Patent•
Projectile firing device using liquified gas propellant
01 Nov 2002-
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors described a semi-automatic rifle with a super critical state in chamber by heating element to induce a phase change such that the liquid becomes a highly dense gas.
Abstract: Rifle (1) comprises barrel (2) and loading means (15) for introducing a projectile from magazine (7) into breech (4). The projectile is propelled by a compressed gas propellant initially stored as a liquid in canister (10). The liquid is heated to a super critical state in chamber (8) by heating element (12) to induce a phase change such that the liquid becomes a highly dense gas. The phase change from liquid to gas provides the energy required to expel the projectile at high velocity from rifle (1), regardless of the ambient temperature. The propellant is preferably CO2 which is heated to 31.06 °C. Rifle (1) produces minimal noise and no heat signature, making it suitable for military and stealth purposes. A pistol and launchers for grenades or mortar bombs are also disclosed. Another version can launch low earth orbit satellites or payloads.
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14 Jun 2016
TL;DR: Newness and distinctiveness is claimed in the features of ornamentation as shown inside the broken line circle in the accompanying representation as discussed by the authors, which is the basis for the representation presented in this paper.
Abstract: Newness and distinctiveness is claimed in the features of ornamentation as shown inside the broken line circle in the accompanying representation.
1,500 citations
Patent•
21 Apr 2011TL;DR: In this paper, a surgical instrument can comprise a channel configured to support a staple cartridge and, in addition, an anvil pivotable between open and closed positions relative to the channel.
Abstract: A surgical instrument can comprise a channel configured to support a staple cartridge and, in addition, an anvil pivotable between open and closed positions relative to the channel. The surgical instrument can further comprise a cutting member configured to incise tissue positioned captured between the staple cartridge and the anvil and, in addition, means for stopping the cutting member prior to a distal end datum, wherein the distal end datum can be defined by the distal-most staple cavity in the staple cartridge. In such embodiments, the incision within the tissue may not extend beyond the portion of the tissue that has been stapled.
1,498 citations
Patent•
20 Sep 2016TL;DR: In this article, an E-beam firing bar is used to drive staples on each side of the cut in a surgical severing and stapling instrument, which is suitable for laparoscopic and endoscopic clinical procedures, clamps tissue within an end effector of an elongate channel pivotally opposed by an anvil.
Abstract: A surgical severing and stapling instrument, suitable for laparoscopic and endoscopic clinical procedures, clamps tissue within an end effector of an elongate channel pivotally opposed by an anvil. An E-beam firing bar moves distally through the clamped end effector to sever tissue and to drive staples on each side of the cut. The E-beam firing bar affirmatively spaces the anvil from the elongate channel to assure properly formed closed staples, especially when an amount of tissue is clamped that is inadequate to space the end effector. In particular, an upper pin of the firing bar longitudinally moves through an anvil slot and a channel slot is captured between a lower cap and a middle pin of the firing bar to assure a minimum spacing. Forming the E-beam from a thickened distal portion and a thinned proximal strip enhances manufacturability and facilitates use in such articulating surgical instruments.
1,384 citations
Patent•
27 Oct 2008
TL;DR: In this paper, a handle assembly, a first endoscopic portion, a motor, and a first effector are described, and the first end effector is configured to perform a first stapling function.
Abstract: A surgical instrument including a handle assembly, a first endoscopic portion, a motor, and a first end effector is disclosed. The first endoscopic portion is selectively connectable to a distal portion of the handle assembly and defines a longitudinal axis. The first endoscopic portion includes a housing adjacent its proximal portion and includes an actuation member. The motor is disposed in mechanical cooperation with the housing of the first endoscopic portion and is operatively connected to the actuation member for moving the actuation member substantially along the longitudinal axis. The first end effector is selectively connectable to a distal portion of the first endoscopic portion and is configured to perform a first stapling function.
1,339 citations
Patent•
30 Jan 2007TL;DR: In this article, a surgical cutting and fastening instrument is described, which includes an end effector comprising an elongate channel, a clamping member pivotably connected to the channel, and a moveable cutting instrument for traversing the channel to cut an object clamped in the end-effector by the clamped member when the member is in a clamped position.
Abstract: A surgical cutting and fastening instrument is disclosed. According to various embodiments, the instrument includes an end effector comprising an elongate channel, a clamping member pivotably connected to the channel, and a moveable cutting instrument for traversing the channel to cut an object clamped in the end effector by the clamping member when the clamping member is in a clamped position. The instrument may also comprise a main drive shaft assembly for actuating the cutting instrument in the end effector, a gear drive train connected to the main drive shaft assembly, and a motor for actuating the gear drive train. The instrument may also includes a closure trigger and a firing trigger, separate from the closure trigger, for actuating the motor when the firing trigger is retracted. Also, the instrument may comprise a mechanical closure system connected to the closure trigger and to the clamping member for causing the clamping member to pivot to the clamped position when the closure trigger is retracted.
1,317 citations
References
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Patent•
29 Oct 1993
TL;DR: In this article, a CO 2 powered paint ball gun is provided operative to three times expand CO 2 gas as it is extracted from a container of liquid CO 2 and ducted to a position behind a paint ball disposed in the barrel of said gun.
Abstract: A CO 2 powered paint ball gun is provided operative to three times expand CO 2 gas as it is extracted from a container of liquid CO 2 and ducted to a position behind a paint ball disposed in the barrel of said gun. The gun includes three adjustments by which the velocity of the discharge of a paint ball from the barrel of the gun may be adjusted and includes a bolt action which is gas operated. Furthermore, the gun components may be readily disassembled for cleaning and/or repair and replacement and the initial expansion of CO 2 gas under pressure occurs in a passage passing through the hand grip of the gun in a manner such that the chilled first expanded CO 2 gas may be warmed by the heat of the user's hand grasping the hand grip.
104 citations
Patent•
23 Jun 1994
TL;DR: In this article, a compressed gas powered gun has a spring biased slider reciprocally moveable within the breech of the gun; the slider being released by a trigger from a cocked position to a firing position.
Abstract: A compressed gas powered gun having a spring biased slider reciprocally moveable within the breech of the gun; the slider being released by a trigger from a cocked position to a firing position. The slider includes a hammer provided with a roller having a beveled contact surface for engaging a vertically oriented valve stem to release compressed gas from a gas source into the barrel and breech of the gun for propelling a projectile and for recocking the slider, respectively. A gas control system includes an annular partition seal moveable with respect to the slider to create a partition between breech and barrel and a pair of gas release valves communicating respectively with barrel and breech to control pressure within the barrel and breech, hence controlling projectile velocity and recocking force. The valve stem is vertically oriented and perpendicular to the slider and is slightly offset from the longitudinal axis of the slider and operates to rotate the hammer roller to a new striking position to distribute wear on the hammer about the entire circumference of the roller. The position of the valve, being below the breech, helps to alleviate problems associated with liquid-gas mixtures commonly found in carbon dioxide powered guns.
94 citations
Patent•
24 Jun 1987
TL;DR: In this article, a fastener driving tool powered by internal combustion of an oxidizer/fuel mixture is presented, where a positive trigger-actuated cam system is configured to open a fuel valve to introduce a measured amount of gaseous fuel from a source thereof into the combustion chamber.
Abstract: A fastener driving tool powered by internal combustion of an oxidizer/fuel mixture. The tool body contains a cylinder (8) provided with a piston/driver assembly (16). The cylinder (8) is surrounded by and connected to a return air chamber (11). A combustion chamber (27), provided with an ignition device, is located at the upper end of the cylinder (8). A positive trigger-actuated cam system (97), upon actuation of the trigger (57), is configured to open a fuel valve to introduce a measured amount of gaseous fuel from a source thereof into the combustion chamber (27); to thereafter open an oxidizer valve to introduce a measured quantity of gaseous oxidizer from a source thereof into the combustion chamber (27); to next actuate the ignition device to combust the oxidizer/fuel mixture causing the piston/driver assembly (16) to drive a fastener and to fill the return air chamber (11) with air under pressure; and finally to actuate a pilot valve (64) operating an exhaust valve (32) eliminating products of combustion from the combustion chamber (27), enabling air from the return air chamber (11) to return the piston/driver assembly (16) to its normal position. The sources of gaseous fuel (79) and gaseous oxidizer (78) comprise canisters each replaceably mounted within the tool body.
51 citations
Patent•
18 Feb 1994
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors describe an ignitor that initiates combustion of liquid propellant in a gun by utilizing a heated catalyst onto which the liquid propellants is sprayed in a manner which mitigates the occurrence of undesirable combustion chamber oscillations.
Abstract: An ignitor initiates combustion of liquid propellant in a gun by utilizing a heated catalyst onto which the liquid propellant is sprayed in a manner which mitigates the occurrence of undesirable combustion chamber oscillations. The heater heats the catalyst sufficiently to provide the activation necessary to initiate combustion of the liquid propellant sprayed thereonto. Two embodiments of the ignitor and three alternative mountings thereof within the combustion chamber are disclosed. The ignitor may also be utilized to dispose of contaminated, excess, or waste liquid propellant in a safe, controlled, simple, and reliable manner.
23 citations
Patent•
24 Feb 1997
TL;DR: A portable ball pitching machine for projecting a ball uses a combusting gas to drive a piston which compresses air behind a ball and propels the ball through a barrel.
Abstract: A portable ball pitching machine for projecting a ball uses a combusting gas to drive a piston which compresses air behind a ball and propels the ball through a barrel. A combustible mixture of air and propane are introduced into a combustion chamber, and a ball is loaded against an air exit of a barrel housing. The gas is ignited in the combustion chamber, and the explosion drives a piston through a compression chamber and generates compressed air. The compressed air is directed through the barrel housing to the air exit and the ball, and the ball is propelled from the barrel. The azimuth and elevation position of the barrel are adjustable. The velocity of a projected ball is adjustable by adjusting a regulator which vents to the atmosphere a portion of the compressed air that would otherwise be directed against the ball.
18 citations