GB2102104A

GB2102104A - Apparatus for loading an elevatable weapon with large bore ammunition

Info

Publication number: GB2102104A
Application number: GB08218337A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Rudolf Behringer
Original assignee: Krupp Mak Maschinenbau GmbH
Current assignee: Caterpillar Motoren GmbH and Co KG
Priority date: 1981-06-24
Filing date: 1982-06-24
Publication date: 1983-01-26
Also published as: FR2508620A3; FR2508620B3; GB2102104B; SE8203290L; DE3124728A1

Abstract

Apparatus for conveying and loading large bore cartridge-type ammunition from a magazine for an elevatable continuously firable weapon mounted in an armoured vehicle comprises a drum conveyor (32) for moving each cartridge from a storage magazine into a loading channel, the magazine being disposed below a ramming position of the cartridge for the weapon. At least one selected cartridge (10, 11) is releasably retained on the drum conveyor (32) by clamping elements (16, 17) and the conveyor which has a cartridge rammer (15) is provided for vertical adjustment by a lifting drive (7) on the turret roof (1) via lifting spindles (23) in guides (9) on a circular path relative to the axis of elevation (4) so that a ramming position for the cartridge (10, 11) can be adjusted in accordance with the aiming position of the weapon. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Apparatus for conveying and loading large bore cartridge-type munitions in an armoured vehicle This invention relates to apparatus for conveying and loading large bore cartridge-type munitions from a magazine for an elevatable weapon connected to a vehicle for continuous firing, more particularly for armoured vehicles, wherein an auxiliary device is used to move each cartridge from a stored position into a loading channel, the magazine being disposed below a ramming position of the cartridge for the weapon.

Many arrangements of the kind specified are known. However, they suffer the major disadvantage that for reloading, the weapon must be moved into a pre-defined loading position, which means that every time between firing, the target must be defined and aiming performed again. This process requires a relatively elaborate apparatus and results in a loss of time, so it is not readily possible to obtain a high rate of firing.

In apparatus of the kind specified, there is the problem of loading the weapon in the stabilized condition, in which it continues to be aimed at the target. An arrangement taking these problems into account is known but it requires an armoured turret in which the weapon is rigidly connected to the turret roof as regards its range of elevation, and the whole turret roof, including the weapon, is pivoted to each required angle of elevation. Due to the fact that the turret roof remains in a fixed position in relation to the weapon, the loading of the stabilized weapon is a relatively simple matter and cannot be transferred to the normal configuration. For a large number of reasons, the proposed turret configuration with a turret roof elevatable as a whole has not been adopted in the technique of armoured fighting vehicles.

It is an object of the invention to provide a very simple apparatus of the kind specified wherein the loading operation is ensured in a conventional armoured turret in the stabilized condition of the weapon while it is being aimed at the target.

The invention solves this problem by providing at least one selected cartridge which is releasably retained on a conveying element by clamping elements, the conveying element having a rammer and being so disposed with provision for vertical adjustment by adjusting elements in guides on a circular path relative to the axis of elevation of the weapon that a ramming position of the cartridge can be adjusted in accordance with the aiming position of the weapon.

As a result, a very efficient arrangement is achieved at relatively low cost which has the great advantage that the conveying element, including the munitions, has no negative effect on the stabilization of the weapon.

According to a preferred feature of the invention, the conveying element is constructed in the form of a drum magazine to receive at least two cartridges. This feature also enables cartridges with different properties to be used, and a changeover to be made from one type of munitions to another without a considerable extra expenditure of time shortly before the weapon is loaded.

Conveniently, the adjusting elements for the conveying element are formed by lifting spindles with a drive unit.

Using the existing arrangements, a follow-up movement of the conveying element is created by the feature that the control of the adjusting elements for a follow-up movement of the conveying element into the aiming position can be performed using an elevation adjustment signal produced by the weapon.

To obtain a compact arrangement and to enable the cartridge to be pushed into the weapon munitions chamber without additional guide means, the integrated rammer of the conveying element can be in the form of a telescopic rammer.

In order to produce a rigid connection with the weapon in the case of sensitive munitions, in the ramming position, the conveying element is preferably associated with the end member of the weapon via coupling members, for instance, by a centering bore and a centering pin.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a vertical section through a rear part of an armoured turret with a drum magazine and a conveying mechanism, Fig. 2 is a section, taken along the line A-A in Fig. 1 , through the drum magazine, Fig. 3 is a section through a front bearing in the drum magazine, taken along the line B-B in Fig.

1,and Fig. 4 is a side view of a telescopic rammer.

The turret of the illustrated armoured fighting vehicle has a turret roof 1 with an associated turret cage 3 which is disposed over a turret turntable bearing 2. A main weapon (not shown in detail) mounted in the turret can be pivoted around an axis 4 of elevation, an end part 5 of the weapon being shown on the one hand in its depressed position and on the other in its elevated position 5'. From a storage magazine 22, cartridges 10, 11 are received in a loading channel via a conveying element in the form of a drum magazine 32 which is rotated into the corresponding loading positions. For this purpose, a fixed guide 13 for the magazine is open at the side of the loading direction.

The conveying mechanism for the drum magazine 32 comprises a lifting drive 7 which is disposed on the turret roof 1 and moves, via lifting spindles 23, the drum magazine 32 between a loading position 6 and an uppermost ramming or loading position 6'. For this purpose, the drum magazine 32 is guided by means of guide rollers 8 in associated guide rails 9. The guide rails 9 are disposed on a substantially circular path relative to the axis of elevation 4. As a result, the drum magazine 32 is first disposed in the loading position 6 horizontally in relation to the turret cage 3, but during lifting is so pivoted into position 8' that the magazine then fits into the circular parts of the guide rails 9. On further lifting, it travels in accordance with these circular paths behind the end part 5 of the weapon.This guiding with vertical adjustment takes place synchronously with the stabilizing movements of the weapon, the same electric signal generated by the weapon in known manner being used to control the vertical adjustment of the magazine. This ensures that once the drum magazine 32 has been moved on to that part of the arc shaped guide rails 9, the magazine can be moved into the ramming position for any angle of elevation of the weapon. When the weapon is fired, however, the drum magazine 32 is located beyond the range of the recoiling parts of the weapon.

Preferably the drum magazine 32 receives two cartridges 10 and 11. They can be of different construction, the drum magazine 32 being rotatable around axis 12 (see Fig. 2). The fixed part mainly comprises a generally annular carrier or guide, an end 14 connected via tubes with a flange 14', and a telescopic rammer 1 5. The cartridges 10, 11 are retained in the region of the cartridge end by clamps 1 6 and in the region of the inside diameter of the tube by clamps 1 7. The ramming of the cartridges 10, 11 into the breach of the weapon is facilitated by guides 1 8. The required rotary movement of the drum magazine 32 is performed via an integrated drive 1 9 which measures via a pinion 20 with the internal toothing 21 of the fixed part of the apparatus.

Fig. 4 shows the telescopic rammer 1 5 on its own which comprises a fixed part 24 with a conveying rail 25 and a rammer head 26. During the ramming operation, a drive 27 displaces the conveying rail 25 into the position 25', the rammer head 26 being simultaneously moved by means of a rope transmission on the conveying rail 25 into position 26'. As a result, in the case of a displacement path 28 which lies within the fixed rammer dimensions, a ramming travel 29 is possible which extends beyond the fixed dimensions of the rammer and reaches the ramming position inside the end part 5 of the weapon.

The ramming operation is further facilitated by the feature that the ramming apparatus is positioned immediately behind the end part 5 of the weapon so the tips of the cartridge 1 0, 11 and the guides 1 8 already extend into the vertical shaft of the end part 5 of the weapon which is open at the bottom, as can be seen from Fig. 1.

In certain cases, for instance, when using sensitive munitions with combustible cases, conveniently during the ramming operation rigid locking is briefly performed between the conveying element (drum magazine 32) and the end part 5 of the weapon, to prevent any variations in synchronism between the elevating movement and the movement of the conveying device, which may result from the electric synchronisation. This is achieved by means of the centering pin 30 being moved by the conveying element 32 into corresponding centering bores 31 inside the end part 5 of the weapon; actuation can be controlled by the ramming operation itself and triggered electrically.

Claims

1. Apparatus for conveying and loading large bore cartridge-type munitions from a magazine to an elevatable continuously firable weapon mounted in a vehicle, wherein an auxiliary device is used for moving each cartridge from a stored position into a loading channel, the magazine being disposed below a ramming position of the cartridge for the weapon, at least one selected cartridge being releasably retained on a conveying element by clamping elements and the conveying element having a rammer and being so disposed with provision for vertical adjustment by adjusting elements in guides on a circular path relative to the axis of elevation of the weapon that a ramming position for the cartridge can be adjusted in accordance with the aiming position of the weapon.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the conveying element is constructed in the form of a drum magazine to receive at least two cartridges.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the adjusting elements for the conveying element are lifting spindles with a drive unit.

4. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control of the adjusting elements for a follow-up movement of the conveying element into the aiming position can be performed using an elevation adjustment signal produced by the weapon.

5. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the rammer of the conveying element is telescopic.

6. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein, in the ramming position, the conveying element is associated with the end part of the weapon by coupling members.

7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the coupling members comprise a centering bore in the end part of the weapon which receives a centering pin on the conveying element.

.8. Apparatus for conveying and loading large bore cartridge-type munitions from a magazine to an elevatable continuously firable weapon mounted in a vehicle, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.