WO2014037309A1

WO2014037309A1 - Device and method for cleaning and/or preserving weapon barrels and weapon parts

Info

Publication number: WO2014037309A1
Application number: PCT/EP2013/068096
Authority: WO
Inventors: Matias THALMANN; Raffael Meier
Original assignee: Rheinmetall Air Defence Ag
Priority date: 2012-09-07
Filing date: 2013-09-02
Publication date: 2014-03-13
Also published as: DE102012215930A1; US20150176939A1; IN2015DN01836A; BR112015004882A2

Abstract

The invention relates to a cleaning device (20) for cleaning and/or preserving inserts of weapon barrels (10') and/or drum inserts as well as additional weapon parts, particularly of an automatic weapon (10), said device having a tubular central piece (21), guide elements (22) arranged distributed around the periphery of the central piece (21), a fluid supply device (23), via which fluid (23a) is fed to the cleaning device (20), and a preferably rotating nozzle head (24) with openings (24a) from which the fluid (23a) can exit. A guide device (30) additionally integrated into the cleaning unit (2) enables movement of the cleaning device (20), preferably in a motorized manner. A container (40) is provided for receiving the fluid (23a). The container is functionally connected to the fluid supply device (23) via a pump/compressor unit (41) and a valve (42) such as a three-way valve. The fluid supply device (23) is preferably formed by a hose that can be wound and unwound. A suction turbine (43) and/or a filter (44) can optionally be functionally connected by means of an extraction line (45) on the guide device (30). The cleaning device (20) and the cleaning unit (2) are used for cleaning and/or preserving weapon barrels (10') and other weapon parts, particularly medium and large calibre weapons (10) such as cannons, artillery guns, mortars and howitzers.

Description

DESCRIPTION

Apparatus and method for cleaning and / or preserving weapon casings and weapon parts

The invention relates to a device for cleaning and / or conservation of weapon tubes and other parts of weapons, in particular weapons of medium and large caliber such as cannons, guns, mortars or howitzers. The invention is particularly suitable to be used on autonomous weapons without operator teams and to act autonomously on these. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for cleaning and / or preserving weapons and weapons parts, carried out with the aforementioned device. It is particularly advantageous that the weapon for the use of the invention does not have to be disassembled either partially or even completely, rather a cleaning and / or preservation in the inventive method through the mouth of the remaining in the weapon when installed weapon barrel through.

Autonomous weapon barrel cleaning facilities are generally known. Thus, WO 2010/146 354 A discloses a compressed air driven and propulsion generating vibrating piston motor for insertion into the mouth of the weapon barrel. Oils and cleaning agents can be applied to a cleaning fleece or sponge or as a spray directly onto the inner wall of the pipe via an attachment nozzle, wherein the cleaning effect is provided by one or more flexible brushes, which in slight excess with respect to the tube caliber on the attachment nozzle are attached.

DE 28 39 153 A discloses an automatic weapon barrel cleaning device for insertion through the muzzle. Two counter-rotating brushes allow a torque-free cleaning of the pipe. Several drive rollers ensure centering via their radially spring-loaded bearings as well as the feed of the device in the pipe. Sensors detect the change in diameter at the transition from the caliber part to the cargo space as well as at the mouth, therefore, each of the direction of movement of the device is switched at these locations and an autonomous cleaning takes place only in the caliber part of the weapon barrel. The US 2008/0229 644 A deals with an autonomous gun cleaning device for cleaning pulled barrels. The cylindrical cleaning device erhäit its propulsion in the pipe by pressed against the inner wall drive rollers. The cleaning of the fields and trains in the pipe is done by means of mop plates, which follow the movements of the weapon in their movement, whereby a shadow-free cleaning of the features of the pipe is possible. Cleaning and preserving agents are sprayed onto the inner wall of the pipe.

A disadvantage is that these autonomous cleaning facilities are limited to the caliber part of the weapon.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a simple and inexpensive and in particular autonomously operable cleaning and preservation device for weapons, which is not limited to the Kaliberteii of the tube.

The object is achieved by the features of claim 1 with respect to the device or the device, the patent claim 6 with respect to the cleaning device and the patent claim 11 with respect to the method.

The elimination of contamination on the neck of the cartridge chamber or in the chamber itself is particularly important for the function of particularly hochkadenter weapons. However, these passages usually have a larger inner diameter than the gun barrel itself.

The invention is based on the idea to provide the device, which realizes a cleaning independent of different diameters of the parts, wherein the cleaning itself is carried out by means of a fluid. The device can itself be introduced, for example, through a muzzle into the weapon or into the weapon barrel. It is irrelevant whether it is a smooth tube or a drawn tube. in continuation is desired to use the same device also for the preservation of the weapon. This step can be followed by the previous cleaning step. For this purpose, it is possible to use the same nozzle (s) which serve for discharging the fluid for cleaning, in which case instead of the cleaning fluid compressed air is forced through the nozzle (s).

The device comprises at least one central piece, which has a tubular passage or bore, wherein tubular is not defined to be round with limited. circumferential On the side guide elements are provided on the central piece, at least two. These can be designed as fins and take over the centering within the weapon / weapon parts to be cleaned. At the other end of the bore at least one nozzle is provided with openings through which the respective fluid can escape. The nozzle {s) are in turn preferably movable (rotating) integrated on the central piece.

This device is movable or displaceable within the weapon, in particular in the directions back and forth. This movement can be done manually but preferably automatically and autonomously. With the tubular central piece, a first container with the liquid fluid and at least one further container with the gaseous fluid, when a preservation is provided, are functionally connected to the fluid supply device. The fluid supply device is preferably formed by a hose that can be wound up or unwound. The fluid reaches the device via the fluid supply device or the flexible hose.

The force required for the hose drive is low, the feed of the cleaning device is almost powerless. The cleaning device / device is variably usable for different weather conditions, since the thickness of the preservation film can be adjusted by the pressure of the compressed air and the drawing speed (e.g. in rain: thicker layer, in the sun: thinner layer). The cleaning process can at any time emergency - stopped - for example, in case of sudden need for use of weapons - and the weapon are used. A shot with still existing Restöi is well possible. Atomized cleaning fluid (at the high pressure nozzle) exiting the gun barrel barrel and barrel weapon housing transitions conserves the inside of the gun barrel and the barrel of the barrel in the gun barrel.

During the cleaning of the cartridge chamber, the cleaning nozzle "floats" and is held in the barrel by the centering of the cleaning device The cleaning is very fast: after about three (3) minutes the cleaning of the weapon incl.

With the device as well as the method a completely automatic cleaning and preservation of the weapon is also possible for especially remote-controlled guns. It is possible to clean and preserve drawn and smooth pipes. This results in a shadow-free cleaning, regardless of tube topography and the twist direction. The cleaning and preservation device can be used for different calibers. This only need the wings (fins) of the centering unit are adapted to the pipe diameter. It could be cleaned next to the gun barrel other parts of the weapon with deviating from the pipe dimensions, such as cartridge chamber, the neck of the cartridge chamber, revolver drums, Gasabzapfbohrungen the gas charger or for the gas cylinder etc.

It is advantageous, since instead of the brush / fleece, a fluid is used, that a wear of the cleaning brush or the Reinigungsviieses can not occur as in the prior art. The cleaning device or device is also very simple and robust. There are no moving parts that can break off and remain in the barrel of the gun. No sensors are required for diameter and end stop. This makes the device very robust.

The environmental compatibility is also realized by collecting / aspirating the cleaning fluid. With cleaning and preparation of the cleaning fluid circulation is possible and a longer cleaning can be carried out with a small fluid supply despite a high fluid flow rate (-12 [liter / min]). Optionally, a suction turbine and / or a filter can be functionally connected to the guide device by means of suction. The cleaning device can be used for, for example, high-caliber guns for air defense, in particular the revolver guns 35 mm Oerlikon Millennium Gun and Oerlikon Revolver Gun, particularly suitable for gas-fired guns. The use is not limited to such weapons and weapon systems. The invention makes it possible to increase the duration of use and the time between maintenance intervals so that an autonomous operation, e.g. becomes possible on unmanned, remote platforms in the first place.

The invention will be explained in detail below with reference to the drawings with reference to an embodiment. It shows:

Fig. 1 u. FIG. 2 a sectional view of a weapon barrel with installed cleaning / corrosion protection device, FIG.

Fig. 3 shows an embodiment of the cleaning / corrosion protection device.

Fig. 1 shows a sectional view through a part of a weapon 10 to be cleaned (weapon barrel) with a muzzle 10 a, a caliber part 10 b, the neck of a cartridge chamber 10 c with respect to the caliber part magnifying diameter and a chamber 10 d. On the inner wall, a contamination with reference number 100 is shown by way of example. A cleaning device - device 20 - comprises a tubular central piece 21 with a diameter smaller than that of the container piece 10b. Furthermore, it comprises a number of guide elements 22 in the form of at least two, for example three or four or more, over the circumference of the central piece 21 at approximately equal angular intervals to each other arranged fins. These are arranged and dimensioned in their common outer masses slightly smaller than the tube caliber that they center the cleaning device 20 in the caliber part 10b substantially while allowing a low-friction sliding movement parallel to the tube axis. The centering function is not limited to a number of fins. A centering can be achieved, for example, by a tube with an outer diameter smaller than the tube caliber.

The guide elements 22 do not close the pipe diameter. Rather, they allow a good flow around the cleaning device 20. About a fluid supply means 23, the cleaning device 20 under high pressure, a fluid 23a - for example, a detergent petroleum-based - are fed - which can be passed through the central piece 21 to the nozzle head 24. There, the fluid 23 a can escape from suitable openings 24 a and impinge on the contamination 100. Thus, the pollution is solved by mechanical force / high pressure and by chemical solubility of the wall. A suitable fluid is a cleaning oil or other suitable cleaning fluid.

The length of the cleaning device 20 and the guide elements 22 is selected so that the cleaning device is substantially centered at all positions in the caliber part 10b, the neck of the cartridge chamber 10c and the cartridge chamber 10d within the weapon 10 with respect to the tube axis. Thus, the length of the cleaning device 20 is at least greater than the length of the cartridge chamber to be cleaned of the weapon. A length which is at least 1.5 times as long as the chamber 10d including the neck 10c is preferred.

The cleaning device 20 is inserted during the cleaning process at the mouth side in the weapon 10, 10a and moved in the direction of the cartridge chamber 10d in the direction of arrow ahead. Dissolved portions of the contaminant 100 are either flushed out of the mouth of the weapon, preferably directly due to fluid pressure, or at least partially remain in a film 200 on the inside of the weapon 10.

If the gun barrel during the cleaning in relation to the cartridge bearing muzzle slightly (a few degrees, preferably about 5-15 ° to the horizontal) inclined downwards, so that the outflow of excess cleaning liquid is supported from the pipe mouth and a running in of the cleaning liquid in the direction the weapon and the At the same time it is effectively prevented that a lot of the cleaning fluid forms in the form of a lake at the lowest point of the tube circumference. It is particularly preferred if the tube is lowered during the cleaning process such that the tube can be locked by an existing mechanical device. Therefore, it is preferable that the weapon barrel is lowered and locked except for the bolt-lockable mechanical lance position.

Fig. 2 shows a sectional view through a part of a weapon 10 to be cleaned after a cleaning process from the mouth to the bottom of the cartridge chamber. The cleaning device 20 is moved in the direction of the arrow in the direction of the mouth 10 a. A gaseous fluid 23a, for example compressed air, which exits from the openings 24a of the nozzle head 24 and at least partially removes the film 200 in the direction of the orifice from the wall of the tube 10, is fed through the fluid feed device 23. It is advantageous if a small amount of the film 200 remains in the form of a thin protective layer in the weapon in order to improve the corrosion protection.

It is provided according to the invention that the fluid in the area of the gun barrel mouth is sucked off or collected during the entire cleaning and preservation process. The fluid is purified, filtered and collected. Thus, it is available as a fluid supply for further cleaning cycles or can be used by circulation operation for longer cleaning operations.

The nozzle head 24 has in the illustrated form four outlet openings 24a for the fluid, two of which are each designed substantially perpendicular to the central axis of the cleaning device 20 and two each in the direction of the fluid supply means 23 (here a flexible hose). The outlet openings 24a are preferably designed such that the nozzle head is excited by the exiting fluid in rotation about the central axis of the cleaning device 20 around. As a result, a uniform cleaning is achieved by the cleaning fluid on the inner wall of the space to be cleaned. Such nozzle heads are basically known from the prior art.

In Fig. 3, the cleaning device 20 in connection with the particular automatic weapon barrel and drum insert cleaning device (cleaning device) 2 is shown. The cleaning device 20 is guided mitteis a guide device 30, for example in the form of a tube through the optional muzzle brake 10e of the weapon to the muzzle 10a. For this purpose, a linear drive 31 with a spindle motor 32 is provided. Connected to the cleaning device 20 is the tube 23, which on the spindle 34 by means of a For example, electric drive 35 can be wound up or unwound. From a container 40 for the cleaning fluid promotes a first pump / compressor unit 41 via a three-way Ventilii 42 - shown here in a first position - the fluid to the spindle 34 and the hose 23 to the cleaning device 20. During the cleaning process, the cleaning fluid run out of the mouth 10a of the weapon 10 and received by the guide means 30 and discharged. Optionally, it is provided to connect a suction turbine 43 and / or a filter 44 by means of suction 45 to the guide device 30 functionally. Upon delivery of the sucked cleaning fluid to the container 40 thus a circulation operation with reprocessed cleaning fluid is possible. For blowing out the weapon of Fig. 2, the compressed air supply 46 - for example, a second pump / compressor unit or an existing compressed air connection - is activated and the valve 42 is switched to a second position.

Diameter and stiffness of the tube 23 are adjusted to the caliber of the weapon 10 so that the tube 23 can perform the insert sufficiently kink-proof. Thus, the insertion length of the tube 23 is a good measure with sufficient accuracy (about 2 cm) for the insertion depth of the cleaning device 20 in the weapon 10. The insertion and withdrawal of the tube 23 via the external Schiauchantrieb, whereby the speed and position the nozzle head 24 can be fixed with respect to the weapon. At special excellent positions (eg at the Gasabzapfbohrungen the Gaszylinderbfocks a gas-loading weapon, neck and bottom of the cartridge chamber), the feed rate is varied or a possibly. Also repeated driving back and forth made so that these areas are particularly clean or preserved if necessary , Since the cleaning fluid 23a exits the nozzles 24a by means of high pressure, a reduced cleaning / rinsing / application of corrosion protection in the gas cylinders is achieved as an additional effect through the gas take-off bores. Upon reaching a rearmost position (for example in the chamber), the supply of the cleaning fluid 23a is switched off, a compressed air supply is started, so that substantially only compressed air is blown out of the nozzle head 24. Following this, the cleaning device is pulled out of the weapon 10 in the direction of the mouth 10a.

When pulling out of the cleaning device 20 pressure of the compression force as well as the withdrawal speed itself can be varied. It is preferably provided that for the preservation of the weapon 10 after cleaning at least a thin residual film of cleaning and preservation fluid to prevent corrosion on the inner wall of the weapon remains. Tests on the optimization of the residual film thickness via the regulation of the recirculation speed have shown that at a pressure of the compressed air of exemplary example, 8 bar and a drawing speed of, for example, 5cm / sec through the gun barrel a sufficiently good corrosion protection can be achieved. For cleaning, a pressure of the cleaning fluid of about 80 bar is provided at a flow rate of the cleaning fluid, for example, 10 to 15 liters / min.

The method preferably proceeds in the following generally formulated step sequence:

1. Preparation (if necessary): unload the weapon and lower and lock the gun barrel;

2. Introducing the cleaning device preferably through the muzzle by attaching the adapter;

3. Cleaning by means of cleaning fluid under high pressure and advance of the cleaning device;

4. determination of the current feed rate from the hose length or the development of the motor spindle;

5. upon reaching an excellent position stop the feed and stop the cleaning fluid;

6. Inversion of the direction of movement of the cleaning device and application of compressed air (if preservation is desired).

With the inventive method, it is also possible to clean the individual drums of a revolver gun. At the beginning of the cleaning process, a first cartridge chamber of the revolver is in alignment with the gun barrel. Thus, the cleaning is carried out in the manner described above, namely that the cleaning device 20 mouth side in the weapon to the bottom of the cartridge chamber under supply of the cleaning fluid 23 a. Upon reaching the rear end of the cartridge chamber, the direction of movement of the cleaning device 20 is reversed and instead of cleaning fluid compressed air is blown out. The cleaning device 20 is now pulled back at least as far back in the direction of the mouth until it would not hinder rotation of the drum. Then, without feeding a new cartridge, a charging step of the gun is made with a rotation of the revolver drum around a chamber. Subsequently, the cleaning device 20 is introduced into the next turret chamber and the cleaning process is repeated until all turret chambers are cleaned and preserved.

Claims

claims

1. Cleaning device (20) for cleaning and / or preserving weapon barrel (10 ') and / or drum inserts and other weapon parts of a particular automatic weapon (10), characterized by

A tubular central piece (21),

Guide elements (22) distributed over the circumference of the central piece (21),

A fluid supply device (23), via which the cleaning device (20) fluid (23 a) is supplied,

A preferably rotating nozzle head (24) with openings (24a) from which the fluid (23a) can emerge, wherein

• the fluid (23a) comprises a cleaning agent or gas, for example compressed air, is and

• The supply of the cleaning agent by means of a valve (42) is turned off and a compressed air supply can be started.

2. Cleaning device (20) according to claim 1, characterized in that the cleaning agent is petroleum-based or a cleaning oil.

3. Cleaning device (20) according to claim 1, characterized in that the guide elements (22), at least two, arranged approximately at equal angular intervals to one another and are designed as fins.

4. Cleaning device (20) according to claim 1 or 3, characterized in that the tubular central piece (21) has a relation to the caliber part (10 b) of the weapon barrel (10 ') and / or drum insert smaller diameter.

5. cleaning device (2) with a cleaning device (20) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that a guide device (30) is integrated, which allows a particular automatic and preferably motorized moving the cleaning device (20).

6. Cleaning device (2) according to claim 5, characterized in that a linear drive (31) with a spindle motor (32) form the guide device (30).

7. Cleaning device according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that a container (40) which is provided for receiving the fluid (23 a), via a pump / compressor unit (41) and a valve (42), for example a three Way valve, with the fluid supply means (23) is operatively connected.

8. Cleaning device according to one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the fluid supply means (23) is formed by an up or unwound hose.

9. Cleaning device according to one of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that a suction turbine (43) and / or a filter (44) by means of suction (45) on the guide means (30) are functionally connected.

10. A method for cleaning and / or preserving in particular automatic weapon barrel (10 ') and drum inserts and associated weapon parts of a weapon with a cleaning device (20) according to one of claims 1 to 4, comprising a cleaning device (2) according to claims 5 to 9, characterized by the steps:

• Introducing the cleaning device (20) through the pipe mouth (10a), for example by attaching an adapter;

Introducing the fluid (23a) by means of preferably high pressure and advance of the cleaning device (20);

• determination of the current feed rate from a hose length or the development of a motor spindle of the cleaning device (2);

Stop the feed and stop the cleaning fluid when reaching an excellent position

• Reversal of the direction of movement of the cleaning device (20), wherein the reversal of the direction of compressed air (23a) is fed.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that, when during the cleaning process, the cleaning fluid from the mouth (10a) of the weapon (10) runs out, this is taken up by the Führungsseänrichtung (30) and removed.

12. The method according to claim 1 1, characterized in that a suction mitteis the suction turbine (43) and / or the filter (44) can be performed. 3. Use of the cleaning device (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 4 and the cleaning device (2) according to one of claims 5 to 9 for cleaning and / or conservation of weapon tubes (10 ') and other weapon parts, in particular weapons (10). with medium and large caliber such as cannon, guns, mortars or howitzers.