Recoil brake isolation system
AssigneeUnited Defense, L.P.
InventorJoel Martin
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A recoil brake isolation system for the hydraulic recoil brake cylinder of a large caliber gun, includes two sets of hydraulic valves disposed respectively within the inlet valve block and return valve block of the hydraulic cylinder, an orchestrated combination of which together block the flow of hydraulic fluid to or from the hydraulic cylinder during the recoil/counterrecoil cycle or upon failure of the hydraulic circuit. A method of hydraulically isolating a recoil brake cylinder of a large caliber gun for survivability and improved weapon performance and a gun incorporating such a system are also included.
Claims31
A recoil brake isolation system disposed within a recoil chamber, said recoil chamber fluidly connected to a hydraulic brake fluid circulation system which includes a hydraulic pump, a heat exchanger, a reservoir, a plurality of filters, an inlet supply line and an outlet supply line, the hydraulic brake fluid circulation system providing a thermally conditioned hydraulic fluid to the recoil chamber, the recoil brake isolation system comprising:
- an inlet isolation valve system and an outlet isolation valve system so as to selectively isolate the recoil chamber from a the hydraulic brake fluid circulation system.
A gun comprising a recoilable barrel mechanically connected to a recoil brake, said recoil brake including a recoil brake isolation system for the selective fluid connection of the recoil brake with a hydraulic brake fluid circulation system, the recoil brake isolation system including:
- inlet flow control means for selectively allowing a hydraulic fluid to pass through an inlet valve block of the recoil brake;
- and
- outlet flow control means for selectively allowing the hydraulic fluid to pass through an outlet valve block of the recoil brake.
A method of operating a recoil brake isolation system in fluid communication with a recoil brake cylinder and a fluidly connected hydraulic brake fluid circulation system, the method comprising:
- monitoring flow conditions within the hydraulic brake fluid circulation system with a plurality of fluid control isolation valves disposed within the recoil brake cylinder;
- monitoring flow conditions within the recoil brake cylinder;
- blocking flow to and from the recoil brake cylinder when said monitoring indicates an improper flow condition;
- and
- opening flow to and from the recoil brake cylinder when said monitoring indicates a proper flow condition.
A gun, including:
- a barrel arranged to execute a recoil and a counterrecoil after a shot is fired;
- a recoil brake cylinder containing an operative fluid;
- a piston received in said recoil brake cylinder and secured at least indirectly to said barrel to move as a unit with during recoil and counterrecoil, said piston comprising a piston head and a piston rod, said piston head axially slidably received in said recoil brake cylinder and being secured to said piston rod for axial movement;
- a hydraulic power unit for transmission of fluid under pressure to said recoil brake cylinder;
- a hydraulic brake fluid circulation system conveying said fluid to and from said recoil brake cylinder;
- and
- an inlet isolation valve system and an outlet isolation valve system disposed so as to selectively isolate the recoil brake cylinder from said hydraulic brake fluid circulation system.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.