Back-up electric power generator for electronic components attached to automatic firearms

• US 7,525,203 B1
• Filed: 08/10/2006
• Issued: 04/28/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/11/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ballisto, LLC
• Original Assignee: Ballisto, LLC
• Inventors: Racho, Jeffrey
• Primary Examiner(s): Ponomarenko; Nicholas
• Assistant Examiner(s): Cuevas; Pedro J
• Application Number:
  US11/502,240
• Publication Number:
  US 20090108589A1
• Time in Patent Office: 992 Days
• Field of Search: 290/1.R, 362/192, 310/12, 310/17, 310/30
• US Class Current: 290/1.00R
• CPC Class Codes: F21L 13/00 Electric lighting devices with built-in electric generators with solar cells F21L4/00
• CPC Class Codes: F21L 13/08 by reciprocating pusher actuated by hand
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 35/02 with moving magnets and stationary coil systems
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 7/1876 with reciprocating, linearly oscillating or vibrating parts

Abstract

A firearm improvement taking the form of a mechanical dynamo installed in an automatic firearm. Several components either replace certain parts of the firearm or are added to the firearm. In conjunction with the operation of the firearm, the components generate electric energy which is then stored in a capacitor, battery, or other element for the storage of electric energy, or supply power to a battery recharging unit attached to the firearm. The electric energy contained in the storage component, or used to recharge the batteries placed in the recharging unit, may be used at a later time as a back-up power supply for electronic components attached to or incorporated into the firearm, such as red-dot or reflex sights, laser sighting equipment, or night vision equipment.

Claims

1. A device for generating and storing electric power and attached to or made a part of a weapon comprised of a plurality of components, the device comprising:

a magnet generating a magnetic field, the magnet installed in or on a first component of the weapon;

a conductor assembly comprising a plurality of loops of electrically conductive wire, the conductor assembly installed in or on a second component of the weapon, wherein the first and second components are configured to move relative to each other;

a firing chamber to generate a fluid pressure to drive movement of the first and second components relative to each other such that an electromotive force is generated;

a rectifier or diode attached to the conductor assembly by a first set of electrically conductive wires; and

an electric power storage unit attached to the rectifier or diode by a second set of electrically conductive wires.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the weapon is selected from the group consisting of a rifle, a semiautomatic rifle, an automatic rifle, a pistol and a firearm.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the movable first component of the weapon is either the piston of the weapon or the push rod of the weapon.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the second component of the weapon is the guide tube for the push rod of the weapon.

5. The device of claim 2, wherein the first component of the weapon is either the piston of the weapon or the push rod of the weapon.

6. The device of claim 2, wherein the second component of the weapon is the guide tube for the push rod of the weapon.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the electric power storage unit is selected from the group consisting of a battery capacitor and a recharging station for rechargeable batteries.

8. The device of claim 2, wherein the electric power storage unit is selected from the group consisting of a battery, capacitor and a recharging station for rechargeable batteries.

9. The device of claim 1, further comprising a switching device, the switching device attached to the electric power storage unit by a third set of electrically conductive wires, the switching device providing an electric current from the electric power storage unit to one or more electronic devices attached to the weapon when the switching device is activated by the operator of the weapon.

10. The device of claim 9, further comprising a power rail unit, the power rail unit attached to the switching device by a fourth set of electrically conductive wires, the power rail unit providing a point at which the electric energy stored in the electric power storage unit is distributed to the one or more electronic devices attached to the weapon using electrical points of contact between the power rail unit and the one or more electronic devices attached to the weapon.

11. The device of claim 2, further comprising a switching device, the switching device attached to the electric power storage unit by a third set of electrically conductive wires, the switching device providing an electric current from the electric power storage unit to one or more electronic devices attached to the weapon when the switching device is activated by the operator of the weapon.

12. The device of claim 11, further comprising a power rail unit, the power rail unit attached to the switching device by a fourth set of electrically conductive wires, the power rail unit providing a point at which the electric energy stored in the electric power storage unit is distributed to the one or more electronic devices attached to the weapon using electrical points of contact between the power rail unit and the one or more electronic devices attached to the weapon.

13. A rifle comprising:

a buffer body that includes a magnet generating a magnetic field, the magnet installed in the buffer body of the rifle;

a buffer tube that includes a conductor assembly having a plurality of loops of electrically conductive wire configured in or on the buffer tube so that the buffer body moves through the plurality of loops of electrically conductive wire;

a firing chamber to generate a fluid pressure to drive movement of the buffer body through the plurality of loops of electrically conductive wire;

a rectifier or diode attached to the conductor assembly by a first set of electrically conductive wires; and

an electric power storage unit attached to the rectifier or diode by a second set of electrically conductive wires.

14. The device of claim 13, wherein the electric power storage unit is selected from the group consisting of a battery, capacitor and a recharging station for rechargeable batteries.

15. The device of claim 13, further comprising a switching device, the switching device attached to the electric power storage unit by a third set of electrically conductive wires, the switching device providing, an electric current from the electric power storage unit to one or more electronic devices attached to the rifle when the switching device is activated by the operator of the rifle.

16. The device of claim 15, further comprising a power rail unit, the power rail unit attached to the switching device by a fourth set of electrically conductive wires, the power rail unit providing a point at which the electric energy stored in the electric power storage unit is distributed to the one or more electronic devices attached to the rifle using electrical points of contact between the power rail unit and the plurality of electronic devices attached to the rifle.

17. A weapon able to generate and store electric power when the weapon is operated, the weapon comprising:

first and second components;

a magnet generating a magnetic field, the magnet installed in or on the first component of the weapon;

a conductor assembly comprising a plurality of loops of electrically conductive wire, the conductor assembly installed in or on the second component of the weapon, wherein the first and second components are configured to move relative to each other;

a firing chamber to generate a fluid pressure to drive movement of the first and second components relative to each other such that an electromotive force is generated;

a rectifier or diode attached to the conductor assembly by a first set of electrically conductive wires; and

an electric power storage unit attached to the rectifier or diode by a second set of electrically conductive wires.

18. The weapon of claim 17, wherein the weapon is selected from the group consisting of a rifle, a semiautomatic rifle, an automatic rifle, a pistol and a firearm.

19. The weapon of claim 17, wherein the electric power storage unit is selected from the group consisting of a battery, capacitor and a recharging station for rechargeable batteries.

20. The weapon of claim 17, further comprising a switching device, the switching device attached to the electric power storage unit by a third set of electrically conductive wires, the switching device providing an electric current from the electric power storage unit to one or more electronic devices attached to the weapon when the switching device is activated by the operator of the weapon.