Ordnance – Recoilless gun – Having a reaction mass
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-04
2001-09-11
Jordan, Charles T. (Department: 3644)
Ordnance
Recoilless gun
Having a reaction mass
C089S001700
Reexamination Certificate
active
06286408
ABSTRACT:
ORIGIN OF THE INVENTION
The invention described herein was made in the performance of official duties by employees of the Department of the Navy and may be manufactured, used, licensed by or for the Government for any governmental purpose without payment of any royalties thereon.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates generally to weapon recoil attenuation, and more particularly to an energy-absorbing countermass assembly suitable for use in rocket and powder-charge propelled weapon systems.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Recoil force attenuation is an ongoing concern in weapon design. For example, a shoulder-launched weapon in an open-ended launch tube traditionally uses either rocket propulsion or a powder charge with a countermass. Rocket propulsion operates by firing within the launcher tube, with the rocket exhaust exiting the open rear of the tube. The primary disadvantage of rocket propulsion is that a lethal zone is created behind the launcher by the combination of shock waves, rapidly moving hot gas, and high sound levels. Large smoke and flash discharge can be used to identify the position of the gunner. Accordingly, the above characteristics prevent the use of rocket systems within a confined space such as an enclosed fortification or bunker.
A variant of the rocket propulsion method is to fire the round out of the tube with a small charge, and then ignite the rocket when it is a safe distance from the gunner. The disadvantage of this method is that additional components (with potential failure mechanisms) are required. Additionally, guidance mechanisms must be incorporated into the round thereby increasing the cost and complexity of the system.
The powder-charge propulsion method operates by firing a powder charge within the launcher tube with the charge sandwiched between the round and a countermass. The round is fired out the front of the launcher tube while a countermass is discharged out the rear of the launcher tube. The disadvantage of the powder-charge method is that the countermass becomes a lethal projectile traveling rearward at high velocity thereby endangering anything in its path.
A variant of the power-charge propulsion method is the use of a frangible countermass which upon exiting the launch tube breaks up into small, lightweight pieces. These pieces slow down rapidly due to the high drag per unit mass. The discharge from the rear of the launcher tube remains dangerous at close range and the smoke and flash can be used to identify the position of the gunner.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of the prevent invention to provide a countermass assembly that attenuates recoil forces in a weapon.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a countermass assembly for use in a rocket or powder-charge propelled weapon system.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more obvious hereinafter in the specification and drawings.
In accordance with the present invention, an energy-absorbing countermass assembly for a weapon. A crushable section has a forward end and a rearward end. A piston is positioned at the forward end of the crushable section. A countermass is positioned at the rearward end of the crushable section.
When the weapon is fired, high pressure gas expands between the weapon's round and the assembly's piston. All work being performed on the round is used to increase the velocity thereof. However, work being performed on the piston is partially expended in accelerating the piston and partially absorbed by the crushable section as it is compressed between the piston and the countermass. During the crush phase, the force transmitted to the countermass is limited to the crush strength of the crushable section. Thus, while the round leaves the weapon at its design velocity, the crushable section compresses during launch so that the countermass leaves the rear of the weapon at a much reduced velocity.
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DelGuidice Thomas A.
Sanford Matthew
Bechtel, Esq. James B.
Bergen, Esq. Peter J. Van
DiCostanzo Nicholas W
Jordan Charles T.
The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of
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