The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jun. 13, 2000
Filed:
Aug. 31, 1998
Joseph A Gagnon, Colchester Chittenden, VT (US);
General Dynamics Armament Systems, Inc., Falls Church, VA (US);
Abstract
A transfer mechanism that can selectively transfer molded solid propellant charges or projectiles between a transport conveyor and respective storage magazines is described. The transfer mechanism has multiple transfer forks driven from a common drive shaft for engaging the munition(s) and selector gates driven by a gate crankshaft associated with each respective magazine for blocking or permitting the transfer controller to either transfer a projectile or one or more solid propellant charges. Each transfer fork and selector gate can be independently and selectively coupled to, or decoupled from, its respective shaft by respective coupling mechanisms under the command of a controller for coordinated transfer operation. The fork and gate coupling mechanisms, as well as a mechanism coupling the drive shaft to respective driven transfer crankshafts provide 'uncoupled' positions with the respective fork or gate element or drive shaft restrained from rotary motion.