EP3607261B1 - Device for loading a barreled weapon with ammunition bodies - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a device for loading a barreled weapon with ammunition bodies, in particular with artillery shells, with a rammer for transferring an ammunition body from a loading position outside the loading space along a loading path into a loaded position in the loading space of the barreled weapon. Furthermore, the invention relates to a corresponding method for loading a barreled weapon with ammunition bodies and a barreled weapon with such a device.

In the military field, barrel weapons of different calibers are used, ranging from rather small-caliber machine guns to large-caliber artillery weapons. Before the shot is fired, the barrel weapons are loaded with one or more ammunition bodies, with particular large caliber guns, such as artillery pieces, split ammunition is used. In the case of divided ammunition, the ammunition bodies are on the one hand the actual projectiles, for example artillery shells, and on the other hand the propellant charges used to accelerate the projectiles. The projectiles and the propellant charges are usually loaded one after the other in separate work steps.

First, the projectile is brought from a loading position outside the barrel of the barrel weapon along a loading path to a scheduled position in the barrel of the barrel weapon. In the second step, the propellant charges are also transported from a loading position outside the barrel of the barrel weapon along the loading path into the barrel of the barrel weapon. The projectile is usually loaded with a first rammer and the propellant charge is loaded with a separate second rammer.

Automatic rammers, such as those from US Pat EP 0 352 584 B1 or the EP 1 041 355 B1 are known. However, during ramming, under very unfavorable circumstances, errors can occur in certain situations which result in the ammunition body not being held in the rammed position in the hold. This is the case, for example, when a projectile guide band provided for this purpose is not deformed, or not sufficiently so, when it is introduced into the barrel of the barrel weapon. In such situations, particularly when the gun barrel is elevated, it can happen that the projectile is not held in its attached position by the clamping force of the guide band, but instead moves back under the influence of gravity against the direction of attachment.

For safety reasons, the corresponding barrel weapons therefore have devices that are known as fallback latches and a complete Prevent the ammunition body from slipping out of the barrel weapon, as this would pose a serious risk to the operator of the weapon. Even if the fallback catch prevents an incorrectly aimed projectile from completely slipping out, it is still necessary for the operator to intervene manually in order to subsequently correct the positioning error. For this it is first necessary that he goes from his operating position to the loading end of the barrel weapon. There, the operator must manually actuate the fallback latch and remove the ammunition body, some of which has a considerable weight, from the loading chamber of the weapon by hand in order to then be able to start the automatic rammer again.

This is associated with a great deal of effort, considerable stress and an increased risk of injury, for example by crushing the operator. In addition, the operator has to leave his operating position, which is often protected against military threats, for example inside an armored vehicle cabin, for a certain period of time in order to correct an application error. Especially during ongoing combat missions in unsecured areas, the operator is exposed to a considerable risk of danger without protection for the duration of the correction process. EP 1 736 726 A1 discloses a ramming device for loading a barrel weapon with propellant charges, a sensor for checking the ramming position of the projectile and propellant charge being provided.

The object of the present invention is therefore to specify a device, as well as a method for loading a gun and a gun with such a device, which are characterized by a reduced risk of danger for the operator.

In a device of the type mentioned at the outset, the object is achieved by a correction piecing downstream of the piecing in the loading path for correcting piecing errors as required, according to claim 1 or claim 15 .

By using the correction piecing downstream of the piecing, piecing errors can be corrected automatically without manual intervention by the operator. If, under very unfavorable circumstances, an application error occurs in a certain situation, the operator no longer has to leave the protected area of the weapon system to correct this application error, thereby exposing himself to an increased risk of danger. Rather, the correction of the positioning error can be carried out from the protected operating position, for example by remote control or fully automatically.

In an advantageous embodiment of the device, it is provided that the corrective rammer can be moved at least partially into the barrel of the weapon. In this way, the correction rammer can correct a rammer error without having to completely remove the corresponding ammunition body from the barrel of the weapon.

It is advantageous if the correction piecing can be moved along the loading path at a number of speed levels, in particular two speed levels. A slow rate of speed can be used to bring the rammer closer to the ammunition body, thereby avoiding damage to the ammunition body upon contact with the rammer. If there is contact between the correction rammer and the ammunition body, a faster speed level can be used to accelerate the ammunition body in the direction of its ramming position. The ammunition body can thus be accelerated to a speed at which it has kinetic energy that is sufficient to attach and deform the guide band. The correction rammer advantageously decelerates as soon as the ammunition body has sufficient kinetic energy. The deceleration can take place over a distance that is comparatively short in comparison to the entire loading distance, without braking the ammunition body in the process. In this way, the ammunition body can continue the loading path up to its scheduled Continue the position independently of the correction rammer and the correction rammer can already be moved out of the barrel of the weapon.

A further embodiment provides that the correction rammer is a guided rammer, in particular a telescopic rammer. Also conceivable is the use of chain rammers and in particular chain rammers with a rigid-backed attachment chain for insertion into the charge chamber of the weapon, or the use of toggle lever rammers. Guided rammers have proven to be very reliable because they are in contact with the ammunition body during rammering and can guide it along the loading path to its rammered position. In particular, telescopic rammers allow for a simple and reliable construction. Chain piecings offer a particularly space-saving solution. Particularly preferably, the piecing can be operated pneumatically. For this purpose, it has proven particularly advantageous if the rammer can be connected to an air pressure supply, for example to the air pressure system of a military vehicle, such as a tank howitzer, which is provided anyway.

A constructively advantageous embodiment also provides that the corrective rammer can be moved transversely to the loading path. In this way, the corrective rammer can, if necessary, be brought from a ready position in which it is stowed away to save space into the loading path of the barrel weapon in order to correct an arranging error that occurs from there. This transverse movement uses the area of space parallel to the loading path without increasing the space behind the barrel weapon, which is required for loading and is in any case limited.

According to one embodiment, it is proposed that the corrective rammer be arranged on a loading arm that is rotatably mounted about the elevation axis of the barrel weapon. With such a loading arm, the ammunition bodies are moved from a magazine or an ammunition feed into the loading position transferred, from which the rammer transfers the ammunition bodies along the loading path into the scheduled position. The location of the loading path in space is dependent on the elevation of the gun. Due to the rotatable mounting of the loading arm about the elevation axis of the barrel weapon, it can always be rotated into the same relative position in the loading path of the barrel weapon. The space requirement can be reduced by arranging the correction rammer on the rotatably mounted loading arm.

Furthermore, it can be advantageous if the correction piecing is arranged on the piecing. In this way, a common device for moving and/or aligning the rammer in the loading path can also be used for the correction rammer. This can result in a compact design. The rammer can be arranged in particular on the loading arm.

A further embodiment provides a fall-back latch which prevents ammunition bodies from slipping out of the barrel weapon in the event of a positioning error. In this way, the ammunition body can be held in the barrel weapon and reattached in a simple manner by the correction rammer. The inner wall of the gun can serve as a lateral guide for the ammunition body. Damage to the ammunition body and/or the loading device due to the ammunition body slipping completely out of the barrel weapon can also be counteracted in this way.

The fallback pawl is preferably arranged on the loading end of the barrel weapon. An ammunition body that is not correctly attached can slip to the loading end of the gun without falling out of the gun.

According to an advantageous embodiment, an attachment quality sensor for detecting the attachment quality of an attached ammunition body and/or for Detection of attachment errors provided. The sensor readings enable the operator to assess the ammunition's placement quality without having to leave his protected operating position. The attachment quality sensor can measure at least one variable that allows conclusions to be drawn about the attachment quality of the ammunition body, such as a distance from the ammunition body, a resistance between electrical contacts and/or a pressure on the inner wall of the barrel weapon. The attachment quality sensor can also automatically detect an incorrectly attached ammunition body. In this way, the operator can recognize a piecing error from his protected operating position and operate the automatic correction piecing via a remote control device. It is also possible for the correction piecing to be triggered fully automatically when a piecing error is detected, without the operator having to intervene.

The attachment quality sensor is preferably designed as a distance sensor. In this way, the attachment quality can be determined in a particularly simple manner using the distance between the attachment quality sensor and the ammunition body. This distance measurement is particularly preferably carried out along the loading path.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if the attachment quality sensor is arranged on a loading arm. By rotating the loading arm when loading the barrel weapon, the ramming quality sensor is brought into its measuring position during each loading process and can carry out the required measurement there during the loading process without the ramming time being lengthened as a result.

In addition, it has proven to be structurally advantageous if the ramming quality sensor is arranged on a propellant charge rammer. Since the propellant rammer is brought into the loading path of the gun after the projectile has been attached, the annealing quality sensor can carry out the required measurement before the next step is to bring the propellant charge to the area behind the projectile.

A further embodiment provides that the piecing and/or the correction piecing and/or the piecing quality sensor are arranged in the manner of a turret drum. A particularly space-saving design can be realized in this way.

Furthermore, it is advantageous to provide a measuring device for measuring the distance between the correction rammer and the ammunition body. In this way, the distance can be recognized during the approach of the correction rammer to the ammunition body. This measurement can be used to control the approach behavior of the correction piecing. An approach at different speeds is conceivable, for example initially at a fast speed level, with which time can be saved during the approach, and below a defined distance from the ammunition body at a slower speed level, in which the corrective rammer slowly and without damaging the ammunition body with the same in contact is made. An attachment quality sensor designed as a distance sensor can preferably be used as the measuring device.

A development of the invention provides a force sensor for determining the force acting on the correction piecing. In this way it can be recognized when the correction rammer comes into contact with the ammunition body. Depending on this, the correction piecing can be controlled, for example its speed or its acceleration can be changed. Furthermore, the corrective rammer can be used based on the measured values of the force sensor in order to press the ammunition body into the barrel of the gun with a defined force. As a result, for example, a guide band, through the clamping force of Ammunition body is held in the scheduled position to be deformed.

In the case of a barreled weapon of the type mentioned at the outset, the object is achieved by a device for loading the barreled weapon with one or more of the preceding features. The advantages already explained in connection with the device result.

In an embodiment of the barrel weapon, it is further proposed that a fallback pawl has the attachment quality sensor for detecting the attachment quality of an attached ammunition body and/or for detecting attachment errors. In this way, the attachment quality sensor can be attached to the weapon in a very space-saving manner, since no receptacle for the attachment quality sensor is required on the outside of the barrel weapon. Due to the contact between the fallback pawl and an incorrectly placed ammunition body, contact sensors, such as pressure sensors or contact voltage sensors, can also be used in a simple manner to detect placement errors. The attachment quality sensor is also permanently in the loading path of the barrel weapon and does not have to be brought into the loading path to determine the attachment quality. As a result, the time between the attachment and the recognition of the attachment quality can be reduced.

In addition, we propose a method for loading a barreled weapon with ammunition bodies, in particular with artillery shells, with a rammer for transferring an ammunition body from a loading position outside of the loading space along a loading path to an attached position in the loading space of the barreled weapon to solve the above-mentioned problem that, if necessary, piecing errors are corrected with a correction rammer downstream of the rammer in the loading path. The advantages explained in connection with the device for loading a barrel weapon also arise with such a method.

Fig. 1

eine erfindungsgemäße Rohrwaffe mit einem Munitionskörper in der Ladestellung,

Fign. 2-9

mehrere Ansichten der Rohrwaffe aus Fig. 1 zur Veranschaulichung der Vorgänge beim Auftreten eines Ansetzfehlers.

Further details and advantages of a device according to the invention, a corresponding barrel weapon and the associated method are explained below with the aid of the accompanying drawings of an exemplary embodiment. Therein show in each case a schematic view

1

a barrel weapon according to the invention with an ammunition body in the loading position,

Figs. 2-9

several views of the barrel weapon 1 to illustrate the processes when an attachment error occurs.

In the military field, barrel weapons in the form of guns, artillery weapons, howitzers, etc. are often used in larger calibers. operated with divided ammunition, in which the projectile and the propellant charge are present as separate ammunition bodies 2.

In contrast to cartridged ammunition, the barrel weapon 10 is therefore loaded in two separate steps. In a first step, the projectile is transferred into the hold 12 of the weapon, after which the projectile is in a loaded position in the hold of the weapon 10 . In this position, the projectile is held in a defined position in the loading space 12 of the weapon 10, with a free space remaining behind the projectile on the loading side, into which space the propellant charge is introduced in a second step. These two processes usually run separately from each other and the type and quantity of the propellant charge can be used to influence the acceleration of the projectile in accordance with a previously defined fire control solution.

Automated ramming devices 1 are often used for ramming the ammunition body 2 designed as a projectile.

the 1 shows schematically the loading end of a barrel weapon 10 according to the invention before it is loaded with an ammunition body 2 . The barrel weapon 10 can be, for example, an artillery weapon, the weapon of a battle tank or another barrel weapon. As an essential component, the barrel weapon 10 has a barrel 11 that can be directed in azimuth and elevation, from which the ammunition body 2 can be fired and which is only shown in abbreviated form in the figures. Inside the area of the barrel 11 on the loading side is the loading space 12 of the barrel weapon 10, in which the ammunition body 2 can be attached in a pressure-tight manner in the manner of a clamp.

When loading the barreled weapon 10, an ammunition body 2 is inserted through a device 1 for loading the barreled weapon 10 into the loading space 12 and thus into the barrel 11 of the barreled weapon 10. For this purpose, the ammunition body 2 is first positioned in a loading position outside of the loading space 12 . This positioning can take place, for example, by means of a loading arm, not shown, which is articulated so as to be pivotable about the elevation axis of the barrel weapon 10 . By a pivoting movement of the loading arm, an ammunition body 2 provided by an ammunition feed or a magazine is automatically brought into the loading position aligned with the bore axis, regardless of the elevation of the barrel weapon 10.

From the loading position, a rammer (not shown in the figures) transfers the ammunition body 2 along a loading path L into the loading space 12. The rammer is not shown for reasons of clarity, but it is usually part of the device 1.

Different types of rammers can also be used as rammers, for example guided rammers, in which the ammunition body 2 is pushed into its attached position via a rammer slide or a rammer chain. In the case of guided rammers, piecing errors are design-related rather improbable, but have the disadvantage of comparatively long loading times, since the attachment slide or the attachment chain must be moved out of the tube 10 again after attachment before another ammunition body 2 can only then be attached.

Significantly shorter loading times can be achieved with so-called free flight rammers. Such free-flight rammers accelerate the ammunition body 2 outside of the barrel weapon 10 to a sufficiently high ramming speed so that they enter the hold 12 of the barrel weapon 10 in quasi-free flight and thus reach their riveted position. Since the free-flight rammer does not move into the barrel 11 of the barrel weapon 10 and therefore does not have to be moved out of it again, loading times are favorable. The occurrence of piecing errors is also very rare with such piecings, but somewhat more likely than with guided piecings.

In the event of an attachment error, the ammunition body 2 does not remain in the attached position after the automatic attachment process, but slides back along the loading path L in the direction of the end of the gun 10 on the loading side.

Such a situation is in 2 illustrated. As can be seen in particular, the ammunition body 2 sliding back is prevented from completely slipping out of the barrel weapon 10 by a recoil latch 5 . In this way, the operator is prevented from being endangered by an ammunition body 2 slipping out, but the ammunition body 2 must be repositioned.

In order to be able to correct the placement error automatically, it is first necessary for the incorrectly placed ammunition body 2 to be recognized as such. 3 shows an attachment quality sensor 6 placed in the loading path L. This is designed here as a distance meter, for example as a laser or ultrasonic distance meter and measures the distance to the ammunition body 2 as a measure of the attachment quality. This distance is used to detect whether an attachment error has occurred when the ammunition body 2 is attached, as is the case in the example shown. The attachment quality sensor 6 can also be part of the device 1 .

In order to bring the attachment quality sensor 6 into the loading path L, it can be articulated on the device 1 or the barrel weapon 10 . It is also conceivable to arrange the piecing quality sensor 6 on the loading arm, the rammer, a propellant charge rammer (not shown) and/or the correction rammer 4 in order to reduce the number of components required for the movements. The arrangement on the piecing or on the correction piecing 4 is advantageous here, since the piecing quality sensor 6 is already in the loading path L after attachment by the piecing or the correction piecing 4 and does not have to be brought into the same first. Furthermore, it is also conceivable to arrange the attachment quality sensor 6 not outside but inside the barrel weapon 10, in particular in or on the fallback pawl 5. In this way, the attachment quality sensor 6 does not have to be brought into the loading path L first and there would be further possibilities of Detection of attachment quality accessible, such as contact measurements or inductive measurement methods to detect the position of the ammunition body 2.

In the next step, after a piecing error is detected and the piecing quality sensor 6 is removed from the loading path L, a correction piecing 4 is positioned in the loading path L, as in FIG 4 shown. The non-illustrated positioning of the correction rammer 4 in the loading path L is preferably carried out transversely to the loading path L. In this way, the spatial area lying parallel to the loading path L is used without further narrowing the limited area behind the barrel weapon 10 in order to position the correction rammer 4 in its ready position stow away In a similar way to the piecing quality sensor 6, the correction piecing 4 can also be arranged on the loading arm, on the piecing quality sensor 6 and/or on the piecing.

The corrective rammer 4 can be a free-flight rammer, a guided rammer, or a combination of both. In the illustrated embodiment, the correction rammer 4 is designed as a telescopically extendable rammer in the manner of a loading slide. Other types of piecings, such as chain piecings, are also conceivable.

To correct the piecing error, the correction piecing 4 is first moved up to the in figure 5 shown contact with the ammunition body 2 along the loading path L moves. This approach movement of the correction rammer 4 to the ammunition body 2 takes place at different speed levels of the correction rammer 4. During the approach movement, a measuring device (not shown) registers the distance between the correction rammer 4 and the ammunition body 2. The speed level of the correction rammer 4 is regulated based on the distance. A first, preferably larger, part of the approach movement takes place at a high speed level. In this way, the time required for the approach movement is kept short. A second part of the approach movement takes place at a slow speed stage until the correction rammer 4 comes into contact with the ammunition body 2. Damage to the ammunition body 2 by the correction rammer 4 is thus avoided.

A force sensor, also not shown, determines the force acting on the correction rammer 4 . For this purpose, the force sensor can be arranged between components located in the force flow or at the end of the correction rammer 4 on the pipe side. The contact between the correction rammer 4 and the ammunition body 2 is detected on the basis of the measured force. In addition, when the ammunition body 2 is placed in its placed position, a predefined limit force is exceeded, for example when the guide band (not shown) is deformed. Thus, when using a guided rammer, the force sensor can be used as a Correction rammer 4 are used to determine via the force occurring when the ammunition body 2 has assumed its scheduled position correctly.

After the correction rammer 4 has come into contact with the ammunition body 2, the correction rammer 4 accelerates the ammunition body 2 along the loading path L away from the loading end of the barrel weapon. This acceleration preferably takes place at a faster speed level of the correction attachment 4, which is in particular faster than the fast speed level of the approach movement. This further shortens the time required for the piecing process.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, the ammunition body 2 is accelerated until the correction rammer 4 moves an in 7 has reached the position shown, lying in front of the set position on the piecing side. At this position, the telescopically extendable correction rammer 4 shown slows down, reverses its direction of movement and begins to be pushed together towards the end of the gun 10 on the loading side. Due to its inertia, the accelerated ammunition body 2 continues its movement independently of the correction rammer 4, quasi in a free-flying manner, until it has reached its attached position.

While the ammunition body 2 covers the remaining section of the loading path L to the set position, the corrective rammer 4 is already moving against the loading path L to its starting position. So the correction patcher 4 takes its in 4 and 8 shown starting position saves time again, since moving out the correction rammer 4 from the tube 11 of the barrel weapon 10 runs parallel to the ramming movement of the ammunition body 2 .

In the next step, the correction piecing 4 is removed from the loading path L and the piecing quality sensor 6 again as described above in the Loading path L introduced. As shown in 9 shows, the attachment quality sensor 6 again determines the attachment quality of the ammunition body 2. If a correctly attached ammunition body 2 is recognized in the attached position, as in 9 shown, the operation of the barrel weapon 10 continues as standard. The ammunition body 2 can thus be fired or further ammunition bodies 2 can be loaded into the barrel weapon 10 . If, on the other hand, the attachment quality sensor 6 detects an attachment error again, the correction attachment is started from the in 4 step shown again.

By using the device described above, the risk of danger for the operator can be significantly reduced, since an automated correction of an attachment error is made possible without manual intervention by the operator. The operator no longer has to leave his protected operating position and is therefore not exposed to an increased risk of danger.

References:

1

contraption

2

ammunition body

4

Correction Applicator

5

fallback latch

6

Attachment quality sensor

10

pipe weapon

11

Pipe

12

hold

L

loading way

Claims (15)

1. Device (1) for loading a barrelled weapon (10) with ammunition bodies (2), in particular with artillery projectiles, with a rammer for moving an ammunition body (2) from a loading position outside the loading chamber (12) along a loading path (L) into a rammed position in the loading chamber (12) of the barrelled weapon (10), characterized by
   a correction rammer (4) downstream of the rammer in the loading path for correcting ramming errors as required.
2. Device according to one of the previous claims, characterized in that the correction rammer (4) can be moved along the loading path (L) at multiple speed levels, in particular at two speed levels.
3. Device according to any one of the previous claims, characterized in that the correction rammer (4) is a guided rammer, in particular a telescopic rammer.
4. Device according to any one of the previous claims, characterized in that the correction rammer (4) can be moved transversely to the loading path (L).
5. Device according to any one of the previous claims, characterized in that the correction rammer (4) is disposed on a loading arm that is mounted rotatably supported around the elevation axis of the barrelled weapon.
6. Device according to any one of the previous claims, characterized by a return latch (5), which prevents ammunition bodies from slipping out of the barrel weapon (10) in the event of a ramming error.
7. Device according to Claim 6, characterized in that the return latch (5) is disposed at the loading-side end of the barrelled weapon (10).
8. Device according to any one of the previous claims, characterized by a ramming quality sensor (6) for detecting the ramming quality of a rammed ammunition body (2) and/or for the detection of ramming errors.
9. Device according to Claim 8, characterized in that the ramming quality sensor (6) is in the form of a distance sensor.
10. Device according to any one of Claims 8 or 9, characterized in that the ramming quality sensor (6) is disposed on a propellant rammer.
11. Device according to any one of the previous claims, characterized in that the rammer and/or the correction rammer (4) and/or the ramming quality sensor (6) are disposed in the manner of a revolver drum.
12. Device according to any one of the previous claims, characterized by a force sensor for determining the force acting on the correction rammer (4).
13. Barrelled weapon (10) for firing ammunition bodies, in particular artillery projectiles,
    characterized by a device (1) for loading the barrelled weapon (10) according to any one of the previous claims.
14. Barrelled weapon according to Claim 13, characterized in that a return latch (5) comprises the ramming quality sensor (6) for detecting the ramming quality of a rammed ammunition body (2) and/or for detecting ramming errors.
15. Method for loading a barrelled weapon (10) with ammunition bodies (2), in particular with artillery projectiles, with a rammer for moving an ammunition body (2) from a loading position outside the loading chamber (12) along a loading path (L) to a rammed position in the loading chamber (12) of the barrelled weapon (10), characterized in that the device has a correction rammer (4) downstream of the rammer in the loading path (L), with which ramming errors are corrected as required.

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