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(11) | EP 1 216 392 B1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION |
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| (54) |
AMMUNITION HANDLING SYSTEM MUNITIONSFÜHRUNGSSYSTEM SYSTEME DE MANIPULATION DES MUNITIONS |
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| Note: Within nine months from the publication of the mention of the grant of the European patent, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to the European patent granted. Notice of opposition shall be filed in a written reasoned statement. It shall not be deemed to have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent Convention). |
INTRODUCTION
[0001] This invention relates to an ammunition handling system for a gun and more particularly to such a system which accurately and automatically delivers a series of rounds to the breech of a gun, preferably a large calibre gun.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Ammunition supplying systems are well known wherein a large calibre gun is mounted on a gun carriage. The barrel of the gun is controllable in elevation on the carriage and the carriage is controllable in azimuth. For example, in U.S. Patent No. 3,218,930, the invention relates to an ammunition handling system wherein stationary magazines provide a projectile to a hoist which lifts the projectile up to a carrier. The carrier receives the projectile and rotates to the azimuth position of the gun carriage. When the carrier reaches the gun azimuth position, the projectile is received from the carrier by a cradle in the gun carriage which is rotated about the gun support trunnion upwardly to a position such that the projectile is adjacent the rear of the gun and the cradle axis is parallel to the axis of the gun bore. The projectile is transferred from the cradle to a transfer tray and the tray is then swung downwardly to a position which is coaxial with the bore of the gun. The projectile is then rammed into the breech to complete the transfer from the magazine to the gun breech.
[0003] In recent years, projectile magazines have been used with large calibre artillery weapons to achieve a higher rate of fire, as compared to manual loading by human operators. The existing projectile magazines that are currently operating in the artillery weapon industry usually have separate projectile tubes linked by means of a chain, a conveyor belt, as disclosed in FR-A-2 743 414, or any other means of linkage for the projectile indexing control. Although this design method may function well according to the specification, it may incur some adverse effects due to the fact that the individual projectile tubes are linked (and therefore dependent) on one another. Hence when the system is subjected to harsh operating conditions and prolonged period of usage, some negative effects occur:
(a) Dynamic loading when the magazine is operating on a rough terrain, causing the tension of the chain to loosen and hence affecting the indexing accuracy of the system;
(b) Backlash in the magazine due to the wear and tear of the chain or belt that is linking all the projectile tubes, hence affecting the indexing accuracy of the system;
(c) Periodic maintenance to maintain the required chain tension, hence incurring higher operating costs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] According to the present invention there is provided an ammunition handling system comprising a support for supporting a plurality of projectile tubes, each of said projectile tubes being adapted to house a projectile, guide means on the support for guiding the projectile tubes along a predetermined path, and first drive means for driving the projectiles tubes along the path, wherein the projectile tubes are juxtaposed close enough together so that when in movement along the path they are capable of pushing each other along the path. Thus, the projectile tubes can be driven along the path without the need for any connecting chain or belt, as the application of a sufficient driving force to one of the projectile tubes will automatically push all downstream projectile tubes along the path. It will be appreciated that the projectile tubes can be moved along the path by pushing them from behind the direction of motion, rather than pulling a chain or belt to which they are secured.
[0006] It is preferred that the projectile tubes are arranged in engagement with one another. However, a small gap between the tubes may be acceptable, provided that the projectile tubes can be properly aligned with the drive means and with the loading and discharge apertures described below.
[0007] Although it is possible, in principle, for the drive means to drive only one projectile tube at any time. we prefer that a plurality of projectile tubes are directly driven simultaneously by the drive means. However, we also prefer that the majority of the projectile tubes are not directly driven by the drive means, i.e., we prefer that the majority of the projectile tubes are pushed along by adjacent projectile tubes. We generally prefer to drive directly at least 10% of the projectile tubes, more preferably at least 15% thereof. In general. we prefer that less than about 25% of the projectile tubes are directly driven by the drive means. Typically there would be between 15 and 30, most typically 22, projectile tubes, and we would prefer that about 3 to 7, preferably 4 to 5, of them were directly driven by the drive means.
[0008] Preferably the predetermined path is in the form of a closed loop whereby movement of any one of the projectile tubes along the path causes movement of all the other projectile tubes around the loop.
[0009] In the preferred embodiment the drive means includes at least one drive wheel having a plurality of circumferential recesses adapted to receive one of the projectile tubes therein, the arrangement being such that rotation of the drive wheel drives said projectile tube along said path. The drive wheel may conveniently be configured in the form of a sprocket wheel, i.e., a toothed wheel with the recesses located circumferentially between the teeth. The or each drive wheel may have, for example, 3 to 11 recesses, preferably 7 recesses, equi-spaced about its circumference.
[0010] In one embodiment there are 22 projectile tubes and a drive wheel with 7 recesses, and at any given time 5 projectile tubes will be received within the recesses, whereby rotation of the drive wheel directly drives these 5 projectile tubes. The other projectile tubes will be pushed along the path by the directly driven projectile tubes.
[0011] The path of a single projectile tube is as follows. When the projectile tube is outside of engagement with one of the drive wheel recesses, it is pushed along the path by the force of an adjacent upstream projectile tube, and it pushes an adjacent downstream projectile tube along the path. As movement continues, the projectile tube eventually moves into one of the recesses of the rotating drive wheel. At this time the projectile tube is driven along the path by the force of the engagement with the drive wheel, i.e., the walls of the recess engage and push the projectile tube. The path is arcuate when the projectile tube is received with the recess. After rotating through approximately 180° about the rotational axis of the drive wheel, the projectile tube moves out of the recess of the drive wheel, and is again driven by the upstream projectile tube.
[0012] In the preferred embodiment, the path is in the form of an elongate loop. The projectile tubes are preferably closely packed along the loop so that it is not possible for any of the projectile tubes to move along the path independently of the other projectile tubes.
[0013] A gear reduction unit is preferably operatively arranged between the electric motor and the or each drive wheel to drive the drive wheel in an indexed fashion.
[0014] A hand crank is desirable for rotating the or each drive wheel manually. The ammunition handling system would normally be automated, and the provision of a hand crank enables the system to be operated manually in the event of a failure of the automation.
[0015] In the preferred embodiment, the support comprises two spaced plates and the projectile tubes are disposed between the support plates. The guide means preferably comprises a guide track in each of the support plates, and each end of the projectile tubes is preferably retained in a respective one of the guide tracks.
[0016] It is preferred that one of the support plates is provided with a loading aperture, and that the projectile tubes are selectively alignable with said loading aperture in order to load a projectile into the projectile tube aligned with the loading aperture. The loading aperture is usually known in the art as a fuse setting port, and it can be used for manually setting the fuse for the projectile and/or for loading the projectile into the projectile tube. It is also possible to discharge projectiles through the loading aperture.
[0017] It is further preferred that the other of the support plates is provided with a discharging aperture, and that the projectile tubes are selectively alignable with said discharging aperture in order to discharge a projectile from the projectile tube aligned with the discharging aperture. The discharging aperture is usually known in the art as a transfer port, and it is used for discharging the projectile from the projectile tube onto a transfer arm.
[0018] A discharging mechanism is preferably provided for discharging a projectile from one of the projectile tubes when it is aligned with said discharging aperture. The discharging mechanism preferably comprises a discharging member adapted to push the projectile out of the projectile tube, and a second drive means, preferably in the form of an electric motor adapted to drive the discharging member into and out of the projectile tube.
[0019] The ammunition handling system desirably further comprises a sensor for detecting when the discharging member has been retracted from the projectile tube following discharge of the projectile. A control means may be operatively linked to the sensor and to the first and second drive means in order to control activation of the first and second drive means in response to signals from the sensor.
[0020] The ammunition handling system according to the invention is preferably in the form of a projectile magazine in which the projectile tubes are arranged in a carousel-like fashion.
[0021] In the invention disclosed herein, the indexing of the projectile tubes of the magazine is achieved without the means of a chain, belt or other form of linkage. The indexing is achieved by means of a "pushing force", produced when the sprockets are driven by an electrical motor, that "pushes" the individual projectile tubes along the track path. This chainless/linkless design concept of this system will greatly minimize the effects of backlash, giving a better accuracy during the indexing of the projectile. It will also reduce the effects of dynamic loading when operating on a rough terrain and much less maintenance will be required. The operating cost will be much lower since the frequency of maintenance is lower in this design, making it a more economical system on a long-term basis.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] The drawings herein relate to one preferred embodiment of the invention.
Figure 1 shows the rear cross-sectional view of the projectile magazine. In this drawing, the layout of the projectile tubes and the sprocket can be seen;
Figure 2 provides an isometric view of the projectile magazine. In this drawing, some of the projectile tubes are removed so that the track path can be clearly seen;
Figure 3 is an enlarged picture showing the sprocket driving the projectile tubes along the track path.
Figure 4 is a close-up perspective view of the locking sleeve and restrainers
Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the transfer of the projectile from the projectile tube to the bridge, which will in turn lead to the transfer arm and the firing chamber of the gun.
DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION WITH REFERENCE TO THE DRAWINGS
[0023] With reference to Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4 of the drawings, a projectile magazine (1) which has the capacity to store up to 22 projectiles (20) is disclosed. The projectiles (20) are stored horizontally in individual projectile tubes and each projectile is held in place in the tube by the locking sleeve (10).
[0024] The projectile tubes (2) are placed together in an adjacent manner, forming a rigid closed loop carousel system. Cam followers (3) are incorporated on the sides of each projectile tube (2), which run on the track path (4) that is machined onto the two track plates (5). These projectile tubes (2) are rotated bi-directionally by a pair of sprockets (6) that are splined on the sprocket shaft (7). An electric drive unit or motor (8) drives the sprockets which in turn moves the projectile tubes (2) in the projectile magazine (1). The electrical motor (8) drives the sprocket shaft (7) via a gear reducer (22) for the indexing of the magazine (1). The rotation of the sprocket (6) produces a "pushing force" to drive the projectile tubes (2), which in turn pushes on another in the closed loop since they are packed closely in an adjacent manner.
[0025] The locking sleeve (10), which slides on the projectile tube (2) is actuated by a solenoid (23). It has two sets of restrainers (17), which are designed to accommodate the four types of projectile configurations. The function of these restrainers (17) is to prevent the projectiles (20) from moving forward while the projectile stopper (18) prevents it from moving in the backward direction. In this way, the projectile (20) is held in place in the projectile tube (2).
[0026] The restrainers (17) are designed to remain at their locked position by means of torsion springs. When the locking sleeve (10) is shifted in place with the lock face of the restrainers (17), it restricts the restrainers (17) from opening out, thereby locking the restrainers (17). Upon activation of the solenoid (23), the locking sleeve will return to its initial position by its spring, and the restrainers (17) are now free. The various stopping positions for the locking sleeve are catered for due to different projectile configurations.
[0027] The projectile stopper (18) is designed to remain in its locked position by means of torsion springs. During replenishment, the projectile is pushed through the resupply port (25). In the process, it releases the projectile stopper (18) and allows the projectile to enter into the projectile tube (2). After the projectile is fully seated inside the projectile tube (2), the projectile stopper (18) will automatically spring back and lock at its position, to prevent the projectile from sliding out.
[0028] In the event of a power failure, a detachable hand crank (24) is provided to recover projectiles (20) from the projectile magazine (1).
[0029] Figure 2 illustrates that there are two openings on the projectile magazine track plate (5). One of the openings (13) is located at the top, which is for transfer of projectiles (20) out from the projectile magazine (1) to the transfer arm. It is known as a "transfer port". The second opening (12) is located at the bottom centre of the track plate (5), which is known as a "fuse setting port". It is used for manually setting the fuse, and for the download or upload of projectiles (20). There may optionally be a third opening located outside the vehicle (25), at the bottom position of the projectile magazine track plate. It is known as a "resupply port" which is provided for projectile replenishment from the resupply vehicle.
[0030] When a particular type of projectile is required, the Ammunition Handling Control Unit (AHCU), comprising a computer microprocessor, checks the projectile's inventory stored in its memory. It then sends a signal to activate the motor to index the projectile tubes (2). The electric motor (8) drives the sprocket shaft (7) holding the sprockets (6) through a gear reduction unit. The projectile tubes (12) are moved to index the desired projectile (20) to the transfer position.
[0031] With reference to Figure 5, the transfer mechanism for transferring the projectile (20) to the bridge (16, in Figure 2) is shown. Transfer of the projectile (20) to the bridge (16) is achieved by using a mechanical jack assembly (19) that is bolted externally to the rear panel of the projectile magazine. The mechanical jack assembly (19) houses a rigid chain (15) which has a pusher attached to the end of the chain. The motive power to the assembly (19) is provided by an electric motor for the rigid chain (21) mounted to the flange adapter (9) on one side of the rigid chain unit.
[0032] When the correct projectile (20) has been indexed to align with the transfer port (13) in the magazine, the AHCU will signal to the transfer mechanism to push the projectile into the bridge (16) and transfer arm (not shown). The electric motor (21) will be activated to drive the rigid chain (15) in the mechanical jack assembly (19) through a gear transmission. Extension of the rigid chain (15) and pusher (14) from the mechanical jack assembly (19) pushes the projectile (20) out of the projectile magazine (1) over a bridge (16) and finally into the transfer arm (not shown).
[0033] Once the projectile (2) has reached its destination, the rigid chain (15) will retract into the mechanical jack assembly (19) by the reversal of the rotation in the electric motor (21). A sensor at the parked position of the pusher (14) will indicate to the AHCU that the rigid chain (15) has fully retracted for the indexing of the magazine for the transfer of the next projectile (20).
[0034] The invention described herein is susceptible to variations, modifications and/or additions other than those specifically described and it is to be understood that the invention includes all such variations, modifications and/or additions which fall within the scope of the above description.
| PARTS LIST WITH REFERENCE TO THE DRAWINGS | |
| Part No. | Name of Part |
| 1 | Projectile Magazine |
| 2 | Projectile Tubes |
| 3 | Cam Followers |
| 4 | Track Path |
| 5 | Track Plate |
| 6 | Sprocket |
| 7 | Sprocket Shaft |
| 8 | Electric Motor |
| 9 | Flange Adapter |
| 10 | Locking Sleeve |
| 11 | Sighting Aperture |
| 12 | Fuse Setting Port |
| 13 | Transfer Port |
| 14 | Pusher |
| 15 | Rigid Chain |
| 16 | Bridge |
| 17 | Restrainers |
| 18 | Projectile Stopper |
| 19 | Mechanical Jack Assembly |
| 20 | Projectile |
| 21 | Electric Motor for Rigid Chain |
| 22 | Gear Reducer |
| 23 | Solenoid |
| 24 | Hand Crank |
| 25 | Resupply Port |
1. An ammunition handling system comprising a support for supporting a plurality of projectile
tubes (2), each of said projectile tubes (2) being adapted to house a projectile (20),
guide means on the support for guiding the projectile tubes (2) along a predetermined
path, and first drive means for driving the projectiles tubes (2) along the path,
characterized in that the projectile tubes (2) are juxtaposed close enough together so that when in movement
along the path they are capable of pushing each other along the path.
2. A system according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined path is in the form of a
closed loop.
3. A system according to claim 2, wherein the projectile tubes are closely packed along
the loop so that it is not possible for any of the projectile tubes to move along
the path independently of the other projectile tubes.
4. A system according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the first drive means is arranged to
drive directly at least one of, but not all of, the projectile tubes (2).
5. A system according to claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, wherein the first drive means is arranged
to drive directly less than 50% of the projectile tubes (2).
6. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein the drive means includes at least
one drive wheel (6) having a plurality of recesses each adapted to receive one of
the projectile tubes (2) therein, the arrangement being such that rotation of the
drive wheel (6) drives the projectile tubes (2) received within said recesses along
said path.
7. A system according to claim 6 wherein the first drive means further includes an electric
motor (8) arranged to drive rotation of the or each drive wheel (6).
8. A system according to claim 7, further comprising a gear reduction unit operatively
arranged between the electric motor (8) and the or each drive wheel (6) to drive the
drive wheel (6) in an indexed fashion.
9. A system according to claim 7 or 8, further comprising a hand crank for rotating the
or each drive wheel (6) manually.
10. A system according to any preceding claim, further comprising a locking sleeve (10)
held by restrainers (17), and a projectile stopper (18) on the or each projectile
tube (2) to hold the projectile (20) in place.
11. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein the support comprises two spaced
plates (5) and the projectile tubes (2) are disposed between the support plates (5).
12. A system according to claim 11, wherein the guide means comprises a guide track (4)
in each of the support plates (5), and each end of the projectile tubes (2) is retained
in a respective one of the guide tracks (4).
13. A system according to claim 11 or 12, wherein one of the support plates (5) is provided
with a loading aperture (12), and the projectile tubes (2) are selectively alignable
with said loading aperture (12) in order to load a projectile (20) into the projectile
tube (2) aligned with the loading aperture (12); and the other of the support plates
(5) is provided with a discharging aperture (13), and the projectile tubes (2) are
selectively alignable with said discharging aperture (13) in order to discharge a
projectile (20) from the projectile tube (2) aligned with the discharging aperture
(13).
14. A system according to claim 13, further comprising a discharging mechanism for discharging
a projectile (20) from one of the projectile tubes (2) when it is aligned with said
discharging aperture (13).
15. A system according to claim 14, wherein the discharging mechanism comprises a discharging
member (15) adapted to push the projectile (20) out of the projectile tube (2), and
a second drive means in the form of an electric motor (21 ) adapted to drive the discharging
member into and out of the projectile tube (2).
16. A system according to claim 15, further comprising a sensor for detecting when the
discharging member (15) has been retracted from the projectile tube (2) following
discharge of the projectile (20), and further comprising a control means operatively
linked to the sensor, and to the first and second drive means in order to control
activation of the first and second drive means in response to signals from the sensor.
1. Munitionsführungssystem umfassend eine Halterung zum Halten einer Mehrheit von Geschossrohren
(2), wobei jedes der genannten Geschossrohre (2) geeignet ist ein Geschoss (20) aufzunehmen,
Führungsmittel am Lager zur Führung der Geschossrohre (2) entlang einem vorbestimmten
Weg, und ein erstes Triebmittel zum Antrieb der Geschossrohre (2) dem Weg entlang,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Geschossrohre (2) nahe genug zueinandergestellt sind, dass sie, wenn in Bewegung
dem Weg entlang, in der Lage sind, sich gegenseitig entlang dem Weg zu schieben.
2. System gemäss Anspruch 1, wobei der Weg als geschlossene Schleife geformt ist.
3. System gemäss Anspruch 2, wobei die Geschossrohre entlang der Schleife eng gepackt
sind, so dass es für kein Geschossrohr möglich ist, sich unabhängig von den anderen
Geschossrohren entlang dem Weg zu bewegen.
4. System gemäss Anspruch 1, 2 oder 3, wobei das erste Triebmittel so angeordnet ist,
dass es mindestens eines, jedoch nicht alle, der Geschossrohre (2) direkt antreibt.
5. System gemäss Anspruch 1, 2, 3, oder 4, wobei das erste Triebmittel so angeordnet
ist, dass es weniger als 50% der Geschossrohre (2) direkt antreibt.
6. System gemäss jedem vorherigen Anspruch, wobei das Triebmittel mindestens ein Triebrad
(6) enthält, das mehrere Ausnehmungen aufweist, von denen jede eines der Geschossrohre
(2) aufzunehmen geeignet ist, und die Anordnung derart ist, dass die Drehung des Triebrads
(6) die in den genannten Ausnehmungen aufgenommenen Geschossrohre (2) dem genannten
Weg entlang führt.
7. System gemäss Anspruch 6, wobei das erste Triebmittel einen Elektromotor (8) zur Erzeugung
der Rotation des oder jedes Triebrads (6) ausserdem enthält.
8. System gemäss Anspruch 7, das darüber hinaus eine zwischen dem Elektromotor (8) und
dem oder jedem Triebrad (6) zweckmässig angeordnete Räderübersetzungseinheit zum Antrieb
des Triebrades (6) in einer indexierten Weise umfasst.
9. System gemäss Anspruch 7 oder 8, das ausserdem eine Handkurbel zur manuellen Drehung
des oder jedes Triebrades (6) umfasst.
10. System gemäss jedem vorherigen Anspruch, das ausserdem eine durch Verzögerer (17)
gehaltene Verschlussbüchse (10) und einen an dem oder jedem Geschossrohr (2) angebrachten
Geschosspfropfen (18) umfasst, um das Geschoss (20) am Ort zu halten.
11. System gemäss jedem vorherigen Anspruch, wobei die Halterung zwei beabstandete Platten
(5) umfasst und die Geschossrohre (2) zwischen den Tragplatten (5) angeordnet sind.
12. System gemäss Anspruch 11, wobei das Führungsmittel eine Führungsbahn (4) in jeder
der Tragplatten (5) umfasst, und jedes Ende der Geschossrohre (2) in einer entsprechenden
Führungsbahn (4) gehalten ist.
13. System gemäss Anspruch 11 oder 12, wobei eine der Tragplatten (5) mit einer Ladeöffnung
(12) versehen ist, und die Geschossrohre (2) selektiv mit der genannten Ladeöffnung
(12) fluchtbar sind, um ein Geschoss (20) in das Geschossrohr (2) zu laden, das mit
der Ladeöffnung (12) fluchtet; und die andere Tragplatte (5). mit einer Entladungsöffnung
(13) versehen ist, und die Geschossrohre (2) mit der genannten Entladungsöffnung (13)
selektiv fluchtbar sind, um ein Geschoss (20) aus dem mit der Entladungsöffnung (13)
fluchtenden Geschossrohr (2) zu entladen.
14. System gemäss Anspruch 13, das des weiteren eine Entladungsausrüstung umfasst, um
ein Geschoss (20) aus einem mit der genannten Entladungsöffnung (13) fluchtenden Geschossrohre
(2), zu entladen.
15. System gemäss Anspruch 14, wobei die Entladungsausrüstung ein zum Heraustrieben des
Geschosses (20) aus dem Geschossrohr (2) geeignetes Entladungsorgan (15), sowie ein
als zum Ein- und Ausfahren in und aus dem Geschossrohr (2) geeigneten Elektromotor
(21) ausgebildetes zweites Triebmittel enthält.
16. System gemäss Anspruch 15, darüber hinaus umfassend einen Sensor zur Anzeige, wenn
das Entladungsorgan (15) im Anschluss an die Entladung des Geschosses (20) aus dem
Geschossrohr (2) zurückgezogen worden ist, und weiterhin umfassend ein wirksam mit
dem Sensor und dem ersten und zweiten Triebmitteln verbundenes Steuermittel zur Aktivierung
der ersten und zweiten Triebmittel infolge von Signalen des Sensors.
1. Système de maniement de munitions comprenant un support pour supporter une pluralité
de tubes à projectiles (2), chacun desdits tubes à projectiles (2) étant adapté pour
loger un projectile (20), des moyens de guide sur le support pour guider les tubes
à projectiles (2) le long d'un chemin préétabli, et des premiers moyens de commande
pour commander les tubes à projectiles (2) le long du chemin, caractérisé en ce que les tubes à projectiles (2) sont juxtaposés suffisamment ensemble de sorte que quand
ils se déplacent le long du chemin ils sont à même de se pousser les uns les autres
le long du chemin.
2. Système selon la revendication 1, dans lequel le chemin préétabli a la forme d'une
boucle fermée.
3. Système selon la revendication 2, dans lequel les tubes à projectiles sont strictement
accolés de sorte qu'il n'est pas possible pour aucun des tubes à projectiles de se
déplacer le long du chemin indépendamment des autres tubes à projectiles.
4. Système selon la revendication 1, 2 ou 3, dans lequel le premier moyen de commande
est disposé de manière à commander directement au moins un, mais pas tous, les tubes
à projectiles (2).
5. Système selon la revendication 1, 2, 3, ou 4, dans lequel le premier moyen de commande
est disposé de manière à commander directement moins de 50% des tubes à projectiles
(2).
6. Système selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel le moyen
de commande comprend au moins une roue de contrôle (6) avec une pluralité d'évidures,
chacune d'elles étant adaptée pour recevoir l'un des tubes à projectiles, la disposition
étant de telle sorte que la rotation de la roue de contrôle (6) bouge les tubes à
projectiles (2) logés dans lesdites évidures le long ledit chemin.
7. Système selon la revendication 6, dans lequel le premier moyen de commande comprend
en outre un moteur électrique (8) disposé de manière à actionner la rotation de la
ou de chaque roue de contrôle (6).
8. Système selon la revendication 7, comprenant en outre une unité de réducteur à engrenages
disposée fonctionnellement entre le moteur électrique (8) et la ou chaque roue de
contrôle (6) pour commander la roue de contrôle (6) de manière indexée.
9. Système selon la revendication 7, comprenant en outre une manivelle pour tourner à
la main la ou chaque roue de contrôle (6).
10. Système selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, comprenant de plus
un manchon de blocage (10) tenu par des supports (17), et une butée de projectile
(18) sur le ou chaque tube à projectiles (2) pour tenir en place le projectile (20).
11. Système selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel le support
comprend deux tabliers espacés (5) et les tubes à projectiles (2) sont placés entre
les tabliers de support (5).
12. Système selon la revendication 11, dans lequel le moyen de guide comprend une chenille
de guide (4) sur chacun des tabliers de support (5), et chaque bout des tubes à projectiles
(2) est retenu dans chacune respective des chenilles de guide (4).
13. Système selon la revendication 11 ou 12, dans lequel l'un des tabliers de support
(5) est muni d'une ouverture de chargement (12), et les tubes à projectiles (2) sont
alignables sélectivement avec ladite ouverture de chargement (12) pour charger un
projectile (20) dans le tube à projectiles (2) qui est aligné avec l'ouverture de
chargement (12); et l'autre des tabliers de support (5) est muni d'une ouverture de
décharge (13), et les tubes à projectiles (2) sont alignables sélectivement aves ladite
ouverture de décharge (13) pour décharger un projectile (20) du tube à projectiles
(2) aligné avec l'ouverture de décharge (13).
14. Système selon la revendication 13, comprenant en outre un mécanisme de décharge pour
décharger un projectile (20) de l'un des tubes à projectiles (2) lorsqu'il est aligné
avec ladite ouverture de décharge (13).
15. Système selon la revendication 14, dans lequel le mécanisme de décharge comprend un
organe de décharge (15) adapté pour pousser le projectile (20) hors du tube à projectiles
(2), et un second moyen de commande sous forme d'un moteur électrique (21) apte à
commander l'organe de décharge en dedans et en dehors du tube à projectiles (2).
16. Système selon la revendication 15, comprenant en outre un détecteur pour détecter
quand l'organe de décharge (15) a été retiré du tube à projectiles (2) suite au déchargement
du projectile (20), et comprenant de plus un moyen de contrôle lié fonctionnellement
au détecteur, et au premier et seconde moyens de commande pour contrôler l'activation
des premier et seconde moyens de commande en réponse aux signaux du détecteur.