Electronic Ignition system for Personal Black Powder Firearms

Abstract

Electronic ignition systems which are designed for use with personal firearms utilizing black powder (or black powder substitutes) such as shotguns, rifles, and pistols. Generally, the firearms will be of the type classified as muzzleloaders. The electronic ignition systems generate an electric arc in the barrel of the firearm which ignites the propellant charge in the firearm discharging it when a firing switch is closed.

1 . An electronic ignition system for a firearm, the system comprising: 
 an electrode, the electrode being capable of producing an electric arc;    a battery electrically connected to said electrode for providing electricity to said electrode; and    a firing switch electrically connected between said battery and said electrode such that when said firing switch is closed said electricity from said battery produces an electric arc from said electrode;    wherein said electrode is sized and shaped so that said electric arc contacts a propellant charge in said firearm igniting said propellant charge.    
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a capacitor, said capacitor placed between said battery and said firing switch such that said capacitor is charged by said battery and discharges when said firing switch is closed.  
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 2  further comprising an arming switch electrically connected between said capacitor and said battery wherein said capacitor cannot charge when said arming switch is open.  
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 3  further comprising a safety switch electrically connected between said capacitor and said firing switch wherein said electric arc cannot be generated unless both said firing switch and said safety switch are closed.  
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 4  further comprising an indicator electrically connected to said capacitor, said indicator indicating when said capacitor is charged.  
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 5  wherein said system is retrofitted into an existing personal firearm.  
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 5  which is originally manufactured into a new personal firearm.  
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said firearm is a rifle.  
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said electric arc is generated between said electrode and a second electrode.  
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a breach plug physically supporting said electrode.  
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 10  wherein said electric arc is generated between said electrode and said breach plug.  
   
   
       12 . A firearm comprising 
 a barrel;    a breach plug;    at least two electrodes in said breach plug;    a source of electricity electrically connected to said at least two electrodes; and    a firing switch electrically connected between said at least two electrodes and said source of electricity such that when said firing switch is closed, an electric arc is created between said at least two electrodes, said electric arc being inside said barrel.    
   
   
       13 . The firearm of  claim 12  further comprising a capacitor, said capacitor electrically connected between said source of electricity and said firing switch such that said capacitor is charged by said source of electricity and discharges when said firing switch is closed.  
   
   
       14 . The firearm of  claim 13  further comprising an arming switch electrically connected between said capacitor and said source of electricity wherein said capacitor cannot charge when said arming switch is open.  
   
   
       15 . The firearm of  claim 14  further comprising a safety switch electrically connected between said capacitor and said firing switch wherein said electric arc cannot be generated unless both said firing switch and said safety switch are closed.  
   
   
       16 . The firearm of  claim 15  further comprising an indicator electrically connected to said capacitor, said indicator indicating when said capacitor is charged.  
   
   
       17 . The firearm of  claim 12  further comprising a propellant charge and projectile within said barrel wherein said electric arc ignites said propellant charge and the explosion of said propellant charge expels said projectile from said barrel.  
   
   
       18 . The firearm of  claim 12  wherein said firearm is a muzzleloader.  
   
   
       19 . The firearm of  claim 12  wherein said firearm is a rifle.  
   
   
       20 . A firearm comprising: 
 a barrel;    means for producing an electric arc in said barrel; and    switching means electrically connected to said means for producing said electric arc such that when said switching means is switched from a first state to a second state said electric arc is generated in said barrel.