A photo-electrically controlled gun which is said to fire bullets at high velocity by means of electromagnetic impulses or "explosions" instead of powder is disclosed in a patent awarded to Arthur A. Cole of Newark, N. J, says the New York "Times" The elec trio gun, it is said. may be operated so that the speed as well as the distance the bullet travels may be varied at will.
The gun comprises a barrel'or long tube mounted on a suitable base so that it can be aimed in any direction. On opposite sides and at spaced intervals along the length of the barrel are slots. Adjacent to these slots are electromagnetic coils. 3 A casing surrounds each slot. In each casing is a photo-electric ceil and an electric bulb, so that a beam of light from the bulb enters one slot, is projected across the barrel onto the photo-electric cell through the opposite slot. Electric eyes, electromagnets, bulbs and relays are hooked up in a simple electrical firing or control system.
To fire the gun, steel bullets are fed into the open end at the breech of the barrel and an electric switchtrigger is pulled. This energizes the breach magnet, which now magnetically attracts the bullet and pulls it past the first pair of slots. The bullet cuts off the beam of light falling on the opposite photoelectric cell. The next electromagnet goes into action, giving the bullet an extra push on its way through the barrel.
This process is repeated as the bullet successively passes the slots in the barrel, until it leaves the muzzle with the final velocity imparted to it by the sum of the magnetic kicks or "explosions" exerted by each magnet.
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