Fixed Optic Boresight Apparatus for Mortar Sight Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mortar sight mount adjustment systems are cumbersome and prone to errors due to the limitations of existing boresights and sight units, which result in potential misalignment and safety issues during mortar operations.
Innovation Solution
A simplified sight unit with a frame and level vials secured by C-brackets and screw assemblies, allowing for single-person adjustment and calibration, and incorporating a robust pivot-and-lock design to ensure accurate alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional adjustable sight units with worm and bevel gears are used, then field adjustability is achieved, but manufacturing precision and reliability deteriorate due to backlash and spring tension errors
Solution Approach 1:
The sight unit is divided into two distinct functional components: a fixed optic assembly for precision alignment and an adjustable sight unit for field operations. The fixed optic contains the boresight telescope and level vials mounted on a rigid frame, while the adjustable sight unit with worm and bevel gears is separated for field adjustments only. This segmentation allows the precision-critical components to remain fixed and manufactured to high tolerances, while the adjustable components handle only coarse field adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixed optic assembly is pre-calibrated and precision-aligned during manufacturing with the boresight centerline. The level vials are pre-adjusted to be parallel to the boresight axis. This preliminary precision setup eliminates the need for field adjustments to critical alignment parameters, reserving field adjustability only for operational corrections through the separate adjustable sight unit.
2Ease of operation
If traditional level vials with limited sensitivity are used, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
A magnifying lens is introduced as an intermediary component between the level vial bubble and the observer's eye. This lens magnifies the bubble position, effectively increasing the visual sensitivity of the level vial without requiring physical changes to the vial itself. The magnification allows the observer to detect smaller bubble displacements, thereby improving measurement precision while maintaining the simple mechanical adjustment mechanism.
3Adaptability or versatility
If adjustable sight units with multiple gear interfaces are used, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The complex worm and bevel gear train is extracted from the fixed optic assembly and placed in a separate adjustable sight unit. The fixed optic contains only the essential alignment components (boresight telescope, level vials, and mounting frame) without the complex gear interfaces. This extraction reduces the complexity of the fixed assembly and isolates the mechanical complexity to a separate, replaceable unit.
4Reliability
If traditional sight mount calibration procedures are used, then reliability is improved through routine maintenance, but loss of time increases due to tedious procedural adjustments
Solution Approach 1:
The fixed optic assembly is designed to be self-contained and precision-stable, requiring minimal field adjustments. The rigid frame with precision-machined mounting surfaces and the fixed mounting of level vials and boresight telescope create a system that maintains its calibration automatically through proper installation and routine maintenance, reducing the time and complexity of calibration procedures.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enables precise and reliable alignment of the sight mount, reducing the risk of misalignment and improving safety by allowing single-person operation and enhancing calibration accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
each containing a level secured to the frame by a securing bracket
Implementation Method 2
The level vials do not provide enough sensitivity to maintain tolerance objectives
Data Source
AI summary
A significantly simplified sight unit for a mortar is provided consisting of a gauge tool for boresight procedures containing a frame with two legs, each containing a level secured to the frame by a securing bracket. A plurality of C-brackets and screw assemblies stabilize and help further secure the levels to the frame.