Ammunition feed system with an automatic clutch
An automatic clutch is integrated in a weapon system between an ammunition feed system and a cannon. A feeder feeds ammunition into the cannon. The clutch mechanism includes an actuator, a locking pin with an assisting spring or the like, and locking cams. The clutch mechanism allows the drum shaft of the cannon to be disengaged from the gear of the feeder between the cannon and the ammunition supply system and thus from the conveyance mechanism of the feeder.
1. A linkless ammunition feed system for a revolver cannon, comprising:
a revolver cannon;
a feeder integrated in a position as a last cartridge position in the ammunition feed system before ammunition is fed to the cannon, the feeder being operative to feed the ammunition from the last cartridge position into the cannon, the feeder having a conveyor star wheel and a butterfly element for holding the cartridge in a barrel or cartridge chamber of the cannon, which are connected by gears with a rotor shaft and a drum shaft of the cannon; and
an automatic clutch mechanism connected with the feeder and automatically movable between a position to effect disengagement of the feeder from the cannon so that the rotor shaft is disengaged from one of the gears and a position to effect reliable engagement and synchronization of the feeder and the cannon during firing of the cannon, the clutch mechanism including an electrically driven actuator.
2. The ammunition feed system in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the clutch mechanism includes a locking pin and locking cams, wherein, to effect disengagement, the actuator is movable into a first end position A so as to cause the locking pin to move in a direction C parallel to the direction A and release the locking cams, and to effect engagement, the actuator is movable into a second end position B so as to cause the locking pin to move in a direction D opposite direction C whereby the locking cams are pushed into a locked position.
3. The ammunition feed system in accordance with claim 2 , wherein the clutch mechanism further includes a spring arranged to assist movement of the locking pin in direction D.
4. The ammunition feed system in accordance with claim 1 , and further comprising an additional catch arranged to hold and release the one gear of the rotor shaft of the feeder, and an additional actuator arranged to actuate a lever of the catch to engage or disengage a groove of the one gear.
5. The ammunition feed system in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the ammunition is conveyed without links.