Breech mechanism sliding contact assembly

A breech mechanism sliding contact assembly that allows for ignition, gun ground, and ammunition data link circuits to be broken while the breechblock is open. The sliding contact assembly further allows these circuits to be reconnected when the breechblock is closed. The breech mechanism sliding contact assembly comprises two separate connectors: a block slide connector that assembles to the breechblock and a ring slide connector that assembles to the breech ring. The two connectors operate in compact, pre-existing headspaces between the breechblock and the breech ring.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a breech mechanism for cannon, and it more particularly relates to a breech mechanism sliding contact assembly that provides power and data connections to the ignition, gun ground, and ammunition data link (ADL) interconnections from the breech ring to the breechblock of a gun breech mechanism, while still maintaining the open and close functionality of the breechblock.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A cannon is generally designed to enable the delivery of a projectile over a great distance, or to enable the fired projectile to have greater armor penetration. However, when a rapid fire cannon is required, a sliding-wedge type of breech mechanism assembly is preferably used. This assembly is normally of simple construction and employs a rectangular wedge-shaped block securely seated in a slot in the breech ring, with its longitudinal axis perpendicular to the bore of the cannon tube. However, this assembly must necessarily be of a heavy section to provide the strength necessary to withstand the highly concentrated firing stresses produced therein.

In addition, the evolution of large caliber ordnance with sophisticated projectiles, firing systems, target proximity detection devices, precision arming and detonating circuits, and other electronic systems, have added to the complexity of transmitting power and data to the respective components. This problem is particularly accentuated with the limited accessibility to the breech block assembly without affecting the integrity of the ordnance.

Therefore, a need arises for a breech mechanism sliding contact assembly that provides power and data connections to the ignition, gun ground, and ammunition data link (ADL) interconnections from the breech ring to the breechblock of a gun, while still maintaining the open and close functionality of the breechblock. The need for such a breech mechanism sliding contact assembly has heretofore remained unsatisfied.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention addresses the foregoing concerns and presents a new breech mechanism sliding contact assembly that allows for ignition, gun ground, and ammunition data link (ADL) circuits to be broken while the breechblock is open. The sliding contact assembly further allows these circuits to be reconnected when the breechblock is closed.

The sliding contact assembly provides power and data interconnections to the smart ammunition and the munitions firing contact, which are bundled together in the breechblock insert assembly. The data link provides bi-directional data flow to and from the smart round and fire control system, once the round is loaded into the chamber. The firing contact provides a path for electrical ignition of the round.

To this end, three signal interconnections and a system ground are packaged into two separate connectors: one that assembles to the breechblock and the other to the breech ring of the breech mechanism. The unique geometries of these components, allow for the sliding contact assembly to operate in a small, pre-existing area (or spacing) between the breechblock and the breech ring. This spacing is referred to as the “headspace.”

The compact design of the sliding contact assembly also allows for the breechblock to be removed without having to disassemble either contact housing.

To this end, the sliding contact assembly includes two modules or slide connectors that fit within the breechblock headspace and the breech ring headspace. As a result, the sliding contact assembly allows for ignition, gun ground, and ammunition data link circuits to be broken while the breechblock is open. The sliding contact assembly further allows these circuits to be reconnected when the breechblock is closed.

The first module of the sliding contact assembly is the block slide connector, which is assembled to the breechblock within the breechblock headspace. The second module of the sliding contact assembly is the ring slide connector, which is assembled to the breech ring within the breech ring headspace. The compact design of the sliding contact assembly allows it to function in the head space areas of the breech mechanism, which minimizes the overall breech space claim.

Similar numerals refer to similar elements in the drawings. It should be understood that the sizes of the different components in the figures are not necessarily in exact proportion or to scale, and are shown for visual clarity and for the purpose of explanation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference toFIG. 1, the present invention provides a new sliding contact assembly100that is designed for assembly to a breech mechanism111of a gun (or gun system)120. In this particular exemplary embodiment, the gun120generally includes the breech mechanism111and a gun tube130.

The breech mechanism111is generally formed of a breech ring150and a breechblock155, as is known or available in the field. As illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2, the breech mechanism111defines two small chambers (or areas)220,222. The first chamber is defined between the breechblock155and the breech ring150, and is referred to herein as the breechblock headspace220. The second chamber is defined within the breech ring150, and is referred to herein as the breech ring headspace222.

With further reference toFIG. 3, the sliding contact assembly100includes two modules or slide connectors that fit within the breechblock headspace220and the breech ring headspace222. As a result, the sliding contact assembly100allows for ignition, gun ground, and ammunition data link (ADL) circuits250to be broken while the breechblock155is open. The sliding contact assembly100further allows these circuits to be reconnected when the breechblock155is closed.

The first module of the sliding contact assembly100is referred to as the block slide connector170and is assembled to the breechblock155within the breechblock headspace220, as it will be explained later in greater detail. The second module of the sliding contact assembly100is referred to as the ring slide connector172and is assembled to the breech ring150within the breech ring headspace222, as it will be explained later in greater detail.

The unique geometries of the block slide connector170and the ring slide connector172, allow for the sliding contact assembly100to operate with minimal design modification to the breech mechanism111, or the operation of the gun120.

The sliding contact assembly100provides a signal path for the firing and ADL circuits250from the breech ring150to the movable breechblock155while still allowing the breechblock155to operate as designed, thereby enabling communication with a smart munition (or round)180that is chambered in the gun tube130.

The compact design allows the sliding contact assembly100to function in the head space areas220,222of the breech mechanism111, which minimizes the overall breech space claim. The reciprocating compression springs and unique contact designs of the sliding contact assembly100allow for the removal and installation of the breechblock155without having to remove either one of the block slide connector170or the ring slide connector172from the breech mechanism111.

Considering now the block slide connector170with reference toFIGS. 4 and 5, it is shown assembled to the breechblock155. The breech mechanism111is illustrated in an open position, with the breechblock155disengaged from the breech ring150. The block slide connector170terminates in a set of block slide connector contacts500that are positioned to engage and to establish electrical connection with a corresponding set of contacts (or contact assembly)700(FIG. 7) that form part of the ring slide connector172, when the breech mechanism111is closed.

Considering now the ring slide connector172with reference toFIGS. 6 and 7, it is shown assembled to the breechblock155. As withFIGS. 4 and 5, the breech mechanism111is illustrated in an open position. The ring slide connector172includes terminates in a set of ring slide connector contacts700that are positioned to engage and to establish electrical connection with the corresponding set of block slide connector contacts500(FIG. 5), upon closure of the breech mechanism111.

The block slide connector170is assembled to the breechblock155of the breech mechanism111before the ring slide connector172is assembled to the breech ring150of the breech mechanism111. The breechblock155can be installed with the breechblock155whether removed or assembled to the gun120.

As the breechblock155opens and closes, compression springs900(FIG. 9) that are housed within the block slide connector170reciprocate in and out due to the “ramp” ring slide connector contacts700(FIG. 11) that are rigidly mounted within the ring slide connector172. The compression springs900keep a constant force on both the block slide connector contacts500and the ring slide connector contacts700, in order to maintain electrical connectivity until the breechblock155is opened again.

The design, construction, and assembly of the block slide connector170will now be described in more detail in connection withFIGS. 8 through 11.FIGS. 8 and 9illustrate the block slide connector170as generally comprising: a housing800; an electrical connector805; an insulator cover810; an insulator block815; two screws820,825; a set of compression springs900; and a set of block slide connector sliding contacts500.

The housing800is generally L-shaped and is preferably made of an electrically conductive material, such as steel, to provide a good connection to gun ground. The housing800defines an opening905in which the electrical connector805is firmly seated and secured. The housing800further includes a plurality of openings910,915,920,925for receiving retaining screws, as it will be explained later in connection withFIGS. 10 and 11.

The electrical connector805provides connectivity to external power and/or data sources, for transmission to the various circuits250of the gun system120, via a set of electrical conductors807. Preferably, but not exclusively, the set of electrical conductors807includes three conductors of similar type and gauge. A ground wire808is connected at one end to ground by means of a screw830, and further extends alongside the set of electrical conductors807.

The insulator cover810and the insulator block815ensure the insulation of the set of electrical conductors807and the ground conductor808.

The two screws820,825lock both the insulator cover810and the insulator block815to the housing800by engaging the openings910and920, respectively.

The set of compression springs900preferably includes four compression springs, one for each conductor of the set of electrical conductors807and the ground wire808. The compression springs900are housed within four corresponding openings950formed within the insulator block815.

The compression springs900abut at one of their ends a stop (or platform)960defined by the housing800, and at their other ends, they abut the block slide connector sliding contacts500. These sliding contacts500partly enter the openings950of the insulator block815, and compress the compression springs900.

The block slide connector170is assembled by seating and securing the electrical connector805within the opening905of the housing800. The insulator block815is then seated against the stop960of the housing, and the insulator cover810is placed atop the insulator block815. The insulator cover810is then fastened to the housing800by means of the screws820,825, thus securing both the insulator cover810and the insulator block815to the housing800.

The electrical conductors807,808are then passed through openings in the insulator cover810and the insulator block815. The compression springs900are slipped over the electrical conductors807,808, and seated within the opening950of the insulator block815. The ends of the electrical conductors807,808that protrude through the compression springs900are secured to the tips of the corresponding block slide connector contacts500, by for example, crimping or soldering.

FIG. 10shows a partly assembled block slide connector170, in order to more clearly illustrate the electrical connection of the electrical conductors807,808to the block slide connector contacts500. To this end, the insulator cover810includes a plurality of openings, such as four openings1000through which the electrical conductors807,808pass. The openings1000of the insulator cover810are co-aligned with the openings950of the insulator815, in order to enable the electrical conductors807,808to exit the housing800.

FIG. 11is an assembly view of the block slide connector170, shown being assembled to the breechblock155of the gun breech mechanism111. To this end, a block adapter1100is used to secure the block slide connector170to the breechblock155. The block adapter1100is shaped so that it complements the general shape of the block slide connector170, in order to firmly retain the electrical connector805within the housing800.

The block adapter1100is assembled to the block slide connector170by means of two mounting screws (or bolts)1130,1135. This assembly170/1100is then secured to the breechblock155by means of two mounting screws (or bolts)1120,1125that penetrate two through openings1110,1111formed in the block adapter1100.

The design, construction, and assembly of the ring slide connector172will now be described in more detail in connection withFIGS. 12 through 14.FIGS. 12 and 13illustrate the ring slide connector172as generally comprising: a housing (or body)1200; an electrical connector assembly1222; and the ring slide connector contacts700.

The housing1200is generally L-shaped and is preferably made of an electrically insulating material, such as polyether ether keytone (PEEK) or nylon. The housing1200defines a platform1205that is integrally formed with a receptacle1210. The platform1205and the receptacle1210are generally disposed at approximately 90 degrees relative to each other.

The platform1205is shaped in such a way as to engage the ring slide connector contacts700and to retain them securely by means of a set of four screws (or bolts)1260,1261,1262,1263.

The receptacle1210defines an opening1265(shown in a dotted line inFIG. 12) in which an electrical connector1225is firmly seated and secured. The receptacle1210further defines a plurality of openings1270,1272,1274whose function will be explained later in more detail.

The electrical connector assembly1222includes the electrical connector1225, and insulator backing1230, a set of conductors1250, and a set of retaining screws (or bolts)1255. The electrical connector1225provides connectivity to external power and/or data sources, for transmission to the smart munition180, via the set of electrical conductors1250.

The electrical connector1225includes a flat shoulder1267that is assembled to a corresponding flat edge1268of the receptacle1210by means of a set of retaining screws1255. The insulator backing1230is secured between the connector1225and the edge1268to provide added insulation to the connector1225.

The set of conductors1250preferably includes four electrical conductors that correspond to the electrical conductors807,808, and to which they are electrically connected upon closing of the breechblock155. To this end, the set of conductors1250are passed through the opening1265and extend from the opening1274, for connection to the ring slide connector contacts700.

FIG. 14is an assembly view of the ring slide connector172, shown being assembled to the breech ring150of the gun breech mechanism111. To this end, the receptacle1210of the housing1200is assembled to a platform1400of the breech ring150by inserting it in an existing, preformed clearance1420, and by retaining it to the platform1400by means of two bolts1410,1412. The bolts1410,1412engage respective openings1270,1272in the receptacle1210.

This assembly allows the ring slide connector contacts700to be readily exposed for contacting the block slide connector contacts500upon closing the breechblock155, as shown inFIG. 3.

It should be understood that other modifications may be made to the present design without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.