A method of feeding rounds of linked, or un-linked, ammunition to a gun includes a motor-driven chain drive which rotates about a track. A rotatable feeder engages the ammunition to feed an ammunition round into a round extractor/retractor. A rotatable round positioner receives an ammunition round from the round extractor/retractor, and rotates it to a firing position. A main geneva wheel, mounted near the chain drive, is sequentially engaged by first and second drive rollers, secured to the chain drive, for being periodically rotated thereby. Drive pins of the main geneva wheel sequentially engage radial slots in a belt/round feed geneva wheel and a round positioning geneva wheel for timed rotation thereof to synchronize the operation of the round feeder and round positioner.

The present invention, in a non-limiting example embodiment provides a feeder/delinker and method for improving the reliability of a feeder/delinker. In an example embodiment, the apparatus comprises a feeder and delinker for use in a gatling gun, the gatling gun comprising a plurality of gun barrels rotatably mounted in a ring, the feeder and delinker comprising: a housing, a drive gear rotationally coupled to the plurality of gun barrels rotatably mounted in the ring, the drive gear extending through the housing; a push rod guide and a plurality of push rods oriented parallel to the plurality of gun barrels rotatably mounted in the ring, the plurality of push rods being slidably received within a corresponding plurality of longitudinal grooves within the push rod guide, the push rod guide being rotationally coupled to the drive gear, at least one of the push rod guide or push rods comprising a friction reducer located between the push rod and push rod guide, the push rod guide and the plurality of push rods and the shaft being mounted within the housing.

A weapon for firing rounds of linked, or un-linked, ammunition includes a motor-driven chain drive which rotates about a track. A rotatable feeder engages the ammunition to feed an ammunition round into a round extractor/retractor. A rotatable round positioner receives an ammunition round from the round extractor/retractor, and rotates it to a firing position. A main geneva wheel, mounted near the chain drive, is sequentially engaged by first and second drive rollers, secured to the chain drive, for being periodically rotated thereby. Drive pins of the main geneva wheel sequentially engage radial slots in a belt/round feed geneva wheel and a round positioning geneva wheel for timed rotation thereof to synchronize the operation of the round feeder and round positioner.

A weapon for firing rounds of linked, or un-linked, ammunition includes a motor-driven chain drive which rotates about a track. A rotatable feeder engages the ammunition to feed an ammunition round into a round extractor/retractor. A rotatable round positioner receives an ammunition round from the round extractor/retractor, and rotates it to a firing position. A main geneva wheel, mounted near the chain drive, is sequentially engaged by first and second drive rollers, secured to the chain drive, for being periodically rotated thereby. Drive pins of the main geneva wheel sequentially engage radial slots in a belt/round feed geneva wheel and a round positioning geneva wheel for timed rotation thereof to synchronize the operation of the round feeder and round positioner.

A delinker (150) for a firearm may feature a modular delinker shaft (152) such that individual components may be replaced when they fail, rather than replacing a whole shaft. Push rods (164) may be keyed to guides (162) to counter centrifugal, inertial, force. Lock rods (170) may be used to accomplish the keyed interaction. Firing bolts may also utilize the keyed construction.

A delinker (150) for a firearm may feature a modular delinker shaft (152) such that individual components may be replaced when they fail, rather than replacing a whole shaft. Push rods (164) may be keyed to guides (162) to counter centrifugal, inertial, force. Lock rods (170) may be used to accomplish the keyed interaction. Firing bolts may also utilize the keyed construction.

A machine gun (e.g., a minigun) is provided with a modular delinker. The front of the delinker (i.e., nose) can be removed from the main body of the delinker without tools. The paddle wheel in the main body includes a front paddle wheel and a rear paddle wheel. The front paddle wheel is removable from the main body with the nose, and the rear paddle wheel remains within the main body on a driven shaft of the delinker when the nose is removed from the main body. Thus, some components of the delinker are accessible and serviceable without tools, and the nose and front paddle wheel may be swapped out without tools out to alter a compatible ammunition cartridge type of the delinker. A jam can be cleared and damaged front and/or rear paddle wheels can be replaced in the field to return a gun to service.

A machine gun (e.g., a minigun) is provided with a modular delinker. The front of the delinker (i.e., nose) can be removed from the main body of the delinker without tools. The paddle wheel in the main body includes a front paddle wheel and a rear paddle wheel. The front paddle wheel is removable from the main body with the nose, and the rear paddle wheel remains within the main body on a driven shaft of the delinker when the nose is removed from the main body. Thus, some components of the delinker are accessible and serviceable without tools, and the nose and front paddle wheel may be swapped out without tools out to alter a compatible ammunition cartridge type of the delinker. A jam can be cleared and damaged front and/or rear paddle wheels can be replaced in the field to return a gun to service.

A machine gun (e.g., a minigun) is provided with a delinker including a loaded round indicator. The loaded round indictor is configured to rest flush with an outer surface of a rear door of the delinker when the rear door is closed and an ammunition cartridge is not fully loaded into the delinker. The loaded round indictor is further configured to extend outwardly from the outer surface of the rear door when the rear door is closed and an ammunition cartridge is fully loaded into the delinker.

A machine gun (e.g., a minigun) is provided with a delinker including a loaded round indicator. The loaded round indictor is configured to rest flush with an outer surface of a rear door of the delinker when the rear door is closed and an ammunition cartridge is not fully loaded into the delinker. The loaded round indictor is further configured to extend outwardly from the outer surface of the rear door when the rear door is closed and an ammunition cartridge is fully loaded into the delinker.