US2421893A - Rocket firing control mechanism - Google Patents

Description

June 10, 1947.

BER-BEIGE!!! IIIIII llllllllllfl) A. L. LAMBERT tr AL ROCKET FIRING CONTROL MECHANISM Filed Nov. 2, 1944 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 SLOW FAsf SEL ECTIVE AUTOMATIC June 10, 1947. A. L. LAMBERT ET AL ROCKET FIRING CONTROL MECHANISM Filed Nov. 2, 1944 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 HLBERT L. LHMBEI? W/7L TE fl. 077/?0 Jun 10, 1947. A. LAMBERT ET AL 2,421,893

ROCKET FIRING CONTROL MECHANISM Filed Nov. 2, 1944 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 June 10,1947. A. L. LAMBERT AL 2,421,393

ROCKET FIRING CONTROL MECHANISM Filed Nov. 2, 1944 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 a min June 10, 1947. A. L. LAMBERT El" AL ROCKET FIRING CONTROL MECHANISM 5 Sheets-Sneet 5 Filed Nov. 2, 1944 Patented June 10,v 19471 ares ROCKET Frame CONTROL MEonANIsM Albert L. Lambert, Narberth, and Walter H.

' DfArdenne', Jenkintown Manor, Pa., assig'nors to Heintz Manufacturing Company, Philadelphia, Pa., a corporation'of Pennsylvania v Application November 2, 1944, Serial No. 561,614

11 Claims. (Cl. 89-1) Thisinvention relates to a firing control mechanism and more particularly to a firing control mechanism for rockets fired from' a rocket launcher or the like. While the invention may have other uses it is especially adapted for rocket launchers which are comprised of a plurality of launcher tubes or rails grouped together to comprise a battery.

For a number of considerations, including that of safety, it is frequently desirable to control the firing of rockets from such launchers from a -.distance. In accordance with the present in-'-.

vention this is accomplished in such manner that the gunner at all times knows from a control dial exactly how many and which. rockets have been fired. Moreover, in accordance with the .invention, the gunner may fire any individual rocket selectively or may put into operation mechanism which will fire any group or 'all of the rockets successively at predetermined intervals. general object of the invention to which'will efiectjsuch aims.

Another object of the invention resides in, the provision of a simple distance controlled firing mechanism for rocket launchers and the like provided with safety means which (when the device is manually fired) breaks the firing circuit after each rocket is fired, Such a mechanism prevents It is a provide a device the gunner from firing more; than one rocket should he inadvertently keep the trigger push button depressed while the control device is being adjusted for firing another rocket.

The invention has for a further object the provision in such a device of a circuit breaking plug which should be removed from the device by the loader when he is engaged in loading rockets into the launcher. Attached to this plug is a tag upon which the loader may make notations as to the type of rocket he places in each particular tube or rail. The tubes or rails are numbered corresponding to the numbers on the tag and also the numbers on the gunners control dial.

Still another object, of the invention resides in the provision in such a device of a light indicating system which at all times will give to ,the gunner visual indications of which rockets have been fired 1 These and other objects of the invention will become more apparent from the following description and claims when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a device embodying one form of the invention.

Figure 2 is a rear elevation of the same.

Figure 3 is'a sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 5.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 6.

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 5-5 or Figure 3.

' jected.

, 2 Figure 6 is a sectional view taken on the line 66ofFigure3.-

'Figure '7 is a diagram of the firing control circult, and a p 1 Figure 8 is a diagram of the indicator circuit.

Referring now to Figures land 2, the reference numeral In indicates a rectangular box-like casing which may be located at the gunners position at some distance from the rocket launcher.

The casings!!! has a shelf H. Between the .shelf H and the upper end of the casing is a supporting plate l2 on' which control mechanism is mounted. The supporting plate I 2 has flanges l3 and I4 at its top and bottom ends respectively. The flange I4 is supported on the shelf II by suitable cushioning means [5, 16. The upper flange l3 also carries two cushioning means I1 and Hi. The supporting plate l2 and the control mechanism it carries is thus fioatingly mounted within the casing l0 and is thus protected from jars or shocks to which the casing may be sub- The casing I0 is provided with ing provided with a transparent covering; IQ of glass or the like, having a central opening through which extends a shaft or spindle 20 (Figure 3)-, the outer end of which carries a knob 2 I.

The supporting plate l2 has mounted thereon a dial plate 22 of insulating material. /The forward face of the dial plate has a series of numbers thereon, in this instance running from 1 to 20 and which are disposed clockwise in a circle.

' That portion of the dial plate 22 bearing the numbers is visible through the transpar mt window IS. The dial plate 22 also has mounted thereon a number of indicating lamps 23, one adjacent each indicating number. As will be more fully explained later, each indicating number and each lamp 23 represents one rocket launcher tube or rail of the battery.

The spindle 20 also carries a pointer 24 (see Figures 1 and 3). By turning the knob 2| the pointer can be made to point to any one of the indicating numbers and lamps 23 With further reference to Figures 1 and 2, the casing l0 carries a socket 25 for the plug 26 firing cable 21 which extends to the tubes or rails of the rocket launcher; another socket 28 for the plug 29 indicator lamp cable 30; a socket 3| for the plug 32 of the battery cable 33 and a socket 34 for the plug 35 of the cable 36 which leads to the firing push button 31. Moreover, a socket 38 and a safety plug 39 are provided and attached to the latter is an indicating tag 40.

The casing II] also has mounted thereon a rheostattl, the operating knob 42 of which protrudes from the front face of the casing. Also, the casing carries a switch 43 with an operating lever 46. The switch 43 is a double pole throw a circular open-.

' bearing blocks 51, 58.

switch. The operating circuitconnecting these various mechanisms, and the function each performs. will be later described.

The supporting plate l2 (see Figure 2)- also carries a small electric motor 45 connected through gearing 46 and a flexible shaft 41- to a worm 48 (Figures 5 and 6). Also supported by the plate l2 by means of brackets 49 is a time delay relay 5!].

With reference to Figure it will be noted that the supporting plate i2 supports a, circular plate 5| of insulating'fiber or the like by means of the spacers 52, 53. The circular plate 5! in turn supports another plate 54 by means of the spacers 55, 56. v

The spindleZfl is mounted for rotation in the The knob 21 and the pointer 24, as indicated, arerigidly secured to the spindle to rotate therewith. This is also true of a detent whee1 59 and also a brush holder 60.

The circular plate 5| is provided with a central opening 6| through which the spindle passes, The circular plate 5| carries an annular contactor ring 62 and also a series of button contacts 63.

Mounted: loosely on the spindle 20 is a worm gear 64 which engages the worm 48. The worm 48 as previously explained is adapted to be'driven by the motor 45 through the reduction gearing 46 and flexible shaft 41 (see Figures 2, 5 and 6).

The spindle 20 has a threaded portion on which is mounted a free fitting nut 65. This nut 65 is rotated against the hub of the worm gear 64 by means of the torsion sprin 65. This spring 66 encircles the spindle and has one end secured to the spindle and the other end to the free fitting nut 85.

It has been indicated that the device is capable of manual operation or automatic operation. It is well to explain at this point that manual operation involves turning the knob 2| thus moving the pointer and also the brush holder 60, while automatic operation is effected through the motor driven worm 48 and worm gear 64. The thread on the spindle is left hand so that when the worm gear is being rotated by the mo tor in a clockwise direction, the friction against the nut draws it tight against the hub of the worm gear 64 and causes the spindle 20 to rotate.

However, when the control is set for manual operation and the motor is idle, the turning of the knob 21 in a clockwise direction loosens the nut 65 and permits the spindle 20 with its pointer 24 topoint to the desired rocket number and indicator lamp on the dial and to turn the brush holder 60 to cause the brush 6'! to bridge the contactor ring 62 and any particular contact button 63. This, as will be explained, sets the device forming the rocket in the particular tube or rail corresponding to the particular number. lamp and contact button selected.

The detent 59 is employed to maintain the spindle, pointer and brush on any set position until manually moved by the knob to a new position. As seen in Figures 4 and 6, the detent has a' notched periphery, one notch for each pointer and brush position. These notches are engaged by the spring urged roller 68. The roller 68 is carried by apiston 69 which is mounted for reciprocating movement in its longitudinal direction in bracket members 10 and ll. A

spring 12 surrounds the piston 69 and bears against the bracket H at one end and against 4 a shoulder on the piston atithe other, thus urging the piston and the roller into a notch. I The worm gear 64 is of two pieces 64' and 64". One of these pieces 64" (Figures 3 and 6) is provided with arcuate slots 15 and the other piece 64' with pins 13 which engage in the slots with a loose fit. There is thus provided a certain amount of rotary play between the two. pieces comprising the worm gear. This enables the operator to give a slight contra-clockwise movement to the knob and bring the detent to its roller seat in case there should be a slight overrun of the pointer when setting for a particular number onthe dial! If this were not so the operator would have to make a complete revolu tion of the knob because the knob can be turned only in a clockwise direction except for this slight play of the worm gear pieces 64 and 64".

Figure '7 is a diagram of the firing circuit. The rocket launcher tubes or rails are schematically indicated by the reference numerals 14, 14a, 14b; 14c, 14d, etc., there being one for each number and indicator lamp 23 on the dial and one for each contact button 63 on the circular contactor plate 5!. The firing of a rocket from a launcher tube or rail is effected by making an electrical connection and for this purpose all of the rocket tubes or rails 14, 14a, 14b, etc., have one common electric line 15 and each a separate or individual line 16, 16a, 15b; 160, etc. All of the lines from the rocket tubes or rails are enclosed in the cable 21 which terminates inthe plug 26 (see also Figures l and 2) adapted for insertion in the socket 25 of the control device. Through this connection each individual line 16, 16a, 16b, 160, etc., is connected, respectively, with a corresponding contact button 63 on the contactor plate 5|. One such connection is shown in Figure 7.

The common line 15 in the control device extends to a line 11 connectingthe battery 18 and ground, but this common line is provided with the operator's firing push button switch 31 and may also be broken by removing the safety plug 39 as previously mentioned,

The other part of the circuit is divided so as to provide for either manual or automatic operation. A line 19 extends from the contactor ring 62 to the double pole throw switch 43 having terminals '80 and BI for manual operation 'and terminals 82 and 83 for automatic operation, The line 19 continues from terminal 8| to the time delay relay and thence through a fuse '84 to the other side of the battery.

placed in each tube. When loading is done the safety plug and tag are removed by the loader. This breaks the firing circuit and prevents any accidental firing during loading.

The automatic portion of the circuit includes a line extending from the terminal 83 of the double pole throw switch 43 and thence to the motor 45 and finally through the resistance coil of rheostat 4i and through the fuse 84 to the battery. The current flowing to the motor is regulated by means of the rheostat 4|. The indicator lamp circuit is shown diagrammatica'lly in Figure 8. It includes a common line 86 running from all the rocket tubes by cable 30 through plug 29, and socket 28, through the battery 18, to a common terminal 81 for all the indicator lamps 23. Th circuit also includes in-- one of the individual lines 89, 89a, 89b, etc., the

contacts in each tube being positioned to contact an electrical conducting Part of the rocket such as the ground ring of the rocket, a portion of which ring is schematically shown by the arcuate lines immediately below the tubes'" in Fig, 8. As long as a rocket is in agiven tube, the conducting portion of the rocket completes the circuit which includes common line 86 and the corresponding individual lines 89, 89a, 89b, etc. The arrangement is such that each indicator lamp will be lighted as long as its respective rocket has not been fired, but so that firing of a rocket will break that particular lamp circuit, thus indicating to the gunner that such laun'cher tube is empty.

The operation will now be described. With reference first to manual selective firing, anaming that the launcher tubes 14, 14a, 14b, etc., are all loaded and the type of each rocket has been marked on the tag 40 attached to safety plug 39 and the safety plug has been returned to its position as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the lever 44 of the double pole throw switch 43 is moved to Selective.

The operator then turns the knob 2| until the pointer points to the number on the dial of the rocket to be fired. Movement of the knob and pointer also rotates the brush holder 60 and moves the brush 6! to the particular contact button for that rocket. Assuming that that contact button 63 is the one shown in Figure 7, the firing is accomplished by depressing the firing push button 31. This completes a circuit through battery 78, time delay mechanism 50, terminals 8| and 80 of the switch, contactor ring 62, brush 61, contact button 63, through socket 25 and plug 26 to the particular launcher tube 74, Ma, 14b, etc., and then returning through the common line 15, plug and socket, and back to the firing push button 31.

The time delay relay 50 (any suitable type may be used) shortly operates to break the circuit. Thus, even though the gunner continues to depress the firing push button 31 no firing will occur if the pointer 24 is turned to another rocket number. The gunner must first release the firing push button 31 before firing again.

For automatic firing, the lever 44 of the double pole throw switch 43 is moved to Automatic" to bridge terminals 82 and 83. The rheostat 4| is then adjusted to control motor speed. Preferably this should provide a four to one ratio so that automatic firing can be effected at intervals ranging from to 2 seconds.

The gunner then sets the pointer 24 for the number of the first socket to 'be fired and then depresses the firing push button 31. The motor 45, through reduction gearing 46 (Figures 2, 5 and 6) flexible cable 41, worm'48, worm gears 64, rotates spindle 20 thus rotating the brush holder 60 and brush 6'! in the manner herein described. Successive circuits for firing successive rockets will proceed as long as the gunner keeps the firing push button 31 depressed.

' In place of the free fitting nut arrangement shown and described, various types of arrangements may be employed such as for example a pawl and ratchet arrangement which would perinvention should not be limited thereto as there might be changes made in the arrangement, disposition and form of the parts without departv ing from the principle of the present invention as comprehended within the scope of the appended claims.

What we claim is: J g 1. A firing control for rocket. launchers and the like comprising, an indicating means provided with locations each indicating respectively one ot'a series of launcher tubes or rails, an indicating element movable to any of said locations, a first contact element, a series of contact elements, there being one of said latter contact elements for each launcher railand for each location on said indicating means, a bridging member movable with said movable element for bridging said first contact element and any one of said series of,contact element, means for moving said movable indicating element and said bridging member, an electric circuit for connecting each launcher rail with one of said seriesof contact elementsv and all of said launcher tubes with said first contact element, a firing switch in said circuit, and a time delay mechanism in said circuit for temporarily breaking the circuit after each actuation of said firing switch.

2. A firing control for rocket launchers and the like comprising, an indicating means provided with locations each indicating respectively one of a series of launcher tubes or rails, an indicating element movable to any of said locations, a first contact element, a series of contact elements, there being one of said latter contact elements for each launcher rail and for each location on said indicating means, a bridging member movable with said movable element for bridging said first contact element and any One of said series of contact elements, means for moving said movable indicating element and said bridging member, an electric circuit for connecting each launcher rail with one of said series of contact elements and all of said launcher tubes with said first contact element, a firing switch in said circuit, a-socket connected in one line of said circuit, and a safety plug for insertion in said socket to complete the circuit when inserted,

, for each launcher rail and for each location on said indicating means, a bridging member movable with said movable element for bridging said first contact element and any one of said series of contact elements, means for moving said movable indicatin'g element and said bridging member, an electric circuit containing one line common to each launcher tube and said contact ele-. ment and a plurality of lines individual respec-' tively to a launcher tube and one of said series of contact elements, a firing switch in'said common line, said means for moving said movable indicating element and said bridging member including manual and motor driven means, and

switch means in said circuit for selectively effecting circuit connections for moving said bridging member either by said manual or said motor driven means. A firing control for rocket launchers and the like comprising, a dial provided with locations said dial, a, contactor ring, a series of contactor buttons, there being one of said buttons for each launcher rail, a brush rotatable with said spindle and adapted to bridge said contactor ring and any one of said buttons, means for turning said spindle, an electric circuit containing one line common to each launcher tube and to said contactor ring, a plurality of lines individual respectively to a launcher tube and one of said buttons,

a firing switch in said common line, said means i for turning said spindle comprising a knob for manual operation and motor means for automatic operation, and a double pole switch in said circuit for selectively efiecting circuit connections for moving said brush either by said knob and said firing switch for individual firing, or by said motor means and said firing switch for automatic successive firing as long as said firing switch remains closed.

launcher rail, a brush rotatable with said spindle and adapted to bridge said contactor ring and any one of said buttons, means for turning said spindle, an electric circuit containing one line common to each launcher tube and to said contactor ring, a plurality of lines individual respectively to a launcher tube and one of said buttons, a firing switch in said common line, said means for turning said spindle comprising a knob for manual operation and motor means for automatic operation, a double pole switch in said circuit for selectively effecting circuitconnections for moving said brush either by said knob and said firing switch for individual firing, or by said motor means and said firing switch for automatic successive firing as long as said firing switch remains closed, and means for drivlngly connecting said brush to turn with said spindle only when the spindle is rotated in one direction.

6. A firing control device for rocket launchers and the like comprising, a casing having a dial window, a dial plate mounted within said casing to be viewed through said window, said dial being provided with locations each representative respectively of one of a series of launcher tubes or rails, a second plate supported rearwardly of said .dial plate, a third plate supported .rearwardly of said second plate, a spindle journaled in said dial and third plates and passing through an opening in said second plate, said spindle extending forwardly through said window and provided on its forward end with an operating knob, a pointer secured on said spindle and movable therewith to any of said locations on said dial, said second plate carrying a contactor ring and a series of contactor buttons, there being one of said buttons for each location on said dial, a, brush holder secured to said spindle and carrying a brush adapted to bridge said contactor ring and any one of said buttons, an electric circuit containing one line connected with said contactor ring and adapted for common connection with all of said launcher tubes, and a plurality of lines individual respectively to said buttons and adapted for individual connection with each launcher tube, and

.ing forwardly through said window and provided on its forward end with an operating knob, a pointer secured on said spindle and movable therewith to any of said locations on said dial, said second plate carrying a contactor ring and a series of contactor buttons, there being one of said buttons for each location on said dial, a brush holder secured to said spindle and carrying a brush adapted to bridge said contactor ring and any one of said buttons, and electrical means for connecting said contactor ring to a common line leading to all of the launcher tubes and for connecting each of said buttons respectively to one of the launcher tubes, said electrical means including a firing switch. 1

8. A firing control device for rocket launchers and the like comprising, a casing having a dial window, a dial plate mounted within said casing to be viewed through said window, said dial being provided with locations each representative respectively of one of a series of launcher tubes or rails, a second plate supported rearwardly of said dial plate, a third plate supported rearwardly of said second plate, a spindle journaled in said dial and third plates and passing through an opening in said second plate, said spindle extending forwardly through said window and provided on its forward end with an operating knob, a pointer secured on said spindle and movable therewith to any of said locations-on said dial, said second plate carrying a contactor ring and a series of contactor buttons, there being one of said buttons for each location on said dial, a brush holder secured to said spindle and carrying a brush adapted to bridge said contactor ring and any one of said buttons, electrical means for connecting said contactor ring to a common line leading to all of the launcher tubes and for connecting each of said buttons respectively to one of the launcher tubes, said electrical means in. cluding a firing switch, a socket included in said electrical means and carried by said casing, a safety plug for said socket and adapted when removed to break the electrical connection, and indicating means carried by said plug for indicating the number and type of each rocket loaded in a launcher tube.

9. A firing control device for rocket launchers and the like comprising, a casing having a dial window, a dial plate mounted within said casing tending forwardly through saidwindow and provided on its forward end with an operating knob, a pointer secured on said spindle and movable therew th to any of said locations on said dial, said second plate carrying a contactor ring and a series of contactor buttons, there being one of said buttons for each-location on said dial, a brush holder secured to said spindle and carrying a brush adapted to bridgesaid contactor ring and any one of said buttons, a detent wheel secured to said spindle, said detent wheel having a notch for each location, and a spring urged member for entering one of said notches, and means for electrically connecting said contactor ring and buttons with mechanism for firing rockets loaded in said launcher tubes,

10. A firing control device for rocket launchers and the like comprising, a casing'having a dial window, a dial plate mounted within said casing to be viewed through said window, said dial being provided with locations'each representative respectively of one of a series of launcher tubes or rails, a second plate supported rearwardly of said dial plate, a third plate supported rearwardly of said second plate, a spindle journaled in said dial and third plates and passing through an opening in said second plate, said spindle extending forwardly through said window and provided on its forward end with an operating'knob, a pointer secured on said spindle and movable therewith to any of said locations on said dial, said second plate carrying a contactor ring and a series of contactor buttons, there being one of said buttons for each location on said dial, a brush holder secured to said spindle and carrying a brush adapted to bridge said contactor ring and any one of said buttons, a gear wheel mounted loosely on said spindle, an electric motor carried by said casing and connected to rotate said gear wheel, and means operable when the motor drives in one direction for causing said gear wheel to rotate said spindle.

11. A firing control for rocket launchers and the like comprising, an indicating means provided with locations each indicating respectively one of a series of launcher tubes or rails, an indicating element movable to any of said locations, a first contact element, a series of contact elements, there being one of said latter contact elements for each launcher rail and for each location on said indicating means, a bridging member movable with said movable element for bridging said first contact element and any one ofsaid series of contact elements, means for moving said movable indicating element and said bridging member, an electric circuit containing one line common to each launcher tube and said contact element and a plurality of lines individual respectively to a launcher tube and one of said series of contact elements, a firing switch in said common line, a lamp at each of said locations, and an electrical circuit connecting each lamp respectively with a launcher tube, said lastnamed circuit having means including an electrically conducting portion of each rocket for breaking the circuit to each lamp respectively when the rocket from its corresponding launcher tube is fired.

ALBERT L. LAMBERT.

WALTER H. DARDENNE.

REFERENCE S CITED The following references are of record inthe file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 775,986 France Oct. 22, 1934

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