Device and method for the thermal compensation of a weapon barrel

Abstract

A device and a method for performing thermal compensation of a weapon barrel of a gun having at least one weapon barrel which is mounted in a barrel cradle and in a barrel support as a prolongation of the barrel cradle. A plurality of temperature sensors are integrated into the barrel cradle and the barrel support and are connected via data lines to a data box. The data box is connected to a data processing device, which acts on actuators of the gun. The temperature at the barrel cradle and the barrel support is measured by temperature sensors. The temperature difference between upper and lower sides and right-hand and left-hand sides of the barrel cradle and the barrel support are determined. The barrel inclination is then calculated from these values, and the barrel inclination is then compensated by adjusting the orientation of the weapon barrel in its azimuth and/or elevation.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device for performing thermal compensation of a weapon barrel of a gun having at least one weapon barrel which is mounted in a barrel cradle and in a barrel support as a prolongation of the barrel cradle, the device comprising:
 a plurality of temperature sensors integrated into the barrel cradle and the barrel support;   data lines connecting the barrel support to a data box; and   a data processing device connected to the data box, the data processing device being configured to calculate a barrel inclination via temperature differences and, in order to perform thermal compensation, the data processing device being configured to act on actuators in order to change an orientation of the weapon barrel.   
     
     
         2 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein 16 temperature sensors are integrated, and wherein variations in the number are possible. 
     
     
         3 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein four planes are defined substantially perpendicularly with respect to a barrel axis, wherein one plane is located in the barrel cradle and three planes are located in the barrel support. 
     
     
         4 . The device as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the temperature sensors are arranged in a region of corners of the planes. 
     
     
         5 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the barrel support is frame-like. 
     
     
         6 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the actuators are servo-motors of the gun itself, with which servo-motors the weapon barrel is oriented in its azimuth and/or elevation. 
     
     
         7 . A method for performing thermal compensation of a weapon barrel of a gun having at least one weapon barrel that is mounted in a barrel cradle and in a barrel support as a prolongation of the barrel cradle, the method comprising:
 measuring a temperature via temperature sensors arranged on the barrel cradle and the barrel support;   determining a temperature difference between upper and lower sides and between right-hand and left-hand sides of the barrel cradle as well as the barrel support;   calculating a barrel inclination via the determined temperature differences; and   compensating the barrel inclination by changing an orientation of the weapon barrel.   
     
     
         8 . The method as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein temperature differences of each sensor plane of the barrel support and of the barrel cradle are determined in elevation and/or azimuth. 
     
     
         9 . The method as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the temperature-induced barrel deflection is compensated directly by actuators, such as servo-motors of the actual gun of the weapon. 
     
     
         10 . The method as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein failure of individual temperature sensors is compensated by a mathematical model. 
     
     
         11 . The method as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the evaluation algorithm contains various fallback levels for the event of a plurality of temperature sensors failing. 
     
     
         12 . The method as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein inherent inertia of the system is also taken into account. 
     
     
         13 . The method as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein at least one time profile of the temperature correlation function are recorded. 
     
     
         14 . The method as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the time profile is also stored for later maintenance work such that the time profile is readable from a gun computer.