DK2745067T3

DK2745067T3 - Ammunition supply in a multi-pipe weapon

Info

Publication number: DK2745067T3
Application number: DK12746086.3T
Authority: DK
Inventors: Hubert Schneider
Original assignee: Rheinmetall Waffe Munition Gmbh
Priority date: 2011-08-20
Filing date: 2012-08-07
Publication date: 2018-10-15
Also published as: DE102011111201B3; EP2745067B1; EP2745067A1; EP3346223B1; ES2685787T3; PL3346223T3; EP3346223A1; PL2745067T3; WO2013026700A1

Description

DESCiyPTiON

AMMUNOT

The invention pertains to a multi-barrel weapon, particularly with single and/or multiple ammunition feed. US 1.856,022 A describes a machine gun and smalt arm with two gun barrels. The ammunition is loaded through a slot in the breech block housing or weapon housing. The individual projectiles including propellant charge are connected to one another by connecting webs and pushed into the weapon through the slot by means of a. ratchet of sorts The strip is simultaneously separated by a knife arrangement. 'The projectile ends up in a cartridge chamber of the weapon in front of the breech block. Subsequently, the projectile and the breech block, are transferred into a so-called closed position and the propellant charge is ignited by means of a compressed gas. US 3,696,705 A discloses a combustible belt strip of belted ammunition for feeding caseless ammunition into an automatic weapon, wherein said belt strip combusts in the chamber of the automatic weapon. This eliminates the problem of the belts falling off the "weapon after the removal of the ammunition. The belt strip transversely extends through each caseless cartridge. Sprockets advance the cartridge while the belt strip is separated from the following cartridge. DE 44 23 750 AI discloses an automatic single-barrel firearm for endless-feed cartridge ammunition. Two oppositely rotating cylinders, which respectively feature six symmetrically arranged and movably mounted half chambers, are used in this ease. Between the two cylinders, these half chambers form a cartridge chamber, which is completely closed over the circumference, directly opposite of the barrel. The cartridge belt is also moved through the respective cartridge chamber simultaneously with the opposed rotation of the cylinders. In this case, a temporarily closed cartridge chamber, which, withstands the combustion gas pressures, is formed between the cylinders. Spring elements adjust the half chambers in order to allow an optimal transport of the cartridge belt In the respectively optima! pivoting direction prior to the engagement into the cartridge belt. The striking pin is triggered by means of the gearing of a cam plate once ii is ensured that the cartridge chamber is completely closed. The rotation of the half chambers is realized by means of sprockets of a pneumatic gear motor that is driven by the returned muzzle gases. A slightly shorter construction and a significantly higher rate of fire (cadence) are thereby achieved. US 4,748,892 A discloses a multi-barrel weapon with multiple ammunition feed for each barrel. A newer multi-barrel weapon is described In WO 01/06197 A. I n this publication, it is proposed to feed two belt systems with ammunition arranged therein to the weapon. WO 2011/04665.3 .49 describes a multi-barrel weapon. A respective gap for the ammunition itself is circumferentially integrated into each of the two cylinders.

Non-prepublished DE 10 2010 0.17 876 A discloses a light multi-barrel weapon, in which a belt system or the. belt sections of this system respectively forms or form an alternate cartridge chamber and the belt or the respective belt section forms the actual cartridge chamber of the weapon The belt with the arnrrnmition/cartridge located therein is respectively supported by the weapon or the breech block and thereby partially chambered. The partial chambering is realized by means of a cylinder-type breech block - similar to an open-chamber breech block system - with two sprockets or cylinders, namely an upper cylinder and a retaining cylinder that, rotate in opposite directions and thereby accommodate the belt section in a firing position. Due to the fact that the belt system forms the alternate cartridge chamber, an exact ammunition feed or belt feed into the weapon system has to take place. in accordance with the associated requirement of an exact, ammunition feed, the Invention is based on the objective of disclosing such an exact ammunition feed.

This objective is attained with the characteristics of Claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are disclosed in the dependent claims.

Based on a multi-barrel weapon comprising a cylinder-type breech block - similar to an open-chamber breech block system - with two sprockets or cylinders that rotate in opposite directions and thereby accommodate the belt section in a firing position, the invention proposes to circumferentially integrate respective slots into the sprockets or into the upper cylinder and the retaining cylinder in order to exactly guide the ammunition or the ammunition belt. An ammunition guide, along which the ammunition belt is guided. is assigned to these cylinders It is preferred to provide two guides that are aligned parallel to one another, namely one guide in the region of the upper end and one guide in the region of the lower end of the ammunition belt or belt section, in order to prevent jamming of the boh system or the belt sections during the feed. A number of slots corresponding to these guides is integrated into the sprockets or cylinders. The slots make si possible for the sprockets or cylinders to rotate while the guide(s) is/are rigidly held on the weapon.

Parts of the cylinder-type breech block may form fixed components of the barrel, cluster of the multi-barrel weapon itself. However, it is alternatively also possible that the second sprocket or the retaining cylinder can be decoupled from the barrel cluster In this ease, a separable connection between the barrel cluster and the sprocket should be provided in the rotational axis, about which the sprocket, as well as the breech block, can be rotated.

In the region of the firing position, the geometry of the guide (belt guide) is approximately aligned such that it follows the radius of the barrel cluster. The ammunition belt or ammunition belt section is guided into the firing position, as well as out of this firing position, with the aid of these guides, wherein it is ensured that the ammunition Is always located in the firing position relative to the barrel, from which it should be fired Since the weapon, system operates dynamically, the belt section, which bolds the ammunition in the firing position, as well as the breech block, is rotated together with the barrel cluster or the barrel over a short distance or angle, wherein this has the advantage that continuous firing is possible because no standstill times have to be observed This short distance also manifests itself in the geometry of the curved guide.

According to an enhancement, it. is proposed that the guice(s) makes/rnnke it possible to decouple and/or once again couple the ammunition or the belt system from/to the weapon system. This is achieved in that the guide(s) is/are also moved out of the weapon system in addition to the decoupling or removal of the sprocket or cylinder, which is not functionally dependent on the barrel cluster. The guide(s) accordingly is/are displaceable or adjustable by means of a mount that is rigidly connected to the weapon.

It is furthermore proposed that not only one ammunition feed is integrated into the weapon system, but rather multiple ammunition feeds, wherein the number of feeds depends on the diameter or circumference of the barrel cluster. On a smaller weapon, it would be conceivable to provide four feeds that are offset relative to one another by 90°. These can be separately added or removed - decoupled in the above-described fashion - or operated simultaneously, in this case, n is possible to fire from each of these firing positions in a slightly delayed fashion such that the cadence is increased.

This separate feed, as well as the decoupling and coupling of the feeds from/to the weapon system, has the advantage that, when the ammunition supply of an ammunition box or the like has been depleted, the ammunition of the other-ammunition box, which interacts with the other feed, can be tired and the empty ammunition box can be refilled without losing the functionality of the weapon. It is also possible to fire different types of ammunition.

Since the belt section fulfills the function of a cartridge chamber and the shells in the sprockets, as well as the sprockets themselves, are not 100% identical or consistent, slight tolerances are also functionally acceptable.

With respect to the transport of the sectional belt strip or the belt sections, it is proposed to provide circumferential slots lor receiving at least one guide in the sprockets, wherein the guide is connected to the weapon in such a way that it can he removed from the slot of the sprocket, which directly interacts with the barrel -cluster, and reinserted therein

The invention is described in greater detail below with reference to an exemplary embodiment that is schematically illustrated in the drawings. In these drawings- .Figure 1 shows a representation of the integration of the guides into the weapon system in order to feed and transport an ammunition heli with ammunition into a firing position and out of this firing position.

Figure 2 shows a sectional representation of Figure I,

Figure 3 shows an ammunition teed info an upper tiring position in the form of a sectioned top view of sorts.

Figure 4 shows two ammunition feeds into two different firing positions in the form of a sectioned top view of sorts, wherein both feeds are engaged.

Figure 5 shows two feeds, wherein a feed in only engaged with the lower firing position whereas the upper system is disengaged.

Figure 6 shows both feeds disengaged from their firing positions.

Figure 1 shows a multi-barrel weapon or weapon system .1 of the type known from DF. 10 2010 0.17 876 A, to which we hereby refer. This weapon or weapon system features multiple barrels 3 that rotate about a central axis A in ihe form of a barrel cluster 4. The multi-barrel weapon 1 furthermore features two oppositely meshing sprockets 5., 6 or cylinders, preferably of a cylinder-type breech block (11), which feature a number of (bah) shells that corresponds to the number of barrels 3 on their circumference, wherein the sprockets 5, 6 are driven by an electric drive 2 These sprockets 5. 6 form the partial chambering for a heli section 13,1 of a sectional belt strip .13 described in DE 10 2010 017 876 A, in which both sprockets encompass the respectively fed belt section 13.1 in a firing position 18 (23). The drive transmission to at least the sprocket 6 is realized by means of multiple driving wheels 7, S, 9 and 10. The sprocket 6 itself preferably forms the breech block 11 for all barrels 3

The breech or breech block 11 features multiple striking pins 12 that are aligned with i he barrels 3 in the same numbers as these barrels, wherein one striking pin 12 is assigned to each barrel 3. The breech block t I with the striking pins 12 rotates with the barrel cluster 4 at the same frequency. Triggering is realized with a firing plate 25 that is integrated on the rear end of the breech block 11 and triggers the corresponding striking pin 12

In order to transport the belt section 13, which is not illustrated in greater detail in Figure 1, (radial) slots 14. 1.5 for receiving an ammunition guide 16 are provided in the circumference of the sprockets 5, 6 (Figure 2). In order to ensure a clean transport, it proved advantageous to realize this ammunition guide twofold The belt strip 13 or the belt sections 13.1 is/are fed to the multi-barrel weapon I within these guides 16 that are rigidly held on the weapon, wherein it is proposed that these guides 16 are adapted to a nor-shown ammunition box. The belt section 13 may be contained in this ammunition box in coiled form and pulled therefrom in order to be fed to the weapon 1. Alternatives are a bar magazine or a helical magazine with prestress.

Figure 3 shows a single feed 30 of the ammunition 17 into a firing position 18. The guide 16 is adapted to the radius of the barrel cluster 4 and to this end features a curved region 19, In which the belt section 13.1 forming the cartridge chamber is located in the center position, fn its curved region i 9, the guide 16 is furthermore realized in such a way that the ammunition 1.7, as well as the breech block 11, can in the firing position 18 be rotated together with the barrel cluster 4 or the barrel 3 over a short distance or angle. The transfer 19.1 into the firing position and the transfer 19.2 out of this firing position take place in the curved region 19

Figure 4 shows a double ammunition feed 30, 40 in order to potent tally increase the cadence. In this case, the heli section 13, as well as an additional belt section 20, is fed to the weapon system 1. To this end, an additional drive 21, which is constructed identical or similar to the upper drive 2 (gearwheels or driving wheels), is integrated into the system I at the locationB (Figure I). A sprocket 24 interacting with the driving wheel and the sprocket 6 jointly form a lower partial chambering for the belt section 20 and thereby a lower firing position 23. It is possible to fire in both firing positions 18, 23, wherein a slight time delay is provided between two shots. This can be realized, in particular, in that the ammunition 17, as well as the breech block 11, can in the firing positions I8,23 be rotated together with the barrel cluster 4 or the barre! 3 over a short distance or angle or in that a barrel cluster with an odd number of barrels is used. Alternatively, the geometry can also be altered in order to realize time-delayed firing from two or more barrels 3. For example, an even arrangement of the partial chambers would be conceivable in this case. figure 5 shows a variation of the feed. In this ease, the upper feed 30 is decoupled from the system 1 and triggering only takes place in the lower firing position 23. Th is makes it possible to fire an additional or different type of ammunition without elaborate modification such that different ammunitions 17 can be fired from different feeds 30, 40 In Figure 6, both feeds 30; 4() are decoupled from the firing positions 18, 23, This decoupling is realized by adjusting the sprocket 5, 24 that is independent of the barrel cluster 4, preferably In a mechanical fashion.

The guides 16 are integrated into the weapon in such a way that they can be respectively' removed or lifted out of rhe sprocket 6 (i e the component that interacts with the barrel cluster 4) at least when the sprocket 5, 24 (i.e, the component that is independent of the barrel cluster 4} is removed from the weapon system I. The guidet's) 30, 40 is/are thereby decoupled from the system 1. This is associated with the respective ammunition 1? being removed front the weapon system 1 and no longer being fed to rhe barrel cluster 4, but this ammunition can be once again coupled to the weapon system as needed.

It goes wit hout saying that the number of guides 30, 40 is not limited to two guides only. For ex ant pie, it would he easily possible to provide more titan two guides, for example four guides. The number of guides is dependent on the circumference of the barrel cluster 4 and to a considerable degree on. the available installation space of the weapon I,

Claims

A multi-tube weapon (1) having at least one ammunition supply (30, 40) by means of belt joints (13, 20) or interconnected belt joints (13.1, 20.1), wherein the multi-tube weapon (1) exhibits at least two counter-rotating stars (5, 6) , 24) with symmetrically positioned half-chambers and a star (6) functionally associated with a barrel bundle (4) in the multi-tube weapon, characterized by at least one weapon-side stationary guide (16) for conveying the belt link (13, 20), respectively. the belt joints (13.1, 20.1), where on the circumferential side radial slots (14, 15, 25) are provided in the stars (5, 6, 24) for receiving the at least one belt guide (16) and where the belt guide (16) is connected with the weapon side and held on the weapon side in such a way that it can be removed from the slot (15) of the star (6) which cooperates directly with the race bundle (4) and can be inserted into it again.

Multi-tube weapon according to claim 1, characterized in that there are two mutually oriented guides (16), one in the region of the upper and one in the region of the lower end of the belt link (13, 20) respectively. the belt joint (13.1, 20.1).

Multi-tube weapon according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that several, at least two to four ammunition supplies (30, 40) are integrated.

Multi-tube weapon according to claim 3, characterized in that several firing positions (18, 23) can be realized simultaneously.

Multi-tube weapon according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that a closure or a locking device, respectively. a closure member (11) of the multi-tube weapon (1) exhibits multiple impact pins (12) oriented in the same number as the weapon runs (3).

Multi-tube weapon (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the closing part (11) functionally interacts with the star (6) which cooperates directly with the race bundle (4).

Multi-tube weapon (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the star (6) and the closing part (11) are a unit.

Multi-tube weapon (1) according to one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the release of the impact pins (12) is realized with a firing release plate (25) integrated on the rear end of the closing part (11) and releases the corresponding impact pin (s) (12).

Multi-tube weapon (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the geometry of the guide (16) in the region of the firing position (18, 23) is approximately oriented to the radius of the following trunk floor (4).

Multi-tube weapon (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the belt link (13.1, 20.1) holding the ammunition (17) in the shooting position (18, 23) and the star (6) and closed (11) are rotated a small piece or a small angle together with the race bundle (4) respectively. the course (3).

Multipurpose weapon (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that a barrel (4) of different barrel numbers is used.

Multi-tube weapon according to one of Claims 4 to 11, characterized in that several firing positions (18, 23) can be realized simultaneously, from which each of these shooting positions can be easily fired time off.

Multi-tube weapon (1) according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the ammunition supply (30, 40) can be disengaged from the firing position (18, 23) and reconnected if required.

Multi-tube weapon (1) according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the belt guide (16) can be moved respectively. adjustable via the weapon-proof holder.