The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 28, 1984
Filed:
May. 24, 1982
Ian R McNab, Murrysville, PA (US);
George A Kemeny, Wilkins Township, Allegheny County, PA (US);
Westinghouse Electric Corp., Pittsburgh, PA (US);
Abstract
An electromagnetic projectile launcher includes a combination plasma/conductor armature structure which serves to conduct current between a pair of generally parallel conductor rails and to propel a projectile along the rails. A plasma at each end of the conductive element of the armature serves to conduct current between the conductive element and the adjacent conductor rail. A method of launching a projectile in an electromagnetic projectile launcher is provided in which a sliding conductive element conducts current between a pair of generally parallel launching rails until a selected velocity is achieved. At that time, plasmas are generated at each end of the conductive element. These plasmas serve to transfer current between the conductive element and the launcher rails for the remainder of the launch.