Abstract:
A cleaning device for preserving inserts of weapon barrels and/or drum inserts as well as additional weapon parts, the device having a tubular central piece, guide elements arranged distributed around the periphery of the central piece, a fluid supply device, via which fluid is fed to the cleaning device, and a rotating nozzle head with openings from which the fluid can exit. A guide device additionally integrated into the cleaning unit enables movement of the cleaning device in a motorized manner. A container is provided for receiving the fluid and is functionally connected to the fluid supply device via a pump/compressor unit and a valve. A suction turbine and/or a filter can be functionally connected by an extraction line on the guide device. The cleaning device and unit are used for cleaning and/or preserving weapon barrels and other weapon parts.

Description:
[0001]    This nonprovisional application is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/EP2013/068096, which was filed on Sep. 2, 2013, and which claims priority to German Patent Application No. 10 2012 215 930.4, which was filed in Germany on Sep. 7, 2012, and which are both herein incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to an arrangement for cleaning and/or preserving weapon barrels and further weapon parts, in particular of weapons having medium and large calibers, such as cannons, artillery guns, mortars or howitzers. The invention is particularly suitable to be used on autonomous weapons without operating crews and to act on these autonomously. The invention also relates to a method for cleaning and/or preserving weapon barrels and weapon parts, carried out with the above-mentioned arrangement. It is particularly advantageous that the weapon does not have to be disassembled either in part or even completely for use of the invention, rather cleaning and/or preservation is/are implemented with the method according to the invention through the mouth of the weapon barrel remaining in the weapon in the assembled state. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Background Art 
         [0005]    Autonomous arrangements for weapon barrel cleaning are known in principle. WO 2010/146 354 A discloses a vibration piston motor, which is operated with compressed air and generates propulsion, for insertion into the mouth of the weapon barrel. Oils and cleaning agents can be applied to the inner wall of the barrel directly on a cleaning cloth or cleaning sponge via a nozzle attachment, wherein the cleaning effect is provided by one or more flexible brushes, which are fastened to the nozzle attachment and are slightly larger than the barrel caliber. 
         [0006]    DE 28 39 153 A, which corresponds to U.S. Pat. No. 4,290,163, which is incorporated herein by reference, discloses an automatic weapon barrel cleaning apparatus for insertion through the barrel mouth. Two brushes rotating in opposite directions allow the barrel to be cleaned in a torque-free manner. A number of drive rollers, via the radially sprung mounting thereof, ensure that the apparatus is centered and also propelled in the barrel. Sensors detect the change of diameter at the transition from the caliber part to the loading chamber and also at the mouth, and therefore the direction of movement of the apparatus is switched over at each of these points and autonomous cleaning is performed only in the caliber part of the weapon barrel. 
         [0007]    US 2008/00229644 A concerns an autonomous weapon barrel cleaning apparatus for cleaning barrels having striations. The cylindrical cleaning apparatus is propelled in the barrel by drive rollers pressed against the inner wall. The ridges and flutes in the barrel are cleaned via wiping plates, of which the movement follows the flutes of the weapon, whereby the flutes of the barrel can be cleaned in a shadow-free manner. Cleaning and preservation agents are sprayed onto the inner wall of the barrel. 
         [0008]    It is considered disadvantageous that these autonomous cleaning arrangements are limited to the caliber part of the weapon. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a simple and cost-effective and in particular autonomously operable cleaning and preservation arrangement for weapons, which is not limited to the caliber part of the barrel. 
         [0010]    The elimination of dirt also at the neck of the chamber or in the chamber itself is of particular importance for the function in particular of weapons with a high rate of fire. However, these passages generally have a greater inner diameter than the weapon barrel itself. 
         [0011]    An embodiment of the invention is based on the concept of creating a device that cleans independently of different diameters of the parts, wherein the cleaning itself is performed via a fluid. The device itself for example can be introduced through a barrel mouth into the weapon or into the weapon barrel. Here, it is irrelevant whether the barrel is a smooth barrel or a barrel having striations. 
         [0012]    In an embodiment, it is desirable to also use the same device for preservation of the weapon. This process step may follow the previous cleaning step. To this end, the same nozzle(s) can be used that is/are used to deliver the fluid for the cleaning, wherein compressed air instead of the cleaning fluid is then pressed through the nozzle(s). 
         [0013]    The device comprises at least one central piece, which has a tubular feedthrough or bore, wherein tubular is not to be defined as being limited to round. Guide elements (at least two) are provided peripherally on the central piece. These can be formed as fins and perform the centering function within the weapon/weapon parts to be cleaned. At the other end of the bore, at least one nozzle is provided that has openings, through which the respective fluid can exit. The nozzle(s) is/are in turn preferably integrated movably (rotatably) on the central piece. 
         [0014]    This device is movable or displaceable within the weapon, in particular in the directions backwards and forwards. These movements can be performed by hand, but can be performed automatically and autonomously. With the tubular central piece, a first container containing the liquid fluid and, in the case of preservation, at least one further container containing the gaseous fluid are connected functionally to the fluid supply arrangement. The fluid supply arrangement can be formed by a hose that can be wound and unwound. The fluid reaches the device in each case via the fluid supply arrangement or the flexible hose. 
         [0015]    The expenditure of force for the hose drive is low, and the cleaning arrangement is propelled in a practically force-free manner. The cleaning arrangement/device can be used in a versatile manner in different weather conditions, since the thickness of the preservation film can be adjusted via the pressure of the compressed air and the withdrawal rate (for example, in rain: thicker layer, in sun: thinner layer). The cleaning process can be interrupted at any time in the case of emergency—for example in the event of a sudden need to use the weapon—and the weapon can be used. A shot can be easily fired if residual oil is still present. By means of atomized cleaning fluid (at the high-pressure nozzle), which exits at transitions from the drum to the weapon barrel and from the drum to the weapon housing, the inner face of the weapon housing and the bearing point of the weapon barrel in the weapon housing are preserved. 
         [0016]    As the chamber is cleaned, the cleaning nozzle ‘hovers’ and is held in the weapon barrel by the centering of the cleaning arrangement. The cleaning is performed very quickly: after approximately three (3) minutes, the cleaning of the weapon inclusive of preservation is complete. 
         [0017]    In particular, with the device and also the method, a fully automatic cleaning and preservation of the weapon is possible for remotely operated artillery guns as well. Barrels having striations and also smooth barrels can be cleaned and preserved. Here, shadow-free cleaning is performed, irrespective of barrel topography and twist direction. The cleaning and preserving arrangement can be used for different calibers. To this end, merely the wings (fins) of the centering unit have to be adapted to the barrel diameter. Besides the weapon barrel, further parts of the weapon can be cleaned, even with dimensions deviating from the barrel caliber, such as chambers, the neck of the chamber, revolver drums, gas tapping bores of the gas loader or for the gas cylinder block, etc. 
         [0018]    Since fluid is used instead of the brush/cloth, it is advantageous that the cleaning brush or the cleaning cloth cannot become worn as in the prior art. The cleaning arrangement or device is additionally structured in a very simple and robust manner. No moving parts are provided that may break off and remain lying in the barrel of the weapon. No sensors for diameter and end stop are necessary. The device is therefore very robust. 
         [0019]    Environmental compatibility is additionally provided by collecting/extracting the cleaning fluid. With purification and preparation of the cleaning fluid, recirculation is possible and a longer cleaning can be performed with a small fluid reservoir in spite of a high fluid throughput (˜12 [liters/min]). A suction turbine and/or a filter optionally can be functionally connected by means of an extraction line on the guide arrangement. The cleaning device can be used for example for cannons having a high rate of fire for air defense, in particular the 35 mm Oerlikon Millennium Gun and Oerlikon Revolver Gun, particularly suitably for gas-operated artillery guns. The use is not limited to weapons and weapon systems of this type. The invention makes it possible to increase the period of use and time between maintenance intervals so that autonomous operation, for example on unmanned, remote platforms, is possible for the first time. 
         [0020]    Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0021]    The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus, are not limitive of the present invention, and wherein: 
           [0022]      FIGS. 1 and 2  show a sectional illustration of a weapon barrel with introduced cleaning/anti-corrosion device; and 
           [0023]      FIG. 3  shows an embodiment of the cleaning/anti-corrosion device. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0024]      FIG. 1  shows a sectional view through part of a weapon  10  (weapon barrel) to be cleaned, comprising a barrel mouth  10   a,  a caliber part  10   b,  the neck of a chamber  10   c  with enlarged diameter compared to the caliber part, and a chamber  10   d.  By way of example, dirt on the inner wall is illustrated by reference numeral  100 . 
         [0025]    A cleaning apparatus—device  20 —comprises a tubular central piece  21  with a diameter that is smaller compared to the caliber part  10   b.  Furthermore, it comprises a number of guide elements  22  in the form of at least two, for example three or four or more fins arranged over the periphery of the central piece  21  at approximately identical angular distances from one another. These fins are arranged and are formed with common outer dimensions slightly smaller than the barrel caliber in such a way that they substantially center the cleaning apparatus  20  in the caliber part  10   b  and simultaneously allow a sliding movement with low friction parallel to the barrel axis. Here, the centering function is not limited to a number of fins. Centering can also be obtained for example by a barrel having an outer diameter smaller than the barrel caliber. 
         [0026]    The guide elements  22  do not close off the barrel diameter. Rather, they allow a fluid to flow effectively over the cleaning apparatus  20 . A fluid  23   a,  for example a cleaning agent based on petrol, can be supplied to the cleaning apparatus  20  at high pressure via a fluid supply arrangement  23  and can be guided through the central piece  21  to the nozzle head  24 . There, the fluid  23   a  can exit from suitable openings  24   a  and can contact the dirt  100 . The dirt is thus detached from the wall by means of mechanical force/high pressure and by means of chemical solubility. A suitable fluid is a cleaning oil or another suitable cleaning liquid. 
         [0027]    The length of the cleaning apparatus  20  and of the guide elements  22  is selected such that the cleaning apparatus is substantially centered at all positions in the caliber part  10   b,  the neck of the chamber  10   c,  and the chamber  10   d  within the weapon  10  in relation to the barrel axis. The length of the cleaning apparatus  20  is therefore at least greater than the length of the chamber of the weapon to be cleaned. A length that is at least 1.5 times as long as the chamber  10   d  inclusive of the neck  10   c  is preferred. 
         [0028]    The cleaning apparatus  20  is introduced into the weapon  10 ,  10   a  at the mouth side during the cleaning process and is advanced in the direction of the chamber  10   d  in the arrow direction. Detached portions of the dirt  100  are either preferably flushed out directly from the mouth of the weapon on account of the fluid pressure or remain at least in part in a film  200  on the inner side of the weapon  10 . 
         [0029]    If the weapon barrel is tilted downwardly slightly (a few angle degrees, preferably approximately 5-15° relative to the horizontal) at the mouth side in relation to the chamber during the cleaning, the outflow of excess cleaning liquid from the barrel mouth is thus assisted and the cleaning liquid is prevented from running in the direction of the weapon and the chamber. At the same time, a quantity of the cleaning fluid is effectively prevented from collecting in the form of a reservoir at the deepest point of the barrel periphery. It is particularly preferable if the barrel is lowered during the cleaning process in such a way that the barrel can be locked by a mechanical arrangement already present. It is therefore preferable for the weapon barrel to be lowered and locked until in the lashing position in which it can be mechanically locked via bolts. 
         [0030]      FIG. 2  shows a sectional view through part of a weapon  10  to be cleaned following a cleaning process from the mouth to the base of the chamber. The cleaning apparatus  20  is moved in the arrow direction in the direction of the mouth  10   a.  A gaseous fluid  23   a,  for example compressed air, is supplied by the fluid supply arrangement  23  and exits from the openings  24   a  of the nozzle head  24  and removes the film  200  at least in part from the wall of the barrel  10  in the direction of the mouth. Here, it is advantageous if a small residue of the film  200  in the form of a thin protective layer remains in the weapon in order to improve the protection against corrosion. 
         [0031]    In accordance with the invention, the fluid is extracted or collected in the region of the weapon barrel mouth during the entire cleaning and preservation process. The fluid is purified, filtered and collected. It is thus available as a fluid store for further cleaning procedures or can be used by means of recirculation for longer cleaning processes. 
         [0032]    In the illustrated form, the nozzle head  24  has four discharge openings  24   a  for the fluid, of which two are substantially perpendicular to the central axis of the cleaning apparatus  20  and two are arranged in the direction of the fluid supply arrangement  23  (here a flexible hose). The discharge openings  24   a  are preferably formed in such a way that the nozzle head can be rotated about the central axis of the cleaning apparatus  20  by the exiting fluid. Uniform cleaning on the inner wall of the space to be cleaned is thus attained by the cleaning fluid. Nozzle heads of this type are known in principle from the prior art. 
         [0033]    In  FIG. 3  the cleaning apparatus  20  is illustrated in conjunction with the weapon barrel and drum insert cleaning arrangement (cleaning arrangement)  2 , which is automatic in particular. The cleaning apparatus  20  is guided by means of a guide arrangement  30 , for example in the form of a pipe, through the optional mouth brake  10   e  of the weapon to the barrel mouth  10   a.  For this purpose, a linear drive  31  with a spindle motor  32  is provided. The hose  23 , which can be wound onto and unwound from the spindle  34  by means of a drive  35 , which for example is an electric drive, is connected to the cleaning apparatus  20 . A first pump/compressor unit  41  conveys the fluid from a container  40  for the cleaning fluid to the spindle  34  and to the hose  23  to the cleaning apparatus  20  via a three-way valve  42  (illustrated here in a first position). During the cleaning process, the cleaning fluid can run out from the mouth  10   a  of the weapon  10  and can be received and removed by the guide arrangement  30 . A suction turbine  43  and/or a filter  44  can optionally be functionally connected by means of an extraction line  45  on the guide arrangement  30 . As the aspirated cleaning fluid is delivered to the container  40 , recirculation is thus possible with recycled cleaning fluid. In order to blow out the weapon according to  FIG. 2 , the compressed air supply  46  (for example a second pump/compressor unit or a provided compressed air connection) is activated and the valve  42  is switched into a second position. 
         [0034]    The diameter and rigidity of the hose  23  are adapted to the caliber of the weapon  10  such that the hose  23  can execute the feed in a sufficiently kink-proof manner. The feed length of the hose  23  is thus a good measure with sufficient accuracy (approximately 2 cm) for the feed depth of the cleaning apparatus  20  into the weapon  10 . The hose  23  is fed and removed via the external hose drive, whereby the speed and the position of the nozzle head  24  in relation to the weapon can be fixed. At particularly suitable positions (for example at the gas tapping bores in the gas cylinder block of a gas-operated weapon, neck and base of the chamber) the rate of feed is varied or, where appropriate, the cleaning apparatus is fed and removed a number of times so that these regions are particularly cleaned and/or preserved as necessary. Since the cleaning fluid  23   a  exits from the nozzles  24   a  by means of high pressure, a reduced cleaning/flushing/application of corrosion protection in the gas cylinders is achieved as an additional effect through the gas removal bores. When a rearmost position is reached (for example in the chamber), the supply of the cleaning fluid  23   a  is switched off and a compressed air supply is started, such that substantially only compressed air is blown out from the nozzle head  24 . The cleaning arrangement is then removed from the weapon  10  in the direction of the mouth  10   a.    
         [0035]    As the cleaning apparatus  20  is removed, pressure or compressed air and also the removal rate itself can be varied. Here, in order to preserve the weapon  10  after cleaning, at least one thin residual film of the cleaning and preserving fluid preferably remains on the inner wall of the weapon in order to prevent corrosion. Attempts to optimize the residual film thickness by controlling the removal rate have proven that sufficiently good protection against corrosion can be achieved with a pressure of the compressed air for example of 8 bar and a withdrawal rate for example of 5 cm/sec through the weapon barrel. For the cleaning, a pressure of the cleaning fluid of approximately 80 bar is provided with a rate of flow of the cleaning fluid of, for example, 10 to 15 liters/min. 
         [0036]    The method can be performed in the following generally formulated sequence of steps:
       1. Preparation (where necessary): unloading the weapon and lowering and locking the weapon barrel;   2. Introducing the cleaning apparatus preferably through the barrel mouth by fitting the adapter;   3. Cleaning using cleaning fluid at high pressure and feeding the cleaning arrangement;   4. Determining the current feed from the hose length or the state of the motor spindle;   5. When a suitable position has been reached, stopping the feed and stopping the cleaning fluid delivery;   6. Reversing the direction of movement of the cleaning arrangement and applying compressed air (where preservation is desired).       
 
         [0043]    With the method according to the invention it is also possible to clean the individual drums of a revolver gun. At the start of the cleaning process, a first chamber of the revolver is aligned with the weapon barrel. The cleaning is thus performed in the above-described manner, specifically the cleaning apparatus  20  is introduced at the mouth side into the weapon as far as the base of the chamber while the cleaning fluid  23   a  is supplied. Once the rear end of the chamber has been reached, the direction of movement of the cleaning apparatus  20  reverses and compressed air is blown out instead of cleaning fluid. The cleaning apparatus  20  is now withdrawn in the direction of the mouth at least until it does not prevent a rotation of the drum. Then, without supplying a new cartridge, a loading step of the gun is performed with a rotation of the revolver drum by a chamber. The cleaning apparatus  20  is then introduced into the next revolver chamber and the cleaning method is repeated until all revolver chambers are cleaned and preserved. 
         [0044]    The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are to be included within the scope of the following claims.