Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Ammunition Conveying Chain Belt
The invention relates to an ammunition conveying chain belt with case, for
example for
loading and unloading the on-board reloading device of an aircraft cannon,
with case
elements that are hinged to each other, in which in each case a section of a
guide rail for
guiding a continuous chain belt is arranged, said continuous chain belt
consisting of
cartridge holders hinged to each other (generic term of Claim 1 ).
Airborne cannon systems in modern combat aircraft are preferably equipped with
a
mechanized reloading device. These reloading devices also hold the cartridges
wluch for
some reason could not be fred, for example misllred cartridges, and in
particular the
shells of f red cartridges,
Such reloading devices are very extensive and due to the spatial narrowness in
the
airplane are especially adapted to said airplane and fixed thereto. Thus they
carrot, be
immediately removed and replaced by new, full magazines, as is the case for
example
with the magazines of anti-aircraft guns.
For die loading and unloading of such reloading devices one uses a loading
device which
is connected on the one hand to a ground launched supply or storeroom and an
the other
hand is connected to the reloading device in the airplane. This loading device
exlubits a
conveying chain belt which forms a loop and is activated, which for example
can take
place by means of the activation of the reloading device in the airplane.
Since the transfer
of the cartridges between the reloading device and the conveying chain belt
must take
place rapidly and free of disturbance, the conveying chain belt must be
brought to the
reloading device.
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A transfer station on the airplane simultaneously handles the removal of empty
or
unusable cartridges and the feeding of new, full cartridges.
In order to optimize as much as possible the use of the airplane, it is now
necessary to
keep the transfer times as short as possible.
The conveying chain belt is normally enclosed by a case which in cooperation
with this
conveying chain belt guarantees a secure guiding of the cartridges, but also
protects the
cartridges from atmospheric exposure and contact.
Since the conveying chain belt and the case must be adapted to the spatial
narrowness
and height differences between the aircraft and the ground launched ammunition
supply,
both are as a rule flexibly constructed. In this connection the individual
case elements are
joined to one another by chain-like links. These case elements exhibit guides
in the
interior which hold a conveying chain belt for the cartridges. The guides of
the individual
case elements are also joined to one another by chain-like links. The case
elements of the
chain strand running back and forth are fastened to one another in pairs, in
order in this
way to compensate vibrations that are all too great and in this way to reduce
the
vibrations.
All in all, such a chain with its case is a very complicated device with many
connecting
parts between the individual case elements. As a rule the case elements
exhibit a track
section of the guide of the chain, and the track sections and case elements
adjoining each
otter are fastened to each other by a number of chain links in such a way that
the
guidance of the chain is guaranteed without points of discontinuity, while the
adjacent
case elements can be partially moved toward each other.
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Consequently the entire chain with case is rather costly, the possibilities
for damage are
great and the repair of the chain with case is tedious and expensive.
Proceeding from this problem, it is the object of the invention to simplify
the known
chain with case that has just been described.
In particular, a chain with case is to be formed which exhibits few parts;
said parts which
can be cheaply produced out of plastic for example in die casting.
This problem is generally solved by further developing the initially mentioned
ammunition conveying chain belt with case by the fact that
- two case elements adjacent to one another are connected by means of two
pivoting
parts which can both be pivoted in opposition to one another around a common
swiveling
axis and
- the two pivoting parts of a case element are connected with a section of the
guide rail,
which extends essentially from one swiveling axis to the next, wherein a
curved section
of the guide rail is assigned to the linked pivoting parts.
Instead of the many connecting links wluch connect case elements of known
devices to
each other, the inventive adjacent case parts are only connected by a link to
a swiveling
axis, wluch extends transversely to the running direction of the chain. The
guide for the
conveying chain belt is formed by a guide rail which extends in sections from
a swiveling
axis of a case element as a rule in a straight line to the other swiveling
axis of the same
case element. Consequently the middle lines of two adjacent sections of the
guide rails
collide at the swiveling axes in such a way that a polygonal course of
sections of the
guide rails results, in which the link forms a deflection.
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EP 0 335 530 A1 shows only a case, but no guide rail, and instead of a
continuous
chain belt, an MG belt is mentioned, which however for its part is not guided
in
the case or is only guided via the cartridges.
CH 673 335 A5 shows a case with a guiding groove in which a continuous belt is
guided. The sections of the guide groove are however not connected via curve
sections, which are seated on the joined pivoting parts, but rather end at
gaps
which the continuous chain belt must while the pivoting parts are seated on
the
exterior of the case elements, thus away from the guiding groove.
It is basically possible to produce the case elements out of a suitable metal,
for
example aluminum sheet, and to produce the sections of the guide rail out of
another material, such as brass, and then assemble these components into one
part, e.g. to rivet them. In this way every part can be optimized by the
material.
However, it is preferred to have at least one part of the case elements be
constructed in a single piece with the associated section of the guide rail
and the
pivoting parts and preferably be constructed of plastic or reinforced plastic
(Claim
2). In this way the advantage of the independent material selection is
abandoned,
but the advantage is gained that the case elements and the sections of the
guide
rail are produced in a single piece and in this way cannot loosen even after
the
longest operation. Moreover, the cost-effective production out of plastic is
possible. If an error occurs, the entire plastic part is simply replaced.
Repair is
consequently simple and cheap. The plastic parts can for example come supplied
with the ammunition, say a part of a specified number of ammunition boxes, so
that a separation supply route for these cheap plastic parts does not have to
be
created, but rather over the
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4a
course of time a certain reserve of replacement parts made of plastic
accumulates
in every place where aircraft are loaded, said reserve being sufficient in the
case of
a malfunction.
There are many possible constructions of the link of the sections of the guide
rails
which extend in a polygonal course through the case elements. However, it is
preferred that the one pivoting part of a case element form a disk, while the
other
pivoting part of the same pivoting part forms a complementary recess, and that
both case parts be penetrated in the center by a bolt which extends
transversely to
the guide rail (Claim 3). The arrangement of the bolt occurs where those
forces are
greatest, W~'11C~'1 Seep tn tear anart the sentinn~
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of the guide rail. The bolt can therefore absorb these forces.
The two pivoting parts can form the guide between two sections in the
deflection of the
guide rail. However, it is preferable to have the bolt exhibit a head that is
at least partially
circular, said head forming a link of the guide rail {Claim 4}. This head has
of necessity at
least the diameter of the guide rail and must absorb the forces during the
deflecting of the
chain, to be more precise, every time when a chain link is deflected, it runs
into the bolt
head. Hence an unusually high load takes place there, so that it is practical
to use a
special material here. However, a separate component is not necessary, but
rather the bolt
is constructed as a link, which must exhibit a considerable hardness anyway.
For this purpose it would be possible to use a reinforced plastic or an alloy
as material for
the bolt. However, in accordance with the invention it is preferred to have
the bolt consist
of metal, preferably steel. (Claim 5}. In this way a relatively heavy
component results,
wluch is basically disadvantageous, but the bolt has only a restricted size,
but can be
correspondingly processed for example by means of heat treatment {e.g. by
means of
carburizing) and can by means of a surface coating, for example by means of
phosphatizing, be particularly smooth, so that it promotes the gliding motion
of the chain
links.
The bait can be separately allocated to any guide rail. In tlus way it is
possible to guide
the forward and backward running strand of the continuous chain on different
paths. Thus
it would for example be possible to travel to several stations, for example to
remove
empty cartridge shells, to remove misfired cartridges, to remove full
cartridges that are
still intact and to get new cartridges. However, it is preferred that the bolt
connect two
case elements
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6
to each other, said case elements belonging to the forward and backward
running strand
of the continuous chain belt and preferably is constructed in two pieces
(Claim 6).
In this way the continuous chain connects the aircraft and a ground station,
in which the
further use of the unloaded cartridges and cartridge shells and the feeding of
new
cartridges are organized, to the two strands, wlvch follow the same path. At
the same
time one bolt suffices for two case elements each, to be precise, one bolt
suffices for the
case element of the forward and the backward running strands, wherein both
strands
mutually support each other. Hence a simple and therewith sold and reliable,
but
lightweight ammunition conveying chain belt results.
It is basically possible to construct these mentioned case elements that are
firmly
connected to one another in one piece. However, it is more practical when each
case
element is constructed separately from the other element, since then the
assembly is
simplified because the case elements can be constructed as small and
lightweight as
possible. Moreover, a partition is necessary between the two strands of the
continuous
chain belt anyway, in order to prevent interference in a part of this chain
traveling in the
apposite direction in the event of a loose cartridge or cartridge shell. In
addition it toms
out to be practical that a part of the bolt lying between the two case
elements exhibits a
seat for guiding a function element (Claim 7). This function element can be a
simple
reinforcement, but can also be used to perform significant functions, wherein
this
function element is particularly protected from access from the outside.
Such function elements are for example communications lines which coordinate
the fill
and empty status of the aircraft with the ground launched supply device.
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7
However, it has proved to be especially advantageous when the continuous chain
belt is
connected at least at the two transitions between the forward and backward
moving
strand to a drive, and that the drives are connected by means of a flexible
shaft wl>ich
forms the function element (Claim 8). By means of this flexible shaft the
strictly
synchronous running of all drive units of the continuous chain belt is
guaranteed, which
prevents the build-up of vibrations in the chain, which otherwise in the case
of driving
from only a single place would be almost unavoidable.
On the one hand, the accommodation of this flexible sliaft in tile middle of
the
ammunition conveying chain belt protects this shaft. However, on the other
hand, it also
gives the ammunition conveying chain belt a certain rigidity wluch prevents
case
elements adjacent to one another from moving too drastically to one another.
Thus the
secure, reliable function of the ammunition conveying chain belt is
guaranteed.
A conventional continuous conveying chain belt consists of metal clips which
are
connected to each other by means of several wire straps and wluch bear a guide
on the
rear side, by means of which they are guided within the case elements. In
accordance
with the invention, however; it is preferred that the continuous chain belt
consist of
single-piece, equally shaped plastic elements for the holding of one cartridge
each, said
plastic elements which are connected to each other along connection axles
which extend
at a right angle to the course of the continuous chain belt (Claim 9). These
plastic
elements can be produced simply and cheaply. If they are damaged, their
regIacement is
cheaper than their repair. Connection axles are used in the process, instead
of several wire
straps, which increases the stability and simplicity of the continuous chain
belt.
These connection axles can be produced out of plastic. However, it is
preferred that the
connection axles are constructed as cylindrical pins made of metal or wire
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(Claim 10). Thus the connection axles can also be produced cheaply, but have a
superior
strength with a small diameter.
Since the connection axles are simple cylindrical pins, production as yard
goods is also
conceivable. Then an axle is deflected in the desired lengW if necessary from
an extruded
rod.
Since the plastic elements must move freely against one another to a certain
degree, but
are supposed to be constructed in a single piece out of plastic, in accordance
with an
embodiment of the invention it is proposed that the connection axles be seated
in two
fitted bore holes aligned with each other, which are constructed in two
projections spaced
apart on the one side of each plastic element, and that on the other side of
each plastic
element a single projection is constructed which is held with clearance
between the
projections of the adjacent plastic element and which is penetrated by a
clearance bore
hole (Claim 11). The spaced apart projections hold the axle perfectly on both
sides and
lock it in, as a result of which its bending strengdl is favorably influenced.
The projection
lying in between on the other hand due to its tolerances permits the angular
screwing
down of the adjacent plastic elements. Since this simple connection permits
relatively
great radii of the connection axles, wear of any consequence is hardly to be
reckoned
with. However, even if wear should occur, replacement of all involved elements
can be
accomplished easily and cheaply without further ado.
In order to convey fine cartridges as gently as possible, in accordance with a
further
embodiment of the invention the plastic elements can be constructed as oblong
attachment recesses for one cartridge each, wherein on the convex side of this
recess a
formation similar to a dovetail is provided which encompasses a rail piece
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which is constructed in a single piece on the interior side of each case
element, wherein
the heads of fine bolts are flush with the rail piece (Claim h2). In this
connection the
guidance of the continuous chain belt into the case elements is guaranteed in
simple
fashion, but reliably.
An embodiment of the invention will be described with the help of the attached
drawing.
The figures in the drawing show the following:
Figure 1 shows the upper end of an inventive loading device,
Figure 2 shows the case elements of the loading device in forward oblique
picture,
Figure 3 shows a section of the loading device in cross-section,
Figure 4 shows a part of the conveying chain belt with cartridges and
Figure 5 shows a schematic longitudinal section through a series of case
elements whose
direction changes from one element to the next.
The figures show only one embodiment. This should in no way restrict the scope
of the
invention. Rather, other embodiments are also possible.
In all of the figures the same reference characters are used throughout for
the same
elements.
In Figuxe 1 parts of ammunition conveying chain belt 35 with a flexible case 1
are shown,
said ammunition conveying chain belt connecting a reloading device in the
interior of the
aircraft for a machine gun to an ammunition device for said machine gun on the
ground
(both not shown). Ammunition conveying chain belt 35 and case 1 are parts of a
loading
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device 3, which accordingly leads from the ground to the aircraft. One part of
the
conveying chain belt 35 has been left out in order to permit a view of other
elements.
This loading device 3 exlibits a forniable section 5 within which a conveying
chain belt
35 for the cartridges or cartridge shells circulates, said conveying chain
belt being
conveyed from the ground to the aircraft and vice versa.
On the aircraft-side, upper end of the formable section 5 there is an aircraft
delivery
conveyor device 7 at which the conveying chain belt is driven.
This delivery conveyor device 7 exhibits a drive device 9 on the side turned
away from
the viewer, said drive device being driven by a cardan axle 47 and which, via
a
transmission and gear wheels, which are seated at the exterior of the delivery
conveyor
device 7, drives a drive shaft 45.
Tlis drive shaft 45 pivoted on both sides in the delivery conveyor device 7
carries a star
wheel 43 adapted to rotate in unison, which engages impulsively in the
conveyor chain
belt 35.
A section of tlis continuous conveyor chain belt 35 is shown in Figure 4. It
exhibits
oblong, trough-shaped chain links 31 connected to one another, said chain
links which
have a bolt piece 37 on the one shell side wlich engages with clearance in a
nut section
39 of the adjacent chain link 31.
The bolt piece 37 and nut section 39 are penetrated by a connection pin 49,
which is
seated in the nut section 39 without clearance and which penetrates the bolt
piece 37 with
clearance. Due to the clearance which the bolt piece 37 exhibits with regard
to the nut
section 39 and the connection pin 49, a certain tilting movement between
adjacent chain
links 31 is permitted.
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Each chain link 31 further exhibits an encompassing formation 51 on its convex
side,
which encompasses rail pieces 27, which cooperate within each part of the two-
piece case
1 at the formation of a continuous rail (see Figure 2).
Further the convex part of every chain link 31 exhibits a semicircular guiding
groove 53
at its end lying in the middle of the case 1.
The chain links 31 are preferably produced out of plastic in one piece, e.g.
cast. The
connection pin 49 consists of metal and is fastened by means of a lock washer
(not
shown) on the nut section 39.
The conveying chain belt 3S runs with the encompassing formations 51 of each
chain link
31 on the rail of a case part until it reaches the delivery conveyor device 7,
then runs
within stationary guides up to the star wheel 43, is by said star wheel 43 in
the guiding
grooves 53 and rotates by 1$0° and then runs with the encompassing
formations 51 of
every chain link 31 back on the rail in the other part of the case 1.
The ground delivery conveyor device 7 (not shown) is set up in similar
fashion.
Since the case 1 is flexible and since the conveying chain belt 35 can be
farmed not just
around the connection pins, but rather also can be formed in transverse
direction, it
becomes obvious that neither the roller conveyor has to be completely level,
nor does the
ammunition device to which the loading device 3 is fastened have to be
precisely
positioned every time with regard to the aircraft. Since the loading of
ammunition must
be performed as rapidly as possible,
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accordingly there is no time for a precise setting of the ammunition device.
These
requirements can be fulfilled by means of a flexible loading device 3.
The formable section 5 of the loading device 3 is enlarged in Figure 3 and is
shown in
cross-section. The formable section 5 can namely be formed in limited fashion,
while the
two delivery conveyor devices 7 have a rigid case in which the ends of the
conveying
chain belt circulate. This formable section 5 is shown in detail in Figures 2,
3 and 5.
In Figure 3 three case elements 11 made of plastic can be seen. Each of these
case
elements 1 i forms a short section of a tube with a roughly rectangular cross-
section, as
can be seen in particular in Figure 1 or 2. A series of such case elements 11
are joined to
one another in order to form a tubular, bendable case along which a conveying
chain belt
35 with ammunition 33 (Figure 4) runs. Each of these case elements 11 is
fastened on the
adjacent case element 11, with which it forms a tube, by means of a link, said
link
consisting of a pivoting part 21 which projects roughly like a circular plate
from the side
wall of a case element and which covers a complementary pivoting part 23,
which is
constructed on the adjacent case element 1 I (see Figure 5).
The two circular plate-shaped case parts 21, 23 are joined by a bolt 29 (see
Figure 3)
centered to them. Thus both case elements 11 can be counter-rotated in hinge-
like fashion
around the bolt 29. The bolt 29 is extended and farms the swiveling axis of
two case
elements 1 I, which form fine first case tube and the second case tube, which
is parallel to
the first one. Both case tubes are consequently fastened to one another by
means of the
bolt 29 and together form the case 1.
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Within each case element I 1 the bolt 29 forms an enlarged bolt head 25, which
holds the
Link 21, 23 together and exlubits a diameter which in each case element 11 is
continued
through a rail piece 27. The rail piece 27 and the pivoting parts 21, 23 are
produced out of
plastic in one piece with the case element 11.
The long surfaces of the case element 11 taper to their ends, so that the case
elements 11
which are fastened to each other by means of a joint link 21, 23, can rotate
towards each
other and away from each other (see Figure 5). Further each case element 11
exhibits at
its long surfaces, protruding to the adjacent case element 11, a center
boundary strip 13
and a lateral boundary strip 15. Each of these boundary strips 13, 15 engages
with a
certain clearance in an associated recess 17 (Figure 2) in the adjacent case
element I l, so
that the tilting movement around an axis which runs at a right angle to the
bolt 29 is
limited. In this way a noteworthy angle with regard to an axis is prevented
from
developing at the Location of a bolt head 25 between two adjoining rail pieces
27, said
axis which is standing vertically on the axis of the bolt 29, because the
engagement of the
limiting strips 13, 15 in the corresponding recesses 17 severely restricts the
lateral
shifting of two adjacent case elements 11.
As mentioned above, the two flexible tubes wlich are each formed by case
elements 11
and which hold the forward and backward running strand of the conveying chain
belt 35
are fastened to each other by the bolts 29, wlich form the swiveling axes of
two adjacent
case elements 11 of a tubular case part. Between the adjacent case elements I
1 of a case
part the bolt 29 forms a concentrated distance section 59, which exhibits a
cross hole 61,
whose axis runs parallel to the axis of the case sections 1 I .
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A flexible shaft 41 (see Figure 1 ) is passed through the bore holes 6I of
these distance
sections 59, by means of which a star wheel is driven in the ground delivery
conveyor
device 7. Tlus star wheel is constructed like the star wheel 43, engages with
its radial
fingers between two chain links 3 J and therewith drives the conveyor chain
belt 35
additionally to the star wheel 43. Mare than two star wheels can also be
positioned. More
than two of the star wheels can be driven by dle outer cardan axle 47, which
can be
constructed as a cardan shaft, because the cyclical speed shifts as a result
of angles
between the different feeding places are compensated by the inherent
flexibility of the
conveying chain belt 35. The arch of the chain links 31 permits a limited
extension of the
individual chain Iinlcs 31.
one or more star wheels 43 fihat are constructed differently than the star
wheel 43 can
also be arranged along the conveying chain belt 35 and can engage in the even
running
conveying chain belt 35 to its drive.
