Magnetohydrodynamic Sensor System

Abstract

A magnetohydrodynamic sensor system for testing or arming high speed projectiles by providing a high speed signal at the time of projectile exit from a firearm. The sensor unit generally includes a magnet, a first electrode, and a second electrode spaced apart from the first electrode. The first electrode and the second electrode detect an induced voltage caused by a conductive gas passing through a properly oriented magnetic field as the gas exits the barrel with a projectile. The sensor unit may be mounted on the barrel of a firearm, etc., may be mounted on the projectile, and/or motor of the projectile (e.g. rocket). When mounted on a projectile, the sensor unit or onboard electrical circuitry are preferably located at the rear end of the projectile to allow activation of the onboard electrical circuitry and/or sensor unit when substantially the entire projectile exits the barrel for added safety.

1 . A magnetohydrodynamic sensor unit adapted to be mounted to a muzzle end of a barrel that discharges a projectile, comprising:
 a base;   a magnet secured to said base;   a first electrode connected extending from said base, wherein said first electrode is electrically isolated from said magnet; and   a second electrode extending from said base, wherein said second electrode is electrically isolated from said magnet and wherein said second electrode is spaced apart from said first electrode;   wherein said first electrode and said second electrode detect an electrical signal generated by a conductive gas exited from a firearm barrel behind a projectile and traveling through a magnetic field of said magnet.   
     
     
         2 . The magnetohydrodynamic sensor unit of  claim 1 , wherein said first electrode and said second electrode are mounted perpendicular offset with respect to said firearm barrel. 
     
     
         3 . The magnetohydrodynamic sensor unit of  claim 1 , wherein said first electrode and said second electrode extend forwardly from a muzzle end of said firearm barrel. 
     
     
         4 . The magnetohydrodynamic sensor unit of  claim 1 , wherein said first electrode is substantially parallel to said second electrode. 
     
     
         5 . The magnetohydrodynamic sensor unit of  claim 1 , wherein said first electrode and said second electrode are comprised of an elongated structure to penetrate said conductive gases exiting a mounted to firearm barrel. 
     
     
         6 . The magnetohydrodynamic sensor unit of  claim 1 , including a high speed camera electrically connected to said first electrode and said second electrode for being triggered by said electrical signal. 
     
     
         7 . The magnetohydrodynamic sensor unit of  claim 1 , including a mount to secure said base to a muzzle end of said firearm barrel. 
     
     
         8 . The magnetohydrodynamic sensor unit of  claim 7 , wherein said mount includes a collar. 
     
     
         9 . A magnetohydrodynamic sensor system, comprising:
 a projectile adapted to be discharged from a firearm; and   at least one sensor unit connected to said projectile, wherein said sensor unit includes:
 a magnet; 
 a first electrode electrically isolated from said magnet; and 
 a second electrode electrically isolated from said magnet, wherein said second electrode is spaced apart from said first electrode; 
 wherein said first electrode and said second electrode detect an electrical signal generated by a conductive gas exited from a firearm barrel behind a projectile and traveling through a magnetic field of said magnet. 
   
     
     
         10 . The magnetohydrodynamic sensor system of  claim 9 , wherein said projectile includes onboard electrical circuitry connected to said at least one sensor unit to be triggered by said generated electrical signal. 
     
     
         11 . The magnetohydrodynamic sensor system of  claim 10 , wherein said onboard electrical circuitry includes an energy storage device. 
     
     
         12 . The magnetohydrodynamic sensor system of  claim 11 , wherein said energy storage device is comprised of an ultra-capacitor. 
     
     
         13 . The magnetohydrodynamic sensor system of  claim 10 , wherein said onboard electrical circuitry is comprised of a detonation circuitry. 
     
     
         14 . The magnetohydrodynamic sensor system of  claim 10 , wherein said onboard electrical circuitry is comprised of an arming circuitry. 
     
     
         15 . The magnetohydrodynamic sensor system of  claim 10 , wherein said onboard electrical circuitry is comprised of a guidance circuitry. 
     
     
         16 . The magnetohydrodynamic sensor system of  claim 9 , wherein sad sensor unit is mounted to a rear end of said projectile. 
     
     
         17 . The magnetohydrodynamic sensor system of  claim 9 , wherein said at least one sensor unit includes a plurality of sensor units. 
     
     
         18 . A magnetohydrodynamic sensor system, comprising:
 a firearm having a barrel;   a projectile discharged from said firearm through said barrel;   a conductive gas exited from said barrel behind said projectile, wherein said conductive gas exits said barrel in a radial manner perpendicular to a path of said projectile; and   at least one first sensor unit mounted to a muzzle end of said barrel, wherein said at least one first sensor unit includes a base, a magnet carried by said base, a first electrode extending from said base and electrically isolated from said magnet, and a second electrode extending from said base and electrically isolated from said magnet;   wherein said first electrode and said second electrode are spaced apart to receive a magnetic field of said magnet and said conductive gas between thereof;   wherein said at least one first sensor unit is external to said barrel;   wherein said first electrode and said second electrode of said at least one first sensor unit detect an electrical signal generated by said conductive gas traveling through a magnetic field of said magnet of said at least one first sensor unit.   
     
     
         19 . The magnetohydrodynamic sensor system of  claim 18 , including a high speed camera connected to said first electrode and said second electrode for being triggered by said electrical signal. 
     
     
         20 . The magnetohydrodynamic sensor system of  claim 18 , wherein said projectile includes onboard electrical circuitry and includes at least one second sensor unit mounted to said projectile for activating said onboard electrical circuitry, said at least one second sensor unit comprising:
 a magnet;   a first electrode electrically isolated from said magnet; and   a second electrode electrically isolated from said magnet, wherein said second electrode is spaced apart from said first electrode;   wherein said first electrode and said second electrode of said at least one second sensor unit detect an electrical signal generated by said conductive gas exited from said barrel behind said projectile and traveling through a magnetic field of said magnet of said at least one second sensor unit.