US 4,361,071 A · Fire control mechanism

Abstract

A TOW (Tube-launched, Optically tracked, Wire-guided) missile system is mted on a combat vehicle turret for greater combat effectiveness. Before the missile is launched, the gunner keeps the target in his sights in azimuth by powering the turret through a movable sight to which the turret is slaved by a lock mechanism. Missile launch energizes certain electrical devices which unlock the mechanism to make sight movement independent of the turret, open the turret drive motor power switch, and set a brake on the motor which locks the turret against movement to provide a stable platform for tracking the target during missile flight. After a preset time to allow for on-target impact, the devices are automatically reset and the turret drive is again slaved to the sight in azimuth.

Claims10

Dependent claims

In a fire control system for a combat vehicle having a rotatable turret:

a. a traversing unit carried by the turret, mounted for pivoting about an axis substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the turret, said unit adapted to carry an optical sighting device;
b. a force transducer carried by the traversing unit;
c. a force transfer arm carried by the force transducer, the arm being bifurcated to form two opposed branches;
d. a stop on each of the bifurcation branches;
e. a two-position cam having opposed engaging surfaces pivotably mounted on the turret on an axis substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the turret and between the two stops, whereby positioning of the cam with its engaging surfaces in contact with said stops locks the traversing unit against pivoting about its axis and positioning of the cam with its engaging surfaces between the stops permits such pivoting;
f. and means to pivot the cam from one position to the other.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Fire control mechanism

Life of this patent

Fire control mechanism

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims10