Magazine for an artillery installation, provided with a sensorized control system, and method for controlling such magazine

Abstract

A magazine and control method use a guide path through an inlet and outlet forming a closed path defining successive stations through which side-by-side ammunition pieces are configured for laterally sliding integrally. A loading station has ammunition insertable through the inlet. At a feeding station, ammunition is removable through the outlet towards a weapon assembly. A moving system integrally moves the ammunition along the guide path through the stations. A feeding station feeds ammunition to a weapon assembly through the outlet. A loading sensor detects ammunition at the loading station. A feeding sensor detects ammunition at the feeding station. An outlet sensor detects ammunition downstream of the outlet. A displacement transducer detects displacement of the ammunition train along the guide path. An input interface receives control information. A control system controls the moving system as a function of detections by the sensors, transducer, and information from the input interface.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a magazine for an artillery installation and to a method for controlling such magazine.TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

[0002] In the artillery industry, magazines (with associated control methods) are known which generally consist of a system capable of containing and automatically moving one or more pieces of ammunition to be fed to an artillery installation.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] It is one object of the present invention to provide a magazine for an artillery installation and a method for controlling such magazine which are improved over the prior art. In particular, according to the present invention, a magazine is provided which is equipped with a sensorized control system that ensures safe and efficient control over the loading and feeding of ammunition towards the weapon assembly of the artillery installation.

[0004] According to the present invention, this and other objects are achieved through a magazine and a method having the technical features set out in the appended independent claims.

[0005] It is understood d that the appended claims are an integral part of the technical teachings provided in the following detailed description of the present invention. In particular, the appended dependent claims define some preferred embodiments of the present invention that include some optional technical features.

[0006] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in light of the following detailed description, provided herein merely as a non-limiting example and referring, in particular, to the annexed drawings as summarized below.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] FIGS. 1 and 2 are, respectively, a front perspective view and a rear perspective view of a turret fitted with an artillery installation which, in turn, comprises a magazine made in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, as shown in the next drawings.

[0008] FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view similar to FIG. 2, wherein some external walls of the turret have been removed in order to show a magazine made in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0009] FIGS. 4 and 5 are, respectively, a rear perspective view and a front perspective view showing the magazine of FIG. 3 in magnified form.

[0010] FIG. 6 includes a pair of schematic rear elevation views of the turret and, respectively, the magazine shown in the preceding figures. These views show how pieces of ammunition are loaded into a magazine.

[0011] FIG. 7 is a rear elevation view showing the frame of the magazine, wherein a guide path is visible within which a single piece of ammunition can slide.

[0012] FIG. 8 is a rear elevation view showing the positions of sensors and an angular position transducer associated with the magazine shown in the preceding figures, followed by a block diagram showing the interactions between a control system and such sensors and angular position transducer.

[0013] FIG. 9 is a schematic rear elevation view of the magazine illustrated in the preceding figures, which is shown during an ammunition train reloading phase.

[0014] FIGS. 10 and 11 are views similar to the one of FIG. 9, wherein the magazine is shown to execute a sequence of operations during an ammunition train feeding phase.

[0015] FIG. 12 is a view similar to the one of FIG. 9, wherein the magazine contains a pair of ammunition trains and is shown during a phase of loading one of the two ammunition trains.

[0016] FIGS. 13 and 14 are views similar to those of FIGS. 10 and 11, wherein the magazine contains a pair of ammunition trains and is shown to execute a sequence of operations during a phase of feeding one of the two ammunition trains.

[0017] FIGS. 15 and 16 are views similar to those of FIGS. 13 and 14, wherein the magazine still contains a pair of ammunition trains and is shown to execute a sequence of operations during a phase of feeding the other one of the two ammunition trains.

[0018] For completeness' sake, the following is a list of alphanumerical references and names used herein to identify parts, elements and components illustrated in the above-summarized drawings.

[0019] A. Ammunition

[0020] A1, ..., Am. Ammunition train

[0021] A1. Head ammunition

[0022] Am. Tail ammunition

[0023] A1. First type of ammunition

[0024] A2. Second type of ammunition

[0025] A11, A1m. First ammunition train

[0026] A21, A2p. Second ammunition train

[0027] J. Feeding travel direction

[0028] K. Loading travel direction

[0029] P1, ..., Pn. Stations

[0030] P1, ..., Pj. Loading stations

[0031] P1. First loading station

[0032] Pi. Last loading station

[0033] Pj. Feeding station

[0034] S1. First sector

[0035] S2. Second sector

[0036] 10. Turret

[0037] 12. Artillery installation

[0038] 14. Traversing mass

[0039] 16. Oscillating mass

[0040] 18. Weapon assembly

[0041] 20. Cheeks

[0042] 22. Barrel

[0043] 24. Gun mount

[0044] 100. Magazine

[0045] 102. Frame

[0046] 103. Inlet

[0047] 104. Door

[0048] 105. Outlet

[0049] 112. Guide path

[0050] 114. Moving system

[0051] 115a. Front support element

[0052] 115b. Back support element

[0053] 117. Motor

[0054] 119. Transmission mechanism

[0055] 120. Movable chain structure

[0056] 121a. Front gearwheels

[0057] 121b. Back gearwheels

[0058] 142. Feeding system

[0059] 144. Feeding star

[0060] 200. Loading sensor

[0061] 202. Feeding sensor

[0062] 204. Outlet sensor

[0063] 206. Displacement transducer

[0064] 208. Control system

[0065] 210. Control panelDETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0066] With reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, there is shown as a whole a turret 10 containing an artillery installation 12. As will be described in further detail below, artillery installation 12 includes a magazine 100, shown in FIG. 3 et seq., which is made in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0067] Turret 10 is particularly suitable for installation on ships, typically on a deck. It may nevertheless be installed on terrestrial vehicles as well, e.g. on armoured vehicles such as tanks, and / or on aircraft and / or on fixed installations.

[0068] Artillery installation 12 is supported by and contained in turret 10, and comprises a traversing mass (or portion) 14, an oscillating mass (or portion) 16, and a weapon assembly 18.

[0069] Traversing mass 14 is configured to be rotatably mounted and supported on a stationary support structure (not numbered), so as to rotate about a substantially vertical traversing (or azimuthal) axis Z.

[0070] Oscillating mass 16 is rotatably supported by traversing mass 14 about an elevating axis Y, which is substantially horizontal and perpendicular to vertical axis Z. In particular, in a per se known manner, typically traversing mass 14 and oscillating mass 16 are mutually assembled by means of a pair of cheeks 20 fixed to traversing mass 14, whereon elevation bearings are mounted, particularly at elevating axis Y.

[0071] In its turn, weapon assembly 18 is supported by oscillating mass 16. Weapon assembly 18 comprises a barrel 22 configured for firing pieces of ammunition A. In the illustrated embodiment, barrel 22 is an artillery gun, e.g. having a calibre of 40 mm.

[0072] As is also visible in FIG. 3, oscillating mass 16 comprises a gun mount 24 that supports barrel 22, in particular allowing it to be oriented about the traversing and elevating axes, in addition to permitting its recoiling motion.

[0073] As mentioned above, and as clearly visible in FIG. 3, installation 12 comprises also a magazine 100 configured to contain a plurality of pieces of ammunition A to be fed to weapon assembly 18, in particular in order to be fired through barrel 22.

[0074] Magazine 100 is configured for automatically moving the plurality of pieces of ammunition A. Moreover, as will be further described hereinafter, ammunition A contained in magazine 100 is, advantageously, of the linkless type.

[0075] Magazine 100 is supported by oscillating mass 16 and is operatively integral with the latter; in particular, magazine 100 is integrated into gun mount 24. Therefore, magazine 100 is separate and distinct from traversing mass 14. Furthermore, as shown in the illustrated embodiment, magazine 100 is located on top of oscillating mass 16.

[0076] In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, magazine 100 comprises a frame 102 configured for internally housing a plurality of pieces of ammunition A. Frame 102 comprises an inlet 103 configured for receiving pieces of ammunition A to be introduced into frame 102. In addition, with particular reference to FIG. 7, frame 102 comprises an outlet 105 configured for feeding pieces of ammunition A out of said frame 102 towards weapon assembly 18 of artillery installation 10.

[0077] Furthermore, magazine 100 comprises a door 104 which can be opened relative to frame 102, in particular being hinged thereto. Door 104 is suitably situated on top of frame 102.

[0078] As is more clearly visible in FIG. 6, door 104 is designed to allow the operator to gain access to inlet 103 through which ammunition A can be introduced into or removed from magazine 100. In particular, door 104 can be raised from a closed position, shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, to an open position, shown in FIG. 6. In the closed position, door 104 is lowered against frame 102 and prevents the operator from accessing inlet 103. Vice versa, in the open position, door 104 is raised from frame 102 and allows the operator to gain access to inlet 103 of magazine 100, so that pieces of ammunition A can be introduced or removed through inlet 103. As mentioned above, according to the illustrated embodiment, magazine 100 provides an automatic system for loading linkless ammunition A, which will be described in detail below.

[0079] As shown in FIGS. 7 to 16, frame 102 comprises a guide path 112 going through inlet 103 and outlet 105.

[0080] With particular reference to FIGS. 8 to 16, guide path 112 defines a closed path and a plurality of predetermined and successive stations P1, ..., Pn. A train of side-by-side pieces of ammunition A1, ... Am is configured for laterally sliding in an integral manner through stations P1, ..., Pn. In particular, guide path 112 lies in a plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of ammunition A and, more specifically, also substantially perpendicular to the firing axis of barrel 22. In the embodiment illustrated herein, ammunition train A1, Am consists of a number m of pieces of ammunition A arranged in succession.

[0081] In particular, as will be further clarified below, said stations P1, .... Pn Comprise:

[0082] a plurality of loading stations P1, ..., Pi, into each one of which a piece of ammunition A can be inserted through inlet 103, and

[0083] a feeding station Pj, from which a piece of ammunition A can be removed through outlet 105 towards weapon assembly 18.

[0084] In the illustrated embodiment, magazine 100 comprises a number i of successive loading stations P1, ..., Pi, starting from a first loading station designated as P1 up to a last loading station Pi.

[0085] Also, as shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, magazine 100 comprises a moving system 114 configured for laterally transporting ammunition train A1, ... Am along guide path 112 into a plurality of arrangements through stations P1, ..., Pn.

[0086] Preferably, as aforementioned, guide path 112 defines a closed path and is shaped substantially as a loop and / or a serpentine.

[0087] As shown in FIG. 7, moving system 114 comprises a movable chain structure 120, which can be moved supported by frame 102, and which is configured for carrying and pushing ammunition train A1, ... Am along guide path 112.

[0088] Moving system 114 further comprises a motor 117 (only visible in FIG. 5, in the form of its output shaft), e.g. an electric motor, configured for generating mechanical power to be supplied to movable chain structure 120, and a transmission mechanism, designated as a whole by numeral 119, configured for transferring the mechanical power generated by motor 117 to movable chain structure 120.

[0089] Referring back to FIG. 5, transmission mechanism 119 is configured to be operated by motor 117 to move movable chain structure 120 along guide path 112 in both travel directions. In particular, the travel directions comprise a feeding travel direction J and a loading travel direction K, opposite to each other.

[0090] Due to the possibility of reversing the direction of transfer of ammunition A between feeding travel direction J and loading travel direction K, magazine 100 can advantageously be loaded and unloaded through same inlet 103. Furthermore, it is also possible to look for and load any empty sections of movable chain structure 120.

[0091] Movable chain structure 120 is configured for receiving each piece of ammunition A and is supported by frame 102.

[0092] Preferably, frame 102 comprises a pair of support elements 115a-b (see, for example, FIGS. 3 to 6) situated on axially opposite sides. Each one of support elements 115a-b supports a respective chain of movable chain structure 120. More particularly, a front support element 115a supports a front chain (not shown) and, respectively, a back support element 115b supports a back chain (not shown).

[0093] In the illustrated embodiment, the front support element 115a is provided with a plurality of front gearwheels 121a acting as idler elements for the front chain, while back support element 115b is provided with a plurality of back gearwheels 121b acting as idler elements for the back chain.

[0094] In the illustrated embodiment, therefore, each piece of ammunition A to be contained in magazine 100 is configured to be inserted through inlet 103 situated at the top of frame 102 and received into movable chain structure 120.

[0095] It follows that, in the embodiment illustrated herein, when one or more pieces of ammunition A are to be inserted into loading stations P1, ..., Pi through inlet 103 of magazine 100, door 104 can be brought from a closed position to an open position. In the closed position, door 104 makes movable chain structure 120 inaccessible to an operator. Vice versa, in the open position, door 104 makes the movable chain structure 120 accessible to an operator, in particular through inlet 103. The operator will then insert piece of ammunition A from above. When movable chain structure 120 is moved, ammunition train A1, ..., Am associated therewith will be concordantly and integrally transported along guide path 112.

[0096] Motor 117 is of the bidirectional type and is configured for turning in a feeding direction and in a loading direction opposite to the feeding direction.

[0097] With reference to FIG. 7, when motor 117 (shown in FIG. 5) turns in the feeding direction, transmission mechanism 119 (shown in FIG. 5) moves chain structure 120 along guide path 112 in feeding travel direction J. Vice versa, when motor 117 turns in the loading direction, transmission mechanism 119 moves chain structure 120 along guide path 112 in loading travel direction K.

[0098] Transmission mechanism 119 is a gear reducer of a per se known type.

[0099] Motor 117 can be controlled either locally or remotely. In particular, motor 117 can be activated either in local mode, by means of a loading panel and / or a control panel provided on magazine 100 (e.g. installed on frame 102 or door 104) and manually operable by a user, or remotely through a management interface situated in a remote location and operable by a user.

[0100] With particular reference to FIG. 8, magazine 100 further comprises a feeding system 142 configured for feeding a piece of ammunition situated at feeding station Pj to weapon assembly 18 through outlet 105.

[0101] In the illustrated embodiment, moving system 114 is configured for integrally moving ammunition train A1, ... Am along guide path 112 each time into an arrangement which is offset by one adjacent station in, respectively, said loading travel direction K and said feeding travel direction J.

[0102] In particular, when movable chain structure 120 is moved along guide path 112 in feeding travel direction J, feeding system 142 forces a piece of ammunition A situated at feeding station Pj to go through outlet 105 towards weapon assembly 18 and prevents said piece of ammunition A from moving to adjacent station Pj+1.

[0103] Vice versa, when movable chain structure 120 is moved along guide path 112 in loading travel direction K, feeding system 142 mechanically prevents a piece of ammunition A situated at feeding station Pj from going through outlet 105 towards weapon assembly 18 and forces said piece of ammunition A to move to adjacent station Pj−1.

[0104] In the illustrated embodiment, feeding system 142 comprises a feeding star 144 co-operating with moving system 142. In particular, feeding star 144 is configured for rotating:

[0105] in a feeding rotation direction, wherein a piece of ammunition A situated at feeding station Pj is moved out through outlet 105 when moving system 142 is operated in feeding travel direction J, and

[0106] in a loading rotation direction, wherein a piece of ammunition A situated at feeding station Pj is moved from feeding station Pj to adjacent station Pj−1 when moving system 142 is operated in loading travel direction K.

[0107] In the illustrated embodiment, magazine 100 comprises a loading sensor 200 mounted in frame 102 and configured for detecting the presence of a piece of ammunition A at a first loading station P1, accessible through inlet 103. The first loading station P1 is the foremost loading station in loading travel direction K. In other words, the first loading station P1 is the one where a piece of ammunition A contained therein will go past inlet 103 before all other pieces of ammunition contained in the other loading stations P2, ..., Pi when moving system 114 is operated in loading travel direction K.

[0108] In the illustrated embodiment, magazine 100 comprises a feeding sensor 202 mounted in frame 102 and configured for detecting the presence of a piece of ammunition A at feeding station Pj.

[0109] In the illustrated embodiment, magazine 100 comprises an outlet sensor 204 mounted in frame 102 and configured for detecting the presence of a piece of ammunition A downstream of outlet 105, in particular in a loading hopper (not shown) situated upstream of the loading carrier (also not shown).

[0110] Magazine 100 further comprises a displacement transducer 206 configured for detecting any displacement of ammunition train A1, . . . Am into the arrangements that can be assumed along guide path 112.

[0111] In the illustrated embodiment, magazine 100 further comprises an input interface device, in particular a control panel 210, configured to be operated by an operator in order to receive control information.

[0112] In addition, magazine 100 comprises a control system 208 configured for controlling moving system 114 as a function of the detections of sensors 200, 202, 204 and of the displacement transducer 206, and as a function of the control information supplied by said input interface device 210.

[0113] Preferably, loading sensor 200 and / or feeding sensor 202 and / or outlet sensor 204 are proximity sensors configured for detecting the presence of a piece of ammunition A at respective loading station Pi, at respective feeding station Pj, and in the respective position downstream of outlet 105 (e.g. in the loading hopper located upstream of the loading carrier).

[0114] Preferably, displacement transducer 206 comprises an encoder, e. g. an angular encoder. In the illustrated embodiment, displacement transducer 206 is associated with feeding system 142; for example, displacement transducer 206 comprises an angular encoder associated with feeding star 144. In particular, the angular encoder is configured for detecting every angular rotation made by feeding star 144 in the feeding rotation direction and in the loading rotation direction. Control system 208 is configured for obtaining the arrangement of ammunition train A1, ..., Am contained in stations P1, . . . Pn of magazine 100 as a function of the number of rotations made by feeding star 144 in the feeding rotation direction and in the loading rotation direction and detected by the angular encoder.

[0115] Furthermore, control panel 210 is configured for entering loading data representative of ammunition A introduced into frame 102 through inlet 103. In addition, control panel 210 is configured for supplying said loading data to control system 208. In particular, the loading data are representative of the quantity and / or type of ammunition A introduced into frame 102.

[0116] In the illustrated embodiment, control panel 210 is situated on top of magazine 100, in particular on door 104. With reference to FIGS. 9 to 16, the following will describe some exemplary embodiments of a method for controlling magazine 100. In particular, the method envisages the steps of:

[0117] a) obtaining control information from control panel 210;

[0118] b) obtaining detections from one or more of loading sensor 200, feeding sensor 202, outlet sensor 204, and displacement transducer 206; and

[0119] c) controlling moving system 114 to move ammunition train A1, ... Am along guide path 112 in, respectively, loading travel direction K and feeding travel direction J as a function of the control information and the detections.

[0120] In FIG. 9, magazine 100 is shown in a phase of reloading ammunition A.

[0121] During said reloading phase, after step a), in which an operator has transmitted to control system 208, via control panel 210, control information comprising a loading command, in step c) moving system 114 is controlled by control system 208 according to the loading command. In more detail, moving system 114 integrally moves ammunition train A1, ..., Am in loading travel direction K into an arrangement in which tail ammunition Am of ammunition train A1, ..., Am is at adjacent station Pn ahead of loading station P1 in loading travel direction K. In the illustrated embodiment, tail ammunition Am is that piece of ammunition of ammunition train A1, . . . Am which is in the rearmost position (last ammunition) in loading travel direction K; vice versa, head ammunition A1 is that piece of ammunition of ammunition train A1, . . . , Am which is in the foremost position (first ammunition) in loading travel direction K.

[0122] Preferably, in the reloading phase, step c) comprises a first loading sub-step c1), in which said moving system 114 moves ammunition train A1, ... Am into an arrangement in which head A1 is at first loading station P1 as a function of the detections of displacement transducer 206 in loading travel direction K. In particular, the angular encoder in the displacement transducer detects the rotations imparted by moving system 114 to feeding star 144 of feeding system 142; based on the detections of the angular encoder, control system 208 determines the station, among various stations P1, ..., Pn, Where head ammunition A1 of ammunition train A1, ..., Am is located.

[0123] More preferably, in the reloading phase, step c) comprises also a second loading sub-step c2), subsequent to the first loading sub-step c1). In the second loading sub-step c2), moving system 114 moves ammunition train A1, ... Am in loading travel direction K whenever loading sensor 200 detects, in the arrangement assumed by ammunition train A1, ... Am, the presence of a piece of ammunition A at the first loading station P1. In particular, every movement made by moving system 114 brings ammunition train A1, ..., Am into a new arrangement, offset forwards by one station in loading travel direction K; this movement is repeated until loading sensor 200 detects the absence of a piece of ammunition A at loading station P1, so that ammunition train A has its tail Am correctly positioned at adjacent station Pn. Therefore, additional ammunition A can be loaded, through inlet 103, into loading stations P1, ..., Pi, which will now be empty—after tail Am. This is the condition shown in FIG. 9.

[0124] In FIGS. 10 and 11, the magazine is shown as it executes a sequence of operations during a phase of feeding ammunition A to weapon assembly 18.

[0125] During said feeding phase, after step a), in which an operator has transmitted to control system 208, via control panel 210, control information comprising a feeding command, in step c) moving system 114 is controlled by control system 208 according to the feeding command. In more detail, moving system 114 integrally moves ammunition train A1, ..., Am into an arrangement in which tail ammunition Am of ammunition train A1, ..., Am is picked up and moved past the outlet.

[0126] FIG. 10 shows a prefilling sub-phase of the feeding phase.

[0127] During said prefilling phase, step C) comprises a first prefilling sub-step c3), in which moving system 114 integrally moves ammunition train A1, ... Am in loading travel direction K into an arrangement in which head ammunition A1 in loading travel is at feeding station Pj as a function of the detections of displacement transducer 206.

[0128] In addition, in the prefilling sub-phase, step c) further comprises a second prefilling sub-step c4), subsequent to the first prefilling sub-step c3). In the second prefilling sub-step c4), moving system 114 moves ammunition train A1, . . . , Am in loading travel direction K whenever feeding sensor 202 detects, in the arrangement assumed by ammunition train A1, ..., Am, the presence of a piece of ammunition A at feeding station Pj. This movement is repeated until the loading sensor 200 detects the absence of a piece of ammunition at the feeding station Pj. i.e. when the ammunition train A1, ..., Am has its tail ammunition Am positioned at the next station Pj−1 ahead of the feeding station Pj in the loading travel direction.

[0129] In addition, in the prefilling phase, step c) further comprises a third prefilling sub-step c5), subsequent to the second prefilling sub-step c4). In the third prefilling sub-step c5), moving system 114 moves ammunition train A1, ... Am in feeding travel direction J when the feeding sensor 202 detects the absence of a piece of ammunition A at feeding station Pj. Ammunition train A1, ... Am will thus have its tail ammunition Am properly positioned at feeding station Pj, ready for the next sub-step. This is the condition shown in FIG. 10, in which no piece of ammunition A is picked up by feeding star 144, since feeding station Pj is empty during the movement of ammunition train A1, ..., Am in feeding travel direction J.

[0130] FIG. 11 shows a filling sub-phase of the feeding phase.

[0131] In this filling sub-phase, step c) comprises a filling sub-step c6), subsequent to the third prefilling step c5). In the filling sub-step c6), moving system 114 moves ammunition train A1, ... Am in feeding travel direction J when feeding sensor 202 detects the presence of a piece of ammunition A at feeding station Pj and outlet sensor 204 detects the absence of a piece of ammunition A downstream of outlet 105. If outlet sensor 204 detects the presence of a piece of ammunition A downstream of outlet 105, the filling phase ends with the prefilling sub-step. If, on the contrary, outlet sensor 204 does not detect the presence of a piece of ammunition A downstream of outlet 105, moving system 114 effects a displacement that causes tail ammunition Am to be picked up by feeding star 144 and moved through outlet 105 downstream of the magazine, in particular into the loading hopper and towards the loading carrier. This is the condition shown in FIG. 11.

[0132] Preferably, control system 208 allows for “multi-feeding” management of magazine 100, i.e. the possibility of loading a plurality of different types of ammunition into the magazine. In the embodiment illustrated herein, magazine 100 is controlled by control system 208 in “dual-feeding” mode, i.e. it is configured for loading into magazine 100 and feeding to weapon assembly 18 a first type of ammunition A1 and a second type of ammunition A2.

[0133] Some phases of the method for controlling magazine 100 in “dual-feeding” mode are illustrated by way of example in FIGS. 12 to 16.

[0134] In the illustrated embodiment, “multi-feeding” management is provided through the definition of a plurality of sectors, each one being programmable from control panel 210 and being associated with a respective ammunition train. In particular, there is a first sector S1, associated with a first train of m pieces of ammunition A11, ..., A1m (of the first type A1), and a second sector S2, associated with a second train of p pieces of ammunition A21, ..., A2p (of the second type A2).

[0135] In brief, based on the data entered by an operator through control panel 210 and the detections made by the angular encoder in displacement transducer 206, during a phase of configuring magazine 100 control system 208 stores the stations where head ammunition A11 of the first ammunition train A11, ... , A1m and, respectively head ammunition A21 of the second ammunition train A21, ..., A2p have been initially positioned. In particular, the first sector S1 starts from head ammunition A11 of the first ammunition train A11, ..., A1m and ends immediately before head ammunition A21 of the second ammunition train A21, ..., A2p. Vice versa, the second sector starts from head ammunition A21 of the second ammunition train A21, . . . , A2p and ends immediately before head ammunition A11 of the first ammunition train A11, ..., A1m.

[0136] Furthermore, thanks to the detections made by the angular encoder, control system 208 can identify the stations where head ammunition A11 and head ammunition A21 are located—and hence the positions of the associated sectors S1 and S2—in the various arrangements into which ammunition trains A11, ..., A1m are brought by moving system 114.

[0137] In “dual-feeding” mode, when the operator operates control panel 210, e.g. in order to activate the reloading phase and / or the feeding phase, said operator also selects the ammunition type (choosing between the first type A1 and the second type A2) to be (re) loaded and / or fed. According to the selection between ammunition types A1, A2 made by the operator, control system 208 will control moving system 114 to initially bring either head ammunition A11 of the first ammunition train A11, .... A1m or head ammunition A21 of the second ammunition train A21, ..., A2p to either loading station P1 (if the loading phase is being executed) or feeding station Pj (if the feeding phase is being executed). In order to move either head ammunition A11 or head ammunition A21 to the respective stations, control system 108 will control moving system 114 as a function of the detections made by the angular encoder. Subsequently, the same steps and sub-steps as previously described herein and illustrated in FIGS. 9 to 11 will be carried out in either sector S1 or sector S2, respectively.

[0138] By way of example, and for the sake of completeness, the drawings show the following:

[0139] FIG. 12 shows a phase of reloading the second type of ammunition A2;

[0140] FIG. 13 shows a prefilling sub-phase of a phase of feeding the second type of ammunition A2;

[0141] FIG. 14 shows a filling sub-phase of the phase of feeding the second type of ammunition A2;

[0142] FIG. 15 shows a prefilling sub-phase of a phase of feeding the first type of ammunition A1; and

[0143] FIG. 16 shows a filling sub-phase of the phase of feeding the first type of ammunition A1.

[0144] Of course, without prejudice to the principle of the invention, the forms of embodiment and the implementation details may be extensively varied from those described and illustrated herein by way of non-limiting example, without however departing from the scope of the invention as set out in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A magazine for an artillery installation said magazine comprising:a frame configured for internally housing a plurality of pieces of ammunition and comprisingan inlet configured for receiving said pieces of ammunition,an outlet configured for feeding said pieces of ammunition out of said frame to a weapon assembly of an artillery installation, anda guide path going through said inlet and said outlet, forming a closed path and defining a plurality of predetermined and successive stations through which at least one train of side-by-side pieces of ammunition is configured for laterally sliding in an integral manner; said stations comprisinga loading station where a piece of ammunition is insertable through said inlet;a feeding station from which a piece of ammunition is removable through said outlet towards said weapon assembly;a moving system configured for integrally moving said at least one ammunition train laterally along said guide path into a plurality of arrangements through said stations;a feeding system configured for feeding a piece of ammunition situated at said feeding station to said weapon assembly through said outlet;a loading sensor configured for detecting presence of a piece of ammunition at said at least one loading station;a feeding sensor configured for detecting the presence of a piece of ammunition at said feeding station;an outlet sensor configured for detecting the presence of a piece of ammunition downstream of said outlet;a displacement transducer configured for detecting displacement of said ammunition train into the arrangements along said guide path;an input interface device configured to be operated by an operator to receive control information;a control system configured for controlling said moving system as a function of detections of said sensors and of said displacement transducer, and as a function of the control information supplied by said input interface device.

2. Magazine according to claim 1, wherein the moving system is configured for integrally moving said at least one ammunition train along said guide path each time into an arrangement which is offset by one adjacent station in, respectively, a loading travel direction and a feeding travel direction, opposite to each other.

3. Magazine according to claim 2, wherein:in said loading travel direction said feeding system prevents a piece of ammunition situated at said feeding station from going through said outlet towards the weapon assembly and forces said piece of ammunition to move to the adjacent station, andin said feeding travel direction said feeding system forces a piece of ammunition situated at said feeding station to go through said outlet towards the weapon assembly, and prevents said piece of ammunition from moving to the adjacent station.

4. Magazine according to claim 2, comprising a plurality of side-by-side loading stations and wherein said loading sensor is configured for detecting the presence of a piece of ammunition at a first loading station situated in a position ahead in said loading travel direction.

5. Magazine according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said loading sensor said feeding sensor and said outlet sensor is a proximity sensor.

6. Magazine according to claim 1, wherein said displacement transducer comprises an encoder.

7. Magazine according to claim 6, wherein said encoder is an angular type of encoder.

8. Magazine according to claim 7, wherein said feeding system comprises a feeding star, and said encoder is configured for detecting the rotation of said feeding star.

9. Magazine according to claim 1, wherein said input interface device is configured for entering loading data representative of the ammunition introduced into said frame through said inlet and for supplying said loading data to said input interface device.

10. Magazine according to claim 9, wherein said loading data are representative of the quantity and / or type of ammunition introduced into said frame.

11. A method of controlling a magazine made in accordance with claim 1, comprising the following steps:a) obtaining control information from said input interface device;b) obtaining detections from at least one of said loading sensor, said feeding sensor, said outlet sensor, and said displacement transducer; andc) controlling said moving system to move said at least one ammunition train along said guide path in, respectively, said loading travel direction and said feeding travel direction as a function of said control information and said detections.

12. A method according to claim 11, wherein:in said step a), said control information comprises a loading command,in said step c), said moving system is controlled by said control system as a function of said loading command to integrally move said at least one ammunition train said loading travel direction into an arrangement in which the tail ammunition of said at least one ammunition train is at the adjacent station ahead of said loading station in said loading travel direction.

13. Method according to claim 12, wherein said step c) comprises a first loading sub-step ci), in which said moving system moves said at least one ammunition train into an arrangement in which the head ammunition is at said loading station as a function of the detections of said displacement transducer in said loading travel direction.

14. Method according to claim 13, wherein said step c) further comprises a second loading sub-step 02), subsequent to said first loading sub-step ci), and in which said moving system moves said at least one ammunition train, in said loading travel direction whenever said loading sensor detects, in the arrangement assumed by said at least one ammunition train the presence of a piece of ammunition at said loading station.

15. A method according to claim 11, wherein:in said step a), said control information comprises a feeding command, andin said step c), said moving system is controlled by said control system as a function of said feeding command to integrally move said at least one ammunition train into an arrangement in which the tail ammunition of said at least one ammunition train is picked up and moved past said outlet.

16. Method according to claim 15, wherein said step c) comprises a first prefilling sub-step C3), in which said moving system integrally moves said at least one ammunition train in said loading travel direction into an arrangement in which the head ammunition is at said feeding station as a function of the detections of said displacement transducer.

17. Method according to claim 16, wherein said step c) comprises a second prefilling sub-step C4), subsequent to said first prefilling sub-step C3), and in which said moving system moves said at least one ammunition train in said loading travel direction whenever said feeding sensor detects, in the arrangement assumed by said at least one ammunition train, the presence of a piece of ammunition at said loading station.

18. Method according to claim 17, wherein said step c) comprises a third prefilling sub-step cs), subsequent to said second prefilling sub-step C4), and in which said moving system moves said at least one ammunition train in said feeding travel direction when said feeding sensor detects an absence of a piece of ammunition at said feeding station.

19. Method according to claim 18, wherein said step c) comprises a filling sub-step cs, subsequent to said third prefilling step and in which said moving system moves said at least one ammunition train in said feeding travel direction when said feeding sensor detects the presence of a piece of ammunition at said feeding station and said outlet sensor detects the absence of a piece of ammunition downstream of said outlet.

20. Method according to claim 1, wherein in said step c) said moving system moves a plurality of ammunition trains each one of the plurality of ammunition trains defining a respective sector and comprising a type of ammunition which is different from a type of ammunition of an other ammunition train.

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