Floating Barrel UUV Weapon Recoil Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Underwater gun systems, especially those on unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs), face challenges in managing recoil, which can damage the vehicle and destabilize its trajectory due to rigidly mounted barrels, leading to unpredictable yaw and pitching motions.
Innovation Solution
A sliding or 'floating' barrel configuration within the UUV, coupled with a recoil mechanism that applies an arresting force only after the projectile exits, mitigates recoil-induced motions and transfers the recoil load to the UUV, ensuring aim-point accuracy and minimizing damage to sensitive components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a rigidly mounted barrel is used, then the weapon structure is simple and strong, but the UUV experiences large g-force recoil that damages equipment and destabilizes the vehicle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a rigid, fixed barrel mounting to a dynamic, movable barrel system that can slide freely along the longitudinal axis during firing. The barrel is coupled to the UUV housing via sliding interfaces with seals, allowing controlled movement to absorb recoil impulses while maintaining structural integrity and protecting sensitive onboard equipment from damage.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a rigidly mounted barrel is used, then the weapon structure is stable, but yaw and pitching motions occur due to fluid dynamic drag, altering projectile trajectory
Solution Approach 1:
The barrel is designed to slide freely within the UUV housing along its longitudinal axis during the firing process. This dynamic configuration allows the barrel to move independently in response to propellant forces and fluid dynamic drag, preventing the transmission of stabilizing forces to the UUV body that would otherwise cause unwanted yaw and pitch motions, thereby maintaining projectile trajectory accuracy.
3Manufacturing precision
If a floating barrel with delayed recoil mechanism is used, then aim-point accuracy is maintained, but the recoil load transferred to the UUV after projectile exit can be significant
Solution Approach 1:
The recoil mechanism is designed to engage after the projectile exits the barrel, at which point the barrel's velocity has naturally decreased. This timing allows the recoil mechanism to cushion the transfer of remaining recoil momentum to the UUV, reducing the peak force transmitted to the vehicle while maintaining aim-point accuracy during the critical firing phase.
4Length of moving object
If the barrel exceeds the length of the UUV, then the weapon has extended firing capability, but the breech extends beyond the tail requiring external access for reloading
Solution Approach 1:
The breech assembly is designed to extend beyond the tail of the UUV housing, with the rearward end of the barrel and breech mechanism accessible from the external environment. This allows operators to load and unload projectiles and propellant cartridges without disassembling the UUV or accessing internal compartments, significantly improving ease of operation for weapon reloading.
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 solution stabilizes the UUV during projectile firing, maintaining accuracy and reducing the risk of damage to onboard electronics by decelerating the barrel and accelerating the UUV to match its velocity, thereby enhancing survivability and minimizing recoil load.
Implementation Method 1
the recoil mechanism applies an arresting force to the barrel—and transfers recoil load to the UUV—but only after the projectile exits the barrel
Implementation Method 2
firing a projectile from the weapon will impart a large g-force to the UUV due to recoil
Implementation Method 3
due to a rigidly mounted barrel, yaw and/or pitching motions will result due to the fluid dynamic drag of the vehicle while the projectile is still accelerating in the barrel
Data Source
AI summary
A weaponized UUV has a sliding barrel and accessible breech. The barrel slides in response to the firing of a projectile, and moves a first distance un-arrested, providing time for the projectile to clear the barrel. After the projectile clears the barrel, a recoil mechanism engages the barrel, transferring the recoil load to the hull of the UUV.