Termination accumulator

A termination accumulator for a machine gun has a handling conveyor passing through a supply channel, a bypass channel, and a return channel. The supply channel leads to a feed system of a machine gun. The bypass channel has its other end connected to a return conveyor leading from the feed system. A gate is mounted at the junction of the bypass channel and supply channel operably between two positions, one position directs ammunition on the handling conveyor onto a supply conveyor leading to the feed system and a second position directs ammunition on the handling conveyor through the bypass channel. Upon release of a trigger mechanism operably connected to the gun, the gate moves from its first position to a second position such that the feed system continues its forward operation to clear itself of any live ammunition therein. The handling conveyor maintains a forward mode directing ammunition in to the bypass channel. A reversing mechanism reverses the handling conveyor to retrieve live ammunition from the bypass channel after the feed system is cleared of all live ammunition such that the live ammunition accumulated in the termination accumulator can be then fed to the feed system during the next operation of the machine gun.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
This invention relates to a termination accumulator for an article handling 
system particularly for use with a rapid fire machine gun. 
2. Description of the Prior Art 
In rapid fire machine guns, particularly ones with fixed multiple barrels 
live ammunition may remain in one of the firing chambers or in the feed 
system directly aligned with the fire chamber after every burst. When the 
gun is not in use, ammunition remains in the feed system directly behind 
the firing chamber. Gunners commonly expend the last rounds of ammunition 
after use to ensure that the firing chambers and the feed system of the 
gun are empty for transport. 
Many storage and feed systems have been developed to accommodate linkless 
ammunition. U.S. Pat. No. 2,993,415 issued to Pannicci et al on July 25, 
1961, U.S. Pat. No. 3,618,454 issued to Christenson on Nov. 9, 1971, U.S. 
Pat. No. 3,670,863 issued to Meier et al on June 20, 1972, U.S. Pat. No. 
3,724,324 issued to Zielinski on Apr. 3, 1973, and U.S. Pat. No. 3,747,469 
issued to Ashley et al on July 24, 1973 are five references disclosing 
various double ended linkless ammunition conveyor systems. 
With linkless ammunition being developed, ammunition is supplied to the gun 
through an endless conveyor belt. The gun designed with the endless 
conveyor is capable of taking much greater ammunition loads. With the 
increase in ammunition loads, expending of the last rounds of ammunition 
after each burst is impractical as well as a waste. Few systems have been 
devised to clean the firing chamber and feed system after every burst 
without the need to expend all the remaining rounds of ammunition. 
The M-61 type rapid fire gun has a safety system which holds the bolts of 
the feed system in an aft dwell position to prevent further rounds from 
entering the firing chamber. All ammunition in the process of being rammed 
is then fired and spent cartridge is returned to the magazine hand off. 
However, in the process, several unfired rounds are positioned in the feed 
system behind each of the barrels. In addition, the unfired rounds 
contained behind the barrels are returned to the magazine during the next 
burst without being fired resulting in a waste of live ammunition. 
General Electric has developed a gun, model no. GAU-8, which has a feature 
that stops the firing pin from falling when the trigger is released. The 
rounds in the process of being rammed are rammed and extracted by the 
bolts without being fired. When the gun and feed system are stopped, the 
feed system is reversed to clear the gun feed system. The feed system is 
cycled backward until the last unfired round is repositioned at the entry 
to the feed system. In this reversing process, the ammunition is 
rechambered and extracted without being fired again. This system results 
in the double chambering of live ammunition and the rechambering of spent 
cases. 
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
According to the invention, a termination accumulator is operably 
connectable to an article handling system having an inlet, outlet, and 
work station. The accumulator has a supply conveyor section operably 
connectable to an intake of the article handling system. The accumulator 
includes a bypass channel with one end operably connected to the supply 
conveyor section and is preferably connected at an opposing end to a 
return conveyor section. The return conveyor section is preferably 
operably connectable to an outlet of the article handling system for 
receiving articles therefrom. A gate means positioned along the supply 
conveyor is operable between two positions for allowing passage of 
articles from the supply conveyor to the article handling system when the 
gate means is in the first position and for diverting artiles to the 
bypass channel when the gating means is in a second position preventing 
passage of articles to the handling system. 
Means sequentially advance articles in the article handling system to the 
work station and sequentially advance the supply conveyor whereby the gate 
means when in its second position directs all articles to the bypass 
channel and the work station receives all the articles which previously 
passed the gate means into the article handling system. 
In one embodiment, a single handling conveyor forms the supply conveyor 
section, a conveyor section passing through the bypass channel and the 
return conveyor section. Preferably a reversing means for reversing the 
direction of the handling conveyor returns articles in the bypass channel 
to the supply conveyor section such that articles returned to the supply 
conveyor section are supplied to the feed system during the next operation 
of the work station. 
Further, according to the invention, an automatic machine gun has a feed 
system for feeding ammunition to at least one firing chamber, and a supply 
conveyor section for supplying ammunition to the feed system. A gating 
means along the supply conveyor section allows ammunition to pass from the 
supply conveyor section when the gating means is in the first position and 
for preventing live ammunition from entering the feed system when the 
gating means is in its respective second position. An actuating means 
moves the gating means to its second position such that continued forward 
operation of the feed system will feed all live ammunition therein to the 
firing chamber where the ammunition is fired thereby emptying the feed 
system of all live ammunition. 
A bypass channel is connected to the supply conveyor section adjacent the 
gating means for receiving ammunition from the supply conveyor section 
when the gating means is in its respective second position. The bypass 
channel is of sufficient length to accommodate all ammunition passed 
therein while the ammunition in the feed system is being fired. 
In this fashion, the device allows for the emptying of the feed system at 
the end of an operation cycle of an article handling system, particularly 
a machine gun, where the retention of live ammunition in the feed system 
presents a risk of accidental discharge of ammunition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
Referring particularly to FIG. 1, the termination accumulator 10 is 
connectable to a feed system 12. The feed system 12 can, for example, be 
part of a gun. The gun is illustrative of one use of the feed system 12 
and terminating accumulator 10. The termination accumulator 10 and feed 
system 12 can be used for other article handling systems which handle 
individual linkless articles in rapid sequence. 
The termination accumulator 10 comprises a convoluted bypass channel 14 
fitted between a supply portion 16 of conveyor 17 and return portion 18 of 
conveyor 17. Conveyor 17 threads through bypass channel 14. 
The bypass channel 14 has an entrance 20 between upward flanged wall 22 and 
a gate member 24. The gate member 24 is pivotably mounted at the end of 
wall 26 for movement between a first and second position. Upward flanged 
member 22 merges with a downwardly extending flange member 28 to form a 
straight walled section 30 that separates the top portion 32 from bottom 
portion 34 of bypass channel 14. The center wall 30 terminates at a point 
spaced from an arched wall member 38 to form an opening 36 which allows 
conveyor 17 to pass from the top portion 32 of channel 14 to the bottom 
portion 34 thereof. Arched wall member 38 extends from wall member 26 to 
bottom wall member 42. Bypass channel 14 has exit 40 positioned between 
downward flanged wall 28 and end 41 of wall member 42. 
The supply conveyor position 16 is operably connected to a feed system 12. 
The feed system includes a feed conveyor 44 and an output conveyor 46 
preferably interconnected with the conveyor 17. The feed conveyor 44 
overlaps the supply portion 16 of conveyor 17 just above gate member 24 
while output conveyor 46 interconnects with the return portion 18 of 
conveyor 17 just below exit 40 as clearly shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Feed 
conveyor 44 passes through inlet 48 which is situated between a second and 
third gate member 50 and 52 respectively. 
Gate members 50 and 52 are pivotably mounted to housing 54 of a feed system 
12 for movement between a first and second position. 
Housing 54 has a work station 56 mounted therein. The work station 56 
illustrated includes a rotating sprocket 57 aligned to the rear of the 
gun's firing chambers. The work station 56, when in the machine gun, is an 
aligning and ramming system which takes live ammunition 58, fires it, 
returns the spent cartridges 68 to the work station 56 for delivery 
through a discharge passage 60 and onto output conveyor 46. For sake of 
simplicity the raming, firing and retrieval system of the work station are 
not shown. Other conventional work stations can be compatible with the 
termination accumulator 10. 
Merging gate member 62 is spring mounted to housing 54 adjacent to output 
conveyor 46 for toggle action between a first and second position. 
Each conveyor 17, 44 and 46, is compartmentalized with individual spaces 64 
situated between spacers 66. The bypass channel 14 is long enough to 
accommodate eight compartment spaces 64 of conveyor 17. In addition, the 
feed system 12 from inlet 48 to outlet 49 is designed to hold eight rounds 
of ammunition. 
The operation of the termination accumulator 10 and article handling system 
12 can best be described by reference to FIGS. 2(A)-(C), 3(A)-(D), and 4. 
Ammunition 58 is supplied by the supply portion 18 of conveyor 17. Gate 
members 24, 50 and 52 are in a first position such that entrance 20 is 
blocked while inlet 48 is opened. Ammunition 58 in spaces 64 of conveyor 
17 are handed off to the spaces 64 of feed conveyor 44 passing through 
inlet 48. During firing as shown in FIG. 2(B), the conveyor 17, the feed 
44 and output conveyor 46 and the work station 56 are in a forward moving 
mode so that ammunition from the conveyor 44 is passed through the work 
station 56 where the ammunition is fed to a firing chamber (not shown) and 
fired. The empty cartridge 68 is extracted back from the firing chamber to 
sprocket 57 and passed onto the output conveyor 46 which passes the spent 
cartridges 68 to the return portion of conveyor 17 through outlet 49. 
Merge gate member 62 is pivoted to first position to block exit 40. 
The gate members 24, 50 and 52 are operably connected to a solenoid 70 as 
shown in FIG. 4. The solenoid is electrically connected to trigger 72 to 
move the gates 24, 50, and 52 to their respective first positions when the 
trigger 72 is pressed and to their respective second positions when the 
trigger 72 is released to block off inlet 48 while opening up entrance 20 
to the bypass channel 14. 
When the trigger 72 is released; the conveyors 17, 44 and 46 and work 
station 56 continue to operate in their forward mode passing the 
ammunition already past inlet 48 through the work station 56 to be fired 
and to return the spent cartridges 68 to return conveyor portion 18 past 
outlet 49. As shown in FIGS. 2(C) and 3(A), while the ammunition is being 
fired and the spent case 68 being returned to the conveyor 46, the supply 
portion 16 of conveyor 17 continues to supply live ammunition 58. However, 
the live ammunition 58 is diverted through entrance 20 into bypass channel 
14. 
As shown in FIGS. 3(A)-(D), the gun is cleared, the spent cartridges 68 are 
continued to be delivered onto the return portion 18 of conveyor 17 and 
live ammunition is diverted into bypass channel 14. Bypass channel fills 
up with live ammunition 58 and passes by the toggle action merging gate 62 
thereby camming merging gate 62 into its second position which opens up 
exit 40 and closes off outlet 49. The last spent cartridge 68 is deposited 
on the last empty space 64 of conveyor 17 before live ammunition 58 passes 
from the bypass channel to the return portion 18. In this fashion, any 
risk of jamming of the gun caused by two cartridges wanting to be in the 
same position of the conveyor is minimized. 
Conveyors 17,44 and 46 are then reversed whereby the live ammunition on the 
return portion 18 and the bypass channel 14 are returned to the supply 
portion 16. The empty cartridges 68 enter the bypass channel 14 through 
the exit 40 until the lead round of ammunition 50 is returned to the 
supply portion of conveyor 17. 
At the end of the reverse cycle, the bypass channel 14 is filled with eight 
rounds of spent cartridges 68. The conveyor 17 and conveyor 44 and 46 are 
then advanced two spaces so that a live ammunition 58 is positioned just 
outside the intake 59 to the work station 56. At this point in time, the 
gun maintains an idle position until the trigger is pressed. 
The schematic of the logic control which controls the positions of the 
gate, the timing and direction of the conveyor motions and the firing of 
the final rounds of ammunition is illustrated in FIG. 4. The release of 
trigger 72 shuts off the main signal along line 74 to the fire logic 76 
which controls the ramming lugs and firing pins (not shown) and sends a 
stop signal along line 78 to motor logic 80 which controls the conveyor 
and sprocket 57. However the machine gun does not immediately stop due to 
the signal along line 82 sent to a diverter and counter 84, which causes 
an overriding output signal of five forward sequences along line 86 to the 
fire logic 76 and eight forward sequences to the motor logic 80 along line 
88 followed by eight reverse sequences along line 89. In other words, the 
feed mechanism is advanced eight sequences with only the first five 
sequences including the firing operation. Subsequently, the feed system is 
reversed eight sequences. 
Also upon release of trigger 72, the diverter and counter 84 sends an 
output signal along line 90 to solenoid 92 which controls the position of 
gates 24, 50 and 52. When the solenoid is actuated to move the gates 24, 
50 and 52 to their respective second positions, a switch 94 is closed to 
connect line 96 to a signal source 98 to send an input signal to gate 100. 
A conveyor proximity switch 102 is positioned anywhere along supply 
portion 16 of conveyor 17 and is actuated by each passing round of 
ammunition 58. For each actuation of switch, a signal is passed along line 
104 to AND gate 100 and an output signal passes from AND gate 100 to 
diverter and counter 84. The diverter and counter 84 senses up to eight 
forward sequences and then sends out a reverse signal along line 89. 
In the reverse mode, the motor logic 80 sends out a signal along line 108 
to AND gate 110. Upon reversal of conveyor 17, the proximity switch 102 
again produces a signal for each passing round of ammunition which passes 
along line 104 and also line 105. In the reverse mode, AND gates 100 and 
110 both produce output signals along lines 106 and 112 respectively. The 
diverter and counter 84 sense each pair of signals and when eight pairs of 
signals are received, stops sending signals along line 89 which causes 
motor logic 80 to stop and cause solenoid 92 to deactuate so that gates 
24, 50 and 52 are repositioned back to their first position. 
Upon deactuation of solenoid 92 and return of gates 24, 50 and 52, to their 
first position, a signal switch 116 is closed to send a signal along line 
118 to allow the motor logic to go ahead two spaces as shown in FIG. 3(D) 
to prepare the gun for the next burst of ammunition. 
One advantage of the termination accumulator is that it does not endanger a 
gunner if a second burst of ammunition is quickly needed before the 
termination cycle is completed. Upon actuation of the trigger, motor logic 
80 sends a signal along line 114 to stop the diverter and counter and 
deactuate solenoid 92 to reposition the gate members 24, 50 and 52 
immediately back to their first position which allows live ammunition to 
enter the work station and be fired. Even if the termination cycle is not 
completed and live ammunition is in the bypass channel, live ammunition 
can be immedidately fed to sprocket 57 in work station 56. The live 
ammunition left in the bypass channel during the commencement of the 
second burst is sent through the bypass channel to the return conveyor 
section without being fired. 
Upon a second release of the trigger mechanism at the end of the second 
burst, the gun will automatically follow the same procedure as described 
before in clearing the feed system 12 of any live ammunition while 
diverting live ammunition fed from the supply portion 16 of conveyor 
through the bypass channel 14 and then going into a reverse mode to return 
the diverted live ammunition back to the supply portion 16 and forward the 
leading rounds to the intake 59 for preparation of the next burst of 
ammunition. 
Variations and modifications of the invention are possible without 
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention which is defined by 
the appended claims.