Concentric Ammunition Feeding Chute for Full Weapon Elevation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing weapon systems, particularly those with turrets, face challenges in efficiently feeding ammunition due to space constraints and the need for flexible chutes that require significant space, complicating the feeding mechanism.
Innovation Solution
A compact feeding chute arrangement is designed with elements stacked concentrically around an elevation axis, allowing elements to pivot only orthogonally for feeding, featuring a rotation limit mechanism and gliding members to facilitate ammunition flow at all elevation angles, and includes a guiding chute for efficient ammunition delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a flexible chute is used to feed ammunition to the weapon, then the ammunition can be fed across elevation ranges, but the chute requires significant space and complicates the feeding mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The feeding chute is divided into multiple discrete elements (first element, second element, third element) that can independently pivot about the elevation axis. This segmentation allows each element to adapt to different elevation angles without requiring a single large flexible chute, thereby reducing the overall space requirement while maintaining ammunition feeding capability across the full elevation range.
Solution Approach 2:
The chute elements are designed with dynamic pivot joints that allow them to rotate about the elevation axis. This dynamic capability enables the segmented chute to adapt its configuration to different elevation angles, providing the versatility of a flexible chute while using compact, discrete elements that occupy less space than a traditional flexible chute.
2Volume of moving object
If multiple chute elements are stacked together, then space is reduced, but the elements may create resistance to ammunition flow
Solution Approach 1:
The chute elements are designed with curved inner surfaces that form a continuous smooth pathway for ammunition. The curvature of the elements is optimized to guide ammunition smoothly from one element to the next, minimizing abrupt transitions and reducing friction. This curved geometry allows the stacked elements to maintain low resistance to ammunition flow while occupying reduced space.
Solution Approach 2:
The geometric parameters of the chute elements, such as their curvature radius, width, and spacing, are optimized to minimize resistance to ammunition flow. By carefully controlling these parameters, the elements can be stacked closely together without creating significant friction or blockage, thus reducing space requirements while maintaining efficient ammunition feeding.
3Volume of moving object
If elements are arranged concentrically about the elevation axis, then compactness is achieved, but the elements must pivot precisely to maintain alignment
Solution Approach 1:
A pivot mechanism acts as an intermediary between the chute elements and the elevation axis. This pivot mechanism includes a pivot pin or journal that rotates about the elevation axis, providing a precise rotational center. The intermediary pivot ensures that the elements maintain proper alignment during elevation movements without requiring extremely tight manufacturing tolerances on the elements themselves, thus achieving compact concentric arrangement while managing alignment precision requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The pivot mechanism serves multiple functions: it provides the rotational center for elevation movement, maintains the concentric arrangement of elements, and ensures proper alignment between adjacent elements. By consolidating these functions into a single universal pivot mechanism, the design achieves compact concentric stacking without imposing excessive alignment precision requirements on individual elements.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3a~3b
Figure 4a~4b'
AI summary
The present invention relates to an arrangement for feeding ammunition to a weapon (20). The weapon (20) is mounted to an elevation device (30) arranged to allow elevation movement of the weapon (20) about an elevation axis (Z1). The arrangement comprises a feeding chute (40; 140) connected at one end to the weapon (20). The feeding chute (40) comprises a set of elements (42; 142) assembled together in a stacked configuration. The set of elements (42; 142) is arranged about a shaft (44; 144) configured to be concentrically arranged relative to the elevation axis (Z1) so as to allow movement of individual elements of the set of elements (42; 142)) about said shaft (44; 144) in connection to elevation movement of the weapon (20) about the elevation axis (Z1). The invention also relates to a vehicle with an arrangement according to the present invention.