US3319524A - Transfer mechanism for ammunition - Google Patents

Transfer mechanism for ammunition Download PDF

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Publication number
US3319524A
US3319524A US510526A US51052665A US3319524A US 3319524 A US3319524 A US 3319524A US 510526 A US510526 A US 510526A US 51052665 A US51052665 A US 51052665A US 3319524 A US3319524 A US 3319524A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
sprocket
entrance
exit
rounds
round
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US510526A
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English (en)
Inventor
Douglas P Tassie
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
General Electric Co
Original Assignee
General Electric Co
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by General Electric Co filed Critical General Electric Co
Priority to US510526A priority Critical patent/US3319524A/en
Priority to GB42023/66A priority patent/GB1155048A/en
Priority to SE14222/66A priority patent/SE312287B/xx
Priority to NL6615299A priority patent/NL6615299A/xx
Priority to BE689344D priority patent/BE689344A/xx
Priority to CH1613366A priority patent/CH463326A/de
Priority to FR85394A priority patent/FR1502392A/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3319524A publication Critical patent/US3319524A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F41—WEAPONS
    • F41A—FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS COMMON TO BOTH SMALLARMS AND ORDNANCE, e.g. CANNONS; MOUNTINGS FOR SMALLARMS OR ORDNANCE
    • F41A9/00—Feeding or loading of ammunition; Magazines; Guiding means for the extracting of cartridges
    • F41A9/29—Feeding of belted ammunition
    • F41A9/30—Sprocket-type belt transporters
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F41—WEAPONS
    • F41A—FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS COMMON TO BOTH SMALLARMS AND ORDNANCE, e.g. CANNONS; MOUNTINGS FOR SMALLARMS OR ORDNANCE
    • F41A9/00—Feeding or loading of ammunition; Magazines; Guiding means for the extracting of cartridges
    • F41A9/01—Feeding of unbelted ammunition
    • F41A9/02—Feeding of unbelted ammunition using wheel conveyors, e.g. star-wheel-shaped conveyors

Definitions

  • Gatling-guns per se have been developed to a degree where the speed with which ammunition can be supplied to the revolving barrels has become a highly significant limitation on the rate of fire which can be achieved.
  • Ammunition for automatic firearms is ordinarily supplied in belts.
  • the belts comprise individual rounds held together by links having two part-circular clips to receive adjacent rounds. By successively adding links and rounds, belts of indeterminate length may be realized.
  • the cartridges For the Gatling-gun type of weapon, the cartridges must be de-linked before they can be introduced into the bolts. Unfortunately, the delinking mechanism itself has proved to be a limiting factor to the speed with which the rounds may be supplied to the bolts.
  • linkless feed systems otters attractive advantages as a method for delivering ammunition to a Gatling-gun.
  • Such systems are known in the prior art and usually comprise three separate and distinct mechanisms: an exit unit from a linkless feed drum; a conveyor system; and a gun feeder.
  • these prior art linkless transfer means have been somewhat complex and do not exhibit the reliability required for a successful modern weapon. Further, they have been relatively bulky and heavy which has limited the practicality of their use in either airborne or ground installations.
  • a transfer mechanism which comprises cooperating entrance and exit sprockets having sprocket wheels with round propelling teeth. Unlinked rounds are individually engaged by the teeth on the entrance sprocket and are moved by the entrance sprocket for approximately one-half a revolution to an intermediate position at which they are handed off to the exit sprocket.
  • the exit sprocket, counter-rotating with the entrance sprocket, carries the rounds an additional half revolution to a terminal position where they may be received directly into the bolts of Gatling-gun.
  • the rounds are constrained to pivot about points lying on their axes so that they are smoothly shifted to achieve the re-orientation necessary from their attitude within the feed means to the attitude at which they can be acceped into the Gatling-gun bolts.
  • FIGURE 1 is a cutaway view of the transfer mechanism with the upper wall removed to show the internal construction of the mechanism;
  • FIGURE la is a fragmentary sectonal view of one end of the transfer mechanism entrance sprocket
  • FIGURE 2 is a partial cross-sectional view along the lines 2-2 in FIGURE 1;
  • FIGURE 3 is a partial cross-sectional view along the lines 3-3 in FIGURE 1;
  • FIGURE 4 is a partial cross-sectional lines 4- 3 in FIGURE 1;
  • FIGURE 5 is a partial cross-sectional view along the lines 55 in FIGURE 1.
  • FIGURE 1 there is shown a housing 1 which supports the transfer mechanism' It will be seen that the general progression of rounds through the housing is around and under an entrance sprocket 2, and around and over an exit sprocket 3.
  • the longitudinal axes of the entrance and exit sprockets lie in the same plane and are at an acute angle to one another.
  • the entrance sprocket 2 includes an entrance sprocket wheel 4 having six round-propelling teeth 5 which are shown in FIGURE 2.
  • the exit sprocket 3 has two exit sprocket wheels 6 and 8, each of which also has six round propelling teeth 7 and 9, respectively, as may be seen in FIG- URES 4- and 5.
  • the contour of the teeth vary from wheel to wheel to limit the paths which embraced portions of the rounds may follow as they are propelled by the sprockets.
  • a shaft 14 having first and second bevel gears 12 and 13 is rotatably supported by a member 11 extending from the housing 1.
  • the first bevel gear 12 engages a third bevel gear 14 fixed to a second shaft 16 to which the entrance sprocket wheel 4 is also fixed.
  • the second bevel gear 13 engages a fourth bevel gear 15 fixed to a third shaft 17 to which the exit sprocket wheels 6 and 8 are also fixed.
  • the third shaft 17 is driven through a fourth shaft 23 by external means which also drives or is synchronized with the barrel-rotating mechanism.
  • the bevel gears 12, 13, 14, and 15 all have the same number of teeth so that the entrance sprocket 2 and exit sprocket 3 rotate in opposite directions and in synchronism. Arrows in FIGURES 25 indicate the direction of rotation for the entrance and exit sprockets.
  • Unlinked ammunition is taken by the transfer mechanism from a revolving supply of rounds which pass serially into the entrance sprocket 2.
  • Rounds traveling to the transfer mechanism move in a feed channel, not shown in the drawings, disposed circumferentially about the entire gun structure.
  • the nose ends of rounds within the feed channel are separated by roller-spacers 26.
  • the rounds are positively circulated through the feed channel by the action of a second toothed sprocket wheel 27, which is fixed to the entrance sprocket shaft 16, against the roller-spacers 26.
  • Rounds are introduced to the feed channel by scoop sprockets 25.
  • Constant velocity in this context, means that the nose and base ends of the round are moving at the same velocity as the portions of the entrance sprocket which receive the nose and base.
  • the guides 18a and 18b are generally bi-planar; i.e., each has first and second planar portions connected end-to-end by a short jog portion.
  • the inner wall surface 18d functions as a guide for the nose of the round.
  • the base of the round is held in one of six circumferentially spaced recesses 22 near one end of the entrance sprocket so that the pivot point for the radial shift with respect to the entrance sprocket axis is at the base of the round as may best be seen in FIGURE 1a.
  • FIGURES 2 and 3 The reorientation which the round undergoes as it is propelled by the entrance sprocket 2 may be observed in FIGURES 2 and 3 where its attitude in successive positions b, c, d, and e is illustrated by the representations of the intersections between the round and the cross-sectional planes 2-2 and 3-3, respectively.
  • position a represents a round about to leave the feed channel and enter the transfer mechanism.
  • the overall movement of the round with the entrance sprocket may be called quasi-arcuate since only the center of the base of the round nominally moves in a true are.
  • the guides 18a, 18b, 180 are shaped such that points along the longitudinal axis of the round nominally describe a family of toroids during the entrance sprocket phase of the transfer.
  • the round reaches the point for crossover to the exit sprocket 3, position e, after it has rotated approximately one-half revolution with the entrance sprocket 2.
  • the attitude of the round with respect to both the entrance and exit sprockets is important in the cross-over position.
  • projections of the longitudinal axes of the entrance sprocket, exit sprocket, and the round intersect at this instant.
  • This momentary point of intersection 20 is shown in FIGURE 1.
  • the longitudinal axis of the round is simultaneously a line segment on separate conical paths around the longitudinal axes of the two sprokets. That is, the twoconical paths meet along this single line. Therefore, the transfer of the round from the entrance sprocket to the exit sprocket may be brought about without a violent re-adjustment in its attitude at the crossover point.
  • the guides 18a, 18b, and 180 which control the movement of the round with the entrance sprocket, terminate adjacent the crossover position, and the round moves smoothly into a slot defined by outer and inner guides 1% and 1% which extend from the housing walls.
  • the base portion of the round is guided into another slot defined by another guide 190 and a stationary cam 19d disposed around the exit sprocket shaft 17.
  • the base of the round follows the cam surface and is forced radially outwardly from the exit sprocket axis thereby.
  • the head end of the round moves radially inwardly within the slot defined by the guides 19a and 19b,
  • the pivoting motion of the round during its transit with the exit sprocket is not around the base but, rather is around a point intermediate its ends.
  • the pivot point during the exit sprocket phase of the transfer is held at the center of gravity of the round. This is accomplished by coordinating the contour of the cam 19d and that of the guides 19a, 19b, and 190.
  • FIGURES 4 and 5 The reorientation which the round undergoes as it is propelled by the exit sprocket 3 is shown in FIGURES 4 and 5 where its attitude in successive positions e, f, g, and h is illustrated by the representations of the intersections between the round and the cross-sectional planes 44 and 5-5, respectively.
  • the round When the round reaches a terminal position h, it is traveling at constant velocity relative both to the longitudinal axis of the exit sprocket 3 and that of the Gatlinggun.
  • the rotation of the gun is, of course, synchronized with that of the transfer mechanism so that a gun bolt 24 momentarily adjacent the exit sprocket is traveling at the same velocity as a round which it is receiving.
  • Means for transferring unlinked ammunition from feeder means to a rapid fire gun comprising:
  • exit sprocket means having teeth to receive and engage rounds of ammunition available from said entrance sprockets;
  • Means for transferring unlinked ammunition from feeder means to a rapid fire gun comprising:
  • (C) first guide means comprising:
  • (D) rotatable exit sprocket means comprising:
  • (E) second guide means comprising:
  • (F) torque transmitting means comprising:
  • said entrance gear comprises a bevel gear
  • said exit gear comprises a bevel gear
  • said first gear engaging means comprises a bevel gear
  • said second gear engaging means comprises a bevel gear
  • said external shaft is disposed outside said housing such that its axis falls in the same plane containing the axes of said entrance and exit sprocket shafts.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Transmission Devices (AREA)
US510526A 1965-11-30 1965-11-30 Transfer mechanism for ammunition Expired - Lifetime US3319524A (en)

Priority Applications (7)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US510526A US3319524A (en) 1965-11-30 1965-11-30 Transfer mechanism for ammunition
GB42023/66A GB1155048A (en) 1965-11-30 1966-09-20 Transfer Device for Ammunition
SE14222/66A SE312287B (de) 1965-11-30 1966-10-19
NL6615299A NL6615299A (de) 1965-11-30 1966-10-28
BE689344D BE689344A (de) 1965-11-30 1966-11-07
CH1613366A CH463326A (de) 1965-11-30 1966-11-09 Munitions-Transportmechanismus für Schnellfeuerwaffen
FR85394A FR1502392A (fr) 1965-11-30 1966-11-29 Mécanisme de transfert pour munitions

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US510526A US3319524A (en) 1965-11-30 1965-11-30 Transfer mechanism for ammunition

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3319524A true US3319524A (en) 1967-05-16

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ID=24031121

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US510526A Expired - Lifetime US3319524A (en) 1965-11-30 1965-11-30 Transfer mechanism for ammunition

Country Status (7)

Country Link
US (1) US3319524A (de)
BE (1) BE689344A (de)
CH (1) CH463326A (de)
FR (1) FR1502392A (de)
GB (1) GB1155048A (de)
NL (1) NL6615299A (de)
SE (1) SE312287B (de)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3421409A (en) * 1967-05-09 1969-01-14 Olin Mathieson Cartridge feed system
US4572351A (en) * 1979-11-13 1986-02-25 General Dynamics Pomona Division Transfer unit
EP0231443A1 (de) * 1985-12-10 1987-08-12 Werkzeugmaschinenfabrik Oerlikon-Bührle AG Umlenkrad für eine Patronenzuführvorrichtung an einer automatischen Feuerwaffe
CN110645830A (zh) * 2019-10-17 2020-01-03 扬州工业职业技术学院 一种凸轮式转管武器旋转驱动装置

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB636252A (en) * 1946-08-19 1950-04-26 Vickers Armstrongs Ltd Improvements in gun-loading mechanism
US2815699A (en) * 1952-08-11 1957-12-10 Republic Aviat Corp Gun feed mechanism
US2935914A (en) * 1957-08-05 1960-05-10 Darsie Burns Linkless feed system for guns

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB636252A (en) * 1946-08-19 1950-04-26 Vickers Armstrongs Ltd Improvements in gun-loading mechanism
US2815699A (en) * 1952-08-11 1957-12-10 Republic Aviat Corp Gun feed mechanism
US2935914A (en) * 1957-08-05 1960-05-10 Darsie Burns Linkless feed system for guns

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3421409A (en) * 1967-05-09 1969-01-14 Olin Mathieson Cartridge feed system
US4572351A (en) * 1979-11-13 1986-02-25 General Dynamics Pomona Division Transfer unit
EP0231443A1 (de) * 1985-12-10 1987-08-12 Werkzeugmaschinenfabrik Oerlikon-Bührle AG Umlenkrad für eine Patronenzuführvorrichtung an einer automatischen Feuerwaffe
US4885975A (en) * 1985-12-10 1989-12-12 Werkzeugmaschinenfabrik Oerlikon-Buhrle Ag Deflector sprocket for a cartridge feed device in an automatic multi-barrel firing weapon
CN110645830A (zh) * 2019-10-17 2020-01-03 扬州工业职业技术学院 一种凸轮式转管武器旋转驱动装置
CN110645830B (zh) * 2019-10-17 2021-11-09 扬州工业职业技术学院 一种凸轮式转管武器旋转驱动装置

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
SE312287B (de) 1969-07-07
NL6615299A (de) 1967-05-31
GB1155048A (en) 1969-06-11
CH463326A (de) 1968-09-30
BE689344A (de) 1967-04-14
FR1502392A (fr) 1967-11-18

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