CA1213161A

CA1213161A - Cartridge leading tray between a magazine and a cannon

Info

Publication number: CA1213161A
Application number: CA000428875A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Wolfgang Huber
Original assignee: KUKA Wehrtechnik GmbH
Current assignee: Rheinmetall Landsysteme GmbH
Priority date: 1983-05-25
Filing date: 1983-05-25
Publication date: 1986-10-28

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A loading bridge for artillery shells between a maga-zine and a gun in an armoured turret especially for armoured vehicle. The bridge is characterised in that on or at the bottom of the end of the loading bridge there is a pivoted rocker situa-ted in front of the breech of the gun. The rocker pivot axis is at right angles to the axis of the bore of the gun barrel. The end of the rocker remote from the gun has an override cam which is biased by a spring towards the shell base flange. When the cam is overridden the rocker arm directed towards the gun centres the shell on the axis of the gun bore.

Description

- ~213~61 The present invention relates to a loading bridge for shells located between a magazine and a gun in an armoured tur-ret, particularly in an armoured vehicle turret.
In the case of thin, easily damaged coverings for the propellant charge contained in the shell it is essential that the round be rammed into the gun barrel whe~ it is precisely centered if the shell is to be protected against scratching or scraping on the sharp edged annular join formed where the wall of the bore enters the breech section of the gun.
The present invention provides for the centering of the shell on the axis of the bore on the last part of its forward movement when it is moved forward by a ram.
According to the present invention therefore there is provided a loading bridge for shells between a magazine and a gun in an armoured turret, in which on or at the bottom of one end and situated in front of the breech of the gun there is a rocker pivoted on an axis at right angles to the axis of bore of the gun barrel, the rocker having a first rocker arm directed towards the gun and a second rocker arm directed away from the gun, the second rocker arm having an override cam which is caused, by means of a spring, to project into the path of movement of a shell base flange, the overriding of said cam by said shell base flange causing movement of said first rocker arm to a position in which it centres the shell on the axis of the gun barrel bore.
Thus according to the present invention the base, or as the base, of the end of the loading bridge that is located in front of the breech opening, on its axis that is perpendicular to the axis of the bore of the barrel, there is a rocker that has a first rocker arm that is directed towards the gun and a second rocker arm that is directed away from the gun. The second rocker arm has an override cam th~at extends into the path of the base rim of the shell in such a manner that when the shell base rim lZ~3~L6i uns up the cam the first rocker arm will centre the shell on the axis or the bore.
According to the present invention the base rim of the shell runs up the ascending surface of the cam and forces it downwards, that is the inevitable result of the thrust exerted by the ram, since the base rim of the shell is contained by the load-ing bridge with very little space left over. Thus, it can exert a considerable force on the override cam, which then raises the first rocker arm together with that fraction of the weight o the shell that is resting upon it. By limiting the downward travel of the cam it is possible to adjust this lift precisely to the axis of the bore.
The present invention will be further illustrated by way of the accompanying drawings, in which:- ~
Figure 1 is a schematic longitudinal section through the rear portion of a tank turret with the magazine;
Figure 2 is a plan view of the magazine of Figure l;
and Figure 3 is an enlarged section from Figure 1, with the loading bridge according to one embodiment of the present invention, shown in section.
Figures 1 and 2 show the rear portion of an armoured turret 1 that can be traversed about a stationary axis A-A. A
gun 2 is mounted in this turret, and this can be elevated and depressed about the axis B-B of the trunnions. The gun 2 is loaded with a shell 3 over a loading bridge 4 from a magazine 5, which is a component part of a magazine 8 that rotates in an end-less track 6, formed by a pair of chains, transversely to the axis of the bore 7 of the gun 2. The magazine 5 is located in the lower run of the endless track 6 at the point that lines up with the axis of the bore 7 of the gun 2. To this end -the gun is depressed to the level posi-tion. In this aligned position the 1213~6~
~ lkhead 9 that separates the magazine 8 from the remainder of the armoured vehicle turret has an aperture. The magazine 8 is driven around the chain track 6 either by a motor 10 or manually, in an emergency situation.
The enlarged scale of Figure 3 makes it clear that the walls of the bore of the gun 2 enter the breech portion 12 at a sharp-edged annular join 11 and this endangers the shells if they are not precisely centered as they are moved by the ram 33 from the magazine container 5 across the loading bridge. Particularly in the case of thin and easily damaged casings used to contain the shell's propellant charge this part of -the shell can become scratche~ or even torn. In ammunition of this type there is a base rim 13. The loading bridge 4, that by vir-tue of its shape fits into the breech portion 12 from above, as can be seen prin-cipally from Figure 2, has at the base, or as its base, at the end that lies in front of the opening of the breech of the gun a rocker 14 that has a first rocker arm 18 that faces towards the gun 2, and a second rocker arm that faces away from the gun

2. The rocker 14 is mounted on a pin 15 that is perpendicular to the axis of the bore 7. Its second rocker arm incorporates an override cam for the shell base rim and this cam protrudes under the action of a spring 16. When this rim runs up the cam the first rocker arm 18, that is dished, is raised so that the shell

3 is centered on the axis of the bore 7. Thus the shell 3 can be rammed passed the annular join without any risk of damage.
The downward travel of the cam 17 is limited by an adjustable stop.
Before firing, the loading bridge 4, that is mainly a tube, is swung upwards and sideways in order to make room for the recoiling parts after the shell is fired. A combined elevat-ing and traversing gear is used to do this, and this gear has a vertical guide rod 19 and~a chain loop 20.

~Z131~1 This invention results in a considerable improvement to the construction elements used for an automatic loading system for large-calibre ammunition. In order to load the gun over the loading bridge the shell is pushed from the magazine 5 by the ; ram 33. In order that this can be done the ram is moved by a pair of stiff chains, by guide rollers that are powered by an electric motor 35 or, in an emergency, manually.

Claims

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:

1. A loading bridge for shells between a magazine and a gun in an armoured turret, in which on or at the bottom of one end and situated in front of the breech of the gun there is a rocker pivoted on an axis at right angles to the axis of bore of the gun barrel, the rocker having a first rocker arm directed towards the gun and a second rocker arm directed away from the gun, the second rocker arm having an override cam which is caused, by means of a spring, to project into the path of movement of a shell base flange, the overriding of said cam by said shell base flange causing movement of said first rocker arm to a posi-tion in which it centers the shell on the axis of the gun barrel bore.

2. A loading bridge in accordance with claim 1, char-acterized in that the travel of the override cam downwards is limited and is also adjustable.

3. A loading bridge in accordance with claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first rocker arm is of ogival shape.