Ordnance – Barrels – Recoil absorbers and climb arrestors
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-17
2001-08-21
Johnson, Stephen M. (Department: 3641)
Ordnance
Barrels
Recoil absorbers and climb arrestors
Reexamination Certificate
active
06276251
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART
This invention relates to a muzzle brake for reducing the recoil action resulting from the firing of a gun.
Muzzle brakes which serve to reduce the recoil action of a gun when it is fired, operate on the principle that they utilise the forward momentum of the pressure wave produced by the expanding exhaust gas which follows the projectile on firing of the gun, by deflecting some of such exhaust gas in a suitable manner to produce a forward impulse on the brake and hence the barrel of the gun, in this way at least balancing to some degree the recoil impulse on the barrel of the gun.
Most muzzle brakes are characterised by the fact that they comprise static components such as baffle plates and apertures so that the braking action effected by them is rather abrupt and hence capable of interfering with the smooth recoil action and balance of the gun. Furthermore, they often also give rise to very high overpressure levels which may be detrimental to the comfort and well being of the crew operating the gun.
Although it has been known in the past to employ muzzle brakes with movable components, the arrangements which have hitherto been suggested have not been very successful, usually because of mechanical failure.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of this invention to provide a muzzle brake, particularly one for artillery pieces such as canons and the like, which the applicant believes has advantages over the known arrangements.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the invention a muzzle brake for a gun is provided which comprises an annular member mountable on the firing end of the muzzle of the gun, which member comprises a pair of elements of which the first one is mounted stationary relative to the muzzle of the gun and the second one is slidably movable against the biasing action of a means relative to said first element in a direction opposite the firing direction of the gun, said movement taking place under the influence of the exhaust gas resulting from the firing of a projectile by the gun, and said movement being from a first extreme position into which said biasing means forces said second element, in which position the brake is in the ‘off position’, to a second extreme position where the brake is in the fully ‘on’ position, and where said exhaust gas can force the first element, and hence the muzzle of the gun, to move in the firing direction, and so counteract the recoil action of the gun.
Further according to the invention the two elements are annular and are located concentrically relative to each other, the said first each element having at least one aperture extending through its wall, which aperture(s) being so located relative to the aperture(s) on the said second element that when the said second element is in its said first extreme position, the apertures are completely out of register with each other, and the brake is in the ‘off’ position, and when the said second element is in its said second extreme position, the apertures register fully with each other, and the brake is in the ‘on’ position.
It will be appreciated that while said second element is moving under the influence of said exhaust gas relative to said first element, the said apertures in the elements will move progressively into register with each other and the action which the gas has on said first element will accordingly be applied progressively, and not as abruptly as what the case is with the hitherto suggested arrangements.
Further according to the invention each element has at least two apertures which are located in diametrically opposed relationship relative to one another.
Further according to the invention the mouth of each of the apertures of the said second element is shielded by a substantially L-shaped flange which extends into the bore of the second element, with the shorter leg of the ‘L’ pointing in the firing direction, so that exhaust gas passing through the bore of the second element can only pass into the aperture(s) of the second element in a direction opposite that of the firing direction of the gun and hence exert a force on the second element to cause it to slide in a direction opposite the firing direction of the gun.
Still further according to the invention each of the apertures in the said first element is provided with a wing or the like which extends at an angle to the outside of the element in a direction away from the firing end of the gun of the first element, said angle being such that exhaust gas passing through such aperture in the first element will exert a force on such wing causing the first element, and hence the muzzle of the gun, to move in the firing direction, and hence counteract the recoil action of the gun.
Still further according to the invention each element has two sets of axially spaced apertures, each set comprising at least two diametrically opposed arcuately shaped slots which extend through the material of the element.
Preferably each of such slots extends over an angle in the order of 110° along the circumference of the element.
Still further according to the invention the said biasing action on the second element is effected by a plurality of springs which are spaced circumferentially about said second element.
Still further according to the invention the rotational position of said second element relative to said first element is adjustable so that the degree of registration of said apertures when said second element is slidably moved relative to said first element, is adjustable.
Still further according to the invention said first extreme position of the second element is defined by an annular shoulder provided in the bore of the first element at that end of it furthest away from the muzzle of the gun.
Preferably such shoulder is defined by the rim of an annular cap which fits into the mouth of the first element at its said end.
Still further according to the invention said second extreme position of the second element is defined by another annular shoulder provided in the bore of the first element in a position spaced from said first annular shoulder.
Further according to the invention the springs may be pretentioned by inserting one or more spacer elements between the end of a spring and an annular step formation provided in the bore of the first element.
It will be appreciated that the biasing action exerted by the springs on the inner sleeve may also be adjusted by removing or adding springs.
In a presently preferred embodiment of the invention said first and second elements may comprise a pair of concentrically located metal sleeves, of which said second element comprises the inner sleeve, and said first element the outer sleeve.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2372315 (1945-03-01), Catron
patent: 5123329 (1992-06-01), Irwin
patent: 100272 (1898-12-01), None
patent: 633568 (1928-01-01), None
patent: 1474832 (1967-02-01), None
patent: 233709 (1926-01-01), None
patent: 2294106 (1997-02-01), None
Downing Dirk Johannes
Niewoudt Tielman
Denel Limited
Dorsey & Whitney LLP
Johnson Stephen M.
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