U.S. patent application number 11/502240 was filed with the patent office on 2009-04-30 for back-up electric power generator for electronic components attached to automatic firearms.
Invention is credited to Jeffrey Racho.
Application Number | 20090108589 11/502240 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40568909 |
Filed Date | 2009-04-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090108589 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Racho; Jeffrey |
April 30, 2009 |
BACK-UP ELECTRIC POWER GENERATOR FOR ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS ATTACHED
TO AUTOMATIC FIREARMS
Abstract
A firearm improvement taking the form of a mechanical dynamo
installed in an automatic firearm. Several components either
replace certain parts of the firearm or are added to the firearm.
In conjunction with the operation of the firearm, the components
generate electric energy which is then stored in a capacitor,
battery, or other element for the storage of electric energy, or
supply power to a battery recharging unit attached to the firearm.
The electric energy contained in the storage component, or used to
recharge the batteries placed in the recharging unit, may be used
at a later time as a back-up power supply for electronic components
attached to or incorporated into the firearm, such as red-dot or
reflex sights, laser sighting equipment, or night vision
equipment.
Inventors: |
Racho; Jeffrey; (Hazleton,
PA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PANITCH SCHWARZE BELISARIO & NADEL LLP
ONE COMMERCE SQUARE, 2005 MARKET STREET, SUITE 2200
PHILADELPHIA
PA
19103
US
|
Family ID: |
40568909 |
Appl. No.: |
11/502240 |
Filed: |
August 10, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60707270 |
Aug 11, 2005 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
290/1R ;
42/84 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H02K 7/1876 20130101;
F21L 13/00 20130101; F21L 13/08 20130101; H02K 35/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
290/1.R ;
42/84 |
International
Class: |
H02K 35/02 20060101
H02K035/02; F41A 35/00 20060101 F41A035/00 |
Claims
1. A device for generating and storing electric power and attached
to or made a part of a weapon comprised of a plurality of
components, the device comprising: a magnet generating a magnetic
field, the magnet installed in or on a first component of the
weapon; a conductor assembly comprising a plurality of loops of
electrically conductive wire, the conductor assembly installed in
or on a second component of the weapon wherein the first and second
components are configured to move relative to each other; a firing
chamber to generate a fluid pressure to drive movement of the first
and second components relative to each other such that an
electromotive force is generated; a rectifier or diode attached to
the conductor assembly by a first set of electrically conductive
wires; and an electric power storage unit attached to the rectifier
or diode by a second set of electrically conductive wires.
2. The device of claim 1, wherein the weapon is selected from the
group consisting of a rifle, a semiautomatic rifle, an automatic
rifle, a pistol and a firearm.
3. The device of claim 1, wherein the movable first component of
the weapon is either the piston of the weapon or the push rod of
the weapon.
4. The device of claim 1, wherein the second component of the
weapon is the guide tube for the push rod of the weapon.
5. The device of claim 2, wherein the first component of the weapon
is either the piston of the weapon or the push rod of the
weapon.
6. The device of claim 2, wherein the second component of the
weapon is the guide tube for the push rod of the weapon.
7. The device of claim 1, wherein the electric power storage unit
is selected from the group consisting of a battery, capacitor and a
recharging station for rechargeable batteries.
8. The device of claim 2, wherein the electric power storage unit
is selected from the group consisting of a battery, capacitor and a
recharging station for rechargeable batteries.
9. The device of claim 1, further comprising a switching device,
the switching device attached to the electric power storage unit by
a third set of electrically conductive wires, the switching device
providing an electric current from the electric power storage unit
to one or more electronic devices attached to the weapon when the
switching device is activated by the operator of the weapon.
10. The device of claim 9, further comprising a power rail unit,
the power rail unit attached to the switching device by a fourth
set of electrically conductive wires, the power rail unit providing
a point at which the electric energy stored in the electric power
storage unit is distributed to the one or more electronic devices
attached to the weapon using electrical points of contact between
the power rail unit and the one or more electronic devices attached
to the weapon.
11. The device of claim 2, further comprising a switching device,
the switching device attached to the electric power storage unit by
a third set of electrically conductive wires, the switching device
providing an electric current from the electric power storage unit
to one or more electronic devices attached to the weapon when the
switching device is activated by the operator of the weapon.
12. The device of claim 11, further comprising a power rail unit,
the power rail unit attached to the switching device by a fourth
set of electrically conductive wires, the power rail unit providing
a point at which the electric energy stored in the electric power
storage unit is distributed to the one or more electronic devices
attached to the weapon using electrical points of contact between
the power rail unit and the one or more electronic devices attached
to the weapon.
13. A rifle comprising: a buffer body that includes a magnet
generating a magnetic field, the magnet installed in the buffer
body of the rifle; a buffer tube that includes a conductor assembly
having a plurality of loops of electrically conductive wire
configured in or on the buffer tube so that the buffer body moves
through the plurality of loops of electrically conductive wire; a
firing chamber to generate a fluid pressure to drive movement of
the buffer body through the plurality of loops of electrically
conductive wire; a rectifier or diode attached to the conductor
assembly by a first set of electrically conductive wires; and an
electric power storage unit attached to the rectifier or diode by a
second set of electrically conductive wires.
14. The device of claim 13, wherein the electric power storage unit
is selected from the group consisting of a battery, capacitor and a
recharging station for rechargeable batteries.
15. The device of claim 13, further comprising a switching device,
the switching device attached to the electric power storage unit by
a third set of electrically conductive wires, the switching device
providing, an electric current from the electric power storage unit
to one or more electronic devices attached to the rifle when the
switching device is activated by the operator of the rifle.
16. The device of claim 15, further comprising a power rail unit,
the power rail unit attached to the switching device by a fourth
set of electrically conductive wires, the power rail unit providing
a point at which the electric energy stored in the electric power
storage unit is distributed to the one or more electronic devices
attached to the rifle using electrical points of contact between
the power rail unit and the plurality of electronic devices
attached to the rifle.
17. A weapon to generate and store electric power when the weapon
is operated, the weapon comprising: first and second components; a
magnet generating a magnetic field, the magnet installed in or on
the first component of the weapon; a conductor assembly comprising
a plurality of loops of electrically conductive wire, the conductor
assembly installed in or on the second component of the weapon,
wherein the first and second components are configured to move
relative to each other; a firing chamber to generate a fluid
pressure to drive movement of the first and second components
relative to each other such that an electromotive force is
generated; a rectifier or diode attached to the conductor assembly
by a first set of electrically conductive wires; and an electric
power storage unit attached to the rectifier or diode by a second
set of electrically conductive wires.
18. The weapon of claim 17, wherein the weapon is selected from the
group consisting of a rifle, a semiautomatic rifle, an automatic
rifle, a pistol and a firearm.
19. The weapon of claim 17, wherein the electric power storage unit
is selected from the group consisting of a battery, capacitor and a
recharging station for rechargeable batteries.
20. The weapon of claim 17, further comprising a switching device,
the switching device attached to the electric power storage unit by
a third set of electrically conductive wires, the switching device
providing an electric current from the electric power storage unit
to one or more electronic devices attached to the weapon when the
switching device is activated by the operator of the weapon.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This nonprovisional patent application claims the benefit of
the filing date of provisional application 60/707,270, filed Aug.
11, 2005, which is herein incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] A review of certain aspects of the background of the
invention provides insight into how the invention operates and the
benefits provided by the invention. A discussion of the use and
limitations of electronic sighting equipment for firearms is
presented, followed by a discussion of the operation of
semiautomatic firearms and then by an overview of the theory and
application of electromagnetic induction.
Firearm Sights
[0003] Operators of firearms traditionally used "iron sights" to
designate their targets. These iron sights generally consist of a
blade or post attached at the muzzle end of the firearm's barrel
and a peephole or notch sight at the breech end of the firearm's
barrel. Iron sights have certain disadvantages and are often
replaced or augmented with newer types of sights, such as laser
sights, red-dot/reflex sights, and holographic sights, which
provide advantages such as allowing the shooter to more precisely
designate the target, allowing the shooter to keep both eyes open
while locating the target (meaning the shooter has a better field
of view of his/her surroundings while operating the firearm), and
reducing the amount of time it takes the shooter to properly
designate the target. Iron sights, unless they are augmented by
certain equipment, such as tritium inserts, are difficult to use in
low light levels or at night; consequently, night-vision equipment
or infrared laser sights must be attached to the firearm so that
the shooter may use the firearm in such conditions.
[0004] Although the alternative sights and sighting equipment
described above provide notable improvements over iron sights, they
generally take the form of electronic devices which must draw power
from either installed batteries or an external power unit (one
notable exception is the ACOG, or Advanced Combat Optical Gunsight,
which uses a tritium insert for illumination purposes). The sight
or sighting equipment will fail to operate without this power
source, rendering it useless and either requiring the shooter to
return to using the firearm's iron sights or to replace the power
source of the sight. Considering that some firearms, such as the
M-4 flattop carbine, may have no iron sights whatsoever and may
rely solely on electronic sighting equipment, it is imperative that
the shooter have an adequate source of back-up power should the
power source powering the sighting equipment fail. If the shooter
is a combat soldier relying on a piece of electronic sighting
equipment, failure to carry a source of back-up power could leave
the soldier stranded in the field with a firearm which he cannot
properly aim. This situation could lead to tragic results for the
soldier or his unit.
Automatic Firearm Operation
[0005] Automatic firearms use a portion of the expanding gas from
the burning of the gunpowder in a cartridge to provide kinetic
energy which moves parts of the firearm to eject the spent casing
from the fired cartridge and to load a new cartridge into the
firing chamber of the firearm.
[0006] Automatic firearms perform this operation through several
methods, including the following two relevant methods:
[0007] (1) the "recoil operation" method, based upon Newton's Third
Law of Motion, in which the force of the expanding propellant gas
pushing against the bullet also operates to move the bolt, thereby
ejecting the spent casing and loading a new cartridge into the
firing chamber, and
[0008] (2) the "gas actuation" method, in which a portion of the
propellant gas is diverted from the firearm's barrel and acts upon
components of the firearm, such as a piston, which then act to move
the bolt, thereby ejecting the spent casing and loading a new
cartridge into the firing chamber.
[0009] Generally, automatic pistols use recoil operation (although
some exceptions exist, such as the Heckler & Koch P-7 pistol)
while automatic rifles use gas actuation (again, exceptions
exist).
[0010] Rifles using gas actuation are usually of two types:
[0011] (1) those which use a piston to transfer the energy from the
expanding gas to move the bolt backwards, a system found in the M-1
Garand, AK-47 and its derivatives, and certain Heckler & Koch
rifles, including the G-36 and XM-8, and
[0012] (2) those which use a direct impingement method in which the
gas is diverted from the barrel, through a gas tube, and directly
acts against the bolt or a bolt carrier assembly to move the bolt
backwards, a system found on the AR-15 rifle and its
derivatives.
[0013] The description of an embodiment of the invention in this
application shall be described for its embodiment in the AR-15
rifle (which includes the M-16 and M-4 military rifles), although
the invention can be applied to firearms which use either the gas
actuation method or the recoil operation method.
Electromagnetic Induction
[0014] An embodiment of the invention uses the principle of
electromagnetic induction to transform the energy of the propellant
gas of a fired cartridge, as it operates on the mechanical parts of
the firearm, to produce an electric current which is then stored in
a capacitor, battery, or other device for the storage of electric
energy.
[0015] Under the principle of electromagnetic induction, an
electric current will flow in a closed conductor, such as a loop of
copper wire, when the magnetic flux through the plane bounded by
the closed conductor changes. This current will be caused by either
a change in the magnitude of the magnetic flux or if the bounded
area is moved through the magnetic flux. If the closed conductor is
a loop of conductive wire, or a wire formed into a group of loops,
the electromotive force ("EMF") induced by the change of the
magnetic flux is determined by Equation 1:
.epsilon.=-(N)*(d.PHI./dt)
[0016] In Equation 1, epsilon (".epsilon.") is the EMF in volts,
"N" is the number of loops of the conductive wire, "t" is time in
seconds and phi (".PHI.") is the magnetic flux in units of
volt-seconds (V*s, or webers). According to the equation, the
induced EMF is directly proportional to both the number of loops of
wire and the rate of change of the magnetic flux; hence, a greater
EMF results for a greater number of loops of wire.
[0017] Electromagnetic induction is the basis of electric
generators and alternators (generators which produce an alternating
current). If a mechanical assembly moves a magnet's position
relative to a set of loops of wire, or moves a set of loops of wire
relative to a magnet, the assembly causes a current to flow in the
wire; the assembly thus acts as a transducer turning the mechanical
motion of the assembly into an electromotive force.
[0018] One notable consumer electronics device which is based upon
the principle of electromagnetic induction is the "Faraday
flashlight," fully described by U.S. Pat. No. 6,994,450; No.
6,893,141; No. 6,808,288; and No. 6,729,744.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0019] An embodiment of the present invention is a firearm
improvement taking the form of a mechanical device attached to an
automatic firearm (collectively referring to a "semi-automatic,"
"fully automatic," or "selective fire" firearm) which acts as a
dynamo, or electric generator. The invention comprises several
components which either replace certain parts of the firearm or are
added to the firearm. In conjunction with the operation of the
firearm, the device generates electric energy which is then stored
in a capacitor, battery, or other component for the storage of
electric energy, or supplies power to a battery-recharging unit
attached to the firearm. The electric energy contained in the
storage component, or used to recharge the batteries placed in the
recharging unit, may be used at a later time as a back-up power
supply for electronic components attached to or incorporated into
the firearm, such as red-dot or reflex sights, laser sighting
equipment, or night vision equipment.
[0020] The invention is a device for generating and storing
electric power and attached to, or made a part of, a weapon
comprised of a plurality of components. The invention comprises a
magnet (generating a magnetic field) installed in or on a first
component of the weapon, a conductor assembly comprising a
plurality of loops of electrically conductive wire installed in or
on a second component of the weapon so that the loops of
electrically conductive wire are moved through the magnetic field
when the weapon is operated, a rectifier or diode attached to the
conductor assembly by a first set of electrically conductive wires,
and an electric power storage unit attached to the rectifier or
diode by a second set of electrically conductive wires.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0021] Referring now to the drawing, in which like reference
numbers refer to like elements throughout the various figures that
comprise the drawing. Included in the drawing are the following
figures:
[0022] FIG. 1 depicts the Lower Assembly of an unmodified AR-15
rifle in a disassembled state;
[0023] FIG. 2 depicts the Bolt Carrier of an unmodified AR-15 rifle
in a disassembled state;
[0024] FIG. 3 depicts the lower of an AR-15 rifle as modified
according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0025] FIG. 4 depicts how the invention's modifications operate in
conjunction with the AR-15 during the rifle's operation; and
[0026] FIG. 5 depicts an embodiment in which the invention's
modifications are made to the internal components of an alternative
rifle design.
[0027] The invention is best understood from the following detailed
description when read in connection with the accompanying drawing.
It is emphasized that, according to common practice, the various
features of the drawing are not to scale. On the contrary, the
dimensions of the various features are arbitrarily expanded or
reduced for clarity.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0028] In one embodiment, the invention is an assembly comprising a
group of mechanical components which are either added to an
automatic firearm or which are derivatives of existing parts of an
automatic firearm and then substituted for the original parts of an
automatic firearm. A person skilled in the arts of manufacturing
and/or designing mechanical devices may make the invention from
modifications to existing rifle parts, by manufacturing rifle parts
with the described modifications to certain standards, and by the
addition of other pre-manufactured parts to complete the
invention.
[0029] Although this application describes the necessary
modifications which must be made to an AR-15 rifle to implement the
invention, those skilled in the arts of mechanical component
manufacture and/or design will be able to make appropriate
modifications to other automatic firearms in order to implement the
invention on such firearms. As the AR-15 design is widely used by
various military units of the United States, the preferred
embodiment of the invention is the installation of the invention on
an AR-15 rifle as described herein using nonconductive and
nonferrous material, such as polycarbonate, for the construction of
the buffer body and buffer tube.
Description of Original Components
[0030] FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate certain components of the AR-15
rifle.
[0031] FIG. 1 depicts the AR-15 Lower Assembly, which includes the
Lower Receiver (1), the Buffer Tube (2), the Buffer Spring (3), and
the Buffer Body (4), the front face of which (4a) lies flush
against the rear of the Bolt Carrier.
[0032] FIG. 2 depicts the AR-15 Bolt Carrier which is enclosed
within the Lower Assembly and Upper Assembly (not pictured) in the
fully assembled AR-15 rifle. The Bolt Carrier (5) encloses the bolt
(not labeled) which is carried within the Bolt Carrier, the rear
face of which (5a) lies flush against the front of the Buffer Body
(4a).
[0033] When the rifle is fired, gas from the fired cartridge enters
a gas tube connected to the rifle barrel via a gas port (not
pictured). The gas tube carries the expanding gas to the front of
the Bolt Carrier, where the gas pushes against the Bolt Carrier,
moving it backward against the Buffer Body. The Buffer Body moves
backward through the Buffer Tube and against the Buffer Spring. As
the Bolt Carrier moves backwards, it removes the spent cartridge
from the rifle's firing chamber and ejects it.
[0034] The Buffer Spring stores the mechanical energy imparted to
it, and then pushes against the Buffer Body, which pushes against
the Bolt Carrier. The Bolt Carrier then grips and inserts a new
cartridge into the firing chamber of the rifle, which may be fired
again, after which the process repeats.
Invention Components/Modifications
[0035] FIG. 3 depicts the modifications and additional components
of which the invention is comprised.
[0036] First, a Conductor Assembly (2a) is constructed on or around
the Buffer Tube (2). The Conductor Assembly comprises a group of
loops of conductive wire, such as copper wire, As per Equation 1,
the greater the number of loops of conductive wire, the greater the
resulting EMF produced by the invention. Those skilled in the
construction of mechanical devices may determine what type of
conductive wire shall be used, the manner of installation, and the
final number of loops of conductive wire. The Conductor Assembly
may also be "installed" as an integral part of the Buffer Tube.
Ideally, the Buffer Tube should be constructed of a nonconductive
and nonferrous material, such as a strong polymer.
[0037] Next, a Magnetic Insert (4b) is installed in the Buffer Body
(4). As per Equation 1, the greater the change of the magnetic
flux, the greater the EMF produced by the invention, so a Magnetic
Insert with an appropriate strength should be chosen. Ideally, the
Buffer Body in which the Magnetic Insert is installed should be a
nonconductive and nonferrous material, such as a strong
polymer.
[0038] Wiring (6) is attached from the Conductor Assembly to a
Rectifier or Diode (7) which transforms the alternating current
generated by the invention to direct current. Wiring (8) is
attached from the Rectifier/Diode to an electrical power storage
unit, such as a Capacitor, Rechargeable Battery or a Recharging
Station (9). The Recharging Station is a unit in which the rifle's
operator may store rechargeable batteries of the type needed to
power the electronic sights or the other electronic attachments
installed on the rifle. In an embodiment in which the invention
utilizes the Recharging Station, then components (10), (11) and
(12), below, will be omitted. For the embodiment using the
Recharging Station, the invention's operator will be required to
install/remove the batteries to/from the Recharging Station as
needed. In this embodiment, the operator will have the ability to
remove fully charged batteries from the Recharging Station, install
them in place of depleted batteries in the sights or other
equipment attached to the rifle, and place the depleted batteries
into the Recharging Station so that they may be recharged.
[0039] Should the invention utilize a Capacitor or Rechargeable
Battery, Wiring (10) is attached from the Capacitor/Battery to a
Switching Device (11) which is manually operated by the firearm's
user, or which may be set to automatically switch should the
primary means of power used by the firearm's electronic components
fail. Wiring (12) is then attached from the switching device to the
electronic components attached to the rifle. This Wiring (12) may
include components to regulate the electric current from the
Capacitor/Battery.
[0040] In another embodiment of the invention, the Switching Device
(11) may be integrated with a type of "power rail" (not depicted)
which acts as a distributor which delivers power to a plurality of
electronic components attached to the firearm. It is not uncommon
to have several electronic components attached to a firearm, and
such a power rail acting as a distributor can be used to ensure
that electric power is available to each electronic component
attached to or incorporated into the firearm should any of their
primary power sources fail.
Operation of the Invention
[0041] FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C depict how the invention operates when
used by the operator of the firearm. The invention shall produce
electric energy, which is then stored in an electrical power
storage unit, such as a Capacitor or Rechargeable Battery, as
described herein. Should the firearm operator need a back-up source
of power, the operator may manually operate the Switching Device
(11) to provide power to the electronic component which needs such
power.
[0042] FIG. 4A depicts the mechanism of an AR-15 when a cartridge
is loaded in the firearm's firing chamber. The Bolt Carrier (5) is
fully forward and the Buffer Spring (3) is fully extended.
[0043] FIG. 4B depicts the mechanism of the AR-15 as a user fires
the rifle. When the user fires the firearm, the gas from the Gas
Tube (13), which is attached to the gas port on the rifle's barrel
(not pictured), impinges upon the Bolt Carrier, driving it backward
against the modified Buffer Body (4). The modified Buffer Body
moves into the modified Buffer Tube (2) and against the Buffer
Spring. As the modified Buffer Body moves into the Buffer Tube, the
Magnetic Insert (4b) inside the Buffer Body moves through the loops
of the conductor in the Conductor Assembly (2a). As the modified
Buffer Body moves backwards, its Magnetic Insert changes the
magnetic flux on the Conductor Assembly, causing an EMF and a
current to flow through the Wiring (6) as described according to
Equation 1.
[0044] FIG. 4C depicts the mechanism of the AR-15 after the round
has been fired. The Buffer Spring pushes the modified Buffer Body,
its Magnetic Insert, and the Bolt Carrier forward. Again, the
Magnetic Insert changes the magnetic flux on the Conductor
Assembly, causing an EMF and a current to flow through the Wiring
as described according to Equation 1.
[0045] As the AR-15 is used over a period of time, electric energy
shall build up and be stored in the electrical power storage unit
(the Capacitor or Rechargeable Battery), which may then be used as
an alternative power source for electronic components attached to
or part of the rifle upon operating the Switching Device, or in the
batteries installed in the Recharging Station.
Implementing the Invention on Other Firearm Designs
[0046] The invention may be readily modified for the designs of
other firearms. As an example, it may be implemented on a common
firearm design in which a piston and push rod combination is used
to cycle the bolt of the firearm. Such a design is used in the
Heckler & Koch G-36 and XM-8 rifles.
[0047] FIG. 5A illustrates the components of such a rifle design.
The expanding propellant gas enters a gas port (14), which is an
aperture in the firearm's barrel (15), and then pushes against a
piston (16) and push rod (17), which are located in a gas cylinder
(18). The gas cylinder may also act as a guide tube, a design seen
in the AK-47 rifle and firearms derived from its design. In other
firearms, such as the M-1 Garand, the gas cylinder only is present.
To implement this embodiment of the invention, it may be necessary
to add the guide tube to the firearm.
[0048] As seen in FIG. 5B, in an embodiment of the invention as
implemented on such a rifle design, the conductor assembly (2a) may
be added to or made a part of the gas cylinder or guide tube (18)
and a magnetic insert (4b) added to the push rod or gas piston
(16). As depicted in FIG. 5B, this embodiment of the invention
operates as follows: the gas from the fired cartridge pushes the
bullet down the barrel (15) and thereupon enters the gas port (14)
after the bullet has passed the gas port (14). The gas entering the
gas port (14) pushes against the piston (16) and push rod (17),
thereby moving the magnetic insert (4b) through the coils of wiring
in the conductor assembly (2a), thereby generating an electric
current. The push rod (17) is attached to the bolt or bolt carrier
of the rifle (not pictured) and operates the bolt or bolt carrier,
thereby ejecting the spent cartridge casing.
[0049] When the piston (16) and push rod (17) have fully moved back
within the rifle, and after the pressure on the piston/push rod has
abated to a lower level, the recoil spring (not pictured) will push
both the bolt/bolt carrier and the push rod (16) and piston (17)
forward (thereby loading a new cartridge into the rifle's chamber).
The magnetic insert (4b) will again move through the coils of
wiring in the conductor assembly (2a), generating another electric
current. During both steps, the electric current travels from the
wiring (7) to a rectifier/diode (not pictured) and thereupon to an
electric power storage unit (not pictured), and thereupon to an
optional switching device (not pictured) as described above.
[0050] Those skilled in the art of firearm design may adapt the
invention to incorporate it into any number of weapon systems, so
long as the weapon system involves a component which is actuated as
a result of the weapon's recoil. This actuated component would
contain either the magnet or the loops of wire and would move the
loops of wire through the magnetic field generated by the magnet as
the weapon is operated.
[0051] Although illustrated and described above with reference to
certain specific embodiments and examples, the present invention is
nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown.
Rather, various modifications may be made in the details within the
scope and range of equivalents of the claims and without departing
from the spirit of the invention. It is expressly intended, for
example, that all ranges broadly recited in this document include
within their scope all narrower ranges which fall within the
broader ranges.
* * * * *