Compact Recoil Guide Device for Weapon Systems

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing weapon systems face challenges in reducing recoil forces and cradle mass, leading to increased bulk and effort on trunnions, as conventional guiding means require additional sleds and heavy recoiling masses.

Innovation Solution

A weapon system design featuring a recoiling mass with a breech sleeve connected to a cradle via hydraulic or pneumatic recoil brakes and a guiding mechanism comprising male bars and female rails, where the breech sleeve carries integral brake bodies and prismatic pads for guidance, eliminating the need for a dedicated sled and distributing mass effectively.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional guiding means with sleds are used, then guidance of recoil movement is achieved, but the weapon system size increases and cradle mass increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveguidance of recoil movementVSAvoidcradle mass
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The guide rails are integrated directly into the breech sleeve structure, merging the guidance function with the existing recoiling mass component. This eliminates the need for separate sleds and reduces cradle mass while maintaining effective guidance of the recoil movement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The guidance function is extracted from the cradle structure and transferred to the breech sleeve. By carrying the guide rails on the breech sleeve itself, the cradle is relieved of the need to support heavy guidance structures, reducing its mass.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Force

If significant mass is given to the recoiling mass to reduce recoil forces, then recoil forces are reduced, but the weapon system becomes heavier

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverecoil forcesVSAvoidrecoiling mass
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Hydraulic or pneumatic recoil brakes are used to control and reduce recoil forces. These devices provide controlled resistance during recoil movement, allowing the system to manage recoil forces without requiring excessive mass in the recoiling components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

3Force

If hydraulic or pneumatic recoil brakes are used to reduce recoil forces, then recoil forces are reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverecoil forcesVSAvoidbrake system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The recoil brakes are integrated with the breech sleeve structure, combining the braking function with an existing component. This integration approach reduces overall device complexity compared to having separate, standalone brake assemblies.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This design reduces recoil forces and cradle mass, enabling a lighter weapon system with reduced trunnion forces and compact guidance, suitable for integration into armored vehicles without oversized cradles.

Implementation Method 1

the breech sleeve being connected to the cradle by two pairs of hydraulic or pneumatic recoil brakes

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic damping: Viscous Damping

Implementation Method 2

the breech sleeve being connected to the cradle by two pairs of hydraulic or pneumatic recoil brakes

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPneumatic damping: Viscous Damping

Data Source

PatentEP4147000B1Compact guide device for a recoiling mass
Publication Date: 2024.04.10 KNDS FRANCE
  • EP4147000B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4147000B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4147000B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The invention relates to a weapon system (1) comprising a recoiling mass (2) and a cradle (3), wherein the recoiling mass comprises a weapon barrel (2a) and a breech sleeve (2b) and moves in translation during firing relative to the cradle (3) and a guide means is provided for guiding this recoil movement of the recoiling mass (2). This weapon system is characterized in that the guide means comprises at least one bar (5) secured to the cradle (3) and extending rearwards from the weapon system, said bar (5) cooperating with at least one rail borne by the breech sleeve (2b). The breech sleeve (2b) is connected to the cradle (3) by two pairs (6a, 6b) of hydraulic or pneumatic recoil brakes (7), each rail being arranged between two brakes (7) of a same pair, the body of each brake (7) being secured to the cylinder head sleeve (2b).