Abstract: A firing chamber lock and unlock mechanism for automatic large caliber wens having a reciprocable firing chamber and rotatable cam means for both actuation of the locking and unlocking functions and actuation of the reciprocation of the firing chamber synchronized to the firing cycle requirements of the weapon system.

Abstract: An ammunition feed mechanism for a machine gun includes a sprocket having rtridge feeding and positioning splines. This sprocket rotates in a feed direction to move a belt of linked cartridges into position for chambering and firing. An anti-backup pawl prevents counterrotation and maintains the sprocket in position while a cartridge is chambered. A ratchet release permits bidirectional rotation of the sprocket in loading and unloading of the ammunition belt. The rotation of the sprocket for feeding is done with a cam tube actuator making a ratchet connection with the sprocket. The reciprocating movement of the bolt carrier causes rotary movement of the actuator by means of a pin on the bolt carrier riding in the cam of the actuator. The bolt carrier has a depressible rammer for chambering the cartridges.

Abstract: A conversion system is disclosed for adapting a rifle to fire ammunition of ifferent shape or type than that for which the rifle was designed. The conversion system includes a modified bolt with suitable supports for mounting the same in a rifle receiver in place of the standard rifle bolt. A novel magazine is included for cooperative action with the modified bolt to assure accurate feeding of the different ammunition. Safety features such as prevention of double firing and open bolt retention for inspection after firing the last round is emphasized. Bolt carrier travel on recoil to insure cocking is less than that required to feed the next round into the chamber to prevent double firing. A vertical surface on the bolt engages the rifle's bolt catch to hold the bolt out of battery for visual inspection of the rear of the rifle chamber.

Abstract: This invention relates to new and improved methods and apparatus to locate nd indicate visually the position of a floating piston while inside its cylinder without the aid of movable means exterior of the cylinder and is especially usable in locating the floating piston separating the compressible gas from the hydraulic fluid in the recuperator cylinder assembly of the recoil-counterrecoil mechanism in a large caliber weapons system, such as the howitzer.

Abstract: A high velocity driver is made with a liner between the propellant and li gas medium within a cartridge casing. This casing is reduced in length and made wider to accommodate the same desired gas and propellant volume. The liner is folded over so as to form a cylinder of propellant between a central cylinder and an annular cylinder of light gas medium. The explosive gases from the propellant thus expand the liner against the light gas medium in two directions, thereby utilizing more explosive gas energy to compress the light gas medium and thus create a higher velocity ejection of the projectile from the gun barrel.

Abstract: A sealed sabot projectile wherein the rear centering ring of the sabot has n opening to expose the projectile tracer material to the propulsion gases. This opening has a seal over it with a small aperture therein for controlled flow of gases to ignite the tracer material yet avoid premature separation of the projectile from the rear spin generating portion of the sabot. The resulting greater spin velocity of the projectile gives it greater accuracy.

Abstract: An ammunition feed conveyor drive assembly for automatic weapon systems eoying a rotatable driving cam device and a smaller diameter rotatable driven cam device and in which both devices have dual tier cam surfaces which cooperate to cause a lower degree of angular revolution of the driven device compared to the degree of angular revolution of the driving device.

Abstract: This invention relates to new and improved methods and modular apparatus automatically latching, unlatching and resetting of the latch mechanism of gun tubes of weapon systems of the "soft recoil" type having recoil and counterrecoil functions or cycles by utilization of a plunger latch mechanism which is pivotally actuatable by toggle means to unlatch the gun tube and permit movement of the gun tube to its firing position in the direction of the muzzle of the gun. The toggle means resets the latch to its latch position automatically in response to the relative position of the gun tube during movement thereof to its firing position. The plunger, being moved from its latch position by the gun tube during recoil movement of the gun tube, returns automatically to its latch position in response to the relative position of the gun tube during recoil so that the plunger is again in its latch position when engaged by the gun tube during its counterrecoil movement.

Abstract: Artillery weapon equilibrator assemblies comprising a plurality of coaxia aligned springs, the individual load response rate of which is programmed so that the cumulative load response rate of the plurality of springs simulates a curvilinear force supply curve corresponding substantially to the curvilinear load demand curve of the weapon's tipping parts which includes the gun tube to compensate for force load changes caused by variations in the position of the center of mass of the tipping parts at any degree of elevation throughout the full range of elevation and depression of the tipping parts.

Abstract: A two stage telescoped launcher wherein propellant compresses a gas which turn ejects a projectile from a gun launch tube. The two stages are telescoped to shorten the gun and to permit breech loading of the projectile.

Abstract: This invention relates to new and improved methods and apparatus for effeating recoil and counterrecoil movement of the gun tube of a weapon system wherein a movable piston sleeve concentric with and movably connected to the gun tube defines a pressurizable compressible fluid chamber with the stationary cradle of the weapon system and carries a piston head which separates the chamber into two compartments, a muzzle compartment and a breech compartment, and which defines with the interior wall of the cradle an annular fluid throttling orifice to cause energy dissipation during movement of the piston. The piston sleeve is separated by the piston head into two sections of different diameters, the larger diameter section being located on the muzzle compartment side of the chamber so that compressed fluid, at the termination of the recoil cycle acting on the piston, may initiate counterrecoil movement of the piston and gun tube as a result of the force differential in said compartments.

Abstract: A cartridge feed, positioning and ejection control system for automatic wons having a reciprocable firing chamber.Stepped cam paths on a rotatable cam actuator control sequential operation of a feed stop pawl and an ejection stop pawl synchronized to movement of the firing chamber to produce the feed, etc., functions.

Abstract: In a bolt actuated firearm having a cartridge receiver station communicat linearly with a firing chamber, magnetic means in the receiver station which cooperate with the cartridge magazine or belt to first positively move each cartridge from the magazine or belt into the receiver station and then to releasably hold the cartridge in the station for in line movement into the firing chamber under the influence of the bolt, the magnetic means also guiding axial linear movement of the bolt to its firing chamber position and sequentially thereafter releasably holding the bolt thereby to prevent bounce of the bolt and cartridge until firing of the cartridge.

Abstract: "Soft Recoil" type weapon systems automatically fire from out of battery positions, i.e., while moving in the counterrecoil direction of conventional recoil weapon systems, in response to the zone setting of a velocity sensor firing pin actuator.The present invention comprises a zone setting assembly with a temperature compensator which has a manually actuable control handle carrying an indexing means, such as pins, and a pointer or indicator. The handle is indirectly connected to the actuator shaft of the velocity sensor valving system so that pivoting movement of the handle rotates the sensor shaft to set the sensor valving, whereby the firing pin is actuated to initiate firing in response to the zone setting of the handle visually indicated by the pointer on a fixed dial plate carrying zone indicia. The pins are utilized to latch the handle prior to firing when the pointer is in position indicating the appropriate zone on the dial face.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for reducing the cyclic firing rate of automatic wens by providing a rate reducing assembly which transmits a portion of the linear recoil and counterrecoil forces of the weapon bolt carrier through a cam follower to rotate a receiver carried inertia drum having a helically curved cam groove.

Abstract: This invention relates to new and improved methods and apparatus for suppsion of the light emissions of weapon systems capable of sustained gunfire, such as machine guns, and involves utilization of the projectile propellent gases to aspirate ambient air into the barrel of the weapon for ad-mixture with the gases, whereby the intensity of the light emissions during sustained firing of the weapon are substantially reduced. In accordance with the present invention, a plurality of restricted orifices are provided in the gun barrel adjacent the muzzle thereof through which ambient air is aspirated.

Abstract: A clamp and wedge attachment to fixed and moving components frictionally ages the components which become disengageable upon application of overriding forces. The wedge has an enlarged detachable loading end which fits between two tines of the clamp which acts as flexure springs. This structure eliminates the slide bounce problem encountered in adapting the M39, 20MM Automatic Revolver Cannon to a constant recoil mode of operation.

Abstract: A bore gas evacuation system for large and small caliber guns, especially en used in combat vehicles, and employing apparatus carried by the gun barrel and constructed to utilize the Coanda effect to enhance flow of ambient air through the barrel.

Abstract: An automatic weapon firing mechanism consisting of a slideably movable bolt arrier with cam slots cooperating with pins on the bolt and firing pin for rotating the bolt to lock it in battery position for firing and to cock the firing pin during recoil. Continued forward movement of the carrier after the bolt is locked causes the firing pin to sear off and strike the chambered cartridge. The firing pin has its own firing spring so that a constant reliable striking force is applied to the cartridge. Gas from the spent cartridge recoils the bolt carrier, unlocking the bolt and cocking the firing pin during recoil.

Abstract: A cartridge soft feed mechanism for presenting the cartridge to the chamber f a gun in such a way that the axis of the cartridge experiences no lateral or angular movement during chambering. The cartridge is telescoped into the chamber without ramping, reducing the probability of damage to the cartridge and reducing the chance of chambering stoppage. The feed mechanism is inactivated by a chambered round sensor for refilling the magazine or removing and replacing a chambered round in order to permit barrel movement between its forward extended position and its rearward ready position. While the current weapon (30mm Multishot Grenade Launcher) utilizes a fixed breech and movable barrel, the mechanism is adaptable to movable breech fixed barrel weapons.