Abstract: A rotatable chuck for securing a workpiece in a machine includes a base element having a center and a plurality of jaw elements movable relative to the center. The jaw elements are movable to clamp the workpiece. The jaw elements exert a measurable clamping force on the workpiece. The clamping force exerted on the workpiece is measured and the jaw elements are moved relative to the center to vary the clamping force exerted on the workpiece. A comparator compares the measured clamping force to a predetermined clamping force and the jaw elements are moved, as the chuck is rotating, to adjust the clamping force on the workpiece relative to the predetermined clamping force.

Abstract: The invention relates to rotating machine element that contains a mechanism actuated by a fluid pressure. The aim of the invention is to allow for a supply of actuation fluid also during the rotation. To this end, a non-rotating control element (2) is mounted on two fluid bearings (3) on the machine element, said bearings being spaced apart in the axial direction and allowing flows of actuation fluid to flow from one element to the other. Feed lines (R, S) in the control element are provided with a series of radially inwards facing ports (13, 14) and reception channels (17, 18) in the machine element, a series of radially outward facing orifices (15, 16) being disposed in such a manner that in every relative position both elements for every individual flow of actuation fluid are disposed such that at least one port (13, 14) is aligned with one associated orifice (15, 16).

Abstract: The chuck comprises jaws which, in addition to their radial movement, can each swivel around an axis essentially parallel to the axis of the chuck, and where this axis glides in a radial slideway of the chuck in order to allow said radial movement. This swivelling action ensures that the working surfaces of the jaws or of shoes sitting on them which are adapted to the outer shape of the workpiece will sit evenly on the workpiece even when the latter is mounted between centers and as a consequence its rotation axis does not coincide exactly with that of the chuck.

Abstract: The invention relates to rotating machine element that contains a mechanism actuated by a fluid pressure. The aim of the invention is to allow for a supply of actuation fluid also during the rotation. To this end, a non-rotating control element (2) is mounted on two fluid bearings (3) on the machine element, said bearings being spaced apart in the axial direction and allowing flows of actuation fluid to flow from one element to the other. Feed lines (R, S) in the control element are provided with a series of radially inwards facing ports (13, 14) and reception channels (17, 18) in the machine element, a series of radially outward facing orifices (15, 16) being disposed in such a manner that in every relative position both elements for every individual flow of actuation fluid are disposed such that at least one port (13, 14) is aligned with one associated orifice (15, 16).

Abstract: The chuck comprises jaws which, in addition to their radial movement, can each swivel around an axis essentially parallel to the axis of the chuck, thus ensuring that the working surfaces of the jaws or of shoes sitting on them which are adapted to the outer shape of the workpiece will sit evenly on the workpiece even when the latter is mounted between centers and as a consequence its rotation axis does not coincide exactly with that of the chuck.

Abstract: In order to machine a workpiece on a machine-tool successively between centers and with the workpiece clamped in a chuck, the workpiece is held during at least one machining operation—and if necessary between different kinds of machining—through the axial pressure of a center pin clamped in a chuck of the machine-tool. To this end the chuck comprises an axial center pin hydraulically movable in axial direction, which can be extended for enough towards the workpiece to be gripped by the jaws of the chuck, and which is journalled in at least one expanded sleeve bearing.

Abstract: Moving parts of the chuck are enclosed in a sealed cavity which is provided with a circulating lubrication. The power which drives its flow is derived from the force needed for opening and shutting the tongs of the chuck. In a chuck with hydraulically actuated jaws, this power is delivered by the pressure differences that occur between different parts of the hydraulic circuit actuating the jaws of the chuck and the hydraulic liquid acts also as lubricant.

Abstract: In order to machine a workpiece on a machine-tool successively between centres and with the workpiece clamped in a chuck, the workpiece is held during at least one machining operation—and if necessary between different kinds of machining—through the axial pressure of a centre pin clamped in a chuck of the machine-tool. To this end the chuck comprises an axial centre pin hydraulically movable in axial direction and which can be extended for enough towards the workpiece to be gripped by the jaws of the chuck.

Abstract: Moving parts of the chuck are enclosed in a sealed cavity which is provided with a circulating lubrication. The power which drives its flow is derived from the force needed for opening and shutting the tongs of the chuck. In a chuck with hydraulically actuated jaws, this power is delivered by the pressure differences that occur between different parts of the hydraulic circuit actuating the jaws of the chuck and the hydraulic liquid acts also as lubricant.

Abstract: Clamping device for simultaneously holding several workpieces between a fixed central jaw and two endjaws situated on either side of it and joined by a threaded, lengthwise moveable spindle. A helicoidal spring surrounding the spindle urges it towards its extremity which is actuated, so that when the spindle tightened the spring elastically presses the end jaw far from the operator against a workpiece placed between said far jaw and the central jaw. This workpiece is thus immobilized even without counterpressure from the near end jaw, and need not be held by the operator who can simultaneously insert a second workpiece between the near end jaw and the central jaw with one hand and tighten the spindle with the other.

Abstract: The clamping device has two jaws between which a workpiece to be machined is immobilized on the table of a machine tool. Each jaw is supported by a carriage, and the carriages are coupled so as to move in a mirror symmetric fashion with respect to a plane orthogonal to the path of the carriages and at rest relative to the device. This avoids adding up tolerances of the shape of the workpiece with tolerance in the position of the clamping device relative to the machining tools.

Abstract: The method uses the actuating mechanism of the chuck of a machine tool for turning or grinding in order to pre-tension the radially acting springs of a clamping attachment by means of the jaws of the chuck. When the pre-tension is released, the springs maintain the clamping attachment on a workpiece that is mounted between centers in order to be machined. The method allows to perform automatic machining cycles on a workpiece mounted between centers, without the necessity to use a compensated chuck.

Abstract: When using a multi-barrel firing weapon, such as a Gatling-type gun or canon, it is desired during a firing burst, to first fire the initial or lead cartridge or ammunition round when the rotating array of weapon barrels, during running up to speed, has attained its full rotational speed, that is, when the firing weapon is capable of firing at the full or maximum firing rate. In this way there is realized the desired high precision and low round scattering of the weapon system. The cartridge infeed apparatus requires a certain amount of time until it has reached its full cartridge infeed velocity. The initial or lead cartridge therefore should only then be delivered to the multi-barrel firing weapon after completion of the running up to speed of the array of weapon barrels and after the cartridge infeed apparatus has reached its full or maximum cartridge infeed velocity.

Abstract: During the infeed of cartridges from an ammunition container or magazine to a firing weapon, problems arise in the event there are not simultaneously fulfilled the following three requirements: (a) the first cartridge of a firing burst or series firing should be first delivered to the firing weapon following completion of the run-up-to-speed of the firing weapon; (b) the last cartridge of a firing burst or series firing should be delivered to the firing weapon before the firing weapon has been braked; and (c) the spent cartridge cases should be returned by the cartridge infeed apparatus to the ammunition container. To fulfill these objectives, there is provided an arrangement composed of an endless storage chain, a transfer location, and a switchable gate, in order to allow the temporary storage of spent cartridge cases during reverse movement of the cartridge transport apparatus.

Abstract: Cartridges are usually fed axially to a rotating array of barrels of a multi-barrel cannon or firing weapon, by means of a cartridge feeding apparatus, for example, an endless conveyor belt or chain. The cartridges must then be accelerated to the peripheral speed of the rotating array of barrels, since the spacing between the individual barrels is considerably greater than the pitch spacing between successive cartridges on the endless conveyor belt or chain. Uniform acceleration of cartridges fed by the conveyor belt or chain up to the peripheral speed of the rotating array of barrels of the firing weapon is effected in that the deflector wheel or sprocket comprises a predetermined number of radially adjustable slides. These radially adjustable slides define recesses or pockets for receiving the cartridges. Structure, such as a cam arrangement, is also provided for radially translating these slides during rotation of the deflector wheel or sprocket.

Abstract: When a cartridge is inserted into the weapon barrel of a firing weapon by a forwardly and rearwardly reciprocatable breechblock, a front end surface of the breechblock impacts against the base of the cartridge. The cartridge to be inserted must be secured so that it cannot slide off such front end surface of the breechblock during cartridge insertion. This cartridge securement is attained in that the cartridge is held against radial displacement by an extracting or withdrawal claw and diametrically opposite thereto by means of a securing cam or lug provided at a feeler element or pin. To eject the empty cartridge case and during the insertion of the next cartridge, the feeler element or pin together with the securing cam or lug is pushed back by means of a control cam or rail.

Abstract: In an externally powered firing weapon the danger exists with an ignition delay or hangfire condition that the cartridge still is ignited after the positively reciprocated breechblock has been unlocked from the weapon barrel. The safety apparatus in accordance with the invention prevents, in case of an ignition delay, firing of the cartridge after unlocking of the positively reciprocated breechblock. Heretofore known safety devices of this type are complicated and a substantially simple design is strived for. The safety apparatus in accordance with the invention automatically decouples the breechblock carrier from the breechblock head when the breechblock head is locked in the weapon barrel. The device responding to an ignition delay prevents unlocking of the breechblock head from the weapon barrel and coupling of the breechblock carrier with the breechblock head.

Abstract: In the case of a twin-barrelled firing weapon, the apparatus for delivering ammunition from a container structure to the firing weapon is located between the two weapon barrels of the firing weapon. In order to accommodate or store as much ammunition as possible in the space between the two weapon barrels, the cartridges are arranged not only side by side but also one behind the other. There is provided as the container structure a first front container from which cartridges are delivered to one weapon barrel and a second rear container from which cartridges are delivered to the other weapon barrel. The cartridges from one of the two containers are delivered to the related weapon barrel by a device for axially displacing the cartridges.

Abstract: The holding or clamp apparatus for the barrel cluster of a multi-barrel firing weapon, in particular, a Gatling type gun, is constructed such that a quick and easy replacement of the weapon barrels without the use of tools is possible. Up to now, each weapon barrel was secured by threaded connections. According to the invention, a locking ring is rotatably mounted at a substantially ring-shaped barrel support. This locking ring can be selectively locked in two positions on the substantially ring-shaped barrel support. In its first position, each one of its cams project into a recess of the associated weapon barrel and thereby secure the substantially ring-shaped barrel support against axial displacement with respect to the weapon barrels. Each weapon barrel contains a polygonal, such as a square section, which is embraced by holding claws or clamps of the barrel support, thereby securing such weapon barrel against unintended rotation about its own lengthwise axis.

Abstract: Switch or control cables for switching-over or changing-over deflectors are known and have the disadvantage that they can only be operated from one predetermined location. In accordance with the invention, the switch or control cable is subdivided into two switch or control cable sections which are interconnected by a coupling. The switch or control cable which is tensioned by a spring can now be selectively released from a holding device for switching-over or changing-over the deflector and displaced by the spring or by disengaging the coupling, in which case only one of the two switch or control cable sections is displaced by the spring.