General Dynamics Land Systems, Inc.

Melvin M Widner

Yeshayahu Shyke Goldstein

Anthony J Suchocki

Rao L Boggavarapu

Catherine M Keogh

Michael Raleigh

Joseph R Greig

A plasma generator (44) for an electrothermal gun cartridge has elongated metallic rod and tube members (58,60) extending along a central axis thereof with the tube member (58) having at least one axial gap (62) and with an elongated annular insulator located between and in engagement with both metallic members to provide support therebetween as an electrical voltage generates an electrical arc at the axial gap to provide a plasma that ignites a propellant (46). Different embodiments of the plasma generator have a plurality of the axial gaps (62) located along the tube member (60) and are constructed for both simultaneous and sequential firing with fuses (74) controlling the timing. Helically extending member portions (78) provide rotation of the electrical arc and hence the plasma generated to distribute it for ignition of the propellent (46).

Plasma generator for electrothermal gun cartridge

An electrical power feed assembly (12) for supplying high current to an electrothermal gun has first and second electrical connectors (38) and (42) with associated contact portions (40) and (44) for engaging and plastically deforming first and second side contacts (20,22) on a cartridge (14) to provide firing while maintaining the electrical contact without any arcing. The first connector (38) has a curved contact portion (40) that provides an interference fit to plastically deform the first contact (20) and establish the electrical contact as the cartridge (14) is inserted into the gun. The second connector (42) has a pair of curved knife edges (48) that engage and plastically deform the second contact (22) of the cartridge to establish and maintain the electrical contact under spring action of the second connector and by operation of a cam mechanism (50) of a breech block (26) of the gun. The cartridge (14) has its first and second contacts (20,22) made of a relatively soft material, copper and solder preferably, and has the contacts provided with annular shapes that are engaged by the contact portions (40,44) of the first and second connectors (38,42).

Electrical power feed assembly for electrothermal gun and cartridge

Electrical power feed assembly for electrothermal gun

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Rochester Hills, MI, United States of America

Melvin M Widner