Flexible Ammunition Feed Chute Link Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional metal feed chutes for mini guns are rigid, difficult to disassemble without tools, prone to crushing, and suffer from ammunition jams due to gaps between segments and misalignment issues with disintegrating links.

Innovation Solution

A flexible ammunition feed chute composed of glass-filled polyurethane links with overlapping transitional surfaces and nickel Teflon coated stainless steel components, allowing for tool-free assembly and disassembly, and minimizing friction and jamming risks through a guide sleeve and bullet guide system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If conventional metal feed chutes are used, then strength and durability are maintained, but the chutes are rigid, difficult to disassemble without tools, and prone to crushing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefeed chute strengthVSAvoiddisassembly ease

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The feed chute is divided into multiple modular links that can be connected and disconnected. Each link is a separate component that joins to form the complete feed chute, allowing for tool-free disassembly while maintaining structural strength through the connection mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The feed chute links are made from flexible material that can bend and conform to different configurations. This flexibility allows the chute to be collapsed or disassembled without requiring tools, while the material itself provides sufficient strength to handle ammunition reliably.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Strength

If conventional metal feed chutes are used, then strength is maintained, but gaps between segments cause ammunition jams

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefeed chute strengthVSAvoidammunition flow reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Adjacent feed chute links are designed to overlap with each other, creating a continuous internal surface that eliminates gaps. The transitional surfaces merge the links into a seamless structure, preventing ammunition from becoming stuck between segments while maintaining the modular design for easy assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Duration of action of stationary object

If conventional metal feed chutes are used, then durability is maintained, but crushing prevents ammunition from flowing freely

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefeed chute durabilityVSAvoidammunition flow reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The feed chute links are constructed from flexible material that can withstand crushing forces without permanent deformation. This flexibility allows the chute to be collapsed or compressed during storage or transport, then easily returned to its functional shape without damage, maintaining both durability and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

4Weight of moving object

If flexible feed chute material is used, then weight is reduced and flexibility is improved, but strength may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefeed chute weightVSAvoidfeed chute strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The feed chute links utilize composite construction combining flexible material with reinforcing elements. This composite approach provides the necessary strength to handle ammunition reliably while maintaining the flexibility and weight advantages of the base material, achieving an optimal balance between strength and weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 flexible feed chute ensures reliable operation, reduces weight, and prevents ammunition jams by eliminating gaps and allowing for easy maintenance and customization, while maintaining strength and smooth ammunition flow.

Implementation Method 1

nickel Teflon coated stainless steel components, allowing for tool-free assembly and disassembly, and minimizing friction and jamming risks through a guide sleeve and bullet guide system

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS8356539B2Ammunition feed chute

Publication Date: 2013.01.22 GONZALEZ XAVIER G

AI summary

An ammunition feed chute has a plurality of feed chute links releasably connected together. The feed chute links have interior surfaces that define a guide path for belted ammunition. Each of the feed chute links has a transitional surface attached to one of the feed chute link's interior surfaces, the transitional surfaces each extending from the interior surface to which it is attached to a location where it overlaps the adjacent feed chute link's transitional surface. A tongue extending from one of the feed chute links may be received by a slot in an adjacent feed chute link to releasably connect the feed chute links together. The ligaments may each receive the top insert and the rivet of one of the feed chute links within their closed slots and removably receive the top insert, AN washer, and rivet of an adjacent feed chute link within their open slots to releasably connect the feed chute links together.