Patent ID: 6443045
Filing Date: 2002-09-03
Classification: F41A

Abstract:
A rammer and artillery piece combination for use with artillery shells wherein said rammer and artillery piece combination comprises:an artillery piece with a barrel that can be elevated, said barrel defining a first direction and having an upstream end; a cradle having an accommodation for a shell with a structure at the upstream end of said cradle for engaging said shell, wherein said cradle is able to travel subject to a guide along a track in a direction that is parallel to said first direction defined by said barrel; a piston-and-cylinder mechanism coupled to said cradle for accelerating said cradle in said first direction; a braking mechanism that brakes said cradle at a prescribed distance from said upstream end of said barrel; wherein said piston-and-cylinder mechanism is controlled by pneumatic controls that accommodate a rapid-opening valve, said valve diverting air back and forth between a source of compressed air and a vent; further comprising a ramming pressure-reduction component with electrically controlled proportional pressure-regulation valve, said component interposed between said source of compressed air and said rapid-opening valve and operable to receive signals from a position generator, whereupon said pressure-regulation valve is activated and ramming pressure is reduced in accordance with a prescribed formula as the elevation of said barrel decreases.