EP2531800B1 - Sealing ring and propellant charge magazine - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a sealing ring for the Liderung a propellant charge bearing of an automatic firearm for caseless ammunition against an end face of a firearm member according to the preamble of claim 1. Such a sealing ring is from the DE 10 2005 020 669 A1 known.

The sealing ring of DE 10 2005 020 669 A1 represents a classic so-called C-ring seal (named after the C-shaped cross-section of the seal ring). Through the ring opening, two opposing L-shaped profiles are formed (in cross-sectional view), whose legs facing each other form an annular sealing surface.

The US 3,354,780 describes a sealing ring for the lightening of a propellant charge of an automatic gun for caseless ammunition, in particular with respect to an end face of a firearm element, in particular a closure or a projectile bearing, wherein the sealing ring has an annular opening and a sealable to the end face of the firearm element sealing surface, wherein the sealing surface is an area around the ring opening of the sealing ring in the form of an externally adjoining the ring opening, conical shaped surface.

A conventional C-ring seal is loosely inserted into the provided for them step-shaped sealing ring seat, that is, there is a certain clearance between the sealing ring and sealing ring seat both in the axial and in the radial direction. At the moment of ignition of the propellant charge body, therefore, the C-ring seal may be thrown rearward toward the gun barrel bottom (shutter), whereby the propellant charge chamber can be sealed to the rear. The problem with these conventional C-ring seals, however, was that they reacted too slowly in view of the detonative nature of the new propellant charge bodies. Due to the inertia of the C-ring seal, the play between the propellant bottom and the bottom was not closed fast enough. Therefore, when the propellant charge body was ignited, very fast particles were blown between the annular sealing surface of the C-ring seal and the end surface of the impact pad. This circumstance caused the C-ring seals to become increasingly impervious to wear over time. The DE 10 2005 020 669 A1 proposes to solve this problem, the stage on the side facing away from the sealing surface molded sealing ring under mechanical bias in the lower portion of the cylindrical sealing ring seat to squeeze. In such a C-ring seal used, the separating gap in the axial direction between the annular sealing surface and the end face of the closure is released after the first pressurization. Due to the mechanical pretensioning of the sealing ring in its sealing ring seat, the sealing ring assumes a stable contact position with the end face of the closure after this first pressure loading. During the next next gas pressure change, there is no longer a large axial separating gap between the sealing ring and the closure. This is then given a good axial initial seal.

Although the subject matter of the DE 10 2005 020 669 A1 caused an improvement in the Liderung, so with this new Liderungsmethode a decreasing with time sealing effect was observed. This was manifested in a slight so-called blowing out, that is to say escape of propellant charge gases between the propellant charge bearing and the closure, in particular after longer firing sequences. The main reason for the diminishing sealing effect was seen in the contamination of the sealing surface, which also occurs in the new leaching method. The contamination of the sealing surface occurring despite the stable contact position of the sealing ring surface to the tuyere base was explained by the heating of the sealing ring after longer firing sequences and an associated bulging of the sealing ring surface to the outside. As a result, the contacting sealing surface would be reduced to the region immediately around the ring opening. This in turn would lead to an increased blowout and as a result to an increasing contamination of the sealing surface. This problem was considered even by experts to be unrecoverable because you should have to provide a concave recess of the sealing surface for preventive compensation of the heat-induced bulge of the sealing ring surface. However, this would have been counterproductive, because then in the still cold state of the sealing ring open to a propellant chamber gap between the sealing ring surface and gun turret would have originated, in which the propellant gases would have penetrated, including the combustion residues contained in them. This contamination of the sealing surface, which has already taken place in the cold state of the sealing ring, would mean that, despite the heat-related compensation of the concave indentation in the sealing ring surface, no lasting relief is possible.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to improve the Liderung a propellant charge bearing of a firearm for caseless ammunition against an end face of a firearm member.

Starting from the US 3,354,780 This object is achieved by a sealing ring according to claim 1 and by a propellant bearing according to claim 7.

Only by precision measurements of new and used sealing rings, the inventors have found that in the special geometry of a C-ring seal the situation described above is surprisingly exactly the opposite: The initially plane-parallel annular surface of the conventional seal ring undergoes due to the heating by one or more shots the firearm a concave indentation. In the resulting after heating gap between the sealing ring surface and gun turret then blow the propellant gases. The combustion residues contained in the propellant charge gases then accumulate on the sealing ring surface and reduce its sealing effect as a result.

Based on this new insight, the inventive concept has been devised that the sealing surface of the sealing ring has a first area around the ring opening of the sealing ring and a second area around the first area, the second area being set back from a tangential plane to the first area. In other words, in the case of a classic C-ring seal, the second area is convexly shaped, ie bulged or projecting, in relation to the plane-parallel alignment.

Due to the heat generated during firing the bulge of the second area is compensated in a short time, so that the sealing ring over the full second area without dirt can come plane-parallel to the face of the firearms element to rest. As could be proven by tests on a demonstrator, the use of the sealing rings according to the invention can achieve a sustainable, complete suppression of the blow-out.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first region of the sealing surface has the shape of a planar annular surface arranged around the annular opening of the sealing ring, and the second region has the shape of a conically shaped surface adjoining the annular surface externally. In this case, the planar annular surface is preferably set up, to be brought into contact plane-parallel at ambient temperature at the flat end face of the firearm element. Furthermore, in this case, the cone-shaped surface is preferably set up to be brought into contact with the planar end face of the firearm element in a plane-parallel manner after heating the sealing ring by one or more shots from the firearm.

Due to the shape of the first region of the sealing surface as a flat annular surface is achieved in an advantageous manner that a good sealing effect of the sealing ring can be achieved even at the beginning of a shot sequence, as long as the sealing ring is still below its elevated operating temperature. When the raised first region of the sealing surface then sinks downwards or inwards when the sealing ring warms up, the main sealing surface in the second region of the sealing surface comes into contact with the end face of the firearm element.

The quality of the eyelid depends on the size of the angle between the flat annular surface and the conical shaped surface of the sealing ring. This angle is preferably adapted to the deformation behavior of the sealing ring when heated, that the cone-shaped surface after heating of the sealing ring can be brought plane-parallel to the flat end face of the firearm member for conditioning. In other words, the size of the cone angle of the cone-shaped surface in the cold state of the sealing ring is chosen so that the cone angle is compensated by heating the sealing ring to 0 °, that is, the second region of the sealing surface plane-parallel to the flat end face of the firearm member Plant can be brought. To achieve this, the angle between the planar annular surface and the conically shaped surface of the sealing surface is in the range of 5 to 20 minutes of arc. More preferably, this angle is in the range of 10 to 15 minutes of arc, that is approximately at 0.2 °.

In order to achieve a good sealing effect of the sealing ring at the beginning of a shot sequence, the thickness of the circular ring of the flat annular surface of the sealing surface, ie the difference between the outer annulus radius and inner annulus radius, in the range of 0.5 mm to 2 mm. Particularly preferably, the thickness is in the range of 0.5 mm to 1 mm.

Regarding the sealing effect of the sealing ring as a whole over all operating temperatures considered, it has proven to be advantageous that the ratio of thickness of Circular ring of the flat annular surface to the length of the generatrix of the truncated cone of the cone-shaped surface is in the range of 1: 6 to 1: 4. A particularly good total sealing effect is achieved at a ratio of 1: 5.

The material from which the sealing ring is made preferably comprises a metal or a metal alloy. In particular, the use of high temperature steels is advantageous. It is emphasized that, in order to achieve its improved sealing effect, the sealing ring according to the invention does not require flexurally elastic sections and also no elastically prestressed sections. The increased sealing effect is achieved alone by the heating-related deformation of the sealing surface. However, it is of course not excluded that also elastic biases various sections of the sealing ring, as they are for. B. in the DE 10 2005 020 669 A1 described are used to supplement the inventive sealing concept.

Preferably, the sealing ring according to the invention is used in a propellant charge bearing for an automatic firearm for caseless ammunition. In this case, the propellant charge bearing one or more, preferably two, propellant charge chambers have, which are on the closure side and projektillagerseitig each provided with a sealing ring.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, such a propellant bearing comprises step-shaped sealing ring seats, in which the sealing rings, which are stepped on the side facing away from the sealing surface, are used to form a labyrinth seal. In this case, one or more, preferably six, springs are positioned in the sealing ring seats (preferably in recesses) which press the sealing rings against a stop engaging the lateral edge of the sealing rings. As a result, the clearance between the propellant charge storage bottom and the bottom of the impulse can be reduced (pressed) variably (depending on the rotational position of the propellant charge storage and depending on the thermal expansion state of the propellant charge storage) by spring force.

It is also conceivable that the contact pressure of this suspension can also be actively controlled. So z. B. the sealing ring are actively pressed directly before the ignition of the propellant charge body to the joint bottom.

Further advantageous embodiments and improvements of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred implementation examples of the invention. It should be noted that the invention also encompasses further embodiments that result from a combination of features that are listed separately in the patent claims and / or in the description and the figures.

The invention will be explained in more detail below on the basis of its advantageous embodiments with reference to the drawings.

Figur 1

eine erste, nicht-beanspruchte Ausführungsform,

Figur 2

eine zweite, erfindugsgemässe Ausführungsform des Dichtungsrings,

Figur 3a

eine Liderungssituation unter Einsatz eines Dichtungsrings gemäß der zweiten Ausführungsform im kalten Zustand,

Figur 3b

eine Liderungssituation unter Einsatz eines Dichtungsrings gemäß der zweiten Ausführungsform im erhitzten Zustand,

Figur 4

eine Liderungssituation mit einem Dichtungsring der zweiten Ausführungsform im Kontext mit einem Dichtringsitz eines Treibladungslagers,

Figur 5

eine Schnittzeichnung, welche den Einsatz der erfindungsgemäßen Dichtungsringe bzw. des erfindungsgemäßen Treibladungslagers in einer Schusswaffe für hülsenlose Munition darstellt, welche sich im Wesentlichen im Betriebszustand der Figur 7g befindet,

Figuren 6a und 6b

perspektivische Ansichten einer Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemäßen Treibladungslagers (ohne Dichtungsringe), und

Figuren 7a bis 7g

mehrere zeitlich aufeinander folgende Momentaufnahmen einer automatischen Schusswaffe für hülsenlose Munition, in welcher der erfindungsgemäße Dichtungsring und das erfindungsgemäße Treibladungslager in vorteilhafter Weise zum Einsatz gebracht werden können.

In the drawings, the same or similar reference numerals designate the same or similar parts. In the drawings show:

FIG. 1

a first, non-claimed embodiment,

FIG. 2

a second, erfindugsgemässe embodiment of the sealing ring,

FIG. 3a

an eyelid situation using a seal ring according to the second embodiment in the cold state,

FIG. 3b

an eyelid situation using a seal ring according to the second embodiment in the heated state,

FIG. 4

an eyelid situation with a sealing ring of the second embodiment in the context of a sealing ring seat of a propellant charge bearing,

FIG. 5

a sectional drawing illustrating the use of the sealing rings according to the invention or the propellant charge bearing according to the invention in a firearm for caseless ammunition, which substantially in the operating state of FIG. 7g is,

Figures 6a and 6b

perspective views of an embodiment of the propellant charge bearing according to the invention (without sealing rings), and

FIGS. 7a to 7g

a plurality of temporally successive snapshots of an automatic firearm for caseless ammunition, in which the sealing ring according to the invention and the propellant charge bearing according to the invention can be used in an advantageous manner for use.

With reference to the FIG. 1 The principle of a non-stressed sealing ring will now be explained.

FIG. 1 shows a sealing ring for Liderung, which can be used in particular in a firearm for caseless ammunition. The sealing ring 100 of FIG. 1 has a substantially C-shaped cross-section. The ring opening D will rotate radially symmetrically from the substantially L-shaped profile of the sealing ring 100. In the supervision of the FIG. 1 This results in circular, concentric structures.

A sealing surface is defined by the in FIG. 1 formed upwardly facing outside of a leg of the L-shaped profile. This sealing surface has a first region A1 around the ring opening D of the sealing ring 100. The sealing surface further comprises a second region A ₂ around the first region A ₁ . The first area A ₁ is thus surrounded or enclosed by the second area A ₂ . In this case, the second area A _{2 is set back} relative to a tangential plane T, which is placed on the first area A ₁ . This tangential plane T does not necessarily have to be the end face of a firearm element, ie a shutter or a projectile bearing. On the contrary, the tangential plane T is an arbitrary plane that is tangent to the surface of the first region A ₁ at any point. In this case, the first region can lie-at least partially-in a plane which is oriented perpendicular to the central axis of symmetry of the sealing ring 100 through the ring opening D. However, the first area A ₁ can also only one towards the ring center sloping down (in the FIG. 1 : sloping down) surface. This sloping region of the first region A ₁ can be convexly curved or linearly (funnel-shaped) can fall inwards. But it is just as well a mixture of these two aforementioned possibilities for the first area A ₁ possible. Such a mixture is exemplary in FIG. 1 shown. There goes in the first area A ₁ a flat annular surface to the ring center in a convex curved, sloping surface over. The lower inner edge of the ring opening D can be bevelled.

Outside the first area A ₁ , the second area A _{2 is} recessed. This means that the points of the area in the second area A ₂ behind (in FIG. 1 : below) fall back to the highest point of the first area A ₁ . The surface of the second region A ₂ is thus formed sloping or falling back outwards.

The above-described structure preferably has the sealing surface of the seal ring 100 in the non-firing state. This will allow the retarded orientation of the second area A ₂ to be gradually compensated by heating in the course of multi-shot delivery.

FIG. 2 shows a claimed embodiment of the sealing ring according to the invention according to claim 1. The first region A _{1 of} the sealing surface has the shape of a arranged around the ring opening D of the sealing ring 100 planar annular surface. This annular surface lies in a plane perpendicular to the axis of symmetry of the sealing ring 100 through the ring opening D. The upper annular hole edge, which lies in the plane of the flat annular surface, is preferably formed sharp-edged. This allows a better sealing ability of the sealing ring 100 in the cold state. The lower ring hole edge in turn may preferably be formed bevelled. The second region A _{2 of} the sealing surface has the shape of a conically shaped surface adjoining the annular surface A ₁ on the outside.

Because the first region A _{1 of} the sealing surface has the shape of a planar annular surface, this annular surface lies completely in the tangential plane T described above. The planar annular surface A1 forms the angle α with the cone-shaped surface A ₂ . This angle α, with which the second area A ₂ with respect to the tangential plane T and thus with respect to the plane Circular ring surface A ₁ is equal in magnitude to the cone angle α, ie with the slope angle of the cone-shaped surface A ₂ .

The FIG. 3a shows a Liderungssituation using a sealing ring 100 according to FIG. 2 in the cold state. In the cold state, ie at ambient temperature, the flat annular surface A _{1 is} set up to be brought plane-parallel to the flat end face S of a closure 77 or a projectile bearing 2 to the plant. FIG. 3a shows the sealing ring 100 in this state in this position, in which the planar annular surface A ₁ comes plane-parallel to the flat end face S for conditioning. In this situation, the shape of the first area A _{1 of} the sealing surface as a flat annular surface and the sharp edge or perpendicularity of the upper inner edge of the ring opening D is achieved in an advantageous manner that a good sealing effect of the sealing ring 100 already reached at the beginning of a shot sequence can be as long as the sealing ring 100 is still below its elevated operating temperature. The sealing function is therefore taken over in this phase mainly from the first region A ₁ to the ring opening D of the sealing ring 100.

FIG. 3b shows a Liderungssituation using the sealing ring 100 according to FIG. 2 in the heated state. As a result of the delivery of several shots, the sealing ring 100 has been heated to such an extent that the initially increased first area A _{1 of} the sealing surface has lowered downwards. As a result, now comes the originally cone-shaped rising second area A _{2 of} the sealing surface plane-parallel to the flat end face S of the shutter 77 or the projectile bearing 2 to the plant. In this state, now mainly the second area A _{2 of} the sealing surface takes over the Liderungsfunktion.

The size of the angle α between the flat annular surface A ₁ and the cone-shaped surface A ₂ or the cone angle α are in the FIGS. 1 to 3 greatly exaggerated for clarity. In reality, the corresponding angle α is so small that it is hardly noticeable to the naked eye. The size of the angle α for a sealing ring 100 for a caliber firearm is 10 to 20 mm in the range of 5 to 20 minutes of arc, preferably in the range of 10 to 15 minutes of arc.

FIG. 4 shows a Liderungssituation with a sealing ring 100 according to FIG. 2 in the context of a sealing ring seat 15 of a propellant charge bearing 4. The sealing ring seat 15 is stepped shaped. The steps of the sealing ring seat 15 are formed as a counterpart to the stepped formation of the sealing ring 100 on its side facing away from the sealing surface. Through this constellation, forming a plurality of alternately successive annular gaps and cylinder jacket-shaped gap a labyrinth seal, which seals the sealing ring 100 to the side, so radially. To increase the lateral sealing effect of the sealing ring 100, the concept of DE 10 2005 020 669 A1 be resorted to. In the sealing ring seat 15 recesses 18 for receiving springs 16 are provided. These springs 16 press the sealing ring 100 against a stop 17 which engages over the lateral edge of the sealing ring 100. As a result, the clearance between the propellant charge storage bottom and the bottom S can be reduced by spring force variably (depending on the rotational position of the propellant charge bearing 4 and depending on the thermal expansion state of the propellant charge bearing 4) to zero, that is to be pressed.

FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view illustrating the use of the sealing rings according to the invention 100 and the propellant charge bearing 4 of the invention in a firearm for caseless ammunition, which essentially in the operating state of FIG. 7g located. In this operating state, the shutter 77, a propellant charge chamber 5 of the propellant charge bearing 4, a projectile chamber 3 of the projectile bearing 2 and the weapon barrel 1 are exactly in alignment with each other. This means that the longitudinal axis of the projectile chamber 3 and the longitudinal axis of the propellant charge chamber 5 lies in the extension of the axis of the axis A of the weapon barrel 1. In this position, the projectile 6 is fired.

As in FIG. 5 can be seen, the inventive propellant charge bearing 4 between the end face S of the shutter 77 and the end face S of the projectile bearing 2 is arranged. Figures 6a and 6b show perspective views of an embodiment of the propellant charge bearing 4 according to the invention (for clarity, without the still to be used sealing rings 100). Clearly visible in the Figures 6a and 6b According to the preferred embodiment of the propellant charge bearing 4 according to the invention, the propellant charge bearing 4 comprises two propellant charge chambers 5, 50. At the front and at the rear end of each propellant charge chamber 5, 50 is in each case a sealing ring 100 according to the representation in FIG. 4 used. The entire propellant charge bearing 4 with its two propellant charge chambers 5, 50 thus has four sealing rings 100.

FIGS. 7a to 7g Finally, for explanation, several time-sequential snapshots of an automatic firearm for caseless ammunition, in which the sealing ring 100 according to the invention and the propellant charge bearing 4 according to the invention can be used in an advantageous manner for explanation.

Reference numeral 1 denotes a weapon barrel of a weapon system, preferably without automatic operation, with caseless ammunition and high firing order. The weapon system includes a preferably two chambers 3, 30 projectile projectile 2 for receiving located in a storage or loading space 11 projectiles 6. An insertion device 8 is used to move the positioned in the insertion position projectile 6 in the chamber 3 of the projectile bearing 2 (see FIGS. 7a to 7c ). In the loading space 11 is a plurality of stockpiled projectiles 6, by means of a (not shown) feeding into the insertion position for the next chamber, z. B. 30, can be brought.

The weapon system also includes a propellant charge bearing 4 with a number of chambers 5, 50, in each of which a propellant charge 7 can be introduced. Preferably, the number of chambers 5, 50 of the propellant charge bearing 4 coincides with the number of chambers 3, 30 of the projectile bearing 2. In the present example the Figures 5 . 6 and 7 Accordingly, the number of chambers 5, 50 of the propellant charge bearing 4 is equal to two. The loading of the propellant charge bearing 4 is ensured by a slide-in device 9. The stored in the loading space 12, stored propellant charges 7 are successively placed in the insertion position and the respective chamber (in FIGS. 7a to 7c : the chamber 5) of the propellant charge bearing 4 is supplied. Both the propellant charge bearing 4 and the projectile bearing 2 are designed as a pivot bearing, which preferably rotate in opposite directions. By the opposite rotation of propellant bearing 4 and projectile bearing 2 a high degree of smoothness of the weapon system can be achieved. The reason for the increased smoothness is the mutual compensation of any imbalance of the propellant charge bearing 4 and the projectile bearing 2 and the mutual compensation of bearing forces, which act on the rotary bearings of the propellant charge bearing 4 and the projectile bearing 2. Again Figure 7a can be seen, the propellant charge bearing 4 is rotatably mounted about the rotation axis Y and the projectile bearing 2 is rotatably mounted about the rotation axis X. The two axes X, Y are each arranged offset parallel to the axis of the axis A of the weapon barrel 1. The propellant bearing 4 and the projectile bearing 2 are between the rear end of Gun barrel 1 and the closure 77 arranged. The shutter 77 has a striker 777.

In the FIGS. 7a to 7c a first phase of the operating cycle of the weapon system is shown, in which the chamber 3 of the projectile bearing 2 is in a first position, namely a loading position. In this first position, the insertion device 8 for inserting a projectile 6 in this chamber 3 can be activated. Further, in this first position, the chamber 5 of the propellant charge bearing 4 in the loading position, in which a slide-in device 9 for inserting a propellant charge 7 in this chamber 5 can be activated. The FIGS. 7a to 7c show these two insertion processes for the projectile 6 and the propellant charge 7. In this case, the insertion device 8 for inserting the projectile 6 into the chamber 3 and the insertion device 9 for inserting the propellant charge 7 in the chamber 5 may be coupled together. Through this - preferably rigid - coupling between the two insertion devices 8, 9 can be achieved in a simple manner, a synchronous insertion of the projectile 6 and the propellant 7.

The FIGS. 7d and 7e show the transition from the first position to a second position, the firing position, as in the FIGS. 7f . 7g and FIG. 5 is shown. In the firing position, the chamber 3 of the projectile bearing 2 and the chamber 5 of the propellant charge bearing 4 are in alignment with the weapon barrel 1. The transition between the first position and the second position is due to the preferably opposite rotation of the projectile bearing 2 and the propellant charge bearing 4 to their respective Rotary axes X, Y reached.

In the firing position (see Fig. 7g and Fig. 5 ) close the end faces S of the projectile bearing 2 and the shutter 77 thanks to the two sealing rings 100 tightly with the propellant charge chamber 5 of the propellant charge bearing 4 from. This ensures optimum pressure development when the propellant charge 7 is ignited.

While in FIGS. 7d and 7e shown rotational phase of the projectile bearing 2 and the propellant charge bearing 4, the insertion devices 8, 9 are preferably not moved or at most from the maximum insertion position of FIG. 7c a small piece withdrawn to ensure an undisturbed rotation of the projectile bearing 2 and the propellant charge bearing 4.

In FIG. 7g and FIG. 5 the firing pin 777 is actuated in the firing position. The firing pin 777 strikes the propellant charge body 7 located in the chamber 5, possibly also a firing pad attached to the propellant charge 7. The propellant 7 then explodes in the chamber 5 of the propellant charge bearing 4 and accelerates that located in the chamber 3 projectile 6, which is accelerated by the gun barrel 1 towards the target.

Further cycle steps and operating situations of an automatic firearm for caseless ammunition described above can be achieved by the WO 2009/146809 A1 be removed.

With the aid of the sealing ring 100 according to the invention, a sustainable, complete sealing of a propellant charge bearing of a weapon for caseless ammunition over the entire operating temperature range can be achieved.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

100

sealing ring

A ₁

first area of the sealing surface (of sealing ring); plane annular surface

A ₂

second area of the sealing surface (of sealing ring); cone-shaped surface

D

Ring opening (in sealing ring)

T

Tangential plane (at the first area of the sealing surface)

α

Angle (between flat annular surface and cone-shaped surface)

1

barrel

2

projectile camp

3, 30

projectile chamber

4

Propellant storage

5, 50

Propellant charge chamber

6

projectile

7

propellant

8th

Stamp; Insertion device (projectile)

9

Stamp; Insertion device (propellant charge)

10

Auswerfdorn; Ejection device (propellant charge)

11

Loading space (projectiles)

12

Loading space (propellant charges)

13

Auswerfdorn; Ejecting device (projectiles)

15

Seal seat

16

feather

17

Overgrip, stop (for sealing ring)

18

Recess (in sealing ring seat, for spring)

77

shutter

777

firing pin

X

Rotation axis (projectile warehouse)

Y

Rotation axis (propellant charge bearing)

A

Soul Axis (weapon barrel)

Claims (8)

1. Sealing ring (100) for obturation of a propellant charge cartridge (4) of an automatic firearm for caseless ammunition, in particular relative to an end face (S) of a firearm element, in particular a breech (77) or a projectile cartridge (2), wherein the sealing ring (100) comprises an annular opening (D) and a sealing surface that can be brought into contact with the end face (S) of the firearm element, wherein the sealing surface comprises a first region (A1) around the annular opening (D) of the sealing ring (100) and a second region (A2) around the first region (A1), wherein the second region (A2) is set back (α) relative to a tangential plane (T) to the first region (A1), wherein the first region (A1) of the sealing surface is in the form of a planar annular surface around the annular opening (D) of the sealing ring (100), wherein the second region (A2) is in the form of a conically shaped surface externally adjoining the annular surface,
   wherein the magnitude of the cone angle (α) between the planar annular surface (A1) and the conically shaped surface (A2) in the cold state of the sealing ring (100) is selected such that the cone angle (α) is compensated to 0° by heating of the sealing ring (100), so that the conically shaped surface (A2) can be brought into plane parallel contact with the planar end face (S) following heating of the sealing ring (100) by one or more firings from the firearm.
2. Sealing ring (100) according to Claim 1, wherein the planar annular surface (A1) is arranged to be brought into plane parallel contact with the planar end face (S) at ambient temperature.
3. Sealing ring (100) according to Claim 1 or 2,
   wherein the magnitude of the cone angle (α) is in the range from 5 to 20 arc minutes, preferably in the range from 10 to 15 arc minutes.
4. Sealing ring (100) according to any one of Claims 1 to 3,
   wherein the thickness of the annulus of the planar annular surface (A1), i.e. the difference between the outer annulus radius and the inner annulus radius, is in the range from 0.5 mm to 2 mm, preferably in the range from 0.5 mm to 1 mm.
5. Sealing ring (100) according to Claim 4,
   wherein the ratio of the thickness of the annulus of the planar annular surface (A1) to the length of the generatrix of the conical frustum of the conically shaped surface (A2) is in the range from 1 : 6 to 1 : 4, preferably at 1 to 5.
6. Sealing ring (100) according to any one of Claims 1 to 5,
   wherein the material from which the sealing ring (100) is manufactured contains a metal or a metal alloy, in particular steel.
7. Propellant charge cartridge (4) for an automatic firearm for caseless ammunition, with at least one sealing ring (100) according to any one of Claims 1 to 6,
   wherein the propellant charge cartridge (4) comprises one or multiple, preferably two, propellant charge chambers (5, 50), which are each provided with a sealing ring (100) on the breech side and on the projectile cartridge side.
8. Propellant charge cartridge (4) according to Claim 7.
   comprising stepped sealing ring seats (15), into which the sealing rings (100), which are stepped on the side remote from the sealing surface, are inserted to form a labyrinth seal, wherein one or multiple, preferably six, springs (16) are positioned in the sealing ring seats (15), preferably in recesses (18), wherein the springs press the sealing rings (100) against a stop (17) overlapping the lateral edge of the sealing rings (100).

Images