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Lightweight rammer

a rammer and light-weight technology, applied in the field of rammers, can solve the problems of general unavoidable phenomenon, unsuitable air transport, and heavy towed artillery pieces, and achieve the effects of reducing fatigue, saving weight, and increasing speed

Inactive Publication Date: 2008-09-11
ARMY US SEC THE
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0015]The embodiments of the invention provide a rammer system that is sufficiently lightweight to be dismountable and transported separately from other artillery pieces to save weight when sling loading, if necessary. Because there are no hydraulic reservoirs or motors on the rammer system, the rammer system could slip over studs on the carriage of a gun, perhaps engaging the recoil mass by a pad, could be removable, and could be lifted by as few as two crewmen. Other advantages afforded by the embodiments of the invention are increased speed, reduced fatigue, reduced heat stress when wearing chemical protective gear, especially overgarments, reduced personnel requirements, and increased safety.

Problems solved by technology

However, these types of towed artillery pieces are extremely heavy, and may not be suitable for air transport.
This phenomenon is generally unavoidable due to the generation of counter electromagnetic forces caused by a turning motor as verified by Lenz' law.
Internal combustion engines cannot cease to turn without stopping completely (stalling), which requires clutches or hydro-pumped transmissions to exert intermittent forces.
However, these additional components tend to add extra weight and complexity to the system.
However, these components tended to be quite heavy and fuel intensive.

Method used

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Examples

Experimental program
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first embodiment

[0031]FIG. 1 illustrates an open cycle rammer system 1 according to the invention, whereby the open cycle rammer system 1 utilizes a source of working pressure and preferably uses an actuating fluid (gas or liquid) 22, but does not require external power supplies, motors, etc. Generally, the rammer system 1 comprises an internal combustion or monopropellant generator component 2 connected to a ramming component 3. More particularly, the rammer system 1 comprises an outer casing 24 which houses several sub-components. These sub-components include a firing mechanism 5, which is preferably embodied as a primer, catalyst, spark, or percussion or electric initiation-firing pin or probe.

[0032]The firing mechanism 5 engages a breech closure 12, which is preferably embodied as a horizontally guided sliding wedge. The breech closure 12 connects to a first side of an actuator component 14, wherein the actuator component 14 is embodied as a combustion chamber, a propellant cartridge, or a pres...

second embodiment

[0039]FIG. 2 illustrates an open cycle rammer assembly 10 with the direct action of propellant gases. The rammer assembly 10 is similarly configured to the open cycle rammer system 1 shown in FIG. 1, and as such like reference numerals in FIGS. 1 and 2 correspond to like components in both schematics. Generally, the rammer assembly 10 comprises an outer casing 24 which houses several sub-components. These sub-components include a firing mechanism 5, which is preferably embodied as a primer, spark, or percussion or electric initiation-firing pin or probe.

[0040]The firing mechanism 5 connects to a breech closure 12, which is preferably embodied as a horizontally guided sliding wedge. The breech closure 12 connects to a first side of an actuator component 14 embodied as a combustion chamber, a propellant cartridge, or a pressure vessel. On a second side of the actuator component 14 the rammer assembly 10 includes a pressure accumulator 19 which holds the actuating fluid 22. A vent 21 c...

fourth embodiment

[0044]FIGS. 4 through 7 illustrate successive stages of operation of a rammer system 31 according to the invention, which utilizes a regeneration piston 48 to regenerate the actuating fluid 22. Regeneration is accomplished through action of the regeneration piston 48 driven by the recoil motion of the recoiling parts (gun tube, breech, and cradle, collectively, the recoil mass 50) compressing the actuating fluid 22 vented from the rammer chamber 15 in retraction of the rammer piston 35. Generally, as shown in FIG. 4, high pressured gas 60 enters the pressure accumulator 19 from the actuator component 14 via a check valve 33 that separates the actuator component 14 from the pressure accumulator 19. The rammer system 31 further includes a second check valve 40 configured in the inner wall of the pressure accumulator 19, which connects to a regeneration cylinder 42 via a regeneration cylinder exit tube 41. The check valve 40 shown in FIG. 4 is closed to prevent the actuating fluid 22 f...

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Abstract

A lightweight rammer system and method for engaging an artillery projectile or propellant charge, wherein the rammer system comprises an internal combustion generator comprising a first firing mechanism; an actuator driven by the firing mechanism, wherein the actuator comprises a propellant combustible into a pressurized fluid; and a pressure accumulator connected to the actuator, wherein the pressure accumulator controllably releases the pressurized fluid; a ramming component connected to the internal combustion generator and powered by the pressurized fluid; and means for regenerating pressure in the pressure accumulator actuated by recoil motion of the ramming component.

Description

GOVERNMENT INTEREST[0001]The invention described herein may be manufactured, used, and / or licensed by or for the United States Government.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The invention generally relates to rammers used for artillery projectiles, and more particularly to a self-powered rammer for engaging artillery projectiles or propellant charges.[0004]2. Description of the Related Art[0005]Projectiles, and when separate from projectiles, the propellant charges, must be thrust far enough into the tube of an artillery piece for proper loading. In some instances, in order to properly load a projectile, man-powered rammers are used. In other instances, artillery with auxiliary power such as the South African G-5 may be used to power the rammers. The former Soviet 2A36 and 2A65 towed artillery pieces use a rammer. The rammer and breech of the 2A36 are operated from a hydraulic reservoir charged by recoil, but until the first shot, the rammer for the 2A36 ...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & Authority Applications(United States)
IPC IPC(8): F41A15/00
CPCF41A9/44
Inventor BRAND, JOHNBARFIELD, THOMAS H.
Owner ARMY US SEC THE
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