Automated Artillery Loading System for Elevation Adaptability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional artillery ammunition loading systems require manual operation, leading to delays, increased risk for operators due to overpressure, radiation, and chemical contamination, and face difficulties when the cannon or howitzer is at large elevation angles.
Innovation Solution
An automated artillery ammunition loading system with mobile projectile and propelling charge loading means, controlled by a numerical subsystem, allowing for automated and safe loading of ammunition, independent of elevation angles, with the operator remaining inside the hull for enhanced safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual operation is used for loading ammunition, then the system structure is simple, but the loading time increases and operator safety is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The loading system performs operations autonomously through automated picking, transferring, and inserting mechanisms. The numerical subsystem controls the entire loading sequence without requiring manual intervention, allowing the system to serve itself in completing the loading task while maintaining safety and efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
Manual mechanical operations are replaced with automated mechanical systems including robotic picking devices, transfer mechanisms, and inserting apparatuses controlled by a numerical subsystem. This substitution eliminates the need for operators to physically handle ammunition while maintaining precise control over the loading process
2Ease of operation
If operators work in the turret for manual loading, then the loading process is direct, but operator exposure to hazards increases
Solution Approach 1:
The operator is extracted from the turret environment and relocated to the protected hull interior. The automated loading system takes over all operations within the turret, removing the operator from exposure to overpressure, radiation, and chemical contaminants while maintaining effective ammunition loading capability
Solution Approach 2:
An automated loading system acts as an intermediary between the operator and the hazardous ammunition handling environment. The numerical subsystem and automated mechanisms serve as mediators that perform dangerous operations in the turret while the operator remains safely controlled from within the hull
3Adaptability or versatility
If the cannon is positioned at large elevation angles, then the firing coverage is extended, but traditional loading systems fail to load effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The loading system is designed to be dynamically adaptable to varying cannon elevation angles. The automated mechanisms can adjust their positioning and motion trajectories according to the cannon's angular position, enabling effective loading operations whether the cannon is at low or high elevation angles through real-time control adjustments
Data Source
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AI summary
Artillery ammunition loading system (100), configured to load ammunitions comprising at least one projectile in a cannon or a howitzer (11); said ammunition loading system is characterized in that it comprises a first mobile means (102a) for loading projectiles and a second mobile means (102b) for loading propelling charges, which alternatively and at least partially automatically feed said cannon or howitzer (11) for each firing cycle.