Pullback system

Abstract

In the subject matter, a firearm (100) is disclosed. The firearm (100) includes barrel (101), a cradle assembly (102) and pullback mechanism (103). The barrel (101) includes a muzzle end (101a) and a breech end (101b). Further, the cradle assembly (102) includes a cylindrical guide tube (102a), a first mount (102b) and a second mount (102c). Additionally, the barrel (101) is configured to move linearly within the cylindrical guide tube (102a). Furthermore, the pullback mechanism (103) includes a pullback cylinder (103a) and a pullback piston (103b). The pullback piston (103b) is configured to linearly translate within the pullback cylinder (103a). The pullback cylinder (103a) is connected to the first mount (102b) of barrel (101) and the pullback piston (103b) is connected to the breech end (101b) of the barrel (101).

Description

[0001] TITLE OF INVENTION:

[0002] PULLBACK SYSTEM

[0003] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS AND PRIORITY

[0004] The present application claims priority from the Indian patent application having application number 202421060467, filed on 09 August 2024, incorporated herein by a reference.

[0005] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The present invention relates to an artillery system. More specifically, the present invention relates to a pullback system for the artillery system.

[0007] BACKGROUND

[0008] This section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of art, which may be related to various aspects of the present disclosure that are described or claimed below. This discussion is believed to be helpful in providing the reader with background information to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it should be understood that these statements in this background section are to be read in this light, and not as admissions of prior art. Similarly, a problem mentioned in the background section or associated with the subject matter of the background section should not be assumed to have been previously recognized in the prior art. The subject matter in the background section merely represents different approaches, which in and of themselves may also correspond to implementations of the claimed technology.

[0009] In general, pullback mechanisms are used for defence applications. Specifically, the pullback mechanisms are used in the artillery guns, field guns, howitzers, vehicle mounted guns, tanks, and the like. The primary function of the pullback mechanism is to remove the residue from a gun barrel. The pullback mechanism is activated after firing an article. Additionally, the pullback mechanism facilitates examining the gun barrel for any damage caused due to firing of the article or due to any residue aggregates remaining in the gun barrel from earlier firing rounds.

[0010] In prior art, the pullback mechanisms were handled manually. However, manual operation is slow and also dangerous for the operator as articles (or charge) may be heavy. Another major problem in the prior art was that the artillery guns were designed to work only for specific angles of the barrels. However, as operating conditions change, the angle of the barrel may be required to change according to location of the target. If the pullback system is not designed for variation in loads, the fatigue created by variation can damage the barrel and the pullback system. To solve this problem in prior art external hydraulic actuation mechanisms were used. However, use of the external hydraulic actuation mechanisms also slows down operation. Also, hydraulic mechanisms require complex fluid circuitry and pressure requirements, which increases the cost of pullback mechanisms. Further, problems like oil leakage and fire hazard also reduces operability of the gun. Furthermore, pneumatic actuation mechanisms may not be useful in case of heavy weight of article in the operations.

[0011] Thus, limitations identified include but are not limited to slow operation speed, safety concerns for operators, complexity of hydraulic systems, increased costs, potential for oil leakage and fire hazards, and limited usefulness of pneumatic systems for heavy articles. Additionally, the inability of existing pullback systems to effectively handle variations in barrel angles and loads poses a significant challenge.

[0012] In light of the above stated discussion, there exists a need for an improved pullback system to overcome at least one of the above stated disadvantages.

[0013] SUMMARY

[0014] This summary is provided to introduce concepts related to a pullback system. This summary is not intended to identify essential features of the claimed subject matter nor is it intended for use in determining or limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0015] In an example aspect, a pullback system is disclosed. The pullback system includes a barrel, a cradle assembly and a pullback mechanism. The barrel is configured to hold an article. The barrel includes a muzzle end and a breech end. Additionally, an ordnance assembly is mounted on the breech end. Further, the cradle assembly is mounted on a support structure. The cradle assembly includes a cylindrical guide tube, a first mount and a second mount. Additionally, the barrel is configured to move linearly within the cylindrical guide tube. Furthermore, the pullback mechanism includes a pullback cylinder and a pullback piston. The pullback piston is configured to linearly translate within the pullback cylinder. In addition, the pullback cylinder is connected to the first mount of barrel. Additionally, the pullback piston is connected to the breech end of the barrel.

[0016] In an embodiment, an actuation force applied to the pullback mechanism drives the pullback piston to linearly translate within the pullback cylinder, causing the pullback mechanism to extend or retract.

[0017] In another embodiment, the actuation force on the pullback mechanism is applied by an actuation mechanism. In yet another embodiment, the actuation mechanism may include one or more electric actuators, one or more pneumatic actuators, one or more hydraulic actuators, or any combination thereof.

[0018] In yet another embodiment, a muzzle end mounting block connects the pullback cylinder to the first mount.

[0019] In yet another embodiment, a breech end mounting block is mounted on the ordnance assembly. In addition, the pullback piston is connected to the breech end mounting block.

[0020] In yet another embodiment, a locking pin secures the pullback piston to the breech end mounting block.

[0021] In yet another embodiment, the second mount is configured to limit the entry of the ordnance assembly within the cylindrical guide tube.

[0022] In yet another embodiment, the linear translation of the pullback piston relative to the pullback cylinder is defined by a pullback length.

[0023] In yet another embodiment, the pullback length may be in a range of about 500 to 3000 mm.

[0024] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0025] Having thus described the invention in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

[0026] Figure 1 illustrates an extended state of a pullback mechanism (103) for a firearm (100) of a firearm, in accordance with various embodiments of the present subject matter; and

[0027] Figure 2 illustrates a retracted state of the pullback mechanism (103) of the firearm (100), in accordance with various embodiments of the present subject matter.

[0028] It should be noted that the accompanying figures are intended to present illustrations of exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. These figures are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

[0029] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] Reference throughout the specification to “various embodiments,” or “some embodiments,” or “one embodiment,” or “an embodiment,” or “another embodiment” or “yet another embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in various embodiments,” “in some embodiments,” “in one embodiment,” or “in an embodiment” or “in one implementation” or “in an implementation” or “in another implementation” or “in yet another implementation” in places throughout the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

[0031] The words “comprising”, “having”, “containing”, “including”, and other forms thereof, are intended to be equivalent in meaning and be open ended in that an item or items following any one of these words is not meant to be an exhaustive listing of such item or items or meant to be limited to only the listed item or items. It must also be noted that, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. For example, the term “an article” may include a plurality of articles unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Although any methods similar or equivalent to those described herein may be used in the practice or testing of embodiments of the present disclosure, the exemplary methods are described. The disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the disclosure, which may be embodied in various forms.

[0032] Various modifications to the embodiment may be readily apparent to those skilled in the art and the generic principles herein may be applied to other embodiments. However, one of ordinary skill in the art may readily recognize that the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the embodiments illustrated but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features described herein. The detailed description of the invention will be described hereinafter referring to accompanied drawings.

[0033] As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting but rather to provide an understandable description of the invention.

[0034] Those with ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated, relative to other elements in order to improve the understanding of the present invention. There may be additional components described in the foregoing application that are not depicted on one of the described drawings. In the event such a component is described, but not depicted in a drawing, the absence of such a drawing should not be considered as an omission of such design from the specification.

[0035] In the accompanying drawings components have been represented, showing only specific details that are pertinent for an understanding of the present invention so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those with ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.

[0036] In accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter, referring to figure 1, an extended state of a pullback mechanism (103) for a firearm (100) of a firearm is described herein.

[0037] In a non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, the firearm (100) includes a barrel (101), a cradle assembly (102) and a pullback mechanism (103).

[0038] In some embodiments, the barrel (101) is configured to hold an article. In one example, the article may include but not limited to shell, projectile, cartridge, bomb, missile, charge, explosive, ordnance, grenade, payload, canister, mortar, and the like. The barrel (101) includes a muzzle end (101a) and a breech end (101b). Additionally, an ordnance assembly (101c) is mounted on the breech end (101b). In one aspect, the ordnance assembly (101c) may be of a ring-shape in order to surround the breech end (101b). In another aspect, the ordnance assembly (101c) may be an integral entity / component of the barrel (101). In yet another aspect, the ordnance assembly (101c) may be a separate entity / component mounted on the barrel (101).

[0039] In some embodiments, a breech end mounting block (10 Id) may be mounted on the ordnance assembly (101c). In some embodiment, the cradle assembly (102) may be mounted on a support structure. In one aspect, the support structure may be a carriage of an artillery gun.

[0040] Further, the cradle assembly (102) includes a cylindrical guide tube (102a), a first mount (102b) and a second mount (102c). In one aspect, the cylindrical guide tube (102a), the first mount (102b) and the second mount (102c) may be an integral entity / component forming the cradle assembly (102). In yet another aspect, the cylindrical guide tube (102a), the first mount (102b) and the second mount (102c) may be separate integral entitle s / components forming the cradle assembly (102).

[0041] Additionally, the barrel (101) may be configured to move linearly within the cylindrical guide tube (102a). Also, the barrel (101) may be allowed to translate along its longitudinal axis within the cylindrical guide tube (102a). The barrel (101) may be configured to maintain a fixed orientation relative to an axis of the cylindrical guide tube (102a) while sliding along its length.

[0042] In an embodiment, the second mount (102c) is configured to limit the entry of the ordnance assembly (101c) within the cylindrical guide tube (102a).

[0043] In another embodiment, the pullback mechanism (103) includes a pullback cylinder (103a) and a pullback piston (103b). Typically, the pullback mechanism (103) is analogous to traditional piston- cylinder arrangement. The pullback piston (103b) is configured to linearly translate within the pullback cylinder (103a).

[0044] In yet another embodiment, the pullback cylinder (103a) is connected to the first mount (102b) of barrel (101). In addition, a muzzle end mounting block (103c) connects the pullback cylinder (103a) to the first mount (102b). In one aspect, the muzzle end mounting block (103c) may be secured to the first mount (102b) using bolt(s) (or screw(s)) and nut(s), rivet(s), pin(s), and the like. In another aspect, the pullback cylinder (103a) may be connected to the first mount (102b) using mounting block(s), coupling(s), adapter(s), connector(s), and the like. In yet another aspect, the pullback cylinder (103a) may be secured to the first mount (102b) by any quick-release coupling(s).

[0045] In some embodiment, the pullback piston ( 103b) is connected to the breech end ( 10 lb) of the barrel (101). In addition, a locking pin (lOle) may be provided in proximity to the breech end mounting block (10 Id). Further, the pullback piston (103b) may be secured to the breech end mounting block (10 Id) by the locking pin (10 le). In one aspect, pullback piston (103b) may be secured to the breech end mounting block (10 Id) by bolt(s) (or screw(s)) and nut(s), rivet(s), pin(s), and the like.

[0046] In some implementations, an actuation force applied to the pullback mechanism (103) may drive the pullback piston (103b) to linearly translate within the pullback cylinder (103a), causing the pullback mechanism (103) to extend or retract.

[0047] In an embodiment, the actuation force on the pullback mechanism (103) is applied by an actuation mechanism. In one aspect, the actuation force may be transmitted by the actuation mechanism through a pressurized fluid. In another aspect the pressurized fluid may be air, oil, and the like. In another aspect, the actuation mechanism may include one or more electric actuators, one or more pneumatic actuators, one or more hydraulic actuators, or any combination thereof.

[0048] In another embodiment, the linear translation of the pullback piston (103b) relative to the pullback cylinder (103a) is defined by a pullback length (L). Also, the pullback length (L) may be in a range of about 500 to 3000 mm. In one example, the pullback length (L) may be 1000 mm. In another example, the pullback length (L) may be 1500 mm. In yet another example, the pullback length (L) may be 2000 mm. In yet another example, the pullback length (L) may be of any suitable length for the functioning of the firearm (100).

[0049] In yet another embodiment, the linear translation of the barrel (101) on the cylindrical guide tube (102a) facilitates to run a barrel test and to remove used cartilage (and / or any residue of initial firing rounds), from the barrel (101). Due to residual-free barrel (101), safety of a user is ensured for subsequent firing rounds. Furthermore, figure 1 depicts the extended state of the pullback mechanism (103) of the firearm. In addition, figure 2 depicts a retracted state of the pullback mechanism (103) of the firearm. The firearm (100) transitions from the extended state to the retracted state or vice-versa, by the application of the actuation on the pullback mechanism (103).

[0050] In some embodiments, change in angle of inclination of the cradle assembly (102) (or barrel (101)) with respect to ground, does not hamper the functioning of the firearm (100), to ensure optimum operation of the firearm (100). In one aspect, the inclination angle of the cradle assembly (102) may lie in a range of -5 degree to +75 degree. Thus, facilitating the firearm to efficiently function on any terrain.

[0051] In some embodiments, the firearm (100) may be subjected to varying loads, due to the combination of variation in the inclination angle of the cradle assembly (102) and weight of the article. The firearm (100) is sufficiently strong and flexible to sustain such conditions. On the contrary, if a pullback system is not designed for variation in loads and angles, fatigue may be generated in such pullback system. This may result in damage to the barrel or to the entire pullback system and may lead to safety concerns for the user(s).

[0052] In an embodiment, the actuation mechanism engaged with the pullback mechanism (103) may be configured to maintain optimal functioning of the firearm (100) by compensating the variation in loads and angles through the actuation force. In one aspect, if electric actuator(s) is used as the actuation system, then voltage (and / or current) variation can be carried out to increase or decrease the actuation force, resulting in compensation of the varied load / angle. In yet another aspect, if hydraulic / pneumatic actuator(s) is used as the actuation system, then fluid can be pumped or sucked out (from the pullback mechanism (103)) to increase or decrease the actuation force, resulting in compensation of the varied load / angle.

[0053] The firearm (100), as described in above paragraphs, may involve minimal number of parts / components. Modifications to embodiments of the present disclosure described in the foregoing are possible without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the accompanying claims. Expressions such as “including,” “comprising,” “incorporating,” “consisting of,” “have,” “is” used to describe, and claim the present disclosure are intended to be construed in a non-exclusive manner, namely allowing for items, components or elements not explicitly described also to be present. Reference to the singular is also to be construed to relate to the plural.

Claims

We Claim:

1. A firearm (100) comprising: a barrel (101) configured to hold an article, wherein the barrel (101) comprises a muzzle end (101a) and abreech end (101b), wherein an ordnance assembly (101c) is mounted on the breech end (101b); a cradle assembly (102) mounted on a support structure, wherein the cradle assembly(102) comprises a cylindrical guide tube (102a), a first mount (102b), and a second mount (102c), wherein the barrel (101) is configured to move linearly within the cylindrical guide tube (102a); and a pullback mechanism (103), wherein the pullback mechanism (103) comprises a pullback cylinder (103a) and a pullback piston ( 103b), wherein the pullback piston ( 103b) is configured to linearly translate within the pullback cylinder (103a), wherein the pullback cylinder (103a) is connected to the first mount (102b) of the barrel (101) and the pullback piston (103b) is connected to the breech end (101b) of the barrel (101).

2. The firearm (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein an actuation force applied to the pullback mechanism (103) drives the pullback piston (103b) to linearly translate within the pullback cylinder (103a), causing the pullback mechanism (103) to extend or retract, wherein an actuation mechanism applies the actuation force on the pullback mechanism(103).

3. The firearm (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the actuation mechanism comprises one or more electric actuators, one or more pneumatic actuators, one or more hydraulic actuators, or any combination thereof.

4. The firearm (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a muzzle end mounting block (103c) connects the pullback cylinder (103a) to the first mount (102b).

5. The firearm (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a breech end mounting block (10 Id) is mounted on the ordnance assembly (101c), wherein the pullback piston (103b) is connected to the breech end mounting block (lOld), wherein a locking pin (lOle) is provided in proximity to the breech end mounting block (10 Id), wherein the locking pin (lOle) secures the pullback piston (103b) to the breech end mounting block ( 10 Id).

6. The firearm (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second mount (102c) is configured to limit the entry of the ordnance assembly (101c) within the cylindrical guide tube (102a).

7. The firearm ( 100) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein a linear translation of the pullback piston (103b) relative to the pullback cylinder (103a) is defined by a pullback length (L), wherein the pullback length (L) is in a range of about 500 to 3000 mm.

8. A pullback mechanism (103) mounted on a barrel (101) of a firearm (100), the pullback mechanism (103) comprising: a pullback cylinder (103a); and a pullback piston (103b), wherein the pullback piston (103b) is configured to linearly translate within the pullback cylinder (103a), wherein the pullback cylinder (103a) is connected to a first mount (102b) of the barrel (101) and the pullback piston (103b) is connected to a breech end (101b) of the barrel (101).

9. The pullback mechanism (103) as claimed in claim 8, wherein an actuation force applied to the pullback mechanism (103) drives the pullback piston (103b) to linearly translate within the pullback cylinder (103a), causing the pullback mechanism (103) to extend or retract, an actuation mechanism applies the actuation force on the pullback mechanism (103).

10. The pullback mechanism (103) as claimed in claim 9, wherein the actuation mechanism comprises one or more electric actuators, one or more pneumatic actuators, one or more hydraulic actuators, or any combination thereof.

11. The pullback mechanism (103) as claimed in claim 8, wherein a muzzle end mounting block (103c) connects the pullback cylinder (103a) to the first mount (102b).

12. The firearm (100) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the pullback piston (103b) is connected to a breech end mounting block (10 Id) of the barrel (101), wherein the breech end mounting block ( 10 Id) of the barrel (101) is mounted on the ordnance assembly (101c), wherein the ordnance assembly (101c) is mounted on the breech end (101b), wherein a locking pin (lOle) is provided in proximity to the breech end mounting block (lOld), wherein the locking pin (10 le) secures the pullback piston (103b) to the breech end mounting block (10 Id).

13. The firearm ( 100) as claimed in claim 8, wherein a linear translation of the pullback piston ( 103b) relative to the pullback cylinder (103a) is defined by a pullback length (L), wherein the pullback length (L) is in a range of about 500 to 3000 mm.

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