EP0687882B1 - Feeding mechanism for ammunition - Google Patents

Description

The subject of the present invention is a mechanism for placing of ammunition in the breech chamber of a medium or large caliber weapon, comprising on the one hand ammunition supply device which is driven in rotation by a drive device and on the other hand less a means of delivery and a means of wedging the ammunition operating successively, the delivery means and the wedging means being integral in rotation with the feeding device, the latter performing during a round of ammunition stationing successively a first rotation positioning the ammunition on the one hand the axis of the cylinder head chamber and secondly the means of repression to allow him to repress the ammunition, and a second rotation positioning the means to allow it to carry out the the ammunition in the forcing cone.

Such a stationing mechanism is known from the French Patent Application 2,448,121, filed by the State French, February 5, 1979 which is based on the preamble of claim 1.

In this one, the first and second rotations take place around two different axes, i.e. with a complex movement, hence a mechanical complexity which has as a corollary a relative mechanical fragility of the whole, hardly compatible with the requirements of new types of artillery equipment.

French patent application 2,346,667 describes a loading device in which a tilting bucket receives a propellant charge and pushes in a single operation the charge and a projectile in the chamber of the weapon. In this device the projectile is trapped by inertia during the stop of the trough. Such a wedging mode is not sufficiently reliable.

The subject of the present invention is a mechanism for stationing of the aforementioned type, but which has a mechanism both simpler and more robust than in Art Prior.

The basic idea of the invention is to perform both rotations around a single axis so as to obtain the desired simplicity, and as a result, to also win over the time of a full charging cycle.

The shift mechanism according to the invention is characterized in that it comprises a rotating part allowing the first and second rotations of the feeding device are carried out around the same axis of rotation cooperating with a retractable stop means allowing to stop the rotation of the feeding device in a position corresponding to the end of the first rotation.

The retractable stop means may include a retracting device moving the stop means between two positions, namely a first position, active, in which the stop means is capable of causing the stopping of the rotation of the feeding device at the end first rotation, and a second position, inactive, in which the stop means is deleted and does not act on the rotation of the feeding device.

The retractable stop means advantageously comprises a first stop lever sliding longitudinally relative to said rotary part, but integral in rotation with said part, the feed device comprising means for sliding the first stop lever along said rotating part between said first and second positions. The first stop lever can particular include a peripheral groove, the means for moving the first lever then comprising a fork engaging in said groove.

According to a preferred embodiment, the stop means retractable has a second stop lever cooperating with a end stop of first rotation, the first stop lever being likely to cause the second stop lever only when is in its first position.

The fork can be articulated around an axis of articulation.

The range can include a first and a second branches each of which has a region such as an engaging finger in said groove. The first branch may include, at one end, a control finger constituting said means for making slide the first stop lever.

The post-setting mechanism may include a rigid box supporting the drive device, the retractable stop means and said rotary part.

a) déplacer le dispositif d'entraínement pour effectuer la première rotation, le moyen de butée escamotable étant dans sa première position ;

b) placer le moyen de butée escamotable dans sa deuxième position ;

c) déplacer le dispositif d'entraínement pour effectuer la deuxième rotation ;

d) déplacer le dispositif d'entraínement pour effectuer le retour des deuxième et première rotations ;

e) placer le moyen de butée escamotable dans sa première position.

The shift mechanism advantageously includes a control device ensuring the following sequencing of the rotation of the feed device:

a) move the drive device to perform the first rotation, the retractable stop means being in its first position;

b) placing the retractable stop means in its second position;

c) move the drive device to perform the second rotation;

d) move the drive device to perform the return of the second and first rotations;

e) place the retractable stop means in its first position.

The mechanism may include means for controlling, between steps a and c , an outward movement of the delivery means so as to effect said delivery of the ammunition and for controlling, between steps c and d , an outward movement of the jamming means so as to effect said jamming of the ammunition, then a return movement of the jamming means.

According to a preferred embodiment, the mechanism comprises means for controlling, during step d , a return movement of the delivery means.

• les figures 1 et 2 représentent, respectivement en vue avant et en vue latérale droite (coupe partielle AA de la figure 1), un dispositif selon l'invention, en position d'introduction d'une munition ;
• la figure 3 représente le dispositif de la figure 1 après une première rotation du dispositif d'amenage ;
• la figure 4 représente, en vue de dessus, l'introduction d'une munition dans la chambre de culasse d'un canon ;
• la figure 5 représente le dispositif de la figure 3, après deuxième rotation du dispositif d'amenage pour mise en position du vérin de coincement ;
• la figure 6 représente, en vue de dessus, la fin de l'introduction et le coincement de la munition dans le cône de forcement d'un tube de bouche à feu ;
• la figure 7 représente, en vue de dessus avec coupe partielle BB de la figure 5, un mode de réalisation préféré du dispositif d'escamotage de la butée ;
• la figure 8 est une coupe transversale CC de la figure 7, illustrant deux positions caractéristiques du moyen de butée escamotable selon l'invention ;
• la figure 9 est une coupe transversale DD de la figure 7 ;
• la figure 10 est une vue latérale de la figure 9 illustrant deux positions caractéristiques du déplacement de la fourchette selon un mode de réalisation préféré de l'invention ;
• la figure 11 est une vue en perspective d'un dispositif selon l'invention, avec enlèvement du dispositif d'escamotage de la butée escamotable.

The invention will be better understood on reading the description which follows, in conjunction with the appended drawings, which represent a preferred embodiment of the invention and in which:

• Figures 1 and 2 show, respectively in front view and in right side view (partial section AA of Figure 1), a device according to the invention, in the position of introduction of a munition;
• Figure 3 shows the device of Figure 1 after a first rotation of the feed device;
• Figure 4 shows, in top view, the introduction of ammunition into the breech chamber of a gun;
• Figure 5 shows the device of Figure 3, after second rotation of the supply device for positioning the jamming cylinder;
• 6 shows, in top view, the end of the introduction and the jamming of the ammunition in the forcing cone of a muzzle tube;
• 7 shows, in top view with partial section BB of Figure 5, a preferred embodiment of the retracting device of the stop;
• Figure 8 is a cross section CC of Figure 7, illustrating two characteristic positions of the retractable stop means according to the invention;
• Figure 9 is a cross section DD of Figure 7;
• Figure 10 is a side view of Figure 9 illustrating two characteristic positions of the movement of the fork according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;
• Figure 11 is a perspective view of a device according to the invention, with removal of the retractable device from the retractable stop.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, a feeding device a munition 50 comprises a stretcher 1 of semi-circular shape, the concavity is directed upwards and which is provided with a anti-extraction device 4, known per se, which is intended to prevent the ejection of the shell 50 during the rotation of the stretcher 1. The stretcher 1 is movable in rotation about a single axis, which is the axis of rotation of a cylindrical part 11. It is mechanically connected to the part 11 by a support comprising on the one hand a perforated plate 22 at 26 which extends radially from the cylindrical part 11 to the stretcher 1 and on the other hand two lateral support elements 24 and 25 orthogonal to plate 22 and whose ends 24 'and 25' come enclose stretcher 1 so as to constitute a mechanical assembly rigid.

The stretcher 1 is rotated by a rotary actuator 6 to helical piston.

A chain backer 2 driven by a hydraulic motor and a cylinder linear clamp 3 are mounted on stretcher 1 and are integral with its rotation around the axis of the part 11.

The whole is powered by an electro-hydraulic block, itself controlled by an electric control console.

A lever 7 carrying a drive finger 18 is integral in rotation of the part 11, but its position along it is controlled by a fork 8 actuated by a stop cylinder 5. This driving in rotation of the lever 7, regardless of its position longitudinal along the part 11, is obtained by grooves complementary 15 of an extension 11 'of the part 11, and of the lever 7, which are shown in FIGS. 8 and 9.

The finger 18 of the lever 7 allows to rotate in rotation until a damping stop 10 a second lever 9 carrying at its end 14 a stop finger 12.

The fork 8, controlled by the stop cylinder 5, allows move the lever 7 longitudinally along the axis 11 between a active position in which the pin 18 is likely to cause rotation lever 9 and an inactive position in which rotation of lever 7 cannot have any influence on lever 9. We also note that lever 9 is recalled by its own weight or by a spring (not shown) in a low position where it is released from the stop 10 and comes to rest in its bottom dead center on a lower edge 16 of an opening of one of the edges 34 of a box rigid U-shaped support 30 having a bottom plate 31 and a second flange 33. The box 30 stiffens the assembly and carries a U-shaped plate 36, whose branches 37 and 38 support the rotary actuator 6, the retractable stop mechanism 5, 7, 8, 9 and a end of the part 11, the other end of which is held by a wing 39 forming an extension of the bottom plate 31, which adjoins the ledge 34.

The shift mechanism then operates according to the following cycle:

A shell 50 is deposited in stretcher 1, which is in the insertion position shown in Figures 1 and 2. In this position, the chain repressor 2 is at rest. The linear cylinder of jam 3 is retracted rod, the stop cylinder 5 is retracted rod (see FIG. 7), which corresponds to the active position of the lever 7, and the rotary actuator 6 is at rest. The anti-extraction device 4 prevents the shell from being ejected during the first rotational movement of the stretcher 1.

A first rotation of angle α of the stretcher 1 is carried out around the axis of the part 11 from the position shown in the Figure 1 to the position shown in Figure 3, in which the arm 9, driven by the finger 18, is applied by its finger stop 12 against the damper stop 10. In this position, the shell 50 sees its axis aligned with that of the breech chamber 40 of the barrel and the chain repeller 2 is in a position in which it can push back shell 50 from stretcher 1 to the cylinder head chamber 40. This discharge stage is initiated by a position detector of stretcher 1 which controls the advance of the chain repressor 2. In addition, a second position detector controls the output of the stopper cylinder rod 5, which has the effect to release finger 18 from its action on lever 9, which falls to its bottom dead center, and release the grooved lever 7 to allow it to continue its rotation without exerting any action on the lever 9.

The stretcher 1 then performs a second rotation of angle β, always under the action of the rotary actuator 6 left under pressure from the position shown in Figure 3 to the position shown in Figure 5. In this second position (see Figure 5), the cylinder wedge 3 is brought into alignment with the cylinder head chamber 40 of the mouth to fire. A position detector on stretcher 1 controls the exit of the rod 23 of the jamming cylinder 3 and locks in position firing the shell 50 in the forcing cone 60 of the chamber 40.

An electro-hydraulic device hydraulically connected to the rod 23 of the jack 3 controls, as soon as the oil flow drops, the re-entry of the rod 23. A re-entry detector of the rod 23 controls then return the stretcher 1 to the starting position (figure 1) as well that the return of the repressor 2. A last detector in the start position controls the retraction of the stop cylinder 5, which again positions the lever 7 in active position. The loading device is then ready for a new cycle.

The device, which has been described above, allows a gain of time on the one hand due to the fact that the return of the repressor 2 can be done entirely in masked time and, on the other hand, that the time of return of rotation of the arm is faster than in the prior art thanks to the unique movement, which contributes to the reduction of time of a complete cycle and consequently improves the rate of fire of the equipment.

We will now describe, in conjunction with FIGS. 7 to 10, a preferred embodiment of the device for retracting the stop retractable.

Figure 7 shows the lever 7 in its active position where the pin 18 rotates the lever 9. This position corresponds to the rod 82 position retracted from the stop cylinder 5. The fork 8 has the general shape of an inverted U (see Figure 9) which has an upper central branch 84 and two lateral branches 83 and 85 which extend downward. At its upper part 88, which overcomes the central branch 84, a hinge 89 is arranged allowing the fork 8 to be movable in rotation about an axis horizontal perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the part 11. The lower part of branch 83 has an extension 82 which ends with a finger 81 which engages in the rod 82, which allows control the movement of the fork 8. In addition, the part median of branches 83 and 85 has extensions 83 and 87 engaging in a groove 71 of a cylindrical piece 72 extending the lever 7 along the axis of the part 11.

The fork 8 is thus movable between the active position of the lever 7 (in solid lines in FIG. 10) in which the finger 18 can rotate lever 9 and a second position making a angle with the vertical and in which, the jack 5 is in position rod 82 extended, finger 18 is moved (to the right in the figure 10) so as to be moved away from lever 9 (see the dotted lines at the figure 10).

Figure 8 also shows the various positions of the levers 7 and 9 and more particularly the three characteristic positions of the lever 7, namely the first starting position shown in line full, then, after the first rotation, the first position corresponding to the abutment of the lever 9 (also shown in dotted) then finally, the rotation pushing in the direction counterclockwise, the third position after a second rotation in which a rear extension 19 of the lever 7 abuts on a stop 13 indicating the end of the second rotation.

Claims (12)

1. A feeding mechanism for a piece of ammunition (30) in the breech chamber (40) of a medium or large calibre weapon, incorporating firstly a device (1) to transport the ammunition driven in rotation by a drive device (6) and secondly at least one delivery means (2) and one blocking means (3) for the ammunition operating successively, the delivery means (2) and the blocking means (3) being integral in rotation with the transport device (1), the latter, during a full positioning cycle of the ammunition, successively carrying out a first rotation (α) to firstly position the ammunition in the axis of the breech chamber (40) and secondly the delivery means so that it is able to ram the ammunition into place, and a second rotation (β) positioning the blocking means so that it is able to block the ammunition in the forcing cone (60), characterised in that it incorporates a rotating part (11) allowing the first (α) and second (β) rotations of the transport device (1) to take place about the same hinge pin with retractable abutment means (7, 9) allowing the rotation of the transport device (1) to be halted in a position corresponding to the end of the first rotation (α).
2. A mechanism according to Claim 1, characterised in that the retractable abutment means (7, 9) incorporate a retracting device (5, 82) moving the abutment means (7, 9) between two positions, that is a first position, active, in which the abutment means (7, 9) cause the rotation of the transport device (1) to stop after the first rotation (a), and a second position, inactive, in which the abutment means (7, 9) are retracted and thus do not act upon the rotation of the transport device (1).
3. A mechanism according to Claim 2, characterised in that the retractable abutment means comprise a first abutment lever (7) sliding longitudinally with respect to said rotating part (11), notably thanks to ribs (15), but integral in rotation with said part (11), and in that the retracting device incorporates means to make the first abutment lever slide along said rotating part (11) between said first and second positions.
4. A mechanism according to Claim 3, characterised in that the first abutment lever (7) incorporates a peripheral groove (71) and in that the means to move the first lever (7) incorporate a fork (8) engaging in said groove.
5. A mechanism according to one of Claims 3 or 4, characterised in that the retractable abutment means incorporate a second abutment lever (9) co-operating with an end of first rotation abutment (10) and in that the first abutment lever (7) is able to drive the second abutment lever (9) only when it (7) is in its said first position.
6. A mechanism according to one of Claims 4 or 5, characterised in that the fork (8) is hinged around a hinge pin (89).
7. A mechanism according to one of Claims 4 to 6, characterised in that the fork (8) incorporates a first (83) and a second (85) branch each of which has a finger (86, 87) engaging in said groove (71).
8. A mechanism according to Claim 7, characterised in that the first branch (83) incorporates, at one end, a control finger (81) forming said means to make the first abutment lever (7) slide.
9. A mechanism according to one of the above Claims, characterised in that it incorporates a rigid unit supporting the drive device (6), the retractable abutment means (7, 9) and said rotating part (11).
10. A mechanism according to one of Claim 2 to 9, characterised in that it incorporates a drive device ensuring the following rotation sequencing of the transport device (1):

    a) the drive device (6) is displaced to carry out the first rotation, the retractable abutment means (7, 9) being in their first position;

    b) the retractable abutment means (7, 9) are placed in the second position;

    c) the drive device (6) is displaced to carry out the second rotation;

    d) the drive device (6) is displaced to carry out the return of the second and first rotations;

    e) the retractable abutment means (7, 9) are placed in the first position.
11. A mechanism according to Claim 10, characterised in that it incorporates means to control, between stages a and c, a forward displacement of the delivery means (2) so as to carry out said delivery of the ammunition (50) and to control, between stages c and d, a forward movement of the blocking means (3) so as to carry out said blocking of the ammunition (50), then a return movement of the blocking means (3).
12. A mechanism according to one of Claims 10 or 11, characterised in that it incorporates means to control, during stage d, a return movement of the delivery means (2).

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