IL304480B2 - System for braking and recovering projectiles, provided with a collecting assembly - Google Patents

Description

WO 2022/162574 PCT/IB2022/050715 TITLE: "SYSTEM FOR BRAKING AND RECOVERING PROJECTILES, PROVIDED WITH A COLLECTING ASSEMBLY"* * * DESCRIPTIONTechnical fieldThe present invention relates to a system for braking and recovering projectiles.Technical backgroundSystems for braking and recovering projectiles, in particular for firearm testing purposes, are known in the art.With a first type of systems made in accordance with the prior art, naval and terrestrial guns are tested by firing at least one burst of shots at zero sight angle against a heap of sand or in the sea. Of such two different solutions, the burst against sand is at present the least pollutant one, because it allows for subsequent recovery of the shell fragments. In this case, the firing battery must be periodically cleared, sievering the ground for shell fragments, and restored with new sand.In a second type of systems made in accordance with the prior art, facilities are installed downstream of the firearm which exploit water as a physical means for braking and recovering the projectiles fired, for example, during a gun burst, thereby overcoming the problems related to the cost and time necessary for clearing the ground; moreover, water ensures projectile integrity, even during the bursts, so that the projectiles can be reused after having been appropriately reconditioned, particularly in the area of the forcing band. One example of a system made in accordance with such second type of prior art is described in patent publication GB 1,078,590. Said patent publication describes WO 2022/162574 PCT/IB2022/050715 a projectile-trapping chamber for a firing range comprising a water tank placed below the line of the floor of a tunnel of the firing range and, above the water tank, a ricochet layer of composite steel plates. The plates are inclined at such an angle that a projectile entering the chamber is deflected by the plates into the water tank. A collecting box having a wire basket therein is provided in the floor of the water tank such that projectiles lying in the tank may be pushed into the basket for emptying the tank. The chamber is further provided with a pump chamber having a sump, a water tank outlet pipe and a water tank overflow.However, even systems made in accordance with such second type of prior art suffer from a number of drawbacks, which should desirably be overcome.Summary of the inventionIt is one object of the present invention to provide an improved system for braking and recovering projectiles which can overcome the drawbacks of the prior art.In particular, the present invention solves the technical problem of not having to clear projectiles fired directly into the sea or having to clear projectiles fired in ground or sand after testing according to the prior art.According to the present invention, this and other objects are achieved through a system having the technical features set out in the appended independent claim.It is understood that the appended claims are an integral part of the technical teachings provided in the following detailed description of the present invention. In particular, the appended dependent claims define some preferred embodiments of the present invention that include some optional technical features.Further features and advantages of the present WO 2022/162574 PCT/IB2022/050715 invention will become apparent in light of the following detailed description, provided herein merely as a non- limiting example and referring, in particular, to the annexed drawings as summarized below.Brief description of the drawingsFigure 1 is a partially transparent perspective view of a system for braking and recovering projectiles made in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1, showing further details of the system shown in Figure 1.Figure 3 is a partial view of the system shown in the preceding figures, wherein the system is represented in a longitudinal section.Figure 4 is a magnified partial view of the above- mentioned system shown in Figure 3, which shows more clearly some optional construction details of a counter barrel assembly and a recycling apparatus included in such system.Figure 5 is a further magnified view of the system illustrated in Figure 4, which shows more clearly some optional construction details of the counter barrel assembly.Figure 6 is a block diagram schematically showing the operation of the counter barrel assembly and of the recycling apparatus shown in the preceding figures.For completeness' sake, the following is a list of the alphanumerical references used herein to identify parts, elements and components illustrated in the above-summarized drawings.10. System for braking and recovering projectiles12. Main structure14. Firing chamber WO 2022/162574 PCT/IB2022/050715 16. Braking and recovery tank18. Firearm20. Barrel22. Opening24. Counter barrel assembly26. Closure device28. Shutter30. Recycling apparatus32. Pipeline. Pumping device36. Collecting assembly38. Basket40. Passageway42. Pushing device44. Blade46. Rail48. Covering panel49. Lateral guides50. Air piping52. Tubes54. Filtering deviceLifting apparatus58. Overhead crane60. Tubular unit62. Protection wall64. Outer tubular member66. Inner tubular member68. Outflow portion70. Inflow portion71. Annular recess72. Lateral slot74. Annular channel WO 2022/162574 PCT/IB2022/050715 76. Lateral nozzles78. Buffer tank80. Level sensor82. Control unitDetailed description of the inventionWith reference to the annexed drawings, and particularly to Figures 1 and 2, numeral 10 designates as a whole a system for braking and recovering projectiles, which is made in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.System 10 comprises a main structure 12, e.g. a buried or underground structure. In main structure 12 there are a firing chamber 14 and a braking and recovery tank 16, adjacent to firing chamber 14Firing chamber 14 is intended for housing a firearm configured for firing a projectile P into braking and recovery tank 16.Firearm 18 is to be installed on the floor of firing chamber 14. Such firearm 18 may be of a type suitable for shooting bursts of projectiles into braking and recovery tank 16. In particular, firearm 18 is equipped with a barrel 20, through which a projectile P is directed and fired towards braking and recovery tank 16. For example, firearm may be an artillery gun (any vehicle-mounted terrestrial gun and/or any naval gun) of small to medium calibre.Braking and recovery tank 16 is configured for containing a liquid, in particular water, capable of braking projectile P coming from firing chamber 14 and fired by firearm 18. In particular, braking and recovery tank 16 lies substantially higher than the support plane of firearm 18 on the floor of firing chamber 14, and is installed in front of barrel 20. In the illustrated embodiment, braking and WO 2022/162574 PCT/IB2022/050715 recovery tank 16 is constructed as a closed tank or reservoir capable of containing the liquid that will be used braking projectile P. For example, braking and recovery tank 16 may have a length of approximately 20m to 30m, a width of approximately 2m and a depth of approximately 2m, and the projectiles are braked by the water contained therein. Generally, the resistance encountered in water by fired projectiles is about 1,000 times greater than the resistance encountered in air and, in the typical operating conditions of artillery guns, it has been estimated that they can stop in approximately 20m.Furthermore, with particular reference to Figure 3, braking and recovery tank 16 has an opening 22 placed in front of barrel 20 of firearm 18 and configured to allow projectile P to gain access thereto after the shot. For example, opening 22 is placed at approximately half the height of braking and recovery tank 16.System 10 comprises a counter barrel assembly 24 placed between firing chamber 14 and braking and recovery tank 16. Counter barrel assembly 24 is configured for receiving and guiding through itself projectile P fired by firearm 18, so as to cause projectile P to enter braking and recovery tank through it, in particular by crossing opening 22. Counter barrel assembly 24 is configured in a manner such that it can be aligned between opening 22 of braking and recovery tank 16 and barrel 20 of firearm 18. The position of counter barrel assembly 24 may be adjustable, e.g. height- adjustable, to align its axis with the axis of barrel 20 (in particular, when barrel 20 is arranged at zero sight angle or in a substantially horizontal position relative to the floor of firing chamber 14) and with the axis of opening 22. Advantageously, counter barrel assembly 24 also allows the WO 2022/162574 PCT/IB2022/050715 braking and recovery tank to withstand the blasts caused by the firing of the projectiles. Other features and the operation of counter barrel assembly 24 will be described in more detail below.System 10 comprises also a closure device 26 associated with opening 22. Closure device 26 is configured to selectively open opening 22 when firearm 18 fires projectile P. In this way, projectile (or the burst of projectiles) P fired by firearm 18 will enter braking and recovery tank through opening 22. Closure device 26 is placed between opening 22 and counter barrel assembly 24.Closure device 26 comprises a shutter 28 configured to selectively open and sealingly close opening 22 of braking and recovery tank 16. In particular, shutter 28 can take an opening position and a closing position. In the opening position, shutter 28 allows projectile P to gain access, through opening 22, to braking and recovery tank 16. In the closing position, shutter 28 sealingly closes opening 22. Shutter 28 may be a gate shutter, in particular it may be able to slidably translate against opening 22 between the opening position and the closing position.System 10 further comprises a recycling apparatus configured to induce a forced circulation of liquid, in particular water, through braking and recovery tank 16. In particular, recycling apparatus 30 allows the liquid to forcedly circulate in and out through the same opening 22. With particular reference to Figure 6, recycling apparatus comprises a pipeline 32 defining a closed path for the liquid contained in braking and recovery tank 16, and a pumping device 34 configured to induce the forced circulation through pipeline 32. Other features and the operation of recycling apparatus 30 will be described in more detail WO 2022/162574 PCT/IB2022/050715 below.Furthermore, with reference to Figure 3, system comprises a collecting assembly 36 placed in the braking and recovery tank 16. Collecting assembly 36 is configured for recovering the projectiles P which have been braked by the liquid contained in braking and recovery tank 16 and which have fallen to the bottom of braking and recovery tank 16.Collecting assembly 36 comprises a basket 38 configured for receiving and collecting projectiles P that have fallen to the bottom of braking and recovery tank 16. Basket 38 is normally in a collection position (represented in Figure 3), in which it can collect fallen projectiles P. Basket 38 can be moved - in particular, lifted - between said collection position and a pick-up position, in which it brings projectiles P into an accessible position, where they can be picked up by an operator. In the collection position, basket lies on the bottom of braking and recovery tank 16. In the pick-up position, basket 38 lies above the bottom of braking and recovery tank 16.In particular, in the pick-up position basket 38 is placed at an extraction passageway 40 (also visible in Figures 1 and 2) formed through a wall of braking and recovery tank 16. In particular, extraction passageway 40 is obtained through the top of braking and recovery tank 16. Through extraction passageway 40, projectiles P contained in and lifted by basket 38 can then be picked up by an operator; thus, such projectiles P can be recovered and disposed of in an environmentally friendly manner and/or recycled for further use, whether partially or in full. In the illustrated embodiment, extraction passageway 40 is provided with a reclosable door that allows an entrusted operator to gain access to and pick up projectiles P that have to be recovered WO 2022/162574 PCT/IB2022/050715 ­ פ ­ from braking and recovery tank 16 .Collecting assembly 36 further comprises a pushing device 42 configured for pushing towards basket projectiles P fired by firearm 18 and deposited on the bottom of braking and recovery tank 16. Pushing device 42 is placed inside - in particular, on the bottom of -braking and recovery tank 16.Pushing device 42 comprises a blade 44 configured to move, in particular in a guided manner, along an inner wall of braking and recovery tank 16, so as to push and bring projectiles P towards basket 38. In particular, blade 44 is configured to move along the bottom of braking and recovery tank 16. For example, blade 44 is movable in a reciprocating manner in a direction of movement X, towards or away from the portion of braking and recovery tank 16 in which basket is movable.In addition, pushing device 42 comprises one or more movement guides, e.g. one or more rails 46, whereon blade can move, e.g. slide, in a guided manner. Movement guides or rails 46 are formed in braking and recovery tank 16, in particular on the bottom of the latter.With particular reference to Figures 1 to 3, system further comprises a covering panel 48 configured for removably and reversibly closing the open top of firing chamber 14. Covering panel 48 is movably mounted on main structure 12. Also, covering panel 48 is mounted in a manner such that it can be raised with respect to main structure .Covering panel 48 is configured for sealingly closing the top of firing chamber 14, e.g. by means of a perimetric gasket (not numbered) placed on the face of covering panel and operatively facing towards main structure 12. The WO 2022/162574 PCT/IB2022/050715 gasket is configured to be compressed between covering panel and the top of main structure 12, so as to seal firing chamber 14.In Figures 1 and 3, covering panel 48 is shown in a closing position, wherein it has been lowered and closes the top of firing chamber 14, whereas in Figure 2 such covering panel 48 is in an opening position, wherein it has been raised to open the top of firing chamber 14. Covering panel is mounted on main structure 12 guidedly movable, in particular slidable, between the closing position and the opening position.Covering panel 48 can be moved in a longitudinal direction oriented from firing chamber 14 towards braking and recovery tank 16. In the closing position covering panel is lowered against main structure 12 above firing chamber 14, whereas in the opening position covering panel 48 is raised from main structure 12 and positioned above braking and recovery tank 16.In the illustrated embodiment there are a pair of lateral guides 49 (e.g. in the form of rails) on the top of main structure 12, whereon covering panel 48 is configured to slide between the two above-described operating positions by means of per se known mechanisms.Furthermore, covering panel 48 is made of sound- absorbent material; it is thus possible to deaden the noise generated by the firing of firearm 18 in firing chamber and perceivable from the outside environment.System 10 further comprises an air piping 50 configured to put firing chamber 14 in communication with the outside environment. In this way, the pressure generated in firing chamber 14 when firing firearm 18 can be vented outside. This also reduces the noise generated by firearm 18. In WO 2022/162574 PCT/IB2022/050715 addition, the powder and particles generated by the firing can be conveyed out of firing chamber 14.Air piping 50 comprises one or more tubes 52 allowing air to escape firing chamber 14 towards the outside environment. Each one of tubes 52 is connected with firing chamber 14 at one end and communicates with the outside environment at the other end.In particular, air piping 50 is equipped with a filtering device 54, e.g. one for each one of tubes 52, configured for filtering the air coming from firing chamber . In this manner, the powder and particles generated by the firing are trapped into filtering device 54.Moreover, air piping 50 is configured to act as a silencer upon the noise generated by the shots occurring in firing chamber 14.System 10 further comprises a lifting apparatus 56 (only schematically represented in Figure 2) mounted on main structure 12 and configured for moving firearm 18 in and out relative to firing chamber 14, in particular when covering panel 48 is in the opening position, thus clearing the top of firing chamber 14 and allowing access thereto. In particular, lifting apparatus 56 permits taking tested firearm 18 out of firing chamber 14, e.g. in order to replace it with another firearm 18 to be tested and fired.In particular, lifting apparatus 56 comprises an overhead crane 58 mounted on main structure 12 above firing chamber 14 and configured for lifting and displacing firearm contained in firing chamber 14.With particular reference to Figures 4 and 5, counter barrel assembly 24 comprises a tubular unit 60 configured to be operationally interposed and aligned between barrel 20 of firearm 18 and opening 22 of braking and recovery tank 16, WO 2022/162574 PCT/IB2022/050715 so that projectiles P fired by firearm 18 will pass through tubular unit 60 prior to entering braking and recovery tank 16. Furthermore, preferably, counter barrel assembly comprises also a protection wall 62 mounted on tubular unit and configured to contain the explosion or blast generated by the close firing of projectile P from barrel 20. Protection wall 62 is configured to be positioned in a position facing towards barrel 20 and, in particular, extends around tubular unit 60. In the illustrated embodiment, protection wall 62 has a substantially funnel-like shape tapering towards tubular unit 60.Tubular unit 60 comprises an outer tubular member and an inner tubular member 66 mounted in outer tubular member 64 and configured to be crossed by projectile P fired by firearm 18. Outer tubular member 64 is fixed in tubular unit 60 and is configured to internally support inner tubular member 66. Conversely, inner tubular member 66 is advantageously mounted in such a way that it is removable from outer tubular member 64, so that it can be replaced in tubular unit 60. Thus, on the one hand, inner tubular member can provide a "sacrificial" portion of tubular unit 60, which can be easily replaced in case of damage and/or wear caused by the operation of counter barrel assembly 24 during repeated operation of system 10 when firearm 18 is fired. On the other hand, it is possible to envisage the use of a plurality of interchangeable inner tubular members 66 having different characteristics or properties, each one being suitable for installation inside outer tubular member 64, according to different specific operating requirements of the counter barrel assembly 24. For example, such interchangeable inner tubular members 66 may have different inside diameters for use with projectiles P of corresponding WO 2022/162574 PCT/IB2022/050715 different calibres to be fired from barrel 20 of firearm 18. In particular, for this purpose the outside diameter of the plurality of interchangeable inner tubular members 66 may always remain the same diameter suitable for insertion into outer tubular member 64.In the illustrated embodiment, inner tubular member protrudes axially towards firing chamber 14 relative to outer tubular member 64 that supports it. In particular, protection wall 62 is axially fixed onto outer tubular member 64 and surrounds an end portion of inner tubular member 66, which protrudes axially beyond such protection wall 62.With particular reference to Figure 6, recycling apparatus 30 is connected in a loop with braking and recovery tank 16 through counter barrel assembly 24, in particular forming a circuit between pipeline 32 and tubular unit 60. In fact, a liquid can flow through at least a part of counter barrel assembly 24, coming from - and also directed towards -braking and recovery tank 16. In the illustrated embodiment, pipeline 32 is advantageously connected, on one side, to an outflow portion 68 formed in counter barrel assembly 24 and configured for receiving the outflowing liquid from braking and recovery tank 16 and, on the other side, to an inflow portion 70 formed in the same counter barrel assembly 24 and configured for directing the inflowing liquid towards braking and recovery tank 16. When pumping device 34 is activated (and closure device 26 clears opening 22), it pushes the liquid that has arrived from outflow portion towards inflow portion 70, thereby recirculating the liquid in braking and recovery tank 16 through pipeline 32. Particularly, outflow portion 68 and inflow portion 70 are formed in tubular unit 60, e.g. through tubular members and 66.

WO 2022/162574 PCT/IB2022/050715 In the illustrated embodiment, outflow portion 68 is defined by an annular recess 71 formed inside outer tubular member 64 and communicating with the inlet of pipeline 32, and by a lateral slot 72 transversally crossing inner tubular member 66 and communicating with the annular recess 70. In operation, the inner tubular member 66 is crossed axially by the liquid coming from braking and recovery tank 16, which flows radially towards lateral slot 72 and into annular recess 71, to end up by the inlet of pipeline 32.In the illustrated embodiment, inflow portion 70 is defined by an annular channel 74 formed internally to outer tubular member 64 and communicating with the outlet of pipeline 32, and by one or more lateral nozzles transversally crossing inner tubular member 66 and communicating with annular recess 70. In particular, lateral nozzles 76 converge transversally towards the axis of inner tubular member 66, in the direction of braking and recovery tank 16. In operation, pipeline 32 ends transversally into annular channel 74 and the liquid flows through the latter and into lateral nozzles 76, so that the liquid will accelerate and return into braking and recovery tank through inner tubular member 66. Moreover, the flow of liquid through lateral nozzles 76 contributes to creating an accelerated countercurrent flow of liquid opposing the liquid flow exiting braking and recovery tank 16 through opening 22, and this will tend to reduce the liquid flow out of the latter. In this manner, closure device 26 can clear opening 22 for a longer time, in particular to allow firing a burst of projectiles P into braking and recovery tank 16, without the latter tending to drain too quickly. In the illustrated example, lateral nozzles 76 substantially act as a hydraulic plug - in particular because the liquid flowing WO 2022/162574 PCT/IB2022/050715 out through them counters the draining of braking and recovery tank 16.In addition, with reference to Figures 3, 4 and 6, recycling apparatus 30 comprises a buffer tank 78 placed in an intermediate tract of pipeline 32, between outflow portion and inflow portion 70. Buffer tank 78 is configured for storing a quantity of liquid coming from outflow portion and for delivering, by means of a pumping device 34, the stored quantity of liquid towards inflow portion 70. In particular, buffer tank 78 is hydraulically connected upstream of pumping device 34 along pipeline 32. Furthermore, recycling apparatus 40 comprises a level sensor 80 (e.g. of the float type) placed in buffer tank 78 and configured for detecting the level of the liquid contained in the latter. In particular, recycling apparatus 30 comprises also a control unit 82 configured for controlling pumping device as a function of the liquid level detected by level sensor 80. For example, when the liquid level detected by level sensor 80 exceeds a predetermined threshold value, control unit 82 will activate pumping device 34, which will push the liquid from buffer tank 78 through pipeline 32 and towards inflow portion 70. Thus, the level of the liquid in braking and recovery tank 16 is always controllably kept above a certain predetermined height.Of course, without prejudice to the principle of the invention, the forms of embodiment and the implementation details may be extensively varied from those described and illustrated herein by way of non-limiting example, without however departing from the scope of the invention as set out in the appended claims.

Claims (7)

1. 304480/ - 16 - CLAIMS 1 . System ( 10 ) for braking and recovering projectiles, wherein said system comprises: - a main structure ( 12 ) in which a firing chamber ( 14 ) and a braking and recovery tank ( 16 ), adjacent to said firing chamber ( 14 ), are positioned; said firing chamber ( 14 ) being intended for housing a firearm ( 18 ) configured for firing at least one projectile ( P ) into said braking and recovery tank ( 16 ); said braking tank ( 16 ) being configured for containing a liquid capable of braking said projectile ( P ) coming from said firing chamber ( 14 ) and fired by said firearm ( 18 ); - a collecting assembly ( 36 ) placed in said braking and recovery tank ( 16 ) and configured for recovering the projectiles ( P ) that have been braked by the liquid contained in said braking and recovery tank ( 16 ) and have fallen to the bottom of said braking and recovery tank ( 16 ); said system being characterized in that said collecting assembly ( 36 ) comprises: - a basket ( 38 ) configured for receiving and collecting the projectiles ( P ) that have fallen to the bottom of said braking and recovery tank ( 16 ); and - a pushing device ( 42 ) configured for pushing towards said basket ( 38 ) the projectiles ( P ) that have been fired by said firearm ( 18 ) and have deposited on the bottom of said braking and recovery tank ( 16 ); in that said pushing device is placed on an inner wall of said braking and recovery tank ( 16 ); in that the pushing device ( 42 ) comprises a blade ( 44 ) configured for moving along said inner wall so as to push said projectiles ( P ) and move them towards said basket 304480/ - 17 - ( 38 ); and in that wherein said pushing device ( 42 ) comprises at least one movement guide ( 46 ) whereon said blade ( 44 ) can move in a guided manner.

2. System according to claim 1 , wherein said inner wall is the bottom of said braking and recovery tank ( 16 ).

3. System according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein said at least one movement guide ( 46 ) is formed in said inner wall.

4. System according to claim 3 , wherein said movement guide is a rail ( 46 ).

5. System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said basket ( 38 ) is movable between a collection position, in which it can collect said fallen projectiles ( P ), and a pick-up position, in which is brings said projectiles ( P ) into an accessible position, where they can be picked up by an operator.

6. System according to claim 5 , wherein in said collection position the basket ( 38 ) lies on the bottom of said braking and recovery tank ( 16 ), and in said pick-up position the basket ( 38 ) lies above the bottom of the braking and recovery tank ( 16 ).

7. System according to claim 6 , wherein in said pick-up position said basket ( b ) is placed at an extraction passageway ( 40 ) formed through a wall of the braking and recovery tank ( 16 ).