US2474813A - Gun aiming system - Google Patents

Description

y 1949. R. BATTAGLlNl 2,474,813

GUN AIMING SYSTEM Filed May 2, 1946 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Pi l. 1

DIRECTOR DIFFERENTIAL GUN TRANSMITTER REPEATER TRHVsMITrER REVER5/6LE PRESSURE FLUID QvWv/WM Hens Enccnglini HYDRAULIC July 5, 1949. R. BATTAGLINI GUN AIMING SYSTEM 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 2, 1946 gwumvbom III/II/III July 5, 1949. I R, BATTAGLlNl 2,474,813

GUN AIMING SYSTEM Filed May 2, 1946 6 sheets-sheet 5 July 1949. R. BATTAGLINI 2,474,813

GUN AIMINQ SYSTEM Filed May 2, 1946 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 .mnIi-g 4 /20 IIHMIIIHEEH! Hana En Hct lini July 5, 1949. BATTAGLIN] 2,474,813

4 GUN AIMING SYSTEM Filed May 2, 1946 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Patented July 5, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE (Granted under the act of March 3, 1883, as amended April 30, 1928; 370 0. G. 757) 28 Claims.

The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government for governmental purposes, without the payment to me of any royalty thereon.

In certain types of antiaircraft guns now in use, the gun is moved angularly by hydraulic motors, one for elevation and another for train. Each motor is controlled by a light pilot valve which, in turn, controls a main valve. The pilot valve is of the reciprocating piston type and the connections are such that when the valve is in central position, a source of high pressure fluid is cut off from the motor so that no movement of the gun occurs. When the pilot valve is displaced in one direction, pressure fluid is thereby admitted to a corresponding end of the main valve which being displaced thereby, permits pressure fluid to flow to one side of the corresponding hydraulic motor to angularly move the gun in a first direction while, When the pilot valve is displaced in the other direction, the motor is operated to drive the gun in a second or opposite direction.

In the types of guns under discussion, control of the pilot valve is usually effected from a separate or distant director through electric telemetric connections of the Selsyn type. Certain values such as range, present position, elevation and azimuth rates of the target, are introduced into the director. The director then combines these values and delivers an output consisting of two continuously-changing angular values. These values are the predicted azimuth angle and elevation angle that the gun should have in order to hit the target if fired at that particular instant. Each value is separately I transmitted. to the gun by a "Selsyn transmitter having its field coils connected by standard Y or delta three-phase connections to the stator of a differential repeater. The rotor of the aforesaid repeater has standard three-phase connections with the stator of a gun transmitter whose rotor is geared to rotate in timed relation with the elevation or train motor of the gun, as the case may be. The rotor of the differential repeater is mechanically connected to a torque arm operating the aforesaid pilot valve. Thus, as the rotor of the transmitter at the director is turned through an angular increment the field induced thereby in the stator of the gun transmitter rotates through the same increment and the threephase connections cause an equal rotation of the field induced by the stator coils of the diiferential. As the field induced by the rotor coils of the differential repeater is momentarily at rest because of the fact that the hydraulic motor is not rotating, there is an increment of relative rotation between the stator and rotor fields of the differential. This relative rotation causes a torque to be applied to the torque arm and results in a shift of the pilot valve. The connections are such that the ensuing rotation of the hydraulic motor causes a corresponding increment of rotation of the stator field of the gun transmitter to restore parallelism between the fields of the stator and rotor of the differential repeater. The movement is smooth and continuous, with substantially no lag, so that the gun at all times repeats or follows up the corresponding angular output of the director; and it will be noted that the rate of angular movement of the gun corresponds, in each case to the angular displacement of the stator and rotor fields of the differential repeater and, hence, to the angle of displacement of the aforesaid arm.

At times it is preferable or necessary, as when firing at relatively close range, or when the director has been put out of action by enemy fire, to control the gun manually, effecting aim solely by observation of the tracers. Manual control is also desirable when it is desired to rapidly move the gun to direct the same in the general direction of a fast-moving target, preliminary to switching to director control. To accomplish these purposes, I propose to provide a control element which may be carried directly upon the gun mount or spaced an appreciable distance therefrom, together with a clutch by which said control element may, through Bowden cables, be connected to directly control the aforementioned torque arm. By this construction, the gun may be controlled by and from the director, when desired, or may be substantially instantaneously converted to manual control when dictated by the conditions or exigencies of combat.

It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide an attachment for automatically controlled guns that may be substantially instantaneously substituted for director control and which may, with equal facility, be disconnected when it is desired to return to automatic or director control.

Another object is to provide an attachment as aforesaid that affords a positive mechanical linkage or connection from a central control point to the pilot control valves previously mentioned.

Another object is to provide a manual control for the power drives of guns that may be actuated from a central station by one operator and that aifords a precise, accurate control operable in a natural manner to enable the gun to be moved smoothly and at a desired rate to a position indicated by the tracers or bursts as necessary to effect a hit.

A still further object is to provide a manually operable central station control that is readily adjustable at the gun for the most convenient operating, position, while, efiecting control by a single element movable about mutually perpendicular axes.

Another object is to provide in a single unit, elevation and train controls for a gun and, in which the movements necessary to effect the desired component angular movements of the gun,

in train and elevation bear a natural relation-Jo the respective components so that the operator has the sensation that he is directly moving the gun. In this way, rapid sensory response. of the operator to imperfect aim is assuredand. vertigo on the part of the operator is avoided.

A further object is toproyidea manual control. y tem. as a e aid; ha ma be at c e xi t pe f gu s. or; hi h t intended, quickl and. Wit ut. an iwar hamper n th ri i al intended; manner otoperation f thegun, when desired.

A il u her. obieen s. o Diox de a manua contrQlsyStem for-us b asingle operator-using forward; area. sights, on. tracer control. to track. e a e m q l r nd a id y her b ec s nd: ad antages f ilwell" n il b come ap a enteelie egel i oed In the: drawings;

Figurelis a schematicview showin in a simplifiedmanner. the principles, utilized: in the oil gear. control, it being understood .-that each gun will have. two of these controls, one forelevation and the other. for ,azimuth,

Figurei2 is. a fr.ont.,elevation of: one of the oil gear pilot. valve. controls. of: a. standard? 4.0mm. antiaircraft gun, with. GOV-611413181116: removed to show details of the un transmitter. andrdifieren tial repeater. before application. of i the control,

element of my. invention,

Figure 3 is a view similar. toFigure 2- but showingthe control element.of..the invention applied to the oil gear. pilot valve aswell as the transmission cables leading. thereto,

' Figure 4 is an elevationali-viewpfithe aforesaid control element removed/from .the oil g earvalve, and showing the side thereofopposite to that illustrated in Figure 3 to reveal-the slidemounting for the clutch plate, the pivot ed pilot valve control lever, the actuating springs, and the cable connections Figure 5 is a perspective view of the clutch plate and the cablefmountingbracket' attached thereto," m M Figure 6 is a cross-section takenupon a plane indicatedby the line ri ors; Land showe i articular the lqfl l ev the slidable clutch:plateibn 'which the lever is pivoted; l cjthe ep ipapin br'j ci ii n', d h,

ate, i active. ndg ieeiir q hie e.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the aforesaid nil tvalr l ven F ure a e -tier on he line Ta -Ila of Figure, 3, sh'pwing the manner in which are, held in 1 12 .2

Figure. 8, is. an. ele,vati on q f, thea for,esaid pilot the twocenter edges of, the; cover. platesections I cated, theline 3?..3, Figure 12, and showingembrace and actuate the torque arm pin of the pilot valve,

Figure 9 is a perspective view of the left-hand side of a standard 40 mm. antiaircrait gun with my invention applied thereto, and showing more particularly the manual control unit including the upper side of the steering wheel at nearly maximum elevation, fine adjustmentmeans therefor, and mechanical control cables, operated by movement of the steering wheel about respective elevation and train axes,

Figure 10 is a perspective View of the left-hand side of a 40 mm. antiaircraft gun equipped with the invention, and showing the mounting brackets forthe manual control or steering Wheel unit, and the details of the horizontal axis mounting of said unit,

Figure 11 is a. perspective view of the lower side of the steering wheel unit showing more particularly the manner in which the unit is mounted for moyement about mutually normal axes, one, of which is horizontal, the control cables actuated by movement of the wheel about the respective axes, and the fine adjustment means effective to move the wheel about the. aforesaid horizontal axis,

Figure 12 is a partly sectional view substantiallyupon the line l2,-l2 of Figure 13, and showing in detail the, mounting for the steeringwheel, thelcontrol cables, and the fine adjustment mechanism. forthe wheel,

Figure 12a is a perspective. view of the-bracket for securing-the circular base plate in. fixedrelation with its. parallel mounting axle,

Figure 13- is asection taken upon a plane indithe. details of the steering wheel pivotaxis noriel; o a d Wh l Figure 14 is; a side elevation of the steering Wheel unit showing in. greater detail its mounting bracket, fine adjustment about the horizon-- ll; nd. imit ps Figure 15 is a schematic view of a first mod]?- fi ed formof. control for usewitha different type of oil gear, together with means operable to effect connection anddisconnection of said; control and l i lfi s mqt position;

Figure lfiis an elevation of a second modified form of; the. invention for,use.with the-elevation oil,geanshown-uponFigureJdand showing means for rendering. inactive the limit stops. normally employed with the aforesaidtypeofi oil gear,

Figure. 17 is av schematic view of theelevation controlof Figure 16 showing the control in side elevation and the connection between the same andthe gun by which the gun is stopped at the limits of its elevation and depression'movements,

Figure18 isa detail view showing the retractor plate employed in the modification of Figures 16 and. 1'7, and

Figure-19 is a sectional view of the modification shown at Figures lfi and 17, taken upon the line I9. I 9 vof Figure 17,

General description In general, the inventioncomprises-a steering wheel or discmounted upon theportion 01? thegunsuppqrtthat is pivoted .to move the-gun'about a vertical axis. The steering wheel is locatedat one sidelof, andzclosely, adjacent the gun so that the operator, in effect, looks along the bore-rof the gun and. is .in position closely to observe the .trajectories, of the tracers. The wheel itself is mounted upon a bracket for-movement about a. rst x bs nt a l ar l elhe r n on or elevation axis of the gun and a second axis normal to the first axis and centrally of the wheel. Disconnectable flexible connections are provided between the respective axes of the wheel and the oil gears whereby movements of the wheel about the first axis causes elevational or depression movements of the gun in the same direction. That is for example, if the Wheel or disc is tilted upwardly, the gun is elevated. Also rotation of the wheel about the aforesaid second axis moves the gun' in train. Again the direction of train is made the same as the direction of rotation of the wheel. In all cases, the rate of movement of the gun is proportional to the angular displacement from null or zero positions of the wheel about its respective axes. By the arrangement described, the operator or gunner intuitively moves his wheel in the proper direction necessary to correspondingly displace th trajectory of the projectiles as indicated by tracers so that it intersects the target. By manually-operated clutch connections, the steering wheel control may be quickly connected and disconnected so that shift from director to manual control or vice versa, may be effected rapidly, as called for by changing conditions of combat.

The oil gear control For the purpose of aiding an understanding of the invention, it will be assumed that the oil gear shown schematically at Figure 1, controls the movement of the gun in azimuth. It will be understood that a similar system is provided in each gun, for controlling the movement thereof in elevation.

A transmitter I is located at a gun fire director remote from the gun emplacement, and includes a rotor coil 2 and delta-connected stator coils 3. A cable including conductors ll connects the respective terminals of the stator coils 3, with the corresponding terminals of stator coils 5 of a differential repeater 6 having a rotor including delta-connected coils l. A shaft 8 is connected to be turned by rotation of the rotor of differential repeater 6. This shaft has an arm 9 fixed thereto which, through a link Ill may move the piston ll of a fluid pressure control valve l2 within its cylinder l3. Fluid such as oil, under pressure, is supplied by way of a central connection !4 to the interior space defined by the separated sections of piston l l. Outlets l5 and I6 extend from cylinder l3 to a hydraulic motor ll having its shaft l9 connected, in this particular case, to turn the gun in azimuth. The motor I! also has its shaft connected as at 20, to the rotor 2| of a gun transmitter 22 whose stator coils 23 are delta-connected by conductors 24 to the coils of rotor l of difierential repeater 6.

In normal or neutral position, both outlets l5 and I6 are blocked by piston H and motor H is at rest. When a change in predicted azimuth is developed in the director a corresponding rotation of coil 2 is eifected. This results in a rotation of the field induced in coils 3 by rotor 2, and a corresponding rotation of the field induced by the stator coils of differential repeater 6.

The rotor coil 2| of gun transmitter 22, acts to induce a field in its stator coils 23 and this field is repeated by rotor coils l of differential repeater B. When, therefore, the field induced by coils 5 rotates relatively to the field of coils l, a torque is applied to shaft 8 which effects a movement of piston H against the action of centralizing springs 25 and in a direction depending upon the direction of rotation of rotor 2. Movement of piston ll admits fluid under pressure to one outlet and permits exhaust from the other. As a result, motor I! turns and the mechanical connections are such as to turn the gun in the direction corresponding to the direction of rotation of rotor 2 and also to turn rotor 2! of gun transmitter 22. A rotation of the field of coils 1 is thereby effected and the connections are such that this field rotation follows the field rotation of coils 5. As soon as the field of coils 1 is again in agreement with the field of coils 5, the torque on arm 9 disappears, springs 25 return piston II to central or neutral position, and motor I! stops.

The action just described is smooth and continuous so that the gun rotates in the direction corresponding to the rotation of coil 2, substantially without lag. It should also be noted that the rate of angular movement of the gun will be proportional to the displacement from central position of piston II. The foregoing system is duplicated in each gun for elevation control, the only difierence being that shaft I9 is connected to operate the elevating gears of the gun, and rotor coil 2 in the director is driven in accordance with the predicted elevation angle to be applied to the gun.

It will be understood that motor I! drives both the gun and coil 2| through reduction gearing, not shown in Figure 1. Figure 2 shows the oil gear as actually used in a standard 40 mm. antiaircraft unit. In this figure, the parts are enclosed within a casing 26 connected with brackets 21 and 28 of the induction motor that drives the oil pump. This casing is normally closed by a cover plate which has been removed in Figure 2. lhe differential repeater is indicated at 5 and its rotor shaft 29 carries a torque arm 38 having a projection 30a extending from one side. This carries an adjusting screw 3! operable to vary the connection between 3011 and pilot valve piston ll slidable within cylinder I3. A second projection 30b extends from the left side of torque arm 30, as seen in Figure 2, and carries an actuating pin 33 having its axis parallel to the axis of shaft 29. Centralizing springs 25 are secured at their adjacent ends to projection 35b, and at their remote ends to the casing of repeater B. The gun transmitter 22 is located within the casing 26 at the left, as seen in Figure 2. The shaft 34 of transmitter 22 is connected with spiral gear 35 by an adjustable coupling so that slight relative rotation between the two may be effected after loosening screws 36. Gear 35 is in mesh with a spiral pinion 31 fixed on a shaft 38 journaled in bearings, one of which is mounted in a bracket 39. This bracket is held in place by screws 40. Shaft 38 is connected through appropriate reduction gears with the gun azimuth hydraulic motor in the case of the azimuth oil gear, and with the gun elevation hydraulic motor in the case of the elevation oil gear. From the explanation presented in connection with Figure 1, it will be clear that when a relative rotationv of the fields induced in stator and rotor coils 5 and 1 of repeater 6, a torque is applied to shaft 29 that effects a displacement of piston I l in one direction or the other, to thereby initiate a corresponding rotation of the azimuth or elevation motor, as the case may be. This displacement is effected against the action of springs 25. The resulting operation of the hydraulic motor drives shaft 38 and gear 35 to cause the induced field of differential repeater rotor l to follow the rotation of stator field 5 and restore alignment between the two fields. When this has been effected the torquepn.shaftrflkdisappearsz and;- springs 25 return. piston H to neutral, thusstopping the motor.

The features;justdescribedare well known and form. nopantofi myjnvention. Itwill. be noted that, with oilpressure on and the circuit of conductors kopen, controlor the gun is possible by manually applying-torque to'the arms 38 of the respective azimuth and: elevationoil gears. My invention includes meansfor doing. this by applying ,forces' to pins. 33;

Figured shows the. azimuth oil. gear of Figure 2 with the adapterv meansof the. invention appliedthereto. u-shaped :upperandilower spacers 44 and45-are providedto extend :part. way around the flange of casing. 26; At the left side of. Fi ure 3, they edgesof these spacers are indicated at Ma and,45a., respectively, so. that, when the adjacent section 55 .ofcthe cover plate isin position, a. slot. is. formed: through which control cables 46,.and41 maypass to.the interior of the oil gear casing 26. At the. right. of. Figure. 3, these spacers have spaced edges- 44b and 88b so-that when.cover:plate section. 5815 in place, a slot isformedthroughwhich-clutch plate slide.

As shown. in- Figures. 3.--and..7a, a-bracket plate 49 extendsverticallyr across the central. portion of the'casing and is-adapted to be rigidly secured thereto by central studs-42.. The side edges of plate 49 are offset or. raised to accommodate the adjacent-centeredges-of coven plate sections 55 and. 56. Thus, eachsection can be removed-upon removal ofthe corresponding-end pair of nuts 38. A guide blockin -has awidth tosmoothly fit between the sides of a longitudinaLslot inslide 48, and is-of-a .thicknessslightly greater than the thickness of said slide. A stop plate 5i, Figure 4. has tapped holes-53 adaptedvto be engaged by a pair of cap screws '54 passinginwardly. through D aligned holes in plate: 49. Plate 52 overlaps the edges-of slot 51 and'thus coacts withblock ll. to confine the movement of clutchplate 48.1.0 longitudinaltranslationr Alocking pin 51' is slidably mounted inza. hole-in plate49- Figure 6), and isurged inwardly bya spring 58=acting between the head of said pin .and an abutment 59 secured to plate 49; The end of the pin, is adaptedto-iit either of a pair -0t holes 60 ins-lide tliand thus releasably secure the 'slidedn. either of two'positions. The significance-or these-positions will be subsequentl described;

Slide 48 has a-reduced end 48a carrying a pin GI exteriorly ofcasingvZG, and by w-hich the plate 48 maybe shifted fromone positionto-the other after retraction of lockingpin 51. At the other end of slide thereis a bracket tii .attached'by screws 63 and having'an outstanding portionprovided with slots 64.-and 65, shownat Figure 5. As clearly shown at FiguresB and 4; these slots are adapted to receive'the'sheathing. of flexible cables and. 41 so. that when nut 5515- turned down on a headed sleeve-61 on cable 48', forexample, the sheathing. is clamped to the bracket; The clampingconstruction is the-same'for. both cables. Various-openingssuch as-BS; 78 and II are provided'insl-ide 48 -for the-purposeJ-of facilitating adjustment of screws,-etc.; located --behind said slide.

A torque arm actuating-lever- 68-.--is shown at- Figures 3;to 8, inclusive. This lever'comprises a maincentral portion 13 from-which-arrns 72' and 14 extend in .opposite.directions.- Thesearms have respective longitudinal slots. Hand '18.

addition, parallel-g arms Thand: 18 extend from, 75

central. portion- 18.- Eachsaid. arm is L-shaped incross-section with vertical flanges. extending toward-each other asbest shown upon Figure 7. A pivot hole 19. extends centrally of lever 68.

through portion 13 and, as shown in Figure i, apivot screw engages attapped hole 8i in slide 48 to thereby pivotally mount lever 88 on slide 48. From Figures 3, .4 and 8, it will be noted that arms H- and 18 carry leaf springs 82 and 83, respectively. Each spring is-bent back upon itself to form legs of unequal length. The shorter legis flat and has a holethroughwhich securing andadjusting screws 84 and 85 pass to attach eachspring to its respective arm Her 18 by means of nuts 86 to 89, inclusive. The longer legs of springs 82 and 83 are bowed toward each other, as-

best shown in Figure 8, whereby they may receive pin=33 between them. Furthermore, by turning screws 84-and 85 inwardly, the ends thereof may be made to engage the bowed portions of springs 82' and 83. and thus adjust theforce with whicheach spring engages the pin, while, at the same time effecting, if desired, a slight. angular movement of lever 68 relatively to pin 33. Figures 3 and 8 show the position ofthese springs when slide 48 is moved inwardly to causethem to engage pin 33, while Figure 4 shows their position when said slide is moved outwardly to disconnect them from the pin.

The core wire 90 of 'cable 46 has a hook ill'secured to its end withincasing 26. This hook 'engages over a smooth'part of the shank ofabolt 92. The threaded outer part of said shank passes through slot"'|5 andis clamped in adjustedposition along said slot by nuts 93 threaded thereon and engaging opposite'sides of the lever; By

loosening one of these" nuts the bolt 92 may he slid along slot 15 tovary the radialdistance of the axis of said boltfrom the pivot screw 88. The core 94 of cable is connected-in'a-Iike manher, through hook 95, with the lower end of'lever be clear from the foregoingdescription. Whenslides 48 of both elevation and azimuth oil gears; are in their outward or released position, springs 82 and 83 are entirely out of contact with pins 33-and the gun may be automatically controlled from the director, in the-usual manner. When it is desired to manually'control the power drives,

the various circuits are opened, pins 57 are with-- drawn, and each slide 48 is rnoved inwardly and locked, in the position shown in Figure 3. Springs 82 and 83 are-now in firmbut yielding engagement with pin 33 and anymovement imparted to cores Stand 94, will efiect a pivotal movement of lever- 88; a corresponding rotation of torque arm 30, and translation of pilot valve pis ton I I. Thusit-is possible to'shift instantly from automatic director to manual control, and vice versa. It will be noted that when slide 48 is in efi'ective or operating positionas shown in Figure 3, the pivots of lever 68 andtorque arm 38-.

are in substantial alignment.

It is within the purview of the invention to'provide mechanical or electrical operating means for effecting shift ofslide 48 from a remote control station. Thus pin 51 might be withdrawn by energization of a correspondingmneof a pair of..-

solenoids connected to slide 48 directly or through appropriate bellcranks. Then energization of the solenoids at the remote control station in the proper sequence, will permit rapid shift between the two types of control just mentioned. Alternatively flexible cable controls may be run from pin 51 and slide 48 to the aforesaid remote control station for a like purpose.

The manual operating unit In general, the manual operating unit comprises a so-called steering wheel rotatable about two mutually-perpendicular axes, a first of which is central of, and normal to the plane of said wheel, and a second of which is parallel to a diameter of said wheel. The wheel is so connected that movement thereof about the first axis operates the azimuth control cables while movement about the second axis operates the elevation control cables.

Referring more particularly to Figures 9 and 10, I identifies the left trunnion support of the gun carrying a bearing IlII within which is journaled a trunnion extending from the breech casing assembly I02. Although they form no part of the present invention, it may assist in understanding the invention to identify breech operating lever I03, right and left frames H34, H25 and rear guide I06, of the automatic loader, side cover plate I01, elevating arc gear sector Its, equilibrators I09, firing plunger 91 and firing lever 98. It should also be noted that upper and lower elevation stops I92 and I93 are provided on seetor I08 to engage a part on the trunnion support and thus limit elevation and depression of the gun. Figures 9 and 10 show portions of the elevating mechanism located upon the left-hand side of the gun including a hollow post I I0 rising from the top carriage frame and containing a shaft adapted to be driven from bevel gearing within a gear housing I I I. A stub shaft I I2 is connected to drive these bevel gears and has a squared end portion adapted to receive a crank when the gun is to be directly manually elevated by an operator seated in chair H3.

A clamp I I4 is formed in two sections, pivotally connected by bolt II5, Figure 9. This clamp extends about post H0 and is drawn firmly about said post by turning a nut lit to draw the two halves of the clamp together. One section of the clamp is forked as at I I1, for quick removal. The other section is extended to form a base for a right angular support bar I I 9 presenting a flat upper surface from which a pair of spaced lugs I23 and I2I extend upwardly. These lugs have aligned holes to receive a pair of clamp bolts I22 and I23, respectively.

A pair of slides I24 and I25 are formed of appropriate lengths of angle iron and have their upstanding flanges slotted as shown upon Figure 10, and their horizontal flanges in the plane of the upper surface of bar H9. The bolts I22 and I23 pass through the respective slots in slides I24 and I25 as well as lugs I20 and EH, so that, when the nuts on said bolts are loosened, the slides, as well as the entire control wheel structure supported thereby, may be adjusted forwardly or backwardly to suit the operator. After adjustment, the nuts are tightened to rigidly clamp the slides in position on bar I I9. A brace bar I26 is secured at its forward end to a bracket I21, Figure 10, by a clamp bolt and nut indicated generally by numeral I28. Bracket I2! is bolted to a convenient part of the top carriage of the gun, that is, the main support of the gun pivotally movable about a vertical axis to train the gun in azimuth. The other end of bar I26 is clamped by a bolt I29 to bar I I9, at a point substantially midway between lugs I20 and I2I. This bar therefore acts to rigidly brace the control wheel assembly relatively to the gun and to prevent vibration thereof during firing.

As shown upon Figures 10 and 13, the slots in slides I24 and I25 terminate short of the rear end of their flanges which are there provided with bearing holes. A control wheel supporting frame is indicated generally by the numeral I30. This frame, as shown, is built up from a pair of short strap sections I3I and I32, Figures 11 and 12, held in parallel coextensive relation by a U-shaped connector bar I33. The sides of the connector bar are secured to strap sections I3I and I32 by bolts to form a rigid frame. The lower end of sections I3I and I32 have apertures in alignment with the aforesaid bearing holes in the ends of slides I24 and I25. Bolts I35 and I33 pass through these aligned holes and act as pivot pins to enable adjustment of the frame I33 about a normally horizontal axis parallel to the steering wheel. Frame I30 and parts carried are secured in adjusted position about this axis merely by tightening the nuts on bolts I35 and I36. The steering wheel assembly is thus mounted for both vertical and forward and back ward translation, as well as for pivotal adjustment about a transverse normally horizontal axis.

The upper ends of strap sections I3I and I32 have aligned holes forming a normally horizontal pivot axis for a hollow shaft I31 which, as shown more clearly in Figures 11 and 12, is cut away at I38 along a plane through the axis thereof over a portion that includes the axle I33 of wheel I39. It will be noted that connector bar I33 is provided at its right end, as seen upon Figure 12, with a pair of split bushings Mt and MI which, when the nuts carried thereby are turned down, are adapted to clamp the sheathing of flexible cables 46' and 41' to said bar.

The cores of said cables extend in opposite directions, for a full turn about hollow shaft I31 and are there clamped beneath the respective heads of bolts I42 and I43 extending diametrically through section I31. In this manner, as shaft I31 is rotated on its axis, cables 49' and 41' act to transmit the motion to the elevation torque arm actuating lever. Thus, when the clutch plate or slide carrying this lever is in active position, rotation of tube or shaft I3l, as aforesaid, initiates and controls elevation movement of the gun. Referring to Figure 10, the

connections are such that when shaft I31 is rotated clockwise, the gun is elevated while, when said section is rotated counterclockwise, the gun is depressed. It should be mentioned that very light flexible cables are sufiicient to transmit the necessary forces. This cable may conveniently be of the size commonly used in connection with the carburetor choke controls of automobiles.

A circular base plate I44 is rigidly secured to shaft I31. This may conveniently be done by a special bracket I46 which, as seen in Figure 12a comprises generally a U-shaped member I53 having aligned holes I41 and I48 to snugly receive shaft I31. Parallel angle sections I49 and let are bolted to the U-shaped member so that their upper surfaces are flush with the ends thereof. Aligned rectangular notches I5I and I52 are formed in the bracket, to snugly receive a bar I54 centrally apertured at I55 to form a bearing will be noted that this axle has else a lower bearing in an aperture I56. The axle itself is formed of a cylindrical central section having a reduced threaded lower end; The upperhnd of this axle has a cylindrical reduced section I51, followed by a squared section" I58 and terminating in a reduced threaded portion I64. Upward movement of the axle is prevented by a pair of nuts I59 on the lower reduced end. A pulley r sleeve I60 fits the larger central section of axle I38 and is secured thereto as by a set screw I6I, Figure 12. This pulley, in conjunction with nuts I59 acts to prevent axial movement of axle I38.

A spacing washer I62 is secured by bolts I63 to the central under side of wheel I39. The wheel and washer are formed with central aligned squared apertures fitting the squared portion I58 of axle I38. Thus when a nut "on portion I64 is turned down, wheel I39 is fixed to axle I38. Base plate I44 rests upon the coplanar upper surfaces formed by sections I49 and I59 and is secured to these sections by cap screws [80 passing through holes I'Ill in their ends. Block I45 may be welded or bolted to shaft I31, Figure 12. Screws I82 are passed through plate I44 into this block. In this way, plate I44, shaft I31 and bracket I46 are secured together for movement as a unit about the axis of the shaft.

As shown upon Figures 11 and 12, flexible cables 46 and 41 pass through the open end of hollow shaft I31, thence through split bushings I65 and I66 received in holes in one leg of member I53. When nuts on'the respective bushings are turned down, the sheathing of the cables 46 and 41 is clamped in position with respect to member F53. The cores of azimuth cables 46 and 41 are wrapped in respectively opposite directions about pulley I60 for one or more turns and the ends are secured thereto in any suitable manner, as by passing beneath the heads of screws, not shown. Thuswhen wheel I39 is turned, the cables act to correspondingly t urn azimuth torque arm actuating lever 68 to cause azimuthal movement of the gun. The connections are such that clockwise movement of the wheel causes clockwise movement of the gun. It should be noted that the movement or displacements of the wheel I 39, about the axes of axle I38 and shaft I31, determine the rates of movement of the gun and that fora given angular displacement of the wheel abput a given axis, the gun (within the limits of its range of movement in elevation), will continue te rotate about its corresponding axis at a definite rate aslong as that displacement of the wheel is maintained. Wheel I39 is provided with an adjustment knob I61 for convenience of operation. j

A gear sector I 68 is bolted to one leg of U- shaped member I53, in position concentric of the axis of tube or shaft I 31. A fine adjustment shaft I69 having a knob I fixed to its end at the left side of strap section I32, is journaledfin bearings, one of which is formed by holes in strap I32 and bar I33, and another by a hole ina lug, I1I, fixed to the upper surface of bar I33. The end of shaft I69 journaled in lug If, is reduced to receive a spring I12 which acts between the shoulder formed by said reduced portion, and an abutment I13, to urge shaft I89 outwardly and thus maintain a pinion I14 out of engagement with sector I68. Pinion I14 is fixed on shaft I69 and when it is desired to effect fine control of gun movement in elevation, knob I'IIIJsgrasped and pushed inwardly to mesh pinion I14 with seetorlfifi.

12 Then by turning knob [10, very fine adjustments of the rate of movement of thev gunin elevation maybe effected. Upon release, spring "I1 2 acts to automatically move Pi ion" I-14 out of ms'h'f'lt should be noted that, as best shown at Figure 14, strap I32 is formed with oppesitely-disposed I15 and I16 each positioned to engage the of base plate I44 when the wheel I39isin respective extreme positions of adjustment. Theslugs are so located as to permit a rangeof movement from a few degrees below the horizontal in the forward position of the wheel, to a substantially vertical rearward position thereof. The dimen; sions of the tube I31 and lever 68 are, of course,

15 rso correlated with arm 30as to make thetota l permissible range of movement ofTthe steering wheel about the axis of tube I31 exactly equal to the total permissible range of movement of arm 30 and pilot piston II. In order to precisely co-} ordinate these ranges of movement, each stop lug may be provided with an adjustable capscrew I11 and I18, Figure 14, so that the fullfeifectiye range of rates afforded by the elevatien oil gear may be utilized while avoiding the pessibility of applying excessivestresses to 'the rela 1 deli}- cate parts of the torque arm and pilet piston in their extreme limiting positions of movement.

From Figure 9, it will be 'ndted that wheel I 39 has an arcuate circumferentiallyextending slot I19 formed therein and that a rack I84, is pref vided along one edge of this slot. A knob I82 is provided with a shaft I83, Figure 12, "jnurnaled in aligned bearing holes in plate I44 and block I45. A pinion I86 is fixed to shaft I83I'and, is normally held out of engagement withrack by a coil spring I85 surrounding the shaft and, acting between an'abutment on the. shaft and the bottom of a counterbore in block I45. When fine adjustments of wheel I39 are desired, knob I82 is pushed downwardly against the.

action bf. spring I85 to cause pinion I86 to mesh. with rack I84. Turning of knob I82 then effects theYdesired adjustments.

A shaft I81 is journaled in lugs extending from the under side of base plate I44. From Figures 10'. and 13 it will be seen thatthis shaftissubstan tially parallel to shaft I31 and that its ends are, positioned slightly outwardly of the periphery f plate I44. Stop arms I88,only one ofwhieh shown, Figure 10, are aflixed; to the respe tive ends of the shaft so that when these armslare. in the position shown, their endsflie within thepath of a pair of limit bolts I89 secured within holeszor slots formed in the rim of disc I39. These bolts and stop arms thus coact to limit the rttaaonydf disc I39 The rotation is sofcoordinated with the azimuth oil gear as to coincide with theftotalf range of movement of the pilot i ton whereby the full range of azimuth rates. may be, utilized while, at the same time preventing, the, tion of excessive forces to the oil gear the limits of movements thereof have been reach d, When desired for any reason, arms I88 may be pivoted downwardly out of, the path of limit bolts I I69. The arms are held in positionsof panama-j justment by friction on shaft I8 1 afi orded a spring arm I99 engaging therewith and attached by a bolt I9I to the underside of plate I44.

Operation When, for any reasons such as engagements at close range or inoperativeness of the director, it is desired to manually control the motors operating the gun in elevation and azimuth, the, director circuits are opened andslides. mounted upon the elevation and azimuth oil gears are moved inwardly by thrusts applied to the exteriorly projecting portions 48a thereof. As previously described, this acts to cause Spring arms 82 and 83 to embrace the respective torque arm pins 33.

The designated member of the gun crew or tracker then takes a position in seat H3 and grasps the steering wheel with the thumb and index finger of each hand while the three remaining fingers of each hand grasp the supports at the respective sides of the steering wheel I39 to afford a steadying influence. In the mid position of wheel I39 about the axis of tube I31, there will be no motion of the gun about its trunnion axis.

Likewise in the mid position of wheel I39 about the axis of axle I38, there will be no azimuthal movement of the gun. Displacement of the wheel from these mid positions, in either direction will cause a movement of the gun in the corresponding direction and at a rate that is proportional to i,

said displacement. When the tracers indicate that the trajectory substantially intersects the moving target, either or both knobs I and I82 may be grasped and pushed inwardly to engage their respective pinions whereupon turning of the knobs effects the desired final rate or rates of movement of the gun. Since the gun movements are in each case in the same direction as the movements of the wheel, and at a rate proportional to the displacements of the wheel from the aforesaid mid positions, the tracker obtains a sense of directly manually moving the gun and is thus enabled quickly to obtain the feel of the instrument and to effect smooth movements of the gun in the manner and through consecutive positions necessary to continuously and successfully engage the target. Under the conditions of use for which intended, therefore, the percentage of hits is increased over previous methods or systems while the time necessary to destroy or cripl ple the target is greatly reduced. When director firing is to be resumed, it is merely necessary to withdraw slides 48 to their outermost positions.

Modifications Figure shows a modification of the invention adapted for use in connection with a type of oil gear operating upon the same electrical principle described in connection with Figure 1. In this figure, 5 indicates a differential repeater operating in the same manner as 5, Figure 1, and having a torque arm 30 fixed upon its rotor shaft 29.

described in connection with Figure 1.

Arm 30' has its other end projecting so that the path of its tip intersects the flanges 203 and d of a limit spool or first slide 202 whereby the arm is limited in its range of movement. In the known type of oil gear as actually constructed, the aforesaid spool is adjustably mounted by a projection 225 apertured to slidably receive a projection 205 extending axially from spool 202. To adapt my invention to this oil gear, an axially and radially extending slot 201 is cut in spool 202 between the flanges thereof, to slidably receive a forked or second slide 208 having spaced, parallel arms 209 and 2I0 projecting forwardly into the path of the adjacent end of arm A single projection extends in the opposite direction from arms 209 and 2I0 and is apertured td receive with a smooth sliding fit, the straight shank of one arm of a bell crank 2II pivoted at 212 to a bracket 2 I 8 carried by the oil gear frame. The other arm of the bell crank is connected at 2I3 to one end of the core of a flexible Bowden cable 2 M. It will be noted that when bell crank 2I I is in one position, its lower arm is parallel to the direction of sliding of spool 202.

The arms 209 and 2 I 0 are provided with springs, 2 I 5 which may be of the same form and arrangement as springs 82 and 83, previously described. Thus, when bell crank 2I I is pivoted clockwise to the position shown at Figure 15, it acts to move slide 208 toward arm 30 and cause springs 2I5 to embrace the end thereof. Then, when vertical movements of spool 202 are effected, corresponding pivotal movement is transmitted to arm 30' through the springs. These movements of spool 202 are produced by connection to one end of the core of a Bowden cable 2I6, as at 2I'l. At their ends adjacent the oil gear, the sheathing of both cables may be secured in any suitable manner in bracket 2 I8.

Means for operating cable 2 I 4 to move slide 208 by cable 2 I 4, and to operate cable 2 I 6 to manually control lever 30 when said slide is in the position shown at Figure 15, may be provided at any convenient station upon the gun. Such a station might be, for example, within easy reach of the member of the gun crew operating the steering wheel. At this station a slide or member 2I9 is mounted, as by means of a rectangular slot 222 and fixed guide member 22 l, for translation from a first position to a second position shown at Figure 15. A bell crank 222 is pivoted upon a fixed part 223 of the gun trunnion support and has a pin and slot connection 224 with slide 2I9. The other arm of the bell crank is connected at 225 to the adjacent end of the core of cable 214. The sheathing of the cable may conveniently be attached to a bracket 226 fixed on slide 2 I 9. Thus as slide 2I9 is moved from the aforesaid first to second position, bell crank 222 is pivoted thereby to exert a pull on the core of cable 2I4, move bell crank 2I I to the position shown upon Figure 15, and move slide 208 into operative engagement with arm 30'.

A rod 221 is slidably but non-rotatably mounted within a bearing provided by a bracket 223. At its upper end, rod 221 is pivoted to a link 229, which, in turn, is slidably and pivotally mounted at 239 on a bracket 23!. Brackets 228 and 23I are carried by the gun trunnion supports and hence train with the gun about a normally vertical axis but do not move with the gun in elevation. Link 229 has a projection 232 to which a pair of springs 233 and 234 are connected. These springs act to urge the link 229 into the position shown, Figure 15. The adjacent end of the core of cable U0 is attached to link 229 as indicated at 235 so that the springs also act to urge spool 202 and rod 221 to the centralized positions shown upon the figure.

The lower end of rod 22'! carries an offset roller 236, pivoted on an axis normal to the rod. The double-armed lever 68, leaf springs 82, 83, bracket 62 fixed to slide 2I9, and flexible cables 45, M extending from the steering or control disc to the respective ends of lever 68, may all be identical with the identically-numbered parts of Figures 3 to 8, inclusive. For this reason it is deemed unnecessary to repeat the description thereof.

As previously stated, both elevation and azimuth slides 2 I 9 will usually be located within easy l reach of the crew member designated to control wheel I39. When shift from director to manual control is ordered, the aforesaid member grasps slide 219 and fOIceS it to the position shown upon Figure 15. This movement acts to rock bell crank 222 and, through cable 2L4, bell crank 2| I. Slide 208 is moved to the left in its slot in spool 202 and springs 215 move over and .embrace the end of lever 30'. At the same time lever 68 is moved with slide 2| 9 so that springs 82 and 83 move over and embrace roller 236. Both elevation and azimuth slides are thus moved and all connections are thus effected whereby when control disc I39 is moved, a corresponding movement of lever 68 is produced. This movement acts through rod 221 and cable 2l6 to effect a vertical movement of spool 202 and slide 208 and thereby, a pivotal movement of torque arm 30'. Return to director control is effected merely by pulling slides2 I9 to the limit of their movement in the opposite direction. When this is done, spring returns arm 30 to central or neutral position. Springs 233 and 234 return spool 202 to centralized position and the oil gear parts are then entirely free for director control through the differential repeaters.

Figures 16 to 19, inclusive, show a further modification adaptable to the type of oil gear shown upon Figure 15. In these figures, the oil gear parts are identified by the same numerals that are used in Figure 15 and need not be again described.

A special bracket 23'! is adapted to be secured to the oil gear casing 238 to provide parallel projections 239 and 240. These projections have verticall aligned apertures within which a frame 24l is guided for reciprocation. This frame as shown at Figure 1'7, comprises vertical columns 246 and 241 connected at top and bottom by spacers 248 and 249. Column 246 has a pair of vertically-spaced, parallel apertures square in crosssection and extending transversely therethrough. Column 241 has a pair of reduced circular apertures, each in axial alignment with a respective aperture in column 246 to form guides for a pair of plungers 242 and 243 having inwardly bowed leaf springs 244 and 245 affixed to their ends, respectively.

From Figure 17 it will be noted that each plunger comprises a squared shank slidably fitting its aperture in column 246, and a reduced rod portion slidably fitting its aperture in column 241. The reduced rod portions terminate in heads 250 and 25!. A plate 252 (see Fig. 18), has slots 253 and 254 extending inwardly from each end and of a width to receive the reduced shanks of plungers 242 and 243. This plate lies beneath the heads 250 and 25L A pull cord 255 has one end attached to plate 252 by an eye 256. The cord passes over a guide pulley 26.0, mounted on bracket 231, Figures 17 and 19, and carries a sleeve 258 slidable through an aperture in projection 239. Coil springs 251 and 258 surround the reduced portions of the plungers. At one end each spring engages against the shoulder formed between the two portions of the plunger while at its other end engages column 241. The two plungers are thus urged into a limiting outward or extended position wherein springs 244 and 245 engage and embrace the end of arm between them so that, when in this position, reciprocation of frame 24! acts to pivot arm 30. Retraction of the plungers from effective position is accomplished by a pull exerted on cord 255. This cord may extend to any convenient control station and may, if desired, be replaced by a Bowden cable or other known mechanical 16 or electrical control, for example, a solenoid carried by bracket 231 and acting upon a plunger or armature fixed to plate 252.

Spool 202 may be the same as shown in Figure 15, but since it is not used in the control being described, it is necessary to render it flanges 253 and 204 ineffective under conditions of manual control. This function is conveniently effected by cutting the flanges away along a chord thereof, as indicated at 259, Figure 19, for flange 284. The flanges are provided with aligned holes through which a rod 26! passes with a sliding fit. Rod 26! has its ends attached to the respective arms of a frame 262 having secured thereto a V-shaped projection 263 terminating in one section 264 of a hinge received between cooperating hinge sections 265 extending from one side edge of plate 252. See Fig. 18. A hinge pin passing through aligned holes in sections 264 and 265 acts to pivotally connect frame 262 to plate 252. As shown in Figure 19, when tension on cord 255 is released and springs 251 and 258 act to move the plungers forwardly into operating position, plate 252 and frame 262 are also moved forwardly. Rod 26| thus acts to rotate spool 202 to a position such that the flat, notched, or cut surfaces 259 of flanges 263 and 204, confront the end of arm 30' and the arm may be moved by movement of the frame 24! without interference from the flanges. Likewise when the plunger- s 242 and 243 are withdrawn by pulling on cord 255, the spool is rotated so that uncut portions of its flanges confront the edge of the arm 30' and act to limit its range of movement while at the same time rod 26l permits any desired vertical adjustments of the spool. Numerals 212 and 213, Figures 16 and 1'7, indicate the ends of flexible cables secured to frame 241 and extending to the steering or control wheel whereby, when the parts are in the positions shown in those figures, movement of the wheel about a corresponding axis, pivots arm 30' and initiates movement of the gun.

Since the range of movement of the gun in elevation is limited, usually to a little more than it is necessary in the case of the elevation oil gear, to provide means for stopping movement of the gun when it reaches the limit of its move: ment both in elevation and depression. Figure 1'7, shows one form which this means may have. A pulley 266 is journaled in bracket 231 and has a cord 251 extending thereabout and secured thereto at 268. One end of the cord is secured to head 250 and the other end is secured to head 25L A pinion 269 is attached to pulley 268 and is in mesh with a rack 210 slidably mounted in a vertical channel 2 1I provided by bracket.

A cord 214 has its ends secured to the ends of rack 210. This cord passes over pulleys 215 and .216 journaled on bracket 231 and thence over pulleys 211 and 218 journaled on a bracket 21.9, adjacent the elevating arc gear sector I08 of the gun breech casing. A lever 28!! is pivoted on bracket 219 at 2 8! and has a roller 28.2 on its end lying in the path of elevation and depression stops 283 and 284, fixed to sector I08. Thus, when the gun reaches its elevation limit, for example, stop 283 engages and moves past roller 282 and pivots lever 280. Cord 214 then acts to move rack 210 downwardly and rotate pulley 266 counter-clockwise. The resulting pull on cord 261 withdraws plunger 243 and moves spring 245 out of contact with the arm 30'. As a result, arm 30' which had been raised by upward movement of frame 241 and plunger 243, is now free to move downwardly to centralized position, which it does under the urge of spring As a result, the gun stops.

The gun can then be moved downwardly only by reversing the movement of arm This requires that frame 24! be moved downwardly until spring 244 engages said arm. As soon as such engagement takes place, the gun starts to depress, stop 283 in moving past roller 282, returns lever 280 to the position shown and the resulting rotation of pulley 266 permits spring 258 to restore plunger 243 to its extended position. It will be understood that the force exerted by springs 251 and 258 when compressed, is not sufficient to overcome the friction of rack 279 and the pulleys about which cord 214 extends. If necessary, adjustable friction springs may be provided to press against rack 210. Sufficient slack may be provided in cord 26! to permit the vertical reciprocation of frame 24! and the plungers carried thereby. While the foregoing action has been described in connection with the elevation limit, stop 2% acts on lever 280 in the same manner to stop the gun when it reaches its limit of depression by causing retraction or withdrawal of plunger 242.

Guns of the type described usually have unlimited movement in azimuth and, in such cases, it is not necessary to provide the stop means just described for withdrawing plunger 2 52 and 243 individually. Hence these means will usually be omitted in the azimuth oil gear control. However, said means are adaptable to guns having limited movement in azimuth in which case lever 280 will be operated when the gun reaches its limits of azimuthal movement in each direction. The construction is therefore readily usable to limit the range of movement of the gun about both elevation and train axes.

I have thus provided a system that may be almost instantaneously placed into and out of action and, when in action, affords smooth, precise and accurate adjustments of the gun whereby the eifectiveness of the gun is augmented and an increased number of enemy aircraft or other targets may be successfully engaged per gun during an encounter.

While I have shown the present preferred em- Q bodiment of my invention, alterations, substitutions and modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art. The foregoing disclosure is therefore to be taken in an illustrative rather than a limiting sense. It is my intention to reserve all those changes, modifications and substitutions of equivalents that fall within the field and scope of the subioined claims.

Having now fully disclosed the invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In combination with a gun, a source of power for moving said gun, a movable torque arm for controlling said source, a slide, an operating lever pivoted on said slide and having means engaging said torque arm to move the same on pivotal movement of said lever, said slide being movable to free said torque arm of said engaging means.

2. In combination with a gun, a source of power for moving said gun, a movable element for controlling said source, a slide movable between a first and a second position, a lever pivoted on said slide, a pair of spring arms on said lever each arm being urged toward the other, said arms receiving said element between them when said slide is in said first position, and being entirely free of said element when said slide is in said second position, whereby pivotal movement 18 of said lever when said slide is in said first position, acts to control said source of power and thereby movement of said gun.

3. In a system for controlling a gun mounted for pivotal movement by a source of power and having a torque arm pivoted on an axis and connected to control said source of power, said torque arm having a pin eccentric of its pivot axis, said system comprising a slide mounted for translation between first and second positions adjacent said pin in a path normal to said axis, a lever pivoted on said slide, a pair of spring arms on said lever arranged to receive said pin between them when said slide is moved to said first position, and to be freed from said pin when moved to said second position, and manual control means operable from a remote station and efiective to pivot said lever to thereby control said source of power when said slide is in first position.

l. In combination with a gun, by a source of power for pivoting said gun, a torque arm pivotally movable about an axis for controlling said source of power, a pin on said arm eccentric of said axis, a slide mounted for translation in a path normal to said axis adjacent said pin, a torque arm actuating lever pivoted on said slide, a pair of spring arms on said lever, said arms being bowed toward each other and, when said slide is translated to a first position, yieldingly receiving said pin between them, and when said slide is translated to a second position, being entirely freed from said pin, control cable means, extending from a remote control station and connected to pivot said lever, and a manually operable control element connected to actuate the end of said cable means at said station to thereby control said source of power and pivotal movement of said gun.

5. The combination as covered by claim 4, and releasable locking means effective to positively lock said slide in either of said first or said second positions.

6. In a manually-operable control system for a gun mounted for pivotal movement, a source of power for so moving said gun, a movable torque arm for controlling said source of power, an actuating pin on said arm, a clutch plate mounted for movement in a fixed path adjacent said pin, a lever pivoted on said plate, spring means on said lever positioned to yieldingly engage said pin when said plate is moved to a first position and to be free of said pin when said plate is moved to a second position and means operable from a remote control station and effective to pivot said lever to thereby control said source of power when said plate is in said first position only.

'7. In a system for manually controlling a gun, a source of power connected to move said gun, a pivoted torque arm for controlling said source of power, a pin on said arm offset from the pivot axis thereof, a clutdh plate mounted for movement adjacent said arm, a lever pivoted on plate, a pair of confronting spring arms carried by said lever and receiving said pin between them when said plate is moved to a first position and to be free of said pin when said plate is moved to a second position, and control cable means mounted on said plate and connected to pivot said lever.

B. In a system for the manual control of a source of power connected to angularly move a gun, a torque arm pivoted on an axis for controlling said source of power, an actuating pin on said arm offset from said axis, a slide mounted for awn-sis translation adjacent and apa'th normal to said axis, a double-armed lever pivoted on said slide, a pair of confronting spring armscarried by said lever, each spring ar'm extending substantially radially of the pivot axis of said lever and adapted to yieldingly receiving said 'pin between them when said'slide is moved" to a first position and to be free of said pin when said slide is in a second position, a bracket on said slide, and a pair of cable control elements carried by said bracket and having their ends connected to the ends of said lever, respectively.

9. In a system for the manual remotecontrol of a gun, a source of power connected to train said gun, a pivoted torque arm for controlling said source of power, anoperating pin on said arm eccentric of the pivot axis thereof, a casing enclosing said arm and pin, a slide mounted for translation Within said casing in apath normalto, and adjacent, the axis of said arm, said arm having a portion extending exteridrly of said casing for manual translation thereof, a lever pivoted on said slide, spring means'on'said lever yieldingly engaging said pin when said slide is translated to a first position, the pivot'axes of said arm and lever being substantially aligned when said slide is in said firstpositiomand manually controlled means operative to pivot said lever from a remote control station.

10. In'a gun control system including a torque arm pivoted on a first axis, an operating pin on said arm eccentric of said axis, said arm con'trolling a source of power an'gulaflymoving said gun, a clutch plate mounted adjacent saidlever for translation normal to said axis, a torque arm actuating lever pivoted on said plate on a second axis parallel to said first axis, a pair of spring arms carried by said lever,'eachbowed toward the other from points remote of said second axis inwardly toward said axis, whereby, -'Wh'en said slide is translated to a position in'which said axes are in substantial aligr'nnent sai'd spring arms embrace said pin between them for'nio'ving the same, irrespective of theposition' of said pin within its range of movement.

11. A gun control system including 'atorque arm pivoted on a first axis and having an operating pin eccentric of said axis, said arm co'r'itrolling a source of power anguiar-ly moving :said gun, a slide mounted adjacent said arm for'm'ovement in a direction normal to said' axis,*a-'double arm lever pivoted on said slide on a secondaxis, a pair of spring devices 'on'sa-id lever each extending radially of saidsec'ond' axis'andembracing said pin between them when said slide is moved to a position 'to 'br'i'ng'said axis 'into a -lig nment, a bracket fixed on said slide, apa'ir of-fixible control cables each having its sheathing fixed to said bracket and its core connected to a respective arm of said lever; said cables extending to a remote control station, and means at'said station for manually operating said cables to thereby control said gun when said'slideis in said position only.

12. In a system for control 'of oil gears each having a pivotedtorque arm arranged to control a' respective source of power for moving a gun in elevation and azimuthrmeans ineluding flexible elevation and azimuth cables-for effecting pivotal movement of said arms from a remotecontrol station rotatable with said-"gun in train, a frame at said station, a hollow shaft-journaled on said frame on an axis substantially parallel to the horizontal trunnion axis'ofeaidguman axle pivot-ally supported by *said shaft 1 for' 20? rotation about an axis normal-thereto, a.rnan.- ual ly controlled disc fixed to said axle, said elevation cable being connected with said shaftior to move a gun about a normally vertical axis.

and a normally horizontal trunnion axis, elevation and azimuth flexible cable means, each said cable means being connected at one end to move a respective torque arm, said cable means extending to a frame carried by said gun for movement therewith about said vertical axis, a

hollow shaft pivoted in said frame substantially parallelto the trunnion axis of said. gun, an axle pivoted in said shaft on an-axis normal to the axis of said shaft, said axle having a pulley portion, said elevation cable means having its core wrapped around and secured to said. shaft for actuation by said shaft and said azimuth cable means having its core 'wrapp'edaround and secured to said pulley portion for actuation by said portion.

14. In combination with a gun movable about a first normally vertical-axis'and a secondnormally horizontal trunnion axis, said gun having first and second power'means'connected to-1move said gun about'said axes, respectively, .azmanually operable control disc, a frame carried by said gun for movement therewith :about saistnormally vertical axis only, meansrn'ountin-g said disc on said irame for pivotal 'movementabout a third' axis parallel-to the plane'of said disc'and said second axis, and abouta'fourth axissperpendicular to said third-axis and "the plane :of said disc, first cable control means: connectedfor operation by pivotal movement :of said. disc about said third axis and controlling'saidsecondhpower means, and second cable control means connected for operation by pivotal movement of said 'disc about said fourth axis-andrcoi itrolling said: first power means.

15. In combination with agun-having first and second power means connected to move-said gun about mutually normal elevationwan'dwrain axes, respectively, a steering disc, amounting frame for said disc movablewwithsaid gun about said train axis, means mounting said 'disc on said frame for'pivotal movement about a first axis substantially parallel to saiddisc-and said elevation axisand for pivotal 'movement about a secondaxis "normal to said disc and said first axis, a control means for-controlling: the r-ates of operation of said 'firsta-n'd second power'means by and in proportion to the; pivotal movements of said-discabout said-first and *secondzaxes, respectively.

16. In 1 a system for .the manual -CDI1tIOILDfIfiI'St and second :power motors COHI'IBCUEdLWifihnEfIiA'IHl to move the (sameabout. e'leyatiomand train ,axes, respectively, valve meanscontrolling saidimotors, a support barv mounted. forumovement with said gun in train only; la pair of parallel slidesxcarried by said bar: for adjustment thereonflin .ia=.1substantially :horizontal .first l direction, frame mounted on sa-idisslidesior pivotal adjustment about a first substantiallyhorizontal axis, a shaft j'ournaled in said frame on a second axis parallel to said first axis, -an axlecarried bysaid: shaft for rotation about a thirdaxis perpendicular to said first and-second*'axes,-asteering member afiixed to saidaxle,- and first and second flexible T shaft connectionsconne'cted at one=end to--'control said valve means for said power motors, and at their other ends to said shaft and axle respectively.

1'7. In a control system for a gun mounted for angular movement, a source of power connected with said gun to move the same, a pivoted torque arm controlling said source of power, slide means mounted for translation between first and second positions, actuating means on said slide means adapted in said first position to embrace a portion of said arm eccentric of its pivot axis and to be out of contact with said arm in said second position, and means adapted to be operated from a remote station for moving said actuating means to thereby control said torque arm and gun.

18. In a control system for a gun angularly movable about an axis, power means connected to so move said gun, a movable torque arm controlling said power means, slide means mounted for translation between first and second positions, resilient actuating arms carried by said slide means and adapted to embrace a portion of said arm when said slide means is in said first position, and to be out of contact with said arm when said slide means is in said second position, and mean manually operable from a remote station for moving said arms as a unit to thereby move said torque arm when said slide means is in said first position only.

19. In combination with an element movable to control a source of power turning a gun about an axis, a first slide mounted adjacent said element for translation in a first direction, a second slide mounted on said first slide and translatable thereon in a second direction normal to said first direction, between first and second positions, a pair of spring arms on said second slide adapted to operatively embrace said element when said second slide is in first position, and a single remote control means operable to shift said second slide between said positions and to translate said first slide to manually control said element when said second slide is in said first position only.

20. In a control system for a gun mounted for movement about an axis, power means connected with said gun for moving the same, an arm pivoted on an axis and connected to control said power means, a first slide mounted for translation in a first direction, a second slide mounted on said first slide for translation in a second direction between first and second positions, said axis and directions being mutually normal, means on said second slide adapted to operatively engage said arm when said second slide is in said first position, and remote control means operable to translate said first slide and thereby actuate said arm when said second slide is in said first position only.

21. In combination with a gun, a motor connected to angularly move said gun, a control arm pivotable about an axis to control said motor, a limit spool translatable in a first direction adjacent said arm, and having a guide slot axially and diametrically therethrough, a slide mounted in said slot for translation in a second direction between first and second positions, a pair of confronting leaf springs on said slide adapted to embrace said arm between them when said slide is in said first position, and to be clear of said arm when said slide is in said second position, a lever having a straight arm slidably connected to said slide and parallel to said first direction when said slide is in said first position, first and second flexible shafts connected to translate said spool and lever, respectively, and extending to a remote station, a member at said station movable between first and second positions, control means carried by said member for operative connection to said first flexible shaft when said member is moved from first to second position, and means operated by the aforesaid movement of said member to actuate said second flexible shaft and thereby move said slide so that said springs embrace said arm.

22. In a control system for a gun arranged to be moved about an axis, power means for so moving said gun, an arm pivotable about an axis to control said power means, a frame mounted for sliding in a first direction adjacent said arm, a pair of plungers carried by said frame for movement in spaced parallel paths in a second direction, said axis and directions being mutually normal, and spring means on each said plunger and effective to embrace said arm between them when moved relatively to said frame from first to second positions, and means connected to slide said frame from a control station remote therefrom.

23. A control system for a gun movable about an axis, power means arranged to so move said gun, an arm movable in a plane for controlling said power means, a frame mounted adjacent said arm for translation in a first direction parallel to said plane, a pair of plungers mounted on said frame for translation in a second direction at an angle to said first direction between first and second positions, means carried by each plunger adapted to move into the path of said arm when both said plungers are moved to said first position, to thereby embrace said arm and effect control movement thereof or translation of said frame, and means responsive to movement of said gun at a limiting position about said axis to move the plunger effecting said movement, out of the path of said arm to thereby stop the gun.

24. A control system for a gun mounted for piv otal movement about an axis between limiting positions, power means for so moving said gun, an arm movable in a plane to control said power means, said system comprising a frame mounted adjacent said arm for movement parallel to said plane, a pair of plungers mounted on said frame for individual movement toward and from the path of said arm, means on said plungers arranged to embrace said arm when said plungers are in extended positions toward said path, spring means urging each plunger into its extended position, means responsive to movement of said gun into limiting positions to retract the plunger effecting said movement, and control means extending to a remote station and there operable to move said frame whereby manual control of said power means may be effected when said plungers are in extended position while movement of said gun is stopped when it reaches said limiting positions.

25. In a control system for a gun mounted for pivotal movement about an axis between limiting positions, a motor for so pivoting said gun, an arm pivotal about an axis to control said motor, a frame mounted adjacent said arm for movement in a direction at an angle to said axis, a pair of plungers movably mounted on said frame for movement toward and from the path of an eccentric portion of said arm, spring means urging each plunger individually into extended limiting position, means carried by said plungers to embrace said arm when said plungers are in said limiting position, means responsive to movement of said gun into its said respective limiting positions to retract said plungers out of operative relation with said arm, and means operable to manually simultaneously retract 'said plungers out of operative relation with said arm.

26. In a controlsystem for a gun pivotal-1y movable about an axis by means of a hydraulic motor under the control of a torque arm pivotal about an axis, a frame mounted adjacent said arm for sliding in a first direction, a pair of plungersca-rried by said frame for movement thereon in a second direction between retracted and extended positions, said axis and directions beingmutually normal, means carried by said plungers for resiliently embracing sa'id arm when saidpl'ungers are in extended position only, means operable from a remote control station to-control the move ment of said plungers in unison between said positions, and to efict sliding of said frame to thereby pivot s'aid arm when said plungers are in extended positions, and means responsive to movement of said to a limiting position, to retract that plunger causing said movement to thereby stop the gun in said position.

27. A control system for a gun, a power motor for moving said gun about an axis, and an arm controlling said motor, in combination, a spool and a frame reciproca'bly mounted adjacent said arm in parallel first directions, said spool having spaced flanges normally lying in the path of said arm to limit the range of movement thereof, said flanges having cut away portions aligned in said direction, a pair of plungers carried by said' frame for. movement in a second direction normal to said first direction, between retracted and extended positions, said plungerswl'ien in. said extended position embracing and moving said arm in response to reciprocation of said frame, means onsaid frame operableto move said plungers to extended positions and simultaneously rotate said spool tomove said cut away portions of said flanges opposite said arm whereby the path of said arm is free of said flanges.

28. In combination with a gun angularly movable about train and elevation axes, two-power sources, each connected to move said gum-about a respective one of said axes, first and second movable elements each controlling a respective power source, a pair of slides, one mounted adjacent each element, each saidslidebeing-movable between first=and* second positionaresilient spring means carriedbyeach slide andarranged, when itsslicle is in first position; to operatively engage its respective element andto betout of operative engagement with its element when-its slide is in second position, a manually controlled part, means rotatable with said gun about said train axis only and mounting said-part for-movement about first andsecond -mutual1y--normal axes, the first one of which is substantially--parallel to said gun elevation axis; afi-rst operating connection responsive to movement-of said-part about the first of said mutually normal axes for moving said first element to thereby-control-the. gun i elevation when its slide is; in first position, and a second operating connection responsiveto movement of said part about the secondof' said mutually normal axes for moving saidsecond element to thereby control the gunin' train when its slide is in first position;-

RENE BATTAGLINI.

REFERE ES Cfi'rED' The, following references; are-of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED: STATES rATmrs Number :Date l m

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