Artillery weapons

Abstract

The artillery weapon (10) comprises a gun carriage (100) and a cannon (200) having a barrel (202) operable to move between an in-battery position and an out-of-battery position. The artillery weapon (10) further comprises a multi-function cylinder (300) mounted to and movable with the cannon (200). The multi-function cylinder (300) comprises a regulator unit (302) including a fluid housing (304) for holding a hydraulic fluid (306), the fluid housing (304) being in fluid communication with a shock absorber system (308), the shock absorber system (308) being configured to deliver fluid to and receive fluid from the fluid housing (304) in response to movement of the barrel (202) relative to the gun carriage (100). The regulator unit fluid housing (304) is in fluid communication with the hydraulic accumulator chamber (310) through a first flow aperture (312). An accumulator piston (314) is also provided that is disposed in the hydraulic accumulator chamber (310) and is operable to move along the hydraulic accumulator chamber (310). The shock absorber system (308), the regulator unit (302), the hydraulic accumulator chamber (310), and the first flow aperture (312) are configured such that displacement of the barrel (202) along the barrel axis (204) from an in-battery position to an out-of-battery position causes fluid flow from the shock absorber system (308) to the fluid housing (304), thereby causing fluid flow through the first flow aperture (312) into the first accumulator antechamber region (316) and moving the accumulator piston (314) in a first direction along the hydraulic accumulator chamber (310), thereby compressing the gas in the second accumulator antechamber region (318).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to artillery weapons.

[0002] In particular, the present disclosure relates to artillery weapons having recoil reduction systems. [Background technology]

[0003] Guns, whether towed, fixed, vehicle-mounted, or otherwise, typically include a recoil system to slow the recoil of the gun. This slowing over long distances reduces the forces transmitted to the gun carriage. This recoil motion damping is often accomplished by hydropneumatic shock absorbers. Traditionally, the shock absorbers are mounted on either side of the gun on the platform (e.g., gun carriage) that supports the gun.

[0004] It is also common for the recoil system to include a recuperator, also mounted on the gun carriage, which returns the gun to its starting position once the recoil energy has been dissipated and the gun is at the aftmost point of its stroke.

[0005] The damper includes a flow restrictor to control the flow of fluid into and out of the damper in response to the recoil of the gun barrel. If not damped to the same extent, this can cause imbalanced damping and torque that rotates the weapon system (and therefore the barrel) to one side during firing. This can result in the gun needing to be repositioned before firing again and / or place extra loads on the barrel and carriage, reducing their operational life and stability.

[0006] Additionally, conventional systems begin to dampen the recoil as soon as the weapon is fired (i.e., as soon as the barrel begins to move rearward and before the projectile leaves the barrel), which can cause the barrel to deviate from its set elevation angle and can direct the fired projectile off-course.

[0007] Therefore, an artillery weapon that manages the recoil so that recoil decay does not rotate the weapon system (and therefore the barrel) and require it to be repositioned before being fired again, and does not cause the barrel to deviate from its set height until the fired projectile has left the barrel, is highly desirable. Summary of the Invention

[0008] According to the present disclosure, there is provided an apparatus and system as set out in the accompanying claims. Other features of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims and the following description.

[0009] Accordingly, an artillery weapon (10) may be provided. The artillery weapon (10) may include a gun carriage (100) and a cannon (200) having a barrel (202) with a barrel axis (204) extending along the length of the barrel (202). The barrel (202) may be mounted to the gun carriage (100) such that the barrel (202) is operable to move along the barrel axis (204) relative to the gun carriage (100) between an in-battery position and an out-of-battery position. The artillery weapon (10) may further include a multi-function cylinder (300) mounted to and movable with the cannon (200). The multi-function cylinder (300) may include a regulator unit (302) including a fluid housing (304) for holding a hydraulic fluid (306), the fluid housing (304) may be in fluid communication with a shock absorber system (308). The regulator unit fluid housing (304) may also be in fluid communication with the hydraulic accumulator chamber (310) via a first flow aperture (312). An accumulator piston (314) may be provided disposed in and operable to move along the hydraulic accumulator chamber (310) to define a first accumulator subchamber area (316) on one side of the accumulator piston (314) and a second accumulator subchamber area (318) on the other side of the accumulator piston (314). The shock absorber system (308), the regulator unit (302), the hydraulic accumulator chamber (310), and the first flow aperture (312) may be configured such that displacement of the barrel (202) along the barrel axis (204) from an in-battery position to an out-of-battery position causes fluid flow from the shock absorber system (308) to the fluid housing (304), thereby causing fluid flow through the first flow aperture (312) into the first accumulator antechamber region (316) and moving the accumulator piston (314) in a first direction along the hydraulic accumulator chamber (310), thereby compressing the gas in the second accumulator antechamber region (318).

[0010] The shock absorber system (308) may be configured to deliver fluid to the fluid housing (304) in response to movement of the barrel (202) relative to the gun carriage (100) when moving from the in-battery position to the out-of-battery position. The shock absorber system (308) may be configured to receive fluid from the fluid housing (304) in response to movement of the barrel (202) relative to the gun carriage (100) when moving from the out-of-battery position to the in-battery position.

[0011] The barrel (202) may be configured to be displaced along the barrel axis (204) from the in-battery position to the out-of-battery position in response to the projectile (400) being fired from the barrel (202) such that recoil energy of the barrel (202) is absorbed by gas in the second accumulator antechamber region (318) as the barrel (202) moves from the in-battery position to the out-of-battery position.

[0012] The shock absorber system (308), the regulator unit (302), the hydraulic accumulator chamber (310), and the first flow aperture (312) may be configured such that the pressure of the compressed gas in the second accumulator antechamber region (318) moves the accumulator piston (314) along the hydraulic accumulator chamber (310) in a second direction opposite the first direction, thereby causing fluid flow from the first accumulator antechamber region (316) through the first flow aperture (312) into the fluid housing (304) and from the fluid housing (304) into the shock absorber system (308), causing displacement of the barrel (202) along the barrel axis (204) from an out-of-battery position to an in-battery position.

[0013] The shock absorber system (308), the regulator unit (302), the hydraulic accumulator chamber (310), and the first flow aperture (312) may be configured such that the pressure of the compressed gas in the second accumulator subchamber region (318) moves the accumulator piston (314) in a second direction along the hydraulic accumulator chamber (310) to an in-battery position after recoil movement of the gun barrel (202) is completed.

[0014] The hydraulic accumulator chamber (310) may be in fluid communication with a gas reservoir (320) via a flow path (322), and the gas reservoir (320) may have a volume configured to limit the change in gas pressure in the hydraulic accumulator chamber (310) to a predetermined value during recoil.

[0015] A control rod (324) may extend from the accumulator piston (314) through the first accumulator subchamber region (316) through the first flow aperture (312) and into the fluid housing (304). The control rod (324) may be movable with the accumulator piston (314). The control rod (324) may increase in diameter along its length from the accumulator piston (314). The diameter of the control rod (324) may be smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the first flow aperture (312) along at least a portion of the stroke of the accumulator piston (314), such that as the control rod (324) moves relative to the first flow aperture (312) from the fluid housing (304) into the first accumulator subchamber region (316), the flow area around the control rod (324) decreases, thereby increasing resistance to fluid flow from the fluid housing (304) into the first accumulator subchamber region (316).

[0016] The fluid housing (304) may define a fluid housing chamber (360) for holding the actuating fluid (306). A control rod support piston (326) may be mounted to the control rod (324) in the fluid housing chamber (360) and operable to move along the fluid housing chamber (360) to define a first fluid housing subchamber region (362) on one side of the control rod support piston (326) and a second fluid housing subchamber region (364) on the other side of the control rod support piston (326). The control rod support piston (326) may be spaced from the accumulator piston (314) along the length of the control rod (324). The control rod support piston (326) may define a passage (328) for regulating fluid flow between the first fluid housing subchamber region (362) and the second fluid housing subchamber region (364).

[0017] The shock absorber system (308) may include a first plain shock absorber (330) mounted to the carriage (100) on a first side (332) of the cannon (200) and a second plain shock absorber (340) mounted to the carriage (100) on a second side (342) of the cannon (200), each of the first plain shock absorber (330) and the second plain shock absorber (340) being hydropneumatic and including a shock absorber cylinder (334, 344) and a shock absorber piston (336, 346) slidable within / relative to the shock absorber cylinders (334, 344). The first plain shock absorber cylinder (334) and the second plain shock absorber cylinder (344) may be in fluid communication with the fluid housing (304). Movement of the cannon (200) relative to the gun carriage (100) from an in-battery position to an out-of-battery position can cause movement of each snubber cylinder (334, 344) relative to its respective snubber piston (336, 346), allowing fluid flow from the snubber system (308) to the fluid housing (304). Movement of the cannon (200) relative to the gun carriage (100) from an out-of-battery position to an in-battery position can cause movement of each snubber cylinder (334, 344) relative to its respective snubber piston (336, 346), allowing fluid flow from the fluid housing (304) to the snubber system (308).

[0018] Each snubber cylinder (334, 344) may be mounted to and operable with the gun barrel (202), and each snubber piston (336, 346) may be mounted to the gun carriage (100).

[0019] Each snubber piston (336, 346) may be mounted to and operable with the gun barrel (202), and each snubber cylinder (334, 344) may be mounted to the gun carriage (100).

[0020] The shock absorber cylinders (334, 344) of each of the first plain shock absorber (330) and the second plain shock absorber (340) may define a shock absorber chamber (337, 347). The shock absorber pistons (336, 346) in each of the first plain shock absorber (330) and the second plain shock absorber (340) may be disposed in and operable to move along their respective shock absorber cylinders (334, 344) to define a first shock absorber sub-chamber (338, 348) on one side of the shock absorber pistons (336, 346) and a second shock absorber sub-chamber (339, 349) on the other side of the shock absorber pistons (336, 346). Each first shock absorber sub-chamber (338, 348) may be in fluid communication with the fluid housing (304).

[0021] Each second buffer subchamber (339, 349) may be vented to atmosphere via a port (370, 372).

[0022] The second shock absorber antechamber (339, 349) can be configured to be closed and in fluid communication with a source of pressurized fluid (700) such that flow of pressurized fluid into the second shock absorber antechamber (339, 349) causes movement of the cannon (200) relative to the gun carriage (100) from an in-battery position to an out-of-battery position.

[0023] The artillery weapon (10) may further include a free recoil auxiliary cylinder (600) defining a free recoil chamber (602). A free recoil piston (604) may be disposed in the free recoil chamber (602) and operable to move along the free recoil chamber (602) to define a first recoil sub-chamber (606) on one side of the free recoil piston (604) and a second recoil sub-chamber (608) on the other side of the free recoil piston (604). The first recoil subchamber (606) may define a second fluid flow aperture (610), which may be in fluid communication with the fluid housing (304) such that movement of the cannon (200) relative to the gun carriage (100) from an in-battery position to an out-of-battery position results in movement of the free recoil piston (604) relative to the free recoil assist cylinder (600) to allow fluid flow into the free recoil chamber (602).

[0024] The second aft sub-chamber (608) may contain a compressible fluid for providing resistance to movement of the free aft piston (604) as it moves along the free aft chamber (602), the compressible fluid having an increasing pressure as the free aft piston (604) moves along the free aft chamber (602), such that the force acting on the free aft piston (604) increases as it moves along the free aft chamber (602), increasing the resistance to fluid flow into the first aft sub-chamber (606).

[0025] When the pressure in the second aft subchamber (608) is below a predetermined level and / or while the free aft piston (604) is moving relative to the free aft chamber (602), there may be no fluid flow from the fluid housing (304) into the first accumulator subchamber region (316). When the pressure in the second aft subchamber (608) increases above a predetermined level and / or the free aft piston (604) stops moving relative to the free aft chamber (602), fluid may flow from the fluid housing (304) into the first accumulator subchamber region (316).

[0026] The predetermined pressure level may be set to a value that is a function of the mass of the cannon (200).

[0027] The shock absorber system (308), the fluid housing (304) of the multi-function cylinder (300), and the first aft seat sub-chamber (606) may be fluidly connected by a fluid manifold (500).

[0028] Thus, an artillery weapon is provided that manages the recoil so that the barrel does not deviate from its target position setting height until the fired projectile leaves the barrel, and the damping does not move the barrel and does not need to be reset before re-firing.

[0029] This is made possible by adjusting the fluid flow from the snubber system located on the barrel (i.e., in a single location) rather than on the snubber system itself (i.e., in two locations, i.e., on each snubber) (as in related art examples). This ensures that the damping provided by the snubber system does not apply torque to the barrel, so the barrel is not forced to one side or the other during recoil, and so the position of the barrel does not have to be reset before firing again.

[0030] Additionally, the provision of a free recoil assist cylinder allows the projectile to leave the gun barrel before the recoil begins to dampen, ensuring the barrel remains at its desired orientation and height, directing the projectile as desired by the user.

[0031] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the drawings in which: [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0032] [Figure 1] 1 shows a plan view of a first example artillery weapon according to the present disclosure in an in-battery position; [Figure 2] A plan view of the artillery weapon of Figure 1 at the end of the free recoil is shown. [Figure 3] 2 shows a plan view of the artillery weapon of FIG. 1 in an out-of-battery position; [Figure 4] 1 shows a plan view of a second example artillery weapon according to the present disclosure in an in-battery position. [Figure 5] 10 shows a plan view of a third example artillery weapon according to the present disclosure in an in-battery position. [Figure 6] 10 shows a plan view of a fourth example artillery weapon according to the present disclosure in an in-battery position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0033] The present disclosure relates to an artillery weapon 10. Various examples of the artillery weapon 10 of the present disclosure are shown in the figures. FIGS. 1-3 show plan views of a first example of an artillery weapon according to the present disclosure in different operational states. FIG. 4 shows a plan view of a second example of an artillery weapon in the same state as the first example as shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 5 shows a plan view of a third example of an artillery weapon according to the present disclosure in the same state as the first example as shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 6 shows a plan view of a fourth example of an artillery weapon according to the present disclosure in the same state as the first example as shown in FIG. 1.

[0034] Each example of an artillery weapon 10 includes a gun carriage 100 and a cannon 200 having a gun barrel 202. Although not shown, the gun carriage 100 may include or be supported on a platform for moving the artillery weapon 10, supported from the ground by wheels for transporting the artillery weapon from one location to another.

[0035] The barrel 202 has a barrel axis 204 extending along the length of the barrel 202. That is, the bore of the barrel 202 is centered about the barrel axis 204. The barrel 202 is mounted to the gun carriage 100 such that the barrel 202 is operable to move along the barrel axis 204 relative to the gun carriage 100 between an in-battery position and an out-of-battery position. That is, the barrel 202 is configured to be displaced along the barrel axis 204 from the in-battery position to the out-of-battery position in response to a projectile 400 being fired from the barrel 202.

[0036] "In-battery" defines the forward position of cannon 200 before firing (and when ready to fire). Different example "in-battery" configurations / states are shown in FIGS. 1, 4, 5, and 6. "Out-of-battery" defines the position of cannon 200 when, for example, fully recoiled after firing. An "out-of-battery" configuration / state is shown in FIG. 3. Thus, upon firing, the cannon moves (i.e., recoils) from the "in-battery" position (as shown in FIG. 1) along barrel axis 204 to the "out-battery" position (as shown in FIG. 3). The cannon is then moved from the "out-battery" position along barrel axis 204 back to the "in-battery" position to fire again. The examples of FIGS. 4, 5, and 6 function similarly.

[0037] The artillery weapon 10 includes a multi-function cylinder 300 mounted to and movable with the cannon 200. The multi-function cylinder 300 includes a regulator unit 302. The regulator unit 302 has a fluid housing 304 for holding a hydraulic fluid 306.

[0038] The fluid housing 304 is in fluid communication with a shock absorber system 308. The shock absorber system 308 is configured to deliver fluid to the fluid housing 304 in response to movement of the barrel 202 relative to the gun carriage 100 when moving from an in-battery position to an out-of-battery position. The shock absorber system 308 is also configured to receive fluid from the fluid housing 304 in response to movement of the barrel 202 relative to the gun carriage 100 when moving from an out-of-battery position to an in-battery position.

[0039] The regulator unit fluid housing 304 is in fluid communication with a hydraulic accumulator chamber 310 via a first flow aperture 312. An accumulator piston 314 is disposed in the hydraulic accumulator chamber 310 and is operable to move along the hydraulic accumulator chamber 310 to define a first accumulator subchamber area 316 on one side of the accumulator piston 314 and a second accumulator subchamber area 318 on the other side of the accumulator piston 314.

[0040] The shock absorber system 308, the regulator unit 302, the hydraulic accumulator chamber 310, and the first flow aperture 312 are configured such that displacement of the barrel 202 along the barrel axis 204 from an in-battery position to an out-of-battery position causes fluid flow from the shock absorber system 308 to the fluid housing 304, thereby causing fluid flow through the first flow aperture 312 and into the first accumulator subchamber region 316, which in turn causes the accumulator piston 314 to move in a first direction along the hydraulic accumulator chamber 310, thereby compressing the gas in the second accumulator subchamber region 318.

[0041] Thus, the volumes of the first accumulator subchamber region 316 and the second accumulator subchamber region 318 are defined depending on the position of the accumulator piston 314 along the accumulator chamber 310 .

[0042] The accumulator piston 314 defines a fluid seal between the first accumulator subchamber region 316 and the second accumulator subchamber region 318. Thus, the first accumulator subchamber region 316 and the second accumulator subchamber region 318 are fluidly isolated from each other.

[0043] The first flow aperture 312 may be provided as a single orifice in a plate between the regulator unit 302 and the pressure accumulator piston 314. Alternatively, the first flow aperture 312 may comprise a series of plates, each having an orifice, that define a series of chambers between the regulator unit 302 and the pressure accumulator piston 314 defined by the plates and orifices (of the same or different sizes).

[0044] A control rod 324 extends from the accumulator piston 314, through the first accumulator subchamber region 316, and through the first flow aperture 312 into the fluid housing 304. The diameter of the control rod 324 is smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the first flow aperture 312 along at least a portion of the stroke of the accumulator piston 314. That is, the diameter of the control rod 324 is smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the first flow aperture 312 along at least a portion of the length of the control rod 324. The control rod 324 is movable with the accumulator piston 314. The control rod 324 increases in diameter along its length from the accumulator piston 314.

[0045] Thus, as the control rod 324 moves relative to the first flow aperture 312 from the fluid housing 304 into the first accumulator subchamber region 316, the flow area around the control rod 324 decreases, thereby increasing the resistance to fluid flow from the fluid housing 304 into the first accumulator subchamber region 316, thereby maintaining an appropriate level of flow resistance through the aperture 312 as the velocity of the recoil mass decelerates during the recoil stroke.

[0046] Thus, the interaction of the control rod 324 and the first flow aperture 312 provides a throttle adjustment configuration for the flow of actuating fluid during movement of the barrel 202 from an in-battery position to an out-of-battery position.

[0047] The fluid housing 304 defines a fluid housing chamber 360 for holding the actuating fluid 306. In some examples, as shown, the control rod support piston 326 is mounted to the control rod 324 in, and operable to move along, the fluid housing chamber 360 to define a first fluid housing sub-chamber region 362 on one side of the control rod support piston 326 and a second fluid housing sub-chamber region 364 on the other side of the control rod support piston 326.

[0048] The shock absorber system 308, the regulator unit 302, the hydraulic accumulator chamber 310, and the first flow aperture 312 may be configured such that the pressure of the compressed gas in the second accumulator antechamber region 318 moves the accumulator piston 314 along the hydraulic accumulator chamber 310 in a second direction opposite the first direction, thereby causing fluid flow from the first accumulator antechamber region 316 through the first flow aperture 312 into the fluid housing 304 and from the fluid housing 304 into the shock absorber system 308. Flow in this direction may be undamped by allowing it to flow through a larger orifice adjacent to the control orifice. This larger orifice closes like a check valve when fluid moves in the first direction. Thus, when recoil is complete, this results in displacement of the barrel 202 along the barrel axis 204 from an out-of-battery position to an in-battery position.

[0049] The first direction and the second direction are parallel to the barrel axis 204 and opposite to each other.

[0050] Thus, the shock absorber system 308, the regulator unit 302, the hydraulic accumulator chamber 310, and the first flow aperture 312 are configured such that the pressure of the compressed gas in the second accumulator subchamber region 318 moves the accumulator piston 314 in a second direction along the hydraulic accumulator chamber 310 to an in-battery position after recoil movement of the barrel 202 is completed.

[0051] The multi-function cylinder 300 is thus configured to function both as a regulator for the shock absorber system and to provide a heat recuperator.

[0052] The recuperator function is provided by the second accumulator antechamber region 318, which, after recoil, directs hydraulic fluid from the first accumulator antechamber region 316 back to the shock absorber system, returning the cannon 200 to the battery.

[0053] The accumulator chamber 310 is in fluid communication with a gas reservoir 320 via a flow passage 322. The gas reservoir 320 has a volume configured to limit the gas pressure change in the accumulator chamber 310 during recoil to a predetermined value.

[0054] In the example provided, control rod support piston 326 is spaced from accumulator piston 314 along the length of control rod 324. Control rod support piston 326 defines a passageway 328 for regulating fluid flow between first fluid housing antechamber region 362 and second fluid housing antechamber region 364. Passageway 328 may be configured to allow the free passage of fluid. Alternatively, passageway 328 may be configured to provide damping to the movement of control rod 324, and therefore the cannon, to prevent a hard stop, for example, when the cannon returns to battery.

[0055] The shock absorber system 308 includes a first plain shock absorber 330 mounted to the carriage 100 on a first side 332 of the cannon 200 and a second plain shock absorber 340 mounted to the carriage 100 on a second side 342 of the cannon 200. That is, the shock absorber system 308 includes a first plain shock absorber 330 mounted to the carriage 100 on a first side 332 of the barrel axis 204 and a second plain shock absorber 340 mounted to the carriage 100 on a second side 342 of the barrel axis 204.

[0056] The first plane bumper 330 and the second plane bumper 340 may be mounted in the same plane, which may intersect the barrel axis 204 or may be offset from the barrel axis 204.

[0057] Each of the first plane shock absorber 330 and the second plane shock absorber 340 may be hydropneumatic.

[0058] Each of the first plain shock absorber 330 and the second plain shock absorber 340 may include a shock absorber cylinder 334, 344 and a shock absorber piston 336, 346 slidable within / relative to the shock absorber cylinder 334, 344. As shown, a piston rod 333, 343 may extend from each of the pistons 336, 346. The first plain shock absorber cylinder 334 and the second plain shock absorber cylinder 344 are in fluid communication with the fluid housing 304.

[0059] In the example of Figures 1-4, the first plain shock absorber cylinder 334 and the second plain shock absorber cylinder 344 are in fluid communication with the fluid housing 304 via inlets 384, 386 that feed directly into the first plain shock absorber cylinder 334 and the second plain shock absorber cylinder 344, respectively.

[0060] In the example of Figures 5 and 6, the first plain shock absorber cylinder 334 and the second plain shock absorber cylinder 344 are in fluid communication with the fluid housing 304 via passages 380, 382 that extend along the shock absorber piston rods 333, 343, respectively.

[0061] Thus, in all examples, the apparatus is configured such that movement of the cannon 200 relative to the gun carriage 100 from an in-battery position to an out-of-battery position causes movement of each snubber cylinder 334, 344 relative to its respective snubber piston 336, 346, causing fluid flow from the snubber system 308 to the fluid housing 304.

[0062] The shock absorber cylinders 334, 344 of each of the first plain shock absorber 330 and the second plain shock absorber 340 define shock absorber chambers 337, 347. The shock absorber pistons 336, 346 in each of the first plain shock absorber 330 and the second plain shock absorber 340 are provided in and operable to move along the respective shock absorber cylinders 334, 344 to define first shock absorber sub-chambers 338, 348 on one side of the shock absorber pistons 336, 346 and second shock absorber sub-chambers 339, 349 on the other side of the shock absorber pistons 336, 346, each first shock absorber sub-chamber 338, 348 being in fluid communication with the fluid housing 304.

[0063] Thus, the volume of each first shock absorber sub-chamber 338, 348 and each second shock absorber sub-chamber 339, 349 is defined according to the position of the respective piston 336, 346 relative to the respective cylinder 334, 344.

[0064] Each shock absorber cylinder 334, 344 defines a fluid seal between each first shock absorber subchamber 338, 348 and each second shock absorber subchamber 339, 349. Thus, each first shock absorber subchamber 338, 348 and each second shock absorber subchamber 339, 349 are fluidly isolated from each other.

[0065] In some examples, as shown in Figures 1-4, each snubber cylinder 334, 344 is mounted to and operable to move with the barrel 202, and each snubber piston 336, 346 is mounted to (e.g., coupled / fixed to) the gun carriage 100. In such examples, each snubber piston 336, 346 is mounted to (e.g., coupled / fixed to) the gun carriage 100 via their respective piston rods 333, 343. In other examples, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, for example, each snubber piston 336, 346 is mounted to and operable to move with the barrel 202, and each snubber cylinder 334, 344 is mounted to (e.g., coupled / fixed to) the gun carriage 100. In such an example, each damper piston 336 , 346 is mounted (e.g., coupled / fixed) to the gun barrel 202 via their respective piston rods 333 , 343 .

[0066] That is, the disclosed device includes two snubber cylinders located on either side of the cannon. In the example of Figures 1-4, the snubber pistons 336, 346 are mounted to the gun carriage (e.g., via their respective piston rods 333, 343), whereas the snubber cylinders are mounted to the cannon and move with the cannon as it moves between in-battery and out-of-battery positions and back again. In the example of Figures 5 and 6, the snubber cylinders are fixed to the gun carriage, whereas the snubber pistons 336, 346 are fixed to the cannon (e.g., via their respective piston rods 333, 343), whereas the snubber cylinders move with the cannon as it moves between in-battery and out-of-battery positions and back again.

[0067] The apparatus is thus configured such that movement of the cannon 200 relative to the gun carriage 100 from an out-of-battery position to an in-battery position causes movement of each snubber cylinder 334, 344 relative to its respective snubber piston 336, 346 to allow fluid flow from the fluid housing 304 to the snubber system 308.

[0068] 1 to 3 and 5, each of the second shock absorber subchambers 339, 349 is open to the atmosphere via ports 370, 372. That is, in the example of FIGS. 1 to 4 and 5, each of the second shock absorber subchambers 339, 349 is configured to exhaust air to the atmosphere or to take in air from the atmosphere via ports 370, 372.

[0069] In the example of Figures 4 and 6, the second shock absorber antechambers 339, 349 are configured to be closed and in fluid communication with the source of pressurized fluid 700 such that the flow of pressurized fluid into the second shock absorber antechambers 339, 349 causes movement of the cannon 200 relative to the gun carriage 100 from an in-battery position to an out-of-battery position.

[0070] In the example of FIG. 4, the second shock absorber antechambers 339, 349 are in fluid communication with a source of pressurized fluid 700 via a flow inlet 706 that feeds a passageway 702 provided in the piston rods 333, 343 such that a flow of pressurized fluid into the second shock absorber antechambers 339, 349 via the flow inlet 706 and the passageway 702 causes movement of the cannon 200 relative to the gun carriage 100 from an in-battery position to an out-of-battery position.

[0071] In the example of FIG. 6, the second shock absorber antechambers 339, 349 are in fluid communication with a source of pressurized fluid 700 via flow inlets 706 that feed directly into the shock absorber antechambers 339, 349 such that a flow of pressurized fluid into the second shock absorber antechambers 339, 349 via the flow inlets 706 causes movement of the cannon 200 relative to the gun carriage 100 from an in-battery position to an out-of-battery position.

[0072] That is, in the example of Figures 4 and 6, the damper is connected to a separate hydraulic system that can be used to retract the cannon out of battery, for example to shorten the artillery weapon for transport and / or storage of the gun. The separate hydraulic system is appropriately compensated to account for oil drawn into the damper during recoil.

[0073] As shown in each example of the figures, the artillery weapon device 10 may further include a free recoil auxiliary cylinder 600 defining a free recoil chamber 602. A free recoil piston 604 is disposed in the free recoil chamber 602 and is operable to move along the free recoil chamber 602 to define a first recoil sub-chamber 606 on one side of the free recoil piston 604 and a second recoil sub-chamber 608 on the other side of the free recoil piston 604.

[0074] Thus, the volumes of the first rear sub-chamber 606 and the second rear sub-chamber 608 are defined according to the position of the free rear piston 604 along the free rear chamber 602 .

[0075] The free rear seat piston 604 defines a fluid seal between the first rear seat sub-chamber 606 and the second rear seat sub-chamber 608. Thus, the first rear seat sub-chamber 606 and the second rear seat sub-chamber 608 are fluidly isolated from each other.

[0076] The first aft sub-chamber 606 may define a second fluid flow aperture 610 , which may be in fluid communication with the fluid housing 304 .

[0077] In all examples, the shock absorber system 308 , the fluid housing 304 of the multi-function cylinder 300 , and the first rear sub-chamber 606 may be fluidly connected by the fluid manifold 500 .

[0078] That is, the shock absorber system 308, the fluid housing 304 of the multi-function cylinder 300, and the first rear sub-chamber 606 are in fluid communication through the fluid manifold 500 so that a pressure change in one cylinder of the system causes a pressure change for all cylinders.

[0079] Thus, movement of the cannon 200 relative to the gun carriage 100 from an in-battery position to an out-of-battery position results in movement of the free recoil piston 604 relative to the free recoil assist cylinder 600, allowing fluid flow into the free recoil chamber 602.

[0080] The second rear seat sub-chamber 608 may contain a compressible fluid for providing resistance to movement of the free rear seat piston 604 as it moves along the free rear seat chamber 602, the compressible fluid increasing in pressure as the free rear seat piston 604 moves along the free rear seat chamber 602 such that the force acting on the free rear seat piston 604 increases as it moves along the free rear seat chamber 602, increasing the resistance to fluid flow into the first rear seat sub-chamber 606.

[0081] When the pressure in the second aft seat subchamber (608) may be below a predetermined level and / or while the free aft seat piston (604) is moving relative to the free aft seat chamber (602), there is no fluid flow from the fluid housing (304) into the first accumulator subchamber region (316).

[0082] When the pressure in the second backseat subchamber 608 increases above a predetermined level and / or the free backseat piston 604 stops moving relative to the free backseat chamber 602, fluid flows from the fluid housing 304 into the first accumulator subchamber region 316.

[0083] The predetermined pressure level is set to a value based on a function of the mass of the cannon 200. Thus, the pressure in the free recoil cylinder is a function of the mass of the recoil / movable components (e.g., the cannon plus the mass of all parts of the recoil system that move with the cannon). The predetermined pressure level is selected to be low enough so that the force required to compress (i.e., move) the piston 604 is less than the force required to move the piston 314. In such a configuration, the free recoil auxiliary cylinder 600 and the free recoil piston 604 form a system through which hydraulic fluid from the buffer can flow undamped, thereby allowing the cannon to move undamped during the initial portion of the cannon's recoil stroke. Thus, damping begins only when the free recoil piston 604 stops moving relative to the free recoil chamber 602. The capacity of the free recoil assist cylinder 600 is selected to ensure that the projectile leaves the barrel before the recoil piston 604 stops moving relative to the free recoil chamber 602, and therefore before the recoil of the gun barrel begins to dampen, and the barrel remains at its desired orientation and height, directing the projectile as desired by the user.

[0084] Thus, as shown in FIGS. 1-3 (and equally applicable to the examples of FIGS. 4, 5, and 6), upon firing of the projectile 400, the barrel 202 moves from an in-battery position (as shown in FIG. 1) to an out-of-battery position (as shown in FIG. 3), which causes movement of each snubber cylinder 334, 344 relative to its respective snubber piston 336, 346, causing fluid flow from the snubber system 308 to the fluid housing 304 and manifold 500. This, in turn, causes the free recoil piston 604 to move relative to the free recoil auxiliary cylinder 600, allowing fluid flow into the free recoil chamber 602, as shown in FIG. 2. Thus, during this phase, there is no fluid flow from the fluid housing 304 into the first accumulator subchamber region 316.

[0085] When the pressure in the second recoil subchamber 608 increases above a predetermined level and / or the free recoil piston 604 stops moving relative to the free recoil chamber 602 (timed to occur after the projectile 400 has exited the barrel 202), fluid flows from the fluid housing 304 into the first accumulator subchamber region 316, moving the accumulator piston 314 in a first direction, and the recoil energy of the barrel 202 is absorbed by the gas in the second accumulator subchamber region 318 as it is compressed by the movement of the accumulator piston 314, and by the energy lost as heat as the fluid is forced through the orifice 312.

[0086] Upon completion of recoil (as shown in FIG. 3), the pressure of the compressed gas in the second accumulator antechamber region 318 causes the accumulator piston 314 to move in a second direction along the accumulator chamber 310, thereby displacing fluid from the first accumulator antechamber region 316 back into the fluid manifold 500 and shock absorber system 308, allowing the barrel 202 to return to its in-battery position.

[0087] The configuration of the disclosed device allows for recoil management so that the barrel is not displaced during firing, thus improving accuracy during firing and avoiding the need for the barrel and / or weapon to be entirely repositioned before re-firing.

[0088] This is made possible by using a free recoil period which allows the gun to recoil with minimal resistance, meaning that minimal load is applied to the gun structure and therefore the gun structure experiences minimal deflection prior to the bullet exiting.

[0089] The throttling of both shock absorbers in a single location (i.e., by the first flow aperture 312 of the multi-function cylinder 300 on the gun barrel) results in the recoil load for the symmetrically balanced recoil mass being symmetrically balanced between the two shock absorbers, since the two shock absorbers are not subject to an inevitable imbalance in the throttling adjustment, as would occur if a separate throttle were provided in each shock absorber (as in prior art examples).

[0090] In other words, throttling in a single location (i.e., by the first flow aperture 312 of the on-barrel multi-function cylinder 300) means that the torque applied to the weapon system (e.g., gun carriage) is of a more predictable nature, as it is only a function of the recoil mass center of gravity location, rather than a shock absorber throttling imbalance between two separately throttled shock absorbers. This predictability may allow for fine tuning of the recoil mass center of gravity location.

[0091] If the recoil mass is perfectly symmetrically balanced between the two shock absorbers, adjusting the throttle in a single location according to the disclosed configuration means that the two shock absorbers are equally loaded, as they are not subject to the inevitable imbalance of the separate throttles in each shock absorber.

[0092] If the recoil mass is not perfectly symmetrically balanced between the two shock absorbers, the throttle adjustment in a single location according to the disclosed configuration means that the torque applied to the gun carriage is more predictable in nature, as it is only a function of the recoil mass CoG position, rather than a function of the shock absorber throttle adjustment imbalance between the two separately throttled shock absorbers. This predictability may allow for fine adjustment of the recoil mass CoG position to correct for the imbalance.

[0093] Additionally, adjusting the aperture in only one location simplifies manufacturing and maintenance.

[0094] Additionally, the provision of a free recoil assist cylinder allows the projectile to leave the gun barrel before the recoil begins to dampen, ensuring the barrel remains at its desired orientation and height, directing the projectile as desired by the user.

[0095] The artillery weapon of the present disclosure also provides variable damping throughout the recoil stroke of the barrel so that the recoil force remains approximately constant as the velocity of the recoiling cannon decreases.

[0096] The artillery weapon of the present disclosure is further advantageous because a substantial portion of the recoil system (e.g., multi-function cylinder 300 and portions of the shock absorber system 308, such as shock absorber cylinders 334, 344 or shock absorber pistons 336, 346) are mounted on the recoiled cannon, which thereby increases the recoil mass of the recoiled cannon and therefore reduces the recoil force on the gun carriage. That is, the configuration of the present disclosure allows a greater proportion of the recoil system to be recoiled, thereby increasing the recoil mass and reducing the recoil force.

[0097] The use of a pneumatic recuperator driven by buffer fluid avoids the need for a fragile compensator bladder to account for buffer oil volume changes.

[0098] Attention is directed to all documents and documents related to this application that are filed contemporaneously with or prior to this application and that are open to public inspection herewith, and the contents of all such documents and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

[0099] All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract, and drawings), and / or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations in which at least some of such features and / or steps are mutually exclusive.

[0100] Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract, and drawings), unless expressly stated otherwise, may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent, or similar purpose. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each disclosed feature is only an example of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

[0101] The invention is not limited to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one or any novel combination of features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or any novel one or any novel combination of steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

1. An artillery weapon, a gun carriage; and a cannon having a barrel with a barrel axis extending along the length of the barrel, the barrel mounted to the carriage such that the barrel is operable to move along the barrel axis relative to the gun carriage between an in-battery position and an out-of-battery position; The artillery weapon further comprises a multi-function cylinder mounted to the cannon and movable with the cannon, the multi-function cylinder comprising: a regulator unit including a fluid housing for holding hydraulic fluid, the fluid housing in fluid communication with the shock absorber system; The fluid housing of the regulator unit is also in fluid communication with the hydraulic accumulator chamber through a first flow aperture; an accumulator piston is disposed in the hydraulic accumulator chamber and is operable to move along the hydraulic accumulator chamber so as to define a first accumulator subchamber area on one side of the accumulator piston and a second accumulator subchamber area on the other side of the accumulator piston; 1. An artillery weapon, wherein the shock absorber system, regulator unit, hydraulic accumulator chamber, and first flow aperture are configured such that displacement of the barrel along the barrel axis from the in-battery position to the out-of-battery position causes fluid flow from the shock absorber system to the fluid housing, thereby causing fluid flow through the first flow aperture and into the first accumulator antechamber region, to move the accumulator piston along the hydraulic accumulator chamber in a first direction, thereby compressing gas in the second accumulator antechamber region.

2. 2. The artillery weapon of claim 1, wherein the shock absorber system is configured to deliver fluid to the fluid housing in response to movement of the barrel relative to the gun carriage when moving from the in-battery position to the out-of-battery position, and the shock absorber system is configured to receive fluid from the fluid housing in response to movement of the barrel relative to the gun carriage when moving from the out-of-battery position to the in-battery position.

3. 3. An artillery weapon as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the barrel is configured to be displaced along the barrel axis from the in-battery position to the out-of-battery position in response to a projectile being fired from the barrel such that recoil energy of the barrel is absorbed by gas in the second accumulator antechamber region as the barrel moves from the in-battery position to the out-of-battery position.

4. 4. The artillery weapon of claim 1, wherein the shock absorber system, the regulator unit, the hydraulic accumulator chamber, and the first flow aperture are configured such that pressure of compressed gas in the second accumulator antechamber region moves the accumulator piston along the hydraulic accumulator chamber in a second direction opposite to the first direction, thereby causing fluid flow from the first accumulator antechamber region through the first flow aperture into the fluid housing and from the fluid housing into the shock absorber system, causing displacement of the barrel along the barrel axis from the out-of-battery position to the in-battery position.

5. 5. An artillery weapon according to claim 4 when dependent on claim 3, wherein the shock absorber system, regulator unit, hydraulic accumulator chamber, and first flow aperture are configured such that pressure of compressed gas in the second accumulator subchamber region moves the accumulator piston in a second direction along the hydraulic accumulator chamber to an in-battery position after recoil movement of the barrel is completed.

6. 6. An artillery weapon according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the hydraulic accumulator chamber is in fluid communication with a gas reservoir via a flow path, the gas reservoir having a volume configured to limit gas pressure changes in the hydraulic accumulator chamber to a predetermined value during recoil.

7. a control rod extending from the accumulator piston through the first accumulator subchamber region and through the first flow aperture into the fluid housing, the control rod being movable with the accumulator piston, the control rod increasing in diameter along its length from the accumulator piston; 7. An artillery weapon according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the diameter of the control rod is smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the first flow aperture along at least a portion of the stroke of the accumulator piston, such that as the control rod moves relative to the first flow aperture from the fluid housing into the first accumulator subchamber region, the flow area around the control rod decreases, thereby increasing resistance to fluid flow from the fluid housing into the first accumulator subchamber region.

8. 8. An artillery weapon according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the fluid housing defines a fluid housing chamber for holding the hydraulic fluid, and wherein a control rod support piston is mounted to the control rod in the fluid housing chamber and operable to move along the fluid housing chamber to define a first fluid housing subchamber region on one side of the control rod support piston and a second fluid housing subchamber region on the other side of the control rod support piston, the control rod support piston being spaced from the accumulator piston along a length of the control rod, and the control rod support piston defines a passage for regulating fluid flow between the first fluid housing subchamber region and the second fluid housing subchamber region.

9. the shock absorber system comprises a first plane shock absorber mounted to the carriage on a first side of the cannon and a second plane shock absorber mounted to the carriage on a second side of the cannon, each of the first plane shock absorber and the second plane shock absorber being hydropneumatic; a shock absorber cylinder and a shock absorber piston slidable within / relative to the shock absorber cylinder; The first plain shock absorber cylinder and the second plain shock absorber cylinder are movement of the cannon relative to the gun carriage from the in-battery position to the out-battery position causes movement of each shock absorber cylinder relative to its respective shock absorber piston to cause fluid flow from the shock absorber system to the fluid housing; and such that movement of the cannon relative to the gun carriage from the out-of-battery position to the in-battery position causes movement of each shock absorber cylinder relative to its respective shock absorber piston to permit fluid flow from the fluid housing to the shock absorber system; in fluid communication with the fluid housing; each shock absorber cylinder mounted to and movable with the barrel and each shock absorber piston mounted to the carriage; or Each shock absorber piston is mounted to and movable with the barrel, and each shock absorber cylinder is mounted to the carriage or An artillery weapon according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein

10. the shock absorber cylinder of each of the first plain shock absorber and the second plain shock absorber defines a shock absorber chamber; 10. The artillery weapon of claim 9, wherein the bumper piston in each of the first and second plain bumpers is mounted in, and operable to move along, the respective bumper cylinder to define a first bumper subchamber on one side of the bumper piston and a second bumper subchamber on the other side of the bumper piston, each first bumper subchamber in fluid communication with the fluid housing.

11. 11. An artillery weapon as claimed in claim 10, wherein each second buffer subchamber is vented to the atmosphere via a port.

12. 11. The artillery weapon of claim 10, wherein the second shock absorber antechamber is configured to be closed and in fluid communication with a source of pressurized fluid such that flow of pressurized fluid into the second shock absorber antechamber causes movement of the cannon relative to the gun carriage from the in-battery position to the out-of-battery position.

13. the artillery weapon further comprises a free recoil assist cylinder defining a free recoil chamber; a free recoil piston is provided in the free recoil chamber and is operable to move along the free recoil chamber so as to define a first recoil sub-chamber on one side of the free recoil piston and a second recoil sub-chamber on the other side of the free recoil piston; the first recoil subchamber defines a second fluid flow aperture, the second fluid flow aperture being in fluid communication with the fluid housing such that movement of the cannon relative to the gun carriage from the in-battery position to the out-of-battery position causes movement of the free recoil piston relative to the free recoil assist cylinder to permit fluid flow into the free recoil chamber; the second rear sub-chamber contains compressible fluid for providing resistance to movement of the free rear piston as it moves along the free rear chamber, the compressible fluid increasing in pressure as the free rear piston moves along the free rear chamber such that a force acting on the free rear piston increases as it moves along the free rear chamber, increasing resistance to fluid flow into the first rear sub-chamber; when the pressure in the second backseat sub-chamber is below a predetermined level and / or while the free backseat piston is moving relative to the free backseat chamber, there is no fluid flow from the fluid housing into the first accumulator sub-chamber region; 13. An artillery weapon according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein fluid flows from the fluid housing into the first accumulator subchamber area when pressure in the second recoil subchamber increases above a predetermined level and / or when the free recoil piston stops moving relative to the free recoil chamber.

14. 14. An artillery weapon as recited in claim 13, wherein said predetermined pressure level is set to a value based on a function of the mass of said cannon.

15. 15. An artillery weapon according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the shock absorber system, the multi-function cylinder fluid housing, and the first recoil subchamber are fluidly connected by a fluid manifold.

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