US1750706A - Synchronized control system for machine guns - Google Patents

Description

March 18, 1930. R. c. coUPLAND 1,750,706

SYNCHRONIZED CONTROL SYSTEM FOR MACHINE GUNS Original Filed Aug. l, 1927 Mn/M A,

Patented Mar. 18, 1930 PATENT FFECE RICHARD C. COUPLAND, OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY, NORFOLK, VIRGINIA SYNCI-IRONIZED CONTROL SYSTEM FOR MACHINE GUNS Original application led August 1, 1327, Serial No. 209,893.

Divided and this application filed November Serial No. 317,553.

(GRANTED UNDER THE ACT F MARCH 3, 1883, AS AMENDED APRIL 30, 1928; 3170 0. G. 757) The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government for governmental purposes, without the payment to me of any royalty thereon.

This invention relates to a synchronized control system for machine guns which will permit the gun to be fired between the blades of a rotating propeller and is a division of copending application, Serial 209,893, filed August 1, 1927.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a compact impulse generator for a gun control assembly which provides for the interchangeable attachment of a mechanical or electrical control.

The invention further aims to provide an electrical control, including an electrically actuated plunger in which complete adjustment of the plunger may be had.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention resides in the novel arrangement and combination of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being` understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed may be made within the scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of the invent-ion.

A practical embodiment of the invention 3o is illustrated in the accompanying drawing,

wherein Fig. 1 is a longitudinal, sectional view of a gun control assembly showing an application of a mechanical control unit for the impulse generator;

Fig. 2 is a similar view, showing an application of an electrical unit.

Referring to the drawing by characters of reference:

There is shown in Fig. 1 a gun control assembly which consists of an impulse generator A controlled by an operating mechanism B and connected to a trigger motor C by means of an impulse cable and cable housing D.

The impulse generator unit is arranged to constitute a compact integral part of the engine synchronized during or after assembly thereof and consists of a housing 5 in which is mounted a driving shaft 6, receiving its energy from the engine and rot-ating at a speed to give a cam impulse for each blade of the propeller. The shaft carries a cam 7 arranged to engage the fo'ot 8 of a cam follower 9 which is parallel to the cam shaft. Threaded in the head ofthe follower is a plug 10 in which is secured the impulse cable 11 leading to the trigger motor C and sheathed in a suitable tube 12.

The operating mechanism for controlling the cam follower 9 comprises a springpressed plunger 13 disposed in the housing 5 above the cam shaft and arranged to enter a recess 14: in the follower for the purpose of holding the follower in inoperative position clear of the cam 7. When this condition obtains, the trigger motor is inactive and the trigger 15 will be held by the cam 16 in the inward position, as shown in Fig. 2 where it is unavailable to actuate the scar slide 17 of the gun.

The withdrawal and retention of the plunger 13 is accomplished by means of a cable 18 which is secured to a hand lever 19. The socket member 20 in which the sheath 21 on the cable 18 is anchored is threaded as at 22 to the housing 5 and establishes a seat for the plunger spring' 23 which forces the plunger into the recess 14 of the follower.

In Fig. 2 an electrical control unit for the impulse generator interchangeability replaces the mechanical control unit of Fig. 1. This unit consists of a casingl 24, having a threaded neck 25 for attachment to the housing 5 and inclosing a coil 26 which when energized retracts a plunger 27 from engagement with the cam follower 9. Adjustment of the plunger is provided by threading the plunger head 28 on the stem 29 of the plunger and also by a look nut 30 on the stem which confines a plunger spring 31 seated in the hollow neck 25 of the casing.

The coil is energized by a suitable source of electrical current, not shown, through any desired circuit closing means, such as, for example, the contact button 32 which, when compressed, engages the contacts 33 and coin-` pletes the circuit in a well-known manner. The button illustrated is of the thumb operated type to be used on an airplane control stick, there being tvvo buttons mounted side by side for the respective control of a right or left hand gun.

I claim:

1. An impulse generator for sychronizing gearv7 including a housing having means for the interchangeable attachment of either mechanical or electrical control.

2. An impulse generator embodying an impulse transmitting member and a plunger for holding said member inoperative including means for adjusting said plunger.

RICHARD C. COUPLAND.

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