KR20020027489A - Multi-barrel assembly feed for gun - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a barrel assembly feeder for advancing a plurality of barrel assemblies (30) having a plurality of projectiles axially stacked within each barrel assembly (30) and combustible bullet projectiles that are selectively separated to propel the projectiles. 19, wherein the plurality of barrel assemblies 14 are connected together in a spaced apart relationship in parallel with one another while the one or more barrel assemblies 30 are positioned in the firing position, wherein the firing positions are one or more barrel assemblies 30 And gunpowder detonator coupled to the firing position to operatively support and to selectively propagate a combustible bullet firing powder of the one or more barrel assemblies 30 which are operatively supported in the firing position. To provide. The barrel assembly 30 has an inner barrel 32 made of a hard and non-deformable material and an outer casing 33 made of a soft material. The outer casing may be deformed by the sprocket teeth 21 or the slot 20 of the sprocket drive.

Description

Multi-barrel assembly feeder for guns {MULTI-BARREL ASSEMBLY FEED FOR GUN}

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a weapon, and more particularly, to a firearm including a gun and a munition for firearms.

In particular, the present invention relates to a barrel assembly having a plurality of projectiles axially stacked in a barrel with combustible bullet projectiles that are selectively separated to sequentially propel the projectiles through the barrel of the barrel.

In particular, the present invention relates to firearms and munitions described in International Patent Applications Nos. PCT / AU94 / 00124 and PCT / AU96 / 00459, to which the present application is filed.

The international patent application describes an arrangement for grouping a plurality of barrels each comprising a plurality of projectiles so that a plurality of projectiles can be launched simultaneously, such arrangements being fired alone or in a selected pattern without the need for refilling. Provides a module comprising a number of projectiles that can be launched. This grouping of projectiles has the disadvantage that the device must be large, have a relatively large frontal area, and require fixed wiring in each triggering circuit.

It is an object of the present invention to alleviate this drawback and / or to provide an alternative arrangement that makes it easier to use multiple barrels.

For the foregoing purposes, the present invention relates to a barrel assembly for advancing a plurality of barrel assemblies having combustible bullet firing guns that are selectively separated to propel the projectiles with a plurality of axially stacked projectiles within each barrel assembly. A plurality of barrel assemblies connected in parallel with one another, with at least one barrel assembly positioned in the firing position, the firing position operatively supporting the at least one barrel assembly; A gun is further provided with a gunpowder initiator coupled to the firing position to selectively propagate the combustible bullet firing gun powder of the at least one barrel assembly supported at.

This shows that the "gun" is an elongated tube that fires the projectile by explosive force. In particular, the term "gun" in the present invention denotes a firearm capable of quickly and continuously firing a projectile. This capability is controlled by a fireman who manually controls the firing of the firearm or by an automated system controlled by a computer. In particular, the present invention relates to firearms capable of firing bullets rapidly and continuously.

The invention also relates to a barrel assembly described in International Patent Applications Nos. PCT / AU94 / 00124 and PCT / AU96 / 00459. This barrel assembly includes a plurality of projectiles disposed axially within the barrel to engage in engagement with the holes of the barrel and separate bullet firing guns that sequentially propagate each projectile through the barrel of the barrel.

The projectile may be round, conventional, or arrow-like, the pin of which produces a stable rotation, such as a dart, which is propelled in a barrel whose shape, such as an arrow, is smooth-bored. Can be off-set to

The projectile gunpowder may be formed as a solid block so that the projectiles are spaced in the barrel and the bullet gunpowder may be included in a metal or other rigid case which may include a primer having an external contact means in electrical contact with the barrel. Can be. For example, the primer provides a spring contact that can be retracted to insert a cased gunpowder into the barrel and advanced into the barrel bore to contact the barrel. If desired, the outer case can be a consumable or can be chemically assisted in the firing of bullet fired gunpowder. An assembly of gunpowder and projectiles in a casing, combined or separated case may also be provided to refill the barrel.

Each projectile may comprise an expansion means and a projectile head forming a space of bullet projectile. The expansion means may comprise a spacer assembly that extends backward in the projectile head and is adjacent to the adjacent projectile assembly.

The spacer assembly can extend through the bullet gunpowder space and the projectile head whereby the compressive load is transmitted directly through the adjacent spacer assembly. In this configuration, the spacer assembly helps to support the expansion means, which can be the thin cylindrical back portion of the projectile head. The expansion means may also be formed in seal contact with the aperture of the barrel to prevent combustion leakage of the projectile head.

The spacer assembly may include a rigid collar extending outwardly that engages the thin cylindrical rear portion of the projectile head in seal contact with the aperture of the barrel such that an axial compressive load is transferred directly between the spacer assemblies, thereby Deformation is prevented.

The supplementary welding surface can be disposed on the spacer assembly and the projectile head, respectively, whereby the projectile head contacts the aperture of the barrel corresponding to the relative axial compression between the spacer means and the projectile head. This arrangement allows the projectile head and spacer assembly to be loaded in the barrel, thereby ensuring good sealing between the projectile head and the barrel. The expansion means are properly engaged with the holes of the barrel.

The projectile head forms a tapered hole at its rear part, in which the hole receives a tapered spigot disposed on the leading edge of the spacer assembly, and the relative axial movement between the tapered stopper and the projectile head is Allow expansion force to be applied at the head.

The barrel can be nonmetallic and the aperture of the barrel comprises a recess that can fully or partially receive the ignition means. In this configuration the barrel houses an electrical conductor which facilitates electrical communication between the control means and the ignition means. This shape allows the barrel assembly with limited firing life to be used and discarded and the ignition means and control wire can be manufactured integrally with the barrel.

The barrel assembly may alternatively comprise an ignition hole in the barrel and the ignition means is arranged in a hole adjacent to the outer barrel. The barrel can be surrounded by a non-metallic outer barrel comprising a recess that can receive the ignition means. The outer barrel may also receive an electrical connector that facilitates electrical communication between the control means and the ignition means. The outer barrel can be formed like a thin plastic barrel, which can include a printed wiring sheet for ignition means.

The barrel assembly has adjacent projectiles that are separated from each other or held at a distance by means of separating the projectiles, each projectile comprising expandable sealing means for sealing the holes in the barrel. The locating means may be a bullet firing gun between adjacent projectiles and the sealing means comprises a skirt on each projectile that extends outwards when loading the barrel. The loading of the barrel may be carried out during installation of the projectile or after the combination of the projectile column and the bullet gunpowder, or by the launch of an external projectile, in particular by the launch of an adjacent external projectile.

The rear end of the projectile includes a skirt around an internally reduced recess, such as a conical recess in which the bullet projecting gun extends or a partially recessed recess, resulting in a rearward movement of the projectile in the radial extension of the projectile skirt. . This rearward movement is caused by compression caused by the rear wedging movement of the projectile along the leading edge of the bullet firing gun, resulting in metal flowing from the relatively massy leading edge of the projectile to the lesser mass skirt.

Alternatively, the projectile comprises a collar or spherical sealing flange which branches back to the collar where the sealing engagement with the aperture is externally deflected as the projectile moves backward. Sealing may also be generated by inserting the projectile into a heated barrel that contracts on each sealing portion of the projectile. The projectile may comprise a relatively rigid mandrel located in the bullet gunpowder and cooperating with the deformable annulus, between the noise of the projectile and its tail to extend from the mandrel to the sealing engagement with the aperture of the barrel. It is possible to form a single projectile that allows for a metal flow to occur at.

The assembly of the projectile may include an anvil surface that extends backwards while supporting the sealing collar, which may be radially expanded where the barrel hole is sealed as the projectile moves forward through the barrel. . In this configuration, the bullet firing gun preferably has a cylindrical leading edge adjacent the flat end face of the projectile.

The projectile may comprise a metal jacket suitably accommodated or positioned in the circumferential groove or by the in-hole annular rib or the in-hole lifting groove and surrounded at the outer end portion of the projectile. The projectile may provide a retractable peripheral position ring that retracts into the projectile to extend outward in the annular groove in the barrel and pass through the barrel.

The electrical ignition for sequentially igniting the bullet firing gun of the barrel assembly may comprise igniting the preceding bullet firing gun by sending an ignition signal to the stacked projectiles, thereby igniting the bullet firing gunpowder. Generates the next firing signal for the next carbonization gunpowder to work. All bullet firing guns at the end of the loaded barrel are secured by inserting an insulating loose which is usually placed between closed electrical contacts.

Ignition of the projectile can be obtained electrically or a conventional launch pin type method using a center-fired primer that ignites the outermost projectile and sequentially controls the ignition so that the ammunition of the bullet is fired sequentially. This can be obtained by controlling the back leakage of the combustion gas or by controlling the combustion of the fuse column extending through the projectile.

In another form of ignition, each bullet is fired electrically in cooperation with a primer triggered by another ignition signal. For example, in stacked bullet firing guns, the primer can be sequenced by increasing the pulse width firing need, whereby electrical control selects an ignition pulse of increasing pulse width to ignite the bullet firing gun in a selected time sequence. Can be sent to However, the bullet firing gun is preferably ignited by setting the pulse width signal such that the next bullet firing gun is activated by the next pulse emitted after the preceding bullet firing gun is burned.

In this embodiment all bullet firing powder at the end of the loaded barrel is generally secured by inserting respective insulating fuses disposed between the closed electrical contacts, which fuses close the contact upon transmission of the appropriate triggering signal. Each insulated fuse is set to open in each of the preceding bullet firing ammunition for ignition.

Multiple projectiles can be launched, for example, simultaneously or continuously rapidly or in response to each manual actuation of the trigger. In this arrangement the electrical signals can be transmitted to the outside of the barrel or via overlapping projectiles, which can be clipped to each other such that the electrical circuits are continuous through the barrel, or can be adjacent to electrical contact with each other. The projectile may transmit a control circuit or form a circuit with the barrel.

The barrel assembly feeder advances a plurality of barrel assemblies connected together in a distanced relationship. The barrel assembly feeder preferably includes a drive with opposed teeth that can hold the barrel to advance the plurality of barrels. In a preferred embodiment the drive with opposing teeth cooperates and configures the firing position to hold one or more barrel assemblies therebetween. For example, an opposing tooth drive is an opposing sprocket assembly each having recesses between adjacent teeth and the adjacent teeth correspond to the cross-sectional shape of each opposing part of the barrel assembly in the chain and each opposing part. Is engaged with the opposed barrel assembly portion in the firing position to support the barrel assembly during firing.

The firing position is preferably capable of operatively supporting the plurality of barrel assemblies for simultaneous firing, and more preferably the plurality of barrel assemblies in which the supply means feeds and is operatively supported to supply two or more parallelly connected barrel assemblies is compact. Are arranged collectively at the top and bottom of the barrel to provide a frontal area of the barrel.

These pairs of plural opposed sprocket assemblies may be provided side by side or in an up and down arrangement to simultaneously receive each barrel assembly in the firing position.

Alternatively, the barrel assembly feeder may comprise a toothed belt or a driven opposite supply chain, such as an opposing belt having a linear opposing path to provide a plurality of side by side firing positions. Cooperate to support a plurality of barrels during firing in a supply chain opposite the bed. The opposing supply chain or toothed belt driven is preferably an endless chain or belt so as to be suitable for supplying the connected barrel assembly. However, if desired, the connecting means can be configured in one supply chain to connect the plurality of barrel assemblies together.

The barrel assembly feeder can extend to the full length of the barrel assembly to provide support that can counter the internal pressure by firing, so that the barrel assembly size and length can be used to effectively provide storage of the barrel assembly in the magazine. The barrel assembly may be stripped out of the chain if desired, either in waste form or sequentially ejected from the firing position during ejection, if desired.

The barrel assembly used in the present invention may be of the type described in International Patent Application No. PCT / AU94 / 00124 or PCT / AU94 / 00459. When such a barrel assembly is used in an embodiment of the present invention, a pair of opposed sprockets is used as the barrel assembly feeder used as the firing position, and the opposite sprocket assembly is supported or engaged by the opposed sprocket assembly. It is machined to high tolerances to avoid deformation. We have found that it is possible to provide a barrel assembly with a flexible outer casing. Accordingly, a second embodiment of the present invention provides a barrel assembly having a plurality of projectiles axially stacked in an inner barrel, wherein the inner barrel is not substantially deformed and the plurality of projectiles are projectiles in the barrel assembly. The barrel assembly includes a flexible outer casing, optionally laminated with combustible bullet firing gun powder to propel it.

The flexible outer casing may be made of a soft metal such as copper or aluminum or plastic material.

The plurality of barrel assemblies are connected by a pair of bands arranged at opposite ends of the barrel and the bands are disposed outside the boundary defined by the opposite sprocket block or equivalent when placed in the firing position. Alternatively, the opposite sprocket block or equivalent may be recessed to receive a band that can be connected with the plurality of barrel assemblies along its length. The band may be a relatively light weight fiber material, such as metal banding or fiber straps. Alternatively, the band may be a rigid link that extends between each adjacent pair of barrels in a means such as a chain. The band may cooperate with the opposed sprocket assembly to support one or more barrel assemblies during launch.

A plurality of barrel assemblies connected together may be provided in the form of magazines to facilitate storage and transportation and to facilitate supply of the barrel assembly in the firing position.

The gunpowder initiator may be an initiator that selectively initiates a separate flammable bullet firing gun of one or more barrel assemblies. Suitable gunpowder detonation systems are described in barrel assemblies of international patent applications PCT / AU94 / 00124 and PCT / AU96 / 00459.

The gunpowder initiator associated with the firing position may cooperate with the barrel assembly feeder, but each barrel assembly when the barrel is received in the firing position or supported to be operated in the firing position for contact by a fixed initiator in contact with each barrel assembly. It is preferred to have a firing circuit contact means to which is exposed.

At least one barrel assembly is preferably engaged with the barrel extension which is operatively supported in the firing position and forms part of the gun. The one or more barrel assemblies are preferably aligned coaxially with the barrel extension such that the barrel extension sealably engages the one or more barrel assemblies. In a preferred embodiment, the plurality of barrel extensions can be attached on the rotating housing whereby the barrel extensions are coaxial with one or more barrel assemblies supported in the firing position.

The guns of the present invention may also include other features or other components in cooperation with conventional guns, including butts, handles, sights, and fixed mounts.

The invention may be more readily understood by reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a general embodiment of the invention.

1 is a front view of a gun according to one aspect of the present invention.

2 is a diagram illustrating one form of a supply device for supplying and supporting a thin wall barrel assembly.

3 is a view showing the shape of the supply apparatus shown in FIG.

4 shows another form of a supply device for supplying and supporting a thin-walled barrel assembly.

5 is a cross-sectional view showing one form of the assembly of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a projection view showing a sprocket device similar to the sprocket device shown in FIG. 3 combined with a gun with barrel extension.

7 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 6.

The gun 10 shown in FIG. 1 is provided with support magazines 12 and 13 comprising a central support 11 which can be fixed or aimed and a barrel assembly loaded or exhausted on opposite sides of the central support, respectively. Include. The barrel assembly 14 in the magazine is joined together by a connecting web 15 which holds the barrel assembly 14 in a uniformly spaced parallel relationship in a manner to form a barrel-chain as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Connected.

In this embodiment, each magazine 12 and 13 accommodates two barrel-chains which are individually supplied through breach devices 16 and 17 which are arranged differently above the central support 11. This arrangement allows each barrel assembly loaded with ammunition in magazine 12 to be fed through a breach device to a plurality of firing positions where the axis of the barrel assembly is clamped parallel to the line of sight of the weapon ready to be fired by the control means. .

The control means sequentially energizes the barrel assembly triggering circuit once the barrel assembly is supplied to each firing position. Once the triggering arrangement has been received in position, the control contact allows the operator to selectively launch one or more barrel assemblies simultaneously with the control of projectile firing in each barrel assembly.

In an embodiment, six barrel assemblies, three each on the top and bottom of the barrel-chain, may be held in the firing position. In general, the barrel assembly includes 20 bullets and the magazines 12 and 13 can each accommodate 200 barrel assemblies. It can store 4000 bullets and fire 2700 bullets per minute with six bullets fired simultaneously. The chain feed device comprises a chain block 19 which is adapted to be of the type shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 and coupled to rotate in opposite directions while the slots 20 formed between the sprocket teeth 21 are arranged around the barrel assembly. Tightly engage and provide support through this length during firing. In this way, the required strength to withstand firing pressure is made in the rotating block in the breach device, making it easier or lighter to produce thin wall assemblies and lower manufacturing costs. For example, the barrel assembly may be formed of a carbon fiber barrel assembly that can utilize the maximum bullet in a given vehicle or aircraft.

The weapon has a shape that reduces exposure because the magazine can be positioned in a shielded position and can be attached to separate from the breach device. The drive means for operating the supply device may be gas or electric or other suitable and the bullet may be of any suitable size. The barrel assembly may be discarded or loaded again.

FIG. 4 shows three chain blocks rotating oppositely aligned vertically with adjacent chain blocks 19 in order to reversely supply the barrel assembly 14 connected through the firing position formed by the opposite slots 20 ( 19) is shown.

5 shows a barrel assembly 30 having a hole 31 in which the projectile and the gunpowder are axially aligned. The barrel assembly 30 has an inner barrel 32 made of a hard and non-deformable material and an outer casing 33 made of a ductile material such as copper or aluminum. The outer casing 33 is deformed by the slot 20 and the sprocket teeth 21 of the sprocket drive as shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4.

6 and 7 show the sprocket assembly of FIGS. 2 and 3 in combination with the gun. The housing 40 and the rotatable barrel housing 41 provide an elastic seal to keep the barrel assembly 14 adjacent to each other and to maintain the barrel assembly precisely positioned while the bullet contained in each barrel is ejected. do. The barrel expansion frame 41 accommodates eight barrels 42 so that the barrel extensions 42 align with the barrel assembly 14 when the barrel assembly 14 is operatively supported between the sprockets 19. It rotates in cooperation with the sprocket 19.

While the embodiments of the present invention have been described as described above, it should be understood that changes and modifications of the embodiments can be sufficiently carried out by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims (15)

A barrel assembly feeder for advancing a plurality of barrel assemblies having combustible bullet firing guns selectively separated to propel the projectiles with a plurality of projectiles axially stacked within each barrel assembly; The barrel assemblies are connected in a spaced parallel relationship with one or more barrel assemblies in the firing position, the firing positions operatively supporting the one or more barrel assemblies, and also one or more barrel assemblies operatively supported in the firing position. And a gunpowder initiator coupled to the firing position to selectively propel the selectively separate flammable bullet gunpowder of the gun. The method of claim 1, Wherein the firing position operatively supports a plurality of barrel assemblies for simultaneous firing. The method of claim 2, Wherein the barrel assembly feeder is suitable for feeding two or more parallel barrel assemblies, and wherein the plurality of barrel assemblies operatively supported are collectively arranged at the top and bottom of the barrel to provide a compact frontal shape. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The barrel assembly feeder includes an opposite drive supply chain or a toothed belt having a linear opposed path at the firing position and the opposite drive supply chain or a toothed belt at the firing position includes one or more barrel assemblies for firing. A gun that is cooperating to support the operation. The method of claim 4, wherein Wherein said driven opposite supply chain or toothed belt is an endless chain or belt for supplying a linked barrel assembly. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, The gunpowder initiator is coupled to the supply means, and each barrel assembly is positioned in the firing position support while exposing correspondingly disposed firing circuit contacts when the barrel assembly is held in the firing position such that the barrel assembly is in contact with the fixed gunpowder or gunpowder initiator. And correspondingly arranged firing circuit contacting means in contact with the barrel assembly after the contact is made. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, The barrel assembly supply device includes an opposing toothed drive for operatively supporting the barrel assembly in the firing position. The method of claim 7, wherein The opposed toothed drive is a pair of opposed sprocket assemblies each having a recess between adjacent teeth, the adjacent teeth matching the cross-sectional shape of each opposed portion of the barrel assembly in the chain and each opposite portion. Wherein the gun is engaged with the opposed barrel assembly portion at the firing site to support the barrel assembly during firing. The method of claim 8, And a plurality of paired opposed sprocket assemblies may be provided arranged side by side to simultaneously receive each barrel assembly at the firing position. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 9, The opposed tooth drive extends over the entire length of the barrel assembly to provide support that can counteract the internal pressure resulting from firing, thereby minimizing the size and strength of the barrel assembly, thereby allowing for more efficient storage of the barrel assembly in the magazine. Guns that are characterized by. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 10, The barrel assembly is characterized in that the barrel assembly is defined by opposed sprocket blocks when placed in the firing position and connected by bands disposed on the outer sides of the boundary. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 11, The opposed sprocket block is recessed to receive a band. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, Wherein said band is a steel band of at least one fiber strap. A plurality of projectiles stacked axially in an inner barrel, The inner barrel is substantially undeformed and the plurality of projectiles are stacked with a combustible bullet firing powder that is selectively separated to propel the projectile from the barrel assembly, the barrel assembly comprising a flexible outer casing Guns. The method of claim 14, The soft outer casing is formed of a copper, aluminum or plastic material.