Ordnance – Recoilless gun – Having a reaction mass
Patent
1994-03-17
1996-05-14
Jordan, Charles T.
Ordnance
Recoilless gun
Having a reaction mass
86 50, F41A 108
Patent
active
055157670
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a device for firing a projectile. It will be seen that, although described in relation to a device for use in de-arming, for example an explosive device, the invention includes within its scope devices for use in other applications, and is not limited to de-arming devices.
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
Conventional de-arming devices operate by firing a solid projectile at an explosive device so as to disrupt the fuse mechanism of the explosive device, ideally without detonating the explosive device. Such a de-arming device comprises a barrel, the breech of which contains an explosive charge, such as a conventional gun cartridge which, when detonated, propels a projectile, also initially contained in the barrel, towards the target.
Although these de-arming devices are operated by remote control, problems can still arise from the mechanical reaction caused by firing the projectile. Such a reaction can cause the barrel to recoil with a momentum sufficient to endanger people or equipment in the vicintiy of the de-arming device. A known way of solving this problem is to fit the de-arming device with a retro-active rocket comprising a second barrel which is opposed to the first barrel, and which is used to fire a second gun cartridge in synchronism with the firing of the first cartridge. The gases ejected as a result of firing the second cartridge disperse relatively rapidly and consequently are less likely to cause damage, than a recoiling barrel.
This arrangement, whilst being effective as a means of countering recoil, is expensive, and takes a long time to be primed for firing.
An alternative approach is to fit the end of the barrel with rearward-facing Venturi ports through which, in use, expanding gases produced by the exploding cartridge of the de-arming device escape. This arrangement is similar to the anti-recoil systems used on conventional artillery guns. The arrangement is less cumbersome than the retro-rocket, but is generally less effective at counteracting recoil.
It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide a device for firing a projectile which device includes a simple but effective means for counteracting recoil.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a relatively compact means for counteracting re-coil in such a device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the invention there is provided a device for firing a projectile, the device comprising a barrel for housing the projectile and an explosive charge for propelling the projectile; a sleeve so mounted on the barrel as to surround at least part of the latter and to define a chamber for containing solid or liquid recoil absorbing material; and one or more ports through which the chamber communicates with the barrel, the chamber having a rear outlet through which the material, in use, is ejected so as to counteract the recoil caused by firing the projectile, the material being expelled from the chamber through the outlet as a result of the explosion caused by the detonation of the charge.
The expanding gases caused by detonation of the charge impart a relatively large momentum to the recoil absorbing material, thus providing an effective means of counteracting recoil in the device. Furthermore, the device is relatively simple and the use of a sleeve to surround part of the barrel leads to a compact construction of the device.
Preferably the cross sectional or shape of the sleeve corresponds to that of the part of the outer surface of the barrel which is contained within the former, in which case, the sleeve and barrel may with advantage be coaxial.
The sleeve is preferably of a circular cross section, the chamber thus being annular.
The device may with advantage include closure means which, with the chamber loaded with material, serves to seal the outlet.
The closure means may take the form of a frangible seal which ruptures to allow material to be ejected from the chamber, but preferably comprises a closure cap which is a close-fit over the outlet.
In addition, the chamb
REFERENCES:
patent: 3026775 (1962-03-01), Musser
patent: 3724372 (1973-04-01), Phillips
patent: 3779130 (1973-12-01), Schnabele
patent: 3815469 (1974-06-01), Schubert et al.
patent: 4046055 (1977-09-01), McDanolds et al.
patent: 4132148 (1979-01-01), Meistring et al.
patent: 4169403 (1979-10-01), Hanson
patent: 4957027 (1990-08-01), Cherry
patent: 5099764 (1992-03-01), Dale et al.
patent: 5136920 (1992-08-01), Breed et al.
patent: 5337648 (1994-08-01), Brage
Jordan Charles T.
Montgomery Christopher K.
Richmond Electronic and Engineering International Limited
LandOfFree
Device for firing a projectile does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Device for firing a projectile, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Device for firing a projectile will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-1889800