Composite tube for a gun barrel
First Claim
1. A method of making a stiff composite tube for a gun barrel, comprising:
- (a) wrapping a tubular metal liner with a resin matrix material containing a plurality of elongate carbon fibers;
(b) during step (a), aligning said carbon fibers parallel with the longitudinal axis of said liner;
(c) curing said resin matrix material; and
(d) placing said elongate carbon fibers in compression along the longitudinal axis of said liner.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A composite tube for a gun barrel and a method for making the tube are disclosed. The tube includes a plurality of elongate carbon fibers and a resin material surrounding a longitudinal bore axis. The elongate carbon fibers are aligned parallel with the longitudinal bore axis and are under compression along the longitudinal bore axis. Such a tube for a gun barrel may be made by wrapping a tubular metal liner with a resin matrix material containing a plurality of elongate carbon fibers, and aligning the carbon fibers parallel with the longitudinal axis of the liner. The resin matrix material is cured, and the elongate carbon fibers are placed under compression along the longitudinal axis of the liner. Compressing the carbon fibers along the longitudinal axis of the liner produces a tube of surprising stiffness. The tube provides a highly stable gun barrel of reduced weight for good accuracy.
66 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method of making a stiff composite tube for a gun barrel, comprising:
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(a) wrapping a tubular metal liner with a resin matrix material containing a plurality of elongate carbon fibers; (b) during step (a), aligning said carbon fibers parallel with the longitudinal axis of said liner; (c) curing said resin matrix material; and (d) placing said elongate carbon fibers in compression along the longitudinal axis of said liner. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A gun barrel, comprising:
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(a) an inner tubular metal liner defining a longitudinal bore axis; and (b) a resin matrix material surrounding said liner, said resin matrix material containing a plurality of elongate carbon fibers; (c) said elongate carbon fibers being aligned parallel with said longitudinal bore axis of said liner, and under compression along said longitudinal bore axis. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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- 16. A tube for a gun barrel defining a longitudinal bore axis, comprising a plurality of elongate carbon fibers and a resin material surrounding said longitudinal bore axis, said elongate carbon fibers being aligned parallel with said longitudinal bore axis and under compression along said longitudinal bore axis.
Specification