Cam-controlled firing system for a large-caliber weapon

Details Cam-controlled firing system for a large-caliber weapon Cam-controlled firing system for a large-caliber weapon

1999-02-08

2001-04-10

Johnson, Stephen M. (Department: 3641)

Ordnance

Firing devices

Electric

C089S135000, C042S069010

Reexamination Certificate

active

06212990

ABSTRACT:

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
This application claims the priority of German Application No. 198 04 652.9 filed Feb. 6, 1998, which is incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a firing system for a large-caliber weapon and includes a spring-loaded firing pin.
Conventional firing devices of the above-outlined type are described, for example, in the
Handbook on Weaponry, Second English
-
language Edition
(published by Rheinmetall GmbH, Düsseldorf, Germany, 1982); pages 343-346. The known firing devices outlined therein are disadvantageous in that they are of relative complex structure and are thus prone to malfunction or have only a fixedly installed firing pin.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the invention to provide an improved firing system of the above-outlined type which is, in part, installed in the breechblock of the weapon and which is simple, compact and operationally safe and which furthermore is of lesser weight than conventional arrangements.
This object and others to become apparent as the specification progresses, are accomplished by the invention, according to which, briefly stated, the firing system for a large-caliber weapon includes a firing pin displaceable into a safety position (position of rest), an armed position and a firing position; a spring urging the firing pin into the firing position; a follower affixed to the firing pin; and a rotatably supported control cam having a cam track. The spring urges the follower toward the cam track. The cam track has first, second and third consecutive cam track portions. The first cam track portion is shaped such that upon rotation of the control cam the firing pin is moved into the armed position by a cooperation between the follower and the first cam track portion. The second cam track portion is shaped such that upon continuing rotation of the control cam the firing pin is allowed to be accelerated by the spring into the firing position. The third cam track portion is shaped such that upon rotation of the control cam the firing pin is returned from the firing position into the position of rest by a cooperation between the follower and the third cam track portion. Further, an external drive is provided for rotating the control cam. An actuator operates the external drive for rotating the control cam through one cycle to effect consecutive cooperations between the follower and the first, second and third cam track portions.
In essence, the invention is based on the principle that the motion of the firing pin is positively controlled during its entire cycle of displacement, that is, during its shift for arming the firing pin spring, during its forward acceleration to fire a shot and during its return motion into a position of rest. For this purpose, a follower affixed to the firing pin contacts the cam track of a control cam actuated by an external drive. The cam track of the control cam is of such a configuration that as the control cam starts to rotate in response to the actuation of a firing key, the follower first shifts the firing pin against the force of the firing pin spring towards the rearward end of the breechblock whereby the firing pin is armed. During continuing rotation of the control cam, the firing pin, after reaching a maximum rearward position, is allowed by the cam track to be accelerated forward by the force of the firing pin spring for igniting a cartridge in the weapon chamber. As the control cam rotates further, the cam track, as it cooperates with the follower, withdraws the firing pin into its safety position.


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