US2576953A - Actuator for gun firing mechanisms - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 4, 1951 v, LUCHT 2,576,953

ACTUATOR FOR GUN FIRING MECHANISMS Filed July 14, 1945 M Fig.1

gyxwwmmw Patented Dec. 4, 1951 UETED ST (Granted under the act of March 3, 1883, as amended April 30, 1928; 370 O. G. 757) 12 Claims.

'factured and used by or for the Government for governmental purposes, without the payment to me of any royalty thereon.

This invention relates to an actuator for the firing mechanism of a gun. More particularly the invention relates to an actuator for the purpose of applying a force to the firing mechanism necessary to fire a gun of relatively high caliber.

The invention finds its greatest usefulness in conjunction with firing mechanisms of the continuous-pull self-cocking type. A firing mechanism of this type is characterized by means for loading or compressing a spring and for simultaneously releasing the sear so that the firing pin may be propelled by reaction of the loaded spring. There are several instances in which a firing mechanism of this type is more desirable than a firing mechanism of the so-called sear type in which the firing pin is normally under spring pressure for release from the sear upon actuation of trigger mechanism. One such instance occurs in the use of a gun wherein it is desired to fire the gun by remote control. Another such instance is that in which the gun may be subjected to incidental shocks that might result in accidental firing were it equipped with a firingmechanism of the sear type. An example combining both instances occurs in the use of the gun in aircraft wherein remote control firing is a practical necessity and where the aircraft is subject to movement, such as landing or take-off, that might ordinarily up set a firing mechanism of the sear type. In any of the aforesaid or similar instances the prime consideration is the obtaining of sufiicient force to maintain a continuous pull on the firing mechanism to compress the firing spring and subsequently release the sealfor release of the firing pin. Another problem encountered in the design and use of power-controlled artillery guns, particularly when the power source is electrical energy, is that there is often insufficient potential available to actuate the firing mechanism. This situation is especially true in cases in which the firing mechanism is of the continuous-pull self-cocking type. For exam le, it often occurs that electrical potential available is not sufficiently powerful to efiect actuation of the aforesaid type of firing mechanism by direct connection to a solenoid or the like.

It is a principal ob ect of the present invention to provide an actuator for' gun firing mechan'ismv in which a comparatively small force is 2 multiplied to the extent necessary to actuate the firing mechanism and particularly to actuate a firing mechanism of the continuous pull selfcoc'ki'n'g type.

It is also a principal obict of the invention to provide'an actuator having a member preferably power operated and connected to the firing mechanism so that the inherent inertia in the member may be utilized as part of the force available to actuate the firing mechanism.

An important object of the invention is. to provide the actuator with a constant-speed inertia member that may be selectively con nected' to the firing mechanism for actuation of the latter.

Another important 'obect' of the invention is tdprovide an actuator having a constantly rotating part, an intermittently rotatable part and means for selectively connecting the parts for rotation together and for translating the rotational movement to the firing mechanism.

Another object of the invention is to provide control means for the actuator constructed and arranged to provide for intermittent and not continuous actuation of the firing mechanism.

The invention has for another object the provision of control means that may be suitably adapted to combination in an electrical firing circuit, said means being so arranged as to prevent undesirable continuous actuation of the firing mechanism even though the firing circuit accidentally remains closed.

Still another'object of the invention is to provide control means having a resiliently collapsible connection adapted to connect the actuator to the firing mechanism, said connection per mitting release of the actuator from the firing mechanism even though such release is resisted by action on the part of the operator of the gun.

The invention has for still another object the provision of connecting means between the actuator. and firing mechanism providing for separation of the firing mechanism from the actua tor upon recoil of the gun and for restoration of operative association between said parts as the gun returns to battery.

The foregoing and other objects and desirable features of the invention will be more; readily understood as the disclosure is more fully amplified in the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention as shown in the accompanying sheets of drawings in which: a

Fig. 1 is an enlarged, longitudinal sectional view through the actuator and the control theref'o'r:

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary, longitudinal sectional view through the driving portion of the actuator;

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view through the driving mechanism of the actuator as viewed along the line 33 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is an end elevation of the actuator unit; and

Fig. 5 is an exploded view of the means for connecting the constantly rotating part and the intermittently rotatable part.

It has been previously stated that the invention is particularly adapted for use with guns of relatively large caliber and with firing mechanisms of a particular type. It will be understood of course that the foregoing reference has been and it is not intended thereby to limit the application and adaptability of the invention to other guns, other firing mechanisms, or other instances.

The actuator generally identified by the numeral l6, includes a base I! on which is mounted a housing I 8 containing the actuator mechanism. A bearing l9 outside the housing l8 serves to pivot one end of a swin in arm which has its other end 'pivotallv connected to an actuating rod 2!. In the application of my invention to a gun of the tvpe previously mentioned. the rod 2! extends rearwardly for guided axial translation whereby its rear end is adapted to enga e or abut the u per end of a tri ger arm to fire the gun in response to re rward translation of therod and resulting pivotal operation of the tri er arm.

In an instal ation of t e t pe .iust described the actuator rod. 2i is mounted on the sup ort or cradle of the un. whi e t e tri er arm and firing m c anism are contained in t e breech assembly. Hence. the latter parts will move a ay from the end. of the rod 2! as t e gun recoils, and, conversel ill return as t e gun returns to batter T e abuttin relation bet een the u per end of the ri er ar and the rear end of the actuator rod. 2| ade uatelv accom odates t is se aration of p rts unon recoil and provides for restoration of t e operativ association between said parts when t e un re urns to battery.

The housing l8 inc udes a radial wall portion 4| in hic is sup rted a drivin sh ft 42 carrvin f r rot tion t re ith a drivin pinion 43. A constantlv rotating member, indicated generally b t e nu eral 44, is preferably formed as a drum 45 ha ing one end thereof open and associated with. the radial wall 4| of the housing I8 in a manner to form an enc sure therewith. The other side. of the drum 45 is preferably formed with an inte ral. axially extending sleeve 46 iournaled on suitable anti-friction bearings 45a in a supporting brac et 4'! secured to the base plate ll. The drum 45 is provided with an internal ring gear 48 meshing with the pinion 43. In the present instance the pinion 43 is illustrated as being driven by an electric motor 49. One general plan of the use of the gun on which the actuator and firing mechanism are installed includes provision for operating the motor 49 during periods when it is expected that made by way of illustration only the gun will be fired. Throughout a prolonged combat period, the motor will be continuously in operation and therefore the drum 45 will be constantly rotating.

The sleeve 45 of the constantly rotating part 44 has journaled therein on suitable antifriction bearin s 45b an intermittently rotatable part or shaft 59. The end of the shaft 5!! that extends outside the sleeve 45 is provided with an eccentric 4 or crank portion 5i operable in a longitudinal slot 52 in the actuator arm 20. It will be seen that rotation of the shaft 50 causes oscillation of the actuator arm 25 and consequently reciprocation of the actuating rod 2i to actuate the trigger arm, not shown. The bearings 55a. are spaced axially by a sleeve 46c and the bearings 4812 are spaced axially by a sleeve 45d. The sleeve 45 of the drum 45, and the two spacer sleeves 45b and 46d are suitably apertured to provide for circulation of lubricant between the bearings 46a and 461) within the housing formed by the support 47. This support is closed at its opposite ends by lubricant-tight closure members Ma.

The inner end of the shaft 50 is also provided with an eccentric or crank portion 53 having a threaded extension 54 thereon. See Figure 5. The eccentric carries means for selectively connecting the intermittently rotatable shaft 55 to the constantly rotating part 44. In the present instance this means takes the form of a clutch arm 55 bored to form a bearing fitting the eccentric 55 and including driving lugs 55 engaging complementary driving lugs 5'? on the crank portion 53. The arm 55 extends radially from the shaft 50 toward the inner periphery of the drum 45 and carries at its outer end means such as a clutch shoe 5B for engaging an inner peripheral clutch track 59 formed in the drum 45. Spring means 55 operates between the arm 55 and the shoe 58 to maintain the shoe in engageable position with respect to the clutch track 55. Because of the eccentricity oi the mounting of the clutch arm 55 with respect to the shaft 50, the normal tendency of the arm 55 is to move the clutch shoe 58 into engagement with the clutch track 59 in the drum 45.

As stated above it is an important object of the present invention to provide control means for selectively effecting engagement between the constantly rotating part 44 and the intermittently rotatable part or shaft 58. The inner radial face of the supporting wall 4: of the housing 18 includes an inwardly directed supporting portion 6| having a pair of cars 52 (only one or" which is shown) between which is pivoted a latch member 53 (Fig. 2). This latch is normally positioned to have a portion thereof arranged in the path of circular movement of the clutch arm 55. Stated otherwise, the latch member 53 normally forms an obstruction in the path of movement of the clutch arm 55; thus the latch member serves to maintain the clutch shoe 53 out of driven engagement with the clutch track 55 of the drum 45. The supporting wall 4| of the housing I8 carries outside thereof power-operated control means preferably in the form of a solenoid 64. The solenoid has a two-part plunger 55 that extends through an opening in the wall 4! into position to engage the latch member 63. Actuation of the solenoid 54 will move the plunger 65 inwardly of the drum 45 to pivot the latch member 53 out of the path of the arm 55, thus freeing the arm for movement so that the clutch shoe 58 engages the clutch. track 59 of the drum 45. A spring-pressed detent 56 cooperates with the latch member 53 to provide an over-center lock operative to main tain the latch member 63 against accidental. return to clutch-engaging position.

The design of the actuator and its function in actuating the firing mechanism is such that thegun can be fired upon a single revolution of the intermittently rotatable shaft.

According to the present invention, means are shaft 50..

with anarcuate camportion bio which-extends provided. for the purpose of disengaging,- the clutch arm 55 and. shoe 58 from the drum so after each revolution thereof. In the. present instance, this means. takes the form-oi a cam 61; formed at the. outer end of a radial-1y extend- .ing member having its inner end carried, on the eccentric-53 of the shaft 55. As best'shown in Figs. 1 and 5, the inner :face'of the cam member 81 has a, pair of lugs '68 cooperable with complementary lugs 65 on the eccentric 53. for securing the parts for joint. rotation. A nut '55 is threaded on the threaded extension 55 of the, eccentric 53 and securesthe member 5:? and the arm 55. to the The outer end of, the cam 5 is formed The foregoing construction assumes that the --circuit, to the solenoid 64 will have been released so that the plunger 65 willhave been restored to initiating position. In other words, if the solenoid 64 were replaced by other suitable poweroperated means or by appropriate manual means it would be necessary to a successful return of the latch member t3 to its original position that thesolenoid plunger '55 or its equivalent would be relieved of its initiating force so that it could return to its original position.

According tothe present invention, provision has been made for successful operation of the actuating means even though return of the plunger 65 may be resisted, whether this resistance occurs as a result of continuous energizing of the solenoid B4 or by other means tending to precludereturn movement of the plunger 65.

As previously stated the plunger 55 is of twopart construction and preferably includes a main member 10 and a secondary member H inter- J connected by a resiliently collapsible connection. As best shown in Fig. 1 the member 75- is provided with an internal bore into which the member H fits. The latter member is formed with a transverse bore carrying a pair of radially outwardl-y spring-pressed detent members, such as balls 72, engageable with recesses in the interior surface of the bore in the member 75. The members 'H) and H are normally connected by the detent means I2 and occupy the positions shown in. Fig. 1. In. the event that the solenoid 6d remains energized after the latch 63 is moved out of the path. of the clutch arm 55, the detent means permits telescopic contraction between the members as the cam edge 67b forces the latch member 63 against the head of the plunger member 1|. When the circuit to the solenoid 66 is broken the plunger part H! is withdrawn into the solenoid and, because of the engagement between the enlarged head at the end of theplunger member 1| and the supporting portion 6|, the member H is held against movement and the detent means 12 are restored to position to connect the parts again for movement together.

In the operation of the actuator and firing mechanism in accordance with the preferred form of the invention herein illustrated and described the gun is loaded in any suitable manner and, with the motor 49 running, the solenoid 64 is actuated. As previously stated the. solenoid.

shoe 58 and track 59,.

may be. replaced byany other suitable mochanism. and the principle of, operati'on'remains the same. In the present instance it will be assumed that the solenoid is appropriately arranged in an electrical circuit connected to operate the actuator and other instrumentalities necessary to the operation of. the weapon. When the solenoid is energized the plunger members 10 and H move as a unit into engagement with the latch member 63 and move the latter out of engagement with the clutch arm 55 so that driving engagement is established between the constantly rotating part-4 5 and the intermittentlyrotatable shaft 55. Driving of. the arm 55 by the drum is effected, by means of the engagement between the The shoe 58 tends, because of the. eccentric mounting of the inner end of the arm on the shaft portion 53, to frictional engagement with; the track 59. However, the temporary obstruction effected by the latch member 63 prevents such engagement. On, the other hand, when the latch 63' is withdrawn from the. path of the arm'55, the slight frictional drag of the track 59 on the shoe 58 increases, until a positive drivingconnection is effected. GEM-sprotary movement is. translated through the eccentric 5t, actuator arm 25,. and actuator rod 2| to the trigger arm- (not shown) and the firing mechanism is actuated in the manner previously described. When the firing cycle is completed the cam 6 operates to move the latch as into position to reengage the clutch arm- 55 andati the same time to move the :plunger- 65 back into. the solenoid. Asset forthabove, the detent means 12 provides for contraction or relative movement between the plunger parts Hi and ll in the event that return movement of the plunger 65 is many manner resisted.

It willbeseen from the foregoing description that a desirable form of actuator has been provided for the actuation of the firing mechanism of a gun and particularly for the actuation of a firing mechanism. ofthe continuous-pull self- "cocking type. The; actuator consists of relatively few parts and is simple and efil'cient in construction and operation. Adequate provision has been made for elimination of the several difficulties that were heretofore encountered in the operation of the gun. in circumstances of the type referred to. It will be: understoodof course that the foregoing description pertains to only a preferred embodiment ofthe invention and that. the constructionset forth "may be altered or modified or applied to other instances Without departing from the spirit and scope of the inven-- tion as defined in the. appended claims.

1.. An actuator for the firingmcchanism of a gun, comprising a support having a wall portion, a drum having an open side positioned adjacent said: support wall to form arr-en ure therewith and having an opposite, closed side provided with axial sleeve, means between said support and sleeve for iournaling said. drum on said support, means on the inner periphery of said drum forming an inner annular clutch track, means forming an internal gear in said drum paralleling said clutch track, means for rotating said drum inclwding a pinion within said drum and meshing with. said internal gear, a main shaftjournaled in said sic-evev and having its inner end positioned within said drum and having its outer end crotending outside said sleeve, means on the inner end. of said main shaft providing. a stub shaft eccentric to said main shaft, a clutch arm pivoted 'on said stub shaft and including a clutch shoe engageable with said clutch track, a latch member pivoted on said wall of said support within said drum and having a portion thereof normally engageable with said clutch arm to maintain said clutch shoe out of driving engagement with said clutch track, means movable through said wall of said support for pivoting said latch member to cause swinging of said clutch arm on said stub shaft for engagement of said clutch shoe with said clutch track, cam means on said arm engageable with said latch member in response to predetermined rotation of said clutch arm with said drum to pivot said latch member for restoring the latter to its initial position so that said. clutch arm is pivoted on its stub shaft and said clutch shoe is disengaged from said clutch track, and means at the outer end of said main shaft for connection to the firing mechanism of a gun and operative upon rotation of said main shaft to actuate said mechanism.

2. An actuator for the firing mechanism of a gun, comprising a support, a rotatable drum journaled on said support, means on the inner periphery of said drum forming an inner annular clutch track, means forming an internal gear in said drum paralleling said clutch track, means for rotating said drum including a pinion within said drum and meshing with said internal gear, a main shaft journaled on said support and having its inner end positioned within said drum and having its'outer end extending outside said drum, means on the inner end of said main shaft providing a stub shaft eccentric to said main shaft, a clutch arm pivoted on said stub shaft and including a clutch shoe engageable with said clutch track of said drum, a latch member pivoted on said support within said drum and having a portion thereof normally engageable with said clutch arm to mainta n said clutch shoe out of driving engagement with said clutch track, means for pivoting said latch member to cause swinging of said clutch arm on sa d stub shaft for engagement of said clutch shoe. with said clutch track, cam means on said arm engageable with said latch member in response to predetermined rotation of said clutch arm with said drum to pivot said latch member for restoring the latter to its initial position so that said clutch arm is pivoted on its stub shaft and said clutch shoe is disengaged from said clutch track, and means at the outer end of said main shaft for connection to the firing mechanism of a gun and operative upon rotation of said main shaft to actuate said mechanism.

3. An actuator for the firing mechanism of a gun, comprising a support, a rotatable drum journaled on said support, means on said drum forming a clutch track, means forming a gear on said drum, means for rotating said drum including a pinion meshing with said gear, a main shaft journaled on said support, means on one end of said main shaft providing a stub shaft eccentric to said main shaft, a clutch arm pivoted on said stub shaft and including a clutch shoe engageable with said clutch track, a latch member pivoted on said support and having a portion thereof normally engageable with said clutch arm to maintain said clutch shoe out of driving engagement with said clutch track, means for pivoting said latch member to cause swinging of said clutch arm on said stub shaft for engagement of said clutch shoe with said clutch track, means on said arm engageable with said latch member in response to predetermined rotation of said clutch arm with said drum to pivot saidlatch member for restoring the latter to its initial position so that sad clutch arm is pivoted on its stub shaft and said clutch shoe is disengaged from said clutch track, and means on said main shaft for connection to the firing-mechanism of a gun and operative upon rotation of said main shaft to actuate said mechanism.

4. An actuator for the firing mechanism of a gun, comprising a support, a rotatable drum journaled on said support, means for rotating said drum, a shaft journaled on said support, crank means on said shaft, driving means movably carried by said crank means and including a member engageable with said drum, a release element movable on said support and having a portion thereof normally positioned to maintain said drum-engaging member out of engagement with said drum, means for actuating said release element to effect engagement of said drum-engaging member with said drum, means connected to said drum-engaging member and operable in response to predetermined rotation of said drumengaging member with said drum to actuate said release element for restoring the latter to its initial position so that said drum-engaging member is disengaged from said drum, and means on said shaft for connection to the firing mechanism of a gun and operative upon rotation of said shaft to actuate said mechanism.

5. An actuator for the firing mechanism of a gun, comprising a support, a rotatable driving drum journaled on said support and having an internal gear and clutch track, means engaging said gear to drive said drum, a driven member journaled on said support coaxially with said drum, driving means carried by said driven member and including a driving portion movable into and out of driving engagement with said clutch track, a release element movable on said support and having a portion thereof normally positioned to engage said driving portion to maintain the same out of engagement with said clutch track, means for moving said release element to effect driving engagement of said driving portion with said track, means movable with said driven member and operable in response to predetermined rotation of said driving member to actuate said release element for restoring the latter to its initial position so that said driving portion is disengaged from said track, and means on said driven member for connection to the firing mechanism of a. gun and operative upon rotation of said driven member to actuate said mechanism.

6. In an actuator for a gun firing mechanism having a driving part and a driven part and means for connecting said parts for movement together, the combination of operating means movable between an initial position and an operating position for effecting connection and disconnection of said parts and including a pair of members arranged for relative contraction and extension, yieldable means normally holding said members against contraction, means for moving said members as a unit to operating position to effect connection of said driving and driven parts, and means operable in response to predetermined movement of said parts together to return said operating means to initial position for disconnecting said parts, said yieldable means providing for contraction of said members in the event return movement of one of said members is resisted.

7. In an actuator for a gun firing mechanism having a driving part and a driven part and means for connecting said parts for movement together, the combination of operating means movable between an initial position and an operating position for effecting connection and disconnection of said parts and including a pair of members arranged'for relative contraction and extension, yieldable means normally holding said members against contraction, force-applying means connected to one of said members, means connecting the other of said members to one of said parts, said force-applying means being operable to move said members as a unit to operating position to efiect connection of said driving and driven parts, and means operable in response to predetermined movement of said parts together to return said operating means to initial position for disconnecting said parts, said yieldable means providing for contraction of said members in the event said force-applying means resists return movement of said members together.

8. In an actuator for a gun firing mechanism having a driving part and a driven part and means for connecting said parts for movement together, the combination of power-operated means for efiecting engagement of said parts for movement thereof together and including a reciprocable plunger, said plunger having a pair of relatively contractible members and yieldable means normally maintaining said members against contraction, and means operable in response to predetermined movement of said driving and driven parts for returning said plunger to efiect disengagement of said parts, said yield able means providing for contraction of said members in the event that said power-operated means resists return movement thereof.

9. In an actuator for a gun firing mechanism having a constantly movable part, an intermittently movable part and a normally motionless clutch element arranged for release to establish coupling between said parts, the combination of latch means normally engaging said clutch element to hold said element motionless and movable to release said element to establish driving coupling between said parts, a movable control member, a secondary member, yieldable means connecting said members normally for movement as a unit but providing for reverse movement of said secondary member independently of said control member, said secondary member when moved in a forward direction engaging and moving said latch means to release said clutch element, and means moving as a unit with said intermittently movable part for positively moving said latch means to a position in which it arrests said clutch element to thereby interrupt driving coupling between said parts, the aforesaid yieldable means providing for reverse movement of said secondary member by said latch means although movement may be resisted by said control member.

10. In an actuator for a gun firing mechanism, a constantly movable driving part, an intermittently movable driven part, normally motionless clutch means releasable to connect said parts in driving relation, a, control member movable in a forward or parts-coupling direction independently of said intermittently movable part,

latch means normally engaging said clutch means to hold the same in release position, said latch means being operated by movement of said control member in said parts-connecting direction to release said clutch means to thereby couple said parts, cam means operable directly by and in response to predetermined movement of said driven part to actuate said latch means to a position to engage said clutch means and thereby to disconnect said parts, and means for precluding further actuation of said latch means by said control member until said control member has been first moved in a reverse direction.

11. In an actuator for a gun-firing mechanism, a constantly movable power-driven part, an intermittently movable part normally motionless clutch means releasable to couple said parts in driving relation, an electrically-energizable control member, latch means operated in response to energization of said control member to release said clutch means and thereby couple said parts in driving relation, means operable in response to predetermined movement of said intermittently movable part to operate said latch means to arrest said clutch means and thereby disconnect said parts, and means precluding actuation of said latch means by said control member until said control member has been de-energized.

12. In an actuator for a gun firing mechanism, a constantly moving power-driven part, an intermittently movable part, clutch means releasable to couple said parts in driving relation, control means for said clutch means, comprising a manually-controlled power-operated member, rod means independent of said parts and operable by said member to release said clutch means when power is applied to said member to thereby couple said parts, means operable in response to predetermined movement of said intermittently movable part to actuate said rod means to arrest said clutch means and disconnect said parts, said rod means comprising relatively slidable parts for precluding release of said clutch means by said member unless and until power has. been disconnected from said member.

VICTOR F. LUCH'I'.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 522,509 Canet July 3, 1894 766,221 Cooper Aug. 2, 1904 804,899 Tasker Nov. 21, 1905 987,514 Votsch Mar. 21, 1911 1,164,901 Zaleski Dec. 21, 1915 1,640,871 Ballard Aug. 30, 1927 1,765,527 Gollnick et a1 June 24, 1930 1,795,568 McCann Mar. 10, 1931 1,811,028 Ryan June 23, 1931 2,368,987 Henschker Feb. 6, 1945 2,383,088 Shaw Aug. 21, 1945 2,457,827 Love Jan. 4, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 130,349 Austria Nov. 10, 1932 304,076 Italy Dec. 26. 1932

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