EP1312886B1 - Ammunition drum for a gun - Google Patents

Abstract

The ammunition drum (110), for a weapon with at least two projectile channels (116), rotates around a longitudinal axis (112) and is composed of at least two drum segments (114.1-114.3) bonded together by tie bolts (120). The drum segments are arranged with one at the front and one at the rear, with a center segment between them. The neighboring drum segments have complementary system of fits, as lateral segments with at least one limit surface across the drum axis. Each segment has a projectile channel through it.

Description

The invention relates to an ammunition drum according to the preamble of claim 1 and a firearm according to claim 7.

Ammunition drums of this type are used to supply projectiles to the barrel of a firearm. They have a plurality of projectile channels, which are arranged at equal mutual angular intervals around the drum longitudinal axis. In general, but not necessarily, the drum longitudinal axis, the channel longitudinal axes and the axis of the barrel of the weapon barrel are parallel. The ammunition drum is rotatable in steps about its drum longitudinal axis; as it rotates, it pauses between successive steps in certain angular positions, each for a limited pause. The projectile channels thus move in rotation to different positions, in particular into a receiving position in which they receive a projectile, and in a delivery position in which they deliver the projectile. Here, the projectile channel is located upstream of the gun barrel, that is, the projectile channel and the gun barrel are arranged coaxially with each other. The ammunition drums may include different numbers of bullet channels depending on the firearm on which they are used, and also the number of paces and pauses are different. Theoretically, the supply of ammunition to a gun barrel with an ammunition drum with only one bullet channel, which is brought in the course of a full turn of the ammunition drum only in two positions possible. In general, however, ammunition drums have multiple, often three to six, projectile channels. The number of bullet channels corresponds to the number of layers of the ammunition drum in which their gradual rotation is interrupted by a break.

Conventional ammunition drums are very well suited for supplying comparatively small caliber ammunition to relatively light guns. When using ammunition drums on heavier guns for the supply of ammunition of larger caliber, however, numerous problems occur, both in the use of the firearm as well as in the manufacture and assembly of the ammunition drum.

When firearms are used, the mass must be accelerated and decelerated each time it is rotated as the ammunition drum rotates. This mass is composed of the mass of the projectiles to be transported and of the mass of the ammunition drum itself. Both the mass of the projectiles and the mass of the drum increase with increasing caliber of the projectiles. Although the mass to be moved can be kept relatively small even with relatively large calibers when ammunition drums are used with a few projectile channels, but it is difficult to achieve such high cadences, as they are considered necessary in modern guns.

By large masses to be moved arise essentially two disadvantages when using the weapons. First, the location of the gun and thus change the direction of the barrel by the reactive forces exerted on the gun at each acceleration and deceleration of the ammunition drum; This has the consequence that the hit pattern changes or the weapon effect decreases. Secondly, the high forces cause heavy wear on the moving parts, adversely affecting the reliability of the firearm and resulting in a decrease in life.

Ammunition drums with a large mass are also disadvantageous in the production. On the one hand, the weight of the ammunition drum becomes so great that it can no longer be moved and clamped without aids. On the other hand, high-stress material must be used, since this material must be selected with regard to the highest ever occurring stress, although this highest stress occurs only in a few places. Heavy-duty material is generally specific heavy and at least relatively expensive, not only in the procurement but usually in the processing, since it is not easy to edit; Particularly disadvantageous in this context is that processing errors that undermine in a final phase of production, the entire ammunition drum to be committee, so that a relatively large loss of material and processing time must be accepted.

In order to reduce the mentioned disadvantages, attempts have been made to reduce the mass of the ammunition drums by suitable shaping by making recesses in areas which are not stressed or under stress. However, in this case the same initial amount of material is required and the processing is not simpler but rather complex. The attachment of recesses are also limits, because the shape and in particular the wall thickness of the remaining mass must be such that it is still possible to incorporate cooling channels for a coolant. Alternatively, if necessary, an exclusively external cooling with ambient air can be provided, but for this purpose a shaping with cooling fins is necessary, which in turn makes the processing more complex.

With the US-4,426,802-A which forms a basis for the preamble of claim 1, an ammunition drum has become known for a rather small-caliber firearm having a plurality of projectile channels which are arranged around a drum longitudinal axis. The ammunition drum has a plurality of interconnected drum segments.

In the US-2,380,024-A is a portable weapon described in the manner of a light howitzer. The rear area of the gun barrel and, if necessary, also channels for projectiles are hereby provided with ribs which emit heat.

A large-caliber firearm, which has a conceptually similar ammunition drum, but without the mentioned ribs, and which is intended for mounting on an armored vehicle, is from the US-4,198,897-A known.

The US-2,801,575-A describes a non-segmented, block-like ammunition drum with a cooling system, which is complicated to manufacture because of the block-like design of the ammunition drum, wherein the cooling channels are located away from the most need of cooling area of the ammunition drum.

In summary, it can be stated that no ammunition drums are known which are suitable for supplying large-caliber projectiles to weapon tubes.

• eine Munitionstrommel der eingangs genannten Art zu schaffen, mit welcher die Nachteile des Standes der Technik sowohl im Einsatz wie auch in der Herstellung vermieden werden; und
• eine Schusswaffe mit einer auch für grosskalibrige Geschosse geeigneten Munitionstrommel vorzuschlagen.

The object of the invention is

• to provide an ammunition drum of the type mentioned, with which the disadvantages of the prior art, both in use as well as in the production are avoided; and
• to propose a firearm with a suitable ammunition drum for large-caliber projectiles.

• für die Munitionstrommel der eingangs genannten Art durch die Merkmale des kennzeichnenden Teils des Anspruchs 1, und
• für die Schusswaffe durch die Merkmale des Anspruchs 17.

The solution of this task is carried out according to the invention

• for the ammunition drum of the type mentioned by the features of the characterizing part of claim 1 , and
• for the firearm by the features of claim 17 .

Preferred developments and details of the ammunition drum are defined by the dependent from claim 1 claims 2 to 16 .

The new ammunition drum is modular in design and thus differs from conventional ammunition drums in that it is made of at least two, but generally three or more drum segments. As a result, the mass of the individual drum parts is reduced, so that their handling is facilitated. A processing error in a final phase is not serious, since only the affected drum segment, but not a whole ammunition drum must be replaced. In a revision of the firearm, it is also possible to replace only a single damaged drum segments, which increases the overall life of the ammunition drum.

In order to facilitate a precise assembly of adjacent drum segments, it is advantageous to provide these drum segments at their contacting parting surfaces with complementary fitting elements.

The ammunition drum may be configured such that the drum segments are longitudinal segments, the separation between adjacent drum segments extending substantially in the direction of the drum longitudinal axis. In such a configuration, the drum segments may be formed sector-wise and preferably the same. In general, each longitudinal segment contains a projectile channel, but it is also possible to arrange several projectile channels in each longitudinal segment or to arrange a spacer segment without a projectile channel between two longitudinal segments with projectile channels. A projectile channel can also be limited in part by a first and partly by a second, adjacent longitudinal element. The projectile channels can have an insert made of a high-temperature resistant and abrasion-resistant insert; this makes it possible to produce the parts of the longitudinal segment surrounding this insert from a less resilient and relatively less expensive material.

Particularly advantageous is an ammunition drum has been found, the drum segments are transverse segments, the separation between adjacent transverse segments extending substantially transverse to the drum longitudinal axis.

Here, the ammunition drum is generally designed to have a middle segment consisting mainly of the projectile channels. The middle segment may be in one piece and comprise the entirety of the projectile channels, or it may consist of several, preferably identical, segment units. Each segment unit generally includes one or possibly more than one floor channel. However, the ammunition drum can also be designed such that the middle segment has alternating segment units with and without projectile channel.

Middle segments having a plurality of segment units are particularly advantageous from the standpoint of cooling. The segment units may be tube-like, so that, if necessary, special coolant channels are unnecessary.

Furthermore, an ammunition drum of transverse segments has either a transverse segment formed as a front segment or a transverse segment formed as a rear segment; seen in the firing direction of the firearm is the front segment at the front and the rear segment at the rear of the middle segment. Preferably, the ammunition drum comprises both a front segment and a rear segment.

For very large ammunition drums, not only the middle segment but also the front and / or the rear segment can be split longitudinally. Very long transverse segments can also be divided again into several transverse segment units.

The cross-sectional profile of the projectile channels over the length of the ammunition drum depends on the shape of the cartridges to be fired. For cylindrical cartridges, the projectile channels can have a constant diameter over the axial length of the ammunition drum and, if appropriate, be used for the return transport of the empty tubes after firing. The projectile channels can also - for non-cylindrical cartridges - have a rear area with a larger diameter than sleeve bearing or cartridge chamber and a front area with a smaller diameter; in such an arrangement, the empty tubes are ejected to the rear.

The projectile channels are the thermally and mechanically most stressed parts of the ammunition drum; in a construction with a middle segment, a front segment and / or a rear segment can be selected for the middle segment, a high quality, particularly high-temperature material, while the front segment and the rear segment of less resistant, but cheaper, lighter and easier to work materials can be produced ,

In connection with this, it has proved to be favorable to design the ammunition drum in such a way that the projectile channels run over the entire drum length and thus extend from the middle segment into or through the front segment and into or through the rear segment.

In order to increase the life of the ammunition drum and to ensure a safe function, it is important to keep the temperature of the ammunition drum and in particular the projectile ducts in a limited temperature range and to cool them sufficiently. This is especially important for high cadence weapons and relatively light drums, as they are preferred for dynamic reasons. Measures for cooling must ensure that not only at the moment of firing but also subsequently cooled; so that the auto-ignition, in particular the self-ignition of the remaining after the last shot in the projectile projectiles projectiles, which is also known as the cook-off effect, are avoided. A monitoring of the cooling effect can be realized in a simple manner when the cooling takes place with the aid of a coolant circulating through coolant channels. It then suffices to provide a flow monitor which generates a warning signal if there is insufficient coolant flow. Coolings of this type are suitable for all ambient temperatures, especially for very high ambient temperatures.

When selecting a suitable coolant, pay attention to the following: The coolant must not vaporize at high temperatures or be chemically unfavorable; the coolant must not freeze or have excessive viscosity at low temperatures; The coolant must not be corrosive or abrasive. A suitable coolant is, for example, water, to which a suitable additive is added. As an additive that causes a cold and corrosion protection, for example, glycol can be used.

Instead of cooling with the aid of a special coolant, for example water with an additive, the cooling drum could also be cooled with the aid of the ambient air given a suitable shaping of the ammunition drum. Instead of coolant channels In this case, a suitable shaping, for example with cooling fins, can be provided.

On ammunition drums which are divided into transverse segments and which have a front segment, a middle segment and a rear segment, generally those regions of the projectile ducts which run inside the front segment or the rear segment must be cooled. This is all the more necessary, the greater the axial length of the arranged within the front segment and the rear segment areas of the floor ducts. For this purpose, coolant channels can be provided in the front segments and / or in the rear segments. In order to produce the coolant channels as simply as possible, it is favorable to provide one or more recesses in the outer surface of the segment units of the middle segment, namely in that region which comes to lie in the front segment or the rear segment; the wall of this recess then delimits, together with the wall of the front segment or rear segment, which is opposite in the assembled state, a coolant channel which lies optimally, namely close to the location of the heat development. Outside the front segment or the rear segment, the cooling can be done without special coolant, only with the help of the ambient air. With such a construction to obtain a sufficient cooling effect with a simple design and low coolant consumption.

The individual drum segments can be interconnected in various ways. The connection can, for example, without fasteners, only by positive engagement or adhesion, done.

The drive of the ammunition drums, for example, from the outside via tax rolls. The supply of the cartridges can be effected by means of a central drive member, which is arranged in a central through or outbreak of the ammunition drum.

An example of a positive connection of drum segments is a connection with integral connecting elements, for example a connection with complementary grooves and projections, called; In particular, drum segments can be fastened to one another, which are designed as longitudinal segments and whose separating surfaces extend in the direction of the drum longitudinal axis, preferably diametrically.

As an example of a frictional connection of drum segments is a shrink connection called, with which in particular a middle segment or segment units of a central segment can be mounted in a front segment or rear segment.

However, the ammunition drum can also have additional connecting elements, for example screws, with which the drum segments are clamped together; In this case, it may be essential to provide screw locks to prevent loosening of the screws in the occurring during use dynamic load; In particular, middle segments or segment units of middle segments can be clamped in this way between the front segment and the rear segment. Instead of the mentioned compounds of the drum segments, other suitable compounds may be provided. The middle segment can be connected, for example, by welding to the front segment and the rear segment; However, this may require a subsequent processing, in particular the projectile channels required.

The new ammunition drum is designed to be mounted on a firearm. To retrofit existing firearms, it is preferably designed so that no changes are necessary for the assembly and the drive of the ammunition drum on the firearm.

Fig. 1

ein Ausführungsbeispiel der Munitionstrommel nach der Erfindung, in einem Schaubild;

Fig. 2

ein Frontteil der in Fig. 1 dargestellten Munitionstrommel, in einem Schaubild;

Fig. 3

ein Längssegment eines Mittelteiles der in Fig. 1 dargestellten Munitionstrommel, in einem Schaubild; und

Fig. 4

ein Heckteil der in Fig. 1 dargestellten Munitionstrommel, in einem Schaubild.

Further advantages and details of the invention will be explained below with reference to exemplary embodiments and with reference to the drawing. Show it:

Fig. 1

an embodiment of the ammunition drum according to the invention, in a diagram;

Fig. 2

a front part of in Fig. 1 illustrated ammunition drum, in a diagram;

Fig. 3

a longitudinal segment of a middle part of in Fig. 1 illustrated ammunition drum, in a diagram; and

Fig. 4

a tail section of in Fig. 1 illustrated ammunition drum, in a diagram.

It should be noted that the drawings are not to be considered as true to scale.

Fig. 1 shows an ammunition drum 110 with a drum longitudinal axis 112. The ammunition drum 110 is divided transversely to the drum longitudinal axis 112 in three formed as transverse segments drum segments 114.1, 114.2, 114.3 and further comprises four connecting parts 120 in the form of screws. The first drum segment 114.1, also referred to as tail segment 114.1 , is in Fig. 2 shown; The second drum segment , 114.2, also referred to as middle segment 114.2 , essentially consists of four identical segment units , which extend parallel to the drum longitudinal axis 112 , and is in Fig. 3 shown; the third drum segment 114.3 , also referred to as front segment 114.3 , is in Fig. 4 shown.

In general, the transverse segments are in contact with their separating surfaces running essentially transversely to the drum longitudinal axis 112 . The separating surface of a transverse segment does not have to be continuous, that is to say that a plurality of individual partial separating surfaces, which are separated from one another by recesses, may be present on a transverse segment. The separating surfaces may also have partial separating surfaces running in the direction of the drum longitudinal axis, in particular, to provide fitting elements that facilitate the precise assembly of the transverse segments. In addition, the separating surfaces can also be designed to taper in the direction of the drum longitudinal axis or have tapered part-separating surfaces, which likewise facilitates precise assembly of the individual transverse segments.

The tail segment 114.1 is according to Fig. 2 formed like a flange and has a central bore 115.1 for receiving a shaft, not shown, on which ammunition drum 110 when it is attached to a firearm, not shown, can be set in rotation. Furthermore, the rear segment 114.1 four holes 115.2 , which are arranged at equal mutual angular intervals of 90 ° and at equal distances from the central bore 115.1 . The bores 115.2 serve to receive the tail ends of the segment units 114.4 of the middle segment 114.2. The rear segment 114.1 also has four holes 115.3 for receiving the connecting elements 120 .

According to Fig. 3 each of the segment units 114.4 of the middle segment 114.2 is tubular and defines a projectile channel 116 with a channel longitudinal axis 118. The segment units 114.4 may also be other than cylindrically delimited, and the center segment 114.2 may also be formed in one piece. The channel longitudinal axes 118 are aligned parallel to the drum longitudinal axis 112 . Each segment unit 114.4 of the middle segment 114.2 extends according to Fig. 1 Over the entire axial length of the ammunition drum 110, that is, each segment unit 114.4 projects with its rear end into the rear segment 114.1 and with its front end into the front segment 114.3. The outer diameter of the front end of each segment unit 114.4 is smaller than the outer diameter of its rear end. A, preferably helical, recess 122, which forms a first boundary of a coolant channel, extends over the outer surface of the front part of each segment unit 114.4 . A second boundary of the coolant channel is formed by the inner wall of a bore 115.4 of the front segment 114.3 . There may also be a plurality of coolant channels on a front segment. The Coolant channels are intended to receive a coolant circulating during use of weapons. A bridge at the front end of the front section is dimensioned so that sealing problems with circulating coolant are prevented.

This in Fig. 4 shown front segment 114.3 has a central bore 115.5 . The bore 115.5 is aligned in the mounted state of the ammunition drum 110 with the central bore 115.1 of the rear segment 114.1 and serves to receive the shaft, not shown, which serves to support the ammunition drum 110 and to drive the ammunition supply. The front segment 114.3 also has the already mentioned four holes 115.4 , which receive the front ends of the middle segment 114.2 or the segment units 114.4 of the middle segment 114.2 in the mounted state of the ammunition drum 110 . In addition, the front segment has four flange 114.3 projections 124 with bores 125, which in the mounted state of the ammunition drum, the connecting elements are recorded 120,110. At the front segment 114.3 four connection points 132 are also formed, which serve to receive control rollers , via which the drive of the ammunition drum 110 takes place.

Claims (7)

1. Ammunition drum (110) for a firearm, comprising at least two projectile channels (118) which are arranged around a longitudinal drum axis (116), which ammunition drum (110) comprises at least two mutually connected drum segments (114.1, 114.2, 114.3) which are arranged as transverse segments and comprise at least one boundary surface extending
   substantially transversally to the longitudinal drum axis (112), with a transverse segment (114.1, 114.3) being arranged as a rear segment (114.1) or a front segment (114.3) and a transverse segment as a middle segment (114.2) which comprises several segment units (114.4) extending in the direction of the longitudinal drum axis (112),
   characterized in that
   several coolant ducts are provided on the rear segment (114.1) and/or on the front segment (114.3), which ducts are designated to receive a coolant circulating during the use of the firearm, whereby

   - ends of the segment units (114.4) of the middle segment (114.2) protrude into the adjoining drum segment (114.1, 114.3), and

   - the coolant ducts are delimited by the wall of a recess (122) in the outside surface of the segment unit (114.4) on the one hand and by the wall of a bore (115.4) of the drum segment (114.3) opposite of the recess on the other hand.
2. Ammunition drum (110) according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   drum segments (114.1, 114.2, 114.3) adjacent to one another have complementary mating elements.
3. Ammunition drum (110) according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   the drum segments are fastened to each other at least partly in an interlocking manner.
4. Ammunition drum (110) according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   the drum segments (114.2, 114.3) are fastened to each other at least partly in a non-positive way, e.g. by shrinking.
5. Ammunition drum (110) according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   it further comprises connecting elements (120), e.g. screws, by which the drum segments (114.1, 114.2, 114.3) are fastened to each other.
6. Ammunition drum (110) according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   the transverse segments (114.1, 114.2, 114.3) are made of different materials, with preferably the transverse segment (114.2) forming the projectile channels (118) being made from a material which has a strength which is increased over the remainder of the transverse segments (114.1, 114.3), especially high-temperature strength.
7. Firearm with at least one barrel and at least one ammunition drum,
   characterized in that
   the ammunition drum is arranged designed to one of the claims 1 to 6.

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