Patent ID: 8746120

Claim:
A device for accelerating a metal slug comprising: a cylindrical metal tube having an outer diameter and an inner diameter and a central channel; at least one conductive coil surrounding said metal tube; a metal slug disposed within said central channel; a conducting central electrode, having a centrally formed cavity; a conducting rod having at least one cavity including a propellant, wherein: a first portion of said conducting rod is attached to said metal slug at a connection point, a second portion of said conducting rod extends between said metal slug and said central electrode, and a third portion of said conducting rod extends within said cavity of said central electrode such that a space is formed between the end of said third portion and the back of said cavity within said central electrode; and an insulator disposed within said central channel and surrounding said conducting central electrode and said second portion of said conducting rod except at said connection point, wherein application of a current to said metal tube, said central electrode, and at least one conductive coil causes said conducting rod to break with resultant generation of a plasma which ignites said propellant, such that the energy from said propellant and electromagnetic forces accelerate said slug to speeds greater than are achievable by said propellant alone.