Rotary Trigger Control for Gatling Firearm Ammunition Conservation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern Gatling guns lack a control system to limit the number of ammunition fired and control the firing rate, leading to wastage of ammunition and overwhelming operators with extreme firing rates.
Innovation Solution
A control system for Gatling-style platforms that includes an electronic rotary trigger and motor control, allowing users to set predefined discrete levels for the number and rate of ammunition fired, enabling operation in both fully automatic and semi-automatic modes, with features like a rotary dial and push-button for precise control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the firing rate is increased to achieve high productivity, then the productivity is improved, but the ammunition is wasted and operators are overwhelmed
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the firing rate based on operator input through a rotary dial, allowing the firing rate to vary from low to high speeds rather than operating at a fixed maximum rate. This dynamic control enables operators to match the firing rate to actual engagement needs, improving productivity when high rates are necessary while conserving ammunition during normal operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the operational parameters of the firearm system by introducing a control mechanism that adjusts both the firing rate and total number of rounds fired. The rotary dial modifies the firing rate parameter, while the discrete level selections modify the total ammunition consumption parameter, allowing optimization between productivity and ammunition conservation.
2Productivity
If the firing rate is increased to improve productivity, then the productivity is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to overwhelming operators
Solution Approach 1:
The rotary dial provides dynamic control over the firing rate, allowing operators to adjust the speed according to their comfort level and engagement requirements. This dynamic adjustment capability transforms the overwhelming fixed high-rate firing into a manageable variable-rate system, improving ease of operation while maintaining productivity when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows operators to use only the portion of maximum firing capability that is actually needed for each engagement. By enabling partial utilization of the full firing rate through the rotary dial, operators avoid being overwhelmed by excessive firing rates while still accessing high productivity when necessary.
3Device complexity
If no control mechanism is provided, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ammunition conservation capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The control system serves multiple functions: it limits the total number of rounds fired, adjusts the firing rate, and provides discrete level selections for different engagement scenarios. This multi-functional control mechanism achieves ammunition conservation while maintaining relatively simple operation through a unified rotary dial interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically stops firing when the predetermined number of rounds is exhausted, eliminating the need for constant manual intervention to prevent ammunition waste. The control mechanism serves itself by enforcing the round limit and managing the firing sequence, reducing the operational burden on the user while conserving ammunition.
Data Source
AI summary
A Gatling-style platform has a control system to limit the number of ammunitions that can be fired a single or multiple times. The control system is operably coupled to an electronic motor that can be coupled to multi-barrels for rotating the multi-barrels and a delinker to feed the ammunition. The electronic firearm further includes an electronic rotary trigger that has multiple discrete intervals that correspond to the number of ammunition or rounds of ammunition to be fired, wherein the electronic rotary trigger can be rotated to any desired level from the multiple discrete intervals, the rotation of the electronic rotary trigger actuates the delinker and/or motor to start firing.