Abstract: An automatic weapon system that closely controls the operation of a weapon, such as a cam rotor gun. The system has, among other things, an actuator for firing ammunition, a feeder for supplying ammunition to be fired, and a counter for determining the amount of fired ammunition. An actuator sensor is in communication with the actuator and a counter sensor is in communication with the counter. A controller is in communication with the actuator sensor, the counter sensor and the feeder to control the operation of the weapon.

Abstract: An automatic cannon, especially for cylindrical, telescoped shells, comprises a receiver in which is rotatably mounted an interconnected gun barrel and barrel extension or rotor. The rotor is connected to a power source, which may be an external source, for being driven at a relatively uniform rotational velocity for firing. A chamber having two laterally spaced apart, feed through, shell-holding cavities, is radially slidably mounted in a centrally located, transverse rotor aperture. Three cooperative camming means, responsive to rotor rotation, cause shell feeding, firing and ejection. Shell camming means simultaneously transport shells from an associated feeder into the chamber cavities and fired shell casings from the chamber cavities to a receiver ejection port.

Abstract: Enclosed is a self-powered telescoped ammunition revolver gun, including a frame which mounts a revolver cylinder having circumferentially spaced chambers and a cylindrical exterior surface on which is formed at least two U-shaped open cam channels, each having forward facing open entrance and exit ends spaced apart by the same angular distance as the chambers. First and second elongated drive cylinders extend forward from the frame on separate axes disposed outboard of the revolver cylinder and circumferentially spaced apart by their same angular distance as the chambers. Each drive cylinder mounts a spring loaded operating rod having a gas piston at its forward end and an exposed cam driver/follower proximate its rear end for successively engaging the U-shaped open cam channels to rotate the revolver cylinder and drive the gun as the rod reciprocates linearly in its drive cylinder.

Abstract: An automatic gun comprises a barrel, a receiver connected to the barrel and a bolt and bolt carrier mounted in the receiver for recoil and counterrecoil movement between the barrel breech and a recoil position rearwardly of a shell pick up position and a casing ejection port. The bolt carrier has a cam track formed along it and the bolt has a pivotally mounted casing extractor and an ejection recess in an opposite region. The forward end of a cam follower is pivotally mounted to the receiver forwardly of the pick up position. The follower has a pair of belt feeding pawls mounted centrally, an inwardly-directed ejection tip at the rearward end and a cam track follower in engagement with the bolt carrier cam track. A belt feeding adaptor is detachably connected to the receiver above the cam follower for receiving an ammunition belt. In response to forward bolt carrier movement, the cam follower is pivoted outwardly, moving the feed pawls into engagement with a belted shell outboard of the pick up position.

Abstract: A self-powered, belt-fed automatic gun for firing cylindrical, telescoped ammunition is described. Mounted in receiver portions of the gun, to which a barrel is connected, are a shell chamber, a chamber carrier assembly, a shell rammer assembly and shell feeding and casing ejecting assembly. The shell rammer and chamber carrier assemblies are mounted in the receiver for axial reciprocating movement, the chamber being interconnected with the carrier assembly so that recoil movement of the carrier assembly moves the chamber laterally from a firing position to a loading position, counterrecoil movement of the carrier assembly causing the chamber to move back to the firing position. Responsive to chamber movement from the firing position to the loading position a shell is moved into a feed position rearwardly adjacent to the chamber.

Abstract: A breech/receiver assembly for automatic cannon incorporates a rotating chamber and a recoil and counterrecoil buffer integrated within the breech. The breech, including the buffer means, recoils with the barrel and because the mass of the buffer is added to the breech and barrel, recoil forces transferred to trunions mounting the breech/receiver assembly are significantly reduced. The configuration of the breech/receiver assembly, including the rotating chamber and integrated recoil/counterrecoil buffer, enables a shorter receiver, thereby enabling a vehicle-mounted cannon utilizing the breech/receiver assembly of the present invention to elevate to high angles while still maintaining a relatively low gun silhouette.

Abstract: A self-powered, belt-fed automatic gun for firing cylindrical, telescoped ammunition is described. Mounted in receiver portions of the gun, to which a barrel is connected, are a shell chamber, a chamber carrier assembly, a shell rammer assembly and shell feeding and casing ejecting assembly. The shell rammer and chamber carrier assemblies are mounted in the receiver for axial reciprocating movement, the chamber being interconnected with the carrier assembly so that recoil movement of the carrier assembly moves the chamber laterally from a firing position to a loading position, counterrecoil movement of the carrier assembly causing the chamber to move back to the firing position. Responsive to chamber movement from the firing position to the loading position a shell is moved into a feed position rearwardly adjacent to the chamber.

Abstract: A lightweight ammunition belt link comprises first, second and third elongate, tubular shell holding rings sized to slidingly receive cylindrical, telescoped amunition. First and second webs interconnect the three shell-holding rings so that the first and second rings are axially spaced apart on a first longitudinal axis and the third ring is on a second longitudinal axis, which is laterally separated from the first axis by slightly over one shell diameter, the third ring is offset between the first and second rings which are spaced apart so that in forming the ammunition belt, the third ring of one link fits between, the first and second rings of a next link, and can be axially aligned therewith. A shell installed into the first and second ring of one link and the interposed third ring of an adjacent link connects the two links together and forms a pivot point enabling one link to hinge around the adjacent link for belt storage.

Abstract: An externally powered automatic gun or cannon system includes a gun with a pivoting chamber, a shell supply and a shell indexer and a shell rammer for feeding shells from the supply into the gun chamber for firing. Fluid pressure actuators are connected for operating the gun chamber, shell indexer and shell rammer and sensors are provided for sensing extreme operating positions thereof. Timing means are responsive to the sensors for determining lengths of operating times. Electronic control means, responsive to the sensors and timing means, control, on a step-by-step basis, operation of the actuators and firing apparatus according to a pre-established sequence of operational steps causing the automatic loading and firing of the automatic gun.

Abstract: Shell feeding apparatus for a rapid fire, gun, such as a medium caliber cannon, comprises an elongate, linear shell rammer having a relatively small diameter, surrounded by a carousel-type shell magazine configured for holding several, for example, about six, shells. The shell rammer includes a pressurized fluid actuation cylinder having two transversely separated bores and two pistons mounted in the bores. Protruding ends of the pistons are interconnected by a motion multiplier which comprises a T-shaped member, to opposite sides of which are mounted two pairs of sprockets. A shell ramming member is fixed to two drive chains entrained over the two pairs of sprockets. The drive chains are fixed to the actuator cylinder so that when pressurized fluid moves the pistons, relative to the cylinder, a distance, "d", at a velocity, "v," the shell ramming member, and hence a shell engaged thereby, is moved a substantially greater distance, "D," at a substantially greater velocity, "V.

Abstract: A telescoped ammunition round utilizing nonstrategic materials is light-weight and enables the use of conventional particulate propellants as well as conventional components such as projectiles and primers if desired. Webs molded into the case interior facilitate molding of the case and provide for supporting the projectile therein before and during the loading of particulate propellant into the case. In addition, the webs are operative for decreasing the longitudinal resistance of the case thereby reducing inward movement of the primer when struck by a firing pin thereby reducing the possibility of misfire. The projectile is prevented from debulleting during handling and is provided with preselected shot-start characteristics by an opening formed through the cap and a plurality of holes formed in the cap to provide proper resiliency in the cap for holding the projectile before firing and retarding the projectile momentarily upon firing.

Abstract: Shell loading apparatus, particularly for an externally mounted tank cannon, provides automated loading of shells from a magazine in a vehicle to a cannon externally mounted to the vehicle. The shell loading apparatus includes a pair of opposed, generally D-shaped cam tracks mounted in a cannon pod rearwardly of the cannon breech. Linear portions of the cam tracks are parallel to the barrel bore axis, arcuate portions of the cam tracks are directed upwardly with straight lead-in segments thereof directed towards a magazine shell extraction position when the cannon barrel is in a specific elevational position for shell loading. A shell rammer is connected to cam followers disposed in the cam tracks. A rammer support is fixed to gun mounting structure parallel to the cam track lead in segment.

Abstract: A breech/receiver assembly for automatic cannon incorporates a rotating chamber and a recoil and counterrecoil buffer integrated within the breech. The breech, including the buffer means, recoils with the barrel and because the mass of the buffer is added to the breech and barrel, recoil forces transferred to trunions mounting the breech/receiver assembly are significantly reduced. The configuration of the breech/receiver assembly, including the rotating chamber and integrated recoil/counterrecoil buffer, enables a shorter receiver, thereby enabling a vehicle-mounted cannon utilizing the breech/receiver assembly of the present invention to elevate to high angles while still maintaining a relatively low gun silhouette.

Abstract: Shell magazine apparatus for tanks having a gun crew basket rotably mounted within a vehicle and having a cannon mounted to the basket comprises a primary shell magazine mounted in the gun crew basket and a secondary shell magazine mounted in the vehicle. The primary magazine includes a number of shell holding canisters pivotally mounted to a canister carrier rotatably mounted on a core. A Geneva drive incrementally rotating the carrier and canisters to sequentially position the canisters in a particular elevating position. A pressurized fluid cylinder is provided for pivoting a canister in the elevating position into a position from which a shell can be extracted by an associated shell loading apparatus. The secondary magazine comprises first and second drums rotatably mounted, side-by-side, in the vehicle rearwardly of the primary magazine when the gun crew basket is azimuthally zeroed.

Abstract: Shell feeding apparatus for a rapid fire, gun, such as a medium calibre cannon, comprises an elongate, linear shell rammer having a relatively small diameter, surrounded by a carousel-type shell magazine configured for holding several, for example, about six, shells. The shell rammer includes a pressurized fluid actuation cylinder having two transversely separated bores and two pistons mounted in the bores. Protruding ends of the pistons are interconnected by a motion multiplier which comprises a T-shaped member, to opposite sides of which are mounted two pairs of sprockets. A shell ramming member is fixed to two drive chains entrained over the two pairs of sprockets. The drive chains are fixed to the actuator cylinder so that when pressurized fluid moves the pistons, relative to the cylinder, a distance, "d", at a velocity, "v," the shell ramming member, and hence a shell engaged thereby, is moved a substantially greater distance, "D," at a substantially greater velocity, "V.

Abstract: A foldable gun, useful in mob control and police undercover work because of small size and unassuming appearance when it is in folded configuration, includes a magazine housing and stock pivotally mounted to a receiver assembly in a manner in which the magazine housing may be pivoted to a parallel position adjacent a receiver assembly underside while containing a magazine. Pivotal mounting of the stock enables the stock to fold to an underside of the receiver assembly. A U-shaped configuration of the stock enables it to both contain and conceal the magazine housing and magazine when the gun is in the folded configuration. In this manner, an extremely compact folded gun is achieved, and further, the gun, when folded, does not resemble a weapon.

Abstract: A breech/receiver assembly for automatic cannon incorporates a rotating chamber and a recoil and counterrecoil buffer integrated within the breech. The breech, including the buffer means, recoils with the barrel and because the mass of the buffer is added to the breech and barrel, recoil forces transferred to trunions mounting the breech/receiver assembly are significantly reduced. The configuration of the breech/receiver assembly, including the rotating chamber and integrated recoil/counterrecoil buffer, enables a shorter receiver, thereby enabling a vehicle-mounted cannon utilizing the breech/receiver assembly of the present invention to elevate to high angles while still maintaining a relatively low gun silhouette.

Abstract: A linkless ammunition magazine for guns includes an endless, shell-holding conveyor having two, spaced apart bicycle-type chains which are entrained over several pairs of guides that confine the conveyor to a convoluted path within a housing. During firing of an associated gun, an externally driven sprocket drives the conveyor in a direction advancing conveyor-held shells towards a shell transfer position located just downstream of the drive sprocket. A pair of guides located just upstream of the shell transfer position, is compliantly mounted to deflect in response to fast start up of the drive sprocket upon initiating of firing, in a direction enabling only a short segment of the conveyor upstream of the transfer position to move before further upstream portions of the conveyor start moving, fast shell feeding from the onset of firing being thereby enabled.

Abstract: Microwave projectile communication apparatus comprises a microwave probe fixed to a gun barrel at its muzzle end. A microwave oscillator, having a reference frequency selected for exciting the single fundamental electromagnetic mode in the barrel, is connected to the probe, for example, through a hybrid mixer configured for extracting, from moving projectile-reflected microwaves, a true Doppler signal for projectile velocity measurements. Connected between the oscillator and the probe is a signal modulator for modulating the reference oscillator signal to the probe. Connected to the signal modulator is a driver signal generator which controls the modulator in a manner enabling information, such as fuse delay time or target range, to be communicated to the projectile fuse. A conventional fire control computer may be used to provide to the modulator the data to be transmitted to the projectile.

Abstract: Dual shell feeding apparatus for a dual shell supply automatic gun and the like includes a shell rotor mounted in rotational shell transferring relationship between the two supplies and a shell pick up position of the gun. The rotor is stepped in one rotational direction to feed from one shell supply and the opposite direction to feed from the other supply, shells being fed into the rotor from the supplies according to rotor rotational direction. Selecting apparatus enables prefiring selection of rotor stepping direction and hence shell supply selection for a next firing. A shell accumulator is provided for temporarily holding shells left in the rotor when a firing sequence stops.