US 4,690,737 A · Electrochemical rifling of gun barrels

Abstract

A method and apparatus for electrochemical rifling of gun barrels and the like is disclosed. In one embodiment of the apparatus, an elongate pressure chamber for receiving electrolyte fluid under pressure is mounted in alignment with an anode gun barrel and in fluid communication therewith. A cathode rod rifling assembly is mounted in the pressure chamber in axial alignment with the gun barrel. Drive means simultaneously rotates the rifling assembly and moves it relative to the barrel for passage of the rifling assembly through the barrel along with the electrolyte fluid. In another embodiment, the rifling asembly comprises first and second adjacent segments joined on a plane. Each segment has peripheral, radially outwardly extending, circumferentially spaced strips of insulation which are out of alignment with, and overlap, one another along the plane. The overlapped regions define the width of the unetched portions or lands on the barrel. In still another embodiment, an elongate cylindrical cam member having a cam groove on the periphery thereof is mounted within a gun barrel in coaxial relation. A cathode rod rifling assembly is slidably mounted on the cam member between the barrel and cam member. The rifling assembly comprises a plurality of annular segments, each having peripheral, circumferentially spaced, radially outwardly extending strips of insulation and a radially depending lug extending through a slot in the rifling assembly and into the groove on the cam member.

Claims24

Dependent claims

An apparatus for electrochemical rifling of gun barrels comprising:

a fixed frame;
a table mounted on said frame;
first mounting means for mounting an anode barrel to be rifled on said table;
a pressure chamber;
second mounting means for mounting said pressure chamber on said table in alignment with said barrel and with one end of said pressure chamber in fluid communication with one end of the barrel;
a cathode rod rifling assembly in axial alignment with the barrel and slidably moveable within said pressure chamber and through the barrel said cathode rod rifling assembly comprising a cylindrical rifling member at one end, a hollow member at the opposite end, and a solid member interconnecting said rifling member to said hollow member;
means for forcing an electrolyte fluid under pressure into said pressure chamber;
power means coupled to the anode barrel and cathode rod rifling assembly for generating current therebetween through the electrolyte fluid;
and
drive means for simultaneously rotating said cathode rod rifling assembly and moving one of said cathode rod rifling assembly and the anode barrel relative to the other for passage of the rifling assembly and electrolyte fluid through the barrel for electrochemically rifling the barrel.

7 more elements

An apparatus for electrochemical rifling of gun barrels comprising:

a fixed frame;
first mounting means on said frame for mounting an anode barrel to be rifled;
an elongate cylindrical cam member of a smaller diameter than the barrel and having a spiral cam groove on the periphery thereof;
second mounting means for mounting said cam member within the barrel coaxially thereof;
a cathode rod rifling assembly slidably mounted on said cam member and interposed between said cam member and the barrel and defining a space therebetween;
means for forcing an electrolyte fluid under pressure into the space between said rifling assembly and the barrel;
power means coupled to the anode barrel and cathode rod rifling assembly for generating current therebetween;
and
drive means for moving said rifling assembly relative to the barrel for passage of the rifling assembly through the barrel for electrochemically rifling the barrel.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Electrochemical rifling of gun barrels

Life of this patent

Electrochemical rifling of gun barrels

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims24