Research on a method for the optical measurement of the rifling angle of artillery based on angle error correction

The rifling angle of artillery is an important parameter, and its determination plays a key role in the stability, hit rate, accuracy and service life of artillery. In this study, we propose an optical measurement method for the rifling angle based on angle error correction. The method is based on the principle of geometrical optics imaging, where the rifling on the inner wall of the artillery barrel is imaged on a CCD camera target surface by an optical system. When the measurement system moves in the barrel, the rifling image rotates accordingly. According to the relationship between the rotation angle of the rifling image and the travel distance of the measurement system, different types of rifling equations are established. Solving equations of the rifling angle are deduced according to the definition of the rifling angle. Furthermore, we added an angle error correction function to the method that is based on the theory of dynamic optics. This function can measure and correct the angle error caused by the posture change of the measurement system. Thus, the rifling angle measurement accuracy is effectively improved. Finally, we simulated and analyzed the influence of parameter changes of the measurement system on rifling angle measurement accuracy. The simulation results show that the rifling angle measurement method has high measurement accuracy, and the method can be applied to different types of rifling angle measurements. The method provides the theoretical basis for the development of a high-precision rifling measurement system in the future. © 2020 Current Optics and Photonics.