WO2023242484A1

WO2023242484A1 - Arrangement and method for damping recoil

Info

Publication number: WO2023242484A1
Application number: PCT/FI2023/050357
Authority: WO
Inventors: Pertti Hänninen
Original assignee: Moviator Oy
Priority date: 2022-06-17
Filing date: 2023-06-15
Publication date: 2023-12-21
Also published as: FI20225540A1

Abstract

The object of the invention is an arrangement for damping recoil, the arrangement comprising the barrel (1) of a weapon, said barrel permitted to move in conjunction with firing, in which case a support part (4) is rigidly fastened at its first end (5) to the barrel (1), the support part (4) being connected at its second end (6) to a piston (7), which piston (7) is disposed in a cylinder (8), and in that a flow channel (3) for the powder gases is arranged from the barrel (1) of the weapon into the space (10) of the cylinder (8) and one or more flow channels (11, 19, 21, 22) for the powder gases are arranged from the space (10) out of the cylinder (8). The object of the invention is also a corresponding method for damping recoil.

Description

ARRANGEMENT AND METHOD FOR DAMPING RECOIL

The object of the invention is an arrangement and method for damping recoil according to the independent claims. The arrangement and method are suited for use particularly, but not exclusively, in heavy weapons, in which case the invention offers improved targeting accuracy compared to conventional weapons.

Recoil is a movement, in the opposite direction to the movement direction of the bullet, that is produced when a weapon is discharged, the momentum of which is as great as the momentum received by the bullet or corresponding projectile, i.e. the impulse. A recoil is formed from the barrel phase acceleration of the bullet as well as from the powder gases that are discharged from the barrel at high pressure and high velocity behind the bullet, and in self-loading weapons also from the movement of the lock. Recoil makes control of the weapon more difficult during sustained fire and also slows down realignment of the weapon in a single-shot weapon. Recoil exerts powerful stress on the weapon and, particularly in the case of a high number of discharges, can result in damage to the weapon. In artillery-caliber weapons, recoil can create the need to re-align the weapon after each shot.

Attempts have been made to reduce or eliminate the recoil of weapons with various auxiliary devices, such as most generally with a muzzle brake or with a shock absorber, usually of rubber, placed between the weapon support and the shooter. A muzzle brake tries to change the direction of the powder gases and thereby to reduce the recoil in the backward or upward direction. A range of mercury-filled dampers based on the inertia of a mass are available for placement in or on the support. Attempts have been made to dampen recoil, including muzzle rise, also with gas-operation and countermass, utilizing the pressure of the powder gases of the projectile. The damping mechanism of the Jatimatic does not eliminate recoil but prevents muzzle rise when firing and in this way stabilizes use of the weapon. Most often recoil is dampened by allowing a higher own weight for the weapon than its functionality or strength would otherwise require. Solutions known in the art include, inter alia, various solutions based on spring force and, on the other hand, solutions based on hydraulic damping. Solutions based on spring force dampen recoil by compressing a spring and their damping becomes stronger the more the spring is compressed, and is therefore at its strongest only in final phase of damping. In damping, it is not only the amount of damping that is important but also at what stage of movement the damping occurs and how powerful it is at each moment of damping. Damping with spring force is very end-loaded.

Solutions based on hydraulic damping are based on movement of the fluid used between two parts of a reservoir through a piston resisting the movement, with a flow occurring from one space to another. A drawback of hydraulic damping is its sensitivity to changes in position. When using hydraulic damping, for example, shooting downwards weakens/changes the recoil damping and thus detrimentally hampers targeting accuracy. Furthermore, a hydraulic system is susceptible to large fluctuations in temperature when the hydraulic fluid warms up.

Hydraulic recoil damping is known from e.g. specification US 4,402,252. According to this specification, recoil damping of an autocannon is achieved by means of a hole made through the piston. When pressed inwards into the cylinder from the effect of the recoil, the fluid displaces into the cylinder filled with fluid through the piston aperture to the other side of the piston and brings about damping of the recoil. When moving from the effect of recoil, the piston simultaneously compresses a spring inside the cylinder, which finally returns the piston to its initial position and the fluid returns back to its initial space through the hole in the piston. The solution according to the specification produces recoil damping that is adjusted to be correct with the amount of fluid, i.e. with the size of the cylinder and also with the size of the hole passing though the piston. Also the spring used for returning the piston affects the amount of damping and the damping strength in the different phases of movement. These types of hydraulic arrangements for damping recoil are heavyweight and complex structures, the adjustment of which is difficult and almost impossible without disassembly of the entire arrangement. Even a small leak of the fluid used is also another danger as in that case the damping changes totally compared to what was planned. Hydraulic systems always require servicing procedures at certain intervals, such as replacement of seals and changing of fluids. Other notable drawbacks are problems caused by heating of the hydraulic fluid, i.e. the effect of temperature on damping.

The arrangement and method according to the invention for damping recoil is intended for use in the type of weapons in which the barrel moves in conjunction with discharge. In conjunction with discharge, the powder gases of the projectile are conducted to behind the piston, bringing about damping of the recoil, in which case the powder gases generated dampen the recoil at the same time as the projectile receives its motion. The arrangement and method according to the invention are particularly, but not exclusively, suited for use in solutions demanding high targeting accuracy, in which case the direction of fire of the weapon may not detrimentally affect targeting accuracy. The solution according to the invention is a more reliable and simpler arrangement than conventional hydraulic damping of recoil and can easily be adjusted according to need. Unlike hydraulic systems, the solution is not susceptible to temperature fluctuations. The arrangement according to the invention eliminates many of the technical drawbacks of prior art and enables damping of slide caused by recoil in a correct manner. Damping in a correct manner means e.g. that for charges of different magnitude the recoil will be of a different magnitude and the arrangement according to the invention automatically dampens recoil/slide in such a way that for a powerful charge the damping is also stronger. Furthermore, as the damping is based on the magnitude of the flow channel from inside the cylinder bringing about damping, higher pressure automatically produces a larger flow out of the cylinder and the damping changes along with the magnitude of the charge. State-of-the art solutions are not as well able to take into account the requirements of a variable charge and therefore the damping is often too strong. Damping that is too strong causes other problems.

In the following the invention will be described in more detail with the aid of some examples of its embodiment with reference to the attached simplified drawings, wherein

Fig. 1 presents a simplified schematic drawing of a preferred arrangement according to the invention for damping recoil,

Fig. 2 presents a simplified schematic drawing of a second preferred arrangement according to the invention for damping recoil, Fig. 3 presents a simplified schematic drawing of a third preferred arrangement according to the invention for damping recoil, and

Fig. 4 presents a simplified schematic drawing of a fourth preferred arrangement according to the invention for damping recoil.

The terms frontmost, front and corresponding hereinafter refer to the direction or surface corresponding to the direction of flight of the projectile and, correspondingly, the terms rearmost, rear and corresponding refer to the opposite direction or surface with respect to the direction of flight of the projectile. The longitudinal direction refers to the direction of the barrel of the weapon.

Fig. 1 presents a simplified schematic drawing of a preferred arrangement according to the invention for damping recoil. The arrangement comprises a barrel/tube 1, through which the projectile 2 travels after firing. Hereinafter the single term barrel is used for barrel/tube 1, but it is to be understood that the term shall encompass a more extensive meaning. Both terms are used for the same part in weapons of different caliber. When a projectile 2 is discharged, powder gases are released into the barrel 1 in conjunction with the discharge. The powder gases exit in typical solutions via the muzzle of the barrel 1 of the weapon after the projectile 2 leaves the barrel. As the projectile 2 leaves on its trajectory a counterforce is produced by it, i.e. a recoil. The solution according to the invention dampens recoil in the type of weapons in which the barrel 1 is permitted to move backwards from the force of the recoil.

In the solution according to the invention a flow channel 3 is made for powder gases from the barrel 1 of the weapon. The flow channel 3 is situated inside the support part 4. The support part 4 is rigidly attached at its first end 5 to the barrel 1 of the weapon and a piston 7 is fastened to its second end 6. The piston 7 is situated inside the cylinder 8 in such a way that it is able to move from its first extreme position to its second extreme position. After the projectile 2 has passed the orifice of the flow channel 3 in the barrel 1, the powder gases are able to pass via the flow channel, through the piston 7, to inside the cylinder 8 behind the piston. Two events therefore occur simultaneously: the barrel 1 of the weapon tries to move backwards, as indicated by arrow 9, from the effect of the recoil and the powder gases discharge through the flow channel 3 to behind the piston 7, raising the pressure behind the piston. Since the powder gases increase the amount of gas behind the piston 7, and the piston moving according to arrow 9 from the effect of the recoil compresses the space 10 behind the piston to become smaller, effective recoil damping is obtained. The strength of the charge for the projectile 2 affects the pressure of the powder gases generated, in which case a stronger charge brings about stronger recoil damping. This happens automatically without changes to adjustments of the weapon. When using the pressure of the powder gases for damping recoil the correct recoil is achieved, i.e. the damping takes place correctly in relation to the recoil. A drawback with prior-art recoil dampers using fluid is that, in practice, fluid does not compress at all. When using gas for damping recoil, the gas is highly compressed and provides the correct response to the recoil. The location of the flow channel 3 in the barrel 1 can also affect the timing, operation and strength of the damping of the recoil. The earlier the powder gases are able to flow through the flow channel 3 into the cylinder 8, the earlier the recoil damping starts to operate.

When the piston 7 moves backwards in the cylinder 8 from the effect of recoil, and the gas compresses as the space 10 behind the piston 7 in the cylinder 8 becomes smaller, and as the amount of gas increases, the gas is able to discharge in a controlled manner out of the cylinder and out of the space determined by the piston via the flow channel. The flow channel in the preferred embodiment according to Fig. 1 is the gap 11 between the piston 7 and the wall of the cylinder 8, which gap is brought about by fabricating the clearance between the piston 7 and the cylinder 8 to be of the desired magnitude. The strength of the damping of the recoil can be controlled and adjusted with the magnitude of the gap 11. After the projectile 2 has left the barrel 1, the barrel returns back to its initial position and the space 10 in the cylinder 8 fills with replacement air as air flows via the gap 11 functioning as a flow channel back into the cylinder. In the embodiment according to Fig. 1 the base 12 of the cylinder is completely whole, and flow is not able to occur out of the cylinder via the base.

Fig. 1 does not describe in more detail the arrangement for returning the barrel 1, and the parts connected to it, back to the initial position, but any solution whatsoever known in the art can be selected for such an arrangement. Likewise, various solutions for limiting movement of the barrel, or of other parts of the weapon, can be any type of solution whatsoever known in the art. What is essential from the standpoint of the invention is utilization of the generated powder gases in damping recoil.

In the solution according to Fig. 1, as well as in the other preferred embodiments presented hereinafter, the support part 4 between the barrel 1 and the piston 7 can be fabricated without a flow channel 3. In such a case the support part 4 functions solely as a mechanical connecting part that transmits movement of the barrel 1 into movement of the piston 7. The powder gases can be conducted with a separate flexible flow channel into the space 10 inside the cylinder 8, e.g. through the piston 7, or alternatively through the wall or base 12 of the cylinder 8. Some hose/tube, or corresponding, known per se in the art and designed for handling pressurized gas preferably functions as a flexible flow channel 3.

Fig. 2 presents a second preferred embodiment of the solution according to the invention. As presented in Fig. 1, the powder gases pass along the flow channel 3 into the space 10 of the cylinder 8 after the projectile has passed the aperture of the flow channel in the barrel 1. Differing from the solution according to Fig. 1, the flow channel 3 is implemented with a flexible hose/tube from the barrel 1 of the weapon to the space 10 of the cylinder 8. The flexible flow channel 3 can also be made to pass through the piston 7 or through the base 12 of the cylinder 8 into the space 10.

Differing from Fig. 1, a flow channel is fabricated to the base 12 of the cylinder 8 for the powder gases exiting the space 10. The flow channel is in this case an aperture 21, from which most of the powder gases exit and the magnitude of which aperture can adjust the damping of the recoil. At the same time the gap between the piston 7 and cylinder 8 can be fabricated smaller, but it does not need to be tight; instead, the powder gases can discharge partly via the gap 11 also. Damping tailored to need is obtained with the magnitude of the clearance gap 11 and the aperture 21. The aperture 21, or a number of apertures, functioning as a flow channel can be fabricated also in the wall of the cylinder 8 in the proximity of the base 12. The size of the aperture 21 functioning as a flow channel now essentially determines the strength of the damping of recoil and the flow from between the piston 7 and the wall of the cylinder 8 is significantly smaller than in the solution of a closed base 12 of the cylinder. This kind of adjustment of the flow channel by partial closing of the aperture 21, i.e. by reducing the size of the flow channel, is possible with methods known in the art. These types of methods are e.g. partial blocking of the aperture 21 with a pin-type means, which means comprises a smaller aperture 21 as the flow channel for gas. In this solution, adjustment of the damping of the recoil is simple, easy and succeeds also after commissioning of the weapon. There can also be more than one flow channel aperture 21 and by blocking at least some of them, partly or completely, the strength of the recoil damping can be adjusted.

Fig. 3 presents a third preferred embodiment of the arrangement according to the invention. As in the solutions according to Figs. 1 and 2, the powder gases are able to discharge from the barrel 1, after the projectile 2 has passed the aperture of the flow channel 3 in the barrel, along the flow channel through the support part 4 to behind the piston 7 in the cylinder 8 and into the space 10 formed by the piston and the cylinder. Differing from the solutions presented earlier, a turbine 14 and generator 15 are disposed inside the cylinder 8. The powder gases are able to discharge from the space 10 formed by the piston 7, cylinder 8 and front wall of the turbine 14, pushed through the turbine by the piston and causing the turbine to rotate. The gap 11 between the piston 7 and the cylinder 8 corresponds to the clearance of the solution according to Fig. 2, in which case most of the flow out of the space 10 of the cylinder occurs from elsewhere than via the gap between the piston and the cylinder. There is no aperture in the base 12 of the cylinder 8 in this embodiment.

The turbine 14 can be any turbine whatsoever that is known in the art. The turbine 14 is mechanically connected to the generator 15, in which case movement of the turbine makes the generator produce electricity. Preferably the turbine 14 and generator 15 are disposed on the same drive shaft 16. Operation of the generator 15, and simultaneously of the turbine 14, is controlled by means of a control unit 17. By adjusting the operation of the generator 15 by the aid of the control unit 17 (i.e. the resistance to rotational movement it produces and consequently also the resistance brought about to the flow of the turbine 14) the recoil damping can be simultaneously controlled and adjusted. Likewise, by means of the necessary electricity transmission means, the control unit 17 controls the storage in the battery 18 of the current produced. The control unit 17 and battery 18 are disposed as a fixed part of the weapon or in a separate unit with the necessary connections connected to the weapon. The connections between the control unit, generator and battery comprise the necessary connections for data transmission and electricity transmission and can be implemented with any prior- art technology whatsoever. When the turbine 14 and generator 15 are disposed inside the cylinder 8, the powder gases passing through the turbine exit the cylinder via the one or more apertures 19 fabricated in the side walls of the cylinder, the aperture(s) functioning as a flow channel. There can be more than one aperture 19 functioning as a flow channel and, as in the embodiment of Fig. 2, they can be blocked and opened, partly or completely, for adjusting the damping of the recoil.

The turbine 14 and generator 15 are mechanically fastened to the inside of the cylinder in such a way that they are not able to move as a result of the pressure forces exerted by the movement of the powder gases and piston 7. This type of mechanical fastening can be e.g. a protrusion or corresponding arranged on the wall of the cylinder 8, which protrusion keeps the turbine 14 in position. The generator 15, on the other hand, preferably rests on the base 12 of the cylinder 8. On returning to its initial position, the piston 7 brings about suction of replacement air via the flow channels back into the space 10 inside the cylinder 8. The replacement air coming via the apertures 19 brings about rotational movement of the turbine 14 in the opposite direction, which rotational movement can also be utilized and can produce electrical energy by means of the generator 15. With the combination of the turbine 14 and generator 15, the pressure of the powder gases and the movement of the replacement air can be utilized to produce electricity in conjunction with each firing of the weapon. The electricity generated can be utilized in the operation of the various electrical systems of the weapon.

Fig. 4 presents a fourth preferred embodiment of the arrangement according to the invention. As presented in the previous embodiments, the powder gases generated in conjunction with discharge of a projectile 2 pass from the barrel 1 along the flow channel 3 through the support part 4 and piston 7 into the space 10 of the cylinder 8. The turbine 14 is disposed inside the cylinder 8, in which case the turbine itself forms the base of the cylinder. The turbine 14 is fastened to the wall of the cylinder with a mechanical fastening, which can be e.g. the type of protrusion described earlier or corresponding, that keeps the turbine fixed to the cylinder wall. A base can also be fabricated in the cylinder 8, in which base there are flow channels for gas passing through the turbine 14 and an aperture between the turbine and the generator 15 for a mechanical connection, e.g. a drive shaft 16 (not presented in Fig. 4). In the solution according to Fig. 4, the generator 15 is disposed outside the cylinder 8 and the flow through the turbine 14 functions as the flow channel 22 for the powder gases coming out of the cylinder. The flow freely exits after the turbine 14.

The turbine 14 can thus be disposed inside the cylinder 8, in which case at least some of the powder gases pass first through the turbine and after it exit the cylinder from one or more of the apertures of the cylinder. Another alternative embodiment is to dispose the turbine 14 in one of the apertures 19 or 21 of the cylinder, in which case the powder gases simultaneously rotate the turbine as they leave the cylinder. Likewise, the turbine 14 can form the base of the cylinder 8, in which case the powder gases pass through the turbine from the aperture 22 as they leave the cylinder. All the powder gases do not necessarily exit via the turbine 14, but instead there may be other apertures in the cylinder for the exiting powder gases.

The method according to the invention for damping recoil comprises at least some of the following phases: moving of the barrel 1 of the weapon backwards from the force of the recoil is enabled, the barrel 1 of the weapon is connected with a support part 4 to a piston 7 moving inside a cylinder 8, a flow channel 3 for the powder gases is produced from the barrel 1 of the weapon through the support part 4 and piston 7 into the space 10 of the cylinder 8, a flow channel 3 for the powder gases is produced from the barrel 1 of the weapon into the space 10 of the cylinder 8 with a flexible flow channel through the piston 7 or through the wall/base 12 of the cylinder, some of the powder gases generated in conjunction with discharge of a projectile 2 are conducted along the flow channel 3 from the barrel 1 into the space 10 of the cylinder 8, the space 10 is compressed to become smaller from the effect of the recoil and exit of the powder gases from the space 10 is enabled via at least one flow channel 11, 19, 21, 22, a turbine 14 is disposed in the cylinder 8, through which turbine the powder gases are able to flow bringing about rotational movement of the turbine, the turbine 14 is connected to the generator 15 with a mechanical joint for producing electricity, the arrangement is provided with a control unit 17 for controlling the operation of the generator 15 and simultaneously of the turbine 14, the arrangement is provided with means for transmitting and storing electricity in the battery 18, the strength of the damping of the recoil is adjusted by blocking or opening, at least partly, one or more flow channels 11, 19, 21, damping of the recoil is adjusted by controlling the operation of the generator 15 and simultaneously of the turbine 14 by increasing/decreasing the resistance to rotational movement brought about by the generator.

Typically, the maximum muzzle velocity of projectiles from shoulder-fired weapons known in the art is around 1200 m/s. When using gas damping according to the invention, the muzzle velocity can increase to 2000 m/s or even more. Gas damping thus enables shooting farther and more precisely since larger charges can be used in the projectiles. The gas-operated recoil damping according to the invention is suited for use in all weapons in which operation of the weapon permits movement of the barrel in conjunction with discharge of the weapon. The arrangement according to the invention for damping recoil is more lightweight and simpler than the arrangements according to prior art. It is also more operationally reliable, which is extremely advantageous when operating in demanding conditions in conflict situations.

It is obvious to the person skilled in the art that the invention is not limited solely to the examples described above, but that it may be varied within the scope of the claims presented below. Features in different examples may be combined to provide other preferred embodiments.

Claims

1. An arrangement for damping recoil, the arrangement comprising the barrel (1) of a weapon, said barrel permitted to move in conjunction with firing, in which case a support part (4) is rigidly fastened at its first end (5) to the barrel (1), the support part (4) being connected at its second end (6) to a piston (7), which piston (7) is disposed in a cylinder (8), and in that a flow channel (3) for the powder gases is arranged from the barrel (1) of the weapon into the space (10) of the cylinder (8) and one or more flow channels (11, 19, 21, 22) for the powder gases are arranged from the space (10) out of the cylinder (8), characterized in that the arrangement further comprises a turbine (14) disposed in the cylinder (8) or in a flow channel (19, 21, 22) coming out from the cylinder, through which turbine at least some of the powder gases pass as they exit the cylinder (8), as well as a generator (15), which generator (15) and turbine (14) are connected to each other with a mechanical joint.

2. Arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the arrangement further comprises means for transmitting electricity from the generator (15) and a battery(18) for storing the electricity, as well as the means needed for their connection.

3. Arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the arrangement further comprises a control unit (17) for controlling the generator (15) and/or for controlling the operation of the battery (18), as well as the connections between them.

4. Arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the flow channel out of the cylinder (8) is at least one aperture (21) in the base (12) or in the side of the cylinder (8).

5. Arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the flow channel out of the cylinder (8) is at least one aperture (19) in the side of the cylinder (8).

6. Arrangement according to any of claims 1-5, characterized in that a flow channel (3) passes from the barrel (1) of the weapon through the support part (4) and piston (7) into the space (10).

7. Arrangement according to any of claims 1-5, characterized in that the flow channel (3) is a flexible hose/tube, which connects the barrel (1) of the weapon and the space (10) of the cylinder (8) through the wall/base (12) of the cylinder (8) or through the piston (7). Method for damping recoil, the method comprising a weapon that enables movement of the barrel (1) from the effect of recoil, whereby the barrel (1) of the weapon is connected with a support part (4) to a piston (7) moving inside a cylinder (8), a flow channel (3) for the powder gases is produced from the barrel (1) of the weapon into the space (10) of the cylinder (8), some of the powder gases generated in conjunction with discharge of a projectile (2) are conducted along the flow channel (3) from the barrel (1) into the space (10) of the cylinder (8), and the space (10) is compressed from the effect of the recoil to become smaller and exit of the powder gases from the space (10) is enabled via at least one flow channel (11, 19, 21, 22), characterized in that a turbine (14) is disposed in the cylinder (8) or in a flow channel (19, 21, 22) coming out from the cylinder (8), in which case the powder gases flow at least partly through the turbine (14) as they exit the cylinder (8) and the turbine (14) is connected to the generator (15) with a mechanical joint. Method according to claim 8, characterized in that the arrangement is provided with means for transmitting and storing electricity in the battery (18). Method according to claim 9, characterized in that the arrangement is provided with a control unit (17) for controlling the generator (15) and simultaneously the operation of the turbine (14) as well as of the battery (18). Method according to any of the preceding claims 8-10, characterized in that the strength of the damping of the recoil is adjusted by blocking or opening, at least partly, one or more flow channels (11, 19, 21). Method according to any of the preceding claims 10-11, characterized in that damping of the recoil is adjusted by controlling the generator (15) and simultaneously the operation of the turbine (14) by increasing/decreasing the resistance to rotational movement brought about by the generator (15).