A METHOD AND AN APPARATUS FOR CLEANING A GUN BARREL

Abstract: The object of the invention is a method and apparatus for cleaning the barrel (1) of a gun, in which the barrel (1) of the gun is cleaned by moving a brush member (2) backwards and forwards in the barrel. The brush member (2) is moved with the aid of a cleaning liquid, which presses directly on the brush member (2) itself.

Description: A METHOD AND AN APPARATUS FOR CLEANING A GUN BARREL The object of the invention is a method and an apparatus for cleaning a gun barrel, in which the barrel of the gun is cleaned by means of a brush member by moving it backwards and forwards in the barrel. Here cleaning is taken to mean maintenance in general, which in addition to cleaning proper includes the protective greasing of the barrel. Cuprous deposits from the shell adhere to the inner surface of the barrel and must be removed by cleaning. The periodic main¬ tenance of guns also requires the cleaning of the barrel. The barrels of a gun are nowadays cleaned by means of a long- handled metal brush. The internal surface of the barrel is cleaned by means of the mechanical contact of the brush in a backwards and forwards movement. The handle of the brush demands considerable additional space at both ends. The work is heavy and slow and often requires the simultaneous work of several persons. An ammoniac solution, which causes a danger of some degree of environmental pollution, is used for cleaning. The brush member collects all the grease and dirt onto itself and must also be cleaned at regular intervals. The diameter of a gun barrel is not the same over its entire length, which hinders cleaning. The intention of the invention is to create a new kind of method and apparatus for cleaning the barrel of a gun, which do not have the aforementioned drawbacks. In particular an attempt has been made to create a method and apparatus that accelerates, physically lightens, and qualitatively improves the cleaning of gun barrels. The characteristic features of the method in accordance with the invention are presented in the Patent Claims and the characteristics of an apparatus in accordance with the invention are presented in Patent Claim 3. The method in accor¬ dance with the invention makes possible the use of a cleaning liquid that does not damage the environment, because the mecha¬ nical cleaning is more efficient than previously. It is possible to adapt the apparatus for cleaning several gun models. There are only three components that are specific to one gun: the brush member and the snap-fit mouthpieces at either end of the barrel. The liquid provides a natural flushing effect, which is strengthened by a considerable bypass flow. The brush member is kept continuously clean. In what follows, the invention is illustrated by reference to the accompanying figure, which shows an apparatus for cleaning the barrel of a gun in accordance with the invention. In the figure the barrel of the gun is marked by reference number 1 and the brush member that moves inside it is marked by reference number 2. This includes several sequentially arranged brush elements 2.1 and flanges 2.2. These form the brush member into a piston-like component, which can be moved by leading a pressure medium to the other side. Some of the brush elements include long bristles, the free length of which is more than 25 % of the radius of the entire element. By means of these, the brush member conforms to a barrel with a varying diameter. The flanges 2.2 are adapted to the shoulders 9.1 of the mouthpieces 9 is such a way that they shut off the flow, which is easily recognized by the sensor 7. In the transfer phase 30 - 70 % bypass flow is used (of the output of the pump) , which effec¬ tively flushes the brush member 2. Except for the mouthpieces 9 and 9* at the ends of barrel 1, the entire liquid and compressed air system in shown schematically. The mouthpieces 9 and 9' both include a 90° pipe bend 10, by means of which both pipe connections are brought very close to the end of the barrel. The mouthpieces and snap-fit hose connec¬ tors 11 that are part of pipe bend 10 are shown schematically. These include shut-off valves, which prevent a leak when the connections are disconnected. Pipe bend 10 includes compressed air connections 20, which are equipped with shut-off valves. The compressed air connection 21 is connected to this, if required. The connection lines 5 and 5 1 include, in addition to the hoses, the aforementioned mouthpieces 9 and 9 ' and a fixed section of pipework, by means of which the pump is connected to one end of barrel 1 and the opposite end to reservoir 3. In the connection lines there is in addition a group of valves 6, 6', which creates a two-way feed from pump 4 to the connection lines 5, 5'. The valve group 6, 6', in this case two three-way valves, controls the pneumatic operating devices 12 and 12' , which are controlled by valve 13, on the basis of signals given by the flow sensor 7. The greatest part of the hoses forming connection lines 5 and 5 1 are wound onto hose reels 8 and 8' , from which the amount of hose required is unwound. For winding, there are snap-fit connectors 22 in reservoir 25, to which the connections lines 5 are connected by means of snap-fit connector 11. After this roller press 23 is closed, when the hoses are effectively emptied as they are wound in. In the apparatus in the example compressed air and electricity are taken from a local system. The apparatus includes a hose reel 18 for the compressed air connection, from which the compressed air line is taken to the local outlet. The apparatus can alternatively also include a compressor and generator, in which case external connections are not required. The compressed air system includes compressed air reservoir 17, internal feed line 14, membrane pump 4 with control devices 15 and 16, as well as operating devices 12 and 12• of three-way valves 6 and 6' , and transfer valve 13. Compressed air hose 21, by means of which compressed air is led to the desired mouthpiece 10 or 10', is connected to the feed line. The pneumatically driven membrane pump 4 naturally creates pressure pulses, which are an advantage when brush member 2 is cleaning the barrel. Reservoir 3 is filled with a non-polluting cleaning liquid, which is necessary can be heated by means of an electric element 25 located in the reservoir. Oil and dirt if removed from the circulating cleaning liquid by means of a suitable separator. The direction of the circulation is reversed, when the flow sensor 7 notes that the flow quantity has dropped below a set limit value. The transfer valve is then given a command to change its state, when the three-way valves controlled by their operating devices change the direction of the flow. The ap¬ paratus includes a control unit, in which in turn there is a counting device, by means of which it is possible to set the number of backwards and forwards movements of the brush member as desired.

Claims: Patent Claims 1. A method for cleaning the barrel (1) of a gun, in which the gun barrel (1) is cleaned by a brush member (2) by moving is backwards and forwards in the barrel, characterized in that the brush member (2) is moved with the aid of cleaning liquid, which presses directly against the brush member (2) . 2. A method in accordance with Patent Claim 1, characterized in that the cleaning liquid is led in pulses to the pushing side at t the time of the brush member (2) . 3. A method in accordance with Patent Claim 1 or 2, charac¬ terized in that the average bypass flow of the cleaning liquid past the brush member (2) is arranged in an area of 30 - 70 % of the output of the pump. 4. An apparatus for implementing the method in accordance with Patent Claim 1, which includes a brush member (2) that is moved backwards and forwards in the barrel (1) of the gun, charac¬ terized in that the apparatus includes in addition a cleaning liquid reservoir (3), a pump (4), connecting lines (5, 5') from the pump (3) to the end of the barrel (1) and from the opposite end of the barrel (1) to the cleaning liquid reservoir (3) , as well as a group of valves (6, 6 1 ) for mutually changing the connecting lines, and that the brush member (2) is arranged as a piston in the cylinder formed by the barrel (1) of the gun. 5. An apparatus in accordance with Patent Claim 4, characterized in that the pump (3) is of the membrane type, which creates a pulsating volume flow. 6. An apparatus in accordance with Patent Claim 4, characterized in that the connection line after the pump (3) includes a flow sensor (7) , the lower limit pulse of which is arranged to reverse the direction of the flow with the aid of the valve group (6, 6' ) . 7. An apparatus in accordance with Patent Claim 4, characterized in that it includes hose reels (8) with rotating connections, as well as snap-fit mouthpieces 89, 9 1 ) for the rapid connection of the connection lines (5, 5') to the ends of the barrel (1). 8. An apparatus in accordance with Patent Claim 7, characterized in that each mouthpiece (9, 9') includes a 90° pipe bend. 9. An apparatus in accordance with Patent Claim 4, characterized in that the valve group (6, 6') includes two three-way valves. 10. An apparatus in accordance with Patent Claim 4, charac¬ terized in that the brush element (2) includes a flange (2.2) and the corresponding mouthpiece (9) includes shoulders (9.1) adapted to it, which are arranged together to shut off the flow in the extreme position of the brush element (2) . 11. An apparatus in accordance with one of the above Patent Claims 4 - 10, characterized in that the brush member (2) includes several sequentially set disk-like brush elements (2.1). 12. An apparatus in accordance with Patent Claim 11, charac¬ terized in that at least one brush element (2.1) includes bristles, the free length of which is 25 % greater that the radius of the corresponding position.

Inventors: LEHTONEN JORMA, LEHTONEN, JORMA
Applicants: LEHTONEN JORMA, SUUNNITTELU JA ASENNUSTEN VALV, LEHTONEN, JORMA, SUUNNITTELU JA ASENNUSTEN VALVONTA OY
Application year: 1995
Main classification: F41A29
IPC codes: F41A29