Device and method for cleaning and/or preserving weapon barrels and weapon parts

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.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A cleaning apparatus for cleaning and/or preserving weapon barrel and/or drum inserts and also further weapon parts of a weapon, the apparatus comprising:
 a tubular central piece;   guide elements that are distributed over a periphery of the tubular central piece;   a fluid supply arrangement, via which fluid is supplied to the cleaning apparatus; and   a rotatable nozzle head having openings from which the fluid exits,   wherein the tubular central piece, a first container containing a liquid fluid and, in the case of preservation, at least one further container containing a gaseous fluid is connected functionally to the fluid supply arrangement,   wherein the liquid fluid comprises a cleaning agent and the gaseous fluid is a gas or compressed air, and   wherein the supply of the cleaning agent is adapted to be switched off and the compressed air supply is started via a valve.   
     
     
         2 . The cleaning apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the cleaning agent is based on petrol or is a cleaning oil. 
     
     
         3 . The cleaning apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the guide elements, at least two, are arranged at substantially identical angular distances from one another and are formed as fins. 
     
     
         4 . The cleaning apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the tubular central piece has a smaller diameter compared to a caliber part of the weapon barrel and/or drum insert. 
     
     
         5 . A cleaning arrangement comprising a cleaning apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein a guide arrangement is incorporated that enables an automatic and motor-driven movement of the cleaning apparatus. 
     
     
         6 . The cleaning arrangement as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein a linear drive with a spindle motor forms the guide arrangement. 
     
     
         7 . The cleaning arrangement as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein a container, which is provided to receive the fluid, is functionally connected to the fluid supply arrangement via a pump/compressor unit and a valve or a three-way valve. 
     
     
         8 . The cleaning arrangement as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the fluid supply arrangement is formed by a hose that is adapted to be wound and unwound. 
     
     
         9 . The cleaning arrangement as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein a suction turbine and/or a filter are functionally connected via an extraction line on the guide arrangement. 
     
     
         10 . A method for cleaning and/or preserving weapon barrel and drum inserts, which is automatic, and also weapon parts connected thereto of a weapon, comprising a cleaning apparatus that comprises a cleaning arrangement as claimed in  claim 5 , the method comprising:
 introducing the cleaning apparatus through the barrel mouth by fitting an adapter;   introducing the fluid by high pressure and feeding the cleaning apparatus;   determining the current feed from a hose length or the state of a motor spindle of the cleaning arrangement;   stopping the feed and stopping the cleaning fluid delivery when a suitable position has been reached; and   reversing the direction of movement of the cleaning apparatus, wherein compressed air is fed with the reversal of the direction of movement.   
     
     
         11 . The method as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein, when during the cleaning process, the cleaning fluid runs out from the mouth of the weapon, this fluid is received and removed by the guide arrangement. 
     
     
         12 . The method as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein an extraction is performed by the suction turbine and/or the filter. 
     
     
         13 . The method as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein, in order to preserve the weapon after cleaning, at least one thin residual film of the cleaning and preserving fluid remains on the inner wall of the weapon in order to prevent corrosion. 
     
     
         14 . Use of the cleaning apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  for cleaning and/or preserving weapon barrels and further weapon parts, weapons of medium and large caliber, cannons, artillery guns, mortars, or howitzers.