Patent GB-385967-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to ammunition hoisting apparatus for ordnance
IPC: F41A9/01
Filed: 1931-07-03
Abstract: 385,967. Ammunition hoists. VICKERS-ARMSTRONGS, Ltd., PEARSON, E. C., RITCHIE, J., and BRERETON, C. F., Vickers House, Broadway, Westminster. July 3, 1931, No. 19260. [Class 92 (i).] Relates to ammunition hoisting apparatus for twin or multiple gun turrets in which rotatable bogies arranged at the foot of a trunk moving with the gun turret in training serve to transfer projectiles and powder charges from the shell rooms and powder magazines to ammunition hoist cages moving within the trunk. According to the invention, each of the bogies B for the respective guns contains both the projectile x and the powder charges y and the bogies-are arranged at different levels so that each bogie clears the other or others at all angles of turret training and at all positions of receiving the ammunition elements from fixed trays C<1>, D<1> and discharging them into hoist cages z within the rotating trunk A. The invention is shown in Figs. 1 and 5 applied to a triple gun turret. The trunk is divided into three sections each containing a hoist cage z fed by its bogie B and serving one of the guns. Each bogie is rotated by a hydraulic motor B<5> controlled by an operator occupying a seat B<4> which moves with the bogie, the motor rotating a shaft b which, by operating a lever b<5>, can be clutched, either to a pinion bl engaging a rack A<1> on the trunk, or to a pinion b<2> engaging a fixed rack E on the ship. A locking bolt G also operated by the lever b<5> serves to engage either between stops E<x> on the ship when the bogies is in the receiving position or between stops A<x> on the trunk when the bogies is in the discharging position. Operation of the lever b<5> also sets levers H<x>, H<1x> into position for engagement with cams A<2>, E<2> on the trunk and ship respectively to operate linkage that returns the motor-control lever F<0> to its central position to slow down the bogies as they reach their discharging and receiving positions. The bogies carry hydraulically-operated chain rammers, one C<3> of which rams the projectile from the bogie tray C into the hoist cage, the other D3 simultaneously ramming the charges from the bogie trays D into the same cage. The projectile and powder charges are moved on to the trays C, D from fixed waiting trays C<1>, D<1> and front and rear catches are provided to secure the ammunition on the trays C, D prior to ramming. Pressure fluid is supplied to operate the motor B<5> and the rammers through flexible pipes F which at their inner ends are hinged to the ship and to the bogie and at their outer ends are hinged together and supported from an overhead guide F<x>. The pressure and exhaust pipes f, f<1> which extend through the jointed pipes F are connected by pipes f<2>, f3 to a two-part valve F<6>, F7, Fig. 5b, controlled by the handlever F‹ on the operator's seat. The valve F<6> controls the rammers and the valve F<7> the bogie training motor B<5>. Movement of the lever F<0> to left or right causes a corresponding training of the bogie, and movement of the lever away from or towards the operator causes ramming or withdrawal movements of the rammer. The lever F<0> is connected to the valves F<6>, F<7> by links so that each valve can be operated inde. pendently of the other from the same handlever. Means, such as spring-controlled bolts J, K controlled by a projection G<1> on the bolt G and also by a part A<3> of the hoist cage, are provided to lock the rammers until the bogie is in the discharging position opposite the trunk openings and the hoist cage is in position to receive the ammunition. A modification is described with reference to Fig. 6 (not shown), in which the bogie training and the ramming are controlled from a fixed position instead of from the bogie seat.