Patent GB-624356-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to ammunition supply systems for automatic firearms
IPC: F41A9/35
Filed: 1945-03-06
Abstract: 624,356. Automatic firearms. BRISTOL AEROPLANE CO., Ltd., and FONSECA, E. C. M. D. March 6, 1945, No. 5618. [Class 92 (ii)] An ammunition supply system for automatic firearms in which separated rounds pass from a single passageway 12 into a pair of extensible shoots 13a, 13b, each leading to a firearm 11a, 11b, is characterised in that means is provided to regulate automatically the rate of supply of the rounds to each shoot so that it accords to the rate of demand of the corresponding firearm. The mechanism shown includes a passageway which terminates at a fork 14 where the rounds pass alternately to the two shoots, each of which is urged to assume its minimum length. To regulate the supply of rounds to the two firearms, deflector plates 18a, 18b are arranged to project into the path of the rounds when their corresponding solenoids 20a, 20b are energized through the agencies of relays 22a, 22b, these plates being normally urged to an inoperative position by springs. The plates are held in their operative positions by catches 24a, 24b, which automatically come into operation under spring action, and in doing so open switches 29a, 29b which are in circuit with the relays 22a, 22b. By this means the current through solenoids 20a, 20b is cut off when catches 24a, 24b are in operation. The mechanism also includes switches 27a, 27b, 30a, 30b and 23a, 23b, which are actuated in turn as the accumulator shoots move about their pivot points 15a, 15b when in operation, and further switches 28a, 28b, controlled by the deflector plates are arranged in circuit with relays 26a, 26b which serve to lift the catches 24a, 24b. The switches 30a, 30b are arranged in parallel and in circuit with a relay 31 serving to control the operation of the stripper mechanism 17. Operation.-Assuming that both plates 18a, 18b are retracted and that ammunition is about to pass into stripper mechanism 17, switches 27a, 27b, 30a, 30b, 29a, 29b will be closed, and switches 23a, 23b, 28a, 28b open. If the first round enters shoot 13b, this shoot will be filled first and switches 27b, 30b and 23b will be actuated in that order. Opening of switch 27b produces no effect since circuit of relay 26b is already open at switch 28b. Similarly, the opening of switch 30b produces no effect since circuit to relay 3'1 is closed by switch 30a. Closing of switch 23b, however, results in the energizing of relay 22b, and this results in the energizing of solenoid 21b to bring plate 18b into the operative position, and in the closing of switch 28b. Catch 29b moves automatically by its spring to hold plate 18b and at the same time opens switch 29b, thereby de-energizing via relay 22b the solenoid 21b. Rounds can now pass only to shoot 13a and switches 27a and 30a are actuated in a similar manner. When, however, switch 30a is opened, the stripper mechanism 17 is stopped and no further rounds are fed along passageway 12. If, however, as shown in the drawing, one or two additional rounds are fed to the shoot by the inertia of mechanism 17, switch 23a will close but will not serve to energize relay 22a to actuate solenoid 20a because this relay circuit is now open at switch 29b. If now the guns continue to fire, the switch 30a opens first, since it contains the fewer number of rounds, and the shoot 13a contracts until switch 27a is closed, but as switch 28a is open the circuit of solenoid 26a is not completed. As the other shoot 13b contracts no action takes place upon actuation of switches 23b, 30b, but when switch 27b is closed the circuit to relay 26b is completed and the catch 24b thus withdrawn, and the plate 18b returns to its retracted position. Simultaneously, the switch 29b is closed so that in the continued operation either of the two solenoids 21a, 21b may be energized. Specification 583,360 is referred to.