US20100236392A1 - Percussion device for a medium or large calibre weapon - Google Patents
Percussion device for a medium or large calibre weapon Download PDFInfo
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- US20100236392A1 US20100236392A1 US11/699,453 US69945307A US2010236392A1 US 20100236392 A1 US20100236392 A1 US 20100236392A1 US 69945307 A US69945307 A US 69945307A US 2010236392 A1 US2010236392 A1 US 2010236392A1
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- Prior art keywords
- firing pin
- firing
- sear
- pin
- percussion
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F41—WEAPONS
- F41A—FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS COMMON TO BOTH SMALLARMS AND ORDNANCE, e.g. CANNONS; MOUNTINGS FOR SMALLARMS OR ORDNANCE
- F41A19/00—Firing or trigger mechanisms; Cocking mechanisms
- F41A19/06—Mechanical firing mechanisms, e.g. counterrecoil firing, recoil actuated firing mechanisms
- F41A19/25—Mechanical firing mechanisms, e.g. counterrecoil firing, recoil actuated firing mechanisms having only slidably-mounted striker elements, i.e. percussion or firing pins
- F41A19/27—Mechanical firing mechanisms, e.g. counterrecoil firing, recoil actuated firing mechanisms having only slidably-mounted striker elements, i.e. percussion or firing pins the percussion or firing pin being movable relative to the breech-block
- F41A19/29—Mechanical firing mechanisms, e.g. counterrecoil firing, recoil actuated firing mechanisms having only slidably-mounted striker elements, i.e. percussion or firing pins the percussion or firing pin being movable relative to the breech-block propelled by a spring under tension
- F41A19/36—Mechanical firing mechanisms, e.g. counterrecoil firing, recoil actuated firing mechanisms having only slidably-mounted striker elements, i.e. percussion or firing pins the percussion or firing pin being movable relative to the breech-block propelled by a spring under tension in block-action guns
- F41A19/37—Cocking mechanisms
Definitions
- the technical scope of the present invention is that of medium and large caliber weapons, and more particularly ammunition percussion devices positioned in such weapons.
- Present-day weapon mechanisms generally carry out firing in two phases; a first phase in which the ammunition is pushed into position and triggered by pressing on the fire control and a second percussion phase of the ammunition triggered by a computer verifying that the gun barrel is aligned with the objective when the projectile exits the barrel.
- the percussion of the ammunition implements a cam whose geometry firstly enables the compression of spring means and secondly the release of the firing pin.
- a major drawback to these devices lies in the fact that the reaction time between the compression of the spring means and the exiting of the projectile from the barrel muzzle necessarily exceeds a few tenths of a second. This cycle time is not compatible with firing in movement which necessitates a time of a few hundredths of a second between the validation by the computer and the actual percussion of the ammunition.
- the aim of the present invention is to supply an electromagnetic device aiming to overcome these problems.
- the device thus relates to a percussion device for a medium or large caliber weapon incorporating a firing pin, spring means and a drive cam for the firing pin enabling the displacement in translation of the firing pin up to an “armed” position and the compression of the spring means, such device wherein it incorporates means to immobilize the firing in the “armed” position, these means being supported by the weapon breech and able to take up a position in which they immobilize the firing pin and another in which they release the firing pin.
- the means to immobilize the firing pin in the “armed” position is a sear displaced by an actuator so as to release the firing pin.
- the percussion device incorporates a tappet exerting a stress on the sear in a direction substantially opposing that of the actuator.
- the sear incorporates a face to immobilize the firing pin, substantially orthogonal to the axis of displacement of the firing pin, to ensure the immobilization of the firing pin in the “armed” position, and a bearing face for the actuator, substantially orthogonal to the immobilizing face of the firing pin and to the axis of displacement of the actuator, the bearing face being subjected to the action of the actuator.
- the sear is “L” shaped, a first branch of which, positioned orthogonally to the firing pin, ensures the immobilization of the firing pin in the “armed” position and a second branch, substantially perpendicular to the first one and to the actuator, is subjected to the action of the actuator.
- the sear is supported by a pivot with a hinge pin orthogonal to the immobilizing face of the firing pin.
- the sear incorporates a beveled face onto which the firing pin presses when being moved into its “armed” position enabling the bearing stress of the firing pin on the beveled face to be transformed into a pivoting of the sear around its pivot.
- the invention also relates to a firing process for a piece of ammunition implementing a percussion device according to the invention, wherein the rotation of the cam is triggered, by means of a first “firing cycle” command, so as to drive the firing pin in translation up to its “armed” position and compress spring means, and by means of a second “percussion” command, the displacement of the immobilizing means is triggered so as to release the firing pin which, under the action of the spring means, is displaced in translation and strikes the ammunition, thereby firing it.
- the percussion device incorporates cam position sensors and the “percussion” command is only delivered when the cam is in a percussion zone.
- the movement of the firing pin into the “armed” position and the compression of the spring means are performed simultaneously when the ammunition is pushed into position.
- a first advantage of the device according to the invention lies in the reduction in time between the firing command and the firing of the ammunition.
- Another advantage lies in the possibility of adapting the device to all types of medium or large caliber weapon.
- Another advantage lies in the fact that the elements composing the device according to the invention may be controlled manually, thereby enabling the device to function even in the event of the failure or destruction of the vehicle's power source.
- Another advantage lies in the fact that the device according to the invention integrated into a weapon with an advanced firing control prevents any firing “out-of-zone” since only the appearance of the percussion command linked to the coincidence between the laying of the gun and the line of sight authorizes the ammunition to be fired.
- FIGS. 1 and 2 show a percussion device according to the invention, when being placed in its “armed” position
- FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of the sear
- FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of the cam
- FIG. 5 shows a variant embodiment of the sear
- FIG. 6 shows the immobilizing of the firing pin in its “armed” position.
- FIGS. 1 and 2 are respectively front and rear perspective views showing an example embodiment of the percussion device according to the invention, being placed in its “armed” position. For the sake of clarity, only those elements required for the comprehension of the invention have been shown. Certain elements, such as the drive means for the cam, the ammunition or the gun breech, are not shown but are already well known to someone skilled in the art and thus do not require any further description or specific representation.
- the percussion device thus shown is a percussion device for a medium or large caliber weapon incorporating a cam 1 , an arming lever 2 , a firing pin 4 , spring means 5 , a sear 8 , an actuator 6 and a tappet 10 .
- This device is arranged in a classical manner in the breech of the weapon it equips.
- the cam 1 is made in a known manner. It has a rotational movement around rotational axis Z and incorporates a lateral rolling surface 12 (which will not be further described) cooperating with the arming lever 2 so as to drive it in rotation.
- the arming lever 2 incorporates a rotation shaft 33 whose ends 23 and 24 are supported by bore holes in the breech so as to form a pivot link with the breech.
- the arming lever 2 also incorporates a pin 22 , that is off-centre with respect to the shaft 33 , around which a roller 11 pivots that is intended to cooperate with the lateral rolling surface 12 of the cam 1 .
- the arming lever lastly incorporates a groove 21 ( FIG. 2 ) intended to cooperate with the firing pin 4 .
- the firing pin 4 is substantially cylindrical in shape, with axis X. It incorporates a percussion rod 14 at one end intended to ensure the percussion of the ammunition, and a limit stop 18 at the other end enabling the compression of the spring 5 during the displacement of the firing pin. It also incorporates a drive finger 3 cooperating with the groove 21 in the arming lever 2 and an immobilizing finger 13 intended to cooperate with the sear 8 .
- the firing pin 4 is arranged in a sleeve (not shown) which holds it in place and enables it to translate along axis X.
- the drive finger 3 when the arming lever 2 is in rotation, the drive finger 3 is displaced along the groove 21 and only transmits to the firing pin 4 the component along axis X of the displacement of the arming lever 2 , thereby transforming the rotation of the lever 2 into the translation of the firing pin 4 .
- the spring 5 is positioned along axis X of the firing pin 4 between the firing pin limit stop 18 and a support (not shown) for the spring integral with the breech.
- the sear 8 (more particularly illustrated in FIG. 3 ) is substantially in the form of a polyhedron. It incorporates a face 15 to immobilize the firing pin (shown in FIG. 2 ), substantially orthogonal to the axis of displacement X of the firing pin 4 , and a bearing face 17 for the actuator, substantially orthogonal to the face 15 to immobilize the firing pin.
- the sear 8 is linked to the breech by means of a pin 32 making a pivot link between the sear 8 and the breech.
- the pin 32 is substantially parallel to the axis of displacement X of the firing pin 4 .
- the sear 8 also incorporates a beveled face 30 , arranged such that it forms an angle of approximately 45° with the axis of displacement X of the firing pin 4 , enabling a stress along axis X to be transformed into an orthogonal stress and thereby making the sear 8 revolve around its pin 32 .
- the actuator 6 is classically in the form of a motor body (for example, and electric or pneumatic jack) fitted with a rod 7 able to translate and transmit a stress to the sear 8 .
- the rod 7 presses on bearing face 17 of the sear enabling a stress to be applied to the sear 8 so as to make it pivot around its pin 32 .
- an electromagnet will be used by way of an actuator 6 , the coil of this electromagnet enabling a hub to be displaced onto which the rod 7 of the actuator will be joined.
- the tappet 10 is arranged in opposition to the actuator 6 . It is subjected to the action of a spring 9 and provides a constant stress on the sear 8 in an opposing direction to that of the rod 7 .
- FIG. 4 shows the cam 1 making a rotational movement around rotational axis Z in direction F thanks to motor means (not shown).
- the cam 1 is already known and its geometry is defined by the weapon into which the invention is integrated.
- the cam 1 incorporates a lateral rolling surface 1 for the roller 11 on which different zones are organized: a so-called “low dead centre” zone 25 with constant radius R 1 ; a so-called “spring compression” zone 26 whose distance from axis Z increases following F; a so-called “high dead centre” 27 with constant radius R 2 greater than R 1 ; a “dog-tooth” zone followed by a so-called “percussion” zone 28 and a “firing pin withdrawal” zone 29 .
- the cam 1 is integrated in the kinematics of the weapon system and makes one revolution per weapon cycle.
- FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of the sear 8 .
- the sear 8 can be seen to incorporate a bore hole 31 providing a passage for pin 32 .
- FIG. 5 illustrates a variant embodiment of the sear 8 .
- the sear 8 is L-shaped, a first branch 19 of the L, arranged orthogonally to the firing pin 4 , incorporates a face 15 to immobilize the firing pin and ensures that the firing pin 4 is immobilized in its “armed” position, and a second branch 20 , substantially perpendicular to the first one and to the actuator 6 , incorporates a bearing face 17 subjected to the action of the actuator 6 .
- a bore hole 31 with an axis orthogonal to the face 15 provides a passage for a pivot.
- the device according to the invention functions as follows:
- the firing cycle is initiated by means of a first “firing cycle” command (for example, when the firer presses on a firing button).
- a first “firing cycle” command for example, when the firer presses on a firing button.
- the cam 1 is made to revolve following arrow F.
- the profile of the lateral rolling surface 12 of the cam 1 is defined so as to ensure the rotation of the arming lever 2 by means of the roller 11 when the weapon's firing cycle is engaged.
- the circular movement of the cam 1 is transformed into a rotational movement of the arming lever 2 .
- the law of movement of the arming lever thus depends on the manufacturing profile of the cam 1 which in turn depends on the kinematics of the weapon concept intended to receive the invention. Someone skilled in the art can define this profile in a known manner for the weapon in question.
- the geometry of the raceway tends to distance the roller 11 from the rotational axis X of the cam, thereby driving the arming lever 2 in rotation.
- the groove 21 in the arming lever 2 acts as a bearing point for the drive finger 3 of the firing pin.
- the translation of the firing pin 4 causes the compression of the percussion spring 5 .
- the finger 13 of the firing pin 4 then presses against the beveled face 30 , thereby causing the sear 8 to revolve around its axis 3 and to retract, allowing the firing pin 4 to pass.
- the finger 13 of the firing pin 4 is no longer pressing on the beveled face 30 of the sear 8 which, under the action of the tappet 10 and its spring 9 , is returned to the locked position.
- the roller 11 then reaches the “high dead centre” zone 27 at which the raceway is circular. There is thus no movement of the arming lever 2 and no further translation of the fining pin 4 .
- the firing pin 4 is locked in position. The cam continues to revolve until it reaches its starting position.
- the roller 11 When the roller 11 has passed through the “high dead centre” zone 27 , it finds itself in the “percussion” zone 28 , the percussion of the ammunition is thus now possible and firing may be triggered by means of a second “percussion” command (this command being able to be supplied automatically, for example, after a time which allows for the dissipation of any vibration generated by loading the ammunition, or by a calculator verifying the coincidence between laying the weapon and the line of sight).
- the ammunition is pushed into position at the same time as the firing pin 4 is moved into its “armed” position by the compression of the spring means 5 .
- Firing is triggered by means of the “percussion” command; the roller 11 then rolls on the “percussion” zone 28 enabling the reversal of the firing pin.
- the coil of the electromagnet 6 is activated and the rod 7 of the hub of the electromagnet 6 acts on the sear 8 thereby unlocking the firing pin 4 held by its finger 3 .
- the firing pin 4 is thereafter only subjected to the action of the spring 5 which expands to propel the firing pin 4 towards the ammunition.
- the percussion of the primer is effective.
- the tappet spring 9 pushes the tappet 10 and causes the sear 8 to revolve. At the same time, it also pushes the hub of the of the actuator's 6 electromagnet by acting, via the sear 8 , on the rod 7 .
- the roller 11 thereafter reaches the “firing pin withdrawal” zone 29 and the device is effectively returned to its starting position and a second firing cycle may commence.
- FIG. 6 illustrates the immobilization of the firing pin in its “armed” position.
- the immobilizing finger 13 can be seen to be pressing on the immobilizing face 15 of the sear 8 .
- This immobilizing face of the firing pin is substantially orthogonal to the axis of displacement of the firing pin 4 (and thus to the stress due to the compression of the spring 5 ) which enables the stresses of the spring 5 to be withstood and the firing pin 4 to be immobilized.
- the invention incorporates position sensors so that the position of the cam can be known.
- the computer can deliver the “percussion” command only when the “percussion” command is delivered when the cam is in the percussion zone, which is to say when the roller 11 has passed through the “high dead centre” zone 27 .
- elements will be used which are able to be activated manually in the event of a failure or the destruction of the vehicle's power source.
- the device enables two modes of operation: a “classical” mode of operation, and an “optimized” mode of operation.
- the “optimized” mode of operation is that which has been described previously, and consists in performing the percussion in two stages: a first stage in which the ammunition is pushed into position and the spring is compressed, and a second stage in which the firing pin is release following a “percussion” command.
- This mode of operation advantageously enables precision fire which will not be disturbed by the vibrations due to the positioning of the ammunition, or distorted by an overlong wait between the validation of the fire and the actual percussion.
- the “classical” mode of operation is that which is currently used by weapons which are not equipped with a device according to the invention, in which the firing pin is never immobilized (for example, the electromagnet 6 is constantly activated) and the percussion is triggered by the passage of the roller through the “high dead centre” zone 27 .
- This mode of operation is less precise but enables a high rate of fire and is adapted to close-range firing.
- the gunner may thus choose the mode of operation which is best suited to the target to be reached.
- the law of movement of the cam 1 is specific to the kinematics of the weapon in which the invention is integrated but respects certain general principles such as the withdrawal of the firing pin (zone 29 ) after the firing phase (zone 28 ), the absence of stressing on the spring for the majority of the firing cycle, then the compression of the spring when the chamber (zone 26 ) is being closed and the release of the firing pin enabled as soon as the chamber is closed (end of zone 27 ).
Abstract
Description
- 1. Field of the Invention
- The technical scope of the present invention is that of medium and large caliber weapons, and more particularly ammunition percussion devices positioned in such weapons.
- 2. Description of the Related Art
- The equipment of military vehicles necessitating the use of weapons integrated into a turret increasingly requires the use of a fire control able to ensure, at all times, the control in space of the position of the gun barrel, be the carrier at rest or in movement.
- This constraint of having to ensuring the firing of a turreted weapon with a carrier in movement, whilst retaining a high probability of reaching the target, obliges both the position of the barrel in space as a function of time and also the projectile launching time to be controlled.
- Present-day weapon mechanisms generally carry out firing in two phases; a first phase in which the ammunition is pushed into position and triggered by pressing on the fire control and a second percussion phase of the ammunition triggered by a computer verifying that the gun barrel is aligned with the objective when the projectile exits the barrel.
- The percussion of the ammunition implements a cam whose geometry firstly enables the compression of spring means and secondly the release of the firing pin.
- A major drawback to these devices lies in the fact that the reaction time between the compression of the spring means and the exiting of the projectile from the barrel muzzle necessarily exceeds a few tenths of a second. This cycle time is not compatible with firing in movement which necessitates a time of a few hundredths of a second between the validation by the computer and the actual percussion of the ammunition.
- The aim of the present invention is to supply an electromagnetic device aiming to overcome these problems.
- The device thus relates to a percussion device for a medium or large caliber weapon incorporating a firing pin, spring means and a drive cam for the firing pin enabling the displacement in translation of the firing pin up to an “armed” position and the compression of the spring means, such device wherein it incorporates means to immobilize the firing in the “armed” position, these means being supported by the weapon breech and able to take up a position in which they immobilize the firing pin and another in which they release the firing pin.
- According to one characteristic of the invention, the means to immobilize the firing pin in the “armed” position is a sear displaced by an actuator so as to release the firing pin.
- According to another characteristic of the invention, the percussion device incorporates a tappet exerting a stress on the sear in a direction substantially opposing that of the actuator.
- According to yet another characteristic of the invention, the sear incorporates a face to immobilize the firing pin, substantially orthogonal to the axis of displacement of the firing pin, to ensure the immobilization of the firing pin in the “armed” position, and a bearing face for the actuator, substantially orthogonal to the immobilizing face of the firing pin and to the axis of displacement of the actuator, the bearing face being subjected to the action of the actuator.
- According to another characteristic of the invention, the sear is “L” shaped, a first branch of which, positioned orthogonally to the firing pin, ensures the immobilization of the firing pin in the “armed” position and a second branch, substantially perpendicular to the first one and to the actuator, is subjected to the action of the actuator.
- According to another characteristic of the invention, the sear is supported by a pivot with a hinge pin orthogonal to the immobilizing face of the firing pin.
- According to another characteristic of the invention, the sear incorporates a beveled face onto which the firing pin presses when being moved into its “armed” position enabling the bearing stress of the firing pin on the beveled face to be transformed into a pivoting of the sear around its pivot.
- Lastly, the invention also relates to a firing process for a piece of ammunition implementing a percussion device according to the invention, wherein the rotation of the cam is triggered, by means of a first “firing cycle” command, so as to drive the firing pin in translation up to its “armed” position and compress spring means, and by means of a second “percussion” command, the displacement of the immobilizing means is triggered so as to release the firing pin which, under the action of the spring means, is displaced in translation and strikes the ammunition, thereby firing it.
- According to one characteristic of the process, the percussion device incorporates cam position sensors and the “percussion” command is only delivered when the cam is in a percussion zone.
- According to one characteristic of the process, the movement of the firing pin into the “armed” position and the compression of the spring means are performed simultaneously when the ammunition is pushed into position.
- A first advantage of the device according to the invention lies in the reduction in time between the firing command and the firing of the ammunition.
- Another advantage lies in the possibility of adapting the device to all types of medium or large caliber weapon.
- Another advantage lies in the fact that the elements composing the device according to the invention may be controlled manually, thereby enabling the device to function even in the event of the failure or destruction of the vehicle's power source.
- Another advantage lies in the fact that the device according to the invention integrated into a weapon with an advanced firing control prevents any firing “out-of-zone” since only the appearance of the percussion command linked to the coincidence between the laying of the gun and the line of sight authorizes the ammunition to be fired.
- Other characteristics, particulars and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description given by way of illustration and in reference to the appended drawings, in which:
-
FIGS. 1 and 2 show a percussion device according to the invention, when being placed in its “armed” position, -
FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of the sear, -
FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of the cam, -
FIG. 5 shows a variant embodiment of the sear, and -
FIG. 6 shows the immobilizing of the firing pin in its “armed” position. -
FIGS. 1 and 2 are respectively front and rear perspective views showing an example embodiment of the percussion device according to the invention, being placed in its “armed” position. For the sake of clarity, only those elements required for the comprehension of the invention have been shown. Certain elements, such as the drive means for the cam, the ammunition or the gun breech, are not shown but are already well known to someone skilled in the art and thus do not require any further description or specific representation. - The percussion device thus shown is a percussion device for a medium or large caliber weapon incorporating a
cam 1, anarming lever 2, afiring pin 4, spring means 5, asear 8, an actuator 6 and atappet 10. This device is arranged in a classical manner in the breech of the weapon it equips. - The
cam 1 is made in a known manner. It has a rotational movement around rotational axis Z and incorporates a lateral rolling surface 12 (which will not be further described) cooperating with thearming lever 2 so as to drive it in rotation. - The
arming lever 2 incorporates arotation shaft 33 whoseends arming lever 2 also incorporates apin 22, that is off-centre with respect to theshaft 33, around which aroller 11 pivots that is intended to cooperate with the lateral rollingsurface 12 of thecam 1. The arming lever lastly incorporates a groove 21 (FIG. 2 ) intended to cooperate with thefiring pin 4. - The
firing pin 4 is substantially cylindrical in shape, with axis X. It incorporates apercussion rod 14 at one end intended to ensure the percussion of the ammunition, and a limit stop 18 at the other end enabling the compression of thespring 5 during the displacement of the firing pin. It also incorporates adrive finger 3 cooperating with thegroove 21 in thearming lever 2 and an immobilizingfinger 13 intended to cooperate with thesear 8. Thefiring pin 4 is arranged in a sleeve (not shown) which holds it in place and enables it to translate along axis X. Thus, when thearming lever 2 is in rotation, thedrive finger 3 is displaced along thegroove 21 and only transmits to thefiring pin 4 the component along axis X of the displacement of thearming lever 2, thereby transforming the rotation of thelever 2 into the translation of thefiring pin 4. - The
spring 5 is positioned along axis X of thefiring pin 4 between the firing pin limit stop 18 and a support (not shown) for the spring integral with the breech. - The sear 8 (more particularly illustrated in
FIG. 3 ) is substantially in the form of a polyhedron. It incorporates aface 15 to immobilize the firing pin (shown inFIG. 2 ), substantially orthogonal to the axis of displacement X of thefiring pin 4, and abearing face 17 for the actuator, substantially orthogonal to theface 15 to immobilize the firing pin. Thesear 8 is linked to the breech by means of apin 32 making a pivot link between thesear 8 and the breech. Thepin 32 is substantially parallel to the axis of displacement X of thefiring pin 4. - The
sear 8 also incorporates abeveled face 30, arranged such that it forms an angle of approximately 45° with the axis of displacement X of thefiring pin 4, enabling a stress along axis X to be transformed into an orthogonal stress and thereby making thesear 8 revolve around itspin 32. - The actuator 6 is classically in the form of a motor body (for example, and electric or pneumatic jack) fitted with a
rod 7 able to translate and transmit a stress to thesear 8. Therod 7 presses on bearingface 17 of the sear enabling a stress to be applied to thesear 8 so as to make it pivot around itspin 32. For example, an electromagnet will be used by way of an actuator 6, the coil of this electromagnet enabling a hub to be displaced onto which therod 7 of the actuator will be joined. - The
tappet 10 is arranged in opposition to the actuator 6. It is subjected to the action of aspring 9 and provides a constant stress on thesear 8 in an opposing direction to that of therod 7. -
FIG. 4 shows thecam 1 making a rotational movement around rotational axis Z in direction F thanks to motor means (not shown). Thecam 1 is already known and its geometry is defined by the weapon into which the invention is integrated. In this embodiment, thecam 1 incorporates a lateral rollingsurface 1 for theroller 11 on which different zones are organized: a so-called “low dead centre”zone 25 with constant radius R1; a so-called “spring compression”zone 26 whose distance from axis Z increases following F; a so-called “high dead centre” 27 with constant radius R2 greater than R1; a “dog-tooth” zone followed by a so-called “percussion”zone 28 and a “firing pin withdrawal”zone 29. Thecam 1 is integrated in the kinematics of the weapon system and makes one revolution per weapon cycle. -
FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of thesear 8. In this illustration, the sear 8 can be seen to incorporate abore hole 31 providing a passage forpin 32. -
FIG. 5 illustrates a variant embodiment of thesear 8. In this variant, thesear 8 is L-shaped, afirst branch 19 of the L, arranged orthogonally to thefiring pin 4, incorporates aface 15 to immobilize the firing pin and ensures that thefiring pin 4 is immobilized in its “armed” position, and asecond branch 20, substantially perpendicular to the first one and to the actuator 6, incorporates a bearingface 17 subjected to the action of the actuator 6. Abore hole 31 with an axis orthogonal to theface 15 provides a passage for a pivot. - The device according to the invention functions as follows:
- The firing cycle is initiated by means of a first “firing cycle” command (for example, when the firer presses on a firing button). As soon as the firing cycle is engaged, the
cam 1 is made to revolve following arrow F. The profile of thelateral rolling surface 12 of thecam 1 is defined so as to ensure the rotation of the arminglever 2 by means of theroller 11 when the weapon's firing cycle is engaged. Thus, the circular movement of thecam 1 is transformed into a rotational movement of the arminglever 2. The law of movement of the arming lever thus depends on the manufacturing profile of thecam 1 which in turn depends on the kinematics of the weapon concept intended to receive the invention. Someone skilled in the art can define this profile in a known manner for the weapon in question. - While the
cam 1 is revolving, theroller 11 rolls on thelateral rolling surface 12. When the roller rolls on the lowdead centre 25, the raceway is circular, there is thus no movement of the arminglever 2. - When the
roller 11 reaches thespring 5compression zone 26, the geometry of the raceway tends to distance theroller 11 from the rotational axis X of the cam, thereby driving the arminglever 2 in rotation. Thegroove 21 in the arminglever 2 acts as a bearing point for thedrive finger 3 of the firing pin. Thus, the movement of the arminglever 2 is transformed into a rectilinear translational movement of thefiring pin 4. The translation of thefiring pin 4 causes the compression of thepercussion spring 5. Thefinger 13 of thefiring pin 4 then presses against thebeveled face 30, thereby causing the sear 8 to revolve around itsaxis 3 and to retract, allowing thefiring pin 4 to pass. - At the end of the displacement of the firing pin, the
finger 13 of thefiring pin 4 is no longer pressing on thebeveled face 30 of the sear 8 which, under the action of thetappet 10 and itsspring 9, is returned to the locked position. Theroller 11 then reaches the “high dead centre”zone 27 at which the raceway is circular. There is thus no movement of the arminglever 2 and no further translation of thefining pin 4. Thefiring pin 4 is locked in position. The cam continues to revolve until it reaches its starting position. When theroller 11 has passed through the “high dead centre”zone 27, it finds itself in the “percussion”zone 28, the percussion of the ammunition is thus now possible and firing may be triggered by means of a second “percussion” command (this command being able to be supplied automatically, for example, after a time which allows for the dissipation of any vibration generated by loading the ammunition, or by a calculator verifying the coincidence between laying the weapon and the line of sight). The ammunition is pushed into position at the same time as thefiring pin 4 is moved into its “armed” position by the compression of the spring means 5. - Firing is triggered by means of the “percussion” command; the
roller 11 then rolls on the “percussion”zone 28 enabling the reversal of the firing pin. Simultaneously, the coil of the electromagnet 6 is activated and therod 7 of the hub of the electromagnet 6 acts on the sear 8 thereby unlocking thefiring pin 4 held by itsfinger 3. Thefiring pin 4 is thereafter only subjected to the action of thespring 5 which expands to propel thefiring pin 4 towards the ammunition. The percussion of the primer is effective. - As soon as the electromagnet's coil is deactivated, the
tappet spring 9 pushes thetappet 10 and causes thesear 8 to revolve. At the same time, it also pushes the hub of the of the actuator's 6 electromagnet by acting, via thesear 8, on therod 7. - The
roller 11 thereafter reaches the “firing pin withdrawal”zone 29 and the device is effectively returned to its starting position and a second firing cycle may commence. -
FIG. 6 illustrates the immobilization of the firing pin in its “armed” position. In this Figure, the immobilizingfinger 13 can be seen to be pressing on the immobilizingface 15 of thesear 8. This immobilizing face of the firing pin is substantially orthogonal to the axis of displacement of the firing pin 4 (and thus to the stress due to the compression of the spring 5) which enables the stresses of thespring 5 to be withstood and thefiring pin 4 to be immobilized. - In a specific embodiment, the invention incorporates position sensors so that the position of the cam can be known. Thus, the computer can deliver the “percussion” command only when the “percussion” command is delivered when the cam is in the percussion zone, which is to say when the
roller 11 has passed through the “high dead centre”zone 27. - Preferentially, elements will be used which are able to be activated manually in the event of a failure or the destruction of the vehicle's power source.
- Thus, the device according to the invention enables two modes of operation: a “classical” mode of operation, and an “optimized” mode of operation. The “optimized” mode of operation is that which has been described previously, and consists in performing the percussion in two stages: a first stage in which the ammunition is pushed into position and the spring is compressed, and a second stage in which the firing pin is release following a “percussion” command. This mode of operation advantageously enables precision fire which will not be disturbed by the vibrations due to the positioning of the ammunition, or distorted by an overlong wait between the validation of the fire and the actual percussion. The “classical” mode of operation is that which is currently used by weapons which are not equipped with a device according to the invention, in which the firing pin is never immobilized (for example, the electromagnet 6 is constantly activated) and the percussion is triggered by the passage of the roller through the “high dead centre”
zone 27. This mode of operation is less precise but enables a high rate of fire and is adapted to close-range firing. The gunner may thus choose the mode of operation which is best suited to the target to be reached. - We note that the law of movement of the
cam 1 is specific to the kinematics of the weapon in which the invention is integrated but respects certain general principles such as the withdrawal of the firing pin (zone 29) after the firing phase (zone 28), the absence of stressing on the spring for the majority of the firing cycle, then the compression of the spring when the chamber (zone 26) is being closed and the release of the firing pin enabled as soon as the chamber is closed (end of zone 27).
Claims (10)
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
FR06.00824 | 2006-01-30 | ||
FR0600824 | 2006-01-30 | ||
FR0600824A FR2896867B1 (en) | 2006-01-30 | 2006-01-30 | PILOT PERCUSSION DEVICE |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US7793578B1 US7793578B1 (en) | 2010-09-14 |
US20100236392A1 true US20100236392A1 (en) | 2010-09-23 |
Family
ID=37024998
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US11/699,453 Active 2029-01-30 US7793578B1 (en) | 2006-01-30 | 2007-01-30 | Percussion device for a medium or large calibre weapon |
Country Status (5)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US7793578B1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP1813904B1 (en) |
AT (1) | ATE479876T1 (en) |
DE (1) | DE602007008774D1 (en) |
FR (1) | FR2896867B1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE102015119847A1 (en) | 2015-09-18 | 2017-03-23 | Rheinmetall Defence Electronics Gmbh | Remote weapon station and method of operating a remote weapon station |
CN115435639A (en) * | 2021-06-02 | 2022-12-06 | 北京北方车辆智能装备技术有限公司 | Automatic firing device |
Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2363675A (en) * | 1943-10-20 | 1944-11-28 | Jr Melvin M Johnson | Portable mortar |
US4879827A (en) * | 1988-02-05 | 1989-11-14 | Roger Gentry | Single shot falling block action rifle |
US6212990B1 (en) * | 1998-02-06 | 2001-04-10 | Rheinmetall W & M Gmbh | Cam-controlled firing system for a large-caliber weapon |
US20030047063A1 (en) * | 2001-03-23 | 2003-03-13 | Nammo, Inc. | Open bolt firing mechanism for programmable cartridges |
Family Cites Families (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE644764C (en) * | 1930-07-10 | 1937-05-13 | Fried Krupp Akt Ges | Gun lock with ignition lock |
CH227369A (en) * | 1942-06-15 | 1943-06-15 | Krupp Ag | Electric ignition device on guns. |
CA2575285C (en) * | 2004-07-28 | 2012-07-17 | Bruce Caulley | An adaptable firing pin asssembly for a bolt action firearm |
-
2006
- 2006-01-30 FR FR0600824A patent/FR2896867B1/en active Active
-
2007
- 2007-01-29 AT AT07290108T patent/ATE479876T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 2007-01-29 EP EP07290108A patent/EP1813904B1/en active Active
- 2007-01-29 DE DE602007008774T patent/DE602007008774D1/en active Active
- 2007-01-30 US US11/699,453 patent/US7793578B1/en active Active
Patent Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2363675A (en) * | 1943-10-20 | 1944-11-28 | Jr Melvin M Johnson | Portable mortar |
US4879827A (en) * | 1988-02-05 | 1989-11-14 | Roger Gentry | Single shot falling block action rifle |
US6212990B1 (en) * | 1998-02-06 | 2001-04-10 | Rheinmetall W & M Gmbh | Cam-controlled firing system for a large-caliber weapon |
US20030047063A1 (en) * | 2001-03-23 | 2003-03-13 | Nammo, Inc. | Open bolt firing mechanism for programmable cartridges |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
FR2896867A1 (en) | 2007-08-03 |
DE602007008774D1 (en) | 2010-10-14 |
ATE479876T1 (en) | 2010-09-15 |
FR2896867B1 (en) | 2010-08-20 |
US7793578B1 (en) | 2010-09-14 |
EP1813904B1 (en) | 2010-09-01 |
EP1813904A1 (en) | 2007-08-01 |
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