Configuration of elevation / depression mechanisms for vehicle-mounted weapon systems

Abstract

The present invention relates to an arrangement of an elevation / depression device (E) for a vehicle-mounted weapon system (C). The weapon system (C) comprises a weapon (20) and a feed chute. The elevation device (E) is arranged to enable elevation / depression of the weapon (20) about an elevation / depression axis (Z). The elevation / depression is performed relative to sides (E1, E2) of the elevation device (E) about the elevation / depression axis (Z). The feed chute (40) is arranged to be arranged relative to one side (E1). The arrangement comprises an arcuate sector bearing arrangement (B1) of a bearing structure for facilitating the elevation / depression. The bearing arrangement (B1) is arranged relative to a front part (30F) at one side (E1) at a radial distance from the elevation / depression axis (Z) so as to provide space for the feed chute (40) on the one side (E1) relative to the elevation / depression axis (Z). The invention also relates to a vehicle equipped with an arrangement according to the invention.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Technical Field The present invention relates to a configuration of an elevation device for a vehicle-mounted weapon system.

[0002] The present invention also relates to a vehicle.

Background Art

[0003] Background Art Combat vehicles such as infantry fighting vehicles or tanks may include a weapon system associated with a turret, and the weapon system includes a weapon attached to the turret. Ammunition is usually configured to be supplied to the weapon from an ammunition magazine through some kind of feed chute. Such a weapon system is provided with an elevation device arranged to enable the elevation movement of the gun barrel about the elevation axis. Such an elevation device includes a bearing structure for promoting the elevation of the weapon about the elevation axis.

[0004] For example, in the case of a weapon system associated with a turret configured to accommodate components of the weapon system including a feed chute that requires a certain amount of space, the space and configuration of the weapon related to the elevation device of the weapon system may become a problem.

[0005] Therefore, there is a need to provide a configuration of an elevation device for a vehicle-mounted weapon system that promotes the space and configuration of the weapon of the weapon system.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] Object of the Invention An object of the present invention is to provide a configuration of an elevation device for a vehicle-mounted weapon system that promotes the space and configuration of the weapon of the weapon system.

[0007] Another object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle including such a configuration.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] overview These and other objectives, which are evident from the following description, are achieved by the configuration of the elevation device for a vehicle-mounted weapon system and the vehicle as described in the attached independent claims. Preferred embodiments of the configuration are defined in the attached dependent claims.

[0009] Specifically, the object of the present invention is achieved by the configuration of an elevation device for a vehicle-mounted weapon system. The weapon system comprises a weapon having a barrel and a chute for supplying ammunition to the weapon. The elevation device is configured to enable elevation movement of the barrel about an elevation axis. The elevation device has a front part in front of the elevation axis and a rear part behind the elevation axis. The elevation device has a first side and a second side opposite to it, and the weapon has a main extension extending between the sides from the rear to the front. The barrel protrudes forward through the front side of the front. The elevation is performed relative to the sides about an elevation axis that extends laterally with respect to the main extension of the weapon. The chute is configured to be positioned relative to the first side. The elevation device comprises a bearing structure for facilitating the elevation of the weapon about the elevation axis. The configuration comprises an arc-shaped sector bearing device of the bearing structure. The bearing device is positioned radially away from the elevation axis and on the first side relative to the front, so as to provide space for the ammunition chute on the first side relative to the elevation axis. Thus, the elevation axis is perpendicular and lateral to the main extension of the weapon and is located between the front and the rear.

[0010] In this way, by providing such an arc-shaped sector bearing device on the first side in relation to the front at a radial distance from the elevation axis, space is provided for positioning the weapon for elevation, and this space facilitates space on the first side for arranging a chute in relation to the elevation axis for efficient supply of ammunition to the weapon. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the chute may be a chute comprising a set of elements assembled together in a stacked configuration, wherein the set of elements is arranged around a shaft configured to be concentric with respect to the elevation axis, thereby enabling the movement of the individual elements of the set of elements around the shaft in relation to the elevation movement of the weapon about the elevation axis.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the above configuration, the sector bearing device comprises an arc-shaped groove and a set of rollers, the set of rollers being configured to be positioned within the groove, and the arc-shaped groove and the set of rollers being arranged such that the relative motion between the rollers and the groove is provided in relation to the elevation movement. This provides efficient journal coupling in the bearing and facilitates efficient elevation of the weapon.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the above arrangement, the sector bearing device comprises a bearing housing having an arc-shaped groove, the bearing housing is configured to constitute a fixed portion of the elevation device, and is fixedly positioned relative to the elevation member of the elevation device, the elevation member providing the elevation movement, and the sector bearing device further comprises a bearing member positioned relative to the first side of the elevation device and the elevation member, and a set of rollers disposed along the bearing member and attached to the bearing member, the bearing housing is positioned relative to the bearing member such that the set of rollers fits into the arc-shaped groove and is allowed to move within the groove in relation to the elevation movement. This provides efficient journal coupling within the bearing and facilitates efficient elevation of the weapon.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the above configuration, the elevation device is configured to provide elevation of the weapon between a maximum elevation angle and a minimum elevation angle, and the arc-shaped groove has an extension that allows movement of the set of rollers within the groove within the range between the maximum elevation angle and the minimum elevation angle. This provides efficient elevation of the weapon by the elevation device.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the above configuration, the arc-shaped groove has a rear wall portion having an inner side configured to face forward and a front wall portion having an inner side configured to face rearward, the rear wall portion and the front wall portion are spaced apart from the inner sides and extend parallel to the arc-shaped extension. This provides efficient journal coupling in the bearing and facilitates efficient elevation of the weapon.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the above configuration, the distance between the inner sides of the rear wall portion and the front wall portion is slightly greater than the diameter of each roller of the set of rollers, which are arranged along the bearing member, mounted on the bearing member, and received in the arc-shaped groove, so as to allow the roller to roll toward one of the inner sides. This facilitates the efficient elevation of the weapon by the elevation device in that the rollers are allowed to roll in an efficient manner in relation to the elevation movement of the weapon.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the above configuration, the set of rollers comprises a reaction roller configured to be positioned relative to the inside of the rear wall portion to capture the reaction load of the weapon, and a return roller configured to be positioned relative to the inside of the front wall portion to capture the return load of the weapon. By providing and arranging the reaction roller and the return roller in this manner, efficient capture of the reaction load and return load of the weapon is provided in relation to the operation of the weapon, and the reaction roller and the return roller further provide the efficient elevation of the weapon by the elevation device.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the above configuration, a roller configured to be positioned in relation to one of the inner sides of the arc-shaped groove is configured to be fixed in its radial position, and a roller configured to be positioned on the opposite side of the arc-shaped groove is configured to be adjustable in its radial position to facilitate the provision of desirable clearances in the rearward and forward directions. Thus, a roller configured to be positioned in relation to one of the inner sides of the arc-shaped groove is configured to be fixed in relation to its respective radial position relative to its inner side, and a roller configured to be positioned on the opposite side of the arc-shaped groove is configured to be adjustable in relation to its respective radial position relative to its inner side to facilitate the provision of desirable clearances in the rearward and forward directions. This allows for the efficient provision of desirable clearances in the rearward and forward directions. By promoting these desirable clearances, efficient elevation of the weapon by the rolling of the reaction roller and the return roller within the arc-shaped groove by the elevation device is provided.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the above configuration, the reaction roller, configured to be positioned relative to the inside of the rear wall portion of the arc-shaped groove, is configured to be fixed in its radial position, and the return roller, configured to be positioned relative to the inside of the front wall portion of the arc-shaped groove, is configured to be adjustable in its radial position to facilitate the provision of desirable clearances in the rearward and forward directions. Thus, the reaction roller, configured to be positioned relative to the inside of the rear wall portion of the arc-shaped groove, is configured to be fixed in its radial position relative to its inside, and the return roller, configured to be positioned relative to the inside of the front wall portion of the arc-shaped groove, is configured to be adjustable in its radial position relative to its inside to facilitate the provision of desirable clearances in the rearward and forward directions. This allows for the efficient provision of desirable clearances in the rearward and forward directions. By promoting such desirable clearances, efficient elevation of the weapon by the rolling of the reaction roller and the return roller in the arc-shaped groove by the elevation device is provided.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the above configuration, the sector bearing device includes an adjustment configuration arranged in relation to the bearing member to facilitate the adjustment of the adjustable rollers. By arranging the adjustment configuration in relation to the bearing member in this way, efficient adjustment of the adjustable rollers is facilitated.

[0020] According to one embodiment of the above configuration, the adjustment configuration comprises a set of adjustment tongues provided by recesses in the bearing member, the adjustable roller being configured to be attached to the adjustment tongues, and the adjustment configuration further comprises a set of screw joint members, each screw joint member of the set of screw joint members being positioned in relation to the adjustment tongues of the set of adjustment tongues, thereby providing adjustment of the tongues by applying a screw force to the adjustment tongues such that the radial position of the thus attached roller approaches the inside of the arc-shaped groove. This facilitates efficient adjustment of the adjustable roller.

[0021] According to one embodiment of the above configuration, the set of adjustment tongues having the adjustable rollers is arranged in pairs facing each other along the bearing member, and the fixed rollers are configured to be attached to the ends of the pair of adjustment tongues. By providing and arranging the adjustable rollers and fixed rollers in this manner, efficient intake of reaction loads and return loads of the weapon is provided in relation to the operation of the weapon, and efficient elevation of the weapon is provided by the rolling of the rollers in the arc-shaped grooves by the elevation device.

[0022] According to one embodiment of the above configuration, the set of adjustment tongues is shaped to facilitate the provision of essentially equal rigidity of the sector bearing device in the rearward and forward directions. This provides predictability of the behavior related to the recoil and return motion of the weapon.

[0023] According to one embodiment of the above configuration, the set of adjustment tongues comprises a mounting portion for attaching the adjustment roller and a base portion for the adjustment, wherein the thickness of the base portion is adapted to facilitate the provision of essentially equal rigidity in the rearward and forward directions. This provides predictability of the behavior related to the recoil and return motion of the weapon.

[0024] According to one embodiment of the above configuration, the sector bearing device is a sealing device arranged in relation to the arcuate groove, which provides a low-friction seal between the bearing housing and the bearing member, and is configured to be arranged facing the outside of the bearing member so as to allow movement of the bearing member relative to the bearing housing in relation to the pitching motion. Thereby, an efficient seal between the bearing housing and the bearing member is promoted.

[0025] According to one embodiment of the above configuration, the seal member is configured to be received within a slot extending along the arcuate groove, the seal member being disposed at the bottom of the slot and comprising a compressible strip member providing a spring function, and a low-friction seal member configured to be disposed facing the outside of the bearing member on a first side and to press the compressible strip member so as to provide a compressed state for an efficient seal between the bearing housing and the bearing member on the opposite side. Thereby, an efficient seal between the bearing housing and the bearing member is promoted.

[0026] According to one embodiment of the above configuration, the pitching device having the above configuration is configured to be disposed within a turret of a vehicle-mounted weapon system for which the above configuration is intended, the weapon system comprising a weapon attached to the turret via the pitching device, and the pitching device being fixedly attached to the turret via the bearing housing.

[0027] Specifically, the object of the present invention is achieved by a vehicle including a configuration of a pitching device for a weapon system mounted on the vehicle as described herein. Thus, the object of the present invention is achieved by a vehicle comprising a weapon system provided with a pitching device having a configuration as described herein.

[0028] According to one embodiment, the vehicle is a tracked vehicle. According to one embodiment, the vehicle is a combat vehicle.

[0029] According to one embodiment, the object of the present invention is achieved by an elevation device for a vehicle-mounted weapon system having a certain configuration, the elevation device having a configuration as described herein.

[0030] Brief explanation of the drawing For a better understanding of this disclosure, the following detailed descriptions should be referenced in conjunction with the attached drawings, where similar reference letters refer to similar parts throughout several drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0031] [Figure 1] A schematic side view of a tracked vehicle according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. [Figure 2] A schematic side view of a turret equipped with a weapon system having a weapon according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. [Figure 3a] A schematic perspective view of an elevation device, a weapon supported by the elevation device to enable elevation of the weapon, and a feeding chute for supplying ammunition to the weapon, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, is shown. [Figure 3b] Figure 3a schematically shows another perspective view of the elevation mechanism, part of the weapon, and ammunition chute according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4a] A schematic perspective view of the elevation device and ammunition chute shown in Figure 3a, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, is shown. [Figure 4b] A schematic side view of the elevation device and ammunition chute shown in Figure 4a, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, is shown. [Figure 5a] A schematic perspective view of the elevation device shown in Figure 3a, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, is shown. [Figure 5b] A schematic perspective view of another elevation device of Figure 5a according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. [Figure 6] A schematic perspective view of the bearing housing of the sector bearing device of the elevation device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. [Figure 7]Figure 6 shows a schematic perspective view of a bearing housing according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, which includes a set of rollers arranged in an arc-shaped groove of the bearing housing. [Figure 8] Figure 5a schematically shows a perspective view of a part of the elevation device of the sector bearing device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, in which a bearing member of the sector bearing device is provided and a reaction roller is connected to the bearing member. [Figure 9] Figure 5a shows a schematic perspective view of a part of the elevation device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, which includes the bearing member shown in Figure 8 and has a return roller connected to the bearing member. [Figure 10] A schematic cross-section of a portion of the sector bearing device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0032] Detailed description Figure 1 schematically shows a side view of a tracked vehicle V according to one aspect of the present disclosure. The illustrated vehicle V is composed of a combat vehicle. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, the tracked vehicle V comprises a vehicle body VB having a chassis and a body frame of the vehicle V.

[0033] The tracked vehicle V comprises a pair of track assemblies TA1 and TA2 that are suspendably connected to a vehicle body VB. The pair of track assemblies comprises a right track assembly TA1 and a left track assembly TA2 for driving the vehicle, and each track assembly comprises a continuous track ET driven by a drive means arranged to run on a set of wheels W of the track assembly.

[0034] Even if the indicated vehicle V is a tracked vehicle, according to other embodiments of the present invention, vehicle V may be composed of a wheeled vehicle.

[0035] Vehicle V is equipped with a turret 10. The turret 10 is located on top of vehicle V. The turret 10 is rotatable about a rotation axis Y that is perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of vehicle V and perpendicular to the lateral extension of vehicle V.

[0036] Vehicle V is configured to be equipped with a weapon system S having a weapon 20. The weapon 20 is mounted on the turret 10. Thus, the weapon 20 of the weapon system S can be rotated by rotating the turret 10 around axis Y.

[0037] The weapon 20 is configured to be connected to an elevation device E, which may be a so-called weapon cradle connected to the turret 10, or which may be equipped with a weapon cradle, according to one aspect of the present disclosure. The elevation device E may be the elevation device E shown in Figures 3a-b, 4a-b and 5a-b. The weapon 20 is configured to be raised and lowered about an elevation axis Z shown in Figures 1 and 2, i.e., to provide elevation movement, by the elevation device E. The weapon 20 includes a gun barrel 22. The gun barrel 22 of the weapon 20 is configured to be raised and lowered about an elevation axis Z, i.e., to provide elevation movement.

[0038] The weapon 20 has a main extension. The elevation axis Z is perpendicular to and lateral to the main extension of the weapon 20. The elevation axis Z is perpendicular to and lateral to the main extension of the barrel 22 of the weapon 20. The weapon 20 has a front side 22F having an opening into which ammunition is fired. The front side 22F of the weapon 20 is the front side of the barrel 22 of the weapon 20. The weapon 20 has an opposite rear side 22R opposite to the front side 22F. The weapon extends in its main direction from the rear side 22R to the front side 22F. In this specification, the forward direction refers to the direction of the main extension of the weapon 20 related to the front side 22F of the weapon 20, and the rear direction refers to the direction of the main extension of the weapon 20 related to the rear side 22R of the weapon. In connection with firing ammunition using the weapon 20, the weapon may be subjected to forces that cause certain movements of the weapon in the forward and rear directions. In one aspect of this disclosure, when referring to clearances in the rear and front directions, the phrase “rear and front directions” means, in this specification, the rear and front directions of the weapon 20, i.e., the directions of the longitudinal extension of the weapon 20.

[0039] Figure 2 schematically shows a side view of a turret 10 equipped with a weapon system S having a weapon 20 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0040] As described above with reference to Figure 1, the weapon 20 is configured to be connected to an elevation device E, for example, the elevation device E shown in Figures 3a-b, 4a-b, and 5a-b. The weapon 20 is configured to be raised and lowered about the elevation axis Z by the elevation device E, that is, to provide elevation movement.

[0041] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the weapon 20 may be configured to be raised and lowered within a range of elevation angle α. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the weapon 20 may be configured to be raised by an angle α1 from a position corresponding to the longitudinal extension of the vehicle V, i.e., from a horizontal position when the vehicle is in a horizontal position, and to be lowered by an angle α2 from that position.

[0042] Figure 3a schematically shows a perspective view of an elevation device E, a weapon 20 supported by the elevation device E to enable elevation of the weapon 20, and a chute 40 for supplying ammunition to the weapon 20, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 3b schematically shows another perspective view of the elevation device E, a part of the weapon 20, and the chute 40 of Figure 3a, Figure 4a schematically shows a perspective view of the elevation device E and the chute 40 of Figure 3a, and Figure 4b schematically shows another perspective view of the elevation device E and the chute 40 of Figure 4a.

[0043] Figure 5a schematically shows a perspective view of the elevation device E of Figure 3a according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, and Figure 5b schematically shows a side view of the elevation device E of Figure 5a.

[0044] The elevation device E is positioned to enable elevation movement of the weapon's barrel 22, for example, as described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. The elevation device E is positioned to enable elevation movement of the barrel around the elevation axis Z1.

[0045] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the elevation device E is configured to be attached to a turret, for example, a turret 10 as shown in Figures 1 and 2, and is therefore configured to rotate together with the turret about an axis Y as shown in Figures 1 and 2.

[0046] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the elevation device E comprises an elevation member 30 configured to provide the elevation movement. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the elevation member 30 is thus configured to provide a portion of the elevation device E that provides the elevation movement for the elevation of the weapon 20. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the weapon 20 is thus configured to be assembled to the elevation member 30.

[0047] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the elevation device E includes a ring-shaped support member 32 for supporting the barrel. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the ring-shaped support member 32 has an opening O (see, for example, Figure 5b) through which the barrel 22 is intended to be positioned (see Figures 3a-b). According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the opening O of the ring-shaped support member 32 has an extension corresponding to the extension of the barrel 22 when positioned in relation to the ring-shaped support member 32, for example when attached to the ring-shaped support member 32. The elevation axis Z is positioned in relation to the ring-shaped support member 32. The elevation axis Z is perpendicular to the axial extension of the opening O, and thus to the axial extension of the barrel.

[0048] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, an elevation device E comprising a ring-shaped support member 32 having an opening O is configured to be journal-coupled to a bearing for facilitating the rotation of the elevation device E about an axis Z for the elevation of the gun barrel 22 when supported by the elevation device E. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the elevation device E comprises a bearing structure for facilitating the elevation of the weapon 20 about the elevation axis Z.

[0049] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the elevation device E comprises a drive device (not shown) for operating the elevation device E to provide the elevation, or is operably connected to a drive device. The drive device may be any suitable drive device.

[0050] According to one aspect of this disclosure, the elevation device E has an upper side 30a and a lower side 30b when mounted on a vehicle that is essentially in a horizontal position (see, for example, Figures 5a-b). According to one aspect of this disclosure, the upper side 30a of the elevation device E constitutes the upper side 30a of the elevation member 30 of the elevation device E, and the lower side 30b of the elevation device E constitutes the lower side 30b of the elevation member 30. According to one aspect of this disclosure, the upper side 30a is the side of the elevation device E and elevation member 30 configured to be positioned above a portion of the weapon 20 when the weapon 20 is mounted on the elevation device E. According to one aspect of this disclosure, the lower side 30b is the side of the elevation device E and elevation member 30 configured to be positioned below a portion of the weapon 20 when the weapon 20 is mounted on the elevation device E.

[0051] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the elevation device E has a front side 30c and an opposite rear side 30d when mounted on a vehicle that is essentially in a horizontal position (see, for example, Figures 5a-b). According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the front side 30c of the elevation device E constitutes the front side 30c of the elevation member 30 of the elevation device E, and the rear side 30d of the elevation device E constitutes the rear side 30d of the elevation member 30. The front side 30c is the side of the elevation device E and elevation member 30 on which the weapon 20 and thus the barrel 22 protrude when the weapon is mounted on the elevation device E.

[0052] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the elevation device E, when mounted on a vehicle in an essentially horizontal position, has a first side E1 and a second side E2 on the opposite side (see, for example, Figure 5b). According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the first side E1 of the elevation device E constitutes the receiving side E1, and is positioned so that ammunition is supplied to the weapon 20 from this side. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the ammunition chute 40 is configured to be positioned in relation to the first side E1, i.e., in relation to the receiving side E. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the weapon 20 having a main extension is configured to extend between the sides E1 and E2. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the elevation member 30 has a first side 30e positioned in relation to the first side E1 of the elevation device E and constituting its movable portion, and an opposite second side 30f positioned in relation to the second side E2 of the elevation device E and constituting its movable portion (see, for example, Figure 5a). The first side 30e and the opposite second side 30f of the elevation member 30 that constitute the movable portions of sides E1 and E2 are configured to move during the elevation of the elevation member 30 in order to provide elevation movement of the weapon 20.

[0053] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a weapon 20 having a main extension is configured such that the main extension extends from the rear side 30d, between the first side E1 and the second side E2, and between the upper side 30a and the lower side 30b, and through the front side 30c from which the barrel 22 of the weapon protrudes. The weapon 20 has a longitudinal extension corresponding to its main extension. The front portion 20a of the weapon 20 protrudes through the opening O of the support member 32 of the elevation member 30 (see, for example, Figures 3a-b). The rear portion 20b of the weapon 20 is configured to protrude rearward from the elevation axis Z (see, for example, Figures 3a-b). According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the front portion 20a of the weapon 20 is the portion 20a of the weapon 20 that is in front of the elevation axis Z, and the rear portion 20b of the weapon 20 is the portion 20b of the weapon 20 that is in rear of the elevation axis Z.

[0054] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, sides 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, 30e, and 30f are referred to as such when the elevation device E is located on a vehicle, for example, vehicle V in Figure 1, and the weapon 20 is attached to the elevation device E.

[0055] The elevation of the elevation device by the elevation member 30 is configured to be performed in relation to the first side E1 and the second side E2, with respect to the elevation axis Z, and the elevation axis is lateral to the main extension of the weapon 20. The direction of the elevation axis Z extends laterally between sides E1 and E2.

[0056] The elevation device E has a front portion 30F of the elevation axis Z and a rear portion 30R of the elevation axis Z. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the front side 30c may constitute the front side of the front portion 30F. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the rear side 30d may constitute the rear side of the rear portion 30R. The weapon 20 is configured such that, in its main extension, it extends between the sides E1 and E2 from the rear portion 30R of the elevation device to the front portion 30F. The elevation axis Z is perpendicular and lateral to the main extension of the weapon 20 and is located between the portions 30F and 30R. The elevation device E includes a space in which the weapon 20 is arranged to extend from the rear portion 30R to the front portion 30F and through the front portion 30F.

[0057] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, an arrangement for such an elevation device E in a vehicle-mounted weapon system is provided, thereby facilitating the space and arrangement of the weapon 20 in the weapon system.

[0058] The elevation device E includes a bearing structure for facilitating the elevation of the weapon 20 around the elevation axis Z. The elevation device E includes a bearing structure for facilitating the elevation of the elevation member 30 of the elevation device E around the elevation axis Z, so as to facilitate the elevation of the weapon 20 around the elevation axis Z.

[0059] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the bearing structure comprises bearing devices B1 and B2 configured to be arranged in relation to the sides E1 and E2 to provide a journal coupling of the bearings for facilitating the elevation member 30 of the elevation device E about the elevation axis Z with respect to the fixed portions 50 and 150 of the elevation device E.

[0060] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the bearing structure comprises a first bearing device B1 configured to be positioned relative to the first side E1 and a second bearing device B2 configured to be positioned relative to the second side E2, so as to provide journal coupling in the bearing for facilitating the elevation of the elevation member 30 with respect to the fixed portions 50, 150 of the elevation device E.

[0061] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the fixed portions 50, 150 of the elevation device E include a first fixed portion 50 configured to be positioned relative to the first side E1 and a second fixed portion 150 configured to be positioned relative to the second side E2.

[0062] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the first bearing device B1 comprises the first fixed portion 50 or at least a part of the first fixed portion 50. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the second bearing device B2 comprises the second fixed portion 150 or at least a part of the second fixed portion 150.

[0063] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the second bearing device B2 is configured to be positioned around the elevation axis Z in relation to the second side E2, and provides a conventional bearing device B2 that essentially occupies space on the second side E2 in relation to the elevation axis Z. The second bearing device B2 is configured to provide essentially a ring-shaped configuration. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the second fixed portion 150 comprises or comprises a bearing housing 150 configured to be fixedly positioned with respect to the elevation member 30. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the second bearing device B2 comprises a bearing member 160 configured to be positioned on the elevation member 30 in relation to the second side E2, and the bearing member 160 is positioned around the elevation axis Z. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the fixed portion 150 may be fixedly positioned on a vehicle turret, for example, a turret 10 as described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the second bearing device B2 may be any suitable bearing device. According to one aspect of this disclosure, the second bearing device B2 may be a spherical roller bearing, as disclosed herein. The second bearing device B2 is not described in detail herein.

[0064] The arrangement of the elevation device E for a vehicle-mounted weapon system comprises a first bearing device B1 of the bearing structure. The first bearing device B1 is an arc-shaped sector bearing device B1. In this specification, the first bearing device B1 is referred to as an arc-shaped sector bearing device B1, a sector bearing device B1, or a bearing device B1.

[0065] The arc-shaped sector bearing device B1 is configured to be positioned on the first side E1 in relation to the front part 30F at a radial distance R from the elevation axis Z (see, for example, Figure 4b), thereby providing a space S on the first side E1 in relation to the elevation axis Z (see, for example, Figure 5b). The arc-shaped sector bearing device B1 is configured to be positioned on the first side E1 in relation to the front part 30F at a radial distance R from the elevation axis Z, so as to facilitate the positioning of the ammunition chute 40 in relation to the space S. The arc-shaped sector bearing device B1 is configured to be positioned on the first side E1 in relation to the front part 30F at a radial distance R from the elevation axis Z, so as to provide an opening in the elevation device E.

[0066] The ammunition chute 40, according to one aspect of the present disclosure, may be an ammunition chute 40 comprising a set of assembled elements 42 arranged around a shaft 44 concentric with respect to the elevation axis Z of the elevation device E, enabling the movement of individual elements of the set of elements 42 around the shaft 44 in relation to the elevation movement of the elevation device E about the elevation axis Z, for efficient ammunition feeding into the weapon 20. Such an ammunition chute 40 is shown in Figures 3a-b and 4a-b and is described below.

[0067] Figure 6 schematically shows a perspective view of the bearing housing 50 of the sector bearing device B1 of the elevation device E according to one aspect of the present disclosure, and Figure 7 schematically shows a perspective view of the bearing housing of Figure 6 having a set of rollers 70 arranged in the arc-shaped groove G52 of the bearing housing 50 according to one aspect of the present disclosure.

[0068] Figure 8 schematically shows a perspective view of a part of the elevation device E equipped with the bearing member 60 of the sector bearing device B1, and Figure 9 schematically shows a perspective view of a part of the elevation device E equipped with the bearing member 60.

[0069] Figure 10 schematically shows a cross-section of a portion of the sector bearing device B1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0070] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the first fixed portion 50 comprises or constitutes a bearing housing 50 of the sector bearing device B1 (see Figures 6 and 7, and Figures 3a-b, 4a-b, 5a-b and 10). The bearing housing 50 is configured to be fixedly positioned relative to the elevation member 30. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the bearing housing 50 may be fixedly positioned in the turret of a vehicle, for example, a turret 10 as described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the bearing housing 50 of the sector bearing device B1 has an arc-shaped configuration to facilitate the provision of the space and thus the opening on the first side E1 of the elevation device E in relation to the elevation axis Z.

[0071] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the first bearing device B1 includes a bearing member 60 configured to be positioned on the elevation member 30 in relation to the first side E1. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the bearing member 60 of the sector bearing device B1 has an arc-shaped configuration to facilitate providing the space, and therefore the opening, on the first side E1 of the elevation device E in relation to the elevation axis Z. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the bearing member 60 of the sector bearing device B1 has an arc-shaped portion 62.

[0072] The bearing housing 50 has an arc-shaped portion, and the bearing member 60 has an arc-shaped portion, and the arc-shaped portion of the bearing housing 50 has an arc shape that essentially corresponds to the arc shape of the arc-shaped portion 62 of the bearing member 60.

[0073] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the sector bearing device B1 comprises an arc-shaped groove G52 and a set of rollers 70, 80, the set of rollers 70, 80 configured to be positioned within the groove G52, and the arc-shaped groove G52 and the set of rollers 70, 80 are arranged such that the relative motion between the rollers 70, 80 and the groove G52 is provided in relation to elevation movement. The elevation device E shown in Figures 3a-b, 4a-b, and 5a-b comprises a bearing housing 50 detailed in Figures 6, 7, and 10 and bearing members detailed in Figures 8, 9, and 10, and represents one embodiment of a bearing device configured to provide such function, and thus arrangement, of an elevation device for a vehicle-mounted weapon system as described herein.

[0074] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the bearing housing 50 is configured to provide an outer fixed portion on the first side E1 of the elevation device E (see, for example, Figures 5a-b).

[0075] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the bearing housing 50 has an outer side 50e configured to face away from the tilting member 30 (see, for example, Figures 5a-b). According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the bearing housing 50 has an inner side 50f on the opposite side of the outer side 50e, configured to face toward the tilting member 30 (see, for example, Figure 10). According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the inner side 50f of the bearing housing 50 is configured to face the bearing member 60.

[0076] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the bearing housing 50 has an upper side 50a and an opposite lower side 50b (see, for example, Figure 6).

[0077] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the bearing housing 50 has a front side 50c configured to face forward and an opposite rear side 50d configured to face rear (see, for example, Figure 6). The rear side 50d provides an arc-shaped surface that gives the arc-shaped rear end of the bearing housing 50.

[0078] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the bearing member 60 has an outer side 60e configured to face away from the tilting member 30 (see, for example, Figures 5a and 10). According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the bearing member 60 has an inner side 60f on the opposite side of the outer side 60e, providing a portion of the inner side of the tilting member 30 in relation to the first side E1 (see, for example, Figures 5a and 10). According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the outer side 60e of the bearing member 60 is configured to face the inner side 50f of the bearing housing 50.

[0079] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the bearing member 60 has an upper side 60a and an opposite lower side 60b (see, for example, Figure 8).

[0080] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the bearing member 60 has a front side 60c configured to face forward and a rear side 60d on the opposite side configured to face rear (see, for example, Figure 8). The rear side 60d provides an arc-shaped surface that gives the arc-shaped rear end of the bearing member 60.

[0081] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the bearing housing 50 is provided with an arc-shaped groove G52 (see, for example, Figures 6 and 7). According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the arc-shaped groove G52 is configured to be located on the inner surface 50f of the bearing housing 50. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the arc-shaped groove G52 is configured to face the bearing member 60.

[0082] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the sector bearing device B1 comprises a set of rollers 70, 80 configured to be movably arranged within the groove G52. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the set of rollers 70, 80 is arranged along the bearing member 60 and is configured to be attached to the bearing member 60. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the bearing housing 50 is arranged along the bearing member 60 and is configured to be arranged in relation to the bearing member 60 such that the set of rollers 70, 80, attached to the bearing member 60, fits into the arc-shaped groove G52 and is permitted to move within the groove G52 in relation to elevation movement.

[0083] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the arc-shaped groove G52 has a rear wall portion 52R having an inner side 52c configured to face forward. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the arc-shaped groove G52 has a front wall portion 52F configured such that its inner side 52d faces rearward. The inner side 52d of the front wall portion 52F is configured to face the inner side 52c of the rear wall portion 52R of the arc-shaped groove G52. See Figure 6.

[0084] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the rear wall portion 52R and the front wall portion 52F are arranged with a distance D1 between the inner sides 52c and 52d and extend parallel to the arc-shaped extension. Therefore, the arc-shaped groove G52 has an arc-shaped extension having opposing inner sides 52c and 52d and parallel wall portions 52R and 52F at a predetermined distance.

[0085] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the distance D1 between the inner sides 52c and 52d of the rear wall portion 52R and the front wall portion 52F is slightly larger than the diameter D2 of each roller 70, 80 of a set of rollers 70, 80 that are arranged along the bearing member 60, mounted on the bearing member 60, and received in the arc-shaped groove G52, so as to allow the rollers 70, 80 to roll toward the inside of the inner sides 52c and 52d (see, for example, Figure 10).

[0086] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the set of rollers 70, 80 comprises a reaction roller 70 configured to be positioned relative to the inner 52c of the rear wall portion 52R so as to receive the reaction load of the weapon 20. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the reaction roller 70 configured to be positioned relative to the inner 52c of the rear wall portion 52R is positioned relative to the inner 52c of the rear wall portion 52R so as to be permitted to roll relative to the inner wall 52c in relation to the elevation movement of the elevation member 30 and, consequently, the movement of the bearing member 60 about the elevation axis.

[0087] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the set of rollers 70, 80 includes a return roller 80 configured to be positioned relative to the inner side 52d of the front wall portion 52F so as to receive the return load of the weapon 20. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the return roller 80 configured to be positioned relative to the inner side 52d of the front wall portion 52F is positioned relative to the inner side 52d of the front wall portion 52F so as to be permitted to roll relative to the inner wall 52d in relation to the elevation movement of the elevation member 30 and, consequently, the movement of the bearing member 60 about the elevation axis.

[0088] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a roller configured to be positioned in relation to one of the inner sides 52c, 52d of the arc-shaped groove G52 is configured to be fixedly positioned with respect to a radial position P1, and a roller configured to be positioned on the inner side opposite to the arc-shaped groove G52 is configured to be adjustable with respect to a radial position P2 in order to facilitate the provision of a desirable clearance in the rearward and forward directions.

[0089] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, when referring to a roller configured to be positioned with respect to a radial position in relation to one of the inner sides 52c, 52d of the arc-shaped groove G52, it refers to the nearest radial distance from the center of the roller to the inner side configured to be positioned. The center of the roller is the axis, i.e., the axis on which the roller can rotate.

[0090] Accordingly, according to one aspect of the present disclosure, a roller configured to be positioned in relation to one of the inner sides 52c, 52d of the arc-shaped groove G52 is configured to be fixedly positioned with respect to its respective radial position P1 relative to the inner side, and a roller configured to be positioned on the inner side opposite to the arc-shaped groove G52 is configured to be adjustable with respect to its respective radial position P2 relative to the inner side to facilitate the provision of a desirable clearance in the rearward and forward directions.

[0091] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the reaction roller 70, configured to be positioned in relation to the inner 52c of the rear wall portion 52R of the arc-shaped groove G52, is configured to be fixedly positioned with respect to a radial position P1 (see Figure 8). Thus, according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the reaction roller 70, configured to be positioned in relation to the inner 52c of the rear wall portion 52R of the arc-shaped groove G52, is configured to be fixedly positioned with respect to each radial position P1 with respect to the inner 52c of the rear wall portion 52R (see Figure 8). Thus, according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the reaction roller 70 is configured to be fixedly positioned such that the nearest radial distance from the center of each reaction roller 70 to the inner 52c of the rear wall portion 52R of the arc-shaped groove G52 does not change in an essential manner.

[0092] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the arc-shaped portion 62 of the bearing member 60 comprises a set of central mounting openings 62c for receiving the reaction roller 70. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the set of central mounting openings 62c is positioned as a central recess on the outer side 60e such that, when mounted on the central mounting openings 62c, the reaction roller 70 is positioned in a fixed position with respect to a radial position P1, i.e., with respect to each radial position P1. The radial position P1 of the reaction roller 70, i.e., each reaction roller 70, is the radial position of the reaction roller 70 with respect to the inner side 52c of the rear side 52R, i.e., the distance from the center of the reaction roller 70 to the outer edge of the reaction roller 70 when the reaction roller 70 is positioned within the arc-shaped groove G52.

[0093] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the reaction roller 70 includes a roller portion 70R configured to be positioned relative to the inner side 52c of the rear wall portion 52R of the arc-shaped groove G52. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the roller portion 70R is configured to roll relative to the inner side 52c of the rear wall portion 52R of the arc-shaped groove G52 of the bearing housing 50 in relation to the elevation movement of the elevation device E.

[0094] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the reaction roller 70 includes a shaft portion 70S configured to be received in the central mounting opening 62c.

[0095] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the return roller 80, configured to be positioned in relation to the inner 52d of the front wall portion 52F of the arc-shaped groove G52, is configured to be adjustable with respect to a radial position P2 to facilitate the provision of a desirable gap in the rearward and forward directions (see Figure 9). Thus, according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the return roller 80, configured to be positioned in relation to the inner 52d of the front wall portion 52F of the arc-shaped groove G52, is configured to be adjustable with respect to a radial position P2 with respect to the inner 52d of the front wall portion 52F to facilitate the provision of a desirable gap in the rearward and forward directions (see Figure 9). Thus, according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the return roller 80 is configured to be adjustable such that the nearest radial distance from the center of each return roller 80 to the inner 52d of the front wall portion 52F of the arc-shaped groove G52 is adjustable, i.e., can be changed.

[0096] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the elevation device E is configured to provide elevation of the weapon 20 between a maximum elevation angle α1 and a minimum elevation angle α2 (see, for example, Figure 2). According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the arc-shaped groove G52 has an extension that allows movement of the set of rollers 70, 80 within the groove within the range between the maximum elevation angle α1 and the minimum elevation angle α2.

[0097] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the sector bearing device B1 includes an adjustment arrangement 90 positioned in relation to the bearing member 60 to facilitate the adjustment of the adjustable rollers. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the adjustment arrangement 90 is positioned in relation to the bearing member 60 to facilitate the adjustment of the adjustable return rollers 80 positioned in relation to the inner side 52d of the front wall portion 52F of the arcuate groove G52.

[0098] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the adjustment arrangement 90 comprises a set of adjustment tongues 92 provided by a recess 60R of the bearing member 60 (see, for example, Figures 8 and 10). According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the recess 60R is located in the arc-shaped portion 62 of the bearing member 60. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the recess 60R is arranged along the arc-shaped portion 62 of the bearing member 60. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the recess 60R is configured to extend through the arc-shaped portion 62 of the bearing member 60 so as to reach and penetrate from the outer 60e to the inner 60f.

[0099] According to one aspect of this disclosure, the set of adjustment tongues 92 is arranged along the bearing member 60. According to one aspect of this disclosure, the set of adjustment tongues 92 is arranged along the bearing member 60 in opposing pairs. According to one aspect of this disclosure, the set of adjustment tongues 92 is arranged along the arc-shaped portion 62 of the bearing member 60 in opposing pairs. See, for example, Figure 8.

[0100] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the return roller 80 is configured to be attached to the adjustment tongue 92 in order to facilitate adjustment of the return roller 80.

[0101] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the set of adjustment tongues 92 comprises a mounting portion 92a for mounting the adjustment roller 80 and a base portion 92b for adjustment. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the thickness T1 of the base portion 92b is adapted to facilitate the provision of substantially equal rigidity in the rearward and forward directions of the complete sector bearing device B1 (see Figure 9). According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the thickness T2 of the mounting portion 92a is greater than the thickness of the base portion 92b in order to facilitate the mounting of the return roller 80.

[0102] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the set of adjustment tongues 92 comprises a central mounting opening 92c for receiving the return roller 80.

[0103] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the return roller 80 includes a roller portion 80R configured to be positioned relative to the inner side 52d of the front wall portion 52F of the arc-shaped groove G52. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the roller portion 80R is configured to roll relative to the inner side 52d of the front wall portion 52F of the arc-shaped groove G52 of the bearing housing 50 in relation to the elevation movement of the elevation device E. See Figure 10.

[0104] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the return roller 80 includes a shaft portion 80S configured to be received in the central mounting opening 92c. See Figure 10.

[0105] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the return roller 80 is configured to roll around an axis Z1. The axis Z1 extends from the outer 60e to the inner 60f of the bearing member 60.

[0106] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the adjustment tongue 92 is shaped to facilitate making the rigidity of the entire sector bearing device B1 essentially equal in the rearward and forward directions, i.e., in the direction of weapon movement related to reaction force and return force.

[0107] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the adjustment arrangement 90 further comprises a set of threaded joint members 94 (see, for example, Figures 7 and 8). According to one aspect of the present disclosure, each threaded joint member 94 of the set of threaded joint members 94 is positioned in relation to an adjustment tongue 92 of a set of adjustment tongues 92, thereby adjusting the tongue 92 by applying a threading force to the adjustment tongue 92, such that the radial position P2 of the return roller 80 thus mounted approaches the inner side 52d of the front wall portion 52F of the arc-shaped groove G52. The radial position P2 of the return roller 80 is the radial position of the return roller relative to the inner side 52d of the front wall portion 52F when the return roller 80 is positioned in the arc-shaped groove G52, i.e., the distance from the center of the return roller 80 to the outer edge of the return roller 80.

[0108] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, each screw joint member 94 of the set of screw joint members 94 is positioned in relation to an adjusting tongue 92 of the set of adjusting tongues 92, and as a result, by applying a screw force to the adjusting tongue 92, the tongue 92 is adjusted so that the return roller 80 thus mounted approaches the inner side 52d of the front wall portion 52F of the arc-shaped groove G52.

[0109] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, each screw joint member 94 in the set of screw joint members 94 comprises a head portion 94a and a shank portion 94b.

[0110] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, each screw joint member 94 of the set of screw joint members 94 is configured to be positioned relative to the arc-shaped portion 62 of the bearing member 60 such that the end of the shank portion 94b abuts against the adjustment tongue 92 and the head portion 94a is accessible for adjustment, with the shank portion 94b positioned through a portion of the arc-shaped portion 62.

[0111] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, each screw joint member 94 in the set of screw joint members 94 is configured to be positioned relative to the arcuate portion 62 of the bearing member 60 such that the end of the shank portion 94b contacts the adjustment tongue 92, and the shank portion 94b is introduced from the rear side 60d of the arcuate portion 62, thereby providing adjustment of the tongue 92 such that when a screw force is applied to the adjustment tongue 92, the return roller 80 thus mounted approaches the inner side 52d of the front wall portion 52F of the arcuate groove G52.

[0112] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, each threaded joint member 94 of the set of threaded joint members 94 is positioned in relation to an adjusting tongue 92 of the set of adjusting tongues 92, thereby providing adjustment of the tongue 92 so that the thus mounted return roller 80 moves further away from the inner side 52d of the front wall portion 52F of the arcuate groove G52 by reducing the threading force on the adjusting tongue 92.

[0113] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the set of central mounting openings 62c for receiving the reaction roller 70 is located at the ends of a pair of adjustment tongues 92.

[0114] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the set of reaction rollers 70 arranged along the arc-shaped portion 62 of the bearing member 60 comprises a first reaction roller 71, a second reaction roller 72, a third reaction roller 73, a fourth reaction roller 74, a fifth reaction roller 75, and a sixth reaction roller 76. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the first reaction roller 71 is positioned as an end reaction roller 71 at the ends of a pair of adjustment tongues 92. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the second reaction roller 72 is positioned between a pair of adjustment tongues 92, and therefore at the ends of the pair of adjustment tongues 92. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the third reaction roller 73 is positioned between a pair of adjustment tongues 92, and therefore at the ends of the pair of adjustment tongues 92. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the fourth reaction roller 74 is positioned between a pair of adjustment tongues 92, and therefore at the ends of the pair of adjustment tongues 92. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the fifth reaction roller 75 is positioned between a pair of adjustment tongues 92, and therefore at the ends of the pair of adjustment tongues 92. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the sixth reaction roller 76 is positioned at the end opposite to the first reaction roller 71, as another end reaction roller 76 at the end of the pair of adjustment tongues 92. See Figure 8.

[0115] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the set of return rollers 80 arranged along the arc-shaped portion 62 of the bearing member 60 comprises a first return roller 81, a second return roller 82, a third return roller 83, a fourth return roller 84, a fifth return roller 85, a sixth return roller 86, a seventh return roller 87, and an eighth return roller 88, the return rollers being connected to an adjustment tongue 92. See Figure 9.

[0116] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the sector bearing device B1 includes sealing configurations 56, S56, S56a, and S56b to provide a seal between the bearing housing 50 and the bearing member 60, and to allow the movement of the bearing member 60 relative to the bearing housing 50 in relation to the elevation movement (see Figure 10).

[0117] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the seal configuration includes a seal device S56 positioned facing and relative to the outer surface 60e of the bearing member 60, which is arranged in relation to the arc-shaped groove G52 and provides a low-friction seal between the bearing housing 50 and the bearing member 60, and which allows the movement of the bearing member 60 relative to the bearing housing 50 in relation to elevation movement.

[0118] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the seal configuration includes a slot 56 extending along the arc-shaped groove G52 to facilitate the positioning of the seal device S56 in relation to the arc-shaped groove G52 (see, for example, Figures 6 and 10). According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the slot 56 is an arc-shaped slot extending along and around the front wall portion 52F and the rear wall portion 52R of the arc-shaped groove 52 of the bearing housing 50. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the front wall portion 52F and the rear wall portion 52R of the arc-shaped groove 52 are connected to each other at their respective ends, providing curved end portions G52E1 and G52E2 at their respective ends. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the slot 56 is an arc-shaped recess extending along and around the front wall portion 52F and the rear wall portion 52R.

[0119] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the sealing member S56 is configured to be received in the slot 56 which extends along the arc-shaped groove G52.

[0120] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the sealing member S56 comprises a compressible strip member S56a positioned at the bottom of the slot 56, configured to provide a spring function. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the sealing member S56 further comprises a low-friction sealing member S56b, configured on the first side to be positioned opposite the outer 60e of the bearing member 60 for the low-friction seal, and on the opposite side to press the compressible strip member S56a to provide a compressed state for efficient sealing between the bearing housing 50 and the bearing member 60. See Figure 10.

[0121] Figures 3a-b and 4a-b schematically show different diagrams comprising a feeding chute 40 arranged in relation to the first side E1 of the elevation device E according to one aspect of the present disclosure.

[0122] The ammunition chute 40 comprises a set of elements 42 assembled together in a stacked configuration. Each individual element of the set of elements 42 may also be referred to as a rib or rib element.

[0123] The set of elements 42 is positioned around a shaft 44 (see, for example, Figures 4a-b) configured to be concentric with respect to the elevation axis Z of the elevation device E, thereby enabling the movement of individual elements of the set of elements 42 around the shaft 44 in relation to the elevation movement of the weapon around the elevation axis Z.

[0124] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the ammunition chute 40 is configured for supplying ammunition to a weapon. The ammunition chute 40 is configured such that one end is connected to the weapon 20. The end of the ammunition chute 40 configured to be connected to the weapon is directed toward the elevation device E in relation to the first side E1. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the ammunition chute 40 is configured in relation to the elevation device E such that the shaft 44 is coaxial with the elevation axis Z.

[0125] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, each individual element of the set of elements 42 has an extension that is essentially perpendicular to the direction of the shaft 44. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, each individual element of the set of elements 42 has a plane of rotation that is essentially perpendicular to the direction of the shaft 44, and therefore to the direction of the elevation axis Z, when the ammunition chute is assembled to the weapon in relation to the elevation device E.

[0126] According to one aspect of this disclosure, the ammunition feeding chute 40 is comprised of a chute configuration.

[0127] According to one aspect of this disclosure, such a chute configuration may further include a guide chute (not shown) for guiding ammunition from an ammunition magazine (not shown) into the feeding chute 40. The ammunition magazine may have any suitable configuration for housing ammunition.

[0128] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the elevation device E having the above arrangement is configured to be located within a turret 10 of a vehicle-mounted weapon system C in which the arrangement for the elevation device E is intended. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the weapon system C comprises a weapon 20 mounted to the turret 10 via the elevation device E. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the elevation device E is configured to be fixedly mounted to the turret 10 via a first bearing housing 50 and a second bearing housing 150.

[0129] The foregoing description relating to preferred embodiments of the present invention is provided for illustrative and descriptive purposes only. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the exact form disclosed. Obviously, many modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The embodiments have been selected and described to best illustrate the principles and practical applications of the present invention, so that those skilled in the art can understand the invention with respect to various embodiments and with various modifications suitable for specific intended uses.

Claims

1. The configuration of an elevation device (E) for a vehicle-mounted weapon system (C), wherein the weapon system (C) comprises a weapon (20) having a barrel (22) and a feeding chute (40) for supplying ammunition to the weapon (20), the elevation device (E) is configured to enable elevation movement of the barrel (22) about an elevation axis (Z), the elevation device (E) has a front part (30F) in front of the elevation axis (Z) and a rear part (30R) behind the elevation axis (Z), and The elevation device (E) has a first side (E1) and a second side (E2) on the opposite side, the weapon (20) has a main extension that extends between the sides (E1, E2) from the rear (30R) to the front (30F), the barrel (22) protrudes forward through the front side (30c) of the front (30F), the elevation is performed relative to the sides (E1, E2) with respect to the elevation axis (Z) which extends laterally with respect to the main extension of the weapon (20), and the ammunition chute (40) is configured to be positioned in relation to the first side (E1), and the elevation device (E) comprises a bearing structure for facilitating the elevation of the weapon (20) about the elevation axis (Z), the configuration comprising an arc-shaped sector bearing device (B1) of the bearing structure, the bearing device (B1) is radially distanced from the elevation axis (Z) to provide space for the ammunition chute (40) on the first side (E1) in relation to the elevation axis (Z). The sector bearing device (B1) is positioned on the first side (E1) in relation to the front part (30F), and comprises an arc-shaped groove (G52) and a set of rollers (70, 80), wherein the set of rollers (70, 80) is configured to be positioned within the groove (G52), and the arc-shaped groove (G52) and the set of rollers (70, 80) are arranged such that the relative motion between the rollers (70, 80) and the groove (G52) is provided in relation to an elevation movement.

2. The configuration according to claim 1, wherein the sector bearing device (B1) comprises a bearing housing (50) having an arc-shaped groove (G52), the bearing housing (50) is configured to constitute a fixed portion of the elevation device (E), and is fixedly positioned relative to the elevation member (30) of the elevation device (E), the elevation member (30) provides the elevation movement, and the sector bearing device (B1) further comprises a bearing member (60) positioned on the elevation member (30) in relation to the first side (E1) of the elevation device (E), and a set of rollers (70, 80) disposed along the bearing member (60) and attached to the bearing member (60), the bearing housing (50) is positioned relative to the bearing member (60) such that the set of rollers (70, 80) fits into the arc-shaped groove (G52) and is allowed to move within the groove (G52) in relation to the elevation movement.

3. The configuration according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the elevation device (E) is configured to provide elevation of the weapon (20) between a maximum elevation angle (α1) and a minimum elevation angle (α2), and the arc-shaped groove (G52) has an extended portion that allows movement of the set of rollers (70, 80) within the groove within the range between the maximum elevation angle (α1) and the minimum elevation angle (α2).

4. The configuration according to claim 2, wherein the arc-shaped groove (G52) has a rear wall portion (52R) having an inner side (52c) configured to face forward, and a front wall portion (52F) having an inner side (52d) configured to face rearward, and the rear wall portion (52R) and the front wall portion (52F) are arranged with a distance (D1) between the inner sides (52c, 52d) and extend parallel to the arc-shaped extension.

5. The configuration according to claim 4, wherein the distance (D1) between the inner sides (52c, 52d) of the rear wall portion (52R) and the front wall portion (52F) is slightly larger than the diameter (D2) of each roller (70, 80) of a set of rollers (70, 80) that are arranged along the bearing member (60), mounted on the bearing member (60), and received in the arc-shaped groove, so as to allow the rollers (70, 80) to roll toward one of the inner sides (52c, 52d).

6. The configuration according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the set of rollers (70, 80) comprises a reaction roller (70) configured to be positioned relative to the inner side (52c) of the rear wall portion (52R) to capture the reaction load of the weapon (20), and a return roller (80) configured to be positioned relative to the inner side (52d) of the front wall portion (52F) to capture the return load of the weapon (20).

7. The configuration according to claim 6, wherein one of the set of rollers (70, 80), configured to be positioned in relation to one of the inner sides (52c, 52d) of the arc-shaped groove (G52), is configured to be fixed in position with respect to a radial position (P1), and one of the set of rollers (70, 80), configured to be positioned on the inner side opposite to the arc-shaped groove (G52), is configured to be adjustable in position with respect to a radial position (P2) to facilitate the provision of a desirable gap in the rearward and forward directions.

8. The configuration according to claim 7, wherein the reaction roller (70), configured to be positioned in relation to the inner side (52c) of the rear wall portion (52R) of the arc-shaped groove (G52), is configured to be fixed in relation to the radial position (P1), and the return roller (80), configured to be positioned in relation to the inner side (52d) of the front wall portion (52F) of the arc-shaped groove (G52), is configured to be adjustable in relation to the radial position (P2) to facilitate the provision of a desirable gap in the rearward and forward directions.

9. The configuration according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the sector bearing device (B1) includes an adjustment configuration (90) arranged in relation to the bearing member (60) to facilitate the adjustment of the adjustable rollers.

10. The configuration according to claim 9, wherein the adjustment configuration (90) comprises a set of adjustment tongues (92) provided by a recess (60R) of the bearing member (60), the adjustable roller (80) is configured to be attached to the adjustment tongues (92), the adjustment configuration (90) further comprises a set of screw joint members (94), each screw joint member (94) of the set of screw joint members (94) is positioned in relation to the adjustment tongues (92) of the set of adjustment tongues (92), and as a result, adjustment of the tongues (92) is provided by applying a screw force to the adjustment tongues (92) such that the radial position (P2) of the thus attached roller (80) moves closer to the inside of the arcuate groove (G52).

11. The configuration according to claim 10, wherein the set of adjustment tongues (92) having the adjustable rollers (80) is arranged in pairs facing each other along the bearing member (60), and the rollers (70) are attached to the ends of the pair of adjustment tongues (92).

12. The configuration according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the set of adjustment tongues (92) is shaped to facilitate the provision of essentially equal rigidity of the sector bearing device (B1) in the rearward and forward directions.

13. The configuration according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the set of adjustment tongues (92) comprises a mounting portion (92a) for attaching the roller (80) and a base portion (92b) for adjustment, the thickness of the base portion (92b) is adapted to facilitate the provision of essentially equal rigidity in the rearward and forward directions.

14. The configuration according to claim 2, wherein the sector bearing device (B1) comprises a sealing device (S56) arranged in relation to the arc-shaped groove (G52), the sealing device (S56) being configured to provide a low-friction seal between the bearing housing (50) and the bearing member (60), and to be arranged facing the outer side (60e) of the bearing member (60) so as to allow movement of the bearing member (60) relative to the bearing housing (50) in relation to the elevation movement.

15. The configuration according to claim 14, wherein the sealing device (S56) is configured to be received in a slot (56) extending along the arc-shaped groove (G52), and the sealing device (S56) comprises a compressible strip member (S56a) positioned at the bottom of the slot (56) and providing a spring function, and a low-friction sealing device (S56b) configured to be positioned on the first side opposite the outer side (60e) of the bearing member (60) for the low-friction seal, and on the opposite side, configured to press the compressible strip member (S56a) to provide a compressed state for efficient sealing between the bearing housing (50) and the bearing member (60).

16. The configuration according to claim 2, wherein the elevation device (E) having the above configuration is configured to be located within the turret (10) of a vehicle-mounted weapon system (C) in which the above configuration is intended, the weapon system (C) comprises the weapon (20) attached to the turret (10) via the elevation device (E), and the elevation device (E) is fixedly attached to the turret (10) via the bearing housing (50).

17. A vehicle (V) comprising a configuration of an elevation device (E) for a weapon system (C) mounted on the vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 16.

18. The vehicle according to claim 17, wherein the vehicle is a tracked vehicle.

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