, distributes heat across multiple bores, and maintains a compact single-barrel form factor. The charge block system also serves dual purposes by both containing ammunition and functioning as a sealing mechanism.
3Reliability
If traditional cartridge ammunition with integral chambers is used, then sealing during firing is improved, but weight and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The chamber function is extracted from the barrel and integrated into the charge block. Instead of having integral chambers machined into the barrel, the charge blocks serve as removable chamber units that contain the propellant and projectile. This extraction reduces barrel weight and simplifies manufacturing while maintaining reliable sealing through the charge block's interaction with the breech face.
4Reliability
If heavy mechanical firing systems are used, then reliability of firing is improved, but weight and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The traditional heavy mechanical firing system with large springs and linkages is replaced with a simplified electromagnetic firing system. Each bore has its own firing pin actuated by an electromagnetic coil, eliminating the need for heavy mechanical components while maintaining reliable firing. The electromagnetic system is lighter and can be controlled independently for each bore.
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments of the invention include a firearm system and method of assembly of the firearm system including a receiver complex including a receiver coupled to a forward receiver. A feed port is positioned between the receiver and the forward receiver, and a striker coil assembly is positioned proximate the receiver, and includes a plurality of strikers each extending at least partially through a coil. An interchangeable barrel is coupled to the forward receiver forming a breech. In some embodiments, the firearm system includes a breech that includes a plurality of side-by-side bores of the barrel. Some embodiments include a magazine coupled to the receiver complex adjacent the feedport to simultaneously feed more than one dischargeable projectile into the feedport with a single charge block. In some embodiments, the charge block includes a plurality of chambers and a plurality of projectiles positioned within the plurality of chambers.