Optimization of the Elevating Mass Balance Of the Anti – Aircraft Gun Bofors 40 mm L/70

 

Nikola Zelenović

Aleksandar Kari

Aleksandar Stanojević

 

The reconstruction of the anti – aircraft gun’s loader and the increase in its capacity leads to an elevating mass debarment in relation with the axis of the gun’s trunnion which creates a need for balancing gear reconstruction. The elevating mass is completely balanced in all elevations and even throughout the recoil movements by two balancing gears. Elevation balancing gear is on the left side of the gun while recoil and elevation balancing gear is on the right side. The mass increase is happening on the far back side of the gun and leads to translation of center of mass which makes pulling effects of balancing gears negative for the balance of elevating mass. By creating a real 3D model of the gun, new mass and its center of gravity are found. Using that information and knowing characteristics of balancing gears makes it possible to reconstruct them and create an elevating mass equilibrium.

 

Key words: anti-aircraft gun, 40 mm caliber, reconstruction, automatic loader, balancing gear, system balance, mass balance, elevation.