FR2570484A1 - AUTOMATIC STORAGE AND LOADING DEVICE FOR AMMUNITION FOR COMBAT TANK - Google Patents

Abstract

THE SUBJECT OF THE PRESENT INVENTION IS A DEVICE FOR STORING AND AUTOMATICALLY LOADING A WEAPON WITH AMMUNITION OF SEVERAL TYPES. ACCORDING TO THE INVENTION, THE DEVICE INCLUDING A POCKET 10 FOR AN AMMUNITION RESERVE FIXED ON THE REAR OF THE TURRET IS CHARACTERIZED BY THE FACT THAT THE SAID POCKET 10 INCLUDES AT LEAST TWO AUTONOMOUS STORES 10A-10B EACH CONTAINING A CERTAIN NUMBER OF AMMUNITION 11 AND ITS OWN STEP-BY-STEP HANDLING MECHANISM OF SAID AMMUNITION, AND BY THE FACT THAT IN EACH STORE 10A-10B, AMMUNITION 11 ARE EACH PLACED IN A DISPOSABLE HOLDING AND PROTECTION CONTAINER 16 EQUIPPED WITH ASSEMBLY BODIES 20, 21 , 26A, 26B ALLOWING TO TEMPORARILY SOLIDARIZE THE CONTAINERS 16 ONE WITH THE OTHERS, AND ALL OF THE SAID CONTAINERS WITH THE CORRESPONDING HANDLING MECHANISM. THE INVENTION APPLIES MORE SPECIFICALLY TO COMBAT TANKS.

Description

2570484.

  The present invention relates to a device for storing and automatically loading ammunition for a tank.

  automatic loading of a weapon into ammunition of several types, intended

  born especially to battle tanks.

  The battle tanks comprise a body forming a protective shell and on which is mounted a turret supporting a weapon such as a gun. The rotatably mounted turret on the vehicle body, around a vertical axis of azimuth orientation, is therefore steerable in all firing directions, and the barrel is itself articulated around a horizontal axis for orientation in site between positive pointing angles

and negatives.

  These turrets may include a warehouse for the storage of

  allowing the automatic feeding of the barrel in all

  gules of the turret, and a transfer mechanism which ensures the

  storage tank ammunition and their introduction into the chamber.

  load of the barrel. The ammunition storage store can be

  for example constituted by an endless rotating barrel containing a cer-

  number of ammunition and placed for example in the back pocket of the vehicle.

  the. But this kind of device does not always present all the guarantees of reliability and security required. Indeed, if at

  rotating barrel, an incident occurs, for example due to a failure

  mechanical thrust or external aggression, resulting in the blockage of

  the tank is therefore totally deprived of ammunition, with

  the consequences that this may entail.

  On the other hand, it is very difficult to properly stall

  during their transfer or in the store, and the shocks to

  which they are subjected in particular in a tank of combat, can involve

  deterioration of the transfer mechanism and even ammunition

  that these are fragile. However, this is precisely the case of an ammunition comprising a shell associated with a sleeve of combustible material fairly weak and which must always be well supported over its entire length

  so that the shell remains attached to the fuel bushing.

  For this purpose, it has already been proposed to protect the ammunition

  in a tubular container provided with organs along its periphery

  which keep the ammunition in the axis of the container.

  But the use of this kind of container requires to provide inside the vehicle storage areas of empty containers, and

  that additional handling mechanisms and particularly

  for the transfer of said empty containers to the storage areas.

ge.

  The objective of the present invention is therefore to propose a device

  ammunition storage and automatic feeding system of the vehicle weapon particularly simple and therefore reliable, to properly maintain each munition along its entire length not only in the storage area, but also during the transfer phase, and

  lastly, to obtain very short loading times for ammunition

types.

  According to the invention, the storage and loading device

  automatic system comprising an ammunition reserve pocket fixed on the rear

  re of the turret is characterized in that said pocket comprises at

  two stand-alone stores each containing a certain number of muni-

  storage and its own mechanism for handling, step by step, the said

  nitions, and by the fact that in each store, ammunition is placed

  each in a disposable holding and protective container provided with

  assembly members for temporarily securing the containers with each other, and all of said containers with the mechanism

corresponding handling.

  But the invention will be better understood by the description that will

  follow of a particular embodiment given by way of example and

  shown in the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a turret of

  tank provided with the ammunition storage device according to the invention.

  Figure 2 is a sectional view along AA of Figure 1.

  Figure 3 is a sectional view along BB of Figure 2.

  Referring firstly to Figure 1, there is shown a turret 1 mounted on a box 2 for example of a tank. This

  turret with a barrel 3 rotates about a vertical axis 4 through

  rolling crown 5 for orientation in all directions.

  azimuth rections. The barrel 3 can pivot about a horizontal axis 6

  for pointing in positive or negative sites.

  The turret 1 comprises at its rear part a pocket 10 delimited by an armored shell 7 and in which ammunition is stored.

  which are successively brought into the loading position for their introduction

  duction in the breech of the barrel 3. The rear pocket 10 communicates on the one hand with the inside of the turret 1 by a front closure door 8,

  and on the other hand with the outside by a rear shutter door 9.

  The structure of the storage device and its mechanism for

  The handling will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.

  The structure of the storage bag 10 is such that at the

  armored carapace 7, ammunition 11 is stored horizontally

  parallel to the loading axis of the barrel 3. For this purpose the

  che 10 is divided into two symmetrical and autonomous stores (10a-10b), dis-

  placed on either side of the axis of the barrel 3. These magazines (O10a-10b) consist of an upper plate 13a, a lower plate 13b, and

  side plates 14, which form between them an internal chamber 15 of di-

  sufficient strength for the maintenance and guidance of ammunition. The ensem-

  of these plates are held in the armored shell 7 by

  ports 12 and constitute a second protection for ammunition and

handling mechanisms.

  Each munition is placed in a disposable container 16, of parallelepipedal shape. The number of ammo stored in each store 10a

  and 10b is determined so as to leave free in the axis of the barrel 3 a

  central location 17 for the positioning of a container, the introduction of a munition in the breech of the barrel 3 and the ejection of the empty container to

  the outside by the door 9. In the example shown in the figures, each

  that store (10a-10b) contains five ammunition.

  Containers 16 have on their upper face a slot

  18 for the extraction of an ammunition from its container po-

  positioned in the central channel 17, by means of a damper 19 mounted on the

  upper plate 13a in the axis of the barrel 3.

  Moreover, each disposable container 16 is provided on its lateral faces with assembly members for temporarily securing in each magazine (10a-10b), on the one hand the containers between each other and on the other hand with a drive system step by step. These means

  on one of the lateral faces of each container are

  neur 16 by a longitudinal cut male 20 and on the opposite side face

  sée by a corresponding female longitudinal cut 21. These male and female cutouts 20-21 are for example in the shape of a dovetail, as

  shown in the figure or in the form of tenon.

  The system of step-by-step training of the containers 16 in the

  gasin 10a is constituted by a pallet 22a moving in the chamber

2570484 '

  This pallet 22a is formed by a vertical plate 23a fixed on two small horizontal tabs 24a which slide in guide slots 25 provided in the bottom plate 13b of said chamber 15 (FIG. 3). The inner face of the vertical plate 23a has a horizontal male cut 26a similar to the blanks of the containers. Each extremity

  22a of the pallet is fixed on an endless catena 27a driven in rotation.

  by a shaft 28a and a motor 29a.

  It is the same for the 0lob store, where the training system

  containers 16 is constituted by a pallet 22b formed by a plate

  vertical 23b and two small horizontal legs 24b also sliding in the guide slots 25. In this case, the vertical plate 23b has a female horizontal cut 26b. The displacements of this

  pallet 22b are provided by endless chains 27b driven

  by a shaft 28b and a motor 29b.

  For the loading of a munition 11 in the breech of the barrel 3, the positioning in the central channel 17 of the containers 16 coming from the magazine O10a is ensured by a row of retractable stops 30a, whereas the positioning of the containers -from the store 10b is made by a row of retractable stops 30b. These stops (30a-30b) are recalled

by springs 31.

  On the other hand, each store 10a and 10b communicates with the customer.

  turret 1 respectively by a door 32a and 32b so as to replenish them directly from the turret as one

will see it later.

  The operation of the drive mechanisms of the containers and the opening of the different shutter doors is controlled by

a servo system.

  - Loading empty stores of any container is done as follows:

  First, from the outside, you open the closed shutter door

  9, and for example brings the pallet 22a of the magazine 10a in the axis of the central channel 17. A container 16 equipped with a munition 11 is introduced into the central channel 17 by passing through the shutter door 9 and the

  passage it is solidarise on the pallet 22a through the decoupling

  pe male 26a of said pallet and the female cutout 21 of the container. By

  the start of the engine 29a, the catches 27a move the puck

  22a which drives the container. This operation is repeated

  until the filling of the lMa store by the containers equipped with

of a particular type.

  The same operations are performed for filling the magazine.

  sin 10b by moving the pallet 22b step by step until filling by containers equipped with ammunition. The store 10a may contain ammunition of a type different from those contained in the store 10b. In certain circumstances, especially when the tank is near a combat zone, it is possible to replenish

  stores (10a-10b) directly from the inside of the turret so as to avoid

  the staff to exit the vehicle.

  In this case, the procedure is the same as in the previous

  munitions containers, by the shutter 32a for filling the magazine 10a and by the shutter door 32b for the

0lob store.

  When the magazines are full, the firing of a munition takes place

  kills in the following way: Depending on the shot you want to perform, you choose the type

  ammunition contained either in the store 10a or in the store 10b.

  If the chosen munition 11 is, for example, in the magazine 10a, the system 11

  The servo system controls the startup of the engine 29a which has the effect of moving the containers 16 of said magazine to the central channel 17 via the chains 27a and the pallet 22a. By moving, the first container 16 retracts the row of stops 30b and comes into

  contact with the row of stops 30a. Then we open the shutter door

  before 8 and operates the rammer 19 which pushes the ammunition towards the

  breech of the barrel. After opening the rear shutter door 9, the

  crusher 19 returning to its initial position ejects the jet container

  ble by said door and it closes the front and rear shutter doors

  (8-9). The firing of the ammunition can be done.

  The transfer of a munition from the lO0b store is done in the same way

  way by moving the pallet 22b.

  If after placing in the central channel 17 a container 16 equipped with a munition 11 coming for example from the magazine 10a, it is desired to

  for any reason, change the type of ammunition and use a

  nition of store 10b. It is enough to order the start-up

  poured 29a engine which drives the decline of the pallet 22a. This puck

  being secured to the containers by the male and female cutouts, the

  containers appear to back up and release the central channel 17 for position-

  a container from the 0lob store. It is obvious that the same operation

  This can be done for lob store containers.

  The storage set is separated into two separate stores

  each having its own handling mechanism. Thanks to this arrangement

  If an incident occurs, such as a mechanical failure or external aggression at one of the stores, rendering it inoperable, the tank gun can continue to be supplied by the other.

  store. Each handling mechanism is provided with manual control

  the. In addition, ammunition being stored in a room, which itself

  protected by an armored shell, the protection is much more

  that's. On the other hand, in the case of, for example, fragile ammunition,

  with fuel bushing, the structure of the stores and the containers equipped with fasteners ensure the effective maintenance of the ammunition

  during storage and during transportation.

  Finally, the use of disposable containers avoids

  empty container storage areas, as well as

  additional provisions for the transfer of such empty containers to

storage areas.

  Of course, the invention is not strictly limited to the mode of

  described by way of example, but it also concerns

  inventions which differ only in details,

  performances or by the use of equivalent means.

Claims (10)

  1.- Automatic storage and loading device of muni-   for a tank equipped with a mobile weapon in a range carried by a   tiltable turret in azimuth, on the rear of which is fixed a   ammunition reserve shield protected by an armored shell,   characterized in that said pocket (10) comprises at least two magazines   sins (10a-10b) symmetrical and autonomous, each containing a certain   stored ammunition (11) and its own handling mechanism not   ammunition (11) and the fact that in each store (10-   0lob), the ammunition (11) is each placed in a holding container   and disposable protection (16) provided with assembly members for   temporarily lidarize the containers (16) with each other, and   all of said containers with the corresponding handling mechanism.   ing. 2.- Device according to claim 1,   characterized by the fact that the magazines (10a-10b) arranged on both sides   of the axis of the weapon'3, form inside the pocket (10), a cham-   internal member (15) delimited by protective plates (13a, 13b, 14) and of sufficient size for holding and guiding the containers (16) equipped with ammunition (11).   3.- Device according to claims 1 and 2,   characterized by the fact that the number of containers (16) stored in each   that magazine (O10a-0lb) is determined so as to leave free in the axis of the weapon (3) a central channel (17) for the positioning of a container (16)   and introducing an ammunition (11) into the breech of the weapon (3).   4.- Device according to claim 3,   characterized in that in the central channel (17) is mounted unrefou-   loir (19) allowing the extraction of the ammunition (11) from the containers (16), the introduction of said ammunition into the breech of the weapon (3) and finally   ejecting from the pocket (10) empty containers.   5.- Device according to claim 1,   characterized in that the pocket (10) communicates with the inte-   turret (1) through a shutter-center door (8) for the in-   ammunition (11) in the breech of the weapon (3), and by two   lateral closure doors (32a-32b) arranged in front of each of the   gasins (10a lob) for their replenishment and on the   for the ejection of empty containers (16) and also for   provisioning of stores (10-0lob).   6.- Device according to claim 1,   characterized by the fact that the fasteners for securing   the containers with each other are constituted by a longitudinal cut miss (20) on one of the lateral faces of each container (16) and by a corresponding female longitudinal cutout (21) on the   side opposite side of each container.   7.- Device according to claim 1, characterized in that in each store (10a- 0lob), the stepwise drive mechanism containers (16) is constituted by a pallet (22a-22b) moving in the internal chamber (15) via   endless catches (27a-27b) rotated by motors (29a-27b)   29b). 8.- Device according to claim 7, characterized in that each pallet (22a-22b) for driving the   containers (16) is formed by a vertical plate (23a-23b) and two   horizontal tabs (24a-24b) sliding in guide lights   (25) provided in the bottom of the inner chamber (15).   9.- Device according to claims 7 and 8,   characterized in that the vertical plate (23a-23b) of each pallet (22a-22b) has on its inner face an assembly member with the containers of each magazine (10a-10b), formed by a male cutout (26a). ) for one of the pallets and a female cutout (26b) for the other pallet, these cutouts (26a-26b) being similar to the blanks (20-21) provided on   the side faces of said containers (16).   10.- Device according to claims 6 and 9,   characterized in that the male and female cutouts (20, 21, 26a,   26b) are for example in the form of a dovetail or tenon.