Recoil brake having a heat-compensation piston

Abstract

The invention relates to a recoil brake (1) having a brake cylinder (2) and having a heat-compensation chamber (7), wherein a hydraulic medium (8) and a heat-compensation piston (9) are movably arranged in the heat-compensation chamber (7), wherein a piston rod (10) is connected to the heat-compensation piston (9), wherein a fill level of the hydraulic medium (8) can be measured on the basis of the position of the piston rod (10), wherein the heat-compensation piston (9) and / or the piston rod (10) is / are preloaded against the pressure of the hydraulic medium (8) by a spring means (16). Control of the fill level is improved in that at least one sensor (12) is provided, wherein the position of the piston rod (10) can be measured by means of the at least one sensor (12).

Description

[0001] "Pipe brake with a heat equalization piston"

[0002] The invention relates to a pipe brake with the features of the preamble of claim 1. The invention relates to a pipe brake with a brake cylinder and with a heat compensation chamber, wherein a hydraulic medium and a heat compensation piston are slidably arranged in the heat compensation chamber, wherein a piston rod is connected to the heat compensation piston, wherein the fill level of the hydraulic medium can be measured based on the position of the piston rod, and wherein the heat compensation piston and / or the piston rod are / is pre-tensioned against the pressure of the hydraulic medium by a spring.

[0003] Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for determining the fill level of such a pipe brake, with the features of the preamble of claim 11, wherein a hydraulic medium is arranged in a heat compensation chamber and a heat compensation piston is displaced by the hydraulic medium when the fill level changes, wherein a piston rod connected to the piston is present and the fill level of the hydraulic medium is measured on the basis of the position of the piston rod.

[0004] A recoil brake in a weapon system, such as an artillery piece or tank gun, is a central component of a recoil system and serves to dampen the recoil energy caused by firing. This recoil damping reduces the stress on the system. The brake cylinder is the core component of the recoil brake and usually consists of a robust, high-strength steel cylinder that withstands the high pressure and stress of recoil. The brake cylinder is filled with a hydraulic fluid, usually hydraulic oil, which absorbs the energy of the recoil.

[0005] Inside the recoil cylinder, a brake piston is located in a brake chamber and is connected to the gun barrel via a brake piston rod. When the weapon is fired, the recoil pushes the brake piston into the brake cylinder or pulls the brake piston through the brake cylinder against the resistance of the hydraulic fluid. The hydraulic fluid is forced through small openings and channels, creating resistance that dampens the recoil. This resistance ensures a controlled deceleration of the barrel's recoil. It is known to equip the barrel brake with a heat compensation chamber, which is specifically designed to absorb and dissipate the heat generated by the recoil. The firing process heats the hydraulic fluid, causing it to expand.

[0006] This thermal expansion chamber is either directly connected to the hydraulic system, is part of the brake cylinder, or provides additional space into which the hydraulic fluid can expand when heated, allowing the fluid level to be measured. The thermal expansion chamber can, for example, be fluidically connected to the brake cylinder via a restrictor, thus keeping the high pressures away from the chamber. Inside the thermal expansion chamber is a sliding thermal compensation piston that compensates for the volume changes of the hydraulic fluid.

[0007] This piston reacts to the expansion of the hydraulic fluid when the temperature rises and moves accordingly within the heat compensation chamber. This stabilizes the pressure in the hydraulic system and prevents system overload.

[0008] A piston rod is connected to the heat compensation piston and protrudes from the outer wall, i.e., the pipe brake. This piston rod moves according to the position of the heat compensation piston.

[0009] The piston rod acts as a kind of "indicator" for the hydraulic fluid level, as its position directly correlates with the volume of hydraulic fluid in the system. A simple reading of the piston rod's position allows for a quick assessment of the current hydraulic fluid level.

[0010] Since the piston rod of the heat-compensating piston protrudes from the outer wall, the hydraulic fluid level can be easily read based on the position of the piston rod. The further the piston rod protrudes, the higher the volume of hydraulic fluid in the heat-compensating chamber. The piston rod enables quick and precise monitoring of the hydraulic fluid level, ensuring easy maintenance and timely refilling. Such a tubular brake with a brake cylinder is known from DE 37 28 533 A1. In this cylinder, a control bushing is inserted flush with the inner wall. The brake cylinder is closed at the front by a screwed-in end nut, which has a through-bore closed by an oil filling valve. The control bushing is supported at the front by the end nut and has at least one axial control groove extending substantially along its length.Within the control bushing, a piston is guided for sliding movement, its hollow piston rod connected to the breech of the weapon. Between the piston rod and the control bushing (or the brake cylinder) is a brake chamber, which is connected via the control groove to a compensating chamber located between the end nut and the piston. During firing, the piston rod is retracted by the breech, creating hydraulic pressure in the brake chamber. Most of the hydraulic fluid in the brake chamber flows through the control groove of the control bushing into the compensating chamber in front of the piston. This continuously decelerates the recoiling mass of the weapon.The brake chamber is limited at the rear end on the breech side by a baffle plate, which absorbs the braking forces occurring during firing and transfers them to the brake cylinder, on which the control sleeve is also supported and which is part of a separate heat compensation device that is coaxial with and screwed to the brake cylinder.

[0011] The heat compensation device comprises a heat compensation chamber on the side of the impact plate facing away from the brake chamber. This chamber is bounded at the rear by a heat compensation piston, which is spring-loaded towards the impact plate. The piston is sealed against the piston rod extending through the heat compensation device and an outer cylindrical housing, and is axially slidable. The heat compensation piston carries an indicator element that protrudes from the housing when the piston is displaced accordingly. The spring is supported externally by a stop piece that is screwed to the housing and has an opening for the piston rod or connecting piece and the indicator element. The stop piece also serves as a rear stop for the heat compensation piston. The heat compensation chamber is connected to the brake chamber via a throttle bore extending through the impact plate.The throttle bore is calibrated to the braking function of the tubular brake and prevents the full brake pressure from reaching the heat compensation chamber. Depending on the heating or cooling of the hydraulic fluid, the position of the heat compensation piston, which compensates for volume changes of the hydraulic fluid within the operating temperature range, indicates the fluid level of the tubular brake. The heat compensation piston thus incorporates an indicator element that can be read externally when the piston's position changes accordingly.

[0012] The technology is not yet optimally designed. An operator must visually check the position of the display element. The reading is taken purely visually by the weapon operator.

[0013] The invention is therefore based on the objective of improving the pipe brake and a method for controlling the fill level of the hydraulic fluid in such a pipe brake.

[0014] This problem underlying the invention is now solved by a pipe brake with the features of claim 1, namely a pipe brake with a brake cylinder and with a heat compensation chamber, wherein a hydraulic fluid and a heat compensation piston are slidably arranged in the heat compensation chamber, wherein a piston rod is connected to the heat compensation piston, and wherein the fill level of the hydraulic fluid can be measured based on the position of the piston rod. The heat compensation piston and / or the piston rod are / are pre-tensioned against the pressure of the hydraulic fluid by a spring.

[0015] According to the invention, at least one sensor is provided, wherein the position of the piston rod can be measured by means of the at least one sensor.

[0016] The problem is further solved by a method for determining the fill level in a heat compensation chamber of such a tubular brake, wherein a hydraulic fluid is arranged in the heat compensation chamber and a heat compensation piston is displaced by the hydraulic fluid when the fill level changes, wherein a piston rod connected to the heat compensation piston is present and the fill level of the hydraulic fluid is measured based on the position of the piston rod. According to the invention, the position of the piston rod is measured by means of at least one sensor. The at least one sensor is preferably arranged outside a housing of the tubular brake and, in particular, is arranged in a fixed position relative to the housing. The housing can be formed by the brake cylinder itself. The at least one sensor can be attached to the cradle or to the housing. The piston rod is arranged to be axially displaceable relative to the housing and to the brake cylinder.The piston rod moves perpendicular to the sensor's line of sight. Automated level monitoring is achieved through at least one sensor. This allows for more precise determination of the fill level.

[0017] The at least one sensor provides a signal, which is preferably fed to a data processing system. The data processing system then evaluates the signal.

[0018] In one embodiment, it is advantageous for the piston rod to have a first section with a first diameter, a second section with a second diameter, and a third section with a third diameter. The first section borders axially on the second section. The second section borders axially on the third section. The second diameter differs from the first and third diameters.

[0019] Alternatively, the diameter of the piston rod can vary continuously along its length. For example, the diameter can increase linearly in a certain section of the piston rod. This also allows the position of the piston rod to be detected by determining its diameter in the area of ​​the sensor.

[0020] In one embodiment, the change in distance between the at least one sensor and the surface of the piston rod can be measured, particularly in three areas. For example, the change in distance between the at least one sensor and the surface of the piston rod can be measured in these three areas.

[0021] Alternatively, a change in magnetic flux or inductance in the three regions can be detected by means of the at least one sensor. The axial length and position of the second region are preferably selected such that neither overfilling nor underfilling is present when the sensor detects the second region. The first region can be located between the outer wall and the second region. If the sensor detects the first region, then underfilling may be present. The third region can be located on the side of the second region facing away from the outer wall. If the sensor detects the third region, then overfilling may be present.

[0022] It is advantageous to perform automated, continuous measurements. This makes it possible to detect overfilling or underfilling directly.

[0023] In a preferred embodiment, the temperature of the hydraulic fluid is determined from the sensor data. The temperature can be determined using a temperature function stored in the data processing system, where the temperature function depends on the position. Alternatively, a characteristic curve can be defined beforehand between the temperature and the position of the piston rod. This characteristic curve is stored in the data processing system. Based on this curve, a temperature can be assigned to a measured position, and the temperature can be displayed to an operator.

[0024] Once the temperature has been determined, the weapon controls can be adjusted accordingly. For example, firing authorization, rate of fire, target values, and / or fuze programming can be performed or adjusted based on the determined temperature.

[0025] In a preferred embodiment, a prediction procedure for determining the future position of the piston rod during further firing is carried out using the data processing system.

[0026] It is possible to arrange multiple sensors near the piston rod to determine its position. A redundant sensor system can therefore be used, eliminating false signals if one sensor fails. Alternatively, the multiple sensors can be arranged at different axial positions, with, for example, one sensor dedicated solely to detecting overfilling and another solely to detecting underfilling.

[0027] The piston rod can have a scale, the position of which can be measured by means of at least one sensor. The scale can be formed by a surface change, a diameter change, or other markers.

[0028] In a preferred embodiment, the position of the piston rod is measured from the outside, with the piston rod protruding from an outer wall of the pipe brake. The sensor is arranged outside the wall of the pipe brake.

[0029] To measure the position of the axially displaceable piston rod, there are several suitable sensor technologies.

[0030] Non-contact measurement methods using magnetic or inductive sensors are preferred. The at least one sensor can be designed as an inductive displacement transducer with a coil. The inductive displacement transducer utilizes electromagnetic induction. A metallic core, connected to the rod or forming part of the piston rod, changes the inductance in the coil. The metallic core is moved near the coil carrying alternating current, thus causing a change in the coil's impedance—its resistance to alternating current. This change can be measured and amplified. A change in displacement can therefore be represented as an electrical signal. The position of the core, and thus the piston rod, is determined by measuring this change in inductance. Advantages include the fact that the measurement is non-contact, very precise, and robust even under harsh environmental conditions.However, the measurement accuracy can be affected by magnetic fields.

[0031] The sensor can be designed as a magnetic position sensor, in particular as a Hall sensor or a magnetoresistive sensor. A magnet is attached to the piston rod, or the piston rod is (partially) magnetic, and the sensor, which measures the magnetic field of the magnet or the piston rod, detects the position. This also allows for contactless measurement, a compact design, and good precision. However, the measurement accuracy can be affected by external magnetic fields.

[0032] It is conceivable that the sensor is designed as an optical displacement transducer. The sensor has a light source that shines light onto a scale attached to the rod or formed on the piston rod, and the movement is optically recorded by a light-sensitive sensor. This technology is often digital and can provide very precise measurements. The measurement is precise and non-contact; however, dirt and dust can affect the measurement.

[0033] There are now numerous possibilities for elaborating and further developing the process. Reference is first made to the claims subordinate to claim 1. A preferred embodiment of the invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the drawing and the accompanying description. The drawing shows:

[0034] Fig. 1 shows a highly schematic representation of a heat compensation piston of a pipe brake.

[0035] Fig. 1 shows a pipe brake 1 with a brake cylinder 2.

[0036] Inside the brake cylinder 2, a brake piston 4 is located in a brake chamber 3. This piston is connected to the gun barrel (not shown) via a brake piston rod 5. When the weapon is fired, the recoil pulls the brake piston 4 into the brake cylinder 2 to the right. The hydraulic fluid 8 is forced through small channels 6, creating resistance that dampens the recoil. This resistance ensures a controlled deceleration of the barrel's recoil. Here, the channel 6 is located within the brake piston 4. However, the channel 6 can also be located between the brake piston 4 and the inner wall surface of the brake cylinder 2.

[0037] Furthermore, the pipe brake 1 has a heat compensation chamber 7, in which the hydraulic fluid 8 and a heat compensation piston 9 are slidably arranged. The heat compensation chamber 7 is formed by the interior of the brake cylinder 2 between the brake piston 4 and the heat compensation piston 9. A piston rod 10 is connected to the heat compensation piston 9, the piston rod 10 projecting from an end-face outer wall 11 of the brake cylinder 2. The heat compensation piston 9 is pre-tensioned against the pressure of the hydraulic fluid 8 by a spring element 16, in particular in the form of a helical spring. The spring element 16 is supported on one side by the inside of the end-face outer wall 11 and on the other side by the heat compensation piston 9.

[0038] The fill level of the hydraulic fluid 8 in the pipe brake 1 can be measured based on the position of the piston rod 10. According to the invention, the position of the piston rod 10 is measured by means of at least one sensor 12. In the illustrated embodiment, exactly one sensor 12 is provided.

[0039] The sensor 12 is preferably arranged outside the brake cylinder 2 and, in particular, is arranged in a fixed position relative to the brake cylinder 2. The at least one sensor 12 can be attached to the cradle or to a housing (not shown).

[0040] Alternatively, the sensor 12 can be located inside the brake cylinder 2 (not shown). In this case, the piston rod 10 does not need to extend out of the brake cylinder 2.

[0041] The piston rod 10 moves perpendicular to the line of sight of the sensor 12. Automated level monitoring is implemented via the sensor 12. The level can be determined more precisely.

[0042] Sensor 12 provides a signal that is preferably fed to a data processing system (not shown). The data processing system evaluates the signal.

[0043] The piston rod 10 has a first section 13 with a first diameter, a second section 14 with a second diameter, and a third section 15 with a third diameter. The first section 13 is axially adjacent to the second section 14. The second section 14 is axially adjacent to the third section 15. The second diameter differs from the first and third diameters. The first and third diameters are preferably of the same size, forming a bulge. The piston rod 10 is made of metal, allowing a change in inductance to be measured by the sensor 12. For this purpose, the sensor 12 has a coil carrying current, in particular an alternating current (not shown in detail), through which the movement of the piston rod 10 is detected.

[0044] Alternatively, the sensor 12 can be used to measure the change in distance between the sensor 12 and the surface of the piston rod 10 in the three areas 13, 14, 15. Alternatively, a change in magnetic flux can be detected using the at least one sensor 12. The ridge can be formed by a magnet, and the sensor 12 is then preferably designed as a Hall sensor. List of reference symbols:

[0045] 1 pipe brake

[0046] 2 brake cylinders

[0047] 3 brake chamber

[0048] 4 brake pistons

[0049] 5 Brake piston rod

[0050] 6-channel

[0051] 7 Heat compensation chamber 8 Hydraulic fluid

[0052] 9 Heat compensation pistons 10 Piston rod

[0053] 11 Exterior wall

[0054] 12 Sensor

[0055] 13 first area

[0056] 14 second area

[0057] 15 third area

[0058] 16 Federmittel

Claims

Patent claims:

1. Pipe brake (1) with a brake cylinder (2) and with a heat compensation chamber (7), wherein a hydraulic medium (8) and a heat compensation piston (9) are slidably arranged in the heat compensation chamber (7), wherein a piston rod (10) is connected to the heat compensation piston (9), wherein the fill level of the hydraulic medium (8) can be measured based on the position of the piston rod (10), wherein the heat compensation piston (9) and / or the piston rod (10) is / are preloaded against the pressure of the hydraulic medium (8) by means of a spring (16), characterized in that at least one sensor (12) is provided, wherein the position of the piston rod (10) can be measured by means of the at least one sensor (12).

2. Pipe brake according to claim 1, characterized in that the piston rod (10) has a first region (13) with a first diameter, a second region (14) with a second diameter and a third region (15) with a third diameter, wherein the first region (13) is axially adjacent to the second region (14) and the second region (14) is axially adjacent to the third region (15), wherein the second diameter is different from the first and third diameters.

3. Pipe brake according to claim 2, characterized in that the axial length and the position of the second area (14) are selected such that there is no overfilling and no underfilling when the sensor (12) detects the second area.

4. Pipe brake according to claim 1, characterized in that the diameter of the piston rod (10) varies continuously over its length in a certain area, in particular increasing linearly.

5. Pipe brake according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that several sensors (12) are arranged near the piston rod (10) to determine the position of the piston rod (10).

6. Pipe brake according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the multiple sensors (12) are arranged at different axial positions and preferably one of the sensors (12) serves to detect an overfill and another sensor (12) serves to detect an underfill.

7. Pipe brake according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the piston rod (10) has a scale, wherein the position of the scale can be measured by means of the at least one sensor (12).

8. Pipe brake according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensor (12) is designed as a magnetic position sensor, in particular as a Hall sensor or a magnetoresistive sensor, wherein a magnet is attached to the piston rod (10) or the piston rod (10) is magnetically formed.

9. Pipe brake according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one sensor (12) is designed as an inductive displacement sensor with a coil, wherein a metallic core, which is connected to the piston rod (10) or is part of the piston rod (10), changes the inductance in the coil when the piston rod (10) is moved.

10. Pipe brake according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the piston rod (10) protrudes from an outer wall (11) of the pipe brake (1).

11. Method for determining the fill level in a heat compensation chamber (7) of a pipe brake (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a hydraulic medium (8) is arranged in the heat compensation chamber (7) and a heat compensation piston (9) is displaced by the hydraulic medium (8) when the fill level changes, wherein a piston rod (10) connected to the heat compensation piston (9) is provided and the fill level of the hydraulic medium (8) is measured based on the position of the piston rod (10), characterized in that the position of the piston rod (10) is measured by means of at least one sensor (12).

12. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a signal from the at least one sensor (12) is fed to a data processing system.

13. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the temperature of the hydraulic fluid is determined from the sensor data.

14. Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that an adjustment of the weapon control is carried out depending on the determined temperature, wherein a firing release, an adjustment of the cadence, guide values ​​and / or a fuze programming is carried out or adjusted depending on the determined temperature.

15. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a prediction method for determining the future position of the piston rod (10) during further firing is carried out by means of the data processing system.

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