Abstract:
A device to separate propellant charge modules for field weapons, each module incorporating a top and bottom, the top of one of the modules being engaged in the bottom of an adjacent module, the device incorporating a reception device for all the modules having a device to immobilize each of the modules, the immobilizing device being linked by a linking and separating device enabling a relative translation to be controlled for each of the modules with respect to its neighbors, thereby ensuring the separation of the modules.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     The technical scope of the present invention is that of devices enabling a mounted field weapon to be supplied with propellant charges in a given quantity. 
     It is known to supply a weapon using propellant charge modules generally grouped by six. According to operational needs, a certain number of modules, for example between three and six, must be used. It is thus necessary for the set of modules to be split and the required number removed. These selection operations are very difficult to manage when the modules are not physically linked together and quickly become unmanageable when the charge modules are supplied to the operators already linked. 
     Patent U.S. Pat. No. 6,048,159 describes an automatic pick up system for separate propellant charge modules stored in a magazine. No indication is given in this patent on the subsequent handling of these modules. 
     Patent U.S. Pat. No. 6,205,904 describes a device to supply field artillery with ammunition elements constituted by a projectile and separate propellant charge modules. In this device, the magazine is fitted with a lift enabling the removal of the number of modules required to be used. 
     Patent U.S. Pat. No. 5,837,923 describes a transfer device for the separate modules constituting the propellant charge to take them from a storage magazine to a system to load these modules into the chamber of a piece of field artillery. This device provides for the removal of all the modules stored in one row of the magazine indifferently. 
     Patent U.S. Pat. No. 5,844,163 describes a system to load propellant charge modules into a cannon, such modules being taken from a storage container. However, in this patent, the modules are stored in individual compartments and are taken in such numbers as required by the user. In other words, the modules are separated in the magazine but are then linked before loading. 
     As may be seen from these patents, the propellant charge modules are available separately in fixed quantities determined by the size of the artillery cannon magazine, and are then grouped together to be loaded in the cannon. None of these patents deals with the case of modules that are delivered already linked and which necessarily require separation afterwards for the required number to be taken. 
     SUMMARY 
     The aim of this invention is to provide a system that overcomes this drawback in prior art by enabling an artillery cannon to be supplied with the required number of modules, whether these modules be stored pre-linked or not. 
     The invention thus relates to a device to separate propellant charge modules for field weapons, each module incorporating a top and bottom, the top of one module being engaged in the bottom of an adjacent module, wherein it incorporates reception means for all the modules incorporating means to immobilize each module, these immobilizing means being linked by linking and separating means enabling a relative translation to be controlled for each module with respect to its neighbours, thereby ensuring the separation of the modules. 
     According to one characteristic of the device according to the invention, the immobilizing means are constituted by a set of pairs of pincers placed on either side of a module, each module being held by a pair of pincers, each pair of pincers being controlled in translation by the linking and separation means. 
     According to another characteristic of the device according to the invention, the linking and separating means comprise two screws incorporating a threaded shank opposite each module carrying a pincer, each screw being linked to drive means in rotation. 
     According to yet another characteristic of the device according to the invention, each screw comprises a first group of threaded shanks each having a different pitch in the same direction, and another group of threaded shanks each having a different pitch in the same direction, but in the opposite direction to those of the first group, the number of threaded shanks being the same as the number of propellant charge modules. 
     According to another characteristic, the threaded shanks in each group are of different diameters, the end shanks having a smaller diameter than that of the intermediate shanks whose diameter is less than that of the median shanks. 
     According to another characteristic, the pincers are constituted by jacks incorporating a body integral with a threaded shank and a jaw able to move with respect to said body. 
     According to yet another characteristic of the device according to the invention, the separated modules are transferred into a selection zone incorporating selection means for the modules that tip the selected modules into reception means. 
     Advantageously, the linking and separating means and the selection zone are arranged in the same case. 
     Advantageously again, the selection zone is provided with transversal walls defining a number of cells equal to the number of propellant charge modules separated by the separation means. 
     According to yet another characteristic of the device according to the invention, the modules are dropped into the selection zone. 
     According to yet another characteristic of the device according to the invention, the selection means for the modules are constituted by a set of pushers, each pusher being selectively controlled. 
     Advantageously, the reception means incorporate a reception bucket for individual modules, whose shape is such that it ensures the coaxial centering of the modules. 
     Advantageously again, the reception means are provided with means to assemble the modules able to engage the top of the module into the bottom of the adjacent module. 
     According to yet another characteristic of the device according to the invention, the module assembly means comprise a buffer able to move under the action of a jack and a fixed counter-buffer. 
     The fixed counter buffer may advantageously be tipped over with respect to the reception means. 
     A first advantage of the device according to the invention lies in the possibility of selecting at will the propellant charge modules to be loaded, whether they are stored linked or not. 
     Another advantage of the device according to the invention is that of absorbing the differences in diameter and length of the modules. 
     Another advantage lies in the simultaneous separation of all the modules, thereby satisfying the constraints linked to the firing rate. 
     Another advantage lies in the fact that a single actuator, acting on the endless screw, enables the modules to be separated, thereby reducing bulk. 
     Another advantage lies in the fact that since the cylinderless linear actuator is located under the reception bucket the overall bulk of the device can be reduced in spite of the long actuator stroke. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Other characteristics, particulars and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following description given by way of illustration and in reference to the appended drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of the device according to the invention set against a propellant charge module magazine, 
         FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of the case containing the linking means, the separation means and the holding zone, 
         FIG. 3  shows another perspective view of the device according to the invention, 
         FIG. 4  shows another perspective view of the inside of the case, 
         FIG. 5  shows a perspective view of the joining means for the modules, excluding the modules, 
         FIG. 6  shows a perspective view of the same module joining means including a set of modules, and 
         FIG. 7  shows a schematic external view of the module separation means. 
         FIG. 8  shows a perspective view of a module held by a pair of pincers, the latter being show as partial sections, 
         FIGS. 9   a  and  9   b  are two top views of the separation means, showing in  FIG. 9   a  the modules in their linked position and in  FIG. 9   b  showing them in their separated position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     The device according to the invention is intended to equip a weapon that is automatically supplied from a magazine  1  separately with projectiles and propellant charge modules. 
       FIG. 1  shows the magazine  1  enclosing the rows  2  of propellant charge modules  4 . On the top of the magazine  1 , the handling device  3  can be seen loaded with a row of modules  4 . This handling device  3  picks up a row of propellant charge modules  4  from the magazine and conveys it to the device  5  according to the invention. The structure and function of such a handling device is well known. It is the subject of patent FR2842893 and does not require further description. Naturally, these different elements are joined together by known means to which this invention does not relate. 
     The device  5  according to the invention comprises a case  6  and means  7  to join the modules. The case  6 , in its upper part  6   a , contains means  11  to receive and immobilize the modules, means to join and separate them as well as immobilizing means. The case  6 , in its lower part  6   b , comprises a selection zone  10  for the modules. 
     In  FIG. 2 , the case  6  is shown empty of modules. In this case  6 , the reception and immobilizing means  11  are placed, as are the joining and separating means  9  and the selection zone  10 . The case  6  is in the shape of a parallelepiped that has a lower lateral opening placed opposite the module joining means  7 . 
     The reception and immobilizing means  11  are constituted by two rows of pincers  8  placed opposite each other and pressing on each module so as to immobilize it temporarily. 
     The pincers  8  forming each row are joined by joining and separation means  9 . In this embodiment, the means  9  are constituted by a pair of screws  9   a ,  9   b  only one screw  9   a  of which may be seen in the drawing. 
     Both screws  9   a ,  9   b  are linked to the case  6  by their ends so as to ensure their rotation with respect to the case  6  in this embodiment. 
     Each pincer  8  is constituted by a pneumatic (or hydraulic) jack which is more particularly visible in  FIG. 8 . 
     The pincer  8  thus comprises a fixed body  28  incorporating female threading  29  receiving the joining and separating means  9 . A mobile jaw  30  is able to translate with respect to the body  28 . A housing  31  is placed between the mobile jaw  30  and the body  28 . This housing receives a rubber bladder (not shown) linked to a pneumatic (or hydraulic) device. Inflating the bladder pushes the jaw  30  which comes to press on the charge module  4 . 
     On its face pressing against the charge module, the jaw  30  has a rubber pad  32  with a V-shaped profile that reliably blocks the charge module without any risk of deterioration. 
     When, as seen in  FIG. 8 , two pincers placed opposite one another, are activated, they ensure the reliable retention of the charge module, when their bladders are deflated, the mass of the charge module acting on the V-shaped profiles is enough to push the jaws  30  on the jack body  28 . 
     There are cells  12  in the lower part of the case  6  level with the selection zone  10 , only one of which  12   a  is shown in the  FIG. 2 . Each cell  12  is intended to receive a module  4  one these have been separated from one another. Each cell  12  is provided with a plunger (not shown on the Figures), intended to push its corresponding module into the reception means  7  ( FIG. 3 ). The set of plungers constitutes selection means for the modules  4 . Such selection means incorporating plungers are the subject of patent U.S. Pat. No. 5,837,923 and it is thus unnecessary for them to be further described. 
       FIG. 3  shows the cooperation between the case  6  and the reception means  7  illustrating one step in the operation of the device  1 . The case  6  wall opposite the magazine  1  is provided with a transversal opening  26  enabling the selected modules to be transferred to the reception means  7  placed in the near vicinity. 
     The device  5  according to the invention thus incorporates in this Figure a first series of modules  4   a  in the reception and immobilizing means  11  (upper part  6   a  of the case), another series  4   b  in the selection zone  10  (lower part  6   b  of the case), and finally a third one  4   c  in the reception means  7 . 
     In the lower part  6   b , modules  4   b  having been separated are isolated from one another by transversal walls  14   a  to  14   e  separating the cells  12 , only one of which  12   c  is designated in the Figure. The bottom of each cell is pierced by openings  13 , of which only one  13   e  is designated. These openings enable the passage of the plungers (not shown in the Figures). 
     The reception means  7  for the propellant charge modules  4  incorporate a chute  15  which consists of a V-shaped chute. This shape ensures the axial centering of the modules  4   c . Indeed, the modules  4  may be of variable length and diameter and the chute compensates for these variations so that it is possible for them to be joined. 
     The chute  15  is provided with joining means (not shown in this Figure) able to exert axial pressure on the modules so as to nest them inside one another. The chute  15  is provided with a fixed counter-buffer (not shown) intended to retain the bottom of the last module and a mobile buffer intended to push the top of the first module. A cylinderless jack (not shown) placed under the chute provides the required thrust. 
       FIG. 4  shows the details of the embodiment of the elements inside the case  6 , comprising the reception and immobilizing means  11  for the modules, the joining and separation means  9  and the selection zone  10 , each being filled with propellant charge modules. 
     Each module  4  is held by a pair of pincers  8   a  to  8   f , and each row of pincers is furthermore joined by the module joining and separating means  9 . 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 , the joining and separating means  9  consists of the two screws  9   a ,  9   b  whose structure is shown in  FIG. 7 . The two screws  9   a ,  9   b  are driven in rotation by a motor  20  (integral with the case), by means of a belt  21 . 
     The Figure shows that the modules  4  in the top part are separated by a space  27 , that is to say the joining and separating means  9  has been activated for separation. After the jaws of each pair of pincers have been moved apart, the separated modules drop into the selection zone  10  at the bottom of the case  6 . Given the short distance separating the upper  6   a  and lower  6   b  parts of the case  6 , this drop presents no risk. Each module is isolated from the adjacent modules  4  by walls  14 . This Figure shows the structure of the modules  4 , which have a top  23 , a body  24  and a bottom formed of a cylindrical wall  24 . 
     The external diameter of the top  23  is the same as the internal diameter of the wall  24 . The modules  4  are thus able to nest inside one another. 
     Thus, the joining and separating means  9  enables a relative translation of the module with respect to another module  4  so as to separate them. The modules  4  thus being separated from one another, it is possible for the required number of modules to be selected in order to fire a projectile from the weapon. This selection is carried out using a selector  10  such as that described in patent FR-5837923. 
       FIGS. 5 and 6  show the reception means  7 , respectively without and with modules. 
     In  FIG. 5 , the reception means  7  incorporates the V-shaped chute  15 . This shape ensures the axial centering of the modules. The chute  15  is mounted on a base  18 , provided with a central groove  19  in which a mobile buffer  16  slides. A counter-buffer  17  immobile in translation is linked to the base  18  by a shaft  20  allowing the counter-buffer  17  to tip over with respect to the base  18 . 
     The counter-buffer  17  may be tipped by an actuator (not shown). Once tipped, it enables the passage of the propellant charge modules pushed by the mobile buffer which then transfers them to a loading arm of the weapon. 
     The fixed counter-buffer  17  is made here in the shape of a crown whose external diameter is slightly less than the diameter of the bottom  25  of the module  4 . The counter-buffer  17  has an axial hole. Such an arrangement avoids pressure being exerted on the module&#39;s ignition means, which are generally placed along the axis. A cylinderless jack (of a classical type, not shown) is positioned in the support  18  and drives the mobile buffer  16  in translation. 
       FIG. 6  shows the joining means carrying five propellant charge modules  4  which have been joined once again to allow them to be inserted into the weapon chamber (not shown). The mobile buffer  16  has thus slid to push the modules  4  into one another so as to engage the top  23  of one module  4  into the bottom  25  of another module  4 . 
       FIG. 7  is a schematic external view of an endless screw  9   a  ( 9   b ) that forms the joining and separation means illustrating its structure. Each screw  9   a ,  9   b  is constituted by a first set of three threaded shanks a 1 , b 1 , c 1  of a different pitch but all in the same direction and a second set of three threaded shanks a 2 , b 2 , c 2  of a different pitch but all in the direction opposite to that of the first set. 
     Thus, shank a 1  has a pitch p to the right whereas shank a 2  has a pitch p to the left. Shank b 1  has a pitch  3   p  to the right and shank b 2  has a pitch  3   p  to the left. Shank c 1  has a pitch  5   p  to the right and shank c 2  has a pitch  5   p  to the left. 
     Furthermore, the diameters of shanks c 1 , c 2  are less than those of shanks b 1 , b 2  which in turn are less than those of shanks a 1 , a 2 . These differences in diameter enable the body  28  of the pincers  8  to be screwed onto the screw  9   a  despite the differences in pitch. 
     Each shank thus receives a pincer  8  and rotating the joining and separating means  9  drives a displacement of the six different pincers. 
     Thanks to the different pitches and opposite directions, at each turn the screws  9   a ,  9   b  of the joining and separating means  9 , the pincers move away from one another. In the embodiment envisaged in  FIGS. 9   a  and  9   b , and by way of example, the end pincers  8  linked to threaded shanks c 1 , c 2  translate for a distance that is five times that of the central pincers  8  linked to threaded shanks a 1 , a 2 . Furthermore, the middle pincers  8  linked to threaded shanks b 1 , b 2  translate for a distance that is three times that of the pincers  8  linked to threaded shanks a 1 , a 2 . In this case, the separation of the modules  4  requires very little rotation of the joining and separating means  9 , for example, two turns. 
     Thus, when the screws  9   a  of the joining and separating means  9  are turned, the pincers  8  integral with the threaded shanks a 1 , a 2  move away by a distance d because of the inverted pitches of shanks a 1 , a 2 . The shank is made to pivot at an angle that is enough for this distance d to allow the charge module placed on either side of a median plane XX′ to come apart. 
     At the same time, the pincers  8  integral with shanks b 1 , b 2  move away from the pincers  8  integral with shanks a 1 , a 2  respectively by a distance also equal to d. Indeed, the pitch of shanks b 1 , b 2  are equal to three times that of the pitch p of shanks a 1 , a 2  this results, for a given rotation, in a displacement of the pincers  8  linked to shanks b 1 , b 2  three times that of the displacement of the pincers  8  linked to shanks a 1 , a 2 . 
     The displacement of the pincer  8  linked to a 1  with respect to the plane XX′ is equal to d/2, therefore that of the pincer  8  linked to b 1  is of 3d/2. And the differential gap between these two pincers  8  is thus equal to 3d/2−d/2=d. The modules  4  placed on either side of shanks a, b are thus pulled apart simultaneously with those on either side of a median plane XX′. 
     In an identical manner, the pincers  8  integral with shanks c 1 , c 2  move away from the pincers  8  integral with shanks b 1 , b 2  respectively by a distance also equal to d. The pitch of shanks c 1 , c 2  is equal to 5 times the pitch of shanks a 1 , a 2 . The differential gap between the pincer linked to c 1  and that linked to b 1  is thus equal to 5d/2−3d/2=d. 
     This structure of the joining and separating means  9  thus enables a simultaneous separation of the six propellant charge modules  4  which are all moved apart from one another by the same distance. The device according to the invention operates as follows. The handling means  3  picks up, from the magazine  1 , six modules nested in each other, conveys them above the device  5 , as shown in  FIG. 2 , and engages them in the upper part  6   a  of the case, as shown in  FIG. 3 . The pairs of pincers  8  are then made to tighten so as to immobilize each module  4 . The screws  9   a ,  9   b  of the joining and separating means  9  are then rotated to cause the respective translation of the modules  4  with respect to one another. 
       FIGS. 9   a  and  9   b  are top views of the device showing, in  FIG. 9   a , the pincers  8  holding the modules  4  in their joined position and, in  FIG. 9   b , the modules disconnected after rotation of the screws  9   a ,  9   b . It can be observed that the gap between the different modules is the same after separation. 
     Once the modules  4  have been separated as seen in  FIG. 4  (upper part), the pincers  8  are made to move apart and the separated modules  4  drop into the selection zone  10  as may also be seen in  FIG. 4 . In the selection zone  10 , which houses the module selection means, the selected modules  4  are made to tip over into the reception means  7  whose mobile buffer  16  is in the end position with respect to counter buffer  17 . The mobile buffer  16  is made to translate so as to engage the top  23  of one module into the bottom  25  of the adjacent module. For construction reasons, the number of modules  4  selected is never less than the number of modules  4  conveyed to the device according to the invention. Thus, the number of modules selected in the embodiment described is between 3 and 6. 
     Naturally, all these operations may be made using a programmable