Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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AIMING SYSTEM FOR WEAPON CAPABLE OF SUPERELEVATION
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
TECHNICAL FIELD
The invention relates to weapon systems comprising a weapon and an
aiming system and is especially, but not exclusively, applicable to weapons
which
employ superelevatioii of the barrel, such as grenade machine guns.
BACKGROUND AR'T
For sorne weapons, such as grenade launching machine guns, which fire
relatively slow, heavy rounds, it is necessary to elevate the barrel by a
relatively large
angle, perhaps 30 degrees or more, above the sight line to the target. It is
desirable to
maintain the target irriage in view throughout the engagement to compensate
for target
changes, motion or other dynamic events. Modem weapons use sights with a high
magnification to obtain precision aiming at large ranges. Such sights have a
field of
view of only a few degrees, increasing the likelihood that the user will lose
sight of the
target during "superelevation" of the barrel.
One known aiming system, known as the Small Arms Module Fire Control
System (SACMFCS) by Contraves Inc., has the sight mounted upon a motorized
tilting
platform. Once the target has been ranged and the aiming point displaced
downwards
according to the computed superelevation, the motorized platform is driven to
tilt the
sight downwards a corresponding amount. The target then is out of the field of
view,
so the operator raises both the barrel and the sight until the target is in
view again. The
system is not entirely satisfactory because the target is lost from view
during
superelevation, and because precision, speed of operation, and ruggedness are
required,
tending to make a suitable motor drive large and expensive. Also, the platform
increases
the height of the display above the barrel, so the operator's head is exposed
more than
is desirable.
US patent number 4,193,334 (Jackson) issued March 18, 1980 discloses a sight
coupled to the weapori's barrel by way of a slip clutch so that the sight
moves with the
barrel during superelevation of the latter. The slip clutch allows the user to
depress the
sight relative to the gun barrel so as to view the impact of the round, and
then return the
sight to alignment with the gun barrel. However, the user still loses sight of
the target
while the gun barrel is being superelevated. Now that laser rangefinders are
common,
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the target may be able to detect that it has been targeted by a laser
rangefinder and take
evasive action. It is important, therefore, to minimize the time taken between
ranging
the target, superelevating the gun barrel, and firing the gun. It is also
desirable to
minimize the time taken to select and fire at a series of targets in quick
succession.
Jackson's gun would be relatively slow because, not only must the sight be
depressed to
view the target, but it must then be returned manually to alignment with the
barrel.
During the time takeri to superelevate the gun barrel and depress the sight to
view the
target again, the target might have moved, leading to inaccuracies. A further
disadvantage is that the amount of superelevation is set by means of manually
adjustable
slides or scales.
US patent number 5,686,690 (Lougheed et al) issued November 1997 and
commonly owned wit:h the present invention, describes a weapon having a barrel
and a
sight mounted upon a support which can be rotated in azimuth but not in
elevation. The
gun barrel can be elevated relative to the support, but the sight cannot.
Consequently,
the sight remains trained on the target during the superelevation step. To
change the
field of view of the sight in elevation, however, the tripod must be adjusted
or
repositioned, which is awkward and time-consuming. A further disadvantage is
that the
rangefinder is mounted upon the gun barrel. Consequently, in order to range a
new
target, the user must depress the gun barrel until it is pointing directly at
the new target
again. Once the new target has been ranged, the gun barrel must be
superelevated again.
This is not satisfactory when there are multiple, fast-moving targets
relatively close to
each other. Yet another disadvantage is that the rangefinder and the sight
must be
boresighted to the gun barrel separately, which is time-consuming and makes it
more
difficult to obtain and maintain precise calibration.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:
One object of the present invention seeks to eliminate, or at least mitigate,
the
disadvantages of the above-mentioned weapon sights and to provide an improved
weapon
sight arrangement which permits the operator to view the target during
superelevation
of the weapon.
According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a weapon
system comprising a weapon and an aiming system both mounted upon a support,
the
weapon having a barrel unit and the aiming system comprising:
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(i) an imaging unit for providing an image of a scene within a field of view
of the
imaging unit;
(ii) a display unit for displaying the image;
(iii) coupling meajls having a first part connected to the weapon for rotation
in
elevation with the barrel unit, a second part connected to the imaging unit
and a third
part connected to the support;
the coupling rneans having a first operational state in which the coupling
unit
fixes the imaging unit relative to the support while allowing elevation of the
barrel unit
relative thereto and a, second, alternative state in which the coupling unit
entrains the
sight to move with the barrel unit relative to the support, the aiming system
comprising
means for controlling the coupling unit to select the first state and the
second state
alternatively;
(iv) angle encoding means for providing a displacement signal representing
displacement of the iinaging unit in elevation relative to said first part;
and
(v) control means responsive to the displacement signal for determining a
required
change in elevation oiF the barrel unit relative to the support and
controlling the coupling
means to select the first operational state during such superelevation of the
barrel.
The weapon system may further comprise a rangefinder for providing a range of
a target in the field of view of the imaging unit, and the control means then
may
comprise:
a control computer unit comprising means for providing upon the image an
aiming reticle representing an aiming point of the barrel once the imaging
unit has been
boresighted to the barrel unit and a ranging reticle representing an aiming
point of the
rangefinder, means for controlling the reticle providing means to adjust the
position of
the aiming reticle in dependence upon the displacement signal, and means for
computing
a required change in elevation of the barrel unit in dependence upon a range
measured
by the rangefinder and applying a corresponding offset to the displacement
signal so as
to displace the aiming reticle relative to the field of view in a direction
opposite the
change.
The aiming system may further comprise means for providing an elevation signal
representing displaceinent of a line of sight of the imaging unit relative to
the ground and
/or a cant signal representing inclination of the imaging unit relative to the
ground. The
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control computer may take such cant and/or elevation signals into account when
computing the required elevation.
According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided the aiming
system per se for mounting onto a weapon to form a weapon system according to
the
first aspect.
In embodiments of either of the first and second aspects of the invention,
where
the offset is sufficient to displace the aiming reticle beyond limits in the
displayed scene,
the control unit may be operable apply a part of the offset to maintain the
aiming reticle
at a position adjacent a corresponding edge of the field of view and monitor
the
remaining offset, restoring movement of the aiming reticle with the barrel
unit once the
barrel unit has been displaced by an elevation angle greater than that
corresponding to
said remaining offset. The control unit may change the appearance of the
aiming reticle
while the aiming point is outside the field of view.
The imaging unit may be mounted alongside the barrel unit and coupled to a
separate display unit imounted immediately above handles at the rear of the
barrel unit
for controlling aiming of the weapon. Such an arrangement allows the weapon to
have
a relatively low profile.
The imaging unit may be completely electronic, such as a CCD sensor unit, or
a hybrid of an optical sight with an electronically-controlled superimposed
aiming reticle.
According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a coupling
unit for
coupling an aiming system to a weapon mounted upon a support, the weapon
having a
barrel and the aiming system comprising an imaging unit for providing an image
of a
scene within a field of view of the imaging unit, the coupling unit
comprising:-
a first part connected to the weapon for rotation in elevation with the barrel
unit,
a second part connected to the imaging unit, and
a third part connected to the support;
the coupling unit havirig means operative in a first operational state to fix
the
imaging unit relative to the support while allowing elevation of the barrel
unit relative
thereto and in a secorid, alternative state to entrain the imaging unit to
move with the
barrel unit relative to the support.
In embodiments of any of the foregoing aspects of the invention, the coupling
unit
may comprise means for fixing the imaging unit relative to the support,
specifically a
first clutch unit acting between the first part and the second part and
engageable to
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entrain the imaging unit to move with the barrel unit in elevation relative to
the support
and a second clutch unit acting between the second part and third part and
engageable
to secure the imaging unit to the support, and switch means for engaging the
first clutch
unit while simultaneously disengaging the second clutch unit and vice versa.
5 Alternatively, the coupling unit may comprise a first clutch unit acting
between
the first part and the second part and engageable to entrain the imaging unit
to move in
elevation with the barrel unit, and a slip clutch acting continuously between
the second
part and the third part with sufficient force to retain the imaging unit in
fixed elevational
relationship with the support, providing the first clutch unit is disengaged,
but
insufficient force to prevent said movement of the imaging unit when the first
clutch unit
is engaged.
The means for controlling the coupling unit may comprise a user-operable
switch.
Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention
will
become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred
embodiments
of the invention, which are described by way of example only, taken in
conjunction with
the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS:
Figure 1 is a front perspective view of a weapon and aiming system according
to a first embodiment of the invention;
Figure 2 is a rear perspective view of the weapon of Figure 1 but with a
modified
aiming system mounting;
Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the weapon and aiming system of Figure 1
taken from the rear;
Figure 4 is a schematic system diagram showing the electrical connections
between components of the weapon and its aiming system;
Figures 5A to 5D illustrate images displayed during normal operation of the
weapon;
Figure 6 illustrates an image with a modified aiming reticle;
Figures 7A to 7H illustrate images displayed during operation of the aiming
system to predesignate targets, and during engagement of a target after such
predesignation; and
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Figure 8 is a schematic partial view of the weapon and aiming system of Figure
2 showing details of the modified coupling unit interconnecting them.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
In the drawings, identical or corresponding items in the different Figures
have the
same reference numeral, a double prime signifying a modification.
Referring to Figures 1, 2 and 3, a weapon system embodying the invention,
specifically a grenade machine gun, comprises a weapon body 10 having a barrel
12
mounted in a cradle mount 14, with an aiming system 16 mounted to one side of
the
cradle mount 14. The cradle mount 14 has upstanding arms 18 and 20 extending
one
from each side of the weapon body 10. Journals 22 and 24 (see Figure 3)
project from
opposite sides of the =weapon body 10 and into bearings 26 and 28 in arms 18
and 20,
respectively, permitting the weapon to pivot in elevation relative to the
cradle mount 14.
A tapered pintle 30 fixedly secured in a central base unit 36 of a tripod 38
projects upwards through a bearing 32 in a bight portion 34 of cradle mount
14. Hence,
the cradle 14 can rotate in azimuth relative to the tripod 38. Handles 40 at
the rear end
of the weapon body 10 allow the user to pivot the weapon in elevation and
azimuth.
Three control pushbuttons 42, 44 and 46 are disposed adjacent the handles 40
so that
they can be operated by the user, as will be described later. A trigger 48 is
positioned
between the two handles 40.
The aiming system 16 comprises a coupling unit 52 and a sight unit 54 which is
supported upon the coupling unit 52. A display unit 56 is mounted upon the
sight unit
54 by means of a rearwardly-extending support arm 58, so that the display unit
56 is
immediately above the rear portion of the weapon body 10. The support arm 58
may
also carry electrical connections (not shown). A support shaft 60 extends
through
bearings 62 and 64 in opposite sidewalls 66 and 68, respectively, of a housing
70 of the
coupling unit 52. The end portion of shaft 60 supported by bearing 62 has a
tapered
hole 72 to receive a rriating tapered end portion 74 of journa124 which
projects beyond
bearing 28 and cradle 14. The shaft 60 thus constitutes a first part of the
coupling unit
that is connected to the weapon for movement in elevation with the barrel 12.
A first clutch unit 76 acting between the coupling unit 52 and the cradle 14
comprises a clutch plate 78 depending from a cantilever arm 80 projecting from
the
upstanding arm 20 of the cradle mount 14. A peripheral portion 82 of the
clutch plate
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78 extends between a pair of pads 84 and 86 in an operating calliper 88
mounted upon
the exterior of the adjacent sidewall 66 of coupling housing 70. Actuation of
the clutch
unit 76 locks the coupling unit 52, and hence the sight unit 54, to the cradle
14.
A second clutch unit 90 inside the coupling unit 52 comprises a clutch plate
92
depending from the shaft 60 with a peripheral portion 94 extending between a
pair of
pads 96 and 98 in an operating calliper 100 mounted upon the interior of
sidewall 68.
Actuation of the clutch unit 90 locks the coupling unit 52, and the sight unit
54, to the
shaft 60 - and hence to the weapon body 10.
The clutch units 76 and 90 are operated by solenoids (not shown) connected to
the control button 42õ which is a changeover switch. Consequently, when one
clutch
unit is actuated, the other is not. When clutch unit 76 is released and clutch
unit 90
engaged, coupling housing 70 is locked to weapon body 10 and so can pivot in
elevation
relative to the cradle 14, the elevation angle being measured by an angle
encoder, i.e.
a resolver 102, mounted around bearing 64 to measure the angular displacement
between
the housing 70 and the shaft 60. When clutch unit 76 is engaged and clutch
unit 90
released, the housing 70 is locked to the cradle 14 but released from the
shaft 60.
Consequently, the weapon body 10, and barrel 12, can pivot in elevation
independently
of the aiming system 16 and its sight unit 54.
At all times, however, the aiming system 16 will rotate with the weapon body
10
in azimuth as cradle 14 rotates about bearing 32. The azimuthal rotation is
measured by
a second resolver 104 mounted around the bearing 32, for providing a signal
representing
rotation of cradle 14 about pintle 30 which is fixed to the tripod 38.
Stops (not shown) are provided to limit the movement of the housing 70
relative
to the shaft 60 and cradle 14 to predetermined angles.
The sight unit 54 also houses an imaging unit 106 and a laser rangefinder 108
which, together with the resolvers 102 and 104, and the control buttons 42, 44
and 46,
are connected to a control computer 110, also housed in the sight unit 54. As
illustrated
in Figure 4, the control computer 110 also is connected to other sensors 102
which
supply data for use, ivith the range, in calculating the ballistic solution.
These other
sensors 112 may include inclinometers mounted in the sight unit 54 for
providing signals
representing cant and elevation of the imaging unit 106 relative to the
ground. The
control computer unit 110 has a memory 114 for storing readings from resolvers
102 and
104, rangefinder 108, and other sensors 112, and is programmed to generate and
output
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the video graphics for the display unit 56, including graphics artefacts for
an aiming
reticle 116 and a rangefinder reticle 118 (see Figure 5A). It also handles
fuse
programming, power management for the aiming system, and so on.
The imaging unit 106 is fixed to the sight unit 54 and hence to part of the
coupling unit 52, i.e. the housing 70. The imaging device 106 may be of the
kind which
uses a CCD device to capture an electronic image of the field of view, the
computer unit
110 including an artefact generator (not shown) for overlaying upon the image,
an aiming
reticle and a laser rangefinder reticle or spot. The computer unit 110 would
control the
artefact generator to position the reticles in the image. Alternatively, the
imaging device
106 might display an optical image with an electronic overlay to provide the
electronically-generated aiming reticle and, perhaps, laser rangefinder
reticle.
During assemtily of the aiming system, the position of the laser rangefinder
108
relative to the imaging device 106 will be adjusted physically to effect
coarse alignment
of their sight lines. A more precise calibration will then be made with the
imaging
device 106 viewing a nearby screen. The rangefinder 108 will be operated,
causing it
to illuminate a spot ne:ar the aiming reticle. The position of the rangefinder
reticle 118
will be adjusted electronically, using the control computer 110, to align it
with the spot.
The coordinates for this position will be stored in the control computer's
memory 114
so that the rangefinder reticle 108 will always appear in the same position in
the
displayed image of the field of view of the imaging device 106.
The aiming system 16 will be calibrated in the factory and installed onto the
weapon afterwards, usually "in the field". Once the sight unit 54 has been
installed onto
the weapon, by engaging the tapered portions of the shaft 60 and the
journa124, it must
be "boresighted". A boresighting device displaying an aiming point marker (not
shown)
is placed into the barrel 12 and the aiming reticle 106 is adjusted
electronically until it
is precisely aligned with the aiming point marker. These "datum" coordinates
of the
aiming reticle 106 are stored in the memory 114 of the control computer 110.
It should
be noted that this datum position of the aiming reticle 106 represents a zero-
range aiming
point or zero-range ballistic solution. Subsequently, the position of the
aiming reticle
106 will be adjusted by the control computer 110 to give the required offset
for
superelevation and other factors in the ballistic solution. It should be noted
that the
rangefinder reticle 118 will not be coincident with the aiming reticle 106 in
the displayed
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image, reflecting the fact that the sight line of the rangefinder 108 is
offset relative to
the sight line of the imaging device 106.
Normal use of the weapon system will now be described with reference to
Figures
5A to 5D in which, for purposes of illustration, the image displayed by
display unit 56
is shown much simplified.
Referring first to Figure 5A, the image in display unit 56 comprises the scene
within the field of view of the imaging device 106 and shows trees 120 and 122
adjacent
a roadway 124 along which is travelling a target vehicle 126. The aiming
reticle 116
and rangefinder reticle 118 are overlaid upon the scene. To engage a target,
the user
operates switch 42 to engage clutch unit 90 and disengage clutch unit 76,
locking the
sight unit 54 to the weapon body 10. Using handles 40, the user moves the
weapon
body 10, and with it the laser rangefinder 108, in azimuth and elevation until
the
rangefinder reticle 118 is upon the target vehicle 126, and then depresses
pushbutton 44
to operate the rangefirider 108. Upon receipt of the range from the
rangefinder 108, the
control computer 110 calculates the ballistic solution including, inter alia,
the amount
of superelevation required and applies a corresponding offset value to the
displacement
signal from resolver 102, causing the aiming reticle 116 to be displaced
downwards an
equivalent amount, as shown in Figure 5B. The user then pivots the weapon
barrel 12
upwards, causing the aiming reticle 116 to move upwards as shown in Figure 5C,
positions the aiming reticle 116 upon the target 126, as shown in Figure 5D,
and fires
the weapon by operating trigger 48.
Where the amount of superelevation is large enough for the offset to displace
the
aiming reticle 116 beyond the boundary of the field of view of the imaging
device 106,
the control computer 1.10 does not move the aiming reticle 116 off the screen,
but rather
moves it until it is adjacent the edge of the display, and hence still
visible. In doing so,
the control computer 110 applies only part of the superelevation offset to the
aiming
reticle 116 and stores the balance of the offset in memory 114. To ensure that
the user
is aware that the aiming reticle 116 temporarily is not tracking the movement
of the
barrel 12, the control computer 110 changes the appearance of the aiming
reticle 116,
conveniently by omitting the lower portion of the aiming reticle 116, as
illustrated in
Figure 6, as if part of' the aiming reticle 116 were beyond the edge of the
display.
The user operates switch 42 to engage clutch unit 76 and disengage clutch unit
90, locking the sight unit 54 to the cradle 14 and disengaging it from the
weapon barrel
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12. The user then elevates the barrel 12, as before, leaving the imaging
device 106
stationary, thus keeping the target 126 in view. When the control computer 110
detects
that the barrel 12 has been moved upwards by an amount equivalent to the
balance of the
offset stored in memory, i.e. the aiming point of the barrel 12 corresponds to
the
5 position of the aiming reticle 116 at the edge of the display, it restores
the aiming reticle
116 to its original appearance and thereafter moves the aiming reticle 116 to
track the
further upwards movement of the barrel 12. The user adjusts the aiming point
in
azimuth and elevation until the aiming reticle 116 is upon the vehicle target
126, and
fires the weapon as before.
10 In order to engage another target which is at a different range, the user
may
operate switch 42 to lock the sight unit 54 to the weapon body 10 again and
move both
together until the new target is in view. The user then will repeat the
sequence,
beginning with the operation of the rangefinder 108.
An advantage of embodiments of the present invention is that, because the
target
is in view continuously, multiple targets can be engaged in quick succession,
especially
if they are at approximately the same range. Such a situation might arise, for
example,
where a number of vehicles are travelling along a path running across the
field of view.
Thus, having followed the above sequence to obtain the range of a first
vehicle, and fire
at it, the user may immediately move the weapon barrel 12 until the aiming
reticle 116
is upon another vehicle and fire at that vehicle. If desired, the user can
check the range
of the second vehicle by operating the rangefinder 108, in which case the
control
computer 110 will offset the aiming reticle 116 slightly to account for
difference between
the ranges of the first and second vehicles. The clutch 90 may remain
disengaged, and
clutch 76 engaged, while this second vehicle is being targeted.
Providing that the second and any subsequent target vehicles are within the
field
of view, they can be engaged in this way without any adjustment of the
position of the
sight unit 54, allowing the targets to be engaged in quick succession.
In the event that the second vehicle is moving at such a speed or in such a
direction that it cannot be engaged before it is lost from view, the clutches
76 and 90 can
be operated to entrain the sight unit 54 to move with the weapon barrel 12
allowing the
user to move the imaging unit 106 until the target is in view again. The
target
acquisition and firing sequence can then be repeated as before.
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It should be appreciated that, if the second vehicle is moving towards the
weapon,
the aiming reticle 116 will be offset upwards and the user will have to move
the
weapon's barrel 12 downwards. It should also be appreciated that the ballistic
solution
will usually offset the aiming reticle 116 sideways too. In the case of
grenade machine
guns, however, the oiFfset downwards usually will be much greater.
Advantageously, because the sight unit 54 does not need to be moved in the
interval between offsetting the aiming reticle 116 and firing the weapon, and
the user can
keep the target in view, the user can observe any changes in, or movement of,
the target
while elevating or depressing the weapon barrel to allow for the offsetting of
the aiming
point.
It should also be noted that the weapon can be superelevated very quickly
because
it is only necessary to get the aiming reticle 116 back into the field of
view. Thereafter,
the user can aim the weapon precisely before firing. This is especially
advantageous
when aiming at different targets in quick succession.
As mentioned in the introduction, many potential targets have the capability
of
detecting that they have just been targeted by a laser or similar "radiating"
rangefinder,
and take evasive action. Embodiments of the invention can be used in such a
way as to
avoid directing the rangefinder at the target itself. Thus, referring to
Figure 5A again,
the user could aim the laser rangefinder 108 at the tree 122 immediately
adjacent the
roadway 124 and determine its range. The aiming reticle 116 would be displaced
downwards as before. Once the user had elevated the barrel 12 by the
corresponding
angle, the user would position the aiming reticle 116 upon the target vehicle
126 and fire
the weapon. The control computer 110 could be programmed to allow the user to
adjust
the range reading slightly to compensate for the distance between the tree 122
and the
middle of the roadway 124.
It will be appreciated that the target vehicle 126 need not be in view when
the
tree 122 is ranged. While waiting for the vehicle to reach a suitable spot on
the roadway
124, the user could obtain the range of the tree 122, and even apply any
required
superelevation to the barrel 12, allowing quicker engagement when the vehicle
126
arrived at the spot.
Embodiments of the invention may also be used to obtain and store the ranges
of
predesignated targets, enabling subsequent "blind" engagement of a target,
perhaps while
it is obscured by smoke, or enabling the user to fire at the predesignated
target by a
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when instructed to do so by a remote "spotter". Such predesignation will now
be
described with reference to Figures 7A through 7D.
Referring to Figure 7A, the user first operates pushbutton 46, which is a four-
way
toggle switch, to cause the control computer 110 to display a menu (not shown)
and
selects from it a"predesignation" mode. As shown in Figure 7A, the control
computer
110 changes the rangefinder reticle 118 to a predesignation icon 128 having
the shape
of a square minus one quadrant, with a query sign "?" in the space left by the
missing
quadrant, indicating that the aiming system is in predesignation mode. The
three-
quadrant icon 128 is preferred because it has a centre defined by converging
edges 130
and 132, which facilitates aiming. With the sight unit 541ocked to the weapon,
the user
moves the weapon until the predesignation reticle 128 is centred upon the
first
predesignated target, as illustrated in Figures 7B and 7C, and operates the
laser
rangefinder 108. Upon receipt of the range measurement signal, the control
computer
110 generates square brackets around the predesignation icon 128 and changes
the query
sign "?" to a letter "A", as an identifier for that predesignated target. The
control
computer 110 displays the range in a box 134 at the bottom of the display and
stores the
range in memory 114, together with the coordinates of the predesignated target
A, as
derived from the angle encoders 102 and 104 and the elevation inclinometer
(not shown)
previously mentioned as one the "other sensors" 112 or other gravity sensor
which
measures elevation relative to the ground. Optionally, the control computer
110 may
then display a message "ADJUST RANGE" and allow the user to modify the stored
range using toggle switch 46.
The control computer 110 then changes the letter "A" to a query sign "?" again
and the user may repeat the procedure for other predesignated targets, storing
their
ranges and coordinates in the computer's memory 114, each with a different
letter a san
identifier. Such a predesignated target might be a vehicle 136 , as
illustrated, which is
not a target itself but occupies a position which later might be occupied by a
target
vehicle. Another example is a bridge which, at the time, is empty. When all of
the
predesignated targets have been ranged, the user switches the weapon aiming
system to
its normal mode and the normal rangefinder reticle 118 is displayed.
As illustrated in Figure 7E, when the user subsequently points the laser
rangefinder 108 within a preset distance from a predesignated target, the
control
computer 110 will detect this and display the predesignation icon 128 at the
coordinates
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of the predesignated target. Assuming that he decides to engage the target,
the user
places the normal rangefinder reticle 118 upon the predesignated target and
operates the
rangefinder 108. As shown in Figure 7F, the control computer 110 inhibits the
operation
of the rangefinder 108 and, instead, displays the square brackets around the
predesignation icon 128 and the previously-stored range. It also calculates
the ballistic
solution and offsets the aiming reticle 116 in the usual manner. As shown in
Figure 7G,
the user moves the barrel 12 to bring the aiming reticle 116 onto the target
and fires the
weapon, as illustrated in Figure 7H.
As before, the user will operate the clutches 76 and 90 as necessary to keep
the
target in view while acquiring the target and correcting for superelevation
offsets.
The present invention comprehends various modifications to the described
embodiments. Figure 8 illustrates the modified coupling unit 52", the exterior
of which
is shown in Figure 2 and in which the clutch 76 is replaced by a slip clutch
140 which
acts continuously to entrain the coupling unit 52, and with it the sight unit
54, to
maintain its position relative to the cradle 14. The sight unit 54 shown in
Figure 8
differs from that illustrated in Figure 3 in that the bearing 64 is omitted
and the shaft 60
stops short of the housing sidewall 68. The angle encoder 102 is mounted
inside the
housing 70.
The slip clutcli unit 140 comprises an annular copper disc 142 secured to the
exterior of sidewall 66 and around the shaft 60. A second annular disc 144 is
mounted
upon the opposing wall of the cradle 14 by means of a set of dowels 146 which
project
from the cradle wall 20 and engage in corresponding holes 148 in the second
disc 144.
A set of compression springs 150 are each mounted around a respective one of
the
dowels 146. When the coupling unit 52 is mounted upon the weapon by attaching
the
shaft 60 to the journa124, the springs 150 urge the second disc 144 into
contact with the
copper disc 142. A layer 152 of suitable friction material is provided on the
surface of
the second disc 144 and abuts the copper disc 142 to provide a required amount
of
friction. The second clutch unit 154 comprises a clutch plate 156 fixed to a
boss 158 on
the shaft 60 and depending with its peripheral portion 160 adjacent a single
pad 162 fixed
to the housing 70. An actuating solenoid 164 mounted upon the housing 70 has
an
armature 166 and an operating coil 168. A spring 170 acts between the housing
70 and
the armature 166 and, when the coil 168 is de-energized, urges the armature
166 to
clamp the clutch plate 156 against the pad 162.
CA 02280647 1999-08-23
14
The second clutch 154 is normally-engaged and overcomes the frictional force
exerted by slip clutch 140 so that the coupling unit housing 70 will move with
shaft 60
as the weapon barrel 12 is elevated. The slip clutch 140 will act as a brake,
but the
frictional force would be set low enough to allow the weapon to move
relatively freely
as the user moved it to compensate for the offsetting of the aiming reticle
116.
When the second clutch 154 is disengaged, i.e. when solenoid coil 164 is
energized by operation of switch 42, the slip clutch 140 provides sufficient
frictional
force to prevent the housing 70 from moving in elevation relative to the
cradle 14 as the
weapon barrel 12 is elevated by the user.
It should be appreciated that, although the clutches 76, 90 and 154 are each
described as having a single plate, in practice, they could be multi-plate
clutches.
An advantage of embodiments of the invention is that the components of the
aiming system can be housed in a single housing and quickly and easily mounted
upon
the weapon. A specific advantage of housing the imaging unit 106 and
rangefinder 108
together is that their relative positions can be fixed and aligned in the
factory. This not
only avoids adjustmetits in the field, but also allows the mounting
arrangement to be
designed so that the alignment is less likely to be lost due to vibration when
the unit is
in use.
Although the invention has been described as applied to a military weapon,
specifically a grenade machine gun, it is envisaged that it could be applied
to other
weapons which employ superelevation to launch a projectile. Moreover, in this
specification, the ternn "weapon" is not limited to military weapons but
embraces non-
military superelevating devices which launch projectiles, such as might be
used in
construction, or even devices which launch a "projectile" in the form of fluid
stream.
Although embodiments of the invention have been described and illustrated in
detail, it is to be clearly understood that the same is by way of illustration
and example
only and not to be taken by way of the limitation, the spirit and scope of the
present
invention being limitea3 only by the appended claims.
