CA1219157A - Weapon system - Google Patents
Weapon systemInfo
- Publication number
- CA1219157A CA1219157A CA000439962A CA439962A CA1219157A CA 1219157 A CA1219157 A CA 1219157A CA 000439962 A CA000439962 A CA 000439962A CA 439962 A CA439962 A CA 439962A CA 1219157 A CA1219157 A CA 1219157A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- ammunition
- gun
- compartment
- storage means
- linked
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
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- Aiming, Guidance, Guns With A Light Source, Armor, Camouflage, And Targets (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A weapon system including a main gun using link fed ammunition and a co-axially mounted machine gun mounted in a turret rotatably positionable in an armored vehicle.
The spent links for the main gun and the spent machine gun links and brass are ejected through the trunnion bearing on which the rotor fox the main gun rotates and into a compartment which communicates with the exterior of the vehicle. The linked ammunition for the main gun is stored in a rectangular shaped ammunition box positioned dia-metrically in the turret basket. The manual trigger and main gun elevation assembly includes a mechanical connection between the trigger and the trigger switch which does not rotate with the trigger and handwheel. The link eject chutes for the main gun, which can be a dual fed 25 milli-meter gun, include guide strips for guiding the tab members of the links through the chute channels and thereby pre-venting jamming.
A weapon system including a main gun using link fed ammunition and a co-axially mounted machine gun mounted in a turret rotatably positionable in an armored vehicle.
The spent links for the main gun and the spent machine gun links and brass are ejected through the trunnion bearing on which the rotor fox the main gun rotates and into a compartment which communicates with the exterior of the vehicle. The linked ammunition for the main gun is stored in a rectangular shaped ammunition box positioned dia-metrically in the turret basket. The manual trigger and main gun elevation assembly includes a mechanical connection between the trigger and the trigger switch which does not rotate with the trigger and handwheel. The link eject chutes for the main gun, which can be a dual fed 25 milli-meter gun, include guide strips for guiding the tab members of the links through the chute channels and thereby pre-venting jamming.
Description
,;.
FIELD C)F THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a weapon system for an armored vehicle turret. The invention further relates to ammunition storage boxes, feeding means and spent link ejecting chutes for the ammunition for such a system, as well as handle elevation and trigger assemblies for the main gun.
More particularly, it relates to a weapon station mounted on a two man turret which includes an M242 25 millimeter cannon and an M240 7.62 Coax machine gun.
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In the prior art, there have been developed and used various types of armored vehicles having rotatable turrets with guns mounted thereon. Problems have developed though in that the ammunition has not been stored in such a manner that it could freely feed to the main gun without getting bunched and jammed. Furthex, after the guns had been fired and the brass ejected, no suitable means had been developed for moving the spent links in a free flowing manner away from the gun to a discharge means. This is particularly important since when the ejected links jam the gun quits firing. In the past, it was also the common practice to collect the spent links within the armored vehicle despi~e the fact that they occupy valuable vehicle space.
It was also the practice to have the main storage box for the link fed ammunition for the main gun be confisured in an arcuate shape along part of the circumference of the basket platform. The linked ammunition would be stored in this box in a layered manner. However, these stored links would then have a fan like configuration, which would tend to become intermeshed and entangled particularly as the vehicle traversed rough terrain. ~hen tangled the linked ammunition could not be fed continuously to the gun and the gun would stop firing until the ammunition was straightened out.
A serious previously~unsolved problem was caused by the link eject means. The links have guide tabs, as more 'j 12~9~7 fully described later,~which travel in channels in the arcuate shaped link eject chutes. The sharp edges of the guide tabs would cut into the channels as the links traveled around the curved portions thereby jamming the links in the eject chutes and shutting the gun down.
In the past the manual elevation and trigger assembly for the weapon system included a handwheel rotatable by a handle positioned to the left of the gunner. The rotating handwheel activated through a gear box the pump for the fluid actuated cylinder drive means which then elevated the gun. The trigger button was activated ~y the gunner's left thumb and had a direct electrical contact through rotating electrical brushes in the rotating handwheel to the firing mechanism. The brushes would tend to wear, necessitating in-field replacement. This was a complicated and expensive arrangement.
In the past, it should also be noted that no light armored turret had been developed to successfully carry an M242 weapon station, consisting of an M242 25 millimeter automatic cannon and an M240 7.62 Coa~ machine gun. The present invention is the first such light armor~d turret with such a weapon station.
12:1915~ 1 .,~ ,, OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly~ it is the principal object of the present invention to provide an improved weapon system for a rotatable turret.
Another object of the present invention is to pro-vide a two man turret containing a weapons station which includes an M242 25 millimeter at7tomatic cannon and an M240 7.62 millimeter Coax machine gun.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a novel storage box for link fed ammunition.
A still further object of the present invention is to provide an improved arrangement of the operator's and gunner's stations within a two man turret.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved design for feeding linked ammunition to the gun which allows the ammunition to flow freely and continuously without getting jammed in the storage box especially when the vehicle is traversing rou~h terrain.
A further o~ject of the present invention i~ to providè
an improved system for ejecting the spent ejection links in a continuous manner.
A still further object of the present invention is to provide an improved link ejection chute which allows the ejection lin~s to flow freely out of the gun without being jammed.
Another object' of th~ present invention is to provide an improved method of:disposi~'~ ~he ejected links, brass, and propellant gasPs.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a novel means for ejecting the links outside of the vehicle which is provided with suitable protection for the link eject outlet so that enemy fire does not enter through that outlet.
A ~till further object of the present invention is to provide an improved gunner's station with the manual firing control button positioned conveniently at the right side thereof.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved manual elevation and trigger assemblyO
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent to those persons having ordinary skill in the art from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
1~ 57 THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 ~s a perspective view of the present invention shown mounted in an armored vehicle.
Figure 2 is a right side view of the turret and depending basket assembly of Figure 1 having portions thereof partially broken away.
Figure 3 is a front elevational view of the turret and basket assembly of Figure 2.
Figure 4 is a rear elevational view of the turret and basket assembly of Figure 2.
Figure 5 is a rear elevational view thereof illustrating the ammunition eject assembly.
Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 2 illustrating a second embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 7 is a perspective view of the turret of Figure 1 illustrating the gun mounting means in an exploded view.
Figure 8 is an enlar~ed perspective view of the rotor end cap and link eject compartment of Figure 7.
Figure 9 is a side elevational view of the upper am-munition eject chute of Figure 3 and illustrated in isolation.
Figure 10 is a side elevational view of the lower am-munition eject chute of Figure 3 illustrated in isolation.
Figure 11 is a perspective view of the eject chute of Figure 9 illustrating the travel path of the eject link~.
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~91~i7 Figure 12 is an elevationa`~ view of the eject links in linked form with the ammunition rounds and brass illustrated in phantom lines.
Figure 13 is a cross sectional view taken along line 13-13 of Figure 12.
Figure 14 is a perspective view illustrating the am-munition box of Figure 2.
Figure 15 is a perspective view illustrating in isolation the weapon propellant gas collection bag for the weapon system of Figure 2.
Figure 16 is a perspective view of the elevation hand-wheel and trigger assembly and gear box assembly of Figure 2 illustrating the parts in exploded relation.
Figure 17 is a side elevational view of the handwheel and trigger assembly of Figure 16 illustrating the movement of the parts in phantom lines.
9~5~ ~
, DESCRIPTION OE' THE,,I!,RE'F~:RRED EMBODIMENT
Referring to the drawings, there is illustrated an embodiment of the present invention. Generally, this embodiment includes an armored vehicle 30, as shown in Figure 1 ~other types of carriers may be used though including the General Motors 8 x 8), a turret shown generally at 32 supported on a large diameter bearing mounted on a roof portion of vehicle 30, a basket assembly shown generally at 34 secured to, by bolts or similar means, and depending from the turret, and a rotor mounting assembly shown generally at 36 mounted to the turret. A main gun 3% and a machine gun 40 are attached to the rotor mounting assembly. Feed chutes shown at 42 feed ammunition from the ammunition storage box 44 to the main gun 38. The ammunition storage box is positioned on the floor 45 of the basket assembly 34. Link ejection chutes shown generally at 46 guide the ejected ammunition links from main gun 3B through rotor mounting assembly 36 into compartment 48, which opens to the exterior of the vehicle. The linked ammunition for machine gun 40 is fed by machine gun feed chutes 50 from machine gun ammunition storage ~ox 52 positioned in turret 32 to the machine ~un. The present turret and basket assembly is a two man turret and a commander's station shown generally at 54 is positioned on the right side of ammunition storage box 44 and the gunner's station shown generally 56 is positioned on the left side. And the elevation handwheel and auxiliary trigger assembly shown generally at 58 is positioned on the right side of the gunner station 56.
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Referrinq to Figure 7, rotor mounting assembly 36 is best illustrated. Assembly 36 includes a main rotor 64 journaled in the side of turret 32 on one ~ide by spindle bearing 66 and in a large-diameter trunnion bearing 68 in bearing retainer support 70. Bearing retainer support 70 is bolted to rotor 64O Thus, as hydraulic cylinder means 74 which is pivotally attached at opposite ends to the rotor mounting assembly and to the turret extends and retracts, rotor 64 is caused to rotate in spindle bearing 66 and trunnion bearing 68 about horizontal axis 76. It should be noted t~at the use of spindle bearing ~6 pro~ides more room for ammunition feed chutes 42 than would a trunnion bearing, for example~ The main gun 38 in the preferred embodiment is an M242 25 millimeter cannon which is secured to rotor mantlet 64 by connection plate 7g. Machine gun 40 is co-axially mounted at a 45 degree angle through cylindrical openiny 80 in rotor mantlet 64.
Referring to Figure 8, it is seen that rotor end cap 82 which is attached to the end of main rotor 64 and rotatable -therewith has four openings. The upper opening 84 is the ejection link opening for the armor piercing ammunition links, the lower opening 86 is for the high explosive links, the upper right opening 88 is the opening for the exhaust blvwer and the large lower right opening 92 is the opening for the ejected links and brass for machine gun 40. As best shown in Figure 8, the links, brass and propellant gases are ejected into com-partment 48. This compartment, as shown in Figure 7, opens to the exterior of the vehicle. Along the lower o~ter portion of the compartment is a slot 94 out of which the discharged ~ 9~.57 : , links pass through In one ern~oai~ent of the invention and as best shown in Figure 8, a door 96 attached to the turret by hinges 98 is forced open when spent links and bra~s accumulate in compartment 48O Suitable springs can be provided to hold door 96 shut. The compartment and door, if used, are confiaured to best deflect enemy fire as well as to prevent enemy fire from entering through the rotor end cap openings.
Ammunition storage box 44 is mounted diametrically on floor 45 and is generally aligned with gun 38. However, as shown in Figure 3, main gun 38 is mounted slightly off center, the center line being shown at 104, and towards compartment 40.
This allows for shorter link ejection chutes 46, thereby .inimizing link ejection jamming in these chutes, as does the inclusion of previously-discussed compartment 48. Referring to Figures 15 and 16, the linked 25 millimeter ammunition is best illustrated. The rounds and brass, shown in phantom lines at 106, are carried in links 108, which become disconnected a~ter firing and when deposited in the compartment. Prior to firing, the links with the 25 millimeter rounds held therein are stored in the ammunition box 44 in a layered manner as shown by dotted lines and circles 110. Small ramps can be positioned in the bottom of ammunition box 44 and hold the ends of rounds 106 up so that the links are maintained in a level fashion.
Gun 38 is a dual fed gun capa~le of handling either high explosive ammunition shown at 112 or axmor piercing ammunition shown at 114. A selection means connected to the gun is positioned in both the operator's station 54 and the gunner stations 56 for selecting the desired ammunition. Ammunition storage box 44, as best shown in Figure 2, is separated into two compartments shown generally at 116 for the rear portion and the forward compartment portIon at,llB. Armor piercing ammunition 114 is stored in forward compartment portion 118 and high explosive ammunition 112 is stored in the rear compartment portion 1160 The two compartments are separated by wall 120.
Rear compartment 116 is further divided into two areas 122 and 124 which are separated by baffle 126~ As illustrated in Figure 2, the explosive ammunition 112 is fed from the rear area 122 first and when that area has been emptied then the am-munition feeds from front area 124. High explosive round manual forwarder 128 feeds the ammunition from the storage box up through high explosive ammunition flexible chute 130 to gun 38.
The high explosive round forwarder 128 is mounted on ammunition storage box 44. A similar forwarder for the armor piercing ammunition shown at 132 is also mounted on ammunition storage box 44, as shown in ~igure 14. Forwarder 132 initially ~eeds the armor piercing rounds up through a mor piercing flexible chute 134 to the gun. As the gun fires the links are auto-matically pulled up. Each of the forwarders has forwarder sprockets which engage the ammunition rounds and turn freely while the gun is firing.
Ammunition storage box 44, as previously mentioned, is diametrically disposed in the basket and as shown in Figure
FIELD C)F THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a weapon system for an armored vehicle turret. The invention further relates to ammunition storage boxes, feeding means and spent link ejecting chutes for the ammunition for such a system, as well as handle elevation and trigger assemblies for the main gun.
More particularly, it relates to a weapon station mounted on a two man turret which includes an M242 25 millimeter cannon and an M240 7.62 Coax machine gun.
.: 3~'' `~v -~
~2~L9~
.. . . .
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In the prior art, there have been developed and used various types of armored vehicles having rotatable turrets with guns mounted thereon. Problems have developed though in that the ammunition has not been stored in such a manner that it could freely feed to the main gun without getting bunched and jammed. Furthex, after the guns had been fired and the brass ejected, no suitable means had been developed for moving the spent links in a free flowing manner away from the gun to a discharge means. This is particularly important since when the ejected links jam the gun quits firing. In the past, it was also the common practice to collect the spent links within the armored vehicle despi~e the fact that they occupy valuable vehicle space.
It was also the practice to have the main storage box for the link fed ammunition for the main gun be confisured in an arcuate shape along part of the circumference of the basket platform. The linked ammunition would be stored in this box in a layered manner. However, these stored links would then have a fan like configuration, which would tend to become intermeshed and entangled particularly as the vehicle traversed rough terrain. ~hen tangled the linked ammunition could not be fed continuously to the gun and the gun would stop firing until the ammunition was straightened out.
A serious previously~unsolved problem was caused by the link eject means. The links have guide tabs, as more 'j 12~9~7 fully described later,~which travel in channels in the arcuate shaped link eject chutes. The sharp edges of the guide tabs would cut into the channels as the links traveled around the curved portions thereby jamming the links in the eject chutes and shutting the gun down.
In the past the manual elevation and trigger assembly for the weapon system included a handwheel rotatable by a handle positioned to the left of the gunner. The rotating handwheel activated through a gear box the pump for the fluid actuated cylinder drive means which then elevated the gun. The trigger button was activated ~y the gunner's left thumb and had a direct electrical contact through rotating electrical brushes in the rotating handwheel to the firing mechanism. The brushes would tend to wear, necessitating in-field replacement. This was a complicated and expensive arrangement.
In the past, it should also be noted that no light armored turret had been developed to successfully carry an M242 weapon station, consisting of an M242 25 millimeter automatic cannon and an M240 7.62 Coa~ machine gun. The present invention is the first such light armor~d turret with such a weapon station.
12:1915~ 1 .,~ ,, OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly~ it is the principal object of the present invention to provide an improved weapon system for a rotatable turret.
Another object of the present invention is to pro-vide a two man turret containing a weapons station which includes an M242 25 millimeter at7tomatic cannon and an M240 7.62 millimeter Coax machine gun.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a novel storage box for link fed ammunition.
A still further object of the present invention is to provide an improved arrangement of the operator's and gunner's stations within a two man turret.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved design for feeding linked ammunition to the gun which allows the ammunition to flow freely and continuously without getting jammed in the storage box especially when the vehicle is traversing rou~h terrain.
A further o~ject of the present invention i~ to providè
an improved system for ejecting the spent ejection links in a continuous manner.
A still further object of the present invention is to provide an improved link ejection chute which allows the ejection lin~s to flow freely out of the gun without being jammed.
Another object' of th~ present invention is to provide an improved method of:disposi~'~ ~he ejected links, brass, and propellant gasPs.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a novel means for ejecting the links outside of the vehicle which is provided with suitable protection for the link eject outlet so that enemy fire does not enter through that outlet.
A ~till further object of the present invention is to provide an improved gunner's station with the manual firing control button positioned conveniently at the right side thereof.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved manual elevation and trigger assemblyO
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent to those persons having ordinary skill in the art from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
1~ 57 THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 ~s a perspective view of the present invention shown mounted in an armored vehicle.
Figure 2 is a right side view of the turret and depending basket assembly of Figure 1 having portions thereof partially broken away.
Figure 3 is a front elevational view of the turret and basket assembly of Figure 2.
Figure 4 is a rear elevational view of the turret and basket assembly of Figure 2.
Figure 5 is a rear elevational view thereof illustrating the ammunition eject assembly.
Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 2 illustrating a second embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 7 is a perspective view of the turret of Figure 1 illustrating the gun mounting means in an exploded view.
Figure 8 is an enlar~ed perspective view of the rotor end cap and link eject compartment of Figure 7.
Figure 9 is a side elevational view of the upper am-munition eject chute of Figure 3 and illustrated in isolation.
Figure 10 is a side elevational view of the lower am-munition eject chute of Figure 3 illustrated in isolation.
Figure 11 is a perspective view of the eject chute of Figure 9 illustrating the travel path of the eject link~.
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. . .
~91~i7 Figure 12 is an elevationa`~ view of the eject links in linked form with the ammunition rounds and brass illustrated in phantom lines.
Figure 13 is a cross sectional view taken along line 13-13 of Figure 12.
Figure 14 is a perspective view illustrating the am-munition box of Figure 2.
Figure 15 is a perspective view illustrating in isolation the weapon propellant gas collection bag for the weapon system of Figure 2.
Figure 16 is a perspective view of the elevation hand-wheel and trigger assembly and gear box assembly of Figure 2 illustrating the parts in exploded relation.
Figure 17 is a side elevational view of the handwheel and trigger assembly of Figure 16 illustrating the movement of the parts in phantom lines.
9~5~ ~
, DESCRIPTION OE' THE,,I!,RE'F~:RRED EMBODIMENT
Referring to the drawings, there is illustrated an embodiment of the present invention. Generally, this embodiment includes an armored vehicle 30, as shown in Figure 1 ~other types of carriers may be used though including the General Motors 8 x 8), a turret shown generally at 32 supported on a large diameter bearing mounted on a roof portion of vehicle 30, a basket assembly shown generally at 34 secured to, by bolts or similar means, and depending from the turret, and a rotor mounting assembly shown generally at 36 mounted to the turret. A main gun 3% and a machine gun 40 are attached to the rotor mounting assembly. Feed chutes shown at 42 feed ammunition from the ammunition storage box 44 to the main gun 38. The ammunition storage box is positioned on the floor 45 of the basket assembly 34. Link ejection chutes shown generally at 46 guide the ejected ammunition links from main gun 3B through rotor mounting assembly 36 into compartment 48, which opens to the exterior of the vehicle. The linked ammunition for machine gun 40 is fed by machine gun feed chutes 50 from machine gun ammunition storage ~ox 52 positioned in turret 32 to the machine ~un. The present turret and basket assembly is a two man turret and a commander's station shown generally at 54 is positioned on the right side of ammunition storage box 44 and the gunner's station shown generally 56 is positioned on the left side. And the elevation handwheel and auxiliary trigger assembly shown generally at 58 is positioned on the right side of the gunner station 56.
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Referrinq to Figure 7, rotor mounting assembly 36 is best illustrated. Assembly 36 includes a main rotor 64 journaled in the side of turret 32 on one ~ide by spindle bearing 66 and in a large-diameter trunnion bearing 68 in bearing retainer support 70. Bearing retainer support 70 is bolted to rotor 64O Thus, as hydraulic cylinder means 74 which is pivotally attached at opposite ends to the rotor mounting assembly and to the turret extends and retracts, rotor 64 is caused to rotate in spindle bearing 66 and trunnion bearing 68 about horizontal axis 76. It should be noted t~at the use of spindle bearing ~6 pro~ides more room for ammunition feed chutes 42 than would a trunnion bearing, for example~ The main gun 38 in the preferred embodiment is an M242 25 millimeter cannon which is secured to rotor mantlet 64 by connection plate 7g. Machine gun 40 is co-axially mounted at a 45 degree angle through cylindrical openiny 80 in rotor mantlet 64.
Referring to Figure 8, it is seen that rotor end cap 82 which is attached to the end of main rotor 64 and rotatable -therewith has four openings. The upper opening 84 is the ejection link opening for the armor piercing ammunition links, the lower opening 86 is for the high explosive links, the upper right opening 88 is the opening for the exhaust blvwer and the large lower right opening 92 is the opening for the ejected links and brass for machine gun 40. As best shown in Figure 8, the links, brass and propellant gases are ejected into com-partment 48. This compartment, as shown in Figure 7, opens to the exterior of the vehicle. Along the lower o~ter portion of the compartment is a slot 94 out of which the discharged ~ 9~.57 : , links pass through In one ern~oai~ent of the invention and as best shown in Figure 8, a door 96 attached to the turret by hinges 98 is forced open when spent links and bra~s accumulate in compartment 48O Suitable springs can be provided to hold door 96 shut. The compartment and door, if used, are confiaured to best deflect enemy fire as well as to prevent enemy fire from entering through the rotor end cap openings.
Ammunition storage box 44 is mounted diametrically on floor 45 and is generally aligned with gun 38. However, as shown in Figure 3, main gun 38 is mounted slightly off center, the center line being shown at 104, and towards compartment 40.
This allows for shorter link ejection chutes 46, thereby .inimizing link ejection jamming in these chutes, as does the inclusion of previously-discussed compartment 48. Referring to Figures 15 and 16, the linked 25 millimeter ammunition is best illustrated. The rounds and brass, shown in phantom lines at 106, are carried in links 108, which become disconnected a~ter firing and when deposited in the compartment. Prior to firing, the links with the 25 millimeter rounds held therein are stored in the ammunition box 44 in a layered manner as shown by dotted lines and circles 110. Small ramps can be positioned in the bottom of ammunition box 44 and hold the ends of rounds 106 up so that the links are maintained in a level fashion.
Gun 38 is a dual fed gun capa~le of handling either high explosive ammunition shown at 112 or axmor piercing ammunition shown at 114. A selection means connected to the gun is positioned in both the operator's station 54 and the gunner stations 56 for selecting the desired ammunition. Ammunition storage box 44, as best shown in Figure 2, is separated into two compartments shown generally at 116 for the rear portion and the forward compartment portIon at,llB. Armor piercing ammunition 114 is stored in forward compartment portion 118 and high explosive ammunition 112 is stored in the rear compartment portion 1160 The two compartments are separated by wall 120.
Rear compartment 116 is further divided into two areas 122 and 124 which are separated by baffle 126~ As illustrated in Figure 2, the explosive ammunition 112 is fed from the rear area 122 first and when that area has been emptied then the am-munition feeds from front area 124. High explosive round manual forwarder 128 feeds the ammunition from the storage box up through high explosive ammunition flexible chute 130 to gun 38.
The high explosive round forwarder 128 is mounted on ammunition storage box 44. A similar forwarder for the armor piercing ammunition shown at 132 is also mounted on ammunition storage box 44, as shown in ~igure 14. Forwarder 132 initially ~eeds the armor piercing rounds up through a mor piercing flexible chute 134 to the gun. As the gun fires the links are auto-matically pulled up. Each of the forwarders has forwarder sprockets which engage the ammunition rounds and turn freely while the gun is firing.
Ammunition storage box 44, as previously mentioned, is diametrically disposed in the basket and as shown in Figure
2 is positioned over slip ring assembly shown ~enerally at 140. Slip ring assembly 140 comprises a novel flattened pancake-like shape and provides the connection between the vehicle 30 and the basket assembly 34 for the electrical, hy-draulic and pneumatic power lines. More particularly, the power connections are shown at 142, the communication con-nections at 144 and the NBC connection at 146. The electric 9~
motor and pump assembly 148 is~posi~ioned at a forward location of basket assembly 34 on basket floor 45 adjacent ammunition box 44. However, another embodiment of the present invention, as best illustrated in Figure 6, includes the electric motor and pump assembly 152 mounted on top of the reservoir 154 and positioned at the front of basket assembly 34.
The machine gun ammunition links 160 are fed out of the compartments in machine gun ammunition storage box 52 initially by forwarder sprockets through feed chute 50 to machine gun 40.
In the preferred embodiment machine gun ammunition box 52 is mounted in turret 32, as illustrated in Figure 3, generally to the right main gun 38. The machine gun feed chute 50 then travels a path beneath the main gun to the machine gun. ~nother emmbodiment of the present invention positions the machine gun storage box generally below the machine gun.
As previously mentioned, link ejection chutes 46 eject the still-connected links from the main gun to compartment 48.
The brass having been ej~cted forward out of brass opening 168, best shown in Figure 7, in the main gun. ~wo ejection chutes are provided for the present dual feed gun--an upper armor piercing link di~charge chute 172 as shown in isolation in Figure 11, and a lower high explosive link discharge chute as shown in isolation at 174 in Figure 12. As previously mentioned and especially with the M242 25 millimeter gun, the link chutes have proven to be the Achilles heel for the entire weapon system.
This is because the links tended to jam in the chutes thereby shutting the gun down. Referring to Figure 13 is is seen that each link has a cylindrical portion 178 and a smaller cylindrical l~ S7 connection portion 180 attached thereto. The cylindrical connection por~ion 180 attache~ thereto. The cylindrical portion 178 has a cylindrical surface 182 and ends 184 and 186.
Guide tabs 188 and l9Q are att:ached to ends 184 and 186 respectively. Not only do these tabs protrude from the ends but they also have raised portions 192 and 194 respectively raised from cylindrical surface 182 and generally adjacent ends 184 and 186 respectively. Ribs 196 and 198 also protrude from cylindrical surface 182. Guide tabs 188 and 190 are provided to ride in channels 20~ and 202 of the guide chute, as best shown in Figure 11. These channels are generally V-shaped and have outer surfaces 204, inner surfaces 206 and end surfaces 208.
The guide tabs have rough or cutting edges which tend to dig into channels 200 and 202 when the links round a bend in the link chutes~ thereby jamming the links in the chutes. Ideally, the tabs would not become jammed in the channels if the link chutes were straight but due to the design configurations of the turret mounted weapon systems it is necessary that the chutes be curved. The chutes also have upper skins 210, side panels 212, and lower skins 214. These upper and lower skins and side panels define a generally rectangular passageway for the links, as shown in Figure 11. Attachment clips 216 and 218 are mounted to the sides of channels 200 and 202 respectively and are attached to corresponding female members on the main gun.
The present invention provides for guide strips 220 and 222 secured adjacent outex surface 204 and to the inner surface of the upper skin 210. These guide strips have a width greater than the outer surfaces whereby the inner surfaces, as shown at 224 and 226, of guide strips 220 and 222 extend further toward the center of the chutes than do upper surfaces 204.
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1~9~ 7 Inner guide strip surfa~es 224 and 226 engage raised portions 192 and 194, respectively, of the tabs and thereby prevent the edges of the tabs from engaging and jamming into upper channel surface 204. The links may then flow freely through the chutes into the compartment. The guide strips need not extend the entire length of the chutes but can end once the links have rounded the arc portion as shown at 228 in Figures 9 and 10.
Using the same general pxincipal for guiding the links in the chutes, the guide strips could alternatively be configured and positioned so that they engage the rib portions 196 and 198.
Manual elevation and trigger assembly 58 is best shown in Figures 16 and 17. Referring thereto, it is seen that the handwheel and trigger assembly performs two functions by manually elevating the main gun and manually firing that gun.
As the handle 230 is turned the gears and gear box assembly 232 are turned thereby activating pump 233 which pressurizes hy-draulic cylinder means 74. When the trigger button 234 attached to handle 230 is depressed the gun fires. The operation of the firing mechanism is best illustrated in Figure 17. Referring thereto it is seen that the trigger button 234 is depressed against spring 236 and plunger 238 extending through handle 230 pivots yoke 240 about yoke pivot point 242~ Switch plate 244 is thereby driven forward causing the switch 245 of manual fire switch 248 to depress and activate the gun's firing mechanism (not shown). The switch 246 is shown to have a roller 250 attached to its end which rides on switch plate 244. This simplified operation provides that when the trigger button is pressed the gun fires and when the button is released the firing stops and the springs 236 and switch plate spring 252 return the components to their original position.
Thus it i5 seen that the present invention for a novel weapon station provides for links of stored high explosive ammunition or, alterna~i~ely, armor piercing ammunition to be smoothly fed from the novel storage box to the main gun, the brass ejected out through the gun and the spent lin~s fluidly ejected into a compartment adjacent the gun and then out to the exterior of the vehicle. The link fed ammunition for the machine gun also feeds smoothly and without jamming from the machine gun storage box to the machine gun and then the spent links and brass are ejected out through the rotor end cap into the compaxtment and then to the exterior of the vehicle. Any propellant gases ejected from either the main gun or the machine gun are collected in the flexible boot 254 and which has an opening 256 for ammunition chl~tes 42 and an opening 258 for machine gun chute 50 as shown in Figure 15, and ejected by the blower 260 into the compartment and out to the exterior of the vehicle. The present turret assembly can also be e~uipped with two four barrel grenade launchers shown at 262 and 264. The design of the interior of the basket assembly provides for two well designed stations for the commander and the gunner and the novel trigger mechanism for the gunner is conveniently located on his right side.
From the foregoing detailed description, it will be evident that there are a number of changes, adaptations and modifications of the present invention which come within the province of those skilled in the art. However, it` i5 intended that all such variations not departing from the spirit of the invention be considered as within the scope thereof and as limited solely by the appended claims.
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motor and pump assembly 148 is~posi~ioned at a forward location of basket assembly 34 on basket floor 45 adjacent ammunition box 44. However, another embodiment of the present invention, as best illustrated in Figure 6, includes the electric motor and pump assembly 152 mounted on top of the reservoir 154 and positioned at the front of basket assembly 34.
The machine gun ammunition links 160 are fed out of the compartments in machine gun ammunition storage box 52 initially by forwarder sprockets through feed chute 50 to machine gun 40.
In the preferred embodiment machine gun ammunition box 52 is mounted in turret 32, as illustrated in Figure 3, generally to the right main gun 38. The machine gun feed chute 50 then travels a path beneath the main gun to the machine gun. ~nother emmbodiment of the present invention positions the machine gun storage box generally below the machine gun.
As previously mentioned, link ejection chutes 46 eject the still-connected links from the main gun to compartment 48.
The brass having been ej~cted forward out of brass opening 168, best shown in Figure 7, in the main gun. ~wo ejection chutes are provided for the present dual feed gun--an upper armor piercing link di~charge chute 172 as shown in isolation in Figure 11, and a lower high explosive link discharge chute as shown in isolation at 174 in Figure 12. As previously mentioned and especially with the M242 25 millimeter gun, the link chutes have proven to be the Achilles heel for the entire weapon system.
This is because the links tended to jam in the chutes thereby shutting the gun down. Referring to Figure 13 is is seen that each link has a cylindrical portion 178 and a smaller cylindrical l~ S7 connection portion 180 attached thereto. The cylindrical connection por~ion 180 attache~ thereto. The cylindrical portion 178 has a cylindrical surface 182 and ends 184 and 186.
Guide tabs 188 and l9Q are att:ached to ends 184 and 186 respectively. Not only do these tabs protrude from the ends but they also have raised portions 192 and 194 respectively raised from cylindrical surface 182 and generally adjacent ends 184 and 186 respectively. Ribs 196 and 198 also protrude from cylindrical surface 182. Guide tabs 188 and 190 are provided to ride in channels 20~ and 202 of the guide chute, as best shown in Figure 11. These channels are generally V-shaped and have outer surfaces 204, inner surfaces 206 and end surfaces 208.
The guide tabs have rough or cutting edges which tend to dig into channels 200 and 202 when the links round a bend in the link chutes~ thereby jamming the links in the chutes. Ideally, the tabs would not become jammed in the channels if the link chutes were straight but due to the design configurations of the turret mounted weapon systems it is necessary that the chutes be curved. The chutes also have upper skins 210, side panels 212, and lower skins 214. These upper and lower skins and side panels define a generally rectangular passageway for the links, as shown in Figure 11. Attachment clips 216 and 218 are mounted to the sides of channels 200 and 202 respectively and are attached to corresponding female members on the main gun.
The present invention provides for guide strips 220 and 222 secured adjacent outex surface 204 and to the inner surface of the upper skin 210. These guide strips have a width greater than the outer surfaces whereby the inner surfaces, as shown at 224 and 226, of guide strips 220 and 222 extend further toward the center of the chutes than do upper surfaces 204.
.
1~9~ 7 Inner guide strip surfa~es 224 and 226 engage raised portions 192 and 194, respectively, of the tabs and thereby prevent the edges of the tabs from engaging and jamming into upper channel surface 204. The links may then flow freely through the chutes into the compartment. The guide strips need not extend the entire length of the chutes but can end once the links have rounded the arc portion as shown at 228 in Figures 9 and 10.
Using the same general pxincipal for guiding the links in the chutes, the guide strips could alternatively be configured and positioned so that they engage the rib portions 196 and 198.
Manual elevation and trigger assembly 58 is best shown in Figures 16 and 17. Referring thereto, it is seen that the handwheel and trigger assembly performs two functions by manually elevating the main gun and manually firing that gun.
As the handle 230 is turned the gears and gear box assembly 232 are turned thereby activating pump 233 which pressurizes hy-draulic cylinder means 74. When the trigger button 234 attached to handle 230 is depressed the gun fires. The operation of the firing mechanism is best illustrated in Figure 17. Referring thereto it is seen that the trigger button 234 is depressed against spring 236 and plunger 238 extending through handle 230 pivots yoke 240 about yoke pivot point 242~ Switch plate 244 is thereby driven forward causing the switch 245 of manual fire switch 248 to depress and activate the gun's firing mechanism (not shown). The switch 246 is shown to have a roller 250 attached to its end which rides on switch plate 244. This simplified operation provides that when the trigger button is pressed the gun fires and when the button is released the firing stops and the springs 236 and switch plate spring 252 return the components to their original position.
Thus it i5 seen that the present invention for a novel weapon station provides for links of stored high explosive ammunition or, alterna~i~ely, armor piercing ammunition to be smoothly fed from the novel storage box to the main gun, the brass ejected out through the gun and the spent lin~s fluidly ejected into a compartment adjacent the gun and then out to the exterior of the vehicle. The link fed ammunition for the machine gun also feeds smoothly and without jamming from the machine gun storage box to the machine gun and then the spent links and brass are ejected out through the rotor end cap into the compaxtment and then to the exterior of the vehicle. Any propellant gases ejected from either the main gun or the machine gun are collected in the flexible boot 254 and which has an opening 256 for ammunition chl~tes 42 and an opening 258 for machine gun chute 50 as shown in Figure 15, and ejected by the blower 260 into the compartment and out to the exterior of the vehicle. The present turret assembly can also be e~uipped with two four barrel grenade launchers shown at 262 and 264. The design of the interior of the basket assembly provides for two well designed stations for the commander and the gunner and the novel trigger mechanism for the gunner is conveniently located on his right side.
From the foregoing detailed description, it will be evident that there are a number of changes, adaptations and modifications of the present invention which come within the province of those skilled in the art. However, it` i5 intended that all such variations not departing from the spirit of the invention be considered as within the scope thereof and as limited solely by the appended claims.
., -
Claims
1. A weapon system for an armored vehicle comprising:
a turret rotatably positioned in the armored vehicle for rotation about a vertical axis, a basket assembly positioned below and depending from said turret, a weapon assembly rotatable with said turret, said weapon assembly including a main gun and a co-axially mounted machine gun both of which use linked ammunition, an ammunition storage means for said main gun linked ammunition and having a generally rectangular box-like shape positioned diametrically on said basket assembly with the longitudinal axis of said main gun and of said storage means being aligned in the same general vertical plane, a pair of flexible feed chutes connected to said weapon assembly and to said storage means for feeding said linked ammunition from said storage means to said weapon assembly, said vertical axis of rotation passing through said storage means, a gunner's station positioned in said basket assembly on one side of said storage means, a commander's station positioned in said basket assembly on the other side of said storage means, said storage means maintaining said linked ammunition in a generally horizontal position when stacked in said storage means, said pair of feed chutes each including a forwarder means for initially feeding the linked ammunition to said main gun or returning the fed linked ammunition to said ammunition storage means, said main gun being a dual feed gun utilizing alternatively a first linked ammunition or a second linked ammunition respectively fed to said main gun via said pair of feed chutes, said first linked ammunition comprising high explosive ammunition and said second linked ammunition comprising armor piercing ammunition, said storage means including a first area for storing said first linked ammunition and a separate second area for storing said second linked ammunition, said first area including a first compartment and a second compartment interconnected with said first compartment for storing said first linked ammunition, said second area having a third compartment separate from said first and second compartment for storing said second linked ammunition, one of said pair of feed chutes communicating with said second compartment, said first linked ammunition being fed through said one of said pair of feed chutes to said main gun from said first compartment before being fed from said second compartment to said main gun, the other of said pair of feed chutes communicating with said third compartment of said second area for feeding said second linked ammunition to said main gun, a machine gun ammunition box position in said turret along one side thereof and opposite one side of said main gun, and a machine gun feed chute for feeding ammunition links from said machine gun ammunition box to said machine gun.
a turret rotatably positioned in the armored vehicle for rotation about a vertical axis, a basket assembly positioned below and depending from said turret, a weapon assembly rotatable with said turret, said weapon assembly including a main gun and a co-axially mounted machine gun both of which use linked ammunition, an ammunition storage means for said main gun linked ammunition and having a generally rectangular box-like shape positioned diametrically on said basket assembly with the longitudinal axis of said main gun and of said storage means being aligned in the same general vertical plane, a pair of flexible feed chutes connected to said weapon assembly and to said storage means for feeding said linked ammunition from said storage means to said weapon assembly, said vertical axis of rotation passing through said storage means, a gunner's station positioned in said basket assembly on one side of said storage means, a commander's station positioned in said basket assembly on the other side of said storage means, said storage means maintaining said linked ammunition in a generally horizontal position when stacked in said storage means, said pair of feed chutes each including a forwarder means for initially feeding the linked ammunition to said main gun or returning the fed linked ammunition to said ammunition storage means, said main gun being a dual feed gun utilizing alternatively a first linked ammunition or a second linked ammunition respectively fed to said main gun via said pair of feed chutes, said first linked ammunition comprising high explosive ammunition and said second linked ammunition comprising armor piercing ammunition, said storage means including a first area for storing said first linked ammunition and a separate second area for storing said second linked ammunition, said first area including a first compartment and a second compartment interconnected with said first compartment for storing said first linked ammunition, said second area having a third compartment separate from said first and second compartment for storing said second linked ammunition, one of said pair of feed chutes communicating with said second compartment, said first linked ammunition being fed through said one of said pair of feed chutes to said main gun from said first compartment before being fed from said second compartment to said main gun, the other of said pair of feed chutes communicating with said third compartment of said second area for feeding said second linked ammunition to said main gun, a machine gun ammunition box position in said turret along one side thereof and opposite one side of said main gun, and a machine gun feed chute for feeding ammunition links from said machine gun ammunition box to said machine gun.
Priority Applications (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000502588A CA1222403A (en) | 1982-10-29 | 1986-02-24 | Weapon system |
| CA000502586A CA1222405A (en) | 1982-10-29 | 1986-02-24 | Weapon system |
| CA000502587A CA1223471A (en) | 1982-10-29 | 1986-02-24 | Weapon system |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US43785382A | 1982-10-29 | 1982-10-29 | |
| US437,853 | 1982-10-29 |
Related Child Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000502588A Division CA1222403A (en) | 1982-10-29 | 1986-02-24 | Weapon system |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1219157A true CA1219157A (en) | 1987-03-17 |
Family
ID=23738194
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000439962A Expired CA1219157A (en) | 1982-10-29 | 1983-10-28 | Weapon system |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1219157A (en) |
-
1983
- 1983-10-28 CA CA000439962A patent/CA1219157A/en not_active Expired
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| MKEX | Expiry |