Device for ejecting a chain of projectiles

Abstract

A device (1) for automatically discharging a chain (6) of ammunition from a weapon capable of firing at a rate, comprising a housing (9) provided with at least the following elements, the characteristics described below corresponding to the use configuration: - a proximal ramp (10) of the inlet opening (2) connected to a proximal horizontal planar path (11) of the outlet opening (3); - two guide rollers (7) having parallel axes and located at the ramp (10) counter-rotating relative to each other, separated by a gap capable of allowing the passage of the chains and guiding them over the ramp (10); - two propulsion and guide rollers (4, 5) located on either side of the horizontal planar path (11); - means for actuating the guide rollers (7) and the propulsion rollers (4, 5) in a synchronized manner; the speed of the propulsion rollers (4, 5) is adjusted according to the firing rate of the weapon and determines the discharge speed of the chains (6) to the outside.

Description

[0001] Invention Theme

[0002] This invention relates to a device for automatically ejecting and discharging (preferably but not exclusively) ammunition belts from a medium-caliber gun embedded in a tank turret. The diameter of the medium-caliber ammunition is typically between 15 mm and 50 mm.

[0003] The present invention also relates to an armored vehicle that includes a device for automatically discharging a chain.

[0004] Technical background and existing technology

[0005] Currently, systems for ejecting ammunition chains from weapons embedded in tank turrets are rather large or cumbersome systems, characterized by ejection relying solely on gravity. These chains are ejected from outside the turret shell, or collected, for example, using bags or ramps.

[0006] Document US 4,601,230 discloses an armored vehicle turret comprising a main armament and a machine gun. The turret includes a system for ejecting a chain to the outside of the turret via two rigid chutes attached to the main armament and to a compartment having two openings leading to the outside. These ejection chutes include guide strips for guiding the chain. Hatch openings allow easy and ergonomic access to the ejection area.

[0007] Document US 8,434,397 describes a mounting system for an automatic weapon (used in vehicles such as helicopters). The weapon mounting system includes a weapon mount supporting a machine gun. This assembly is connected via a hollow cylindrical portion to an inclined tubular support. The hollow cylindrical portion is located below the weapon and acts as a funnel to guide spent cartridge cases and chains into the cylindrical support, which serves as an ejection channel that carries the spent cartridge cases and chains outside the helicopter's passenger compartment.

[0008] Documents US 7,578,226 and US 8,037,801 disclose a device that uses tabs or forks fixed to a weapon support and allows a chain to be separated from the ammunition strip, thus disengaging it from the weapon after firing. These devices cause each chain to pivot relative to the next chain, thus separating it from the ammunition strip due to the elasticity of the connection between the chains. In a first case, the chains initially reach the device in a single-loop, upward-opening manner, while in a second case, the chains initially reach the device in a double-loop, downward-opening manner.

[0009] However, a drawback of these systems for evacuating chains and ammunition is that they are still based on gravity, which leads to a significant risk of chains getting stuck in chutes or between the turret and the vehicle, thus clogging the evacuation system. Furthermore, the evacuation path is not well controlled.

[0010] Purpose of the invention

[0011] The present invention aims to address the shortcomings of the prior art.

[0012] In particular, the present invention seeks to produce a device for automatically discharging ammunition chains, primarily from medium-caliber weapons, after firing, which can be embedded in a tank turret.

[0013] The desired result is to eject or expel the ammunition chain as far as possible outside the turret, that is, at least 50cm away from the turret, and follow a controlled path so as not to obstruct the passage of the chain behind, and thus avoid any blockage or scratches to the weapon.

[0014] Furthermore, this invention aims to provide a simple and reliable device that is fully automated and requires no operator intervention during its operation. Considering the average rate of fire of a weapon is 200 rounds per minute, this improved device for the discharge chain should enable a continuous discharge rate exceeding three chains per second.

[0015] The device according to the invention is further designed to allow the chain to be ejected regardless of the turret's tilt relative to the horizontal plane, and regardless of the chain's orientation and position at the system's inlet.

[0016] Ultimately, this invention aims to provide an armored vehicle that includes such an improved device for a continuous ejection chain. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 A outline diagram of an example of a device for automatically discharging a chain according to the present invention is shown.

[0018] Figure 2 It shows the corresponding to according to Figure 1 An internal view of the device used for automatically discharging the chain.

[0019] Main features of the invention

[0020] A first aspect of the invention relates to a device for automatically discharging a chain of ammunition from a weapon capable of firing at a certain rate, the device comprising a housing provided with at least the following elements, the characteristics of which are described below corresponding to a usage configuration:

[0021] - The first opening, referred to as the inlet opening, is located at the upper part of the casing and is used to insert a large number of chains from the weapon by gravity after firing;

[0022] - A second opening, referred to as an outlet opening, is used to discharge the chain toward the outside of the device at a given speed. The outlet opening is arranged laterally or offset relative to the vertical direction of the inlet opening.

[0023] - The proximal ramp of the inlet opening is connected to the proximal horizontal plane path of the outlet opening;

[0024] - Two guide rollers, which have parallel axes and are located on the ramp, rotate in opposite directions relative to each other, separated by a gap that allows the chains to pass through and guides them across the ramp;

[0025] - Two propulsion and guide rollers, which are located on both sides of the horizontal plane path;

[0026] - Devices for synchronously actuating these guide rollers and these propulsion rollers;

[0027] The speed of the propulsion roller is adjusted according to the weapon's firing rate and the discharge speed to the outside is determined.

[0028] According to a specific embodiment of the invention, the device for automatically discharging the ammunition chain further includes at least one of the following features, or any suitable combination thereof:

[0029] - The guide rollers are two rotating brushes with parallel axes;

[0030] - A feed roller is a conveyor belt that has a belt or rollers;

[0031] - Devices used to synchronously actuate these guide rollers and these advance rollers include electric motors and drive systems in the form of gears or belts;

[0032] - The slope's inclination relative to the vertical direction is between 15° and 50°;

[0033] - The slope's inclination relative to the vertical direction is approximately 30°;

[0034] - The ratio of the distance a chain travels on a horizontal path to the distance it travels on a slope is between 1.5 and 3.

[0035] A second aspect of the invention relates to an armored vehicle or tank turret comprising an automatic weapon capable of firing at a certain rate, a hatch for discharging a chain to the outside (outside the armor), and a device for automatically discharging the chain as described above, characterized in that the device is placed in the vehicle or turret such that an inlet port is located below the weapon to restore the chain to a straight line with the weapon by gravity after firing, and an outlet port is aligned with the hatch provided for discharging the chain to the outside (outside the armor) so that the chain can be discharged to the outside at a speed determined by the firing rate. Detailed Implementation

[0036] This invention relates to a device 1 for automatically discharging a chain of ammunition 6, such as... Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown. The chain preferably comes from medium-caliber weapon ammunition. Device 1 can be mounted on a tank turret or any other armored vehicle, and includes, for example, a weapon system consisting of a main weapon (such as a cannon) and a machine gun.

[0037] According to one embodiment of the invention, the discharge device 1 includes a normally closed housing 9, except for a first opening 2 (which is arranged at a high position and is large enough to allow a large influx of chain 6 from the weapon after firing) and a second opening 3 (which is arranged laterally or offset relative to the vertical direction of opening 2 and is designed to discharge chain 6 to the outside of the device 1). During use, the device 1 must be properly positioned in an armored vehicle, that is, the inlet 2 is located directly below the weapon to collect chain 6 after firing, and the outlet opening 3 corresponds to an opening in the armored vehicle, thereby enabling the chain 6 to be discharged to the outside of the armored vehicle at a certain speed.

[0038] The device for discharging the chain (starting from the first opening 2 and moving towards the second opening 3) sequentially includes a ramp 10 with an inclination of 15° to 50° relative to the vertical direction, preferably about 30°. The ramp is also provided with at least two guide rollers 7 positioned opposite each other and capable of rotating in opposite directions. The separation gap between the two guide rollers 7 is selected to allow the chain to pass through and to orient the chain.

[0039] During use, these guide rollers 7 allow the chains 6 arriving via the inlet opening 2 to be oriented in the proper position to prevent them from clogging or accumulating in the device 1, and can, for example, take the form of two rotating brushes with parallel axes. At the bottom of the ramp 10, during use, the chains 6 are found on a horizontal path 11 defined in height by the upper push roller 4 and the lower push roller 5, which guide and advance the chains 6 to the outlet opening 3. The push rollers 4, 5 can advantageously be of the turntable or conveyor belt type, advancing the chains 6 due to their respective moving belts. The device 1 further includes a motor 8, which allows the guide rollers 7 and the push rollers 4, 5 to be correspondingly configured to move synchronously via a suitable transmission system, such as in the form of gears or belts (not shown).

[0040] Propulsion rollers 4 and 5 define the ejection speed of chain 6 to the outside of the device, and thus the ejection speed to the outside of the turret / armored vehicle. The speed of the propulsion rollers will depend on the rate of fire of the weapon used (which can reach up to 300 rounds per minute) and will be adaptable based on the weapon. The rollers and brushes used are standard equipment known to those skilled in the art and are readily replaceable.

[0041] Advantages of the present invention

[0042] The first advantage of the chain ejection device according to the invention is that the chain ejection efficiency will be good in all cases and will not depend on the inclination of the turret or armored vehicle, knowing that the chain path is random. Therefore, by ejecting the chain as far as possible, at least 50 cm from the turret, this device does not face the problem of chain accumulation at the exit or between the turret and the vehicle that is a problem with gravity-based devices.

[0043] The advantage of this device is that it can be easily placed under any type of weapon and is suitable for any type of weapon and vehicle type in which the system is incorporated. Preferably, the device is included in the tank turret under the main weapon, thereby allowing the chain to be discharged quickly and efficiently outside the turret.

[0044] The device according to the invention also makes it possible to reduce the size of openings leading to the exterior of the body or shell of an armored vehicle.

[0045] Another advantage of the invention is that it provides a device that can be shut down, which thus allows the turret to be isolated from the external environment, such as in NBC (nuclear, bacterial, chemical) conditions.

[0046] Another advantage is that the device according to the invention takes the form of an autonomous housing, which can be placed in an existing turret, optionally of a different type or model.

[0047] List of reference numerals 1. Device for ejecting ammunition belts

[0048] 2. System entry point (used for inserting a large number of chains)

[0049] 3. System exit (for ejecting the chain)

[0050] 4. Upper chain drive roller

[0051] 5. Lower chain drive roller

[0052] 6. Chain

[0053] 7. Guide rollers

[0054] 8. Electric motor

[0055] 9. Shell

[0056] 10. Slope

[0057] 11. Horizontal path

Claims

1. A vehicle-mounted device (1) for automatically discharging ammunition from a chain (6) of ammunition capable of firing at a certain rate, the device comprising a housing (9) provided with at least the following elements, the characteristics of which correspond to the usage configuration: - The first opening, referred to as the inlet opening (2), is located at the upper part of the housing and is used to insert the chains (6) from the weapon in large quantities by gravity after firing; - A second opening, referred to as an outlet opening (3), is used to discharge the chain (6) toward the outside of the device (1) at a given speed. The outlet opening (3) is arranged laterally or offset relative to the vertical direction of the inlet opening (2). - The proximal ramp (10) of the inlet opening (2) is connected to the proximal horizontal plane path (11) of the outlet opening (3). - Two guide rollers (7), which have parallel axes and are located at the ramp (10) and rotate in opposite directions relative to each other, are separated by a gap that allows the chains to pass through and guide them across the ramp (10); - Two propulsion and guide rollers (4, 5) are located on both sides of the horizontal plane path (11); - Devices for synchronously actuating these guide rollers (7) and these propulsion and guide rollers (4, 5); The speeds of these propulsion and guide rollers (4, 5) are adjusted according to the firing rate of the weapon and determine the discharge speed of these chains (6) to the outside of the vehicle.

2. The apparatus (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, These guide rollers (7) are two rotating brushes with parallel axes.

3. The apparatus (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, These propulsion and guide rollers (4, 5) are conveyor belts with belts or rollers.

4. The apparatus (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The device for synchronously actuating these guide rollers (7) and these propulsion and guide rollers (4, 5) includes an electric motor (8) and a drive system in the form of gears or belts.

5. The apparatus (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The slope (10) has an inclination of between 15° and 50° relative to the vertical direction.

6. The apparatus (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that, The slope (10) has an inclination of approximately 30° relative to the vertical direction.

7. The apparatus (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The ratio of the distance these chains (6) travel on the horizontal path (11) to the distance they travel on the slope (10) is between 1.5 and 3.

8. An armored vehicle or tank turret, comprising: Automatic weapon, which is capable of firing at a certain rate; The hatch is used to discharge the chain (6) to the outside, to the outside of the armor; And a vehicle-mounted device (1) for automatically discharging ammunition chains (6) from a weapon capable of firing at a certain rate, as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the device (1) is placed in the vehicle or the turret such that the inlet opening (2) is located below the weapon so that the chains (6) are restored to a straight line with the weapon by gravity after firing, and the outlet opening (3) is aligned with a hatch provided for discharging the chains (6) to the outside, to the outside of the armor, so that the chains (6) can be discharging to the outside at a speed determined by the firing rate.

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