Patent GB-505884-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in and relating to hydraulically-controlled automatic machines for filling ammunition shells
IPC: F42B33/00
Filed: 1938-10-08
Abstract: 505,884. Hydraulic presses. BREVETS AERO-MECANIQUES. SOC. ANON. Oct. 8, 1938, No. 29220. Convention date, June 27. [Class 69 (ii)] [Also in Groups XXI, XVII, and XVIII] Relates to an automatic machine for filling ammunition shells comprising a horizontal table driven by a discontinuous rotary movement on which are disposed the shells to be filled, the table bringing the shells successively under at least one distributing device for the introduction of a suitable charge of powder or the like and under at least one compressing device for compressing this charge. According to the invention, such a machine comprises a hydraulic control system such that the table can only be driven in rotation after it has been unlocked, the locking system of the table can come back into locking action only when the table has attained its new position, the distributing and compressing systems can only coact with the shells opposite which they become located when the table is again locked and finally the table can only be unlocked when the distributing and compressing systems have returned to the inactive position. As shown, the shells 1 to be filled are fitted over studs 7 on the periphery of a horizontal table 2 rotatably mounted around the upper part of a cylinder 6 which projects into a pedestal 3 in the base of which can be housed an oil reservoir and in some cases, the pump for putting the installation under pressure. A rod 4 sliding in the cylinder 6 against the action of a spring 5, serves as a support for the compressing devices and assures in addition, at the time of certain of its vertical displacements, the actuation of the distributing devices: The table 2 which is driven by a oneway driving system comprising a free-wheel pinion 8 subjected to the action of a rack 9, is adapted to be locked at the desired times by means of an index ringer 10 urged upwardly by a spring 11 into any one of a plurality of bores 12 in the lower face of the table. The hydraulic system according to the invention comprises three distinct circuits A, B and C relative respectively to the operation of the finger, 10, to the driving of the table 2 and to the control of the vertical displacements of the rod 4. The circuit A comprises an inlet conduit A<1>, Fig. 5, in the upper part of the pedestal 3 which communicates at certain times through an annular groove A<2> on the rod 4 with a conduit A<3> extended by a conduit A' traversing the rack 9-when-this is in its position of rest-by a bore A<5>, Fig. 3, the conduit A<4> opening into a cylinder 13, Fig. 2, above a piston 14 integral with the finger-10. A groove 15 in the body of the rack 9 is adapted to put the conduit A<1> and the cylinder 13 into communication with the discharge reservoir in the interior of the pedestal 3 when the rack has performed part of its stroke. Circuit B comprises an inlet piping B, Fig. 3, which terminates in an orifice B<1>, Figs. 2 and 3, opening into the interior of the cylinder 13 opposite to an orifice B<2> which is extended by a conduit B<3> terminating in a cylinder 16 in which moves a spring-controlled piston 18 integral with the rack '9. The arrangement is such that, when the finger 10 is in the locking position the orifice B<1> is covered by a skirt on the piston 14 and the orifice B<2> is uncovered, thus permitting discharge of the circuit whilst, when the finger is retracted, an annular groove 20 in the piston 14 connects the orifices B<1>, B<2>, thus allowing the cylinder 16 to be placed under pressure. The circuit C, which assures the drive of the rod 4 and the distributing and compressing devices connected thereto, comprises an inlet conduit C, Fig. 4, leading into a chamber 21, the outlet of which is normally closed by a spring-pressed valve 22. A piston 27, displaced by the rack 9 at the end of its driving stroke, is adapted to open the valve 22 and at the same time close a discharge orifice 25 thus putting chamber 21 into communication with a conduit C<1> itself opening into the cylinder 6 above a piston 26 integral with rod 4. The.piston 27 is held in the position in which it keeps the valve 22 open by a spring-pressed plug 28 carrying a rod 29, adapted to be depressed to release the piston 27 by the action of a finger 30 on the rod 4 at the end of the downward stroke of the latter. In operation, assuming the finger 10 to be engaged in a bore 12 and the rod 4 to be in the upper position, the annular groove A<2> connects the conduits A', A<3>, thus permitting the oil pressure to be transmitted through conduit A' as far as the cylinder 13. The piston 14 is therefore displaced against its spring 11 so that the finger 10 is withdrawn so as to unlock the table 2 and the groove 20 is brought opposite the orifices B<1>, B<2>, thus closing circuit B. On closure of this circuit, the oil pressure is transmitted into the cylinder 16 and the rack 9 is displaced against the action of its spring 17 so as to drive table 2 by a suitable portion of a turn. When the rack has effected a part of its stroke, the groove 15 comes opposite the conduit A' and the circuit A is put at discharge. Finger 10 is thereupon urged upwards but can only ascend under the action of spring 11 when it finds itself opposite a bore 12. At this instant, the locking of table 2 and the p@utting in discharge of circuit B takes place simultaneously since the ascent of groove 20 puts orifice B<2> into communication with the discharge circuit while closing orifice B<1>. Just before these two operations take place, however, rack 9, at the end of its stroke displaces piston 27 to close the discharge orifice 25 and open valve 22, thus putting circuit C under pressure. The 'circuit B being no longer under pressure owing to the ascent of groove 20, spring 17 returns rack 9 to its initial position. On closure of the circuit C the oil pressure moves the piston 26 downwards against spring 5, the piston carrying with it the rod 4 and the distributing and compressing devices controlled thereby. As soon as rod 4 commences to descend, groove A<2> is displaced with respect to conduits A<1>, A<3> which renders an accidental unlocking of table 2 impossible as long as rod 4 has not returned to its initial position. When the rod reaches its lowest position, finger 30 coacts with the rod 29 on the plug 28 to release the piston 27 and puts circuit C at discharge. 'Rod 4 thereupon returns to its upper position and groove A<2> again uniting conduits A<1>, A<3> unlocking of finger 10 can take place and the same operative cycle recommences. In the machine shown, the arrangement is such that each shell is first partially filled from a first distributing device and this charge is then compressed, after which a further charge is added from, a second distributing device and finally the whole charge is subjected to a further compressing operation. As shown in Figs. 1 and 6, the compressing devices comprise spring-controlled rams 32 mounted on a fork 31 on the upper end of the rod 4, the space between the arms of the fork being occupied by the second distributing device. Both of the distributing devices are arranged so that they are controlled by the rod 4 at tho time of its descending stroke to release a previously measured charge of powder. Each of the distributing devices comprises a hopper 34, Fig. 7, communicating through an obturator 35 with a metering and distributing slide, valve 36 adapted to occupy either a position in which a bore 37 therein is located below the obturator so as to be filled with a charge of powder or a position in which' the bore comes above the shell 1 to be filled and releases its charge into the shell through an orifice 38. The valve 36 is controlled by a bent lever 40, one of the arms of which is provided with a ball joint 41 engaging in a notch 42 in the valve and the other arm of which coacts through the intermediary of a rod 43 with a lug 44 mounted at the extremity of one of the arms of the fork 31, the arrangement being such that during the upward movement of rod 4, the valve comes back beneath hopper 34 to receive a fresh charge. The valve is preferably formed in two parts from a material not producing sparks by friction, e.g. that known by the Registered Trade Mark "Coloron," the parts being kept applied by springs 45 against the guide in which the valve slides.