Sep 1, 2026

US12723858 - Directed energy ignition of standard primers

Described herein are systems and methods for igniting ammunition via directed energy upon standard primers designed for mechanical or electrical ignition, wherein ignition is produced by methods originating from outside of the cartridge and without modification to the primer, cartridge, or ammunition wherein the cartridge can be fired using either the outlined methods of a directed energy pulse or a traditional mechanical or electrical method.

Assignee: MegaWatt Lasers, Inc.
Inventors: Benjamin M.W. Hart
Filing date: 2024-07-30

directedenergyignitionammunitionprimers

This patent describes a method for igniting ammunition by applying directed energy to standard percussion primers without any mechanical or electrical contact. The system allows for traditional ignition methods to be used alongside this innovative approach, enhancing versatility in ammunition firing.

Claim 1

1 . An improved method for percussion primer ignition comprising: applying at least one form of directed energy via at least one firing system to at least one percussion primer contained in at least one ammunition cartridge; wherein the at least one form of directed energy applied to the at least one percussion primer causes the at least one percussion primer in the at least one ammunition cartridge to ignite; and wherein no mechanical contact with the at least one percussion primer nor electrical contact with the at least one percussion primer occurs. applying at least one form of directed energy via at least one firing system to at least one percussion primer contained in at least one ammunition cartridge; wherein the at least one form of directed energy applied to the at least one percussion primer causes the at least one percussion primer in the at least one ammunition cartridge to ignite; and wherein no mechanical contact with the at least one percussion primer nor electrical contact with the at least one percussion primer occurs.

Google Patents

https://patents.google.com/patent/US12723858

USPTO PDF

https://image-ppubs.uspto.gov/dirsearch-public/print/downloadPdf/12723858