Ammunition body holding device with expandable holding element

Abstract

An ammunition body holding device that includes a holder for holding the ammunition body, in particular a projectile and/or a propellant, wherein the holder has at least one expandable holding element for holding the ammunition body.

Claims

1. An ammunition body holding device, comprising: a holder for holding an ammunition body, wherein the holder has a plurality of expandable holding elements for holding the ammunition body, wherein at least a first and a second holding element are arranged along a circumference of the holder and at least the second and a third holding element are arranged in an axial direction, wherein the holding elements are configured to be individually controlled for expansion.

2. The ammunition body holding device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the holder can be adapted to different types of ammunition bodies, which are held by the expandable holding elements.

3. The ammunition body holding device as claimed in claim 1, wherein each expandable holding element is expandable through pressure of a fluid, wherein the fluid is introduced into an inside of the associated expandable holding element.

4. The ammunition body holding device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a pressure generator for generating pressure in an inside of each expandable holding element.

5. The ammunition body holding device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a holding force can be set through an adjusted application of pressure in each expandable holding element.

6. The ammunition body holding device as claimed in claim 1, wherein each expandable holding element is expandable in a radial direction.

7. The ammunition body holding device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ammunition body is clampable in the holder by the expandable holding elements.

8. The ammunition body holding device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the holder has at least two expandable holding elements extending in a radial direction and located along a circumference of the holder.

9. The ammunition body holding device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the expandable holding elements are arranged at ends of the holder and/or at a center of the holder.

10. The ammunition body holding device as claimed in claim 1, wherein each expandable holding element includes an expandable cushion.

11. A handling device for holding and/or moving an ammunition body, the handling device comprising: an ammunition body holding device having a holder for holding an ammunition body, wherein the holder has a plurality of expandable holding element for holding the ammunition body, wherein at least a first and a second holding element are arranged along a circumference of the holder and at least the second and a third holding element are arranged in an axial direction, wherein the holding elements are configured to be individually controlled for expansion.

12. A weapons system having at least one ammunition body magazine, the weapons system comprising: an ammunition body holding device having a holder for holding an ammunition body, wherein the holder has a plurality of expandable holding elements for holding the ammunition body, wherein at least a first and a second holding element are arranged along a circumference of the holder and at least the second and a third holding element are arranged in an axial direction, wherein the holding elements are configured to be individually controlled for expansion.

13. The weapons system as claimed in claim 12, wherein, in order to load the ammunition body magazine, the ammunition body holding device is arranged both in an ammunition flow between the ammunition body magazine and a weapon.

14. The weapons system as claimed in claim 12, wherein the ammunition body holding device can be used for filling and/or emptying of a propellant and/or a projectile.

15. A method for holding an ammunition body comprising: providing an ammunition body holding device with a holder; and providing the holder with a plurality of expandable holding elements for holding the ammunition body, which the expandable holding elements are expanded for holding the ammunition body, wherein at least a first and a second holding element are arranged along a circumference of the holder and at least the second and a third holding element are arranged in an axial direction, wherein the holding elements are configured to be individually controlled for expansion.

16. The method as claimed in claim 15, further comprising contracting the expandable holding elements to release the ammunition body.

17. The method as claimed in claim 15, further comprising introducing a fluid into the expandable holding elements and adjusting a pressure in an inside of the expandable holding elements, as a result of which the expandable holding elements are expanded or contracted.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Further details of the disclosed system and method are to be described in greater detail below with the help of the exemplary embodiments depicted in the figures. In the drawing:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a first exemplary embodiment of the disclosed ammunition body holding device;

(3) FIGS. 2(a)-(e) show a sectional depiction of an ammunition body holding device of FIG. 1 in different stages of receiving an ammunition body;

(4) FIG. 3 shows perspective views of the ammunition body holding device of FIG. 1 with different ammunition bodies;

(5) FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a weapons system having a handling device with the disclosed ammunition body holding device of FIG. 1;

(6) FIG. 5 shows a schematic representation of a weapons system incorporating the disclosed ammunition body holding device;

(7) FIG. 6 shows a schematic representation of a weapons system with external ammunition body magazines arranged thereon and the ammunition body holding device of FIG. 1 in a receiving position;

(8) FIG. 7 shows a schematic representation of a weapons system with external ammunition body magazines arranged thereon and an embodiment of the disclosed ammunition body holding device in a loading position;

(9) FIG. 8 shows a schematic representation of a weapons system with external ammunition body magazines;

(10) FIG. 9 shows details from the projectile magazine and propellant magazine with a second exemplary embodiment of the disclosed ammunition body holding device; and

(11) FIG. 10 shows a schematic representation of the pressure distribution.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(12) FIG. 1 shows an ammunition body holding device 1, by means of which a wide variety of different kinds of ammunition bodies 6 and, in particular, projectiles 6.1 and/or propellants 6.2 can be handled safely and reliably. Corresponding ammunition bodies 6 can be used in weapons systems 14, for example, as in artillery guns, combat vehicles, or the like, for example, particularly in the area of magazines 9, 10, 12, 13 or for filling and/or emptying ammunition.

(13) In corresponding weapons systems 14, a wide variety of different kinds of ammunition bodies 6 are generally used in this case, and these are typically handled using different ammunition body holding devices 1 assigned to a type of ammunition body in each case, or manually. The ammunition bodies 6 frequently differ in terms of geometry, material, mass, or the like. Ammunition bodies 6 also differ in terms of sensitivity. Consequently, projectiles 6.1 are usually substantially more robust in design than propellants 6.2, for example. However, the projectiles 6.1 are then usually also substantially heavier and have a greater circumference, for example, than is the case with propellants 6.2, for example.

(14) So that ammunition bodies 6 of the most varied kinds can be handled safely and reliably, and in order to be able to facilitate fully or partially automated handling too, a holder 2 which has at least one expandable holding element 3 for holding the ammunition body 6 is provided in the case of the ammunition body holding device 1 according to the invention.

(15) In an embodiment, an ammunition body holding device 1 is therefore provided which can be used for different kinds of ammunition bodies 6 and, to this extent, can be used in a plurality of weapons systems 14 with automated ammunition feed.

(16) The ammunition body holding device 1, as can be seen in particular in the detail in FIGS. 1 and 2a to 2e, has a holder 2 which is designed for holding the ammunition body 6 and, in particular, a projectile 6.1 and/or a propellant 6.2. At least one expandable holding element 3 is arranged on the holder 2, which holding element can be expanded to hold the ammunition body 6. With the help of the holding element 3, the holder 2 and, in particular, the ammunition body holding device 1 can be adapted to a wide variety of different kinds of ammunition bodies 6, in terms of diameter, geometry, form, mass, or the like, for example.

(17) As can furthermore be seen in FIG. 1 or 2a to e, the holder 2 in accordance with the present exemplary embodiment is designed as a kind of gripping device which has a pincer-shaped geometry overall. The holder 2 is designed in such a manner that it engages around the ammunition body 6 at least in part. The ammunition body 6 can be introduced into the receiving means 5 formed in this way and then held by the expanded holding element 3.

(18) The holder 2 has at least one holding element 3. It has proved advantageous, however, for at least two, in particular three, holding elements 3, to be arranged along the circumference of the holder 2, i.e. in a radial direction R. The holding elements 3 are arranged spaced apart from one another, so that a three-point bearing of the ammunition body 6 that has been introduced results. Alternatively, however, only one expandable holding element 3 may also be provided, for example, which is arranged at only one point or also along the entire circumference of the holder 2. As is further shown by the depictions in FIG. 2, the holding elements 3 are arranged at the holder ends 2.1 and also in the center of the holder 2.2. However, the invention is not limited to this. Instead, embodiments are also conceivable in which only one holding element 3 or a different number of holding elements 3 is provided.

(19) The ammunition body 6 is held by a holding face 7 of the holding element 3. The holding face 7 faces the ammunition body 6 and can come into contact with the ammunition body 6. The surface of the holding face 7 can preferably be configured in such a manner that a clamping effect produced by the expansion of the holding element 3 is increased, for example by a surface coating or surface structuring. Coatings made of rubber, plastic or another material can be used as the surface coating and/or coatings which give rise to a high frictional coefficient between the holding element 3 and the ammunition body 6.

(20) In order to hold the ammunition body 6, the holding elements 3 can, in particular, be expanded by the pressure of a fluid 21. The pressure in the holding element 3 can preferably be produced hydraulically and/or pneumatically in this case. Through the application of pressure to the holding element 3, said holding element 3 is expanded and thereby produces a holding force which holds the ammunition body 6 through contact with the ammunition body 6. The holding elements 3 act particularly in a radial direction R, i.e. they produce a radial force in the direction of the ammunition body axis A.

(21) The pressure can in turn be generated by means of a pressure generator 18 not depicted in greater detail, for example, such as a pump or a compressor, for example. For this purpose, at least one connection 4 for connecting a hydraulic and/or pneumatic line system is provided on the holding element 3. In this way, the fluid 21 can be introduced and removed, as a result of which the pressure in the inside of the holding element 3 can be controlled. Hence, for example, a high holding force can be produced by means of a high pressure and a low holding force by means of a lower pressure. The holding force can be set by means of an adjusted pressure application by the holding element 3. In this way, different ammunition bodies 6 can be kept operationally safe and free from damage.

(22) The individual connections 4 of the holding elements 3 can preferably be controlled individually, as a result of which said holding elements 3 can be controlled jointly and/or separately. So that the pressures in the holding elements 3 can be checked in addition, sensors which are not depicted in greater detail can be provided which measure the internal pressure of the holding elements 3. In this way, there can be a feedback and the holding pressure can be controlled according to need or, however, a fault can also be identified.

(23) According to the present exemplary embodiment, the holding element 3 is configured as a cushion, in particular as a high-pressure cushion, which has a cuboid shape overall. Alternatively, however, embodiments with a round, oval, tubular, or other, cushions are also possible. The holding element 3 may, in addition, be produced from a plastic material and have a membrane, for example. In this way, when holding an ammunition body 6 the holding element 3 can be adapted to the outer contour of said ammunition body 6.

(24) A first embodiment of the ammunition body holding device 1 according to the invention is shown in FIG. 1. As can be seen, the ammunition body holding device 1 is designed in the manner of an elongate ammunition body receiving means 5 which has a plurality of holding elements 3. The holding elements 3 in this case are firstly arranged on the holder 2 in a longitudinal direction, in particular in a direction parallel to the ammunition body holding device axis or ammunition body axis A, in rows behind one another. In addition, multiple holding elements 3 are also provided in the radial direction R, in particular along the circumference of the holder 2. By means of an embodiment of this kind, a wide variety of different kinds of ammunition bodies 6 can easily be handled, as is shown by way of example in FIG. 3. Depending on the ammunition body 6, the holding elements 3 can apply the same pressure or a different pressure at the same time and/or at different times. Consequently, the ammunition body holding device 1 can be adjusted to any ammunition bodies 6.

(25) Alternatively, or in addition, the ammunition body holding device 1 may also be designed as a holder 2 which only has only one holding element 3 in the longitudinal direction, or one or multiple holding elements 3 along the circumference, for example. The ammunition body holding device 1 may also have a rather short length, corresponding to the length of a holding element 3, for example.

(26) A further exemplary embodiment of an ammunition body holding device 1 according to the invention is shown in FIG. 9, for example, and this can be used in any weapons system 14 and, in particular, in each ammunition body magazine 9, 10, 12, 13, alternatively or additionally.

(27) In that case, the ammunition body holding device 1 is designed as an elongate ammunition body holding device 1 which has only one holding element 3. The ammunition body holding device 1 is arranged in one, or multiple, of the ammunition body magazines 9, 10, 12, 13 and is used for holding the ammunition body 6 in the magazines 9, 10, 12, 13. In particular, multiple ammunition body holding devices 1 of this kind can be provided which work together. Hence, for example, ammunition body holding devices 1 which each expand in relation to one another and thereby clamp the ammunition bodies 6 between them can be provided between each individual row of ammunition bodies 6. In addition, multiple ammunition body holding devices 1 can be provided at different heights, so that the ammunition bodies 6 are held at the top and bottom, for example. In this way, safe transportation can be guaranteed, even during movement, for example a journey made by a combat vehicle.

(28) With the help of an ammunition body holding device 1 according to the invention, differences between the different shapes and kinds of ammunition bodies 6 can be compensated for. With the help of the expandable holding element 3 which is positioned on a holder 2, the different geometric ammunition bodies 6 can be securely held. The holding elements 3 in this case are arranged behind one another and at right angles to the holder axis A. These can be filled, as required, independently of one another, namely such that on the one hand heavy projectiles 6.1 remain positioned and, on the other hand, the light, filigree propellants 6.2 are not damaged.

(29) The receiving means and the holding action are to be explained in greater detail with the help of the depictions in FIGS. 2a to e.

(30) In FIG. 2a the holding elements 3 are initially contracted and not expanded. The pressure in the inside of the holding elements 3 tends to be low. In this position, the ammunition body holding device 1 is prepared for receiving an ammunition body 6.

(31) FIG. 2b shows by way of example expanded holding elements 3, wherein no ammunition body 6 is received, however. The pressure in the inside of the holding elements 3 has become greater, since the cushions, as holding elements 3a, have been pumped up with a fluid 21, in particular compressed air.

(32) In order to hold an ammunition body 6, said ammunition body 6 can initially be pushed, inserted, or the like, into the ammunition body holding device 1 and, in particular, received by the ammunition body receiving means 5. This process is shown in FIG. 2c. According to need and the ammunition bodies 6 used, the holding elements 3 can then be controlled and expanded, in particular by means of a control device. Prior to expansion, the ammunition body 6 lies loosely in the ammunition body receiving means 5, cf. FIG. 2d.

(33) Through expansion of the holding element 3, the ammunition body 6 is then finally held and clamped between the holding elements 3 in the holder 2, cf. FIG. 2e. In this way, the ammunition body 6 can be held reliably and safely and thereby moved into the weapon 8, for example, or held in a magazine 9, 10, 12, 13. Through expansion of the holding element 3, the pressure, and therefore the volume, of the holding element 3 can be increased and a clamping force can thereby be produced between the holder 2 and/or holding element 3 and the ammunition body 6 due to the rigid holder 2. Expansion of the expandable holding element 3 against the ammunition body 6 can result in clamping and counter-clamping, wherein as pressure increases in the expandable holding element 3, the clamping and counter-clamping also increase. To this extent and as a result of this, a greater holding force, in particular a greater maximum holding force, can also be produced as pressure increases in the expandable holding element 3.

(34) By means of the ammunition body holding device 1 according to the invention, through the use of expandable holding elements 3, in particular high-pressure cushions, different ammunition bodies 6 with different masses and shapes can be handled using a standard method or holding mechanism, see also the different exemplary depictions in FIG. 3. The ammunition body holding device 1 can be used for holding, conveying and/or storing ammunition bodies 6, in particular projectiles 6.1 and/or propellants 6.2.

(35) FIG. 4 shows the use of an ammunition body holding device 1 in a weapons system 14, in particular a combat vehicle or an artillery gun, which comprises a weapon 8, in particular a barrel weapon, a projectile magazine 9 with multiple projectiles 6.1, and a propellant magazine 10 with multiple propellants 6.2. Here, the ammunition body holding device 1 is part of an ammunition body handling device 11. The ammunition body handling device 11 is arranged both in the ammunition flow between the propellant magazine 10 and the weapon 8, and in the ammunition flow between the projectile magazine 9 and the weapon 8. In this case, it is then no longer necessary for different handling devices 11 to be provided for different ammunition bodies 6, in particular projectiles 6.1 and propellants 6.2. Through adjustment by means of the expanding holding element 3, universal deployment of the ammunition body holding device 1 can take place. The ammunition body handling device 11 in this case is used as a loading device for supplying projectiles 6.1 and propellants 6.2 to the weapon 8. For this purpose, the ammunition body holding device 1 may, for example, be arranged on a guiding device 16, along which the ammunition body holding device 1 can be moved between a receiving position, in which the ammunition body holding device 1 can remove the ammunition body 6 from one of the magazines 9, 10, in particular, and a loading position behind the weapon 8. In order to receive the ammunition body 6, the ammunition body holding device 1 can, in particular, be pivoted about a pivot axis and, for example, from a horizontal position into a vertical position.

(36) Alternatively, or in addition, a corresponding ammunition body holding device 1 can also be used for filling and/or emptying ammunition. For this purpose, the ammunition body holding device 1 can be moved into the region of a hatch 17 of the weapons system 14, for example. Ammunition bodies 6 can be introduced into the weapons system 14 from outside, for example by means of an ammunition filling and emptying device, as is described in DE 10 2011 050 430 A1, for example, or further conveyed manually and then by means of the ammunition body holding device 1.

(37) An alternative or additional embodiment of a weapons system 14 is shown in FIGS. 6 to 8. As can be seen, the weapons system 14 is designed to be substantially identical to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 4. However, in this case further ammunition body magazines 12, 13 are provided in addition, which are configured as external ammunition body magazines 12, 13. These can be fastened to the outside of the weapons system 14 subsequently, for example, and store additional ammunition bodies 6. In the present case, an additional external projectile magazine 12 and also an additional propellant magazine 13 can be provided. However, arbitrary embodiments of the weapons system 14 with a different number of internal and/or external magazines 9, 10, 12, 13 are conceivable.

(38) As can be further identified, both ammunition bodies 6 from the internal magazines 9, 10, and ammunition bodies 6 from the external magazines 12, 13 can be handled by means of the handling device 11 and, in particular, the ammunition body holding device 1. Hence, FIG. 6 shows by way of example a position of the ammunition body holding device 1 in which propellants 6.2 can be removed from the external ammunition body magazine 13 and then, as is shown in FIG. 7, moved into a position behind the weapon 8. Here, too, the handling device 11 and, in particular, the ammunition body holding device 1 is arranged in the ammunition flow between the projectile magazine 9 and also in the ammunition flow between the propellant magazine 10 and the weapon 8, but also in the ammunition flow between the projectile magazine 12 and also in the ammunition flow between the propellant magazine 13 and the weapon 8. Ammunition bodies 6 could also be removed from one of the external ammunition body magazines 12, 13 by means of the ammunition body holding device 1, for example, and moved to one of the internal ammunition body magazines 9, 10, in order to fill and/or empty these with/of ammunition. Alternatively, or in addition, filling and/or emptying with/of ammunition between an external ammunition body store 15 and the weapon 8 and/or the magazines 9, 10 and/or the magazines 12, 13 can also take place in this exemplary embodiment. This is indicated by the dot-dash lines in FIG. 8 which depict the ammunition flows schematically.

(39) Insofar as the ammunition body handling device 11 is also used for loading the weapon 8, it is also possible for the ammunition bodies 6 to be supplied directly to the weapon 8 from the external projectile magazine 13 and the external propellant magazine 14. Prior filling of the internal magazines 9, 10 with ammunition is not strictly necessary.

(40) In FIGS. 4 to 8 it is also possible that instead of, or in addition to, the propellant magazine 10, at least one further projectile magazine 12 and/or at least one further propellant magazine 13 is/are arranged in the weapons system 14. Projectiles 6.2 and/or propellants 6.1 which are different from the projectiles 6.2 and/or propellants 6.1 in the magazines 9, 10 can be stored in these.

(41) FIG. 10 shows schematically the pressure distribution with a pressure generator 18, e.g. a controllable pump. The holding elements 3 are connected to the pressure generator 18 by means of a line and valve system. The holding elements 3 are connected to the pressure generator 18 via one or multiple lines 20 and one or multiple valves 19. The pressure generator 18 can introduce a fluid 21 into the inside of the holding elements 3 through the lines 20, as a result of which the holding element 3 expands. Similarly, the fluid 21 can also be drained from the holding element 3 again, as a result of which it contracts.

REFERENCE NUMBERS

(42) 1 Ammunition body holding device 2 Holder 2.1 Holder end 2.2 Center of the holder 3 Holding element 4 Connection 5 Ammunition body receiving means 6 Ammunition body 6.1 Projectile 6.2 Propellant 7 Holding face 8 Weapon 9 Projectile magazine 10 Propellant magazine 11 Handling device 12 External projectile magazine 13 External propellant magazine 14 Weapons system 15 Ammunition store 16 Guiding device 17 Hatch 18 Pressure generator 19 Valve 20 Line 21 Fluid A Ammunition body axis/ammunition body holding device axis R Radial direction