Weapon mount and turret incorporating such a weapon mount

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. Figure to be published with the abbreviation: Figure 5.

Description

Title of the invention: Weapon mount and turret comprising such a weapon mount

[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 include a pair of trunnions serving as a pivot point in elevation for the weapon.

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

[0004] French patent application FR2544065 Al discloses an example of an oscillating turret. Referring to [Fig. 1], it can be seen that a schematic side view of an oscillating turret 100 is shown, the weapon mount 101 of which comprises an oscillating mass 102 pivotally mounted, by means of trunnions 103, on a mount 104 integral with the armor 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 PI, here coinciding with the horizontal upper wall of the armor 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 Al of the weapon tube 106 and the horizontal plane P2 passing through the axis of the trunnions 103.

[0005] 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.

[0006] However, in order to avoid interference from the charger 108 with the positioning plane PI, the 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.

[0007] If we now refer to [Fig.2], we can see that a turret with a decoupled loader 110 has been schematically represented in side view, which allows aiming at higher elevation angles 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 only includes the weapon 106 and the cradle 107. In order to allow a high elevation angle 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 PI, this clearance being conventionally formed by a turret well 111 penetrating the chassis of the vehicle and in which the rear part of the tube 109 and the breech 112 can extend at the end of the recoil movement of the weapon 106.US patent US4838144 describes an example of such a turret with a decoupled loader.

[0008] However, turrets with decoupled magazines have the disadvantage of requiring realignment of the weapon 106 with the magazine 108 between each shot, in order to load a munition into the weapon 106, which reduces the rate of fire.

[0009] In addition, the presence of the turret well 111 complicates the integration of the turret 110 onto the vehicle and generates safety problems for personnel (areas of moving parts, ballistic vulnerability, etc.).

[0010] The turret well 111 could be omitted and interference between the weapon 106 and the carapace 105 avoided by raising the trunnions 103 and the mount 104 relative to the mounting plane PL. However, this leads to less stability of the weapon 106 when firing, a penalizing transport size and less stealth.

[0011] 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.

[0012] The aim of the invention is therefore to provide 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 to be made without the recoil of the weapon in curved firing causing an intrusion of the weapon 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.

[0013] The solution according to the present invention is based on the selective decoupling of the loader and a so-called recoil assembly, comprising the recoiling mass and the means for guiding its recoil movement in translation, and the articulation of the recoil assembly alone around a second elevation axis placed in front of the first elevation axis around which the oscillating mass pivots, namely that the second axis of elevation is closer to the muzzle of the weapon than the first axis of elevation, this articulation being achieved using pivot linkage means carried by the body.

[0014] Thus, during operation in direct fire mode, the entire oscillating mass, including the recoil assembly and the magazine, pivots around the first elevation axis, in the manner of an oscillating turret and therefore with the same advantages, to be aimed at an 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 pivoting around the first elevation axis.

[0015] In curved firing mode, the entire oscillating mass can be rotated around the first elevation axis to point it at a first positive angle, and then the recoil assembly can be rotated around the second elevation axis to point the weapon at an elevation angle, referred to 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 the rotation around the second elevation axis.

[0016] The values ​​that the site angle for curved firing can take, in particular its maximum value, depend on parameters such as the recoil stroke of the weapon, the maximum site angle for direct firing, the distance between the first and second site axes, etc.

[0017] This ability to fire curved, 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 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.

[0018] The present invention therefore relates to a weapon assembly comprising an oscillating mass which includes first pivoting connection means intended to interface with a mount of a military vehicle turret 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 connection 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 to ensure 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,characterized by the fact that the guiding 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 and independently of the loader, the second axis of elevation, site being located at a distance and in front of the first axis of the site.

[0019] Preferably, the first and second site axes are separated by a distance of between 1000 and 2000 mm.

[0020] The second pivot connection means may include trunnions integral with the guiding means and bores in the body each receiving a respective trunnion for rotation.

[0021] The first means of pivot connection can be trunnions.

[0022] The guiding means may include a cradle. As is well known, any suitable means may be provided in the cradle to ensure the guidance, and possibly the braking, of the recoil movement of the recoil assembly, such as by 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 example, in documents FR3109815 A1, US 2012 / 0266747 A1, EP1072857 A1 and US 5703318 A.

[0023] For example, the weapon mount may include, as means for controlling the pivoting of the recoil assembly around the second elevation axis, one or more jacks, a worm gear system, or a rack and pinion fixed 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 conventional and well known to those skilled in the art.

[0024] 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.

[0025] Indeed, due to the over-pointing of the oscillating mass for a curved shot, the firing effort creates a torque around the first axis of elevation, a torque which the locking means allow to be taken up.

[0026] 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.

[0027] 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 may be used.

[0028] The present invention also relates to a turret for a military vehicle that pivots in azimuth around a bearing separating the turret from the vehicle and completing a laying plan, the turret being characterized by the fact that it includes a weapon mount as defined above.

[0029] To better illustrate the object of the present invention, a particular embodiment thereof will be described below, with reference to the accompanying drawings. In these drawings:

[0030] [Fig.l] is a schematic side view of an oscillating turret according to the prior art;

[0031] [Fig.2] is a schematic side view of a turret with a decoupled loader according to the prior art;

[0032] [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;

[0033] [Fig.4] is a schematic side view of the turret of [Fig.3], in direct firing phase;

[0034] [Fig.5] is a schematic side view of the turret of [Fig.3], in the curved firing phase; and

[0035] [Fig.6] is a longitudinal, top cross-sectional view of part of the cradle and the means for controlling the pivoting of the recoil assembly around the second axis of position.

[0036] Referring to Figures 3 to 5, one can see that a turret 1 comprising a weapon mount 2 according to a particular embodiment of the present invention is shown there.

[0037] As is well known, the turret 1 is mounted pivotally in azimuth around a bearing (not shown) separating the turret 1 from the vehicle and defining the mounting plane PI, here coinciding with the horizontal upper wall of the vehicle's carapace 3, to which a gun 4 is attached.

[0038] The weapon mount 2 comprises 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 SI, 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).

[0039] The weapon mount 2 also includes a weapon 8, in particular of large caliber (greater than 40 mm) and a cradle 9.

[0040] Conventionally, the weapon 8 comprises a tube 8a whose longitudinal axis defines the axis A1 of the weapon 8 and which is closed at its rear by a breechblock 8b. The weapon 8 is mounted for translation on the cradle 9, which serves as a means of guiding the translational recoil movement of the weapon 8 following firing. Recoil brakes may, of course, be provided between the weapon 8 and the cradle 9.

[0041] Weapon 8 constitutes, together with any components attached to it, translation, such as for example recoil brake components, a recoiling mass 10. The cradle 9 and the recoiling mass 10 form the recoil assembly 11 according to the present invention.

[0042] The weapon assembly 2 further includes a magazine 12 serving as a means for reloading the weapon 8.

[0043] The magazine 12 can, for example, be of the type described in German patent application DE3328208 Al, which comprises two cylinders 13 arranged on either side of the weapon 8 and a stretcher 14 mounted pivotally 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 SI and the axis Al of the weapon 8, the stretcher 14 being equipped with means for collecting a cartridge 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.

[0044] 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 chargers may of course be provided.

[0045] 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 pivot connecting means 15 such that the recoil assembly 11 is able to pivot independently relative to the body 5 around a second elevation axis S2 which is parallel to the first elevation axis SL.

[0046] In particular, the secondary pivot connecting means 15 may be two trunnions 16 fixed to the cradle 9 and each positioned on one side of the weapon 8. Each trunnion 16 is pivotally mounted in a bore 17 in a support portion 18 of the body 5.

[0047] The pivoting of the recoil assembly 11 around the second axis of position S2 can be controlled by any suitable means, such as, for example, by jack(s) or by a worm gear system. Referring more specifically to [Fig. 6], one can see that another example of such control means is shown there, comprising a rack 9a, fixed to the cradle 9 and located on one side thereof, and drive means comprising 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, for example, a geared motor, shown schematically in [Fig. 6]. For the sake of readability, these means have not been represented on [Fig.3].

[0048] In the present embodiment, the body 5 is hollow and formed, for example, of welded sheet metal constituting a lower wall 5a, an upper wall 5b, a The front wall 5c, the rear wall 5d, and the two side walls 5e define an interior space containing the magazine 12. An opening 5f is provided in the front wall 5c to allow the weapon 7 to pass through and be aimed. In [Fig. 3], the upper wall 5b has been omitted.

[0049] Of course, other shapes can be provided for the body 5, such as for example a body 5 which does not enclose the magazine 12.

[0050] Reference is now made more particularly to [Fig.4], on which a side wall 5e 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 assembly 2, and on which the turret 1 is in operation in direct fire mode.

[0051] The weapon 8 is pointed in elevation at an elevation angle for direct fire al, here the maximum possible angle in the direct fire mode, by pivoting in one piece, around the first elevation axis Al, of the body 5, of the elements which are attached to it, such as the magazine 12, and of the recoil assembly 11.

[0052] The turret 1 operates in a manner analogous to an oscillating turret, and therefore has a small elevation range of the weapon 8 in order to avoid interference with the laying plane PI, but also the same advantages of rapid reloading of the weapon 8 and very satisfactory balancing.

[0053] If we now refer to [Fig.5], on which the turret 1 is operating in curved firing mode, we can see that 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 a2 above which the recoiling mass 10 would be likely to interfere with the body 5 during recoil following a shot.

[0054] Since the pivot linkage means 15 are carried by the body 5 and pivot with it when the body 5 pivots around the first elevation axis SI, it is easy to understand that simply placing the body 5 at a positive elevation angle is sufficient to position the second elevation axis S2 at a height, relative to the mounting plane PI, greater than that of the first elevation axis SL. This, combined with the fact that the second elevation axis S2 is positioned in front of the first elevation axis SI, makes it possible to increase the elevation angle of the weapon 8 by pivoting the recoil assembly 11 alone, compared to the maximum possible elevation angle in direct fire operation. This allows for over-pointing of the weapon 8.

[0055] The maximum elevation angle for curved fire a2 will depend, in particular, on the distance D between the first and second elevation axes SI 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 perform a curved shot. This distance D can, for example, be between 1000 and 2000 mm.

[0056] Turret 1 therefore also allows for curved firing.

[0057] During a curved shot, the firing force creates a torque around the first axis of elevation SL To ensure the recovery of this couple, the weapon mount 2 includes locking means 19 which selectively prevent any rotation of the oscillating mass around the first axis of elevation SI during a curved shot.

[0058] Referring to [Fig. 3], it can be seen that the locking means 19 can, for example, include a locking device 20 comprising two first locking members fixed to the body 5, one on each longitudinal side of the latter, which are here each formed by a hole 5g in the respective lateral wall 5e. The locking device 20 further comprises two second locking members 21 fixed to the shell 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 site axis SL. Here, each second locking member 21 can be formed by a finger which is carried by a support 22 fixed to the shell 3 and which is movable in translation in a direction parallel to the first site axis SI (represented by the double arrows) so as to be able to be engaged, as illustrated for the finger 21 on the left of [Fig. 3].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 site SI and the torque is thus taken up by the vehicle. For the sake of readability, the locking means 19 have only been represented schematically in [Fig. 3].

[0059] 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 for locking the body 5 against 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 pass.

[0060] It is understood that the particular embodiment just described has been given by way of indication and not limitation, and that modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0061] For example, in the embodiment shown, the first and second elevation axes SI and S2 lie in the plane in which the axis Al 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 to which the axis Al and the first elevation axis SI belong, thereby further increasing the maximum elevation angle of the weapon 6. curved firing mode.

Claims

Demands

1. - A weapon mount (2) comprising an oscillating mass having first pivoting means (6) for interfacing with a mount (4) of a military vehicle turret (1) to allow the oscillating mass to pivot in elevation about a first elevation axis (SI) so as to be able to be aimed with a positive elevation angle, the oscillating mass comprising a body (5), intended to be connected to the mount (4) by the first pivoting means (6), a magazine (12), and a recoil assembly (11) comprising a recoiling mass (10), which includes a weapon (8) and translates relative to the mount (4) during firing, and guidance means (9) for providing 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 a single unit with the body (5) during pivoting of the oscillating mass around the first site axis (SI),characterized by the fact that the guiding means (9) are further connected to the body (5) by second pivot link means (15) which define a second elevation axis (S2) parallel to the first elevation axis (SI) and around which the recoil assembly (11) is able to pivot, relative to the body (5) and independently of the loader (12), the second elevation axis (S2) being located at a distance and in front of the first elevation axis (SI).

2. - Weapon mount (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first and second elevation axes (SI, S2) are separated by a distance (D) between 1000 and 2000 mm.

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

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

5. - Weapon mounting (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the guiding means (9) comprise a cradle.

6. - Weapon assembly (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it comprises locking means (19) for block the rotation of the oscillating mass around the first site axis (SI) during a shot, in particular during a shot where the recoil assembly (11) has been pivoted around the second site axis (S2) so as to increase the site angle of the oscillating mass.

7. - Weapon assembly (2) according to claim 6, characterized in that the locking 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) integral with the body (5) and capable of engaging with a respective second locking member (21) integral with the turret (1).

8. - Weapon mounting (2) according to claim 6, characterized in that the locking means are formed directly by means for controlling the elevation pointing around the first elevation axis, the control means being mechanically irreversible.

9. - Turret (1) for a military vehicle pivoting in azimuth about a bearing separating the turret (1) from the vehicle and defining a laying plane (LP), the turret (1) being characterized in that it includes a weapon mount (2) as defined in any one of claims 1 to 8.

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