Device and method for the thermal compensation of a weapon barrel

Abstract

A device and a method for performing thermal compensation of a weapon barrel of a gun having at least one weapon barrel which is mounted in a barrel cradle and in a barrel support as a prolongation of the barrel cradle. A plurality of temperature sensors are integrated into the barrel cradle and the barrel support and are connected via data lines to a data box. The data box is connected to a data processing device, which acts on actuators of the gun. The temperature at the barrel cradle and the barrel support is measured by temperature sensors. The temperature difference between upper and lower sides and right-hand and left-hand sides of the barrel cradle and the barrel support are determined. The barrel inclination is then calculated from these values, and the barrel inclination is then compensated by adjusting the orientation of the weapon barrel in its azimuth and / or elevation.

Description

[0001]This nonprovisional application is a continuation of International Application No. PCT / EP2012 / 060525, which was filed on Jun. 4, 2012, and which claims priority to German Patent Application No. DE 10 2011 106 199.5, which was filed in Germany on Jun. 7, 2011, and which are both herein incorporated by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The present invention relates to a gun barrel of a weapon, for example a revolver gun, for use in land-based or sea-based anti-aircraft systems. In particular, this invention relates to a gun barrel which is mounted in a barrel cradle and a barrel support, wherein the barrel cradle is continued into a barrel support for the purposes of stabilization, guidance and damping of vibrations, said barrel support bearing or supporting the barrel at a plurality of locations.[0004]2. Description of the Background Art[0005]A gun generally comprises a lower mount, a turret and a barrel cradle with barrel support in whic...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides a device and method for compensating for thermally induced bending of a barrel during firing of a weapon. The device is simple and cost-effective, and can be used even during rapid fire. The compensation does not induce any new bending torques or stresses in the barrel, increasing its service life. The method uses conventional temperature sensors and is fail-safe with respect to individual sensor failure. The device can also compensate for azimuth and elevation errors caused by thermally induced barrel deformation. Additionally, the device has no mechanical adverse effect on the barrel or bearing of the barrel.

Problems solved by technology

This deflection depends to a great extent on the ambient influences and weather influences and in turn significantly affects the probability of the weapon hitting its target.

This leads to an increase in temperature of the barrel.

This firing-induced temperature gradient also leads to deflection of the free end of the barrel out of the desired position.

These solutions are static and cannot react to changing ambient conditions.

These systems also operate in an unregulated and purely passive fashion.

This method is therefore very costly in terms of energy and at the same time very slow-acting, and the optical methods are susceptible to mechanical system stressing when the weapon is fired.

On the one hand, the mechanical stability is adversely affected by the bore and on the other hand a temperature gradient cannot be recorded over the length of the barrel.

This method is very costly.

For this reason, general compensation is not possible in the azimuth and elevation.

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