Abstract: A feature of this invention is the provision of an ignition mechanism for a main combustion chamber including an ignition antechamber having a first cross-sectional area, an electrode, and an inlet port for liquid propellant; a conduit having a length over diameter ratio greater than one, a second cross-sectional area which is less than said first area, and an inlet which opens into said ignition antechamber and an outlet which opens through an orifice into said main combustion chamber.

Abstract: To inhibit potentially damaging cold startup of a hydrostatic unit in a vehicle transmission, a portion of the makeup fluid pump to the hydraulic pump and motor loop circuit of the hydrostatic unit is directed through a branch line including a viscosity insensitive, flow regulating fluidic element and a viscosity sensitive fluidic element. The latter element develops a fluidic signal varying as a function of fluid viscosity, which is utilized to control a valve to prevent over-pressurization of the loop circuit and to control a transmission controller to condition the transmission to neutral until the hydraulic fluid warms to a safe operating viscosity.

Abstract: This invention provides an annular piston, annular control valve, liquid propellant gun system, having a dual angle injection mechanism to provide both bore and chamber gas requirements with a single injection control valve. The dual angle feature assures a stable combustion zone. A flexible lip on the projectile is used in conjunction with the dual angle injection mechanism to positively eliminate backflow of propellant through the injection mechanism during the ignition phase of the gun cycle.

Abstract: A feature of this invention is the provision in an annular piston, annular control valve, liquid propellant gun, of a check valve to permit liquid propellant under relatively low pressure to flow from the supply system into the combustion chamber and to preclude the pulse of pressure generated in the combustion chamber from feeding back to the supply system. This valve allows propellant to be removed automatically from the pumping chamber in the event of a misfire.Another feature of this invention is the provision in an annular piston, annular control valve, liquid propellant gun of a frangible stem which secures the projectile to the cartridge case. The stem breaks to release the projectile for travel down the gun bore when a predetermined level of combustion gas pressure has been developed in the combustion chamber.

Abstract: A gun is provided having a housing, a main gun barrel, a combustion chamber, a liquid propellant pumping chamber, and valve means for providing a variable orifice injection port intercoupling said pumping and combustion chambers which includes means for controlling the rate of opening of the orifice during the period of injection.

Abstract: This invention provides an annular piston, annular control valve, liquid propellant gun system, having a dual angle injection mechanism to provide both bore and chamber gas requirements with a single injection control valve. The dual angle feature assures a stable combustion zone. A flexible lip on the projectile is used in conjunction with the dual angle injection mechanism to positively eliminate backflow of propellant through the injection mechanism during the ignition phase of the gun cycle.

Abstract: This invention provides a liquid propellant round of ammunition having a traveling charge which is ignited after both such charge and the projectile have received an initial forward acceleration.

Abstract: A liquid propellant gun system has an annular differential piston journaled for telescopic movement with respect to an annular control valve and to the chamber of the firing bore; uses the piston, the valve and the projectile as valve means for controlling the injection of liquid propellant into the combustion chamber of the gun system; uses a displacement type control means to limit the rate of the loading of liquid propellant and to provide a positive evacuation of misfired liquid propellant from the combustion chamber; and incorporates a vernier control circuit to give direct control over the performance of the gun.

Abstract: A gun system is provided which includes a Gatling type gun; a barrel cluster having a torque assist device and coupled to a hydraulic starting subsystem to provide initial acceleration, rotational velocity control, braking and reverse clearing of the gun; and a gun gas drive to provide steady-state energy for rotation of the barrel cluster.

Abstract: To improve the performance and life of a charging current-conducting commutating switch in an inductor storage-type electromagnetic launcher, the energy expended in propelling a mass through a breech rail gun section at a high velocity is utilized to generate a current in the breech section rails which flows through the commutating switch in opposition to the inductor charging current. The switch is opened in coordination with the movement of the mass through the launcher with little or no arcing when the current therethrough has been depressed to a minimal level to commutate inductor discharging current into the rails of a longitudinally aligned launch rail gun section of the launcher to accelerate the mass therethrough to a high exit velocity.

Abstract: A gun system is provided which includes a Gatling type gun having a housing with a ring gear, a rotor with a cluster of gun barrels, a gun gas drive mechanism with a cylinder, a piston, and a crank with a pinion meshed with the ring gear.

Abstract: To guide a cam follower through the intersection of crossing portions of a cam track, a crossover mechanism is provided with a pair of crossover cam members which are separately, telescopically reciprocated to momentarily insert cam segments into the intersection in properly timed relation with the arrival thereat of the cam follower in its movement along either of the crossing track portions.

Abstract: A liquid propellant gun system has an annular differential piston journaled for telescopic movement with respect to an annular control valve and to the chamber of the firing bore; uses the piston, the valve and the projectile as valve means for controlling the injection of liquid propellant into the combustion chamber of the gun system; uses a displacement type control means to limit the rate of the loading of liquid propellant and to provide a positive evacuation of misfired liquid propellant from the combustion chambers; and incorporates a vernier control circuit to give direct control over the performance of the gun.

Abstract: A feature of this invention is the provision in an annular piston, annular control valve, liquid propellant gun, of a check valve to permit liquid propellant under relatively low pressure to flow from the supply system into the combustion chamber and to preclude the pulse of pressure generated in the combustion chamber from feeding back to the supply system. This valve allows propellant to be removed automatically from the pumping chamber in the event of a misfire.Another feature of this invention is the provision in an annular piston, annular control valve, liquid propellant gun of a frangible stem which secures the projectile to the cartridge case. The stem breaks to release the projectile for travel down the gun bore when a predetermined level of combustion gas pressure has been developed in the combustion chamber.

Abstract: An ammunition resupply system includes a chain ladder ammunition conveyor having carrier elements configured to accept either of two different calibers of ammunition. The ammunition conveyor is trained in a serpentine path back and forth between adjacent pairs of guide shelves supported one atop another in stacked relation. The guide shelves are integrally formed with opposing round engaging and round control surfaces between which the ammunition rounds are conveyed to provide positive round guidance and control effective in maintaining the ammunition round properly positioned between adjacent pairs of conveyor carrier elements.

Abstract: An assembly of a sabot is provided having a plurality of slots to divide the sabot into a like plurality of petals, each slot terminating in notch, and a base having a like plurality of lugs, each lug adapted to mate with a respective notch. The torque transmitting interface between each mated lug and notch is a flat plane extending longitudinally and chordally.

Abstract: An ammunition feeding system includes an endless, ladder-type conveyor trained throughout the interior of a magazine in a serpentine formation consisting of a plurality of straight line sections and interconnecting turnaround sections. The conveyor includes a succession of carriers which are adapted to assume a closed, ammunition round retention condition while in the straight line sections and to automatically open while in the turnaround sections to effect round handoffs to any transfer station located thereat for live round-spent round exchanges with respect to the carriers as they transit the turnaround section. Guides are positioned at the other turnaround sections to preclude round handoffs by the opened carriers.

Abstract: To provide positive, uninterrupted control and guidance of ammunition rounds being transferred through a transfer zone to and from an ammunition conveyor in an ammunition handling system, a set of commonly mounted, rotary control members are provided with a plurality of angularly spaced, radiating control elements whose free ends provide separate control surfaces which guidingly engage and move with the ammunition rounds as they are being transferred in opposite directions through the transfer zone.

Abstract: This invention provides the provision of a liquid propellant gun system having a traveling charge which is ignited after both such charge and the projectile have been accelerated forwardly.

Abstract: This invention provides the provision of a liquid propellant gun system having a traveling charge which is ignited after both such charge and the projectile have been accelerated forwardly by a regenerative piston device.