Device for controlling ammunition consumption in real time

Abstract

Device ( 12 ) for counting the total number of shots fired by a firearm ( 11 ) and those fired with a same loader mounted on the weapon by means of the acquisition, analysis and interpretation of physical parameters relating to its firing cycle, in such a way that the information obtained is shown in real time on a visual display unit with the activation, visual display and setting to zero being automatic actions without intervention from the user, by means of a computer programme, with it being possible to carry out such operations manually as well. The visual display unit may show other parameters of the firearm's operation ( 11 ) such as the temperature of those points most likely to overheat so that the weapon may be used with safety and precision.

1 . Ammunition consumption control device, in real time for a firearm ( 11 ) which makes the mechanical action of firing; characterised in that the counting device ( 12 ) comprises a sensor ( 32 ) which is adapted to perceive the movement of a means ( 31 ) solid to a mobile mechanical element of the firearm which moves as a result of the shot and/or which is adapted to perceive mechanical disturbances generated during the shot; the aforementioned sensor ( 32 ) is adapted to generate an electric signal which is sent to a programmable logic control means ( 33 ) so that a count in a counter unit stored in said programmable logic control means ( 33 ) varies according to the number of shots fired by the firearm ( 11 ) in turn, the programmable logic control means ( 33 ) sends said count generated to a visual display unit ( 21 ). 
     
     
         2 . Device in accordance with  claim 1 ; characterised in that the counting device ( 12 ) in a unit the count varies according to the number of shots fired with the firearm ( 11 ) based on the realisation of the dynamic firing cycle compared to the time and/or speed standards of the mobile mechanical element characteristic of the firearm ( 11 ) previously stored in the programmable logic control means ( 33 ). 
     
     
         3 . Device in accordance with  claim 1 ; characterised in that in the counting device ( 12 ) in a unit the count varies according to the number of shots fired with the firearm ( 11 ) based on the realisation of the dynamic firing cycle compared to the standard value of characteristic mechanical disturbance of the firearm ( 11 ), with said value having been previously stored in the programmable logic control means( 33 ). 
     
     
         4 . Device in accordance with  claim 2 ; characterised in that the count made corresponds to the total number of shots fired by the firearm ( 11 ) to the number of shots fired with a loader ( 13 ) mounted by the firearm ( 11 ) or the number of cartridges available in the loader ( 13 ). 
     
     
         5 . Device in accordance with  claim 4 ; characterised in that the counting device ( 12 ) is automatically activated through the perception or sensor medium ( 32 ) by an impact or piezoelectric sensor, or magnetic switch when the firearm is used; following a predetermined period the counter ( 12 ) returns to its resting position maintaining the value of the counters, both total and partial. 
     
     
         6 . Device in accordance with  claim 5 ; characterised in that the count corresponding to the partial counter may automatically set to zero when the counting device ( 12 ) identifies the shot of the last available cartridge which identifies an incomplete dynamic firing cycle. 
     
     
         7 . Device in accordance with  claim 5 ; characterised in that the counting device ( 12 ) is equipped with a mechanical sensor and the loader ( 13 ) with a magnet, in order to effect the automatic setting to zero of the partial counter when the loader is replaced. 
     
     
         8 . Device in accordance with  claim 5 ; characterised in that the counting device ( 12 ) is equipped with a microswitch for automatically setting the partial counter to zero when the loader is substituted. 
     
     
         9 . Device in accordance with  claim 5 , characterised in that the sensor ( 32 ) comprises one or more sensors which may be of the magnetic type, or electromagnetic, visible or not to the human eye, by a combination thereof situated on the firearm ( 11 ) or by one or more vibration sensors for example, of the piezoelectric type. 
     
     
         10 . Device in accordance with  claim 9 , characterised in that the solid means ( 31 ) is the actual slide or at least a layer or a reflective surface situated on the slide or closing system of the firearm when the sensor ( 32 ) is of the electromagnetic radiation type. 
     
     
         11 . Device in accordance with  claim 9 , characterised in that the solid means ( 31 ) is the actual slide or at least a magnet situated on the slide or closing system of the firearm ( 11 ) when the sensor ( 32 ) is of the magnetic type. 
     
     
         12 . Device in accordance with  claim 11 ; characterised in that an auxiliary magnet is placed next to the sensor ( 32 ) when the solid means ( 31 ) is the actual slide. 
     
     
         13 . Device in accordance with  claim 1 ; characterised in that the counting device ( 12 ) in a unit varies the count according to the number of shots fired with the firearm ( 11 ) based on the realisation of the static firing cycle compared to the standard value of characteristic mechanical disturbance of the firearm ( 11 ), with said value having been previously stored in the programmable logic control means( 33 ). 
     
     
         14 . Device in accordance with  claim 13 ; characterised in that the sensor  32  includes one or more vibration sensors, for example, of the piezoelectric type. 
     
     
         15 . Device in accordance with  claim 5 ; characterised in that it includes a data entry means ( 34 ) which is adapted to select at least one item of information stored in the programmable logic medium ( 33 ) so that the type of information selected is shown in real time, visually on the visual display unit( 21 ) 
     
     
         16 . Device in accordance with  claim 15 ; characterised in that the data entry means ( 34 ) consist of one or various buttons. 
     
     
         17 . Device in accordance with  claim 16 ; characterised in that the counting device ( 12 ) is affixed to the firearm ( 11 ) in such a way that the visual display unit ( 21 ) is facing towards the shooter. 
     
     
         18 . Device in accordance with  claim 16 ; characterised in that an element of the firearm ( 11 ) is adapted to receive the counting device ( 12 ) in such a way that the visual display unit ( 21 ) is facing towards the shooter. 
     
     
         19 . Device in accordance with  claim 16 ; characterised in that the counting device ( 12 ) is adapted to be integrated in an accessory which is coupled to the firearm ( 11 ) in such a way that the visual display unit ( 21 ) is facing towards the shooter. 
     
     
         20 . Device in accordance with  claim 17 ; characterised in that the visual display unit( 21 ) is a liquid crystal, electroluminescent, plasma, coherent light screen or similar and is situated in the environment of the sighting system of the firearm ( 11 ). 
     
     
         21 . Device in accordance with  claim 20 ; characterised in that the information stored in the programmable logic medium ( 33 ) may be transmitted through electrical connections, or through a transmission means which uses an air interface in order to transmit information, to a reception and data processing system and/or may be shown on another visual display unit different from the screen ( 21 ). 
     
     
         22 . Device in accordance with  claim 21 ; characterised in that the counting device ( 12 ) is equipped with different buttons for setting the partial counter to zero, switching the visual display unit on or off or pre-establishing a certain number on the visual display unit ( 21 ) in such a way that the counter ( 12 ) discounts a unit each time that the new shot is fired. 
     
     
         23 . Device in accordance with  claim 20 ; characterised in that the information displayed on the visual display unit may be shown with different light intensities in order to adapt to the intensity of the ambient lighting. 
     
     
         24 . Device in accordance with  claim 20 ; characterised in that the visual display unit may additionally show information relating to the temperature of the barrel of the firearm. 
     
     
         25 . Device in accordance with  claim 24 ; characterised in that the temperature of the barrel of the firearm may be shown with a temperature value. 
     
     
         26 . Device in accordance with  claim 24 ; characterised in that the temperature of the barrel of the firearm may be shown indirectly by means of the manner in which the value of the partial counter is shown. 
     
     
         27 . Firearm which incorporates a device for counting in accordance with  claim 1 .