GB271925A - Improvements in and relating to electromagnetic firing gear for guns - Google Patents

Abstract

271,925. Scott, H. G. A. Jan. 29, 1926. Addition to 224,319. Ordnance b r e e c h mechanism; discharging by means external to breech mechanism.-Relates to electromagnetic firing mechanism comprising an electromagnet normally holding the striker in the cocked position, and an electromagnetic safety device adapted to move out of the safety position before the circuit of the electromagnet holding the striker is broken to release the striker when a firing switch is operated, as described in the parent Specification. According to the invention, the firing switch closes the circuit of the electromagnet of a safety sear to move this device out of the way of the striker, and the movement of the sear positively breaks the circuit of the electromagnet holding the striker; and the circuit of this electromagnet is automatically made when the breech is closed. In the form shown in Fig. 1. the striker 7 is held cocked by an electromagnet 3, while a safety sear 5 lies in front of but not in contact with a projection 15 on the striker. The electromagnet 3 is energized from a source A through switches 22, 23 adapted to be closed when the breech is closed. The sear 5 is mounted on a spindle 11 connected, to the armature 12 of an electromagnet 19, and is held in this safe position by a spring 16. When a firing switch 24 is closed, The electromagnet 19 attracts the armature 12, causing the sear 5 to move out of the safety position; and immediately thereafter the armature 12 engages a contact 1 and moves it away from another contact 2, thereby breaking the circuit of the electromagnet 3. A cocking lever 10 bearing on a projection 21 on the striker and on a projection 8 on the spindle 11 serves to cock the striker and to move the safety sear to the safety position. In a modification, the electromagnet holding the striker performs this function by means of a lever pivoted on the same pivot as the cocking lever and having a limited rocking movement relatively thereto. In another modification, the safety sear carries a movable catch normally out of the way of a bent on the striker, and is thrown into the safety position by a bevelled part on the striker and held in that position by a spring. When the safety electromagnet is energized, the movable catch is pressed against the striker, and when the striker begins to move forward it bears on the movable catch and deflects the sear out of the safety position. In still another modification, Fig. V, a sear 40 is pivoted at 41 on the striker 7 and is held behind a bent 43 by a spring 42 after having been swung to the safety position by a cam face 46 during the overcock of the striker. The safety electromagnet when energized rocks a lever 44. which deflects the sear 40 away from the bent 43.