EP0849559B1 - Automatic loading mechanism for armoured vehicle - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to an automatic loading device for an armored vehicle with in a rotatable Turret gun arranged according to the features of the preamble of claim 1.

From DE 32 37 229 Cl an armored vehicle with a barrel weapon is known, in which the ammunition is stored in containers. An ammunition container is used to load the barrel weapon With the help of a loading device designed as an elevator from a container removal station to the bolt-side end of the barrel weapon transported. The ammunition containers not required to load the weapon are located in container magazines on both sides of the weapon above the chain cover arranged and each formed as a horizontal sliding track.

One disadvantage of this device is the relatively space-consuming loading device.

From US 3 316 808 A a rocket launcher is known in which the individual missiles each stored in a container magazine together with a launch tube assigned to them become. To launch a rocket, it is used together with its launch tube a telescopic loading arm to the container magazine via a centrally located removal station removed and positioned accordingly for firing.

EP 0 569 342 A1 describes a device for supplying projectile ammunition in an armored vehicle known at which the Ammunition is arranged in drums on both sides of the weapon.

One disadvantage of this device is that the respective cartridge for loading the barrel weapon first from the each drum must be reloaded into a charging cradle. Apart from the fact that this loading process is relatively time consuming is often also a pollution of the ammunition connected.

The present invention has for its object a Specify device of the type mentioned that simple is constructed and allows a quick loading of the barrel weapon.

This object is solved by the features of claim 1. Disclose further advantageous refinements of the invention the subclaims.

Essentially, the invention is based on the idea that respective ammunition container using at least one swiveling and telescopic loading arms from the container removal station to transport to the breech of the barrel weapon. There the individual cartridges from the Containers in the barrel chamber of the barrel weapon one after the other inserted and the empty ammunition container afterwards thrown off or blown off by means of a pyrotechnic charge.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention on both sides of the barrel weapon above the chain or Wheel covers container magazines arranged as well as for both Magazines each have a separate loading arm. Thereby is achieved that only one of the two loading arms is destroyed (or one of the two container magazines) each other loading arm reused and the remaining ammunition can be shot further.

By placing the ammunition above the chain cover a space that is usually under-used becomes one sensible use for the storage of ammunition fed, wherein the ammunition is transported by a simple Chain conveyor can be realized. Also arise with such an arrangement of the ammunition particularly favorable Requirements for the "blow-out" of the ammunition in the case a detonation because the pressure (with the exception of the side wall of the armored vehicle) practically on all sides can dismantle freely, without the crew and the armored vehicle continue to endanger.

It has proven to be particularly advantageous if the ammunition container one e.g. integrated air driven Cartridge attachments included, because then no separate Chain attachments, telescopic cylinders or the like and none Dock levellers are required.

Fig.1

eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Panzers mit einer Rohrwaffe in Indexstellung und einer erfindungsgemäßen automatischen Ladevorrichtung;

Fig. 2

eine Fig.1 entsprechende Ansicht des Panzers mit hinter die Waffe geschwenktem Munitionscontainer;

Fig. 3

eine Fig.2 entsprechende Ansicht des Panzers mit nach außen geschwenktem Ladearm und abgesprengtem Munitionscontainer und

Fig.4

die Seitenansicht eines für die erfindungsgemäße Ladevorrichtung besonders geeigneten Munitionscontainers, der an dem verschlußseitigen Ende der Rohrwaffe angeordnet ist.

Further details and advantages of the invention result from the following exemplary embodiments explained with reference to figures. Show it:

Fig. 1

a perspective view of a tank with a barrel weapon in index position and an automatic loading device according to the invention;

Fig. 2

a Fig.1 corresponding view of the tank with the ammunition container pivoted behind the weapon;

Fig. 3

a Fig.2 corresponding view of the tank with the loading arm pivoted outwards and blasted ammunition container and

Fig. 4

the side view of an ammunition container particularly suitable for the loading device according to the invention, which is arranged at the breech-end of the barrel weapon.

In Figure 1, 1 denotes a tank, the turret side Armor is removed for reasons of clarity. The Panzer 1 has a side and height-adjustable barrel weapon 2 with a closure 3. At the closure end 4 is a loading device 5 is arranged, which with the barrel weapon 2nd is laterally pivotable.

Between the two chain covers (not shown) and the upper armor cover 6, ammunition containers 7 are arranged, by a drive motor, also not shown and a chain conveyor in the direction of the arrow 8 can be moved. To remove the ammunition container 7 is a removal station 9 on both sides of the tank 1 provided, each a removal opening 10 in the armor cover 6 includes.

The loading device 5 consists essentially of a the gun 2 connected frame 11 on which two loading arms 12 are arranged, each around an axis 13 to the soul the weapon barrel 14 parallel axis 15 by means of a corresponding electric or hydraulic actuators 16 pivotable are. The loading arms 12 are each hydraulic or electric drive 17 extendable and have the Container removal station 9 side plate-shaped Gripper elements 18.

To load the barrel weapon 2, the gripper element 18 engages corresponding loading arms 12 in recesses of the ammunition container 7 and is locked there. Then will the loading arm 12 by the servomotor 16 about its axis 15 rotated above, so that the container 7 over the armor cover 6 is lifted and the barrel weapon can be pivoted.

In Figure 2, the barrel weapon 2 is pivoted out of its index position shown, the right ammunition container 7th is pivoted behind the closure 3. In this position can then one of those in the ammunition container 7 Cartridge can be pushed into the barrel chamber of the barrel weapon.

After the shot and ejection of the cartridge case is then the loading arm 12 - and thus also the ammunition container 7- by operating the hydraulic drive 17 in Moved in the direction of arrow 19 until the next cartridge aligned with the cartridge chamber of the barrel weapon 2. Subsequently the new cartridge is pushed into the chamber, etc.

As soon as the respective ammunition container 7 is empty, it becomes blown off by means of an integrated pyrotechnic charge, so that the empty container 7 in the direction of Fig.3 with 20 arrow flies away from the vehicle.

4 shows an ammunition container 7 for three cartridges 21, which has proven itself in practice. In each of the three cartridge chambers 22 of the ammunition container 7 is located there is a plastic piston 23 with an extendable bellows cylinder 24.

To insert a cartridge 21 into the cartridge chamber Gun 2 is activated a compressed air source, not shown, the corresponding plastic piston 23 and so the cartridge 21 moves in the direction of the barrel weapon 2. To bridge the route between the ammunition container 7 and the cartridge chamber is at the end of the barrel of the piston 23 the bellows cylinder 24 is extended (cf. in FIG lower cartridge 21, which is just in the chamber of the barrel weapon is inserted) so that this gap is overcome.

Reference list

1

Tanks, armored vehicles

2nd

Barrel weapon

3rd

Closure

4th

closure-side end

5

Loading device

6

Armor cover

7

Ammunition container

8th

arrow

9

Removal station

10th

Removal opening

11

frame

12th

Loading arms

13

Soul axis

14

Gun barrel

15

axis

16

Servomotor

17th

hydraulic drive

18th

Gripper element

19th

arrow

20th

arrow

21

cartridge

22

Cartridge chamber

23

Plastic flask

24th

Bellow cylinder

Claims (5)

1. Automatic loading apparatus for an armoured vehicle (1) having a barrel-type weapon (2) disposed in a rotatable turret, wherein the loading apparatus (5) is used to transfer ammunition containers (7) from a container removal station (9) of a container magazine disposed laterally of the bore axis (13) of the weapon barrel (14) to the part at the breech-block end of the barrel-type weapon (2),
   characterized in

   that disposed behind the breech-block end (4) of the barrel-type weapon (2) is at least one loading arm (12), which is capable of swivelling about an axis (15) parallel to the bore axis (13) of the weapon barrel (14) and is telescopically extendable in the direction of its longitudinal axis, and

   that the loading arm (12) at its outer end carries a grab element (18) which, in a preselectable index position of the barrel-type weapon (2), is connectable to a corresponding fastening apparatus of the respective ammunition container (7) situated in the removal station (9).
2. Loading apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that provided on each side of the barrel-type weapon (2) is a container magazine extending in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the armoured vehicle (1) and taking the form of a horizontal slideway having a container removal station (9), and that disposed behind the breech-block end (4) of the barrel-type weapon (2) are two swivelling loading arms (12) for removing the ammunition containers (7) from the container removal stations (9).
3. Loading apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the ammunition containers (7) are disposed between the track and/or wheel skirt and the top armoured covering (6) of the armoured vehicle (1) and that provided in the region of the respective container removal station (9) in the armoured covering (6) is a removal opening (10), through which the respective ammunition container (7) is removable by means of the swivelling loading arm (12).
4. Loading apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that for varying the length of each loading arm (12) a hydraulic or electric drive (17) is provided.
5. Loading apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that for swivelling each loading arm (12) an electric or hydraulic positioning motor (16) is provided.

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