초록 ▼

A method for formation of slugs in a gun barrel and acceleration of these slugs up to the speed of 3 km/sec and more is suggested. A selected region of the barrel is filled by water or another liquid, mixture of liquids or slurry. The refrigerating media is supplied into a heat exchanger cooling the

A method for formation of slugs in a gun barrel and acceleration of these slugs up to the speed of 3 km/sec and more is suggested. A selected region of the barrel is filled by water or another liquid, mixture of liquids or slurry. The refrigerating media is supplied into a heat exchanger cooling the selected section of the barrel. The freezing conditions (rate of the heat removal, duration of cooling) assure desired cohesion of the slug and its adhesion to the barrel. When freezing is completed, the axial pressure is exerted on the internal edge of the slug. When the pressure exceeds the adhesion forces, the slug will move toward the open end with acceleration determined by the axial forces. If the exerted pressure force is not sufficient for the slug separation the expansion radial forces are applied to the barrel or the interface between the slug and the barrel is heated. After the separation the compressed media drives the slug toward the open end of the barrel. In the course of the motion the slug accelerates up to the maximal available velocity of the driving fluid. After exiting the barrel the slug impacts a target similarly to a striker or bullet. The impact conditions are determined by the slug velocity, dimensions, shape and structure and are selected to assure a desired material modification (penetration, fracturing, spallation, and plastic deformation). In the course of impact the slug is decomposed, melted and the generated liquid is removed from the impact zone.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An apparatus for forming a slug from fluid and for discharging the slug toward a target, comprising: a barrel having a first end, a second end and an inner surface a fluid delivery device, connected to said barrel, operable to deliver the fluid to a slug formation area of said barrel; a temp

1. An apparatus for forming a slug from fluid and for discharging the slug toward a target, comprising: a barrel having a first end, a second end and an inner surface a fluid delivery device, connected to said barrel, operable to deliver the fluid to a slug formation area of said barrel; a temperature control device operable to cool said slug formation area until a slug is formed from said fluid such that said slug is retained against said inner surface of said barrel by a predefined adhesion force therebetween; firing device operable to deliver pressure to a chamber portion of said barrel, said chamber portion being defined between said first end of said barrel and said formed slug, said pressure within said chamber portion having sufficient magnitude to exceed said predefined adhesion force and to expel the slug through said second end of said barrel at a predetermined velocity toward the target; and a linear translation device operable to move said temperature control device along said barrel to change the position of said slug formation area in said barrel. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fluid comprises one of: water, water-based slurry, and water having a plurality if particles suspended therein. 3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a first fire control device operable to automatically expel said slug at said predetermined velocity, comprising a sensing device that determines when said predefined adhesion force between the slug and said inner surface of said barrel is reached; and signal device connected to said firing device operable to issue a firing signal to activate said firing device when said sensing device determines that said predefined adhesion force is reached. 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said sensing device comprises: a current source; a pair of electrodes connected to said current source and positioned at said barrel such that the slug is formed therebetween; and resistance sensor operable to: measure electrical resistance between said electrodes, wherein a predetermined resistance value corresponds to said predefined adhesion force, and when said electrical resistance reaches said predetermined resistance value, activate said signal device. 5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a second fire control device operable to selectively determine said predetermined velocity by selecting a target predefined adhesion force for said temperature control device. 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said barrel comprises a cross section selected from a group of symmetric and non-symmetric geometric shapes. 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said firing device delivers said pressure through one of: electromagnetic field, gas pressure, fluid pressure, explosive force, and sudden mechanical impact. 8. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said second fire control device is further operable to control frequency of slug discharge by controlling speed of slug formation by said temperature control device. 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said temperature control device is further operable to control position and shape of the slug by selectively heating at least a portion of said slug formation area. 10. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a slot defined in said barrel outside of said slug formation area to prevent flow of the fluid in said barrel beyond said slot and to limit formation of the slug to said slug formation area.