ENERGY DISSIPATION DEVICE FOR ARTILLERY AND ASSOCIATED ARTILLERY

Abstract

The invention relates to an energy dissipation device (1) for an artillery piece, comprising a brake body (10) having: - a first and a second chamber (11, 12) positioned along a longitudinal axis (X1) of the brake body (10), - a first and a second piston (15, 16) connected by a rod (13) passing through the first and second chambers (11, 12), said pistons being adapted to slide simultaneously in the same direction along the longitudinal axis (X1) of the brake body (10), - a fluid (17) occupying the volume defined by the first and second chambers (11, 12), the energy dissipation device (1) being further arranged to receive the kinetic energy generated by a firing of the artillery piece and to allow a translational movement of the rod (13) or of the brake body (10). Figure to be published with the abbreviation: Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: ENERGY DISSIPATION DEVICE FOR ARTILLERY PART AND ASSOCIATED ARTILLERY PIECE technical field

[0001] The invention relates to the field of energy dissipation systems, more particularly those adapted to the moving parts of artillery recoil brakes. The energy dissipation device according to the invention can, in particular, be used to limit the transmission of mechanical forces related to the recoil of any type of artillery piece in operation. In particular, the invention relates to an energy dissipation device adapted to be attached to the recoiling mass or the fixed cradle of an artillery piece.

[0002] The invention further relates to a piece of artillery which includes in particular the energy dissipation device. Previous technique

[0003] Below, we describe the prior art known from which the invention was developed.

[0004] The propellant charge of a munition, when a firearm is fired, imparts opposing impulses to the projectile and the recoiling mass of the weapon, resulting in the ballistic trajectory of the projectile and the recoil of the recoiling mass. This recoil is controlled by an elastic link connecting the recoiling mass to a fixed cradle that absorbs the kinetic energy of the recoil and causes it to automatically return to battery to allow for another shot.

[0005] Many systems for limiting the recoil of a firearm already exist and generally include a brake consisting of a cylinder that squeezes a fluid to dissipate the recoil energy of the weapon acquired during firing, or cylinders that compress a gas or a mechanical spring to return the weapon to position after firing.

[0006] The size of these cylinders is substantially related to the recoil distance of the firearm and its power.

[0007] Various arrangements have also been proposed to reduce the recoil of a firearm; these various arrangements may include one or more brakes positioned around or opposite one or more recoilers consisting of a mechanical spring, or a piston directly or indirectly compressing gas via, or not via, a fluid.

[0008] Patent document no. FR2633710 proposes a solution for dissipating the energy associated with the recoil generated by firing a round, by squeezing oil in a chamber containing a squeezing piston connected to the barrel of the firearm. To achieve this, a sealing device is positioned between a piston rod, connected to the recoiling mass, and a cylinder, connected to the carriage, of an artillery recoil brake. The piston slides within the cylinder containing a fluid and delineates within it a high-pressure chamber and a low-pressure chamber, as well as a so-called medium-pressure chamber, through which the piston rod passes and which communicates with the high-pressure chamber and the low-pressure chamber respectively via a conduit whose cross-section is larger than that connecting the medium-pressure and high-pressure chambers.

[0009] However, the solutions developed often involve the positioning of several devices around the gun barrel, particularly between the parts consisting of the recoiling mass and the fixed cradle, the sizing of which generates problems for the integration of solutions to efficiently dissipate energy after firing.

[0010] Thus, there is a need for a device that can easily be integrated into firearms without requiring modifications to the dimensions of certain parts of the latter, while ensuring optimal energy dissipation during the operation of the firearm.

[0011] The invention aims to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art. In particular, the invention aims to provide an energy dissipation device that makes optimal use of the available volume between the recoiling mass and the fixed cradle of a firearm.

[0012] The invention further aims to provide a piece of artillery including the energy dissipation device according to the invention. Summary of the invention

[0013] The invention aims to overcome these drawbacks. The following presents a simplified summary of selected aspects, embodiments, and examples of the present invention in order to provide a basic understanding of the invention. However, this summary does not constitute an exhaustive overview of all aspects, embodiments, and examples of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present selected aspects, embodiments, and examples of the invention in a concise form as an introduction to the more detailed description of the aspects, embodiments, and examples of the invention that follow the summary.

[0014] The invention relates in particular to an energy dissipation device for a piece of artillery, said device comprising a brake body having a first and a second chamber positioned along a longitudinal axis of the brake body, a first and a second piston connected by a rod passing through the first and second chambers, said pistons being respectively positioned in the first and second chambers are arranged to slide simultaneously in the same direction along the longitudinal axis of the brake body, a fluid occupying the volume defined by the first and second chambers, said device being adapted to be fixed, via the brake body or the rod, to the artillery piece, the energy dissipation device being further arranged to receive the kinetic energy generated by a shot from the artillery piece and to allow a translational movement of the rod or the brake body, along the longitudinal axis, from a first end of the brake body to a second end of the brake body.

[0015] The applicant has developed a compact solution that allows several devices to be positioned in series within the same link. This makes it possible to combine the fluid application forces on two pistons on the same rod. Several devices can be placed one behind the other on the same axis, thus utilizing the volume in front of the links while optimizing the cross-sectional area of ​​the artillery piece. Such a device also allows for greater energy dissipation during the firing of an artillery piece, thereby limiting the recoil of said artillery piece.

[0016] According to other optional features of the device, the latter may optionally include one or more of the following features, alone or in combination: - The first and second chambers do not communicate fluidly. This allows for linear energy dissipation. - The first and second chambers communicate seamlessly. This allows for modulation of energy dissipation. - The first and second chambers are fluidly connected by a first conduit arranged partly outside the brake body. - The first and second chambers are fluidically connected by a second conduit arranged in the rod so as to allow the passage of fluid from the first chamber to the second chamber during the translational movement of said rod or brake body. - It includes a fur brake. - It includes a counter-rod brake. - The rod is adapted to be attached to the recoiling mass or to a fixed cradle of the artillery piece. - The brake body is adapted to be attached to the recoiling mass or to a fixed cradle of the artillery piece. - The first conduit includes a means for controlling the fluid flow, said control means being configured to close all or part of the conduit according to at least one fire control parameter, preferably selected from: a type of ammunition, a gun's aiming angle, and / or an artillery piece's orientation angle. This optimizes the energy dissipated by adapting to variations in recoil forces and recoil lengths of the artillery piece.

[0017] According to a second object, the invention relates to a piece of artillery comprising at least one energy dissipation device according to the invention.

[0018] Depending on other optional characteristics of the artillery piece, the latter may optionally include one or more of the following characteristics, alone or in combination: - It comprises a first and a second energy dissipation device 1 according to the invention mounted between a recoiling part and a fixed cradle of said artillery piece, wherein the first and second energy dissipation devices are respectively positioned on the same axis of symmetry of a gun barrel of the artillery piece, on either side of said barrel. This makes it possible to increase the recoil coefficient of the artillery piece and to improve the amount of energy dissipated. Brief description of the drawings

[0019] Other features and advantages of the invention will be better understood from the following description and with reference to the accompanying drawings, given by way of illustration and not limitation.

[0020] [Fig. 1] The [Fig. 1] represents a diagram of a first embodiment of an energy dissipation device according to the invention seen from the side.

[0021] [Fig.2] Fig.2 represents a diagram of a second embodiment of a energy dissipation device according to the invention seen from the side.

[0022] [Fig.3] Fig.3 represents a diagram of a third embodiment of an energy dissipation device according to the invention seen from the side.

[0023] [Fig.4] Figure [Fig.4] represents a diagram of a fourth embodiment of a energy dissipation device according to the invention seen from the side.

[0024] [Fig.5] Fig.5 represents a diagram of an energy dissipation device according to the invention mounted between the fixed cradle and the recoiling part of a piece of artillery.

[0025] The figures do not necessarily respect the scales, in particular in thickness, for illustrative purposes.

[0026] Aspects of the present invention are described with reference to functional diagrams of devices (systems) according to embodiments of the invention. Description of the implementation methods

[0027] Below, we describe a summary of the invention and the associated vocabulary, before presenting the disadvantages of the prior art, and finally showing in more detail how the invention remedies them.

[0028] The terms "fixed", "fixed", or "fixed", in the sense of the invention, correspond to the direct or indirect association of one element with respect to another without movement of these elements with respect to each other, immovable or removable with one or more intermediate elements.

[0029] The term “recuperator” in the sense of the invention corresponds to the ability of a mechanical part to store part of the recoil energy and then return it to a recoiling mass to bring it back into battery, ready to fire again.

[0030] The term "recoiling mass" refers to a part or set of parts arranged to slide relative to a fixed element. A recoiling mass may, for example, consist of a tube-cylinder head assembly.

[0031] Thus, as described in connection with Figures 1 to 4, the invention relates to an energy dissipation device 1 for an artillery piece. The dissipation device 1 comprises a brake body 10 which has at least a first and a second chamber 11, 12 through which a rod 13 passes and in which a fluid 17 occupies the available volume. First and second pistons 15, 16 are respectively positioned in the first and second chambers 11, 12.

[0032] In the invention, the brake body 10 comprises two chambers 11, 12 positioned along a longitudinal axis XI of the brake body 10. However, it is envisaged that the brake body 10 may comprise more than two chambers, for example at least 3 chambers or even at least 4 chambers, depending on the dimensions of the artillery piece in which it is intended to be installed. The brake body 10 may be substantially cylindrical or rectangular in shape.

[0033] In one embodiment of the invention, described in relation to [Fig. 1], the energy dissipation device 1 may include a furring strip brake 14. The furring strip 14 may be arranged in the brake body 10 and may include an opening which extends longitudinally, for example along the longitudinal axis XI of the brake body 10, and whose cross-sectional size may vary longitudinally to allow the passage of the fluid 17 by rolling on either side of the piston when the latter is in motion.

[0034] The energy dissipation device 1 according to the invention further comprises a first and a second piston 15, 16 positioned respectively in the first and second chambers 10, 11. The first and second pistons 15, 16 are connected by a rod 13 which passes through the first and second chambers 11, 12. The first and second pistons 15, 16 are arranged to slide simultaneously in the same direction along the longitudinal axis XI of the brake body 10. When the pistons slide, the kinetic energy which causes the movement of the pistons can be dissipated by the action of the pistons on the fluid 17.

[0035] Indeed, in the invention, the first and second chambers 11,12 comprise a fluid 17. The fluid 17 can, for example, correspond to oil or glycerinated water; the flow of the fluid 17 around the piston 15, 16 thus makes it possible to dissipate, by rolling, a part of the kinetic energy transmitted to the energy dissipation device 1.

[0036] In another embodiment of the invention, described with reference to [Fig. 4], the energy dissipation device 1 may include a counter-rod brake 19. The counter-rod brake 19 may be disposed within the rod 13, which may include holes to allow the passage of the fluid 17. The counter-rod 19 may further include a portion 19-1 of the rod body having a longitudinally variable diameter. In this embodiment, the rod 13 is fixed, and the brake body 10 and the counter-rod 19 slide to allow the passage of the fluid 17 by shunting from the first chamber 11 to the second chamber 12 when the fluid is in motion.

[0037] In order to dissipate the kinetic energy transmitted by a shot from an artillery piece, the energy dissipation device 1 according to the invention is adapted to be attached to an artillery piece. For this purpose, the energy dissipation device 1 can be attached via the brake body 10 or the rod 13 to an element of said artillery piece.

[0038] Indeed, the energy dissipation device 1 is arranged to receive the kinetic energy generated by a shot from the artillery piece by allowing a translational movement of the rod 13 or the brake body 10, along the longitudinal axis XI of the brake body 10, from a first end 10-1 of the brake body 10 to a second end 10-2 of the brake body 10.

[0039] By way of illustration, the rod 13 can be adapted to be attached to the recoiling mass or to a fixed cradle of the artillery piece. In these embodiments, when the rod 13 is attached to the recoiling mass, it is the rod 13 that drives the movement of the pistons 15, 16 respectively in the first and second chambers 10, 11. When the rod 13 is attached to the fixed cradle, it is the brake body 10 that is attached to the recoiling mass and its movement thus drives the flow of the fluid 17 around the pistons 15, 16 respectively in the first and second chambers 10, 11.

[0040] In another embodiment of the energy dissipation device 1, the brake body 10 can be adapted to attach to the recoiling mass or to a fixed cradle of the artillery piece.

[0041] In the context of the invention, various arrangements are provided to allow the dissipation of the kinetic energy generated by a shot from an artillery piece on which an energy dissipation device 1 according to the invention would be mounted.

[0042] In particular, it is provided that the first and second chambers 11,12 may not communicate fluidly, the dissipation of kinetic energy is caused solely by rolling of the fluid 17 by the first and second pistons 15, 16 respectively in the first and second chamber 10, 11.

[0043] It is further provided that the first and second chambers 11,12 can communicate fluidly.

[0044] By way of illustration, the first and second chambers 11, 12 can be fluidically connected by a first conduit 18-1 arranged partly outside the brake body 10. The dissipation of kinetic energy is thus caused by the scouring of the fluid 17 by the first and second pistons 15, 16 respectively in the first and second chambers 10, 11 and by the passage of the fluid 17 under high pressure in the first chamber 11 to the low-pressure portion of the second chamber 12. The first conduit 18-1 can fluidly connect the low-pressure portions of the first and second chambers 11, 12 or fluidly connect the low-pressure portion of the second chamber 12 to the high-pressure portion of the second chamber 12, as illustrated in [Fig. 3].The examples shown in figures 1 to 3 demonstrate fluidic connections between the first and second chambers 11, 12; it is anticipated that the positioning of the conduit 18-1 described in relation to the first chamber 11 can be implemented in an equivalent manner in the second chamber 12 and vice versa.

[0045] In another embodiment, as illustrated in [Fig.2], the first and second chambers 11,12 can be fluidically connected by a second conduit 18-2 arranged in the rod 13 so as to allow the passage of the fluid 17 from the first chamber 11 to the second chamber 12, in particular from the low or high pressure parts of said chambers, during the translational movement of said rod 13 or of the brake body 10.

[0046] Alternatively or in addition, an energy dissipation device 1 according to the invention may include a flow control means 3 for the fluid 17. The flow control means 3 may be arranged to close all or part of the conduit 18-1. The flow control means 3 may be configured to close all or part of the conduit 18-1 according to a fire control parameter. The fire control parameter may correspond to a type of ammunition, a gun aiming angle, and / or an artillery piece's orientation angle.

[0047] According to a second object, the invention relates to a piece of artillery comprising at least one energy dissipation device 1 according to the invention.

[0048] By way of non-limiting examples, the artillery piece may correspond to any type of fixed or mobile artillery piece, preferably the artillery piece is mounted on an armored vehicle or a tank.

[0049] Preferably, in order to ensure the dissipation of kinetic energy generated by the firing of an artillery piece, the artillery piece may include at least two energy dissipation devices 1 according to the invention. Indeed, it is envisaged that several energy dissipation devices according to the invention may be mounted in series on an artillery piece in order to improve energy dissipation; in particular, the number of devices according to the invention may depend on the energy released, related among other things to the caliber of the ammunition fired, during a firing of the artillery piece, but also on the space available to integrate the device into the artillery piece.

[0050] As described in relation to [Fig. 5] (only certain parts of an artillery piece are shown), an artillery piece 20 may include one or more energy dissipation devices 1 according to the invention positioned between a recoiling section, which may include a recoiling mass (not shown in [Fig. 5]) connected to the recoil mechanism 10 and a breechblock 21, and a fixed cradle 26. Generally, the artillery piece may include a recuperator 23, and the fixed cradle 26 may be connected to a turret rotation axis 22, which allows the artillery piece to be oriented for fire control. In the invention, it is thus possible to use all the available space between the fixed cradle and the recoiling section for the integration of energy dissipation devices 1 according to the invention without requiring any modification to the dimensions of the artillery piece.

[0051] According to one embodiment of an artillery piece of the invention, the latter may comprise a first and a second energy dissipation device 1 of the invention mounted between a recoiling part and a fixed cradle 26 of said artillery piece. The first and second energy dissipation devices are respectively positioned on the same axis of symmetry Al of a gun barrel of the artillery piece, on either side of said barrel.

[0052] In another embodiment of an artillery piece according to the invention, the latter may include one or more sensors configured to determine a fire control parameter. In particular, the sensor(s) may be adapted to determine the type of ammunition chambered, the gun's aiming angle, and / or the artillery piece's orientation angle. Furthermore, the data collected by the sensor(s) may be communicated by means of a flow control device 3, which is then configured to close all or part of the conduit 18-1 according to the data collected by the sensor(s).

[0053] The invention can be the subject of numerous variations and applications other than those described above. In particular, unless otherwise indicated, the different structural and functional characteristics of each of the implementations described The above should not be considered as combined and / or closely and / or inextricably linked to one another, but rather as mere juxtapositions. Furthermore, the structural and / or functional characteristics of the various embodiments described above may be juxtaposed or combined, in whole or in part, in any different manner.

Claims

Demands

1. Energy dissipation device (1) for an artillery piece, said device comprising a brake body (10) having: - a first and a second chamber (11, 12) positioned along a longitudinal axis (XI) of the brake body (10), - a first and a second piston (15, 16) connected by a rod (13) passing through the first and second chambers (11, 12), said pistons being respectively positioned in the first and second chambers (11, 12) and are arranged to slide simultaneously in the same direction along the longitudinal axis (XI) of the brake body (10), - a fluid (17) occupying the volume defined by the first and second chambers (11, 12), said device being adapted to be attached, via the brake body (10) or the rod (13), to the artillery piece,the energy dissipation device (1) being further arranged to receive the kinetic energy generated by a shot from the artillery piece and to allow a translational movement of the rod (13) or the brake body (10), along the longitudinal axis (XI), from a first end (10-1) of the brake body (10) to a second end (10-2) of the brake body (10).

2. Energy dissipation device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the first and second chambers (11, 12) do not communicate fluidly.

3. Energy dissipation device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the first and second chambers (11, 12) communicate fluidly.

4. Energy dissipation device (1) according to claim 3, wherein the first and second chambers (11, 12) are fluidically connected by a first conduit (18-1) arranged partly outside the brake body (10).

5. Energy dissipation device (1) according to claim 3, wherein the first and second chambers (11, 12) are fluidically connected by a second conduit (18-2) arranged in the rod (13) so as to allow the passage of the fluid (17) from the first chamber (11) to the second chamber (12) during the translational movement of said rod (13) or of the brake body (10).

6. Energy dissipation device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, said device comprising a fur brake (14).

7. Energy dissipation device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, said device comprising a counter-rod brake (19).

8. Energy dissipation device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the rod (13) is adapted to attach to the recoiling mass or to a fixed cradle of the artillery piece.

9. Energy dissipation device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the brake body (10) is adapted to attach to the recoiling mass or to a fixed cradle of the artillery piece.

10. Energy dissipation device (1) according to claim 4 or according to any one of claims 6 to 9 taken in dependence on claim 4, wherein the first conduit (18-1) comprises a means for controlling the flow of the fluid (17), said means being configured to close all or part of the conduit (18-1) according to at least one fire control parameter, preferably selected from: a type of munition, a gun sighting angle and / or an artillery piece orientation angle.

11. Artillery piece (20) comprising at least one energy dissipation device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. Artillery piece (20) according to claim 11, said artillery piece comprising a first and a second energy dissipation device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10 mounted between a recoiling part and a fixed cradle of said artillery piece, in which the first and second energy dissipation devices (1) are respectively positioned on either side of an axis of symmetry (Al) of a gun tube of the artillery piece.

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