JOURNAL OF BATTLEFIELD TECHNOLOGY VOL 8, NO 1, MARCH 2005

SYNTHESIS OF THE LEVER ARM IN A GUN POSITIONING SYSTEM N. Siva Prasad1*, T. Chella Ganesan1, P.V. Venkatesan2 and Swarna Ramesh2
Abstract. This paper presents the synthesis of the lever arm of a gun positioning system in main battle tank (MBT). The main gun in any MBT is controlled by a gun positioning system (GPS). Most of the contemporary MBTs use a hydraulic actuator as a drive for elevation/depression of the main gun. The Gun Positioning System (GPS) can be idealized as a four-bar mechanism. The position of the actuator mounting decides the link dimensions and hence the variation of force during elevation and depression. Since the gun position varies from 20 (elevation) to 9 (depression) for the case under consideration, the force required to move the gun varies during elevation and depression due to change of length in the links of the mechanism. In order to improve the system performance it is essential to minimize the variation in the input force with respect to the gun position. The problem has been solved using analytical method and with a virtual prototyping approach. The results obtained are compared between the two methods. The virtual prototyping approach provides effective solution with 3D visualization and hence can be pursued. INTRODUCTION In this paper an attempt has been made to adopt the technologies of CAD/CAE/VR/VP [1] in the design and development of GPS of an MBT. The integration of computing and graphics technologies is now called Visual Computing. Whether it is the design of an automobile or a heavy vehicle building up of a 1:1 physical mock up was essential in the early phase of design. This has now been replaced by a Digital Mockup (or) Digital Prototype Assembly (DPA), using Virtual Prototype (VP) methods for studying the adequacy of the design, collision detection at the time of assembly and easiness in maintenance. The current design methods make simplifications and compartmentalization of a large problem into small bits. Virtual Prototyping method can model and produce the realistic picture of the functioning of entire system. The designer can visualize its 3D-motion with friction at the joints, find the interference among the components, and the influence of deformation of various members analogous to its functioning in a real life situation. Two important aspects in the design of a mechanism are (i) obtaining the desired output motion for an input motion (ii) force transmission from input to output links with the desired mechanical advantage. In the GPS, the position of the actuator mounting decides the variation of force during elevation and depression. In an existing design the gun elevates to 20 and depresses to 9, the force required for tilting the gun during elevation and depression is found to be in the ratio of 3:2. The pressure variation in the hydraulic power pack is also in the same order. The reduction in variation of this force will ensure uniformity in the piston travel and in the gun rotation during elevation and depression. The aim of the present work is to identify link lengths, which can give the uniform forces during elevation and depression. GPS for a Main Battle Tank The two important modules in any MBT Weapon Control System (WCS) are the Gun Control System (GCS) and the Fire Control System (FCS). To have the highest hit probability an MBT requires an effective WCS. The function of the main gun system in an MBT is to fight ground targets. To engage a target, it is required to lay the gun with respect to two planes, namely elevation and azimuth. The azimuth
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plane is parallel to the ground surface and the elevation plane is orthogonal to the ground surface. The main gun is mounted on a structure, which can impart motion to it in the elevation plane. This will result in elevation/depression of the gun. The gun along with the mounting structure is fitted on a platform known as turret, which can rotate about the azimuth plane. This motion is known as traverse. By the combined operation of elevation and traverse, the gun can be made to aim in the required direction. In most of the contemporary tanks, the main gun elevation is achieved using electro-hydraulic actuator and traverse is achieved using a gearbox. Since hydraulic actuator is a piston actuated linkage, much care is to be taken while designing its mounting for obtaining mechanical advantage. Moreover, improper positioning can lead the actuator assembly to bind or jam. Mounting of the Main Gun in the Turret Electro-hydraulic actuator used for achieving elevation and depression of the gun is a hydraulic cylinder of double acting type, with piston rods on both sides. It is a natural candidate for this application due to the large stiffness (low fluid compressibility) and fast response rates (highly pressurized fluid). Its top eye is mounted on the gun barrel and bottom eye is mounted on an elevation bracket. Linear displacement of hydraulic actuator is used to elevate or depress the main gun. This elevation actuator also relies on the leverage created by fixing it on the gun to amplify small displacements. For achieving the required elevation/ depression of the gun, elevating cylinder (top eye (TE) and bottom eye (BE)) is to be mounted at appropriate locations both on the gun barrel and turret. A mounting scheme is presented in Figure 1. The bottom eye of the cylinder is secured to the stiff mounting bracket on the turret, and the top eye is mounted onto the gun. The gun is supported on trunnion bearings and swivels about an axis perpendicular to the gun axis. The lever arm ratio of the elevation drive is an important design parameter since the force involved here is in the order of tonnes. When the gun travels, the variation in lever arm ratio, due to the variation in the length of elevating cylinder, must be minimum in its entire angle position to maintain uniform actuator force and displacement throughout the gun travel.

Department of Mechanical Engineering, IIT Madras, Chennai-600036, India. (*Currently at Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Kota Kinabalu) Combat Vehicle Research Development Establishment, Avadi, Chennai-600052, India. 1440-5113 2005 Argos Press