US2442371A - Gun recoil mechanism - Google Patents

Description

June l, 1948. D. l.. MEYERS ETAL 2,442,37l

I GUN RECOIL MECHANISM Filed March 1s, 194e ATTORNEYS Patented June 1, 1948 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFicE GUN RECoIL MECHANISM VDonald L. Meyers and Arnold A. Kester, Rock Island, Ill., assignors to the United States of America as represented bythe Secretary of War.

Application March 18,` 1946, Serial No. 655,353

(Granted under the act of March 3, 1883, as' amended April 3Q, 1928; A270 O. G. 757) 7 Claims.

in counterrecoil, .or return to battery. In its specific. aspects, the invention pertains to improvements in the buer means in a recoil mechanism v.of `the concentric type, one example of which is shown in the United States Patent to Lucht, No. 2,358,340.

Recoil mechanisms of the concentric type are particularly adapted for use inarmored vehicles, turrets .and the like and comprise .basically .a gun tube encased in and slidably carried by a concentrically arranged support having lan Aannular elongated .chamber containing the recoil iiuid and the recoil .spring and piston mechanism. A particular problem attendant uponthe design, constructionand use of recoil mechanisms of the concentric .ty-pe is that which arises from the requirement that the mechanism for bufling the counterrecoll stroke of the gun be located within the recoil fluid chamber. This requirement necessarily means that the buing mechanism must :be simple in construction, eicient in operation and comprising relatively few movable parts.

The present invention contemplates and has for itsprincipal object the provision of a recoil mechanism of the Vconcentric type having an improved buing means in which the cooperable parts are respectively formed on basic stationary and movable parts of the recoil mechanism.

It is an important object of the invention to provide a buing means in which the cooperable parts are so formed and so arranged with respect toeach other as to check eiiiciently the action of thegun in its final phases of counterrecoil, this result being accomplished by forming one buier tionof a cone diminishing in the direction of recoil, and a second buffer element as a, sleeve having an inner, substantially cylindrical periphery variably cooperable .with the conical periphery of theiirst buier element as the gun completes counterrecoil.

Itis another object of `the invention to provide in conjunction with the buffer elements a proximate .annular recess .or reduced cylindrical portion which `cooperates with the buffer sleeve to provide, just prior to completion of counterrecoil, a buier pocket within which recoil uid may be trapped and from which the recoil fluid .may .be eXhausted-by-cooperation of the cylindrical buffer sleeve Ywith the `conical or tapered buler element.

Other objects and features of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art as the disclosure is more fully made in the following detailed description of apreferred embodiment of the invention as illustrated in the accompanying sheet of drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view, partly in section, of the intermediate portion of a -gu-n mount and recoil mechanism having incorporated therein a preferred formof bufng Ameans constructed according to the present invention, the parts =be ing shown in the positions occupied thereby when the gun is in battery and the gun tube being illustrated diagrammatically;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view of the upper front portion .of the recoil mechanism and gun tube and illustrating the posi.- tions of the parts just priorrto ,completion Yof counterrecoil; and- Fig. 3 is a transverse Sectio `al yiew `taken sub- Although the invention has been illustrated .and described in connection with the preferred em.- bodiment thereof and in conjunction with a par.-

, ticular type ofsrecoil mechanism, it should Abe Yap.-

element with an outer periphery having the secpreciated that the invention may assume other forms and may be otherwise adapted. Accordingly, the present disclosure should be taken as illus.- trativeand not limiting. Y A

The particularA type" of ,gunfand Amou-nt chosen for the purposes .of illustration includes va .cylindrical or tubular member'or .cradle i0 formed at its forward or counterrecoil V end vllil'fh an external annular Vflange l I and ,at its rear or recoil end with an integral Vbracket structure l2 includinga longitudinally.forwardly extending supporting Yportion i3 .and Aa rear ilange i5.' The flange Il at the 'forward or counterrecoil end of the v cradle .cylinder Il) serves .as means by which .the mechanism 'may be. adequately supported Vin a gun mount, a portion oi such .mount being .illustratedat IB as beingsecured byla plurality'of cap screws I1 to the ange Ill.V "Thereariiange l5 is likewiseadapted tosllpport the gun in .a Suitable mount. A portion Aof such mount `is indicatedjby the numeral I8 and is shown as including a front flange i9 secured by a plurality. of bolts 2 0 to .the flange 15. I

' The cradle 1 0 of composite construction and comprises a double .cylinder supporting structure having aninner hollow cylinder or tubular member 2| and van outer hollowcylinder o r tubular member or support 122.'."The forward end of .the inner tubular member v1l is'formedasanannular radial wall V23 forme d at its peripheral edge with a rearwardlyextending threaded cylindrical portion24. The vouter'" :ylindrical member '2 2 is internally threaded as at zs i.v and tne. Vjmreadcd portionsl2iland25 are'screwedtQgether to provide a rigid.connection.betweenfthe two tubular members2l' and 2 2.

3 The inner tubular `or-cylindricalfmember 2| is provided at axially spaced points along its interior with a plurality of annular interna1 bearings 26 which serve to mount a gun tube 21 in j the cradle l0. The relationship between the gun tube 21 and the cradle l0 is such that'the tube' may reciprocate in recoil and counterrecoil. `The forward end of the gun tube 21 pro'jegcts through g the front radial wall 23 of thevinner tubular member 2| and suitable packing 28 isprovidedat this point in the radial wall 23 for cooperation with the outer periphery of the gun tube 21 to 'provide means guarding against the entrance of Ydirt and other foreign matter to thebearings 26. j

The rear or recoil end of th'e gun tube 21 extends axially beyond the rearward end of the cradle-,structure 10, atwhich point the gun tube is provided`r with fan annular radial: iiange 29 '(shown Y"diagrammatically). Ajrecoil sleeve -or tube 3i] Vencircle's]and` i'sslidablyarried bythe outer peripheryfof the-inner tubularmember 2 I. This sleeve, like the gunftube-21, projects axially atthe rear for recoil endofthe-cradle IEI and -at that Ypoint is provided with'an externally Ythreaded end portion- 3H Aninternally threaded ring 32 is threadedon thee'nd portion- 3Lv The ring 32 is also threaded externally asA at 33 and receives an internally threaded; portion-34 ofa securing ring 35. The ring` 35 includesfan'annular cylindrical portiony on which` the'internal` thread 34 isformed, and anintcgra-lannular radially ,in- Vwardly extending angre 36 v'vhihfcooperates -with lthe flange 29 of thev gun tubev21 toficonnect the gun tube 21 rigidly tothe sleevevf30f4sothat ,these 'parts move in-unisonin recoil ,and ,counterrecoil A locking screw 31 -cooperatesubetween the ring 32 and the'end portionl'ot fthesleeve A3l) for preventingV looseningv ofVV the 1 parts.- A locking 'screw 38 is carried bythering gandis engageable Y with the exterior or thejring32 for: preventingloosening` ofthcsejparts. `IQi'lievforward portonofjthe ring 32 Vis 'formedf as a radially outwardly extending annularv iiange 39 on whichl is rigidly mounted annular sheetmetal shield 453. This shieldservesV tognlinimize the probability of the entrance of du into the mehaniSm; v

The rear orjrec'oilV end ott/he' outer cylindrical orV tubular member "22 is internallyjthreaded, as atf4l, and receives aniexternallyjthreaded closure ring-42.` .1 vThe .ring 42 is provided at its Y. interior with a .suitable packing ring :43 Vwhich `provides a. seal. between the; ring V42 ,Y and the"V exterior 'of the recoil sleevev 3U; A, similar .packing V,ring 44 is carried by the recoil end of the inner cylindrical or tubular,t member .2;l and cooperates between that memberrand the interiorlof the recoilsleeve v30. V.'lhese packing ringsmay be of, any conventional' type andserve'toprevent the escape of recoil iiuid andalso the ,entrance `of vdirt,`grit, etc., to the recoil,mechanism..1 j i, The relationship between the inner andV outer tubular members 2l and 22 .is such that jthere, is provided therebetweenV 1, an., elongated annular chamber 45 which maybontain any suitable recoil iluid such as -theusual recoil oil.AV The closure between the members 12| andrv 2,2 ,affordedby the Vradial end wall 23 is:fluidtight,v as is the closure atorded at the recoil end vof the'cradleby the relationship between the. closure ring 42, threaded portiont4l of the outer tubular member 22 and packing-43 between th'ering 42` and recoil sleeve 39.Y The .interior ci"V the'outertubular memberj r22 is provided .with ajplurality ofv longitudinally, running circumferentlally spaced fluidgor.; oil grooves st` ,and other foreign matter 1- 4 46 which, as best shown in Fig. 41, vary in depth throughout their lengths. The'function of these grooves in conjunction with the action of the gun 'in recoil and counterrecoil will be explained below. wjhe outer Dtubular or cylindrical member 22 is Yprovided-eat' its recoil end with a. filler opening 41, normally closedby-a Iiller plug 48. i 4The recoil sleeve is provided near its counterrecoil end withA a.l ring piston 49. In the present case this pistonis shown as a separate component rigidly securedto the recoil sleeve by a pluralitygkoflocking screws 50 (only one of which is shown). The .piston 49 and the portion of the recoil sleeve 30 onwhich it is mounted are appropriately-intertted so that thrust on the piston is taken directly by the. sleeve 3U and not by the locking 4screws 5.0.1....Rearwardly of. 'the'.pistong49 the 'recoi1t.sleeve; 3B zis encircled .by andcarries an abutment ring 5.1L 1A nounterrecoil. compression spring 52 encircles.thesrecoiljsleeve=301zand at. one end abuts the abutment; ring.; 5 I: Landzfat its" .otherend' .abuts ahardened' radial. ring 5,3.. that faces againsttheinner radial .facerjof the :rear closure' ring.; 42. AAs .is '..usual` when. the .weapon 25 is cred, thelgunztube 2.1 slides. in..the 'bearings i A26 lof "thelinner.Lotiibulanlmemberi :2 1 .inrlriecoil against the: counterrecoili-springZ and against the recoil. fluid. in thegchamber 45.:` :The compression spring 52'stores energyA upon recoil'and serves to return the gun tube in counteirecoil to'fbattery. It is .characteristic of gunsxniountedior recoil and counterrecoil. .thati variationsV occur' iri the travel ofthe gun'tube throughzitslvarious phases of. recoil y an'dlcounter'recoil: In the.` event` that 85 these variations are noti'adequately` controlled, serious da'rnageft the'. weapon may result.' 1 Such damage is `particularly likely4 if; forlexainple; the weapon isallowedtoreturn violentlyv to battery. Consequently,.it 'i's'ldesirable that the nal phases of :counterre'coilactioribe checked'or bufledf-'At theu'sameltime', it is'desirablethat-the weapon be permitted Lto' return toi battery` as rapidly as possiblegfsince sucnresult vis consonant with rapiditv'ff f' f -Accordingjto thepresentjnvention the means for checkingv or llouiiiin'g the final i phases' of lcounterrecoil, so that the gun i s eased into ba-tte'lr'y,A comprises a pairl o'fcooperable -buing elements so7constructedandl Varranged lias] -to lprovideffor the trappingof a portion f'the-r'ecoil-uid anda variable exhausting of Lthis uid between the pair or" buiing Yelement'sas' the eaponcompltesfits counterrecoil action uI njt e 'preferred l embodimentjof the'inventonshown inthe drawings, the rstibuffer lelement is designated ,generally jby the numeral 5Y4 -andinclfud es` an; integral annular enlarged portion crmd at the -cjnterrecoil end ciY Vthe exterior oi ,theY innei-, tubular member j 2 I. This bufferelement includes ,a rstf annularpor- OIL 55.1.'@1alVe1XShQtjn @Xialxnl'cj and. af 569' onddbufng portion 5 6 which extends rearwardly from .the portion 15.5;and'has. itSfutrfreiPhery tapered. 0r. formed; 'as a. frusteiclenfel .1S fe diminishing in, diameter. rearwardlv.. mi; mitte direction of recoil.v Adjacent the rearpri'reoil endY of., the. conicalrianered buffer; Dillon L56 forming apartojlth'egbuier elementi the exterioz;otheiinneritubular member 2 l jlsgrooved 0f cui .Outi'bfydeen annuler receslsi 5.14 'which provides` in. effect a ylindricalportiou 9i' reduced diameter .extendineirearwardly ,from the., second when the gun is in battery, closely encrcles the conical surfaceor #second bufiing portion 56 of the ibuffer element '54. It will be noted that the extreme forward or c'ounterrecoil portion of the buffer sleeve Y58 has an inner periphery that has a relatively close rit with the annular portion 55 on the Ibuffer elementI 54 when the 4gun is in battery. At its juncture with the recoil sleeve 3|), -bu'fer sleeve 58 'is reduced internally to a diameter Vapproximate-ly the same as the 4external diameter 4of tubular member 2l, to thereby form an annular radial wall or `shoulder 59 of relatively short radial extent. This radial wall or shoulder cooperates with the buffer sleeve 58 and annular recess 51 to `provide a buffer pocket for the trapping of a portion of recoil uid as the gun tube approaches battery Yposition on completion of counterrecoil.

In the operation of the gun described herein, recoil occurs in the usual manner after the Weapon is red and the gun tube 21 and its connected recoil Asleeve 30 lare driven rapidly rearwardly against the counterrecoil spring 52 and against the coil in the chamber 45. Because of the cooperation Abetween the ring piston 49 and the longitudinal grooves 46 in the interior of the outer tubular 'member 22, the oil is 'throttled insuch ajmanner that the initial action of the gun in recoil is relativelyrapid and increases in rapidity until a Apoint vnear the end of the recoil stroke, at which point the throttling grooves 46 are of reduced depth and serve to further restrict the flow of oil forwardly over the periphery of the ring piston 49.` This construction and function prevents jarring of the weapon as the gun reaches maximum recoil position. spring 52 is placed under compression and after the end of the recoil stroke is reached the spring 52 reacts to drive the gun tube forwardly in counterrecoil, Because of the forward tapered face on the piston 49, counterrecoil action will be relatively rapid, which result is desirable from the standpoint of returning the weapon to battery as quickly as possible so that it may be fired again. However, it is undesirable thatthe gun be permitted to slam back into battery.

As the gun tube 21 and recoil sleeve 30 reach the final pha-se 'of counterrecoil (Fig. 2), a relatively small portion of recoil oil is trapped in the pocket formed by the inner periphery of the During recoil the buier sleeve 58 the radial wall or shoulder 59,

and recess 51. creases in volume as 'the recoil sleeve 30 approaches battery position, oil trapped therein will now be forced 'out between the proximate edges of the buffer element 54 and buffer sleeve 58. As 'the buffer -sleeve 58 continues forwardly in counterrecoil, it Ycooperates with the conical surface 56 to gradually reduce the area through which the trapped oil may escape from the buffer pocket. Consequently, movement of the gun tube 21 and recoil sleeve 30 will be gradually slowed as the gun reaches battery and the gun will be eased into its iinal postion as the forward end of buiier sleeve 58 slips over the annular portion in closely tting relation therewith.

It will be seen from the foregoing description that the vbuiiing means provided' according to the present invention adequately checks the iinal stage of counterrecoil and absorbs the iinal shock of the weapon as the gun 'returns to battery. It will also be noted that this desirable result is achieved by the two simple elements that are formed respectively on a stationary and a moving part of the assembly. It will be appreciated,

Since the aforesaid pocket desupport and within be modified 'to suit dile'ren't requirements. It

will be understood, of course, `that various other alterations and lmodifications may be made in the preferred form o'f the invention illustrated herein without -depa'rting from the spirit and scope vof the invention as defined in the appended claims. v

What is claimed is: l 1. Recoil mechanism :for a gun, comprising:

a double `cylinder support including .an innerl hollow cylinder and 'an outer -hollow Ycylinzler concentrically .arranged with the outer periphery of the 'inner cylinder lspaced radially from the inner periphery -of the vouter cylinder togprovide an annular, elongated Vchamber for containing recoil uid; Aa gun tube slidably carried within the inner cylinder for recoil and counterrecoil; a cylindrical sleeve ldisposed concentrically between the lcylinders Vand extending exteriorly thereof at the recoilend-of each; means `connecting the sleeve at Vits recoil end to the gun. tube for recoil Zand counterrecoil therewith; an .integral, annular enlarged `portion formed 'on the outer periphery of the inner cylinder at its icounterrecoil end and providing, within lthe chamber, a, concentric 'buffing element having `its Jiouter periphery `formed Ia's 'a section of -a cone diminishing `in the direction of recoil; means forming an annular recess in the outer `periphery ofithe inner cylinder ladjacent the -buiing element at -therecoil side thereof; and a concentric bulierring formed on the sleeve at its counterrecoil end within the chamber and including va generally cylindrical inner periphery having a diameter slightly greater than the largest diameter of theconicai buffer element "and extending in the direction'offrecoil and positioned 'to encircle .the builer element, when the gun'tube isinv battery, and tojmove ,away from andto return to the Vbuffer member 'upon recoil and counterrecoil of the .gun tube, the buler ring 'forming with the vannular, recess, at a point in counterrecoil 'just prior to completion thereof, an annular 'buler pocket.

2. Recoil mechanism for a gun, comprising: a gun tube; a tubular support encasing the gun tube and mounting the gun tube 'for recoil and counterrecoil; means between lthe outer peripheryof the gun tube and the inner .periphery of the tubular support formingan annularchamber for containing recoil fluid; means on the tubular the chamber at theA recoil .end thereof forming .an annular .concentric 'buffer element having its outer periphery formed .as a

section of a cone diminishing inthe direction .of recoil; means on the buiier element, at therecoil side thereof, forming an adjacent coaxial .ring portion of a diameter smaller than the smallest diameter of the'bulier element; and la concentric buffer sleeve encircling and connected to `the gun tube for m'ovementtherewith in recoil and counterrecoil and positioned in the Chamberlin .concentricity with the 'buffer element, the buier sleeve having a generally cylindrical inner pe-` ripherythat closely encircles the buffer .element whenthegumtube'is in battery and'orms with the adjacent ring portion, just prior to completion of counterrecoil, a buer pocket adapted to trap recoil fluid.

7 1 .32; .Recoil .magwien fetta; alla .eeempeieg a a `tubularsup ort. encasing the. gun

ing in the direction of recoil ,and an adjacent' coaxial annular portion of reduced vdiameter at the recoil side ofthe .buier element; and a buier sleeve encircling land connected to the gun tube for recoil and`counterrecoil therewith and positioned in the chamber to closely encircle the buier element when the gun tube is in battery and to variably encircle the buffer element as the gun tube completes counterrecoil, the buler sleeve cooperating with the annular reduced portion to provide a buier pocket just prior to completion of counterrecol of the gun tube.

4. Recoil :mechanism for a, gun, comprising: a gun tube; a tubular support encasing the ,gun tubev and mounting the gun tube for recoil and counterrecoil; means between the outer periphery of the gun tube and the inner periphery of the-tubular support forming `an annular chamber for containing-recoil fluid; .means within the chamber'forming a coaxial annular extension of the tubular support projecting from the counter',- recoil end ofthe chamber toward the recoil end thereof and encircling the-gun tube, the extension including a buffer element having an outer periphery formed as a section of a cone diminishing in the direction of recoil and further including means forming anl adjacent coaxial annular recess at the recoil. sideofthe buler element; and a, buier Ysleeve. encircling and connected to the gun tube for recoil and counterrecoil there- With and positioned in the chamber to closely encircle the buiTer element when the gun 'tube is in battery and to vvariably encircle the buffer element as vthe gun tube completes counterrecoil, the buffer sleeve cooperating with the annular recess to provide a buier pocket just prior to completion of counterrecoil of the Vgun tube.Y

5. Recoil mechanism fora gun, comprising: a gun tube; a tubular support encasing the gun tube and mounting the gun tube for recoil and counterrecoil; means between the outer peripheryVV of the gun tube and the inner periphery of the tubular support forming an annular chamber for containing recoil fluid; and including a coaxial annular. extension projecting from the counterrecoil end ofV the chamber toward the recoil end thereof and encircling the gun tube, the extension including a buffer element having an 'outer periphery formed as a frusto-conical surface diminishing in diameter in the direction of recoil and an adjacent annular portion of reduced diameter continuing rearwardly from the recoil end of 4said buffer element; and a buer sleeve encircling and connected to the gun tube for recoil and counterrecoil therewith and positioned in the chamber to closely encircle said buier element when the gun tube is in battery position saidrbuier sleeve Yhaving an internal annular shoulder, said sleeve and shoulder codecreases in" vol tube and mounting. thregun tube for recoil Vand counterrecoil; vmeans,lzufinveen the outer periphery. ofthe gunV tubegandthe inner periphery.l rf the 'tubular support'. forming with saidsupport, a closed annular chamber for containing recoil fluid; and including a tubular member projecting from the counterrecoil end of the chamber toward the recoil end thereof and encircling the gun tubefsaid tubular member including a buffer element having an outer periphery formed-as a frusto-conical surface diminishing in diameter in the direction of recoil and vfurther including means forming an annular `recess rearwardly of and adjacent the recoil side of `saidlcuier element; and a buier sleeve encircling and connected to the gun tube for recoil and counterrecoil therewith and positioned in the chamber toV closely encircle said buffer element when the gun tube is in battery, said buffer sleeve having an annular inwardly. extending shoulder cooperable withsaid sleeve and annular recess to provide a buffer pocket in which a quantity of buffer Yfluid is trapped,the volume of said pocket and the area of escape` therefrom diminishing as said sleeve slides forwardly over said frustoconical surface-in counterrecoil. i

'7. Recoil mechanism for a gun, comprising: a support; a gun tube mounted on the support for` recoil and counterrecoil; means on the supportV forming a recoil cylinder -extendinggenerally in parallelism withthe gun tube and adapted tcl-contain recoil fluid; means within thecylinder at the recoilend thereofvforming an annular buffer element having .its outer periphery formed as a section of a-cone4 diminishing in the direction of. recoil; meanson thebuffer element,v at the recoil sideV thereof, forming Aan adjacent coaxial annular portion lof. adiameter smaller than the smallest diameter-ofthe buler element; means mounted in theA cylinderand connected to the gun tube for movement in unison therewith in recoil and counterrecoil-and including a buffer sleeve positionedcoaxially with the buffer element, the buffer sleeve having a generally cylindrical inner periphery that closely encircles the buffer elementwhen the gun tube is in battery and form-s with the adjacent annular portion, just prior to completion of counterrecoil,a buffer pocket adaptedto trap recoil fluid.

. H DONALD L. MEYERS. ARNOLD A. KESTER.

A Y Y REFERENCES CITED `The'followingreferences are of record in the le of this patent:

' UNITED srATEsrlrrENrs ,v1

.,Name- Number, Date 522,508 Canet f July 3, 1894 2,332,520 Y Lucht Oct.- 26, 1943 2,358,340 Lucht Sept. 19, 1944 2,395,488 l Lucht s Feb. 26, 1946

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