US3800658A - Ammunition handling system - Google Patents

Ammunition handling system Download PDF

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Publication number
US3800658A
US3800658A US00323801A US3800658DA US3800658A US 3800658 A US3800658 A US 3800658A US 00323801 A US00323801 A US 00323801A US 3800658D A US3800658D A US 3800658DA US 3800658 A US3800658 A US 3800658A
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United States
Prior art keywords
rounds
guideways
portions
drum
core
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
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US00323801A
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English (en)
Inventor
R Hougland
R Houghland
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General Electric Co
Original Assignee
General Electric Co
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by General Electric Co filed Critical General Electric Co
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Publication of US3800658A publication Critical patent/US3800658A/en
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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
    • F41A9/61—Magazines
    • F41A9/64—Magazines for unbelted ammunition
    • F41A9/73—Drum magazines
    • F41A9/74—Drum magazines with radially disposed cartridges

Definitions

  • a drum type ammunition storage system has an outer, stationary drum with two, interlayered, helical partitions; and a rotating core with a plurality of longitudinally extending guides, to provide two helical trains of rounds, each having a first rotational velocity, which are merged to provide a single train having a second rotational velocity which is twice said first rotational velocity.
  • the helical partitions are at a longitudinal angle to the longitudinal axis, to support the rounds at an angle to the longitudinal axis.
  • This invention relates to a system for storing and for feeding articles at a high velocity; and is embodied in a system for storing and feeding linkless rounds of ammunition to a high rate of fire machine gun.
  • Rotation of the helical partition advances the rounds longitudinally along the drum, which rounds are picked up by a scoop disc assembly having traveling sprockets.
  • This system is exemplified in the SUU-16/A and SU- U-l l/A. More recently, in the MAUS8/A, the helix is fixed and the outer drum revolves, providing the rounds with a rotational velocity, which avoids the need for the scoop disc assembly. However, in this system the entire supply of ammunition must be accelerated and decelerated to this rotational velocity. The inertias involved become quite significant as the calibers and quantities of the rounds increase.
  • a feature of this invention is the provision of a drum type ammunition storage system having an outer, stationary drum with two, interlayered, helical partitions; and a rotating core with a plurality of longitudinally extending guides, to provide two helical trains of rounds,
  • the helical partitions are at a longitudinal angle to the longitudinal axis, to support the rounds at an angle to the longitudinal axis.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective partial view of a pod containing an ammunition handling system embodying this invention and a high rate of fire gun;
  • FIG. 2 is a perspective partial view of the central rotor assembly with an aft, low angular velocity rotor and a forward, high angular velocity rotor;
  • FIG. 3 is a longitudinal, partial cross-section of the stationary drum with the two, interlayered, helical partitions
  • FIG. 4 is a partial plan view showing the merger of the two trains of rounds at low angular velocity into a single train of rounds at twice the angular velocity
  • FIG. 5 is an end view in cross-section of the pod of FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 1 comprises a pod envelope l0 enclosing and supporting a high rate of tire gun 12, such asis shown in U.S. Rat. No. 3,611,871 issued Oct. 12, 1971 to R. G. Kirkpatrick et al., and an ammunition handling system for storing and supplying rounds of ammunition to the gun.
  • a pod envelope l0 enclosing and supporting a high rate of tire gun 12, such asis shown in U.S. Rat. No. 3,611,871 issued Oct. 12, 1971 to R. G. Kirkpatrick et al.
  • an ammunition handling system for storing and supplying rounds of ammunition to the gun.
  • An outer drum 14 is fixed to the pod and has two, interlayered, helical partitions l6 and 18 fixed therein defining two helical guide slots 20 and 22.
  • the partitions are sloped at an angle A to the longitudinal axis 24, here shown as 60", and have a helical lead angle B.
  • Rounds of ammunition R are disposed in the guide slots and form two conical, helical trains of ammunition 26 and 28.
  • An aft rotor 30, comprising a plurality of longitudinally extending paddles 32 fixed to a hub 33, is journaled for rotation, in a direction V, about the axis 24; and a forward rotor 34, comprising a plurality of longitudinally extending paddles 36 is also journaled for rotation, in the same direction, about the axis 24.
  • the forward rotor 34 is driven by suitable means at twice the rotational velocity of the aft rotor 30.
  • Each paddle 32 has a centripetal, V-shaped, cross-sectional portion 38, and a centrifugal, V-shaped, cross-sectional portion 40.
  • the two step ramp surface provided on each side of the paddle accommodates to the two step surface of the bullet and the case of each round R.
  • Each paddle 36 has a centripetal, V-shaped cross-sectional portion 42 which increases in radial length as a function of forward proximity; a centrifugal, V-shaped, crosssectional portion 44; and a centrifugal, chord-shaped, cross-sectional portion 46 which extends longitudinally forwardly from an aft shoulder 47.
  • the leading ends of the paddles 32 and the aft ends of the paddles 36 have a common interface which is sloped to the longitudinal axis 24 at angle A.
  • a single turn helical guide slot 48 is defined by two single turn helical partitions 50 and 52, having the same conical angle A to the longitudinal axis, and the same helical lead angle B.
  • the forward end of the guide slot 22 extends into a deflection guide track 54 defined by partitions 56 and 58, which merges into a mediate portion of the guide track 48.
  • the forward end of the guide slot 20 merges into the aft end of the guide track 48.
  • a C-shaped channel 60 bridges across the centrifugal portions of the partitions 50 and 52 at the forward end of the guide track 48.
  • the channel has a cross-section including a base portion 62, two leg portions 64 and 66 and two inwardly directed foot portions 68 and 70. The foot portions are aligned with the guide track 48 so as to engage the extractor groove R1 of each round as it exits the guide track 48.
  • the aft tip 72 of each paddle 36 has a curved, feathered configuration, with a concave leading surface 74 and a convex trailing surface 76. While a round R is in the guide slot 22, it is advanced by the leading surface 78 of a paddle 32. When the round enters the deflection guide track 54 it is engaged by the tip 72 of a paddle 36 and subsequently by the concave surface 74. As the round concurrently travels along the track 54 and the surface 74, it is accelerated from the first velocity of the train of rounds of track 24, to the double velocity of the train of rounds in track 48. A similar merger and acceleration of the train of rounds in the track ino the train of rounds in the track 48 occurs 180 previously.
  • the channel 60 spirals centripetally from behind the shoulder 47 into the annular plane defined by the chord shaped portions 46 of the forward rotor, and also twists so that the base portion 62 of the channel shifts from 60 to the longitudinal axis 24 to perpendicular to the axis.
  • the centripetal margin of channel 60 is progressively cut away, as the channel extends forward of the shoulders 47.
  • An inner guide 80 is disposed forward of the portions 44, centripetal of the portions 46 to pick up the extractor plate groove in place of the cut away centripetal margin of channel 60.
  • the chordportions 46 pass through the gap between the guide 80 and the channel 60.
  • An elongated sprocket 82 is fixed on a shaft 84 parallel to the drum axis 24 and has a plurality of longitudinally extending grooves 86.
  • An outer cover-guide 88 partially encircles the sprocket 82, and has an aft end 90 disposed at the forward end 92 of the C-shaped channel 60, with a blind slot 94 to pass the chord portions 46.
  • the inner guide 80 has a forward end 102 disposed adjacent the sprocket 82.
  • a helical guide 104 is disposed about the sprocket 82 within the cover-guide 88, and has an aft end which abuts the base of each round before its extractor groove is released by the inner guide 80.
  • the rounds are sequentially handed into the grooves 86 of the sprocket 82 by the chord portions 46 of the forward rotor, and are advanced along the grooves by the helical guide 104.
  • the aft end of the guide 104 may be fixed to the drum support and the forward end may be fixed to the gun support, and advantageously may be made resilient to accommodate recoil movement of the gun relative to the ammunition handling system.
  • a drum type storage system for rounds of ammunition comprising:
  • an outer, stationary drum having a longitudinal axis and a cylindrical, hollow core space including:
  • first plurality of junction portions each having two respective partitions extending centripetally to provide a like first plurality of transitional guideways for base portions of rounds from the termination of a respective one of said helical guideways to said partial annular guideway; and I an inner, rotating core, disposed within said core space, including:
  • an aft portion underlying said aft portion of said drum, having a second plurality of longitudinal guides extending centrifugally to provide a like second plurality of longitudinal guideways for tip portions of rounds,.
  • a forward portion underlying said forward portion of said drum, having a. like second plurality of longitudinal guides extending centrifugally to provide a like second plurality of longitudinal guideways for tip portions of rounds,
  • rounds of ammunition may be disposed with their tip portions in said longitudinal guideways in said aft portion of said core and their base portions in said helical guideways in said aft portion of said drum, and as the core rotates the rounds will be concomittantly advanced longitudinally forwardly and into said transitional guideways whereat said longitudinal guides of said aft portion of said core will lose control of the tips of the rounds and concomittantly the longitudinal guides of the forward portion of said core will gain control of the tips of the rounds.
  • said aft portion of said core rotates at a first velocity
  • said forward portion of said core rotates at a second velocity which is a multiple of said first velocity equal to the number of said first plurality of helical guideways,
  • each of said transitional guideways spirals about said longitudinal axis, forwardly in the direction of rotation of said core.
  • the respective tip portion of each of said aft end portions of said guides of said forward portion of said inner core has a leading surface with respect to the direction of rotation of said forward portion which is longitudinally progressively retrograde forward from the tip;
  • said channel has a progressive twist therein
  • said helical partitions are disposed at an angle of less than to said longitudinal axis
  • a helical guide encircling said sprocket for advancing rounds longitudinally along said sprocket.
  • a system according to claim 8 further including:
  • a drum type ammunition storage system has an outer, stationary drum with two, interlayered, helical partitions; and a rotating core with a plurality of longitudinally extending guides, to provide two helical trains of rounds, each having a first rotational velocity, which are merged to provide a single train having a second rotational velocity which is twice said first rotational velocity.
  • the helical partitions are at a longitudinal angle to the longitudinal axis, to support the rounds at an angle to the longitudinal axis.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Filling Or Emptying Of Bunkers, Hoppers, And Tanks (AREA)
  • Warehouses Or Storage Devices (AREA)
  • Storage Of Web-Like Or Filamentary Materials (AREA)
US00323801A 1973-01-15 1973-01-15 Ammunition handling system Expired - Lifetime US3800658A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US32380173A 1973-01-15 1973-01-15

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3800658A true US3800658A (en) 1974-04-02

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US00323801A Expired - Lifetime US3800658A (en) 1973-01-15 1973-01-15 Ammunition handling system

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US (1) US3800658A (de)
JP (1) JPS5713799B2 (de)
DE (1) DE2401433C2 (de)

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2839301A1 (de) * 1977-09-14 1979-03-29 Gen Electric Vorrichtung zum speichern und zufuehren von gegenstaenden, insbesondere von patronen bei einem waffensystem
US4344350A (en) * 1979-11-13 1982-08-17 General Dynamics, Pomona Division Crossfeeder
EP0078482A2 (de) * 1981-10-26 1983-05-11 Western Design Corporation Fördereinrichtung
US4831914A (en) * 1987-07-08 1989-05-23 David Dardick Multiple tier ammunition magazine
US5929366A (en) * 1996-10-29 1999-07-27 Cta International Sas Ammunition feed mechanism
CN104740812A (zh) * 2013-12-25 2015-07-01 湖北航天飞行器研究所 一种灭火弹的控制方法
US10612871B2 (en) * 2017-12-22 2020-04-07 Michael J. Davidson Drum ammunition magazine for rimmed cartridges

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPH0546639Y2 (de) * 1987-07-27 1993-12-07
JP4088725B2 (ja) * 1998-03-30 2008-05-21 ソニー株式会社 オーディオ再生装置

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1285263A (en) * 1918-08-02 1918-11-19 Jens Lohne Magazine for small-arms.
US2935914A (en) * 1957-08-05 1960-05-10 Darsie Burns Linkless feed system for guns

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1285263A (en) * 1918-08-02 1918-11-19 Jens Lohne Magazine for small-arms.
US2935914A (en) * 1957-08-05 1960-05-10 Darsie Burns Linkless feed system for guns

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2839301A1 (de) * 1977-09-14 1979-03-29 Gen Electric Vorrichtung zum speichern und zufuehren von gegenstaenden, insbesondere von patronen bei einem waffensystem
US4344350A (en) * 1979-11-13 1982-08-17 General Dynamics, Pomona Division Crossfeeder
EP0078482A2 (de) * 1981-10-26 1983-05-11 Western Design Corporation Fördereinrichtung
EP0078482A3 (en) * 1981-10-26 1983-12-07 Western Design Corporation Transport mechanism
US4831914A (en) * 1987-07-08 1989-05-23 David Dardick Multiple tier ammunition magazine
US5929366A (en) * 1996-10-29 1999-07-27 Cta International Sas Ammunition feed mechanism
EP0840085A3 (de) * 1996-10-29 2000-04-26 C.T.A. International SAS Munitionszuführvorrichtung
CN104740812A (zh) * 2013-12-25 2015-07-01 湖北航天飞行器研究所 一种灭火弹的控制方法
US10612871B2 (en) * 2017-12-22 2020-04-07 Michael J. Davidson Drum ammunition magazine for rimmed cartridges

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE2401433A1 (de) 1974-08-08
JPS507400A (de) 1975-01-25
JPS5713799B2 (de) 1982-03-19
DE2401433C2 (de) 1982-12-30

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