Articulated Ammunition Conveyor Twister Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ammunition conveyance systems are limited in their ability to twist without jamming, requiring large turret sizes and increased armor weight, making them less efficient and more difficult to transport.
Innovation Solution
A conveyor mechanism using pivotally interconnected clamshells that transition between ammunition holding and release configurations, allowing for twisting motion while maintaining structural support and guidance, with a central spine or tube allowing for twist without changing separation distance and featuring flexible guide wires and rollers for smooth operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If individual conveyors move inside flexible chutes to transport ammunition, then structural support and guidance are provided, but the system is limited in twisting capability and requires large turret sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor system is divided into multiple rigid conveyor segments or links that are interconnected. Each segment maintains structural integrity while the interconnected nature allows the entire system to flex and twist to accommodate gun elevation changes without requiring a large turret volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The conveyor system transitions from a static flexible chute design to a dynamic articulated mechanism. The rigid segments are connected in a way that allows controlled movement and twisting motion, enabling the system to adapt to changing gun elevation angles while maintaining structural support.
2Ease of operation
If flexible chutes are used to guide conveyors, then ammunition control is achieved, but the structure becomes large and increases armor weight
Solution Approach 1:
The ammunition control function is distributed across multiple rigid conveyor segments with defined connection points. This segmentation allows for precise ammunition positioning and control while using lighter-weight rigid components instead of heavy flexible chute structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces heavy flexible chute structures with a lighter articulated mechanism using rigid segments connected by joints. This achieves the necessary flexibility for ammunition control while significantly reducing the overall structure weight and armor requirements.
3Productivity
If conventional conveyors are used, then ammunition transport is achieved, but the system jams when twisted beyond limited angles
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor system uses dynamically connected rigid segments that can articulate and twist to accommodate gun elevation changes. This dynamic design allows the conveyor to maintain proper ammunition feed geometry even when twisted, preventing jamming while preserving continuous ammunition transport capability.
Solution Approach 2:
By dividing the conveyor into multiple rigid segments with defined articulation points, the system can distribute twist angles across multiple joints. This prevents any single point from exceeding its twist limit and causing jamming, while maintaining continuous ammunition transport through the segmented structure.
Data Source
AI summary
A conveyor mechanism for use with ammunition rounds includes a plurality of clamshells pivotally interconnected to each other, with each clamshell including a first body and a second body pivotally connected to the first body. Each clamshell is selectively transitional between an ammunition holding configuration and an ammunition release position, with the second body pivoting relative to the first body to facilitate transition between the ammunition holding configuration and the ammunition release configuration. The first and second bodies are configured to cooperatively engage one of the ammunition rounds when the clamshell is in the ammunition holding configuration.