Patent ID: 6705194
Filing Date: 2004-03-16
Classification: F41A,F41B

Abstract:
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.