³. In the case of such a propellant charge powder, the bulk density is in the range from 0.6 to 1 g/cm³, for cartridge cartridges, for subsonic or blank cartridges, up to 0.4 g/cm³.

According to the further aspect of the present invention, the device comprises a dispensing device with a discharge opening, via which propellant charge powder can be dispensed. The dispensing device can be connected to a silo, or generally to a propellant charge powder supply, from which the dispensing device obtains the propellant charge powder or from which the dispensing device can be supplied with propellant charge powder. For example, a dynamic pressure in the propellant charge powder supply can be kept substantially constant, such that a substantially homogeneous dynamic pressure is also present in the dispensing device. For example, the dispensing device is designed to dispense the propellant charge powder into a dosing housing, for example, in particular exclusively under the influence of the weight force. The simultaneous filling means that the filling of the at least two ammunition cases takes place in one step or working operation, to be precise directly in succession in time. The discharge opening can have a predefined opening cross section which is adapted to the quantity of propellant charge to be dispensed for the desired metering.

According to the further aspect of the present invention, the device furthermore comprises a doser for intermediate storage of the propellant charge powder dispensed by the dispensing device and for passing on the propellant charge powder to the ammunition cases. The doser can in principle be of any desired configuration as long as it is capable of intermediate storage of propellant charge powder, with the result that the latter can be further processed or passed on. The doser can have a dosing surface which is of planar configuration at least in sections. In an exemplary development, the device comprises a dosing housing, to which the at least two ammunition cases can be docked. In particular, the at least two ammunition cases can be docked to the dosing housing in such a way that the at least two ammunition cases are arranged along a track. In this case, the dispensing device can be movable along an image of the track of ammunition cases. For example, the doser forms a base section of the dosing housing or of a dosing space delimited by the dosing housing.

According to the further aspect according to the invention, during the dispensing of the propellant charge powder, the discharge opening and the doser can be arranged at an in particular vertical distance from one another in such a way that a predetermined dispensing quantity of propellant charge powder can be set utilizing the self-locking between the particles of the propellant charge powder. For example, the propellant charge powder is dispensed under, in particular, the exclusive influence of the weight force. The flow back metering or flow control created according to the invention makes it possible to determine or set in a simple manner the quantity of propellant charge powder to be dispensed which is to be metered by influencing the distance between the discharge opening and the doser. In this aspect according to the invention, the device according to the invention makes use of the powder-inherent properties and the knowledge that the distance between the discharge opening and the doser can be set in such a way that the particles or constituents of the propellant charge powder mutually block or block themselves against a further weight-force-dependent flow out of the discharge opening. For example, the dispensing device is arranged with its discharge opening in a delimited dosing space, in particular movably, so that a certain quantity of propellant charge powder flows out of the discharge opening depending on the distance between the discharge opening and the doser and the dosing space is filled with propellant charge powder until the self-locking occurs. It has been found that the time of the self-locking can be set via the predefined distance between the discharge opening and the doser. The invention is based in particular on the knowledge that the flowability of the solid-type propellant charge powder differs in this respect from the flowability of a liquid and the effect of the self-locking can be used for flow blockage metering or flow control. In particular, the distance between the discharge opening and the doser can be set in such a way that the dispensed quantity of propellant charge powder triggering the self-locking exceeds the summed quantity of propellant charge powder necessary for filling the at least two ammunition cases. When referring to quantity in the present case, this can mean the volume, in particular the volume of the ammunition cases to be filled overall or the volume occupied by the dispensed propellant charge powder.

The volume V in the dosing space is advantageously greater than the summed volume of the ammunition cases to be filled.

V

Dose
⁢

Volume

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∑
i

V

i
⁢

case

In an exemplary embodiment of the device according to the invention, the distance between the discharge opening and the doser is less than 15 mm and at least 0.1 mm. In particular, the distance is in the range from 0.2 mm to 13 mm, in particular in the range from 0.3 mm to 11 mm, in particular in the range from 0.5 mm to 9 mm, 7 mm or 5 mm. A distance in the range from 2 to 3 mm is particularly preferred. According to an exemplary development, the distance between the discharge opening and the doser is in the range from 0.05 to 7.5 times a grain size of the propellant charge powder, in particular in the range from 0.1 to 5 times, 0.2 to 4 times or in the range from 0.5 or one to three times the grain size.

According to a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the device has a dosing housing, to which the at least two ammunition cases can be docked in such a way that the at least two ammunition cases are arranged along a track, wherein the dispensing device can be moved along an image of the track of ammunition cases. In this respect, reference is made to the preceding embodiments, which apply equally to the present aspect of the invention. According to a further exemplary embodiment, the dispensing device assumes the in particular vertical distance from the doser in a rest position before and/or after a movement operation along the image of the track. According to an exemplary development, the effect of the self-locking occurs in the rest position. For example, the particles of the propellant charge powder mutually block in the rest position, such that a flow out of the dispensing device is prevented.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, which can be combined with the preceding aspects and exemplary embodiments, a device for the automated filling of at least two ammunition cases with propellant charge powder for an automated production line for ammunition is provided.

The filling device according to the invention can be designed on the basis of gravimetry or can operate on the basis of volumetric metering. The gravimetric metering can achieve advantages with regard to the accuracy of the metered quantity. The volumetric metering can achieve clear advantages with regard to the processing speed, which has a positive effect on the cycle rate, in particular when incorporating the filling device according to the invention into a plant, in particular according to the invention, for the automated production of ammunition. The device according to the invention serves in particular for the simultaneous filling of the at least two ammunition cases with propellant charge powder. This means that the filling of the at least two ammunition cases is carried out in one filling operation, in particular without a change of direction by more than 90°. In this case, “simultaneous” is not necessarily to be understood as meaning that the at least two ammunition cases are filled exactly at the same time, but rather that there is quite a certain time offset between the filling, in particular the complete filling, of the ammunition cases arranged along the track. The device according to the invention can be designed to fill the at least two ammunition cases in each case with a defined, in particular substantially identical, quantity taking into account the process-inherent inaccuracies. The propellant charge powder can be, for example, a propellant charge powder for a small-caliber ammunition, in particular with a caliber in the range from 4.5 mm to 13 mm, which typically has one- or two-base spherical, tubular, rod or flake shapes and/or is shaped in the manner of a powder. Alternatively, extruded propellant charge powders can also be used. If a spherical propellant charge powder is involved, it can be, for example, rolled and have a sphere diameter of 0.4 mm to 0.8 mm. In the case of rod-shaped propellant charge powder, for example for the 5.56 mm caliber ammunition, the rods can have a length of up to 1.1 mm and/or a diameter of up to 0.7 mm. In the case of nitrocellulose (NC), the density of the propellant charge powder used can be, for example, in the range from 0.5 to 1 g/cm³. In the case of such a propellant charge powder, the bulk density is in the range from 0.6 to 1 g/cm³, for cartridge cartridges, for subsonic or blank cartridges, up to 0.4 g/cm³.

According to the further aspect according to the invention, the device furthermore comprises a metering buffer which is mounted movably, in particular translationally, such as in the manner of a drawer, with metering depressions, in which the propellant charge powder can be intermediately stored. The number of metering depressions can be adapted to the number of ammunition cases to be filled. The metering depressions can be configured as passages in the metering buffer, such that, for example, a filling from vertically above is possible and a dispensing of the propellant charge powder vertically downwards.

The device furthermore comprises a stripping wall, which is arranged in relation to the metering buffer in such a way that, during the movement of the metering buffer relative to the stripping wall, superfluous propellant charge powder can be stripped off. As a result of the stripping off at the stripping wall, it is achieved that the propellant charge powder which is not located in the metering depressions after the filling operation is stripped off substantially completely, in particular in order to have the quantity of propellant charge powder which is desired for the filling of the ammunition cases available in correct metering. For example, the stripping wall can assume a stripping contact with the metering buffer or can be arranged at a small distance of, in particular, less than 1 mm from the metering buffer.

According to the further aspect according to the invention, a cross-sectional dimension of the stripping wall in the movement direction of the metering buffer is dimensioned to be smaller than the diameter of the metering depressions. This reliably ensures that no safety-critical clogging can occur. As a result of the fact that the diameter of the metering depressions is selected to be greater than the relevant cross-sectional dimension of the stripping wall, it is always ensured, i.e. in every operating position, that the propellant charge powder is not completely enclosed but is always free or open to the environment. According to this aspect according to the invention, the stripping wall is in any case dimensioned to be smaller than the metering depressions where it cooperates with the metering buffer for stripping off the superfluous propellant charge powder, wherein the stripping wall can furthermore have a different, in particular thicker, cross-sectional dimension.

According to a further exemplary embodiment of the filling device according to the invention, the cross-sectional dimension of the stripping wall in the movement direction of the metering buffer is dimensioned to be smaller than the diameter of the metering depressions by at least 20%, in particular at least 25% or at least 30%. This safety factor can be ensured by reliable, reliable operation of the powder filling device. For example, the cross-sectional dimension of the stripping wall is to be set depending on the powder sensitivity, the geometry of the metering depressions, in particular diameter and/or height, and/or the composition of the propellant charge powder.

According to a further exemplary embodiment of the device according to the invention, the device has a dosing housing having the stripping wall, to which the at least two ammunition cases can be docked in such a way that the at least two ammunition cases are arranged along a track, wherein the dispensing device can be moved along an image of the track of ammunition cases. For example, at least three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven or at least twelve, in particular up to fifteen, eighteen or twenty, ammunition cases can be filled with propellant charge powder by means of the device, in particular simultaneously and/or in one working step or filling operation, in particular in order to fill a defined, in particular substantially identical, quantity of propellant charge powder into the ammunition cases in each case. The dosing housing can have predefined docking positions for the at least two ammunition cases. For example, connecting devices, such as latches, clips, plug-in or other connecting devices, can be provided at the docking positions, such that the at least two ammunition cases are temporarily fixed to the dosing housing for the filling operation in the docked state. The ammunition cases can be docked to the dosing housing in such a way that they are arranged along a track, along which the dispensing device can travel, in particular in a reciprocating movement, in order to be able to fill the at least two ammunition cases in one working step or filling operation. The dispensing device can be moved along an image of the track of ammunition cases for dispensing propellant charge powder into the dosing housing. The image of the movement track can either be the track itself, which means that the dispensing device moves along the track of ammunition cases, or along a correspondingly shaped movement track, but at a different local location. For example, the track image can be a planar projection of the track of ammunition cases.

The movement direction of the metering buffer is in this case oriented transversely, in particular perpendicularly, to the movement track of the dispensing device. For example, the dispensing device moves in a horizontal plane, in particular in a horizontal direction, and the metering buffer moves in a horizontal direction which is oriented transversely, in particular perpendicularly, thereto. For example, the track of ammunition cases is oriented substantially parallel to the stripping wall.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, which can be combined with the preceding aspects and exemplary embodiments, a device for the automated filling of at least two ammunition cases with propellant charge powder for an automated displacement line of ammunition is provided.

The filling device according to the invention can be designed on the basis of gravimetry or can operate on the basis of volumetric metering. The gravimetric metering can achieve advantages with regard to the accuracy of the metered quantity. The volumetric metering can achieve clear advantages with regard to the processing speed, which has a positive effect on the cycle rate, in particular when incorporating the filling device according to the invention into a plant, in particular according to the invention, for the automated production of ammunition. The device according to the invention serves in particular for the simultaneous filling of the at least two ammunition cases with propellant charge powder. This means that the filling of the at least two ammunition cases is carried out in one filling operation, in particular without a change of direction by more than 90°. In this case, “simultaneous” is not necessarily to be understood as meaning that the at least two ammunition cases are filled exactly at the same time, but rather that there is quite a certain time offset between the filling, in particular the complete filling, of the ammunition cases arranged along the track. The device according to the invention can be designed to fill the at least two ammunition cases in each case with a defined, in particular substantially identical, quantity taking into account the process-inherent inaccuracies. The propellant charge powder can be, for example, a propellant charge powder for a small-caliber ammunition, in particular with a caliber in the range from 4.5 mm to 13 mm, which typically has one- or two-base spherical, tubular, rod or flake shapes and/or is shaped in the manner of a powder. Alternatively, extruded propellant charge powders can also be used. If a spherical propellant charge powder is involved, it can be, for example, rolled and have a sphere diameter of 0.4 mm to 0.8 mm. In the case of rod-shaped propellant charge powder, for example for the 5.56 mm caliber ammunition, the rods can have a length of up to 1.1 mm and/or a diameter of up to 0.7 mm. In the case of nitrocellulose (NC), the density of the propellant charge powder used can be, for example, in the range from 0.5 to 1 g/cm³. In the case of such a propellant charge powder, the bulk density is in the range from 0.6 to 1 g/cm³, for cartridge cartridges, for subsonic or blank cartridges, up to 0.4 g/cm³.

According to the further aspect of the present invention, the device, which is also referred to as a filling device, comprises a dosing housing, to which the at least two ammunition cases can be docked in such a way that the at least two ammunition cases are arranged along a track, and a dispensing device, which can be moved along an image of the track of ammunition cases for dispensing propellant charge powder into the dosing housing. For example, at least three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven or at least twelve, in particular up to fifteen, eighteen or twenty, ammunition cases can be filled with propellant charge powder by means of the device, in particular simultaneously and/or in one working step or filling operation, in particular in order to fill a defined, in particular substantially identical, quantity of propellant charge powder into the ammunition cases in each case. The dosing housing can have predefined docking positions for the at least two ammunition cases. For example, connecting devices, such as latches, clips, plug-in or other connecting devices, can be provided at the docking positions, such that the at least two ammunition cases are temporarily fixed to the dosing housing for the filling operation in the docked state. The ammunition cases can be docked to the dosing housing in such a way that they are arranged along a track, along which the dispensing device can travel, in particular in a reciprocating movement, in order to be able to fill the at least two ammunition cases in one working step or filling operation. The dispensing device can be connected to a silo, or generally to a propellant charge powder supply, from which the dispensing device obtains the propellant charge powder or from which the dispensing device can be supplied with propellant charge powder. For example, a dynamic pressure in the propellant charge powder supply can be kept substantially constant, such that a substantially homogeneous dynamic pressure is also present in the dispensing device. For example, the dispensing device is designed to dispense the propellant charge powder into the dosing housing, in particular exclusively under the influence of the weight force. The simultaneous filling means that the filling of the at least two ammunition cases takes place in one step or working operation, to be precise directly in succession in time. The track can define a rectilinear, curved or wavy row, along which the at least two ammunition cases are arranged at an, in particular equidistant, distance and are docked to the dosing housing. For example, the dosing housing can delimit a dosing space, into which the dispensing device fills the propellant charge powder. The at least two ammunition cases can be assigned to the dosing space in such a way that the propellant charge powder can be passed on or flow from the dosing space into the ammunition cases.

The dispensing device can be moved along an image of the track of ammunition cases for dispensing propellant charge powder into the dosing housing. The image of the movement track can either be the track itself, which means that the dispensing device moves along the track of ammunition cases, or along a correspondingly shaped movement track, but at a different local location. For example, the track image can be a planar projection of the track of ammunition cases.

According to the further aspect according to the invention, the dispensing device is mounted pivotably for carrying out a pendulum movement. The dispensing device can have a pendulum tube which extends from stationary bearing points and oscillates with respect to the latter about its rest position.

In an exemplary embodiment of the device according to the invention, a pendulum angle of the dispensing device, in particular of the pendulum tube, is less than 90° and in particular at least 45°. In particular, the angle is in the range from 60° to 80°, for example approximately 70°. The preferred pendulum angle can achieve an optimum of maximum number of ammunition cases to be filled simultaneously or in one working step on the one hand and energy-saving filling of the propellant charge powder on the other hand. It has been found that, for optimum functioning of the dispensing pendulum, the pendulum angle is to be selected such that propellant charge powder can still be dispensed reliably at the reversal points, in particular exclusively under the influence of weight force.

In a further exemplary embodiment of the device according to the invention, a speed profile of the pendulum movement is controlled depending on the pendulum angle, the filling level of propellant charge powder, the ammunition case volume and/or a parameter, such as density, flowability, particle diameter and/or surface characteristics, of the propellant charge powder.

According to a further exemplary embodiment, which can be combined with all preceding embodiments and aspects according to the invention, the device according to the invention has sensor systems for detecting the filling level of propellant charge powder and/or the ammunition case volume and/or a drive, which is assigned to the dispensing device, in particular can be controlled, for actuating the dispensing device. For example, the filling level of propellant charge powder is measured at a plurality of points in the dosing housing, in particular in the dosing space, and is adapted to the travel profile of the movable dispensing device depending on the height of the propellant charge powder and/or the distribution thereof, which can be derived on the basis of the plurality of measuring points, such that a uniform and constant propellant charge powder height is produced in the dosing space. In this way, it can be reliably ensured that all ammunition cases to be filled always receive sufficient propellant charge powder. The process reliability is accordingly increased as a result.

In a further exemplary embodiment of the device according to the invention, the dispensing device is designed for carrying out a continuous back and forth movement, in particular along the image of the track of ammunition cases. In this case, a movement cycle of the dispensing device can be coordinated with a clocking of the automated production line. For example, the back and forth movement of the device is designed such that a separate filling operation or working step takes place in each case per back movement and per reciprocating movement. In other words, the dispensing device is designed such that a sufficient quantity of propellant charge powder is dispensed in each case during each back and during each reciprocating movement in order to be able to fill the at least two ammunition cases.

According to an exemplary development of the device according to the invention, the device has a metering buffer which is mounted in particular relative to the dosing housing and has a metering depression, in which the propellant charge powder can be intermediately stored and the receiving volume of which can be set. The number of metering depressions can be adapted to the number of ammunition cases to be filled. The metering depressions can be configured as passages in the metering buffer, such that, for example, a filling from vertically above is possible and a dispensing of the propellant charge powder vertically downwards.

According to an exemplary development, a height of the metering depressions and/or a cross-sectional measurement, in particular the diameter, can be set. For example, the metering buffer can be of multi-part construction and have movably mounted parts for setting the volumes of the metering depression. In this way, it is possible to adapt the receiving volume of the metering depressions depending on the volume, in particular the caliber, of the ammunition cases to be filled and/or depending on further parameters, such as propellant charge powder-specific parameters.

According to a further exemplary development, the metering depressions have an internal cross section which tapers at least in sections, in particular in a funnel-like manner. As a result, firstly a reliable filling of the metering depressions can be achieved and secondly a targeted filling of the propellant charge powder to the ammunition cases which are to be assigned to the metering depressions, as a result of which as accurate metering as possible can be carried out.

In a further exemplary embodiment of the device according to the invention, the latter is configured to perform the at least two ammunition cases substantially simultaneously and/or in one working step. This means that the filling of the at least two ammunition cases is carried out in one filling operation, in particular without a change of direction by more than 90°. In this case, “simultaneous” is not necessarily to be understood as meaning that the at least two ammunition cases are filled exactly at the same time, but rather that there is quite a certain time offset between the filling, in particular the complete filling, of the ammunition cases arranged along the track. The device according to the invention can be designed to fill the at least two ammunition cases in each case with a defined, in particular substantially identical, quantity taking into account the process-inherent inaccuracies.

The device according to the invention can furthermore be configured to fill the at least two ammunition cases, in particular the 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 or 15 ammunition cases, in particular arranged in a track, in less than 5 s, in particular less than 4 s or less than 3 s.

In a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the device according to the invention can have a rotary cycle table, on which the dosing depressions are arranged in particular along an image of the track of ammunition cases in the radial direction in relation to the rotary cycle table. In this case, the dispensing device can be moved translationally, in particular back and forth, in the radial direction in relation to the rotary cycle table in order to fill propellant charge powder into the dosing depressions. The at least two ammunition cases are fed from a downstream rotational position of the rotary cycle table 51, in particular in the radial direction, such that the dosing depressions are assigned to the ammunition cases and the propellant charge powder can be dispensed onto the dosing depressions in the ammunition cases.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, which can be combined with the preceding aspects and exemplary embodiments, a plant for the automated production of ammunition, which consists of a plurality of ammunition parts, in particular a case, an ignition element, a projectile and a propellant charge, is provided, which comprises a device according to the invention.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, which can be combined with the preceding aspects and exemplary embodiments, an automated production line for ammunition, also referred to as a plant for the automated production of ammunition, having at least two ammunition parts is provided, which has at least one workpiece carrier designed according to one of the preceding claims.

Preferred embodiments are given in the dependent claims.

Further properties, features and advantages of the invention will become clear below by means of a description of preferred embodiments of the invention on the basis of the accompanying exemplary drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a device according to the invention;

FIG. 2 shows a further view of the device according to FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3-5 show schematic diagrams for clarifying the functioning of the present invention;

FIGS. 6-8 show further schematic diagrams for clarifying the functioning of the device according to the invention;

FIG. 9 shows a schematic diagram of a further exemplary embodiment of a device according to the invention;

FIG. 10 shows a side view of a further exemplary embodiment of a device according to the invention;

FIG. 11 shows a detailed sectional view along the line XI-XI from FIG. 10; and

FIG. 12 shows a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of an ammunition production plant.

In the present description of exemplary embodiments of the present inventions, a powder filling device according to the invention is generally provided with the reference sign 1, which can be used in a plant 100 for the automated production of ammunition, also referred to as an ammunition assembly plant, which consists of a plurality of ammunition parts, in particular a case 119, an ignition element 127, a projectile 121 and a propellant charge.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, an exemplary embodiment of a filling device 1 according to the invention is illustrated in a perspective view, which is configured to fill ammunition cases 13 arranged next to one another in a row in a working step or filling operation 12 (see FIG. 2). The filling device 1 comprises a dosing housing 5, which can also be referred to as a framework and performs a plurality of functions. On the one hand, the dosing housing 5 assumes a housing or carrying function and comprises two supporting feet 19, 21, by means of which the dosing housing 5 can be placed on a base and can be fixed. On the other hand, the dosing housing 5 is configured in such a way that the at least two ammunition cases 13 can be docked in order to be filled with propellant charge powder 11. Furthermore, the dosing housing 5 defines a dosing space 23 (FIG. 3), into which a predetermined quantity of propellant charge powder 11 is to be dispensed before the propellant charge powder 11 is dosed into the ammunition cases 13. The dosing space 23 is configured in a block-like housing part 25 which has a planar guide surface 27 which is oriented vertically upwards. Proceeding from the guide surface 27, an elongate, in particular rectilinear slot 29 extends vertically downwards through the dosing housing 5 and finally opens into the dosing space 23. In FIGS. 1 and 2, the slot 29 is of rectilinear configuration and is delimited transversely with respect to the longitudinal extent thereof by two opposite slot walls 31, 33 which open on both sides of the extent direction into in each case one common end stop 35, 37 which is curved concavely and is likewise formed by a housing wall of the dosing housing 5.

The slot 29 and the housing walls 31, 33, 35, 37 which delimit the slot 29 have not only the function of permitting the filling of the propellant charge powder 11 but likewise a guide function for a dispensing device 3, indicated by the reference symbol 3, for dispensing the propellant charge powder 11 into the dosing housing 5. The dispensing device 3 can be moved and can move along the slot 29 according to a translational reciprocating movement. In this case, the dispensing device 3 is positively guided during the movement, with the result that the metering can be carried out as reliably and accurately as possible. The dispensing device 3 comprises, for example, a funnel-like dispensing pre-container 39 which opens into a dispensing tube 41 which projects into the housing 5. For the optimized guidance of the dispensing device 3 along the filling movement, the dispensing device 3 furthermore has a guide plate 44 such as a guide adjuster which is attached to the dispensing device 3 in the region of the dispensing tube 41 and is arranged in this case such that the guide plate 44 rests on the guide surface 27 and thus co-determines the vertical position of the dispensing device 3. The dispensing device 3 can furthermore be connected to propellant charge powder filling, not illustrated, such as a silo 57 and/or a supply tube.

The filling operation, which will be explained in even more detail on the basis of the schematic illustrations 3 to 8, is carried out in principle as follows: firstly, the propellant charge powder 11 is introduced into the dosing housing 5 via the dispensing device 3 and intermediately stored. For the intermediate storage, firstly the housing structure of the dosing housing 5 is provided and secondly a metering buffer 9 which is mounted translationally, in particular in the manner of a drawer, movably relative to the dosing housing 5 and has a number of metering depressions 15 adapted to the number of ammunition cases 13, which metering buffer delimits the dosing space 23 downwards at least in sections during a filling operation, with the result that the propellant charge powder 11 is placed on the metering buffer 9, which is preferably configured as a planar plate with the metering depressions 15 configured as passage openings. After the intermediate storage of the propellant charge powder 11 by means of the metering buffer 9, the propellant charge powder 11 is dispensed into the ammunition cases 13 by a metering perforated plate 43 which is assigned to the metering buffer 9 and to which the plurality of ammunition cases 13 are docked.

The filling device 1 can furthermore have a collecting tray 45 which serves for collecting superfluous and unfilled propellant charge powder 11, which is indicated by the reference symbol 11′. Via a pressing device 47, a pressing force can be applied to the metering buffer 9, with the result that in turn a resulting force is produced between metering buffer 9 and metering perforated plate 43 in order to keep the amount of superfluous propellant charge powder 11 as low as possible.

FIGS. 3 to 5 are to be understood as schematic diagrams of a side view of the device 1 according to FIGS. 1 and 2 and show the interior of the device 1 according to the invention during a filling operation. The 12 ammunition cases 13 to be filled are arranged along a track configured as a row and are docked to the metering perforated plate 43 (indicated schematically in FIG. 3). The dispensing device 3, as can be seen from a combined view of FIGS. 3 to 5, can be moved along a translational movement direction T in order to travel along the track or the row of ammunition cases 13. The dispensing device 3 can be moved translationally between two rest positions a) and b), which can be seen in FIGS. 3 to 5, wherein, for example, the rest position b) is to be understood as the starting position and the rest position a) is to be understood as the end position in relation to a filling operation. During the filling operation, the dispensing device 3 cooperates both with a doser 7 of the dosing housing 5 and with the metering buffer 9 mounted movably in the manner of a drawer relative to the dosing housing 5. At the start of a metering operation or after each metering operation, a configuration of the dispensing device 3 of the filling device 1 is established, as is indicated by way of example in FIG. 3.

The dispensing device 3 is filled with propellant charge powder 11 and faces the doser 7 and is arranged at a distance therefrom in such a way that a discharge opening 45 of the dispensing tube 41 is arranged at a vertical distance (a) from the doser 7 such that a self-locking effect occurs. This means that, owing to the narrow distance (a) between the discharge opening 45 and the doser 7 and the characteristic of the propellant charge powder 11, the propellant charge powder 11 itself blocks against a further flow out. As can be seen in FIG. 3, a certain quantity of propellant charge powder 11 is located on the doser 7, a further residual quantity of propellant charge powder 11′ is located on the metering buffer 9, which was superfluous during a preceding filling operation, and a further quantity of propellant charge powder 11 is located in the region of the further rest position of the dispensing device 3.

If the dispensing devices 3 now move between the two rest positions (FIG. 4) and the dispensing device 3 moves out of the region of the self-locking with respect to the doser 7, the propellant charge powder 11 flows, in particular exclusively under the influence of the weight force, from the discharge opening 45 into the dosing space 23, the base of which is formed by the metering buffer 9 and fills the dosing space 23 during a filling operation, that is to say a reciprocating movement operation from a) to b) or vice versa, such that a substantially constant and homogeneous propellant charge powder height is set (see FIG. 5). In the region of the rest position a), the self-locking effect is established again and the propellant charge powder 11 is blocked against a further flow out.

With reference to FIGS. 6 to 8, which illustrate the filling operation along the sequence of FIGS. 3 to 5 from a perspective rotated through 90°, the downstream metering operation, illustrated in FIGS. 3 to 5, for filling the propellant charge powder 11 into the ammunition cases 13 will be explained. During the filling operation, the metering depressions 15 of the metering buffer 9 are assigned in a passive position, that is to say not to the dosing space 23, such that the propellant charge powder 11 can be dispensed onto a planar surface of the metering buffer 9 (FIG. 6).

After a filling operation of the dispensing device 3, the metering buffer 9 is finally moved, such that the metering depressions 15 are orientated in relation to the dosing space 23, in particular are arranged vertically below the dosing space 23, such that the propellant charge powder 11 moves into the metering depressions 15 exclusively under the influence of the low weight force and completely fills the latter (FIG. 7).

The metering buffer 9 is subsequently moved back into the starting position illustrated in FIG. 6 in order to fill the propellant charge powder 11 dosed into the metering depressions 15 into the ammunition cases 13. As a result of the setting, by means of the setting device 47, of the size of the metering depression, in particular the volume thereof, for example over the height and/or diameter thereof, ammunition cases 13 of different sizes can be filled in each case with the propellant charge powder quantity provided therefor.

An essential function of the device 1 according to the invention can be seen in FIG. 8, since, on account of the dimensioning of the metering depressions in relation to the housing wall 17 which cooperates with the metering buffer 9 during the movement of the metering buffer 9 relative to the dosing housing 5 and which functions as a stripping wall 17, in order to strip off superfluous propellant charge powder 11, which is indicated by the reference symbol 11′ in FIG. 8, can be seen. Firstly, the stripping wall 17 strips off the superfluous propellant charge powder 11′ during the movement of the metering buffer 9, such that substantially exclusively the quantity of propellant charge powder necessary for the filling of the ammunition cases 13 remains in the metering depressions 15 and the residual propellant charge powder 11′ remains in the dosing space 23. Furthermore, a cross-sectional dimension (e) of the stripping wall 17 in relation to a diameter (d) of the metering depressions is configured in such a way that no clogging can occur, such that reliable operation of the filling device 1 is ensured. For example, the cross-sectional dimension (e) of the stripping wall 17 in the movement direction of the metering buffer 9 is smaller than the diameter (d) of the metering depressions by at least 20%.

FIG. 9 shows a further schematic diagram of an alternative embodiment of the filling device 1 according to the invention, in which another type of intermediate storage and metering of the propellant charge powder 11 is shown. As in the preceding embodiments, at least two ammunition cases 13 can be fed to the device 1 by means of a workpiece carrier 49, which is generally indicated by the reference symbol 49. The workpiece carrier 49 can accordingly perform two functions. On the one hand, it can hold ammunition parts which are necessary for the ammunition and permit access of the individual processing stations to the ammunition parts or permit processing of the ammunition parts at the individual processing stations and, on the other hand, the workpiece carrier 49 can form the interface with the automated production line, such that the at least two ammunition parts can pass through the automated production line by means of the workpiece carrier 49. The workpiece carrier 49 has a carrier base, such as a carriage, which is configured to be conveyed along the production line. The carrier base can accordingly be configured to be coupled, in particular releasably, to the automated production line, in order to be conveyed by the latter in an automated manner from one processing station to the next. The carrier base can be configured, for example, to form a tongue-and-groove system with a connecting component of the automated production line. The workpiece carrier 49 furthermore comprises at least one receptacle which is arranged on the carrier base, in particular preferably releasably fastened thereto, for holding at least two ammunition parts of the same type, such as two ammunition cases 13, two ammunition projectiles, two ammunition cartridges or two ammunition primers. An essential aspect of the workpiece carrier 49 according to the invention consists in that it is designed to receive a plurality of ammunition parts which are held such that they can be processed simultaneously or in parallel. For example, the receptacle is designed such that it can hold at least 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 or 15 ammunition parts of the same type. For example, the multiplicity of ammunition parts are held in a predetermined, in particular invariable, arrangement by the receptacle. For example, in rows and/or in a parallel arrangement, such as, for example, in an array field. Furthermore, the at least one ammunition part receptacle is mounted movably relative to the carrier base. Furthermore, at least one of the ammunition part receptacles can be moved from a receiving position, in which the at least two ammunition parts can be supplied, in particular simultaneously, into a processing position, in which the at least two ammunition parts can be processed, in particular simultaneously. Furthermore, the workpiece carrier 49 furthermore has a coupling interface for connecting to a motor of the production line, in particular a motor-side coupling interface, in order to move the receptacle from the receiving position into the processing position, and in particular vice versa. The workpiece carrier 49 itself can accordingly be of drive-free and/or motorless design. The necessary activation or movement energy which is necessary for moving the at least one ammunition part receptacle can be supplied, in particular completely, from outside, for example by a motor or drive of the production line.

In contrast to the preceding embodiment, the metering buffer 9 and, if appropriate, the metering perforated plate 43 (not illustrated) assigned thereto are designed as a rotary cycle table 51 which has a plurality of units or rows of metering depressions 15 which are distributed in the circumferential direction at an in particular uniform spacing (a) from one another, and wherein each unit or row is oriented in the radial direction with respect to the rotational direction R of the rotary cycle table 51. The dispensing device 3 can furthermore perform a translational movement in accordance with a reciprocating movement T in order to intermediately store the propellant charge powder 11 on the metering buffer 9. After a filling operation, the rotary cycle table 51 is rotated further in the rotational direction R, such that the units or rows of metering depressions 15 are supplied successively one after the other to the workpiece carriers 49 to be fed to the device 1, namely in a rotational position inclined by 45°. The further basic principles and basic ideas of the device 1 according to the invention are also furthermore realized in the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 9.

FIGS. 10 and 11 show a further exemplary embodiment of a filling device 1 according to the invention, which, in contrast to the preceding embodiments, is not characterized by a translational reciprocating movement of the dispensing device 3, but rather by a pendulum movement P. The basic principle of the automated, simultaneous filling of a plurality of ammunition cases 13 is the same. Firstly, propellant charge powder 11 is provided, for example, from a propellant charge powder supply 53 via filling tubes 55 into a silo 57 to which the dispensing device