Abstract
A weapon system with a weapon, and an aiming device with two spaced-apart elevation axes for aiming the weapon in elevation. The aiming device has a trunnion bearing associated with one elevation axis and a loose bearing associated with the other elevation axis for mounting a weapon mount receiving the weapon.
Claims
1. Weapon system with a weapon and an aiming device with two spaced-apart elevation axes for aiming the weapon in elevation, wherein the aiming device has a trunnion bearing associated with one elevation axis and a loose bearing associated with the other elevation axis for mounting a weapon receptacle receiving the weapon, and wherein the trunnion bearing and the loose bearing are arranged rotatably along an orbit about the associated elevation axis.
2. The weapon system according to claim 1, wherein the loose bearing is arranged in front of the trunnion bearing in a firing direction of the weapon.
3. The weapon system according to claim 1, wherein at least one of: the loose bearing is arranged in a firing direction of the weapon in a front region of the weapon receptacle; or the trunnion bearing is arranged in the firing direction of the weapon in a rear region of the weapon receptacle.
4. (canceled)
5. The weapon system according to claim 1, wherein the radius of the orbit of the trunnion bearing about the one elevation axis is substantially equal to the radius of the orbit of the loose bearing about the other elevation axis.
6. The weapon system according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the trunnion bearing or the loose bearing are arranged rotatably over an angular range about the associated elevation axis which is smaller than 360.
7. The weapon system according to claim 1, wherein at least one of: the trunnion bearing has at least two trunnion bearing points between which the weapon receptacle is mounted or; the loose bearing has at least two loose bearing points between which the weapon receptacle is mounted.
8. The weapon system according claim 1, wherein the aiming device has at least one pivot element, which can be pivoted via at least one aiming drive, for aiming the weapon.
9. The weapon system according to claim 8, wherein at least one of: one of the pivot elements extends between the one elevation axis and the trunnion bearing; or another pivot element extends between the other elevation axis and the loose bearing.
10. The weapon system according to claim 8, wherein the pivot elements are configured to be decoupled from the aiming drive.
11. The weapon system according to claim 8, wherein the pivot element is a pivot rod or a pivot disc.
12. The weapon system according to claim 11, wherein at least one of the trunnion bearing or the loose bearing are arranged on an outer circumference of the respective pivot elements designed as pivot discs.
13. The weapon system according to claim 1, wherein the elevation axes are arranged at a predetermined distance from a turret base, the distance from the turret base corresponding to at least one of: the length of a pivot element designed as a pivot rod; or the radius of a pivot element designed as a pivot disc.
14. A method for elevating a weapon of a weapon system with an aiming device having two spaced-apart elevation axes, wherein the aiming device has a trunnion bearing associated with one elevation axis and a loose bearing associated with the other elevation axis for mounting a weapon receptacle receiving the weapon, wherein the trunnion bearing and the loose bearing are rotated about the respective elevation axis in order to aim the weapon.
15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the weapon system is configured according to claim 1.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0028] Further details and advantages are explained below with the aid of the accompanying drawings of two embodiments.
[0029] FIG. 1 is a schematic, sectional side view of a weapon system according to a first embodiment;
[0030] FIG. 2 is a schematic top view of the aiming device of the weapon system as shown in FIG. 1;
[0031] FIG. 3 is a further schematic, sectional side view of the weapon system as shown in FIG. 1 in a first elevation position;
[0032] FIG. 4 is a further schematic, sectional side view of the weapon system as shown in FIG. 1 in a second elevation position;
[0033] FIG. 5a is a more schematized view of a further embodiment of a weapon system with a weapon in a first elevation position;
[0034] FIG. 5b is a more schematized view of a further embodiment of a weapon system with a weapon in a second elevation position;
[0035] FIG. 5c is a more schematized view of a further embodiment of a weapon system with a weapon in a third elevation position;
[0036] FIG. 5d is a more schematized view of a further embodiment of a weapon system with a weapon in a fourth elevation position;
[0037] FIG. 5e is a more schematized view of a further embodiment of a weapon system with a weapon in a fifth elevation position;
[0038] FIG. 6a is a principle view of an elevation axis; and
[0039] FIG. 6b is a principle view of another elevation axis.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0040] The illustrations in FIGS. 1 to 6b show a weapon system 1 in various, partly sectional and partly highly schematic illustrations.
[0041] The weapon system 1 is a self-propelled weapon system 1 in the form of a main battle tank. However, the weapon system 1 can also be another military weapon system 1, such as an infantry fighting vehicle, an artillery system, an air defense system or the like.
[0042] The weapon system 1 has a weapon 2, which in the present embodiment example is designed as a barrel weapon and is arranged on a turret 50 of the weapon system 1, which is designed as a main battle tank.
[0043] The weapon 2 is arranged on the weapon turret 50 so that it can be aimed in azimuth and elevation on the weapon system 1. To aim the weapon 2 in azimuth, the turret 50 is rotatably mounted via a turret pivot bearing 51 about the azimuth axis 8 running in the vertical direction, see FIG. 1. For aiming the weapon 2 in elevation, i. e. for setting an elevation angle extending between the firing direction S of the weapon 2 and the horizontal line, the weapon system 1 has an aiming device 3 which has two elevation axes 4, 5 arranged at a horizontal distance X from each other, see FIG. 3.
[0044] The weapon system 1 is characterized by a high performance density, i.e. it has a high weapon performance at a comparatively small installation space and thus a comparatively low system weight. Furthermore, the weapon system 1 is characterized by a simple, robust control of the aiming device 3 for aiming the weapon 2 in elevation. This will be explained in more detail below, initially with reference to the illustration in FIG. 1.
[0045] The illustration in FIG. 1 shows the aiming device 3 for aiming the weapon 2 in elevation using an exemplary set elevation angle , which, according to the illustration in FIG. 1, lies in the upper positive aiming range of the weapon 2, which is raised in relation to the horizontal line. The aiming device 3 has the two elevation axes 4, 5, which are arranged at a distance from each other on the same horizontal plane and extend essentially horizontally and parallel to the turret base 52. According to the illustration, one of the elevation axes 4 is arranged in a rear area of the turret 50 in the azimuth direction and the other elevation axis 5 is arranged in a front area of the turret 50 in the azimuth direction. However, other arrangements of the elevation axes 4, 5 relative to the turret 50 are also conceivable, for example the elevation axes 4, 5 can also extend on different horizontal planes if this should prove to be useful due to the other structural conditions of the weapon system 1.
[0046] Prior to explaining the structure and function of the aiming device 3 for aiming in elevation in detail, the mounting of the weapon 2 at the aiming device 3 is first explained using the illustrations in FIGS. 1 and 2. The weapon 2 is mounted in a weapon receptacle 9. The weapon receptacle 9 is designed in the manner of a weapon cradle that at least partially encloses the weapon 2 around its circumference. The weapon receptacle 9 can have an essentially U-shaped or C-shaped cross-section, in the opening of which the weapon 2 is held. Alternatively, for reasons of rigidity, for example, the weapon receptacle 9 can also have a closed, for example square or rectangular cross-section, in the opening of which the weapon 2 is received. As can be seen from the schematic illustrations in FIGS. 1 and 2, the weapon 2 is not completely accommodated along its length in the weapon receptacle 9, but an area of the weapon barrel 2.1 oriented in the direction of the weapon muzzle is located outside the weapon receptacle 9. In the opposite direction, the weapon receptacle 9 is adapted to the length of the barrel recoil 2.2 of the weapon 2. Alternatively, however, the weapon receptacle 9 can also be shorter and the weapon recoil 2.2 can extend beyond the end of the weapon receptacle 9. In this case, care must be taken to ensure that sufficient space remains behind the weapon receptacle 9 even when the weapon barrel 2.1 is maximally elevated, so that the weapon barrel 2.1 can return unhindered when the shot is fired.
[0047] The weapon receptacle 9, which holds the weapon 2, is mounted on the aiming device 3 so that it can be elevated via two elevation axes 4, 5. For this purpose, the aiming device 3 has a trunnion bearing 6 assigned to one elevation axis 4 and a loose bearing 7 assigned to the other elevation axis 5, see FIG. 1. The trunnion bearing 6 allows rotational movements of the weapon receptacle 9 in the manner of a joint, while the loose bearing 7 allows translational movements of the weapon receptacle 9 in or against the firing direction S.
[0048] According to the plan view in FIG. 2, the trunnion bearing 6 assigned to one elevation axis 4 has two trunnion bearing points 6.1, 6.2 spaced apart in the horizontal direction and the loose bearing 7 assigned to the other elevation axis 5 has two loose bearing points 7.1, 7.2 spaced apart in the horizontal direction, between which the cradle-like weapon receptacle 9 is mounted. According to the illustration in FIG. 2, the weapon 2 also has a weapon support system 12, which may include a barrel brake system, a barrel recuperator system or similar components, which extends essentially parallel to the weapon barrel 2.1 on both sides and is also accommodated by the weapon receptacle 9. As can be seen from the illustration in FIG. 2, the weapon 2 also has a barrel recoil 2.2 extending in the axial direction behind the weapon barrel 2.1 in the firing direction S, shown hatched in FIG. 2. The barrel recoil 2.2 is a free space behind the weapon barrel 2.1, into which the weapon barrel 2.1 moves as a result of the firing reaction forces that occur when the shot is fired. Depending on the design of the weapon 2, further weapon components can be arranged completely or partially to the side of the barrel recoil 2.2.
[0049] As can be seen from the illustration in FIG. 2, the trunnion bearing 6 is arranged in the area of the barrel recoil 2.2 on the weapon receptacle 9, in particular in the area of the rear end of the weapon receptacle 9. This arrangement allows particularly reliable absorption of the firing reaction forces introduced via the weapon 2 into the weapon receptacle 9 via the spherical bearing 6. Furthermore, the weapon 2 is particularly well guided during elevation by this arrangement of the spherical bearing 6. The loose bearing 7 is arranged in front of the spherical bearing 6 in the firing direction S of the weapon 2, in a front area of the weapon receptacle 9.
[0050] The following illustration in FIG. 3 explains how the weapon 2, which is mounted on the aiming device 3 via the weapon receptacle 9, can be aimed in elevation by means of the aiming device 3. For this purpose, the trunnion bearing 6 supporting the weapon receptacle 9 and the loose bearing 7 are each arranged to rotate along a circular orbit U.sub.6, U.sub.7 around the respective associated elevation axis 4, 5, see also FIG. 1. When the weapon 2 is aimed, the two bearings are therefore moved along the orbits U.sub.6, U.sub.7. The elevation angle of the weapon 2 can be adjusted via the respective orbital position of the trunnion bearing 6 around the elevation axis 4 and the loose bearing 7 around the elevation axis 5 (each described by the rotation angle .sub.4 or .sub.5 relative to the vertical, see FIGS. 6a and b) and the weapon 2 can therefore be aimed in elevation. In the orbital position according to FIG. 3, the trunnion bearing 6 arranged in a rear area of the weapon receptacle 9 is arranged on the orbit U.sub.6 around the elevation axis 4 below the elevation axis 4, close to the turret base 52. At the same time, the loose bearing 7 is arranged above the associated elevation axis 5 in an area of the orbit U.sub.7 around the elevation axis 5 remote from the turret base 52. This results in a positive elevation angle of the weapon 2.
[0051] In order to move the trunnion bearing 6 and the loose bearing 7 about the respective associated elevation axis 4, 5, the aiming device 3 has a respective pivot element 10, 11 extending between the respective elevation axis 4, 5 and the trunnion bearing 6 or the loose bearing 7, see FIG. 1. The two pivot elements 10, 11 are designed according to FIG. 1 in the manner of circular sector-shaped pivot disks having the radius R. The radius R.sub.6 or R.sub.7 of the pivot elements 10, 11 corresponds to the radius of the orbit U.sub.6, U.sub.7 of the trunnion bearing 6 or the loose bearing 7 around the respective elevation axis 4, 5, see FIG. 3. The pivot element 10 assigned to the trunnion bearing 6 extends over an angle of approx. 90 and thus forms approximately a quarter circle sector. The pivot element 11 associated with the loose bearing 7 extends over an angle of approximately 120 and thus forms approximately one third of a circle sector. Alternatively, the pivot elements 10, 11 can also extend over other circular angles, for example over semi-circular sectors or even full circles. The trunnion bearing 6 and the loose bearing 7 are arranged on the outer circumference of the respective pivot elements 10, 11, see FIG. 3. When the pivot elements 10, 11 pivot about the respective associated elevation axis 4, 5, the trunnion bearing 6 and the loose bearing 7 thus perform a rotary movement at a distance R from the elevation axis 4, 5. In other words, the pivoting of the circular sector-shaped pivot elements 10, 11 by the rotation angle .sub.4, .sub.5 causes a rotational movement of the trunnion bearing 6 or loose bearing 7 arranged at their outer circumference on the respective orbit U.sub.6, U.sub.7 by the same rotation angle .sub.4, .sub.5, see also FIG. 6a-b.
[0052] As can be seen, for example, from the illustrations in FIG. 3 or 4, the pivot elements 10, 11, which are designed as circular sector-shaped pivot discs, have the same radius R.sub.6, R.sub.7. This results in the same orbits U.sub.6, U.sub.7 for the trunnion bearing 6 and the loose bearing 7 around the respective associated elevation axis 4, 5. Such an arrangement may be advantageous in terms of simple control of the aiming device 3. Alternatively, the pivot elements 10, 11 can also have different radii R, which can increase the aiming range, for example.
[0053] At least one aiming drive M.sub.4, M.sub.5 designed as a motor is provided to drive each of the pivot elements 10, 11, see FIG. 1. The aiming drives M.sub.4, M.sub.5 can be used to pivot the respective pivot element 10, 11 quickly and accurately repeatable by the respective rotation angle .sub.4, .sub.5 around the respective elevation axis 4, 5. The aiming drives M.sub.4, M.sub.5 can be controlled independently of each other, which increases the flexibility of the aiming device 3, as the pivot elements 10, 11 can be pivoted independently around the respective elevation axis 4, 5.
[0054] When comparing the illustrations in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, it can be seen that the loose bearing 7 arranged on the outer circumference of the pivot element 11 is positioned at the same rotation angle .sub.5 relative to the elevation axis 5 in both figures. According to the illustration in FIG. 4, however, the trunnion bearing 6 is rotated by a certain rotation angle counterclockwise around the elevation axis 4 compared to FIG. 3. This results in different rotation angles .sub.4. The loose bearing 7 allows the resulting translational displacement of the weapon barrel 2.1. The result is a slightly smaller elevation angle . To relieve the aiming drives M.sub.4, M.sub.5 from the firing reaction forces, they can be decoupled from the pivot elements 10, 11 in such a way that the forces are not transmitted via the aiming drives M.sub.4, M.sub.5. A fixing device, not shown in the figures, is provided for this purpose, which fixes the pivot elements 10, 11 in the respective pivot position set via the aiming drives M.sub.4, M.sub.5 and renders the aiming drives M.sub.4, M.sub.5 powerless.
[0055] As can be seen from the illustrations in FIGS. 3 and 4, the aiming movements of the trunnion bearing 6 and the loose bearing 7 about the two elevation axes 4, 5 can be traced back to a aiming movement of the weapon receptacle 9, which is mounted via the trunnion bearing 6 and the loose bearing 7, about a single, virtual elevation pole E. This virtual elevation pole E can be displaced and adjusted in space by the interacting rotational movements of the trunnion bearing 6 and the loose bearing 7 about the two elevation axes 4, 5. By elevating the weapon 2 around the virtual elevation pole E, a large positive and negative aiming range can be achieved. The aiming device 3 is considerably smaller, particularly in the vertical direction, than would be the case if aiming were to be performed around a single, real elevation axis with the same large aiming range. Due to the smaller size of the aiming device 3, the turret 50 can also be smaller and thus lighter, which increases the performance density of the weapon system 1 and thus also its technical and tactical performance.
[0056] The illustrations in FIG. 6a, which schematically shows a section of the aiming device 3 limited to the elevation axis 5, and FIG. 6b, which schematically shows a section of the aiming device 3 limited to the elevation axis 4, can be used to explain in detail how aiming in elevation takes place via the rotary movements of the trunnion bearing 6 or the loose bearing 7 about the respective elevation axis 4, 5. As already explained above, pivoting the pivot elements 10, 11 by the rotation angle .sub.4, .sub.5 around the respective elevation axis 4, 5 changes the rotational position of the trunnion bearing 6 or the loose bearing 7, whereby these perform a rotational movement on the orbit U.sub.6, U.sub.7 determined by the radius R.sub.6, R.sub.7 of the respective pivot element 10, 11. In an alternative approach, the rotation of the trunnion bearing 6 and the loose bearing 7 by the rotation angle .sub.4, .sub.5 changes the vertical distances A.sub.1, B.sub.1 and the horizontal distances A.sub.2, B.sub.2 of the elevation axes 4, 5 to the trunnion bearing 6 and the loose bearing 7, respectively, see FIGS. 6a and b. The aiming position can thus be described both via the rotation angles .sub.4, .sub.5 and via the distances A.sub.1, B.sub.1, A.sub.2, B.sub.2.
[0057] The illustrations in FIGS. 5a to e exemplify a possible range of aiming positions of the weapon 2 with the aiming device 3 described above, whereby the weapon receptacle 9 is not shown for the sake of simplicity. In the schematic illustrations of the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 5a to e, the weapon 2 with the weapon barrel 2.1 as well as the trunnion bearing 6 and the loose bearing 7 of the aiming device 3, via which the weapon 2 (via the weapon receptacle 9 not shown) is mounted for elevation, are each shown in a very simplified manner. The trunnion bearing 6 is arranged in the firing direction S in the rear area of the weapon 2 on the outer circumference of a pivot disk 10, which can pivot around the elevation axis 4 and is designed as a full circular disk for illustration purposes. The loose bearing 7 is arranged in the firing direction S in front of the trunnion bearing 6 on the outer circumference of a pivot disk 11 that can pivot around the elevation axis 5 and is also designed as a full circular disk for illustration purposes.
[0058] The illustration in FIG. 5a shows a transport position of the weapon 2. For this purpose, the weapon 2 is brought into a lower position close to the turret base via the aiming system 3. In this position, the weapon 2 extends parallel to the turret base 52. The trunnion bearing 6 and the loose bearing 7 are each rotated to a lower position, the rotation angle .sub.4, .sub.5 is 0 in each case. The transport position of the weapon 2 is characterized by a low overall height of the aiming device 3 and thus of the weapon system 1. This advantage may be particularly noticeable with circular sector-shaped or pivot rod-shaped pivot elements 10, 11, see for example FIGS. 3, 4. Furthermore, the weapon 2 is closer to the ground, which shifts the center of gravity of the weapon system 1 downwards in an useful manner.
[0059] According to the illustration in FIG. 5b, the aiming device 3 is in a neutral position in which the weapon barrel 2.1 of the weapon 2 is aligned essentially parallel to the turret base 52. The elevation angle is therefore 0. In the neutral position, which represents a starting position for the aiming movements, both the trunnion bearing 6 and the loose bearing 7 each have the same rotation angle .sub.4, .sub.5 about the respective elevation axis 4, 5 and are at approximately the same vertical height as the elevation axes 4, 5. The rotation angle .sub.4, .sub.5 is approximately 90 in each case.
[0060] By pivoting the pivot elements 10, 11 out of the neutral position, the elevation angle can be adjusted as required within an upper limit .sub.max and a lower limit .sub.min, compare FIG. 5c for example. According to the illustration in FIG. 5c, there is a positive elevation angle , which was achieved by rotating the trunnion bearing 6 and the loose bearing 7 by a certain rotation angle counterclockwise from the neutral position. The rotation angles .sub.4, .sub.5 have different amounts.
[0061] To set the maximum elevation angle .sub.max as shown in FIG. 5d, the trunnion bearing 6 is rotated to a lower rotational position and the loose bearing 7 is rotated to an upper rotational position. The maximum elevation angle .sub.max can be influenced by the dimensions of the pivot elements 10, 11 and the arrangement of the elevation axes 4, 5. Based on the illustration in FIG. 5d, it can be seen that the maximum elevation angle .sub.max could be further increased if the distance X between the elevation axes 4, 5 were reduced. Alternatively, the radius R of the pivot element 10 or the pivot element 11 could also be increased, for example, to enable larger maximum elevation angles .sub.max or similar.
[0062] As shown in FIG. 5e, the aiming device 3 can also be used to set negative elevation angles , for example to fight targets that are located at lower positions or very close to the weapon system 1. To set the minimum elevation angle .sub.min, the trunnion bearing 6 is rotated to an upper position. The loose bearing 7 is also rotated to a lower position. The minimum elevation angle .sub.min is influenced not only by the dimensions of the pivot elements 10, 11 and the arrangement of the elevation axes 4, 5, but also in particular by the design of the hull 60 arranged below the tower 50, see FIG. 4. The hull slope 62 of the hull roof 61 limits the minimum elevation angle .sub.min.
[0063] A method for elevating the weapon 2 is described below using the illustration in FIGS. 3 and 4: Starting from the elevation angle set according to FIG. 4, the elevation angle shown in FIG. 3 is to be set via the aiming device 3. For this purpose, the trunnion bearing 6, which is arranged on the outer circumference of the circular sector-like pivot element 10, is rotated around the elevation axis 4. Rotation about the rotation angle .sub.4 is performed via an aiming drive M.sub.4 (see FIG. 1), by means of which the pivot element 10 is pivoted about the same rotation angle .sub.4. The loose bearing 6 assigned to the other elevation axis 5 can also be rotated by pivoting the pivot element 11, but in this example, it remains in its rotational position as shown in FIG. 4. The rotation of the trunnion bearing 6 moves the weapon receptacle 9, which is connected to it in a rear area and holds the weapon 2, in a horizontal and vertical direction in such a way that a smaller elevation angle results.
[0064] The weapon system 1 described above and the method for elevating a weapon 2 of a weapon system 1 are characterized by a high performance density with simultaneous simple control of the aiming device 3.
REFERENCE SIGNS
[0065] 1 Weapon system [0066] 2 Weapon [0067] 2.1 Weapon barrel [0068] 2.2 Barrel recoil [0069] 3 Aiming device [0070] 4 Elevation axis [0071] 5 Elevation axis [0072] 6 Trunnion bearing [0073] 6.1 Trunnion bearing point [0074] 6.2 Trunnion bearing point [0075] 7 Loose bearing [0076] 7.1 Loose bearing point [0077] 7.2 Loose bearing point [0078] 8 Azimuth axis [0079] 9 Weapon receptacle [0080] 10 Pivot element [0081] 11 Pivot element [0082] 12 Weapon support system [0083] 50 Turret [0084] 51 Turret pivot bearing [0085] 52 Turret base [0086] 60 Hull [0087] 61 Hull roof [0088] 62 Hull slope [0089] A.sub.1 Vertical distance [0090] A.sub.2 Horizontal distance [0091] B.sub.1 Vertical distance [0092] B.sub.2 Horizontal distance [0093] E Elevation pole [0094] M Aiming drive [0095] M.sub.4 Aiming drive [0096] M.sub.5 Aiming drive [0097] R Radius [0098] R.sub.6 Radius [0099] R.sub.7 Radius [0100] S Firing direction [0101] U Orbit [0102] U.sub.6 Orbit [0103] U.sub.7 Orbit [0104] X Distance [0105] Elevation angle [0106] .sub.max Maximum elevation angle [0107] .sub.min Minimum elevation angle [0108] Rotation angle [0109] .sub.4 Rotation angle [0110] .sub.5 Rotation angle
[0111] Having described the invention in detail and by reference to the various embodiments, it should be understood that modifications and variations thereof are possible without departing from the scope of the claims of the present application.
