GB466538A - Improvements in central-station fire-control for automatic guns - Google Patents

Abstract

466,538. Machine gun fire control. SOC. ANON. DES ANCIENS ETABLISSEMENTS HOTCHKISS & CIE. June 16, 1936, No. 16739. Convention date, July 9, 1935. [Class 92 (ii)] Relates to means for selectively controlling from a distance the fire of one or more machine guns by a master handle 17, Fig. 6, and selectors 9 corresponding to each gun, and consists in providing for each gun an auxiliary handle 1, Fig. 1, which controls one or more preparatory operations, such as retracting a safety lock 4 or recocking the gun, before operating on the selector 9. Fig. 1 shows the handle 1 connected by a cable 3 with a spring-controlled detent 4 for locking the gun M at safe. The arrangement is such that, when the handle 1 occupies the full line position T, the control 8 of the selector is actuated and the lock is removed, movement of the handle to the dotted line position S causing the release of the selector and the application of the lock. The selector may be arranged to act pneumatically, electrically or mechanically to suit the type of firing transmission from the master handle. Fig. 15 shows the auxiliary handle 1 adapted to operate in succession upon a valve 46 controlling the pneumatic actuation of the safety look 4 and upon a valve 8 controlling the fire-selector 9. Fig. 17 shows the auxiliary handle provided with a shoulder 22 for operating the fire-selector valve 8, a cam surface for actuating the valve 46 of the safety lock and a shoulder 35 for acting upon a valve 36 controlling the recocking cylinder. The corresponding positions of the handle are shown at T, S, R. A further valve controlling the inlet of compressed air to the recoil cylinder of the gun may also be provided. Fig. 19 shows a group selector 41, arranged in series with the selectors 9a, 9b, &c., for convenience in firing only those guns the auxiliary handles of which have been previously set for fire.