US3568563A

US3568563A - Gas drive for a weapon having a rotating cluster of barrels

Info

Publication number: US3568563A
Application number: US788404A
Authority: US
Inventors: Lawrence R Folson
Original assignee: General Electric Co
Current assignee: General Electric Co
Priority date: 1969-01-02
Filing date: 1969-01-02
Publication date: 1971-03-09
Anticipated expiration: 1988-03-09

Abstract

A Gatling-type weapon utilizes gun gas from the barrels to reciprocate a vane motor, which motor biases a spring, and which spring incrementally rotates the cluster of barrels.

Description

United States Patent [72] Inventor Lawrence R. Folson [56] References Cited Charlotte, Vt. UNITED STATES PATENTS [211 P 738,404 598,822 2/1898 Simpson 89/126 [221 Wed Jan-2,1969 1,749,137 3/1930 Hudson 89/192X [45] Patented Mar. 9, 1971 2,989,900 6/1961 Grover..... 89/12 [731 Asslgnee Elect 3,041,939 7/1962 Dardick 89/126 Primary Examiner-Samuel Feinberg Assistant Examiner-Stephen C. Bentley WE q PON G A Attorneys-Bailin L. Kuch, Harry C. Burgess, Irving M. [54] OF B Freedman, F rank L. Neuhauser, Oscar B. Waddell and 7 claims, 6 Drawing Figs Melvin M. Goldenberg [52] U.S. CI 89/126,

8-9/ I 59 ABSTRACT: A Gatling-type weapon utilizes gun gas from the [51] Int.CI. F4101 7/04 barrels to reciprocate a vane motor, which motor biases a [50] Field of Search 89/12, 126, spring, and which spring incrementally rotates the cluster of barrels.

Patented March 9, 1971 r 2 Sheets-Sheet l Q 3.1K W? @7/7 n 1 I Jv mm vw Om mm INVENTOR LAWRENCE R. FOLSOM,

HIS ATTORNEY.

\A f //u |l H N L T m Patented March 9, 1971 2 Sheets-Sheet I 0mm wON VON .rDlkDO mwZOm INVENTOR LAWRENCE R. FOLSOM,

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GAS DMVE FOR A WEAPON HAVING A ROTATING CLUSTER OF BARRELS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to gas operated, fully automatic weapons, and particularly to a very high rate of fire, rotating cluster of barrels, weapon.

2. Prior Art Gatling-type weapons have been well known for a century and are presently enjoying a reappearance in the military arsenai. The annular grouping of a plurality of barrels in a cluster about a common axis, with the cluster being rotated to serially load and fire each barrel, permits very high rates of fire, particularly in comparison to the maximum rate of fire possible with a single barrel weapon. The earliest of these weapons were manually cranked to rotate the barrels, as shown for example in U.S. Pat. No. 36,836, issued to R. J. Gatling on Nov. 4, 1862. It was proposed to make the Gatling gun gas operated, after the first round was fired, as shown for example in U.S. Pat. No. 550,262, issued to C. J. Ebbets on Nov. 26, 1895. Here, gun gas from each barrel reciprocated a spring-biased crank arm, which in turn stepped a dog to ratchet the cluster. In 1890, an external electric motor was utilized to rotate the barrel cluster. More recently, in field operational weapons, an external electric motor with a flywheel and a clutch has been utilized, as shown, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 2,849,921, issued to 1-1. McC. Otto on Sept. 2,

1958. Also, recently, the use of gun gas has again been proposed in different systems, such as shown, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,143,922, issued to Altschuler et al. on Aug. 1 l, l964utilizing a vane-type rotary motor with slipper valves; in U.S. Pat. No. 3,263,565 issued to A. J. Dragonetti et al. on Aug. 2, 1966, utilizing a plurality of piston and cam assemblies; and in U.S. Pat. No. 3,407,701, issued to R. E. Chiabrandy on Oct. 29, 1968, utilizing a single piston and cam assembly. I

The systems utilizing external motors have required a rather powerful motor, adequate to rapidly accelerate the cluster to full speed. The systems utilizing pistons are quite complex and are subjected to debilitating pounding from each gas impulse. The vane-type motor system is also quite complex and subject to malfunction.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a drive system for a Gatling-type weapon utilizing gun gas, and which is simple and shock absorbing without significant debilitation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A feature of this invention is the provision of a Gatling-type weapon having a cluster of gun barrels fixed to a barrel clamp, which clamp is fixed to one end of a torsion spring member whose other end is fixed to an anchored one-way clutch; the clutch is also fixed to vane rotor assembly in a gas manifold, which manifold is fixed to and receives the breach ends of the gun barrels. Each gun barrel has a port which passes the gun gas impulse from the barrel against a vane in the manifold when a round is fired, rotating the vane assembly in the direction permitted by the one-way clutch and twisting the torsion spring member. When the gas impulse decays, the anchored one-way clutch precludes return rotation of the vane assembly while the torsion spring member untwists by rotating the cluster of barrels and the gas manifold with respect to the vane motor assembly. An additional feature is the provision of a single-barrel weapon utilizing a similar drive for ammunition feed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING These and other objects, features and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following description thereof, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view in elevation, partially in cross section, of a cluster of gun barrels of a Gatling-type weapon, such as is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,380,341, issued Apr. 30, 1968 to R. E. Chiabrandy;

FIG. 2 is a front view, in elevation, in cross section, taken along plane 29-2, of the cluster of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a rear view, in elevation, in cross section, taken along plane 3-3 of the cluster of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a rear view, in elevation, in cross section, taken along plane M, of the cluster of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a view in perspective of another embodiment of this invention in a weapon having only a single barrel; and

FIG. 6 is a rear view in cross section, diagramming the gas manifold of the embodiment of FIG. 5.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The barrel and drive assembly comprises a plurality of gun barrels 10, here shown as six in number, which are supported in an annular, uniformly spaced-apart row by a back plate 12, a cylinder assembly including an end plate 14, a cylinder 16, and a manifold plate 18, and a plurality of annular clamps which are not shown. The back plate 12 has six uniformly spaced-apart peripheral notches 20, the end plate l4similarly has notches 22, and the manifold plate similarly has notches 24, all to respectively receive and align the barrels. The manifold plate has six longitudinal bores 26 therethrough to pass respectively six bolts 28 therethrough, and the end plate has six longitudinal, internally threaded bores 30 therein to respectively receive the ends of said bolts, which serve to clamp the manifold plate, the cylinder and the end plate into a fixed assembly. The back plate 12 has four longitudinal bores 32 therethrough to pass respectively four bolts 34 therethrough, and the end plate has four longitudinal, internally threaded bores 36 to respectively receive the ends of said bolts, which serve to fix the back plate to the end plate. The back plate 1.2 has a central bore 38 which receives an aft end of a forward torque tube 40, which is fixed thereto, as by a weldment 42.

The end plate 14 has a central bore 44. The manifold plate has a central bore 46 of the same diameter as bore 44 and these bores pass an aft torque tube 50 therethrough. A plurality of grooves 51 are cut into the bore 46 and a plurality of grooves 52 are cut into the bore 44 to provide respective labyrinth gas seals with the tubeSO. The aft end of the aft torque tube 50 is fixed to the rotor 53 of a one-way clutch 54 whose stator 56 is anchored to suitable structure of the gun. The aft end of the torque tube 50 is fixed, as by splines 57, to the aft end of a torsion bar 58, whose forward end is fixed, as by spline 60, to a cap 62, which is fixed to the forward end of the torque tube 40, as by a weldment 64.

Two rotors 70 are diametrically fixed as by weldments 72, to the torque tube 50 within the cylinder 16. A plurality of longitudinal and radial grooves 74 are cut into the periphery of each rotor to provide a labyrinth seal with respect to the adjacent cylinder, end plate and manifold plate walls.

Two stators are diametrically fixed within and to the cylinder 16, the manifold plate 18, and the end plate 14. Each stator is longitudinally secured to the manifold plate and to the end plate by two

respective pins

82, 84. Each stator is fixed to the cylinder by a longitudinal key 86, a radial pin 83 and a radial machine screw 90. A plurality ofgrooves 92 are cut into the inner periphery of each stator to provide a labyrinth seal with the adjacent torque tube 50.

The manifold plate 18 is cast with a central, annular gas distributing bore 190, having a plurality of outwardly angled gas intake bores 102 respectively communicating with each barrel receiving peripheral notch 24. Each inlet bore 102 is formed at an angle, here shown is 28", so as to be coaxial with a radial bore m4 formed in the adjacent gun barrel 10, and to direct gun gas flowing therefrom along a substantially tangential path into the gas distributing bore. The distribution bore 1% has two diametrically spaced-apart, longitudinal outlet bores 166. Each outlet bore is located adjacent a longitudinal cutout lfitl in the sidewall of the respective stator 80, so that gun gas passing from the outlet bore is discharged between the normally adjacent rotor and stator.

Two diametrically spaced-apart bypass grooves 110 are cut into the end plate 14 to leak some gas around the respective stator after the rotor has rotated away from its adjacent stator by 20.

In operation, the barrel cluster may beinitially accelerated by an external source of rotational force in conjunction with the gas drive to firing speed; or the gas drive alone may be utilized to accelerate and maintain the speed of the barrel cluster.

A portion of the gas generated by firing a round of ammunition through a respective barrel is directed through the barrel gas port 104 into the manifold gas distribution bore 100 and thence through the two outlet bores 106 and between the normally adjacent leftand right-hand pairs of stator and rotor. The rotors are rotated counterclockwise (as seen in FIG. 3) by the inflowing gun gas, which passes longitudinally forward, to the bypass cutouts 110 and counterclockwise around the ends of the rotors, into the decreasing spaces between the righthand rotor and the left-hand stator and between the left-hand rotor and the right-hand stator. This residual bypass gas is compressed by the rotors and acts as a shock absorber as the rotors counterclockwise approach the stators.

The rotors, when rotating counterclockwise, rotate the fixed-thereto torque tube 50 counterclockwise, which is the direction permitted by the one-way clutch whose rotor 56 is fixed to the aft end of the torque tube. The aft end of the torque tube, which is fixed to the aft end of the torsion bar 58, develops a counterclockwise twist in the torsion bar against the bars relatively stationary forward end. The bars forward end is relatively stationary since it is fixed, via the torque tube 40, to the barrel cluster which has a relatively high moment of inertia. When the rotors have been halted at the end of their counterclockwise cycle of travel, clockwise rotation of the rotors is precluded by the one-way clutch 54. The torsion bar 58 relatively slowly unwinds by rotating the barrel cluster and the fixed thereto stators 80 counterclockwise to the normal position shown in FIG. 3. Residual gun gas trapped between the stators and rotors is effective as a shock absorber and is subsequently vented through the barrel. When the barrel cluster has been fully indexed counterclockwise 60, the next successive barrel has a round fired therethrough, providing the next gas impulse. The relatively large moment of inertia of the barrel cluster serves as a fiy wheel providing a smooth acceleration of the barrel cluster to a plateau at the desired firing velocity.

While the invention has been disclosed in FIG. 1 as incorporated in a Gatling-type weapon for rotating the barrel cluster, it will be appreciated that rotation of the barrel cluster will be made effective to drive the ammunition feeder system.

DESCRIPTION OF A SECOND EMBODIMENT The embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 utilizes the same stepping principle to permit the gun gas pulses from a single, stationary barrel to drive a power output mechanism, such as would drive an ammunition feeding system.

The barrel 200 is stationary and is coupled to a stationary cylinder 202 which has two diametrically opposed, centripetally directed vanes 204. A rotor tube 206 is disposed coaxially within the cylinder 202 and has two diametrically opposed, centrifugally directed vanes 207.

A torque tube 208 is fixed, coaxially, to and between the rotor tube 206 and the outer member (stator) 210 of a unidirectional clutch assembly 212. The inner member (rotor) 214 of the clutch assembly 212 is fixed to one end of a torsion bar 216 whose other end is anchored to ground at 218. A spur gear 220 is fixed to the outer member 210 of the clutch assembly, and is meshed with a spur gear, 222 fixed on a power output shaft 224.

The barrel 200 has two gas ports 226 which are coupled by a manifold 228 to two ports 230 serving to deliver the gas between the normally adjacent stator and rotor vanes. The construction of stator and rotor assemblies, including vanes, gas manifold and end plate may be identical to that shown in the first embodiment.

A gas pulse from the barrel will drive the rotor counter clockwise, which will rotate the outer member 210 of the clutch assembly counterclockwise with respect to the inner member 214, and will wind the torsion bar 216. At the end of the gas pulse, the torsion bar 216 will unwind, rotating the inner members 214, and with it the entire clutch assembly including the gear 220 clockwise. The gear 220 drives the gear 222 and thereby the power output shaft 224.

Iclaim:

1. A drive system for a gun comprising:

a gun barrel having a gas port;

a motor assembly having a stator assembly and a rotor assembly;

a unidirectional clutch assembly having a stator assembly and a rotor assembly;

rigid means fixedly coupling said motor rotor assembly to said clutch rotor assembly;

elongated torsion means having one end fixedly coupled to said clutch rotor assembly and its other end fixedly coupled to said motor stator assembly; and

gas conduit means for communicating gas from said barrel to said motor assembly for introducing a pulse of gas, developed in said barrel by the firing of a round of ammunition therethrough, between said motor rotor and stator assemblies, whereby to produce a pulse of relative angular rotation therebetween less than 360, said motor rotor assembly rotating under the influence of the pulse of gas in the unlocked direction of said clutch assembly to stress said torsion means, said torsion means unstressingitsclf by providing relative rotation between said clutch stator assembly in the locked direction of said clutch assembly and said motor stator assembly.

2. A system according to claim 1 wherein:

said gun barrel, said motor stator assembly and said other end of said elongated torsion means are each anchored to ground; and

said clutch stator assembly is free to rotate and is coupled to and drives a power output system.

3. A system according to claim 1 further including:

a cluster of a plurality of said gun barrels, each having a respective gas port, and all mounted in an annular, uniformly spaced-apart row to said motor stator assembly;

said gas conduit means including a manifold communicating with all of said barrel gas ports;

said clutch stator assembly being anchored to ground; and

said other end of said elongated torsion means being fixed to said motor stator assembly, whereby said cluster of barrels, said motor stator assembly and said other end of said elongated torsion means all rotate at a common angular velocity.

4. A system according to claim 3 wherein:

said motor rotor assembly is connected to said clutch rotor assembly and said one end of said torsion means by a first torque tube;

said motor stator assembly is connected to said other end of said torsion means by a second torque tube; and

said torsion member is a torsion bar.

5. A system according to claim 3 wherein:

said cluster of gun barrels and said motor assembly are coaxial.

6. A system according to claim 3 wherein said cluster of gun barrels, said motor assembly, said clutch assembly and said torsion means are all coaxial.

7. A system according to claim 1 wherein:

said motor stator assembly and said motor rotor assembly are coaxial;

said rotor assembly includes:

a tubular shaft having a plurality of spaced apart vanes fixed to and extending centrifugally therefrom;

cylinder at one end thereof, each outlet being adjacent a respective stator vane; and

the other end of said cylinder having a gas bypass conduit adjacent each respective rotor vane for passing gas around the respective rotor vane after the vane has rotated a predetermined angular distance.

Claims

1. A drive system for a gun comprising: a gun barrel having a gas port; a motor assembly having a stator assembly and a rotor assembly; a unidirectional clutch assembly having a stator assembly and a rotor assembly; rigid means fixedly coupling said motor rotor assembly to said clutch rotor assembly; elongated torsion means having one end fixedly coupled to said clutch rotor assembly and its other end fixedly coupled to said motor stator assembly; and gas conduit means for communicating gas from said barrel to said motor assembly for introducing a pulse of gas, developed in said barrel by the firing of a round of ammunition therethrough, between said motor rotor and stator assemblies, whereby to produce a pulse of relative angular rotation therebetween less than 360*, said motor rotor assembly rotating under the influence of the pulse of gas in the unlocked direction of said clutch assembly to stress said torsion means, said torsion means unstressing itself by providing relative rotation between said clutch stator assembly in the locked direction of said clutch assembly and said motor stator assembly.

2. A system according to claim 1 wherein: said gun barrel, said motor stator assembly and said other end of said elongated torsion means are each anchored to ground; and said clutch stator assembly is free to rotate and is coupled to and drives a power output system.

3. A system according to claim 1 further including: a cluster of a plurality of said gun barrels, each having a respective gas port, and all mounted in an annular, uniformly spaced-apart row to said motor stator assembly; said gas conduit means including a manifold communicating with all of said barrel gas ports; said clutch stator assembly being anchored to ground; and said other end of said elongated torsion means being fixed to said motor stator assembly, whereby said cluster of barrels, said motor stator assembly and said other end of said elongated torsion means all rotate at a common angular velocity.

4. A system according to claim 3 wherein: said motor rotor assembly is connected to said clutch rotor assembly and said one end of said torsion means by a first torque tube; said motor stator assembly is connected to said other end oF said torsion means by a second torque tube; and said torsion member is a torsion bar.

5. A system according to claim 3 wherein: said cluster of gun barrels and said motor assembly are coaxial.

7. A system according to claim 1 wherein: said motor stator assembly and said motor rotor assembly are coaxial; said rotor assembly includes: a tubular shaft having a plurality of spaced apart vanes fixed to and extending centrifugally therefrom; said stator assembly includes; a tubular cylinder having closed ends passing said tubular shaft therethrough and enclosing said vanes, and having a like plurality of spaced-apart vanes fixed to and extending centripetally therefrom between said centrifugally extending vanes; said gas conduit having a plurality of outlets into said cylinder at one end thereof, each outlet being adjacent a respective stator vane; and the other end of said cylinder having a gas bypass conduit adjacent each respective rotor vane for passing gas around the respective rotor vane after the vane has rotated a predetermined angular distance.