GB212698A - Improvements in the breech mechanism of ordnance - Google Patents

Abstract

212,698. Armstrong, Whitworth, & Co., Ltd., Sir W. G., Hadcock, Sir A. G., and Forster, G. Jan. 26, 1923. Ordnance breech mechanism.-Relates to breech mechanism actuated by a piston and cylinder arranged longitudinally alongside the gun. According to the invention, the piston 13, Fig. 1, is connected by a universal joint 17 to a bracket 18 on the gun, and the cylinder 14 is connected by another universal joint to a crank 15 on a shaft 16 on the breech-block carrier 12. The cylinder is connected to supply and exhaust through passages 130, 131 in the piston rod. The first part of the action of the piston and cylinder is to rotate the shaft 16 to unscrew the breech-block, after which the continued action of the piston and cylinder swings the carrier 12 out about its hinges 120, the universal joints allowing for the swing of the piston and cylinder in the two directions required by these operations. The shaft may rotate the breech-block by means of a bevel pinion 160, Fig. 6, and may be provided with a finger 162 for locking the breechblock in the locked position. In a modification, Figs. 9 and 11, the cylinder 14 is connected to a bell-crank lever 32 mounted on the breech-block carrier and jointed' to the breech-block by a link 34, a slide 35, and another link 351. The breech mechanism may also be worked by hand. In Fig. 1, a hand wheel 23 is connected through suitable gearing 230 and a link 231 to lugs 121 on the carrier 12. In Fig. 5, a hand-wheel 28 operates a continuous chain 27 connected by a link 25 to the cylinder 14. In Fig. 9, a handwheel 38 is connected through gearing and a clutch 42 to a rack 37 linked to the bell crank 32 by a connecting rod 370. When fluid pressure is supplied to the piston and cylinder for power operation, it is also supplied to a ram 44, which acts on a bell-crank lever 43 and throws the clutch 42 out of action. Where space is limited, as in the case of the central gun in a triple gun mounting, the hand mechanism comprises a lever 450, Fig. 12, containing a sliding key rod 45 adapted to engage successively in two notches 46 in a boss 47 on the fulcrum of the bell-crank lever 32, the rocking of the bell-crank lever being performed by two successive throws of the lever 450 with the key 45 engaged in the successive notches respectivly; the first stage unscrews the breech-block and the second stage swings it open. The fluid pressure valves are operated by a handle 48.