EP4675216A1

EP4675216A1 - A cooling system

Info

Publication number: EP4675216A1
Application number: EP25184764.6A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Batuhan Tekin
Original assignee: Tusas Turk Havacilik Ve Uzay Sanayii AS
Current assignee: Tusas Turk Havacilik Ve Uzay Sanayii AS
Priority date: 2024-07-04
Filing date: 2025-06-24
Publication date: 2026-01-07
Also published as: TR2024008634A2

Abstract

The present invention comprises a body (2), at least one launcher (3) located on the body (2) and used to attack the target, and more than one barrel (301) located on the launcher (3) and used to guide the ammunition to the target by firing the launcher (3), at least one tank (4) on the body (2) in which fluid (A) is stored, and at least one line (5) on the tank (4), one end of which is connected to the tank (4) and the other end to the launcher (3) and which allows the fluid (A) to be directed from the tank (4) to the launcher (3).

Description

The present invention relates to a cooling system for cooling launcher systems deployed on air, land and/or sea platforms.
The heating of the barrels of the shooting systems deployed on air, land and/or sea vehicles causes the pilot or systems to be unable to make the required shot at the required time. Especially the existing barrel systems in helicopters cause overheating of the barrel after a certain number of shots. Therefore, after a certain number of shots, the barrel is expected to cool down during operation. If this is not the case, irreversible damage to the barrel occurs. Due to the barrel heating problem in the launcher weapon system used in assault vehicles, there are waiting periods during firing, leading to a limitation in the number of shots fired. Due to the heating of the barrel in the launcher system, it is expected to cool down before the next shot. In the launcher system, if more shots are fired after the maximum number of shots are fired, the barrel overheats, causing the bullets to clog and melt in the barrel path.
In the patent document numbered GB702878A originating in Great Britain, which is included in the state of the art, a launcher barrel cooling system is mentioned. In the relevant document, the cooling process is mentioned to cool the heated barrel by providing air flow into the barrel with the help of a fan. In the said document, the use of fan, bar control and pump is mentioned.
The US patent document US2004094025A1 , which is included in the state of the art, mentions a cooling apparatus and system that is removably attached in order to provide cooling of the barrel that heats up due to the firing of the weapon. In the relevant document, it is mentioned that the removable apparatus consists of two parts and is form compatible with the barrel and that the barrel is cooled with the help of a fan.
The US patent document US4982648A , which is included in the state of the art, mentions a system for cooling a gun barrel with a rotary mechanism. The document mentions a cooling system that allows fluid to circulate over the barrel and feeds the barrel with cold fluid and provides an outlet line.
A cooling system developed with the present invention is intended to eliminate limitations such as waiting during firing and quantity of shots from launcher systems.
Another aim of the present invention is to cool the barrels of the launcher systems by spraying fluid (A) into the barrels after the launcher fires.
A cooling system as defined in the first claim and the dependent claims of the present invention for the achievement of the object of the present invention, comprising a body, which is an air, sea and/or land vehicle, and a launcher, which is at least one weapon used to attack the target and positioned on the body. The launcher has a plurality of barrels which are located on the launcher and which allow the ammunition to be directed to the target by firing the launcher. The barrels rotate together from a single center. There is at least one tank located on the body, in which fluid (A) is stored. There is at least one line in the form of a hollow pipe that transfers the fluid (A) from the tank to the weapon. The fluid (A) is preferably coolant.
A cooling system according to the invention comprises at least one pipe extending between the barrels, along the direction in which the barrels extend, and cooling the fluid (A) coming from the line by spraying it towards the barrels. The pipe is equidistant from the barrels and is located on the center of rotation of the barrels. There is at least one reservoir enclosing the barrels and the pipe, which allows the fluid (A) coming out of the pipe to accumulate, thereby cooling the barrels by means of the accumulated fluid (A) to a temperature that does not prevent the exit of the ammunition. The fluid (A) sprayed from the pipe against the barrels and flowing over the barrel is allowed to accumulate in the chamber. By moving the barrels, the fluid (A) is also allowed to contact the barrel surfaces, thus ensuring the continuity of cooling.
In one embodiment of the invention, a cooling system comprises a plurality of holes in a pipe, which are arranged in succession at user-specified intervals along the direction along which the pipe extends. Each successive group of holes is formed in the pipe so as to face at least one barrel. The holes allow the fluid (A) in the pipe to be sprayed towards the barrels, thus cooling the barrels.
In one embodiment of the invention, a cooling system comprises at least one fan for circulating the air in the chamber and/or circulating the air in the chamber. The fan cools the barrels heated by the firing of the launcher with air taken from outside the chamber into the chamber.
In one embodiment of the invention, a cooling system comprises at least one base surface, wherein the barrel has at least one base surface on which fluid (A) accumulates. There is at least one lateral surface extending from the base surface and encircling the barrels with the base surface and forming a substantially triangular cross-sectional area. There is a launcher which rotates to allow the fluid (A) to accumulate on the lateral surface instead of the base surface. The fluids (A) coming out of the pipe accumulate on the bottom surface of the chamber in the direction of gravity under the influence of gravity. As the thrower rotates and stops, the bottom surface can move to the lateral surface position and/or the lateral surface can move to the bottom surface position. The bottom surface is positioned almost perpendicular to the direction of gravity, allowing the fluid (A) to accumulate.
In one embodiment of the invention, a cooling system comprises a chamber having a partially triangular cross-sectional area, which is arranged to surround the barrels, and which is compatible with the aerodynamic flow of the aircraft.
In one embodiment of the invention, the cooling system comprises a vacuum line, one end of which is attached to the user-specified chamber surfaces and the other end of which is mounted on the tank, so as to allow the evacuation of the fluid (A) accumulated and heated in the chamber, thereby allowing the fluid (A) to be vacuumed and transferred into the tank.
In one embodiment of the invention, a cooling system comprises a reservoir which rotates with the rotation of the launcher about the axis along which the launcher extends, the fluid (A) striking the barrel and allowing cooling to continue.
In one embodiment of the invention, a cooling system comprises at least one control unit for transferring fluid (A) into the chamber and or collecting fluid (A), and at least one sensor in the chamber for measuring the temperature of the barrels and or the temperature of the fluid (A) and transmitting the information to the control unit. The sensor is used as a sensor providing temperature data.
In one embodiment of the invention, a cooling system is provided by a sensor which, after measuring the heating and/or temperature of the barrels, according to the barrel temperature, transfers fluid (A) from the tank on the receiver to the launcher by means of a line, and then the line is connected to the pipe through the line towards the launcher. Transfer of pressurized fluid (A) into the pipe, It includes a control unit that allows the barrels to be cooled by cooling the barrels by spraying water through the holes in the pipe, allowing the fluid (A) flowing over the barrel and / or pipe to accumulate in the chamber and the accumulated fluid (A) to be cooled by contacting the barrels with the rotary movement of the launcher, followed by the transmission of the temperature of the fluid (A) by the sensor, allowing the heated fluid (A) to be vacuumed and collected into the tank, thus cooling the barrels.
In one embodiment of the invention, a cooling system comprises a control unit that allows fluid (A) to be squirted into the chamber in response to data transmitted from a sensor when the barrel reaches a temperature predetermined by the user. Cooling control is provided by detecting the temperature with the sensor and transmitting the data to the control unit.
In one embodiment of the invention, a cooling system comprises a surface on the inner side of the reservoir which is inclined towards the vacuum line and which facilitates the flow of fluid (A) to the vacuum line. The base surface or lateral surface is inclined at a predetermined angle to allow fluid (A) to be conveyed towards the vacuum line.
In one embodiment of the invention, a cooling system comprises at least one coupling apparatus for coupling vacuum lines on a base surface and a lateral surface into a single line.
In one embodiment of the invention, a cooling system comprises at least one bearing for connecting the coupling apparatus with the chamber and preventing the vacuum line from twisting due to the rotary movement of the launcher.
In one embodiment of the invention, a cooling system comprises a tank for cooling the fluid (A) collected by a vacuum line, and conveying it back to the reservoir.
A cooling system for achieving the object of the present invention is shown in the accompanying figures;

Figure 1 -: Side view of the cooling system,
Figure 2 -: Perspective view of the cooling system.
Figure 3 -: Perspective view of the reservoir,
Figure 4 -: Perspective view of the line, vacuum line and coupling apparatus,
Figure 5 -: Schematic view of the method steps of the cooling system

The parts in the figures are numbered one by one and the corresponding numbers are given below.

1. Cooling system
2. Body
3. Launcher
301. Barrel
4. Tank
5. Line
6. Pipe
7. Reservoir
- 701. Base surface
- 702. Lateral surface
8. Hole
9. Fan
10. Vacuum line
11. Control unit
12. Sensor
13. Coupling apparatus
14. Bearing
A: Fluid
101. the sensor measuring the heating and or temperature of the barrels
102. transferring of fluid to the launcher
103. transferring of pressurized fluid into the pipe
104. cooling of barrels by spraying water
105. cooling by contacting the barrels with the rotary motion of the launcher
106. collecting the heated fluid into the tank by vacuuming

The cooling system (1), the body (2), at least one launcher (3) on the body (2) used to attack the target, and more than one barrel (301) located on the launcher (3), which is used to direct the ammunition to the target by firing the launcher (3), the body (2) comprises at least one tank (4) in which the fluid (A) is stored, and at least one line (5) on the tank (4), one end of which is connected to the tank (4) and the other end to the launcher (3) and which allows the fluid (A) to be directed from the tank (4) to the launcher (3).
The inventive cooling system (1) comprises at least one pipe (6) extending between the barrels (301) along the direction along which the barrels (301) extend, and with which the fluid from the line (5) cools the barrels (301) by being sprayed towards the barrels (301), at least one reservoir (7) enclosing the barrels (301) and allowing fluid (A) exiting the pipe (6) to accumulate therein, thereby allowing the barrels (301) to be continued to be cooled by means of the accumulated fluid to a temperature predetermined by the user. (Figure 1)
Positioned on the body (2) is the launcher (3), which allows the user to fire at the targets specified by the user. On the launcher (3) is the barrel (301), which is placed in the number specified by the manufacturer. The barrel (301) heats up due to the firing of the ammunition, and the heated barrel (301) is cooled by flowing fluid (A) through a line (5). At least one tank (4) is provided for storing the fluid (A).
The barrels (301) have a pipe (6) extending outwardly from the firing system of the launcher (3) and positioned equidistant from the barrels (301). The pipe (6) cools the fluid (A) from the tank (4) by spraying it towards the barrels (301). The barrel (301) and the pipe (6) are surrounded by a reservoir (7) which surrounds the barrel (301) and the pipe (6) from the outermost circumference and allows the fluid (A) to accumulate in it. The fluid (A) accumulated in the reservoir (7) does not leak out by rotation or other forces. Thanks to the reservoir (7), the accumulation of the fluid (A) coming from the pipe (6) and the continuity of the cooling process is ensured.
In one embodiment of the invention, the cooling system (1) comprises a plurality of holes (8) located on the pipe (6), which are arranged in succession at user-specified intervals along the direction along which the pipe (6) extends, which are opposite the barrels (301) and which allow fluid (A) to be transferred through the pipe (6) onto the barrel (301). The holes (8) allow the fluid (A) to be transferred directly over the barrel (301). By knowing the heated area of the barrel (301) in advance, the holes (8) can be specifically positioned on the tube (6) to ensure accurate and rapid cooling.
In one embodiment of the invention, the cooling system (1) comprises at least one fan (9) in the reservoir (7) for cooling the barrels (301), which are heated by the firing of the launcher (3), by circulation of air in the reservoir (7) and/or by air taken into the reservoir (7) from outside the reservoir (7). The fan (9) in the reservoir (7) provides an additional or main cooling element for the cooling of the barrels (301) by the fluid (A). The fan (9) cools the air inside the reservoir (7) or by taking air from outside the reservoir (7) into the reservoir (7).
In one embodiment of the invention, the cooling system (1) comprises a reservoir (7) having at least one base surface (701) on which the fluid (A) accumulates, at least one lateral surface (702) extending from the base surface (701) and enclosing the barrels (301) with the base surface (701) and forming a triangular cross-sectional area, and a launcher (3) which rotates to cause the fluid (A) to accumulate on the lateral surface (702) instead of the base surface (701). After the thrower (3) has completed its rotary movement or throwing, the fluid (A) is allowed to accumulate on the surface of the reservoir (7) which is almost perpendicular to gravity and is discharged. (Figure - 3)
In one embodiment of the invention, the cooling system (1) comprises a reservoir (7) having a triangular cross-sectional area, which is arranged to surround the barrels (301) and is compatible with the aerodynamic flow of the aircraft. Since the launcher (3) has at least three barrels, the chamber surrounding the barrels (301) has an almost triangular cross-sectional area. Due to its shape, the reservoir (7) on the aircraft will not disturb the aerodynamic flow.
In one embodiment of the invention, the cooling system (1) comprises a vacuum line (10), one end of which is attached to the surfaces of the reservoir (7) specified by the user and the other end of which is mounted on the tank (4) so as to allow the evacuation of the fluid (A) accumulated and heated in the reservoir (7), thereby allowing the fluid (A) to be vacuumed and transferred into the tank (4). The vacuum line is attached to the bottom surface (701) and the lateral surface (702) to evacuate the accumulated fluid (A). When the lateral surface (702) is in the position of the base surface (701), the evacuation process is easily realized. (Figure -2)
In one embodiment of the invention, the cooling system (1) comprises a reservoir (7) which rotates with the rotation of the launcher (3) about the axis about which the launcher (3) extends, allowing the fluid (A) to contact the barrel (301) almost completely. The fluid (A), which can continue the cooling process, accumulates in the reservoir (7), and the rotary movement of the reservoir (7) with the barrels allows the fluid (A) to hit the barrels and maintain the cooling process.
In one embodiment of the invention, the cooling system (1) comprises at least one control unit (11) for controlling the transfer of fluid (A) into the reservoir (7) and/or the collection of fluid (A), and at least one sensor (12) located in the reservoir (7), which measures the heating of the barrels (301) and/or the temperature of the fluid (A) and transmits the information to the control unit (11). Thanks to the sensor (12), cooling is carried out according to the state of heating of the barrels. Thanks to the data provided by the sensor (12), the control unit (11) manages the cooling process.
In one embodiment of the invention, the cooling system (1) comprises a control unit (11), which allows the steps

measuring of the temperature or heating of the barrels (301) by the sensor (12) (101),
- transferring the fluid (A) from the tank (4) located on the body (2) to the launcher by means of the line (5) according to the temperature of the barrel (301) (102),
- connecting the line (5) through the line (5) towards the launcher with the pipe (6) and transferring the pressurized fluid (A) into the pipe (6) (103),
- cooling of the barrels (301) by spraying water through the holes (8) in the pipe (6) (104),
- accumulating of the fluid (A) flowing through the barrel (301) or through the pipe (8) in the reservoir (7) and cooling of the barrels (301) by contacting the barrels (301) with the accumulated fluid (A) by rotary movement of the launcher (105),
- collecting the heated fluid (A) into the tank (4) by vacuuming the heated fluid (A) upon transmission of the temperature of the fluid (A) by the sensor (12) (106)
to be carried out, thereby ensuring the cooling of the barrels. Thanks to the control unit, cooling operations are carried out without user intervention. Through the control unit, the temperature of the barrels is under control (Figure - 5).

In one embodiment of the invention, the cooling system (1) comprises a control unit (11) for spraying the fluid (A) into the reservoir (7) upon transmission of data from the sensor (12) after the barrel (301) reaches a temperature predetermined by the user. Thanks to the control unit (11), the cooling of the barrels (301) is ensured and the ignition is prevented from sticking.
In one embodiment of the invention, the cooling system (1) comprises a base surface (701) and a lateral surface (702) located on the inner side of the reservoir (7), which facilitate the flow of fluid (A) to the vacuum line (10) and are inclined towards the vacuum line (10). The fluid (A) flows towards the vacuum line (10) thanks to the slope, and the fluid (A) is collected at the mouth of the vacuum line (10) and easily vacuumed.
In one embodiment of the invention, the cooling system (1) comprises at least one coupling apparatus (13) for assembling the vacuum lines (10) on the base surface (701) and the lateral surface (702) into a single structure. Thanks to the coupling apparatus (13), it is ensured that multiple vacuum lines (10) are combined in a single center and transmitted to the tank (4) for cooling with a single connection. (Figure - 4)
In one embodiment of the invention, the cooling system (1) comprises at least one bearing (14) for connecting the coupling apparatus (13) with the reservoir (7) and preventing the vacuum line (10) from being twisted due to the rotary movement of the ejector (3). The bearing (14) prevents torsion or entanglement of the connection providing the connection of the coupling apparatus.
In one embodiment of the invention, the cooling system (1) comprises a tank (4) for cooling the fluid (A) collected by the vacuum line (10) and for conveying it back to the reservoir (7). The fluid (A) heated in the reservoir (4) is cooled again by the tank (4) and reused.

Claims

A cooling system (1) comprising a body (2), at least one launcher (3) located on the body (2) and used to attack the target, multiple barrels (301) located on the launcher (3), which, when the launcher (3) is fired, guide the ammunition to the target, at least one tank (4) located on the body (2), in which fluid (A) can be stored, at least one line (5) located on the tank (4), connected at one end with the tank (4) and at the other end with the launcher (3) and allowing the fluid (A) to be directed from the tank (4) to the launcher (3) characterized by at least one pipe (6) located between the barrels (301) along the direction which the barrels (301) extend, with which the fluid coming from the line (5) cools the barrels (301) by being sprayed towards the barrels (301), at least one reservoir (7) encircling the barrels (301) and allowing the fluid (A) exiting the pipe (6) to accumulate in it, thereby allowing the barrels (301) to be cooled by means of the accumulated fluid to a temperature predetermined by the user.
A cooling system (1) according to claim 1, characterized by a plurality of holes (8) located on the pipe (6), arranged in sequence at user-specified intervals along the longitudinal direction of the pipe (6), opposite the barrels (301), and allowing fluid (A) to be transferred through the pipe (6) onto the barrels (301).
A cooling system (1) according to claim 3, characterized by at least one fan (9) in the reservoir (7) for cooling the barrels (301), heated by the firing of the launcher (3), by circulation of air in the reservoir (7) and/or by air taken into the reservoir (7) from outside the reservoir (7).
A cooling system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the reservoir (7) has at least one base surface (701) on which the fluid (A) accumulates, at least one lateral surface (702) extending from the base surface (701) and enclosing the barrels (301) with the base surface (701) and forming a triangular cross-sectional area, and a launcher (3) which rotates so that the fluid (A) accumulates on the lateral surface (702) instead of the base surface (701).
A cooling system (5) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the barrel (301) which is located so as to surround the barrels (7), has a triangular cross-sectional area and is compatible with the aerodynamic flow of the aircraft (1).
A cooling system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by a vacuum line (10), one end of which is attached to the surfaces of the reservoir (7) specified by the user and the other end of which is mounted on the tank (4) so as to evacuate the fluid (A) accumulated and heated in the reservoir (7), thereby allowing the fluid (A) to be vacuumed and transferred into the tank (4).
A cooling system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the reservoir (7) rotates with the rotation of the launcher (3) about the axis about which the launcher (3) extends and allows the fluid (A) to contact the barrel (301) almost completely.
A cooling system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by at least one control unit (11) for transferring fluid (A) into the reservoir (7) and/or controlling the collection of fluid (A), at least one sensor (12) located in the reservoir (7), which measures the heating of the barrels (301) and/or the temperature of the fluid (A) and transmits the information to the control unit (11).
A cooling system (1) according to claim 8, characterized by a control unit (11), which allows the steps
- measuring of the temperature or heating of the barrels (301) by the sensor (12) (101),

- transferring the fluid (A) from the tank (4) located on the body (2) to the launcher (3) by means of the line (5) according to the temperature of the barrel (301) (102),

- connecting the line (5) through the line (5) towards the launcher with the pipe (6) and transferring the pressurized fluid (A) into the pipe (6) (103),

- cooling of the barrels (301) by spraying water through the holes (8) in the pipe (6) (104),

- accumulating of the fluid (A) flowing through the barrel (301) or through the pipe (8) in the reservoir (7) and cooling of the barrels (301) by contacting the barrels (301) with the accumulated fluid (A) by rotary movement of the launcher (105),

- collecting the heated fluid (A) into the tank (4) by vacuuming the heated fluid (A) upon transmission of the temperature of the fluid (A) by the sensor (12) (106) to be carried out, thereby ensuring the cooling of the barrels.
A cooling system (1) according to claim 8 or claim 9, characterized by the control unit (11), which, when the barrel (301) reaches a temperature predetermined by the user, allows the fluid (A) to be sprayed into the reservoir (7) by means of data transmitted from the sensor (12).
A cooling system (1) according to any of claims 4 to 10, characterized in that a bottom surface (701) and a lateral surface (702) located on the inner side of the reservoir (7), which facilitate the flow of fluid (A) to the vacuum line (10) and are inclined towards the vacuum line (10).
A cooling system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by at least one coupling apparatus (13) for assembling the vacuum lines (10) on the base surface (701) and the lateral surface (702) into a single structure.
A cooling system (1) according to claim 12, characterized by at least one bearing (14) for connecting the coupling apparatus (13) with the reservoir (7) and preventing the vacuum line (10) from being twisted by the rotary movement of the launcher (301).
A cooling system (1) according to any of claims 8 to 13, characterized in that the tank (4) which cools the fluid (A) collected by the vacuum line (10), and delivers it back to the reservoir (7).