EP1390684B1 - Storage magazine for propellant charge modules - Google Patents

Abstract

A storage magazine for propellant charge modules for artillery cannons including a set of walls delimiting compartments in which the modules are arranged in superimposed rows, such modules for removal by a pick up system, at least one mobile support for receiving a row of modules, such support in a first extraction position for filling the row and in a second storage position for removing the modules by a pick up system.

Description

The technical sector of the present invention is that of module storage magazines constituting propellant charges for artillery gun.

An artillery gun may be powered either with munitions comprising a projectile attached to a socket to form a unitary assembly or ammunition including a projectile and propellant charge modules. In the latter case, it is necessary to bring into the barrel chamber the projectile and the different modules whose number depends on the distance to which the target is located. Projectiles and modules are stored in separate magazines and means are provided to bring the projectile and the propellant charges in a kinematic known to be loaded into the barrel chamber. These means are commonly referred to as automatic entry system.

This system is well known and it is not necessary to explain it in more detail. We can refer for example to the patent FR-2 743 412 which describes a storage magazine according to the preamble of claim 1. In this document, there is also described a store of successive layer modules in the form of cylinders of constant dimensions. This store is compartmentalized in rows and is provided with a transfer means for taking the modules in a compartment. For this purpose, the described system comprises an arm engaging in the selected compartment to transfer the modules into the loading system of the barrel.

However, the magazine described has a number of vertical spacers designed to separate the modules between them. These wedges are continuous over the entire height of the store.

The major disadvantage of this store lies in the difficulty of ensuring its loading modules when all or part of the modules were taken. Indeed, these modules can be introduced into the store at the top of the store to stack them in columns. The introduction of the modules coming from the back of the store is therefore difficult and delicate. Moreover, being Since these are pyrotechnic products, any falls against the bottom wall and friction between modules can cause their ignition. Finally, unloading the store to renew the modules is also difficult and difficult because of the limited space available to access the interior of this store.

The patent US 4982650 describes a modular store according to an endless chain according to which the ammunition is stored in compartments brought successively at a sampling means.

The patent US5604327 describes a magazine in which the ammunition is arranged in successive individual layers and provided with a gripper arm taking one or more ammunition from a layer.

In these two documents, the store does not have compartments in which ammunition is stacked on top of each other.

The object of the present invention is to provide a new store minimizing this pyrotechnic risk by a new layout of the modules, while being simple in design and moderate cost.

The subject of the invention is therefore a storage magazine for propellant charge modules for an artillery gun comprising a set of walls delimiting compartments in which the modules are arranged in superimposed rows, modules intended to be taken by a gripping system. store characterized in that it comprises at least one movable support for receiving a row of modules, support for ensuring in a first extraction position the lining of the row and allowing in a second storage position the sampling of the modules by the gripping system, each support being in the form of a drawer slidably mounted in slides secured to a side or intermediate wall, drawer immobilized on one side by a rear wall of the store and the other by a retractable locking means.

According to another feature, the locking means comprises a stop plate fixed to a side or intermediate wall and extending over substantially the entire height thereof between a hinge pin and a hooking means.

According to yet another characteristic, each drawer comprises receiving means receiving the modules, these means being retractable by the action of at least one spring and being operable to place them in a receiving position modules.

According to a first embodiment of the invention, the receiving means comprise integral cleats of a rod, pivotally mounted relative to the drawer.

According to a second embodiment, the receiving means comprise a support bar integral with at least two arms pivotally mounted relative to a sidewall of the drawer.

Each arm can be connected to the side of the drawer by a compass formed of two articulated rods.

At least one compass may be subjected to the action of a torsion spring ensuring the retraction of the arms.

The storage magazine may include at least one extractable lid secured to a movable support.

Advantageously, each support will comprise at least two shims ensuring positioning of the modules.

The shims are advantageously sized to ensure masking of the cleats or arms when in the folded position.

The storage magazine will have a substantially parallelepiped shape, the media can be extracted at a rear face accessible to an operator.

A first advantage of the invention lies in the absence of constraints on the modules that do not experience falls or friction to avoid any pyrotechnic hazard, that is to say accidental ignition.

Another advantage lies in the ease of loading modules or their unloading since each drawer can be easily extracted making all these operations possible.

Another advantage of the invention lies in the fact that the loading is carried out horizontally.

The magazine according to the invention is of simple design and a relatively moderate cost.

• la figure 1 est une vue schématique de la constitution du magasin selon l'invention,
• la figure 2 représente une vue du magasin équipé et garni de modules,
• les figures 3 à 5 illustrent un premier mode de réalisation d'un support,
• la figure 6 est une vue montrant le support équipé d'un couvercle,
• la figure 7 est une coupe d'un moyen de blocage, et
• les figures 8 et 9 montrent un deuxième mode de réalisation d'un support.

Other features, details and advantages of the invention will emerge more clearly from reading the additional description given below as an indication in relation to a drawing in which:

• the figure 1 is a schematic view of the constitution of the magazine according to the invention,
• the figure 2 represents a view of the store equipped and furnished with modules,
• the Figures 3 to 5 illustrate a first embodiment of a support,
• the figure 6 is a view showing the support equipped with a lid,
• the figure 7 is a section of blocking means, and
• the figures 8 and 9 show a second embodiment of a support.

The store 1 represented on the figure 1 is in the form of a substantially parallelepiped block delimited by three side walls 2, 3, 4 and a bottom 5. In the plane of the figure, the walls that will be described as above and front face are absent. The interior of the store is accessible from the top face to allow the entry of a system of automatic seizure of known structure which will take the stored modules to feed a weapon. Such a system is described in the aforementioned French patent or in the patent FR-2 764 055 and can be used with the magazine according to the invention without particular adaptation.

Separating walls 6 make it possible to divide the magazine 1 into a number of compartments 7 arranged vertically in the plane of the figure. The side walls 2 and 3 and the separating walls 6 are equipped with slides 8 arranged parallel to the bottom 5.

On the figure 2 , there is shown a magazine 1 filled with modules 9 placed on several movable supports 10 relative to the slideways 8 not visible in this figure. This store comprises five vertical compartments 7, each containing six rows of modules 9, each row being carried by a support 10. Each row comprises six modules 9. The store 1 thus carries thirty charges usable by the vehicle. Of course, these data are given as an indication. In the figure was extracted a mobile support 10a carrying modules and a mobile support 10b carrying no module.

This view makes it possible to show the extraction of the support 10 to fill it with modules when they have been consumed. It can be seen that the front face, with respect to the plane of the figure, is free of any wall in order to allow the maneuvering of the supports. In the figure, we can still see that each support 10 is movable between two upper 8a and lower 8b slides as will be explained more clearly later.

On the Figures 3 to 5 , there is shown a first embodiment of a movable support 10 in the form of a drawer comprising a lateral flank 12 and cleats 13. The lateral flank consists of a substantially flat plate on which are fixed shims 14 and separators 15 to delimit the receiving locations of the modules. On the figure 3 , we see that each site is limited on both sides by a wedge 14.

On the figure 4 , there is shown a cross section of the slide 10, made at a separator 15. Each separator is in the form of a plate fixed for example by welding on the sidewall 12. The cleat 13 has a cylindrical profile matching the shape of the propellant charge module.

On the figure 5 , which represents a perspective view of the movable drawer 10, we see that at both ends the separator 15a is leaned against a single shim 14a while each intermediate separator 15b is disposed between two shims 14b and 14c. Each cleat 13 is secured to a rod 16 by pins (not shown). To facilitate its identification on the figure 5 , the rod 16 is fictitiously prolonged in dashed lines in the figure. This rod extends over the entire length of the drawer. Each cleat 13 is subjected to the action of a torsion spring 17 which bears on one side on the cleat 13 and on the other on the flank 12 of the drawer 10. This spring brings the stopper to the sidewall 12 when no module is placed thereon. A sufficient shim thickness 14 is adopted so as to ensure complete masking of the lug 13 between two shims when it is brought back by the spring 17. This arrangement makes it possible to avoid any interference with the modules when they are put into position. place or taken. To put the modules on the cleats 13 just rotate a single latch. The cleats are all integral with the rod 16, they then pivot against the action of the springs 17 to adopt an open position substantially perpendicular to the sidewall 12. We will size the springs so that the weight of a single propellant charge module is sufficient maintain all cleats in the open position.

The modules are in their storage position placed on the catches 13 and resting at their cylindrical surface on the shims 14, the ends of the modules being held by the separators 15. The free space between the module, the flank 12 and shims 14 is dimensioned to allow the passage of a clamp of a module gripping system (not shown). Such a system is described for example by the patent FR-2 764 055 .

In the figure, we see that the wedges 14 are surmounted by a pad 18 whose role will be explained below.

We have shown on the figure 6 The cover is slidably mounted with respect to the sidewall 12. For this purpose, the cover having a generally circular arc shape is extended by a flat edge 20 terminated by a The edge 20 engages in the space defined by the wedges 14 and the pads 18. The underside of the pads 18 is provided with a groove 22 in which engages the swollen edge 21 to thereby maintain place the lid regardless of the movements of the store.

The different drawers of the same vertical compartment are immobilized relative to the store 2 by means of 23. This means of blocking is visible at the figure 1 and more precisely on the figure 7 .

Each locking means comprises a stop plate 23 which is fixed to a side wall 2, 3 or intermediate 6 and which extends over substantially the entire height thereof. This abutment plate has a width sufficient to cover the slides 8 of the different drawers 10. It therefore prevents the exit of the latter.

Each plate extends between a hinge pin 24 arranged in the lower part of the compartment and an attachment means 25.

This plate / locking means 23 has at the bottom a notch 29 which cooperates with an axis 24 fixed for example on the lower part of a side wall (2,3) or intermediate 6. The plate can thus pivot with respect to the 24 in the direction Z. The plate 23 is held in the upper part by a hook 25 which is itself pivotally mounted by an axis 26 on the wall in question and subjected to the action of a return spring 27. This hook 25 is engaged in a slot 28 formed in the plate 23 to keep it in the locked position. To release the locking means, simply lift the hook 25 so that it clears in the slot 28 and then rotate the plate / locking means 23 about its axis 24 so that it comes to occupy the position 23 'shown in dotted lines. In this position, it is possible thanks to the notch 29 to disengage the plate 23 from its axis 24 and remove it. The drawers 12 of a compartment 7 are thus all released and each of them can be extracted by an operator when to fill the store.

Note that the locking means is provided to fix the position of all the drawers of a compartment. It goes without saying that one could provide individual means of blocking each drawer. Of course, the length of each drawer is provided to occupy the entire space between the bottom wall 4 and the locking means. In this way, the drawers are completely held between the wall 4 and the blocking means 23.

The magazine according to the invention is preferably made from metal sheets. However, it could be possible to use any material sufficiently strong mechanically, such as reinforced plastics.

To load the magazine, proceed as follows. We assume the shop closed and empty. The hook 25 is first released to release the locking means 23 that is removed. The drawers 10 of the same compartment 7 are thus released. They are extracted and can then fill each drawer with modules 9 starting for example by the lower drawer.

For this we lower one of the cleats and we position a module on it. All other tabs of the drawer then adopt their open position and can each receive a load module. When six modules have been positioned on a drawer, the cover 19 is placed above the modules by engaging the edge 21 in the groove 22 and the drawer / cover assembly is introduced into the magazine. The lid provides a temporary hold of the modules during the operation of replacing the drawer. The cover 19 is removed once the drawer has been introduced into the magazine. Indeed, it would interfere with the tabs of the upper drawer and prevent entry into the store of a module gripper.

Once all the drawers of the same compartment loaded, we put in place the blocking means 23 that is just applied against the hook 25 which fades due to the ramp with which it is provided. These operations are continued at the level of each compartment until the complete lining of the store. It should be noted that when all the modules 9 of a drawer have been taken by a gripper, the tabs 13 are all automatically raised under the action of the springs 17, which allows to free the passage for the gripper and allows access to the drawer underneath. At the end of the mission, all drawers still carrying loads must be removed for safety reasons. We start by inserting the lid over the drawer is the highest in the compartment and still carrying loads, then extract the drawer is removed the remaining modules and put the empty drawers in the store.

The figures 8 and 9 show a second embodiment of a drawer 10 of a magazine according to the invention.

This mode differs from the previous one in that the shims 14 do not carry separators 15 and in that the receiving means do not comprise cleats but a support bar 33, integral with arms (34a, 34b, 34c, 34d, 34e, 34f, 34g) which are pivotally mounted relative to the wedges 14 themselves integral with the sidewall 12 of the drawer.

Each arm 34 thus forms a lateral abutment for a propulsive charge and the propulsive charges are supported on the bar 33 and on the spacers 14.

Each arm 34 is connected to the sidewall 12 of the drawer by a compass 35 formed of two articulated links 30 and 31.

A first rod 30 is pivotally mounted relative to the shim 14 and a second rod 31 is pivotally mounted relative to the arm 34. The compasses 35 unfold during the lowering of the bar 33 and each arm 34 and its compass 35 form a lateral abutment for the propellant charge module (and thus fulfill the function of the separators 15 of the previous embodiment).

The bar 33, driven by the arms 34, is capable of adopting a folded position in which it is applied against the shims 14. It moves from the deployed position shown in FIG. figure 8 in its folded position by the action of return springs 36 which act on one or more of the compasses 35. Here three return springs 36a, 36b and 36c are provided which act respectively on the compasses 35b, 35d and 35f. The springs are torsion springs which are interposed between the link 30 of the compass 35 and the shim 14 (see FIG. figure 9 ). They are compressed during the lowering of the bar 33 and then exert a return torque tending to bring the bar 33 resting on the wedges 14.

The springs are dimensioned so that a single propellant charge module ensures the maintenance of the bar 33 in the deployed position.

The modules are held at two generators of the module by the bar 33 on the one hand and the shims 14 on the other. With this embodiment the propellant charge modules are held pressed against the shims 14 regardless of their diameter (within the expected dimensional tolerances range). This ensures a better maintenance modules.

Claims (11)

1. A storage magazine (1) for propellant charge modules (9) for artillery cannons that comprises a set of walls (2, 3, 6) delimiting compartments (7) in which the modules (9) are arranged in superimposed rows, such modules being intended to be removed by a pick up system, wherein it comprises at least one mobile support (10) intended to receive a row of modules (9), such support in a first extraction position ensuring the filling of the row and in a second storage position the removal of the modules by the pick up system, each support (10) being in the form of a drawer mounted sliding on slides integral with a side (2, 3) or middle (6) wall, such sliding drawer being immobilised on one side by a rear wall (4) of the magazine and on the other by retractable blocking means (23).
2. A storage magazine according to Claim 1, wherein the blocking means (23) comprise an abutment plate attached to a side (2, 3) or middle (6) wall and extending over substantially the full height of said wall between a hinge pin (24) and a hooking means (25).
3. A storage magazine according to Claims 1 or 2, wherein each sliding drawer (10) comprises reception means (13) for the modules (9), these means being able to be retracted through the action of at least one spring (17) and being able to be manoeuvred so as to place them in a position to receive the modules (9).
4. A storage magazine according to Claim 3, wherein the reception means comprise catches (13) integral with a rod (16) that is mounted able to pivot with respect to the drawer (10).
5. A storage magazine according to Claim 4, wherein the reception means comprise a support bar (33) integral with at least two arms (34) mounted able to pivot with respect to the flank (12) of the drawer (10).
6. A storage magazine according to Claim 5, wherein each arm (34) is connected to the flank (12) of the drawer by torque links (35) formed of two hinged connecting rods (30, 31).
7. A storage magazine according to Claim 6, wherein at least one torque link (35) is subjected to the action of a torsional spring (36) ensuring the retraction of the arms.
8. A storage magazine according to any one of the above Claims, wherein it comprises at least one extractable cover (19) integral with a mobile support (10).
9. A storage magazine according to any one of the above Claims, wherein each support (10) comprises at least two shims (14) to position the modules (9).
10. A storage magazine according to Claim 9, wherein the shims (14) are dimensioned so as to mask the catches (13) or the arms (34) when they are in their folded position.
11. A storage magazine according to any one of the above Claims, wherein it is of a substantially parallelepipedic shape, the supports (10) being extracted at a rear face to which an operator has access.

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