Weapon mounting and turret comprising such a weapon mounting

Abstract

The invention relates to a weapon assembly (2) comprising an oscillating mass mounted pivoting in elevation about a first elevation axis (S1) and comprising a body (5), a magazine (12), and a recoil assembly (11) comprising a recoiling mass (10), which includes a weapon (8), and translational guidance means (9) for the recoiling mass (10). The recoil assembly (11) and the magazine (12) are coupled to the body (5) so as to pivot as a single unit with it during a pivoting of the oscillating mass about the first elevation axis (S1). According to the invention, the guidance means (9) are further connected to the body (5) by second pivoting means (15) defining, at a distance and in front of the first elevation axis (S1), a second elevation axis (S2) about which only the recoil assembly (11) is capable of pivoting.

Description

[0001] The technical field of the invention is that of weapon mounts for turrets of military vehicles, in particular armored vehicles such as tanks, and of turrets comprising such weapon mounts.

[0002] Traditional weapon mounts on turrets feature a pair of trunnions that serve as the weapon's elevation pivot point.

[0003] Particularly for large caliber weapons (greater than 40 mm), two main types of turret architecture can be distinguished depending on the weapon mounting it contains, namely oscillating turrets and turrets with decoupled magazine.

[0004] DE 38 43 258 A1 discloses a weapon assembly comprising an oscillating mass which includes first pivoting means for interfacing with a turret mount of a military vehicle to allow the oscillating mass to pivot in elevation about a first elevation axis so as to be able to be aimed with a positive elevation angle, the oscillating mass comprising a body, intended to be connected to the mount by the first pivoting means, a magazine, and a recoil assembly comprising a recoiling mass, which includes a weapon and translates relative to the mount during firing, and guidance means for ensuring the translational guidance of the recoiling mass, the recoil assembly and the magazine being coupled to the body so as to pivot as a single unit with the body during a pivoting of the oscillating mass about the first elevation axis,the guiding means being further connected to the body by second pivoting means which define a second axis of elevation parallel to the first axis of elevation and around which the recoil assembly is able to pivot, relative to the body, the second axis of elevation being located at a distance and in front of the first axis of elevation.

[0005] French patent application FR2544065 A1 discloses an example of an oscillating turret. If we refer to the Figure 1 , we can see that a schematic representation has been made, in side view, of an oscillating turret 100, whose weapon mount 101 includes an oscillating mass 102 mounted pivotally, by means of trunnions 103, on a mount 104 fixed to the carapace 105 of the turret 100. The turret 100 is mounted on a military vehicle so as to pivot in azimuth around a bearing separating the turret 100 from the vehicle and defining a mounting plane P1, here coinciding with the horizontal upper wall of the carapace 105.The oscillating mass 102 is formed by a body (not shown) to which are fixed in rotation a weapon 106, which constitutes a recoiling mass relative to the mount 104 following a shot, a cradle 107 which cooperates with the trunnions 103 and serves to guide the recoil movement of the weapon 106, and a weapon reloading device 108, hereinafter referred to as the magazine, which allows the weapon 106 to be reloaded and which is placed outside the recoil path of the weapon 106. The weapon 106 conventionally comprises a tube 109 closed at its rear end by a breech after the ammunition has been inserted.The pivoting of the oscillating mass 102 around the trunnions 103 for elevation pointing is controlled by any suitable means, such as jacks, so that the oscillating mass 102 can be pointed with a positive elevation angle α, the elevation angle α being the angle formed between the longitudinal axis A1 of the weapon tube 106 and the horizontal plane P2 passing through the axis of the trunnions 103.

[0006] Because the magazine 108 remains aligned in elevation with the weapon 106 throughout operation, the oscillating turret 100 has the advantage of rapid reloading of the weapon 106 and very satisfactory balancing of the oscillating mass 102 around the pivot axis formed by the trunnions 103.

[0007] However, in order to avoid interference from the 108 magazine with the P1 positioning plane, the elevation range of the 106 weapon is small and the oscillating turrets are therefore only used for direct fire in line of sight of the target.

[0008] If we now refer to the Figure 2 , we can see that a turret with a decoupled loader 110 has been schematically represented in a side view, which allows aiming at higher elevation angles α for curved shots. The decoupled magazine turret 110 differs from the oscillating turret 100 in that the magazine 108 is not part of the oscillating mass 102, which here comprises only the weapon 106 and the cradle 107. In order to allow a high elevation angle α without the aiming and recoil of the weapon 106 interfering with the armor 105 of the turret 110, a clearance is provided in the central part of the turret 110 located below the mounting plane P1. This clearance is conventionally formed by a turret well 111 penetrating the vehicle chassis, into which the rear part of the tube 109 and the breechblock 112 can extend at the end of the recoil movement of the weapon 106. US patent US4838144 describes an example of such a decoupled magazine turret.

[0009] However, turrets with decoupled magazines have the disadvantage of requiring realignment of weapon 106 with magazine 108 between each shot, in order to load a round into weapon 106, which reduces the rate of fire.

[0010] Furthermore, the presence of turret well 111 complicates the integration of turret 110 onto the vehicle and generates safety problems for personnel (areas of moving parts, ballistic vulnerability, etc.).

[0011] The turret well 111 could be omitted, and interference between the weapon 106 and the armor 105 avoided, by raising the trunnions 103 and the mount 104 relative to the mounting plane P1. However, this leads to reduced stability of the weapon 106 when firing, a more cumbersome transport size, and reduced stealth.

[0012] There is therefore a need for a multi-purpose turret capable of carrying out cavalry missions, where direct fire is the rule, and artillery missions, where curved fire is the norm.

[0013] The aim of the invention is therefore to offer a weapon mount and turret which retain the advantages of oscillating turrets during direct firing phases, namely rapid reloading of the weapon and very satisfactory balancing of the oscillating mass, while allowing curved shots without the recoil of the weapon in curved firing causing the weapon to intrusion under the turret mounting plane, and this without diminishing the stability of the weapon when firing, increasing the transport size and reducing the stealth of the vehicle.

[0014] The solution according to the present invention is based on the selective decoupling of the magazine and a so-called recoil assembly, comprising the recoiling mass and the means of guiding its recoil movement in translation, and the articulation of the recoil assembly alone around a second axis of elevation placed in front of the first axis of elevation around which the oscillating mass pivots, namely that the second axis of elevation is closer to the muzzle of the weapon than is the first axis of elevation, this articulation being achieved using pivot linkage means carried by the body.

[0015] Thus, during direct fire operation, the entire oscillating mass, including the recoil assembly and the magazine, pivots around the first elevation axis, like an oscillating turret and therefore with the same advantages, to be aimed at the elevation angle known as direct fire. It can be considered that in this case, the recoil assembly and the magazine are coupled to each other with respect to their pivoting around the first elevation axis.

[0016] When operating in curved firing mode, the entire oscillating mass can be rotated around the first elevation axis to point it at an initial positive angle. Then, the recoil assembly can be rotated around the second elevation axis to point the weapon at an elevation angle, known as the curved firing angle, which is greater than the first angle and sufficient to achieve a curved trajectory. This ensures over-pointing of the oscillating mass. In this case, the recoil assembly and the magazine can be considered decoupled from each other with respect to their rotation around the second elevation axis.

[0017] The values ​​that the elevation angle for curved shots can take, in particular its maximum value, depend on parameters such as the recoil travel of the weapon, the maximum elevation angle for flat shots, the distance between the first and second elevation axes, etc.

[0018] This ability to fire curved shots, by over-pointing the oscillating mass, is obtained without diminishing the stability of the weapon when firing, without increasing the transport size and without reducing the stealth of the vehicle, since the said articulation of the recoil assembly around the second axis of elevation results in only a very limited increase, or even no increase, in the height dimensions of the turret.

[0019] The present invention therefore relates to a weapon assembly comprising an oscillating mass which includes first pivoting means for interfacing with a turret mount of a military vehicle to allow the oscillating mass to pivot in elevation around a first elevation axis so as to be able to be aimed with a positive elevation angle, the oscillating mass comprising a body, intended to be connected to the mount by the first pivoting means, a magazine, and a recoil assembly comprising a recoiling mass, which includes a weapon and translates relative to the mount during firing, and guidance means for ensuring the translational guidance of the recoiling mass, the recoil assembly and the magazine being coupled to the body so as to pivot as a single unit with the body during a pivoting of the oscillating mass around the first elevation axis,The guidance means are further connected to the body by second pivot link means which define a second axis of elevation parallel to the first axis of elevation and around which the recoil assembly is able to pivot, relative to the body, the second axis of elevation being located at a distance and in front of the first axis of elevation (S1), characterized by the fact that the recoil assembly is able to pivot independently of the loader around the second axis of elevation (S2).

[0020] Preferably, the first and second site axes are separated by a distance of between 1000 and 2000 mm.

[0021] The second means of pivot connection may include trunnions integral with the guiding means and bores in the body each receiving a respective trunnion for rotation.

[0022] The first means of pivot connection can be trunnions.

[0023] The guidance system may include a cradle. As is well known, any suitable means may be provided within the cradle to ensure the guidance, and possibly the braking, of the recoil movement of the entire recoil assembly, such as through the cooperation of one or more profiles fixed to one part of the cradle and the weapon, and one or more complementary rails fixed to the other part of the cradle and the rail. Examples can be found, for instance, in documents FR3109815 A1, US 2012 / 0266747 A1, EP1072857 A1, and US 5703318 A.

[0024] For example, the weapon mount may include, as means of controlling the pivoting of the recoil assembly around the second elevation axis, one or more hydraulic cylinders, a worm gear system, or a rack and pinion attached to the recoil assembly, possibly to the cradle, and a pinion driven by drive means, such as a geared motor, mounted on the body. These solutions are classic and well known to those skilled in the art.

[0025] According to a particular embodiment, the weapon assembly includes locking means to block the rotation of the oscillating mass around the first elevation axis during firing, in particular during firing where the recoil assembly has been pivoted around the second elevation axis so as to increase the elevation angle of the oscillating mass.

[0026] Indeed, due to the over-pointing of the oscillating mass for a curved shot, the firing force creates a torque around the first axis of elevation, a torque which the locking means allow to be taken up.

[0027] The locking means may, for example, include a locking device configured to lock the body of the oscillating mass to the turret, which locking device includes at least a first locking member integral with the body and capable of engaging with a second respective locking member integral with the turret.

[0028] Alternatively, the locking means can be formed directly by means for controlling the elevation around the first elevation axis, the control means being mechanically irreversible. For example, control means based on a worm gear can be used.

[0029] The present invention also relates to a turret for a military vehicle pivoting in azimuth around a bearing separating the turret from the vehicle and defining a laying plane, the turret being characterized by the fact that it includes a weapon mount as defined above.

[0030] To better illustrate the object of the present invention, a particular embodiment thereof will be described below, with reference to the accompanying drawings. These drawings show: [ Fig. 1 ] is a schematic side view of an oscillating turret according to the prior art; [ Fig. 2 ] is a schematic side view of a turret with a decoupled loader according to the prior art; [ Fig. 3 ] is a schematic top view of a turret comprising a weapon mount according to a particular embodiment of the present invention, the upper wall of the body having been omitted; [ Fig. 4 ] is a schematic side view of the turret of the Figure 3 , in the direct firing phase; [ Fig. 5 ] is a schematic side view of the turret of the Figure 3 , in the curved firing phase; and [ Fig. 6 ] is a longitudinal, top-down cross-sectional view of part of the cradle and the means for controlling the pivoting of the recoil assembly around the second axis of elevation.

[0031] If we refer to Figures 3 à 5 , we can see that a turret 1 has been represented comprising a weapon mount 2 according to a particular embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] As is well known, the turret 1 is mounted pivoting in azimuth around a bearing (not shown) separating the turret 1 from the vehicle and defining the mounting plane P1, here coinciding with the horizontal upper wall of the vehicle's carapace 3, to which a gun 4 is attached.

[0033] The weapon mount 2 includes a body 5 equipped with first pivot linkage means 6, here two trunnions 7 which are each received pivotally in a respective bore 4a of the mount 4 and define a first axis of elevation S1, around which the weapon mount 2 is able to pivot by any suitable control means, well known in itself, such as for example by jack (not shown).

[0034] Weapon mount 2 also includes a weapon 8, including a large caliber (greater than 40 mm) and a cradle 9.

[0035] Typically, weapon 8 comprises a tube 8a whose longitudinal axis defines the axis A1 of weapon 8 and which is closed at its rear by a breechblock 8b. Weapon 8 is mounted in a sliding motion on the cradle 9, which serves as a means of guiding the recoil movement of weapon 8 following firing. Recoil brakes can, of course, be installed between weapon 8 and cradle 9.

[0036] The weapon 8, together with any components attached to it in translation, such as recoil brake components, constitutes a recoiling mass 10. The cradle 9 and the recoiling mass 10 form the recoil assembly 11 according to the present invention.

[0037] The weapon mount 2 further includes a magazine 12 serving as a means of reloading the weapon 8.

[0038] The magazine 12 can, for example, be of the type described in German patent application DE3328208 A1, which comprises two cylinders 13 arranged on either side of the weapon 8 and a stretcher 14 mounted pivoting on a support 14a fixed to the body 5, around an axis A2 which is orthogonal to the plane passing through the first axis of elevation S1 and the axis A1 of the weapon 8, the stretcher 14 being equipped with means for collecting a round from a cylinder 13 and then placing it in position in the weapon 8. During firing phases, the stretcher 14 will be pivoted so as not to interfere with the recoil trajectory of the recoiling mass 10.

[0039] It is emphasized here that the present invention is not limited to the way in which the reloading function of the weapon is implemented and that other types of magazines can of course be provided.

[0040] The above-described means of mounting weapon 2 are already known from the prior art. The weapon mounting 2 according to the present invention differs from them in that the cradle 9 is connected to the body 5 by secondary pivoting means 15 such that the recoil assembly 11 is able to pivot independently relative to the body 5 around a second axis of elevation S2 which is parallel to the first axis of elevation S1.

[0041] In particular, the second means of pivot connection 15 can be two trunnions 16 integral with the cradle 9 and positioned each on one side of the weapon 8. Each trunnion 16 is pivotally mounted in a bore 17 which has a support part 18 of the body 5.

[0042] The pivoting of the recoil assembly 11 around the second axis of elevation S2 can be controlled by any suitable means, such as by jack(s) or by a worm gear system. If we refer more specifically to the Figure 6 We can see that another example of such control means is shown, comprising a rack 9a, fixed to the cradle 9 and located on one side of the latter, and drive means including a pinion 9b which meshes with the rack 9a. The rack 9a follows an arc of a circle with the same center as the trunnion 16. The pinion 9b is carried by a shaft 9c which is rotated by the support part 18 and whose rotational drive is ensured by a motor 9d, such as a geared motor, schematically represented on the Figure 6 For the sake of clarity, these resources have not been shown on the Figure 3 .

[0043] In this embodiment, the body 5 is hollow and formed, for example, of welded sheet metal constituting a lower wall 5a, an upper wall 5b, a front wall 5c, a rear wall 5d, and two side walls 5e, which walls delimit an interior space in which the magazine 12 is located. An opening 5f is provided in the front wall 5c to allow the passage of the weapon 7 and its elevation. On the Figure 3 , the upper wall 5b has been omitted.

[0044] Of course, other shapes could be envisaged for the body 5, such as a body 5 that does not enclose the magazine 12.

[0045] We now refer more specifically to the Figure 4 , on which a side wall 5th of the body 5, a barrel 12 and a support part 18 have been omitted in order to better show the other elements of the weapon mount 2, and on which the turret 1 is in operation in direct fire mode.

[0046] The weapon 8 is pointed in elevation at a elevation angle for direct fire α1, here the maximum possible angle in the direct fire mode, by pivoting as a single unit, around the first elevation axis A1, of the body 5, of the elements which are attached to it, such as the magazine 12, and of the recoil assembly 11.

[0047] Turret 1 operates in a similar manner to an oscillating turret, and therefore has a small elevation range of weapon 8 in order to avoid interference with the laying plane P1, but also the same advantages of rapid reloading of weapon 8 and very satisfactory balancing.

[0048] If we now refer to the Figure 5 , on which the turret 1 is operating in curved firing mode, we can see the recoil assembly 11 can be pivoted alone around the second elevation axis S2 so as to increase the elevation angle of the weapon 8, up to a maximum elevation angle for curved firing α2 above which the recoiling mass 10 would be likely to interfere with the body 5 during recoil following a shot.

[0049] Since the pivot linkage means 15 are supported by the body 5 and pivot with it when the body 5 pivots around the first elevation axis S1, it is easy to understand that simply placing the body 5 at a positive elevation angle will cause the second elevation axis S2 to be at a height, relative to the mounting plane P1, greater than that of the first elevation axis S1. This, combined with the fact that the second elevation axis S2 is positioned in front of the first elevation axis S1, allows the elevation angle of the weapon 8 to be increased by pivoting the recoil assembly 11 alone, compared to the maximum possible elevation angle in direct fire mode. This allows for over-pointing of the weapon 8.

[0050] The maximum elevation angle for curved fire (α2) will depend, in particular, on the distance D between the first and second elevation axes (S1 and S2). This distance D will therefore be chosen so that, in curved firing mode, the weapon 8 can be aimed at a sufficient elevation angle to execute a curved shot. This distance D could, for example, be between 1000 and 2000 mm.

[0051] Turret 1 therefore also allows for curved firing.

[0052] During a curved shot, the firing force creates a torque around the first axis of elevation S1. To ensure the recovery of this torque, the weapon assembly 2 includes locking means 19 which selectively prevent any rotation of the oscillating mass around the first axis of elevation S1 during a curved shot.

[0053] If we refer to the Figure 3 It can be seen that the locking means 19 can, for example, include a locking device 20 comprising two first locking members attached to the body 5, one on each longitudinal side thereof, each of which is formed here by a hole 5g in the respective lateral wall 5e. The locking device 20 further comprises two second locking members 21 attached to the carapace 3 and each configured to engage with one of the respective first locking members so as to block the rotation of the body 5 around the first axis of position S1. Here, each second locking member 21 can be formed by a finger carried by a support 22 attached to the carapace 3 and which is translationally movable in a direction parallel to the first axis of position S1 (represented by the double arrows) so as to be able to engage, as illustrated for finger 21 on the left of the Figure 3 , or disengaged, as illustrated for finger 21 on the right, from the respective hole 5g. It is easily understood that when both fingers 21 are engaged in holes 5g, the body 5 is prevented from rotating around the first axis of position S1 and the torque is thus taken up by the vehicle. For the sake of clarity, the locking means 19 have not been represented schematically on the Figure 3 .

[0054] In the example discussed above, the rotational locking of the body 5 can only be achieved when the fingers 21 are aligned with the holes 5g, therefore for a given angular position of the body 5. This angular position can be chosen, for example, to correspond to the maximum elevation angle in the direct firing mode. Of course, means can be provided to lock the body 5 from rotation regardless of its angular position, for example by replacing the holes 5g with arc-shaped slots in which fingers equipped with selective clamping means for the lateral walls 5e of the body 5 move.

[0055] It is understood that the particular embodiment just described has been given as an indication and not as a limitation, and that modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0056] For example, in the embodiment shown, the first and second elevation axes S1 and S2 lie in the plane in which the axis A1 of the weapon 6 extends when operating in direct fire mode. It would be possible, for instance, to have the second elevation axis S2 above the plane containing axis A1 and the first elevation axis S1, thereby further increasing the maximum elevation angle of the weapon 6 in curved fire mode.

Claims

1. - A weapon assembly (2) comprising an oscillating mass which comprises first pivot connection means (6) intended to interface with a mount (4) of a turret (1) of a military vehicle to allow the oscillating mass to pivot in elevation about a first elevation axis (S1) so as to be able to be pointed with a positive elevation angle, the oscillating mass comprising a body (5), intended to be connected to the mount (4) by the first pivot connection means (6), a magazine (12), and a recoil assembly (11) comprising a recoiling mass (10), which comprises a wweapon (8) and translates relative to the mount (4) during a shot, and guide means (9) to ensure translational guidance of the recoiling mass (10), the recoil assembly (11) and the magazine (12) being coupled to the body (5) so as to pivot as one piece with the body (5) during pivoting of the oscillating mass about the first elevation axis (S1), the guide means (9) being further connected to the body (5) by second pivot connection means (15) which define a second elevation axis (S2) parallel to the first elevation axis (S1) and about which the recoil assembly (11) is able to pivot, relative to the body (5), the second elevation axis (S2) being located at a distance from and in front of the first elevation axis (S1), characterized in that the recoil assembly is able to pivot independently of the magazine (12) about the second elevation axis (S2).

2. - The weapon assembly (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first and second elevation axes (S1, S2) are separated by a distance (D) of between 1000 and 2000 mm.

3. - The weapon assembly (2) according to any one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the second pivot connection means (15) comprise trunnions (16) secured to the guide means (9) and bores (17) of the body (5) each rotatably receiving a respective trunnion (16).

4. - The weapon assembly (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the first pivot connection means (6) are trunnions (7).

5. - The weapon assembly (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the guide means (9) comprise a cradle.

6. - The weapon assembly (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it comprises blocking means (19) for blocking the rotation of the oscillating mass about the first elevation axis (S1) during a shot, in particular during a shot where the recoil assembly (11) has been pivoted about the second elevation axis (S2) so as to increase the elevation angle of the oscillating mass.

7. - The weapon assembly (2) according to claim 6, characterized in that the blocking means (19) comprise a locking device (20) configured to lock the body (5) of the oscillating mass to the turret (1), which locking device (20) comprises at least a first locking member (5f) secured to the body (5) and capable of engaging with a second respective locking member (21) secured to the turret (1).

8. - The weapon assembly (2) according to claim 6, characterized in that the blocking means are formed directly by means for controlling the pointing in elevation about the first elevation axis, the control means being mechanically irreversible.

9. - A turret (1) for a military vehicle pivoting in relative bearing about a bearing separating the turret (1) from the vehicle and defining a mounting plane (P1), the turret (1) being characterized by the fact that it comprises a weapon assembly (2) as defined in any one of claims 1 to 8.

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