GB603773A - Improvements in and relating to cartridge belt feed mechanism for machine guns - Google Patents

Abstract

603,773. Cartridge feed-mechanism. NASH, A. F. April 3, 1935, No. 10399. [Class 92 (ii)] [Also in Group XIII] For controlling the source of power for feeding a cartridge belt towards a gun, means are provided, whereby the power means is rendered inoperative when the belt has a desired degree of slackness but comes into operation when the slack in the belt has been reduced by firing the gun. As applied to a gun mounted for azimuth movement with rings 7, 9, in an aeroplane structure 11, the belted ammunition passes around a fluted roller 29, whose spindle 28 is journalled in a pair of levers 27, around a second roller 30 (see Group XIII) which is swivelly supported by a plate 32, and thence to a pivotally mounted platen 42 near the breech of the gun. Spent ammunition passes through a guide 43 to the cockpit. When undue tension exists in the belt the platen moves clockwise causing the levers 27 to move anti-clockwise against the action of a spring 22, associated with a lever 19 which, like the levers 27, is connected to a spindle 18 journalled in bearings of fixed side members 17. Such upward movement of the levers 27 causes a flange 44 on the roller 29 to bear against a pulley 45 of a constantly driven hydraulic motor 46, and motion is thus imparted to the belt until the desired degree of slackness is restored when the spring 22 will cause the roller 29 to move away from the pulley 45. The supply of fluid under pressure for the motor may be maintained by the recoil of the gun carriage. Alternatively a spring motor or an electric motor may be used as the source of power.