Abstract: An additional range device for an infinitely variable split output synchronously shifting hydromechanical steering transmission having integral steering and multiple forward ranges wherein the additional range device provides an additional different input to an existing range mechanism to drive that range mechanism in a new speed range to constitute a new higher range for the transmission.

Abstract: An internally cooled rotor for an acyclic generator is disclosed as having a ferromagnetic steel core to which is diffusion bonded a cylinder copper conductor in which is embedded a multiplicity of cooling tubes communicating with coolant passages formed in the core. The cooling tubes are implanted in a hot isostatic pressure process during which the copper cylinder is at least in part created by the densification of copper powder to a non-porous mass.

Abstract: An interface structure between a recoiling gun and a stationary ammunition supply having a plurality of elongated, individually rigid, guide elements, for providing continuous guide surfaces for the individual elements which are connected to form the endless conveyor and the individual rounds of ammunition respectively carried thereby, and having three degrees of freedom of movement.

Abstract: A high DC current switch includes a pair of annular, conductive rails with a pair of brushes mounted for rotary movement therebetween. DC current is conducted by the rails to and from the brushes in directions to electromotively accelerate the brushes into a switching cycle. The rails incorporate a switching gap through which the brushes move. Beyond this switching gap, the rails are split into inner and outer arcuate sections into which current is commutated by the brushes. The directions of commutated current flow to and from the brushes is now such as to decelerate the brushes to a stop.

Abstract: This invention provides an enclosure for a naval gun turret having static seals around the access covers and dynamic seals around the gun barrel slot closure, which seals capture and drain off to a sump any leakage within the interfaces or joints of the main body with the covers and the closure to preclude entrance of wind driven rain or seawater into the interior of the enclosure.

Abstract: This invention has the provision of a liquid propellant gun having an annular piston whose head is formed of nested rings to provide a relatively high rate of flow from the aft face of the head to the forward face of the head.

Abstract: A regenerative liquid propellant gun structure in which the differential area piston is annular, has an open peripheral cylindrical skirt extending away from the combustion chamber to define a propellant reservoir, and has an aperture in the piston head permitting overrunning of a fixed bolt. The fixed bolt is cylindrical with an enlarged band to fit the aperture to block flow of propellant until firing and to define with the edge of the aperture a variable annual orifice for propellant injection as the piston moves. There is a second free piston overrunning the bolt having a forward portion mating with both the inside of the differential area piston and the exterior of the cylindrical skirt so that the skirt constitutes a piston in a circular dashpot in the second piston.

Abstract: An improved disk clutch structure in which a hydraulic piston provides the force to cause frictional contact between clutch plates. The invention resides in the use of a drain conduit and pressure responsive drain valve in combination with a vent conduit and a pressure responsive vent valve to remove hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic cylinder on inactivation of the clutch with the location of conduits being such that removal of the fluid from the cylinder is assisted by centrifugal forces created by moving clutch parts and such that only the hydraulic cylinder is evacuated.

Abstract: There is provided for a Gatling type gun, a muzzle brake torque assist device having a plurality of radial flow turbines, each centered on a respective gun barrel of the gun, each turbine for providing a respective pure torque centered on the respective barrel, and which torques translate into a summation torque centered on the longitudinal axis of the cluster of barrels without generating any lateral loads on the stationary portions of the gun.

Abstract: This invention provides a subcaliber projectile which is launched from a full bore projectile having a shaped charge warhead prior to impact with the target. The subcaliber projectile is tethered to the full bore projectile by means of a fine electrical cable of fixed length which serves as the communication link between the two projectiles with the length of the cable determining the fuzing standoff distance. The ballistic coefficient of the subcaliber projectile is made such that the subcaliber projectile always flies ahead of the full bore projectile.

Abstract: An ammunition sorting system where rounds are fed randomly in either a first or a second orientation includes a process for orientating all of the rounds into the second orientation.

Abstract: A total internal reflection, face pumped laser is provided, in a single head, with two (or more) generally parallel, spaced apart hosts for providing a higher average power output than the typical single host FPL. A pair of flash lamps, one each adjacent the outer surface of each host, acts as the "pumping" means for the laser and operates in effect to produce asymmetrical pumping of the respective hosts. In order to prevent exceeding the thermal stress limit and thermally inducing bending of the hosts, a system of asymmetrical cooling is provided whereby a greater flow of fluid coolant is provided the surfaces of the two hosts which are closer to the "pumping" flash lamps than to the inner host surfaces which are proximate one another.

Abstract: A regenerative liquid propellant gun structure in which the differential area piston is annular, having a peripheral cylindrical skirt extending away from the combustion chamber to define a propellant reservoir, and has an aperture permitting overrunning of a fixed bolt. The fixed bolt is shaped to define with the edge of the aperture a variable annual orifice for propellant injection as the piston moves. There is a second free piston overrunning the bolt and mating with the inside of the differential area piston to complete and provide for emptying of the reservoir. The structure also contains a spring to allow components to move responsive to increased combustion chamber pressure to provide for an initial movement of differential area piston relative to the bolt to start propellant injection and a fluid pressure means for movement of pistons after firings to facilitate reloading.

Abstract: A regenerative liquid propellant gun structure in which the differential area piston is annular, having a peripheral cylindrical skirt extending away from the combustion chamber to define a propellant reservoir, and has an aperture permitting overrunning of a fixed bolt. The fixed bolt is shaped to define with the edge of the aperture a variable annual orifice for propellant injection as the piston moves. There is a second free piston overrunning the bolt and mating with the inside of the differential area piston to complete and provide for emptying of the reservoir. The structure also contains a spring to allow components to move responsive to increased combustion chamber pressure to provide for an initial movement of differential area piston relative to the bolt to start propellant injection and a fluid pressure means for movement of pistons after firings to facilitate reloading.

Abstract: A feature of this invention is the provision of a forward, armor piercing, high explosive charge and an aft anti-personnel high explosive charge in a shrapnel providing casing, both charges being functioned by a single, deceleration sensitive, detonator assembly.

Abstract: This invention provides a Gatling type gun having a housing; a rotor journaled for rotation with respect to said housing; said rotor having a plurality of gun bolts disposed in an annular row with respective firing pin assemblies which do not include a firing pin spring; switchable firing pin assembly control means mounted to said housing for sequentially engaging each of said firing pin assemblies during rotation of said rotor and having a first disposition for positively projecting the forward tip of each firing pin forward of the face of its respective gun bolt by coupling the kinetic energy of the rotor to the firing pin over a period of time, and a second disposition for positively precluding the forward tip of each firing pin from projecting forward of the face of its respective gun bolt, and switching means coupled to said control means for remotely switching said control means to and between said first and second dispositions.

Abstract: This invention provides a slip ring for the transport of linkless ammunition and fired cases between a supply means which is stationary with respect to a support and a gun which is journaled for rotation about an axis with respect to said support, comprising: a first transport means which is stationary with respect to said support and is adapted to be driven by the gun; a second transport means which is journaled for rotation about said axis with said support, and a differential means disposed between said first and second transport means and journaled for rotation about said axis with respect to said first and second transport means, said differential means including a plurality of compartments, each for receiving a respective round or case, said first and second transport means each respectively inserting into, or extracting rounds or cases from, said compartments, said first transport means directly coupled to and driving said differential means which is directly coupled to and drives said second transport

Abstract: This invention provides an optical sight comprising a first telescope having a fixed increasing magnification whose image is combined and overlayed with the image of a second telescope having a selectable increasing magnification. The magnification of the second telescope is selected by the gunner at the beginning of the engagement in accordance with a known, conventional engagement speed of the target aircraft, thereby permitting the gunner to remember a chart of multiple target lengths for different target ranges without further consideration of target speed.

Abstract: This invention relates to a system for automatically halting the operation of a Gatling gun in the event of a non-fire to preclude the possibility of the non-fire becoming a hangfire with an unlocked breech.

Abstract: A feature of this invention is the provision of a train of round carriers, adapted to come from a stationary supply, each carrier coupled to the next adjacent carrier by pivot means capable of unrestricted rotation, and each carrier carrying a respective round of ammunition; and a rounds orientation means, adapted to rotate in train as a function of the rotation in train of a gun and to intercept and orient each assembly of carrier and respective round, by rotation of its respective pivot means, to an orientation in train which is determined by the orientation in train of the gun.