Aircraft Ammunition Wing Compartment Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Helicopters face a challenge in increasing ammunition feed to the turret without compromising their aerodynamic characteristics.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates an ammunition wing with a compartment housing a portion of the ammunition belt, connected to a rigid duct extending along the fuselage, allowing for increased ammunition storage without additional storage facilities and maintaining aerodynamic efficiency by using existing wing structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If ammunition storage capacity is increased, then ammunition feed to turret is improved, but aerodynamic characteristics deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The wing structure serves multiple functions: it provides aerodynamic lift for flight and simultaneously houses the ammunition storage compartment. By making the wing multi-functional, the patent avoids adding separate drag-inducing storage facilities while increasing ammunition capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The ammunition storage compartment is merged with the wing structure, combining two previously separate functions (flight and ammunition storage) into a single integrated structure. This eliminates the need for additional external storage facilities that would increase drag.
2Strength
If rigid duct is used for ammunition feeding, then structural strength is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rigid duct is designed to feed ammunition automatically from the wing compartment to the turret without requiring motors or active feeding mechanisms. The system uses the natural positioning and gravity-assisted flow of ammunition through the duct, eliminating complex mechanical feeding devices.
3Device complexity
If wing structure is used for ammunition storage, then additional storage facilities are eliminated, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wing structure is segmented into functional zones, with a specific compartment dedicated to ammunition storage. This segmentation allows the wing to be manufactured using standard aerospace techniques while creating a dedicated storage space that integrates seamlessly with the overall wing structure.
Data Source
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AI summary
A wing (4) for an aircraft (1) having at least one weapon (8), and a feed duct (13) for feeding the weapon (8) with ammunition (9) supplied in the form of a belt (10); the wing (4) has a compartment (20) for housing a portion (54) of the belt (10) and connectable to a loading opening (14) of the feed duct (13).