FR2653870A1 - Improved armament system fitted with a shock-absorption device - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an armament system, of the type known per se, comprising an armament tube (78) and a fixed reference (80), the armament tube being guided in sliding with respect to the fixed reference and at least one shock-absorption device functionally interposed between the armament tube and the fixed reference, characterised in that the shock-absorption device (A) comprises at least one deformable structure designed to absorb at least a significant proportion of the mechanical recoil energy of the armament tube during the ejection of a projectile or missile, by converting this mechanical energy at least partly into heat energy.

Description

 The present invention relates to a weapon system. It finds particular application to weapon systems for shoulder shooting, in particular but not exclusively an anti-tank weapon system. It can also find application in the field of artillery or light infantry weapons.

 The present invention aims to provide a weapon system designed to limit the force caused by the ejection of a projectile or missile from a weapon system, whether it is closed or open mortar.

 The purpose of the present invention is in particular to improve the systems described in document FR-A-2625800, as well as the systems described in the French patent application filed on March 17, 1989 under the number "89 03 561.

 These two documents will usefully be referred to for a good understanding of the present invention.

 The content of these two previous documents should moreover be considered as integrated into the present description, by the reference which is made to them here.

 It will be recalled that the document FR-A-2625800 describes, inter alia, a long gun for use as a rocket launcher comprising at least one weapon tube, a barrel equipped with means forming a stock and a handle and means for controlling fire, as well as means of longitudinal elastic biasing of the weapon tube towards the front, interposed between the weapon tube and the barrel. According to document FR-A-2625800, the elastic biasing means mainly comprise a helical spring.

 Furthermore, French patent application No. 89 03 561 describes a weapon system comprising a weapon tube and a fixed reference, the weapon tube being guided in sliding with respect to the fixed reference and at least one device for damping inserted between the weapon tube and the fixed reference According to this patent application, provision is preferably made for several damping stages mounted in cascade, advantageously each damping stage comprises several damping cylinders.

 The aforementioned aims are achieved according to the present invention by means of a weapon system of the type known per se comprising a weapon tube and a fixed reference, which may be a shoulder pad or handles for a shoulder shot, or a mount in other cases, the weapon tube being guided in sliding with respect to the fixed reference and at least one damping device functionally interposed between the weapon tube and the fixed reference, characterized according to the invention in that the damping device comprises at least one deformable structure designed to absorb at least a significant part of the mechanical energy of recoil from the weapon tube during the ejection of a projectile or missile, by transforming this mechanical energy at least partly in heat energy.

 The Applicant has determined that the damping devices meeting the above definition make it possible to limit the force caused by the ejection of a projectile or missile, to reduce the mechanical energy transmitted to the fixed reference and to '' delay its application much more effectively than a simple coil spring.

 Other characteristics, aims and advantages of the present invention will appear on reading the detailed description which follows and with reference to the appended drawings given by way of nonlimiting examples and in which - FIG. 1 schematically represents a first variant of embodiment of a damping device according to the present invention, - Figure 2 schematically shows a second alternative embodiment of a damping device according to the present invention, - Figure 3 schematically shows two other alternative embodiments of 'a damping device according to the present invention, respectively in half-view from below and half-view from above, - Figures 4 and 5 show a fifth and a sixth alternative embodiment of a damping device according to the present invention, - Figure 6 shows a seventh multi-stage alternative embodiment of a device tif damping according to the present invention, - Figures 6a, 6b and 6c show a first embodiment of different stages of this device, - Figures 6d, 6e, 6f show a second embodiment of different stages of this device, - Figures 7, 8, 9, 10 show four other embodiments of a damping device according to the present invention, - Figures I la and I lb show respectively, in perspective and in side view, a another embodiment of a damping device according to the present invention, FIGS. 12a and 12b respectively represent, in perspective and in side view, another embodiment of a damping device according to the present invention, - Figure 13 shows another embodiment of a damping device according to the present invention, - Figures 13a, 13b show two variants of an element i Integrated into this latter embodiment, - Figures 14, 15, 16 and 17 show four other alternative embodiments of a damping device according to the present invention.

 The various embodiments of the damping devices illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 17 will be described successively.

According to the embodiment shown in Figure 1 the damping device A according to the present invention, intended to be interposed between a weapon tube and a fixed reference, is formed of different deformable elements, tubular, cylindrical of revolution and concentric 2, 4, 6, 8, 10. More specifically, the damping device
A is composed of different stages 12, 14, 16 juxtaposed axially, each comprising different concentric tubular deformable elements 2 to 10. According to FIG. 1, the different concentric elements 2 to 10 are adjacent. The axis 18 should preferably be parallel to the axis of the projectile or missile, in the weapon tube. In the case of a single shock absorber, its axis 18 will be coaxial with the axis of the projectile or missile in the weapon tube. In the case of a system comprising several shock absorbers, their axis of symmetry will preferably be coaxial with the axis of the projectile or missile.

Device A is designed to transform the mechanical energy of the weapon tube recoil into heat energy during the ejection of the projectile or missile.

 The embodiment shown in Figure 2 differs from that shown in Figure 1 in that the different elements 22, 24, 26 of each stage 28, 30, 32 are of square section and no longer cylindrical.

 Of course, the number of elements 2 to 10, 22 to 26 in each stage, and the number of stages 12 to 16, 28 to 32 is not limited to the embodiment shown.

 There is shown schematically in the lower half-view of FIG. 3 an embodiment in which the different tubular elements 2 to 10, or 22 to 26, of cylindrical geometry of revolution or of square section, are no longer adjacent but separated by two two by an air gap, referenced 34, 36, 38 in FIG. 3.

 There is shown schematically in the upper half-view of FIG. 3 an embodiment in which the different tubular elements 2 to 10 or 22 to 26, of cylindrical geometry of revolution or of square section have different axial lengths. Thus the different elements intervene not simultaneously but successively. This arrangement allows progressive amortization. According to the upper half-view of FIG. 3, the elements 2 to 8 are separated by an air space 40, 42, 44. It is also possible to provide for the adjacent elements 2 to 10 and 22 to 26 shown in the figures 1 and 2, different axial lengths.

 FIG. 4 shows a variant in which the various elements 2 to 10 or 22 to 26 mentioned above are not separated by an air knife but by a sinterable or pulverulent material 45 such as sand, a resin, a mixture of sand and resin used as a binder, or equivalent material. This arrangement makes it possible to reinforce the rigidity of the device.

 FIG. 5 shows a variant according to which the elements 2 to 10 or 22 to 24 are, seen in longitudinal section, of wavy outline. That is to say that, seen in longitudinal section, the elements 2 to 10, 22 to 26 are of substantially sinusoidal geometry or equivalent. This corrugated wall arrangement applies to the embodiments shown in Figures I to 4 above. They also apply to the embodiments shown in FIGS. 7 to 10 which will be described later.

 FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of the damping device A composed of different stages 46, 48, 50, 52 juxtaposed axially. The axis of the device is referenced 54. Each stage comprises a unitary structure of the honeycomb type.

 Preferably the different stages 46, 48, 50, 52 are more precisely formed of honeycomb type structure having different cell sections from one stage to another.

 Thus, we see in FIG. 6b the stage 48 having sections of intermediate cells between the cell sections of the adjacent stages 46 and 50.

 The law of variation of the sections of cells can respond to a large number of variants.

 According to the representation of FIGS. 6a to 6c the cells of the honeycomb structure are oriented longitudinally, that is to say parallel to the axis 54. On the other hand, according to the variant embodiment shown in FIG. 6d to 6f, the cells of the honeycomb structure are oriented transversely, that is to say perpendicular to the axis 54. Here again, as shown in FIGS. 6d to 6f, cells of variable cross section can be provided. one floor to another.

 Likewise, honeycomb structures formed from walls having variable thicknesses from one floor to another can be provided, where appropriate.

 According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the damping device A comprises a fabric wound in a spiral around the axis of the device.

 According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the damping device A comprises a tubular structure 52 centered on the axis 54 of the device and provided with a plurality of orifices 56 passing through or not oriented radially with respect to the axis 54.

 The embodiment shown in Figure 9 differs from that shown in Figure 8 by the fact that the orifices 56 are of hexagonal section and that they are distributed regularly in order to define a tubular structure of honeycomb type.

 FIG. 10 simply illustrates, compared to FIG. 9, the possibility of producing hexagonal bores 56 of different dimensions.

 The damping device A shown in FIGS. 1a, 11b is formed of a tubular mesh structure. More precisely, this device is composed of two series of wires 58, 60 wound in a spiral, in opposite directions according to a tubular envelope centered on the axis 62. The pitch of the various windings can be constant. I1 can vary for the same series of wires 58, 60, or from one series to another.

 The pitch, the section, the number, the nature of the wires, as well as the other parameters of the device represented in FIGS. 1a and 1b will be readily determined by those skilled in the art as a function of the damping characteristics required.

 According to the representation of FIGS. 1 a, 1 lb the different wires 58, 60 have the same section and the two series of wires wound in different directions comprise the same number of wires.

 The device shown in Figures 12a, 12b is formed of another tubular mesh structure. More precisely, this device is composed of two series of wires 64, 66 wound in a spiral in opposite directions according to a tubular casing centered on the axis 68. The first series of wires 64 is formed of wires of large section, while the second series of wires 66 is formed from wires of smaller cross-section. Furthermore, the second series of wires comprises a greater number of wires than the first series of wires. Preferably, the pitch of the threads is identical in the two serines.

 FIG. 13 shows an embodiment of a damping device A comprising on the one hand, a deformable honeycomb structure 70 on the other hand a rigid wedge structure 72. The deformable nest structure of bees 70 is formed by a unitary body delimited by a cylindrical external surface of revolution around the axis 74 and delimited by a frustoconical internal surface of revolution around the axis 74 and flared in the direction of the corner 72 to receive that -this.

The body 70 is housed in a ferrule 76.

 According to a first arrangement, the ferrule 76 and the associated body 70 are fixed to the weapon tube, while the wedge 72 is fixed to the fixed reference. According to a second, reverse arrangement, the ferrule 76 and the associated body 70 are fixed to the fixed reference, while the wedge 72 is fixed to the weapon barrel. Those skilled in the art will readily understand that during the retraction of the weapon tube caused by the ejection of a projectile or missile, the relative approximation of the wedge and of the body 70 creates an expanding radial deformation of the nest body d bees 70. The recoil force is thus transformed at least partially into a radial component with respect to the axis 74. This arrangement allows effective damping.

 The cells of the honeycomb structure can be oriented longitudinally, that is to say parallel to the axis 74 as shown in Figures 13a and 13b. The cells can be distributed on crowns centered on the axis 74, the different concentric crowns comprising the same number of cells, but the section of these increasing towards the outside of the body 70 as shown in FIG. 13a . The cells can also be distributed in regular, parallel rows, as shown in Figure 13b.

 The cells of the honeycomb structure 70 can also be oriented transversely, that is to say perpendicular to the axis 74.

 As a variant, provision may be made to replace the rigid wedge 72 with a structure of the honeycomb type delimited by a wedge envelope complementary to the internal bore of the body 70. In this case the two honeycomb structures will have preferably different rigidities.

 According to yet another variant, it is possible to envisage making the external body 70 shown in FIG. 13 in the form of a rigid one-piece body, and on the other hand producing the internal corner structure 72 using honeycombs.

 In FIG. 14, the weapon tube is represented schematically under the reference 78 and the fixed reference under the reference 80. It is in this case a long gun whose fixed reference 80 is equipped with means forming stock 82, handle means 84 and fire control means 86.

 The damping system A is interposed between the weapon tube 78 and the fixed reference 80. This device A comprises a main cylinder 88, two secondary cylinders 90, 92, and two deformable structures 94, 96, which can take the any of the embodiments shown in Figures 1 to 13 and previously described.

 The pistons 87, 91, 93 of the cylinders extend parallel to the axis 98 of the weapon system.

 According to the representation given in FIG. 14, but of course not limiting, the body of the main jack 88 is carried by the fixed reference 80. The same applies to the bodies of auxiliary jacks 90, 92.

 The piston 87 of the main cylinder 88 rests against an axial stop integral with the weapon tube 78. The variable volume chamber of the main cylinder 88 communicates with the homologous chambers of the auxiliary cylinders 90, 92. The latter are mounted head to tail. Their respective pistons 91, 93 rest against the deformable structures 94, 96 which themselves are supported on opposite axial stops integral with the fixed reference 80. The operation of the device shown in FIG. 14 is essentially the following. When a projectile or missile M is ejected from the weapon tube 78, the retraction of the latter relative to the fixed reference 80 induces a reduction in the chamber of the main cylinder 88, and consequently a corresponding expansion of the chambers of each of the two auxiliary cylinders 90, 92. Consequently, the pistons 91, 93 of the auxiliary cylinders 90, 92 are moved parallel to the axis 98 of the weapon system and deform the structures 94, 96 respectively. It will be noted that this arrangement represented in FIG. 14 makes it possible to generate movements in opposite directions which cancel each other out. This provides effective damping.

 Of course, the representation of the main cylinder 88 and of the auxiliary cylinders 90, 92 given in FIG. 14 is schematic. Preferably, these jacks are annular centered on the axis 98, or else several jacks are distributed equally around the axis 98.

 We find in FIG. 15 a weapon system comprising a weapon tube 78 receiving a missile M, and a fixed reference 80. According to FIG. 15, the damping device interposed between the weapon tube 78 and the fixed reference 80 comprises a cylinder 100 an expandable structure 106 and a deformable element 108 which can take any of the shapes shown in FIGS. 1 to 13. The piston rod 102 of the cylinder 100 extends parallel to the axis 98 of the system weapon. The chamber 104 of variable volume of the jack 100 communicates with the expandable structure 106.

The piston rod 102 rests against an axial stop integral with the weapon tube 78. Thus the chamber 104 of the jack 100 sees its volume decrease during the election of the missile or projectile M which on the contrary induces the expansion of the structure expandable 106. The latter can be formed for example of a balloon type structure of elastic material. The expandable structure 106 rests against, or is integrated into, the deformable structure 108. Thus the latter is deformed to transform the mechanical recoil energy at least partially into heat energy.

 Of course, again the representation of Figure 15 is schematic. The jack 100, the expandable structure 106 and the deformable element 108 are advantageously formed of annular means centered around the axis 98 of the weapon system, or else several of these elements are provided distributed around the axis 98.

 We find in the embodiment of Figure 16 a weapon tube 78, a fixed reference 80, a cylinder 100, an expandable structure 106 and a deformable structure 108 in accordance with the provisions described with reference to Figure 15. However, according to FIG. 16 the jack 100 is further equipped with a floating piston 110 downstream of the communication channel between the chamber 104 and the expandable element 106. The piston 110 thus defines a secondary chamber 112 in the jack 100. This secondary chamber 112 communicates with a second expandable structure 114, located at the stock of the weapon system as shown in FIG. 16. This arrangement makes it possible to increase the bearing surface on the user's shoulder in proportion to the In fact, the secondary chamber 112 also sees its volume reduced during the ejection of the missile or projectile M, which induces the expansion of the second expandable structure 114.

 FIG. 17 shows an alternative embodiment of FIG. 15 according to which the expandable structure 106 is oriented at rest in a generally radial direction relative to the axis 98 and is almost entirely inserted in the deformable structure 108. It will be noted that on Figures 15 and 17 there is shown in broken lines the volume that can expand the expandable structure 106 after expansion.

 Preferably, the deformable damping structures shown in FIGS. 1 to 13 and illustrated schematically in various variants of use in FIGS. 14 to 17 are made from aluminum, steel, plastic, or composite material .

 Several damping stages can be provided, as taught in principle in French patent application 89 03561. Furthermore, the damping device in accordance with the present invention can be fitted to single-shot or multi-shot weapon systems.

 According to yet another variant, the damping device can comprise hollow balls of aluminum, steel, plastic, composite material or equivalent.

 Of course, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments which have just been described but extends to any variant in accordance with its spirit.

Claims (34)

CLAIMS r  1. Weapon system of the type known per se comprising a weapon tube (78) and a fixed reference (80), the weapon tube being guided in sliding with respect to the fixed reference and at least one device for damping functionally interposed between the weapon tube and the fixed reference, characterized in that the damping device (A) comprises at least one deformable structure designed to absorb at least a significant part of the mechanical energy of the tube recoil weapon during the ejection of a projectile or missile, transforming this mechanical energy at least in part into heat energy.  2. weapon system according to claim 1, characterized in that the damping device (A) is formed from different deformable, tubular, concentric elements (2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 22, 24, 26 ).  3. weapon system according to claim 2, characterized in that the tubular elements (2, 4, 6, 8, 10) are cylindrical in revolution.  4. weapon system according to claim 2, characterized in that the tubular elements (22, 24, 26) are of square section.  5. weapon system according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the damping device (A) is composed of different stages (12, 14, 16) juxtaposed axially and each comprising different tubular deformable elements concentric.  6. weapon system according to one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the different elements (2 to 10, 22, 24, 26) are concentric.  7. weapon system according to one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the different tubular elements (2 to 10; 22 to 26) are separated in pairs by an air knife (34, 36, 38).  8. weapon system according to one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the different tubular elements (2 to 10; 22 to 26) are separated by a sinterable or pulverulent material (45) such as sand, and a resin, or a mixture of sand and resin.  9. weapon system according to one of claims 2 to 8, characterized in that the different tubular elements (2 to 10; 22 to 26) have different axial lengths.  10. Weapon system according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the damping device (A) comprises at least one corrugated wall in longitudinal section.  11. weapon system according to claim 1, characterized in that the damping device (A) comprises at least one structure of the honeycomb type.  12. Weapon system according to one of claims 1 or 11, characterized in that the damping device (A) is composed of different stages (46, 48, 50, 52) juxtaposed axially, each stage comprising a unitary structure of the honeycomb type.  13. weapon system according to claim 12, characterized in that the different stages (46, 48, 50, 52) are formed of honeycomb type structure having different cell sections from one stage to the other.  14. Weapon system according to one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that the cells of the honeycomb structure are oriented longitudinally.  15. weapon system according to one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that the cells of the honeycomb structure are oriented transversely.  16. Weapon system according to one of claims 11 to 15, characterized in that the honeycomb structures are formed of walls having varying thicknesses from one floor to another (46 to 52).  17. Weapon system according to claim 1, characterized in that the damping device (A) comprises a canvas wound in a spiral.  18. weapon system according to claim 1, characterized in that the damping device (A) comprises a tubular structure (52) provided with a plurality of orifices (56) oriented radially relative to the axis (54) of the device.  19. Weapon system according to claim 18, characterized in that the orifices (56) are of hexagonal section and that they are distributed regularly in order to define a tubular structure of the honeycomb type.  20. Weapon system according to claim 1, characterized in that the damping device (A) is formed of a tubular mesh structure.  21. weapon system according to claim 20, characterized in that the device is composed of two series of wires (58, 60) wound in a spiral, in opposite directions according to a tubular envelope.  22. Weapon system according to one of claims 20 or 21, characterized in that the pitch of the various windings is constant.  23. weapon system according to one of claims 20 or 21, characterized in that the damping device (A) is composed of two series of wires (64, 66) wound in a spiral in opposite directions in a tubular casing, a first series of wires (64) being formed of wires of large section, while the second series of wires (66) is formed of wires of smaller section.  24. weapon system according to claim 23, characterized in that the second series of son comprises a greater number of son than the first series of son.  25. weapon system according to claim 1, characterized in that the damping device (A) comprises on the one hand, a deformable honeycomb structure (70) on the other hand, a rigid structure in wedge (72), the deformable honeycomb structure (70) being formed of a unitary body delimited by a frustoconical internal surface of revolution around the axis (74) of the device and flared in the direction of the wedge (72) to receive it.  26. weapon system according to claim 25, characterized in that the cells of the honeycomb structure are oriented longitudinally.  27. weapon system according to one of claims 25 or 26, characterized in that the cells are distributed on crowns centered on the axis (74) of the device, the different concentric crowns comprising the same number of cells , but the section of these increasing towards the outside of the body (70).  28. Weapon system according to one of claims 25 or 26, characterized in that the cells are distributed in regular, parallel rows.  29. Weapon system according to claim 25, characterized in that the cells of the honeycomb structure (70) are oriented transversely.  30. Weapon system according to claim 1, characterized in that the damping system (A) comprises at least one main cylinder (88), two secondary cylinders (90, 92) and two deformable structures (94, 96 ), the pistons (87, 91, 93) of the cylinders extend parallel to the axis (98) of the weapon system, the variable volume chamber of the main cylinder (88) communicates with the homologous chambers of the secondary cylinders ( 90, 92) which are mounted head to tail and whose respective pistons (91, 93) rest against the deformable structures (94, 96) which themselves are supported on opposite axial stops.  31. Weapon system according to claim 1, characterized in that the damping device comprises a jack (100) which communicates with an expandable structure (106) resting on a deformable element (108).  32. Weapon system according to one of claims 30 or 31, characterized in that a jack (100) defines a chamber (112) which communicates with an expandable structure (114), located at the butt of the weapon system to increase the bearing surface on the user's shoulder in proportion to the recoil force generated.  33. Weapon system according to one of claims 1 to 32, characterized in that the deformable damping structures are made from aluminum, steel, plastic or composite material.  34. Weapon system according to claim 1, characterized in that the damping device comprises hollow balls.