Flared Recoil Intensifier for Externally Powered Machine Gun
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Solution Overview
Problem
Externally powered weapons, such as machine guns, lack reliable mechanisms for initiating emergency stops and follow-up safety functions, particularly in cases with small recoil, where shot detection and barrel changes are challenging.
Innovation Solution
A funnel-shaped recoil intensifier is integrated instead of traditional recoil reduction devices, enhancing the barrel's return to generate a dependable signal for shot detection and follow-up functions, accompanied by internal return damping to manage increased recoil without affecting other components, using maintenance-free spiral return dampers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a muzzle brake is used to reduce recoil in externally powered weapons, then the weapon stability is improved, but the shot detection signal becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of reducing recoil with a muzzle brake, the patent inverts the approach by using a recoil intensifier that increases the barrel's return motion. This intensified recoil generates a sufficient detection signal for reliable shot detection while the return damping device compensates for the increased force to maintain weapon stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent separates the recoil management function into two independent components: a recoil intensifier that increases barrel return for detection purposes, and a return damping device that compensates for the intensified recoil force. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function without interfering with the other.
2Reliability
If a recoil intensifier is used to increase barrel return for shot detection, then the shot detection reliability is improved, but the force acting on the weapon carrier system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the recoil management system into two separate functional units: the recoil intensifier that acts on the barrel to increase return motion for detection, and the return damping device that acts on the weapon carrier system to compensate for the intensified force. This segmentation allows the detection function to be enhanced without permanently increasing the load on the carrier system.
Solution Approach 2:
The return damping device is positioned to provide preliminary counter-action to the intensified recoil force generated by the recoil intensifier. By placing the damping device in the weapon cradle, it compensates for the increased force before it can adversely affect the motor, sensors, and other mounted components.
3Device complexity
If traditional recoil reduction devices are used in externally powered weapons, then the weapon control is simplified, but the follow-up functions such as emergency stop and barrel change cannot be reliably initiated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional approach by intensifying recoil instead of reducing it. This intensified barrel return generates a sufficient signal to reliably initiate follow-up functions such as emergency stop and barrel changes, while the overall control system remains relatively simple due to the mechanical nature of the recoil intensifier and damping device.
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
The solution provides a reliable and reproducible signal for shot detection and fault initiation, enabling quick-stop functions and temperature-dependent barrel changes, ensuring operational dependability without increasing loading on other components.
Implementation Method 1
The increased recoil can be compensated by an internal return damping device... This may preferably be constituted by two maintenance-free return dampers at the center of gravity of the returning masses. Such a return damper may be formed by a spiral in the housing.
Data Source
AI summary
For an externally powered weapon, in particular a machine weapon and a machine gun, having at least one barrel, a recoil intensifier at the front end of the barrel is proposed to intensify a weapon return of the returning masses of the weapon and to generate and intensify a signal for monitoring, in particular functionally monitoring, the weapon. The recoil intensifier is of a flared form. The signal intensified by the intensification is used for example for counting the number of shots fired, initiating an emergency stop function, etc. Depending on the further use, the mechanically intensified signal may be converted into an electrical signal.