Munition handling apparatus
AssigneeBAE SYSTEMS plc
InventorRaphael Joseph Francis Chetcuti
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
There is disclosed a munition handling apparatus where the conventional ram is replaced with a high pressure fluid actuation. For this the apparatus is provided with a container that incorporates a piston which slides along the container to urge the munition out as the fluid pressure is applied.
Claims14
A munition handling apparatus for introducing a munition to the breech of a gun, the munition handling apparatus comprising:
- a container for storing a munition prior to introducing the munition to the breech;
- a guide for aligning the container with the breech;
- a source of high pressure fluid;
- and
- a connector for selectively coupling the source to the container so as to channel high pressure fluid into the container, wherein the channelling of the high pressure fluid into the container at the connector acts to eject the munition from the container.
A method for loading a gun with a munition using a munition handling apparatus for introducing a munition to the breech of the gun, the munition handling apparatus comprising a container for storing the munition prior to introducing the munition to the breech, a guide for aligning the container with the breech, a source of high pressure fluid, and a connector for selectively coupling the source to the container so as to channel high pressure fluid into the container, wherein the channeling of the high pressure fluid into the container at the connector acts to eject the munition from the container, the container comprising:
- a compartment for holding the munition;
- and
- an internal ram for urging the munition out of the container,
- the method comprising:
- i) aligning the container with a gun barrel
- ii) applying a hydraulic pressure to the motivate the internal ram.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.