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: 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: When installing security devices for securing releasable connections against unintentional release, the danger exists that during the assembly or erection of a machine, the installation of such security devices may be forgotten without such being noticed. To prevent this from happening, the invention contemplates using a securing or security element which, for instance, in the case of a rotary connection between a bolt member in a housing, is displaceably guided in a groove or groove structure of such housing. This securing or security element engages or latches, under the action of the force of a spring, in a groove or groove structure of the bolt member after the bolt member has been inserted into the housing, and in this way there is automatically secured the desired connection.

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.

Abstract: A plurality of, such as six weapon barrels are rotatively mounted about a central axis or shaft of a multi-barrel weapon, for example, a Gatling gun. In order to achieve a good target grouping the weapon barrels should be focused and twisted or curved. The weapon barrels are held in the desired position by a support apparatus. This support apparatus comprises a first adjustment element for the radial displacement of the weapon barrels with respect to the central axis or shaft of the weapon and a second adjustment element for the tangential displacement of the weapon barrels with respect to the central axis or shaft of the weapon.

Abstract: In the case of delayed firing of a cartridge or a so-called hang-fire condition in an externally powered firing weapon there must be prevented that further cartridges are fed into the firing weapon. In a known safety or monitoring apparatus of this type a deflector must be pivoted such that the infed cartridges, instead of arriving at the firing weapon, arrive at an ejection channel. The change-over of this deflector requires high acceleration forces because a great mass must be pivoted through a large pivot angle in a short period of time. In accordance with the invention the deflector comprises two segment members which are displaceable in the direction of the cartridge axes, one of which segment members selectively protrudes into the travel path of the cartridges.

Abstract: It has been shown that at high firing rates or cadences, especially in externally powered firing weapons like Gatling guns, the rebound of the breechblock head during its locking at the rear end of the weapon barrel can have damaging effects. At its rear end the weapon barrel possesses an internal circumferential groove following, in a forward direction of the weapon barrel, an annular flange provided with teeth forming an inner gear toothing. The breechblock head possesses teeth forming an outer gear toothing. In the locked position of the breechblock head the teeth of its outer gear toothing are located in the aforementioned internal circumferential groove and bear upon the teeth forming the inner gear toothing of the annular flange. The damaging effects due to the rebound of the breechblock head can be alleviated or completely avoided by widening the circumferential groove.

Abstract: In weapons in the nature of a Gatling gun the danger exists with an ignition delay or hangfire that the cartridge still is ignited after the positively reciprocated breechblock has been unlocked. However, cartridge ignition is undesired after unlocking of the breechblock. Therefore, an apparatus is present with the invention preventing unlocking of the breechblock in case of an ignition delay. Such safety apparatus may respond to (a) the gas pressure, (b) the weapon recoil, (c) the forward advance of the weapon or (d) to an expansion or bulge formed in a cartridge case, and acts to separate a breechblock head from a breechblock carrier, the breechblock head remaining in its locked position.The apparatus comprises either an inertia mass displaced relative to the breechblock due to the recoil action or a cam plate mounted at the weapon cradle and responding to the forward advance of the weapon, or a feeler pin responsive to an expansion or bulge formed in the cartridge case.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the cooling of a continuously cast strand departing from a continuous casting mold of a continuous casting installation, comprising computer means, a cooling device forming a total cooling zone for cooling of the continuously cast strand, said cooling device being divided into sections, and said cooling device being further subdivided into sub-groups. Cooling agent delivery means deliver cooling agent to the cooling device, and means cooperate with the cooling device sections for applying such cooling agent to the strand.

Abstract: An apparatus for the application of a casting agent, such as flux powder, to the bath level of liquid metal in a continuous casting mold during continuous casting embodying at least one measuring element arranged above the bath level in the continuous casting mold and distributor means for the distribution of the flux powder onto the bath level. Conductor means operatively connect the measuring element with regulator means. There are also provided means for changing the conveyed quantity of flux powder, and conductor means for operatively connecting the regulator means with the means for changing the conveyed quantity of flux powder.

Abstract: A method of applying flux powder to the bath level of liquid metal within a continuous casting mold during continuous casting operations, wherein the distribution of the flux powder at the surface of the bath level is measured by measuring elements, and as a function of the measurement results there is controlled the infeed of flux powder and the distribution thereof at the bath level.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for regulating the molten metal level in the mold of a continuous casting installation wherein deviations from a reference value determined by measuring the molten metal level in the continuous casting mold are overcome by regulating the infeed of metal to the mold and/or by regulating the withdrawal speed of the strand from the mold. The invention contemplates simultaneously delivering the adjustment values or magnitudes generated at the metal infeed regulation circuit to the strand withdrawal regulation circuit and changing the predetermined or preset reference value of the withdrawal regulation as a function of such adjustment values in accordance with a predetermined or preset function and this function is prescribed or preset such that the reference value of the withdrawal regulation is only then influenced when the change in the adjustment value in the infeed regulation circuit per unit of time exceeds a predetermined or preset value.