Loading system

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and device for the preparation of propellant charges for automatic loading into artillery guns of the type which are loaded with propellant in the form of propellant modules usually designed charge modules, which have uniform section and combustible mainly stiff casings. The invention is based on the utilization of a special type of magazine in which sets of charge modules which correspond to the maximum charge for the artillery gun are successively fed to a module feeding device opening where the quantity of charge modules required for the next projectile is fed from the magazine to a loading pendulum which is swung into position at the module feeding device opening. Loading pendulum is fitted with devices for arranging the charge modules in a straight column above or following each other and for compressing the charge modules longitudinally into a unified propellant charge which can subsequently be rammed automatically by a conventional flick rammer. The charge modules which are superfluous following each charge loading operation are fed back to the magazine.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.