Method and apparatus for firing a projectile with a motive gas

Abstract

An assembly for selectively exposing a firing chamber to a motive gas is provided by using a solenoid valve to expose selected portions of a tubular sliding valve to a lower pressure control gas. The tubular sliding valve includes a through passage for transfer of the projectile from a breech to the firing chamber. An on board controller can dictate actuation of the solenoid valve in accordance with a remaining pressure of the motive gas and user input.

1 . An assembly for selectively exposing a firing chamber to a motive gas to propel a projectile from the firing chamber through a barrel, the assembly comprising:
 (a) a tubular sliding valve movable between a first position exposing the firing chamber to the motive gas and a second position blocking motive gas from passing to the firing chamber, the tubular sliding valve having a through passage extending from a rear end of the tubular sliding valve to a front end of the tubular sliding valve, the through passage sized to pass the projectile.   
     
     
         2 . The assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a motive gas reservoir retaining a volume of motive gas. 
     
     
         3 . The assembly of  claim 2 , further comprising a regulator fluidly connected to the motive gas reservoir to produce a volume of lower pressure control gas. 
     
     
         4 . The assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a bolt having a portion slideably disposed within the through passage to be movable between a firing position disposing the projectile in the firing chamber and a loading position spaced from the firing chamber. 
     
     
         5 . The assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the loading position of the bolt is longitudinally spaced from the tubular sliding valve. 
     
     
         6 . The assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the bolt and the tubular sliding valve at least partially define a balancing chamber, the balancing chamber being selectively fluidly connected to the motive gas. 
     
     
         7 . The assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a piston connected to the tubular sliding valve for movement with the tubular sliding valve, the piston having a first surface and a fluidly separated second surface, each of the first surface and the second surface selectively exposed to the control gas. 
     
     
         8 . A method of loading a projectile in a firing chamber of a gun, the method comprising:
 (a) passing a projectile along a through passage from a rear end of a tubular sliding valve to a front end of the tubular sliding in a closed position of the tubular sliding to at least partially dispose the projectile within the firing chamber, the tubular sliding valve in the closed position precluding passage of a motive gas to the firing chamber.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising moving the tubular sliding valve to permit passage of a motive gas to the firing chamber and discharge the projectile from the firing chamber. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising disposing a bolt at least partially within the through passage to preclude rearward movement of the projectile. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising exposing a balancing chamber partially defined by the rear end of the tubular sliding valve to the motive gas during firing of the gun. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising venting the motive gas from the balancing chamber. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein exposing the balancing chamber to the motive gas includes passing the motive gas from a motive gas reservoir to the balancing chamber. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein exposing the balancing chamber to the motive gas includes passing motive gas through a passage in the bolt. 
     
     
         15 . A bolt and valve assembly for a gun, comprising:
 (a) a tubular sliding valve movable between a closed first position and a second open position, the tubular sliding valve having a through passage sized to receive the projectile; and   (b) a bolt movable between a firing position and a loading position spaced from the tubular sliding valve, the bolt extending along substantially an entire length of the through passage in the firing position.   
     
     
         16 . The assembly of  claim 15 , further comprising a bolt housing partially defining a travel path of the bolt between the first position and the second position, the bolt housing having a primary slot and a secondary slot interconnected by transverse slot.