Movable Block Ammunition Testing Device for Leakage Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ammunition testing devices for recoilless or low-recoil automatic cannons face issues with leakage between the housing and drum, which hampers optimization and accuracy in testing medium-calibre ammunition, particularly when using different cartridge lengths.

Innovation Solution

The device features a housing with a movable block that encloses the cartridge chamber, aligned with a gas funnel, and incorporates a gas pressure sensor, allowing for horizontal or vertical adjustment and easy integration of various cartridge lengths, ensuring accurate measurement and minimization of lateral forces on the barrel.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the cartridge chamber is integrated in the measuring device between the barrel and the gas funnel, then the device can test ammunition, but leakage occurs between the housing and the drum

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetesting accuracyVSAvoidleakage
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into separate functional modules: a movable block containing the cartridge chamber and gas funnel that can be independently positioned relative to the housing. This segmentation allows the cartridge chamber to be isolated from the housing-drum interface, eliminating leakage while maintaining testing functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The movable block acts as an intermediary between the barrel and gas funnel, providing a sealed chamber for ammunition testing. This intermediate structure prevents direct contact between the housing and drum, blocking the leakage path while allowing gas pressure measurements to be conducted accurately.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If the gas funnel remains stationary on the housing, then the structure is simple, but leakage occurs between the housing and the drum

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidleakage
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The gas funnel is separated from the housing and integrated into the movable block. This segmentation allows the gas funnel to move with the cartridge chamber, eliminating the leakage issue at the housing-drum interface while maintaining the overall structural simplicity of the device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Stability of the object's composition

If attachments are fixed to maintain center of gravity in the bore axis, then lateral forces are minimized, but adaptability to different cartridge lengths is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebarrel stabilityVSAvoidcartridge length adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The block containing the cartridge chamber and gas funnel is made movable relative to the housing, allowing dynamic adjustment of the center of gravity position. This enables the device to adapt to different cartridge lengths while maintaining proper alignment and minimizing lateral forces on the barrel during firing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

This design enhances the testing device's ability to accurately measure gas pressure profiles and accommodate different ammunition lengths, reducing leakage and improving the overall usability and optimization of ammunition testing.

Implementation Method 1

At least one sensor, a gas pressure sensor, is preferably located in the mechanically adjustable block, for which purpose the block has a corresponding measurement bore for receiving the sensor. This sensor is aligned towards the cartridge chamber.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGas pressure measurement:

Implementation Method 2

CH 629 891 A5 discloses an ammunition testing apparatus with a piezoelectric pressure transducer.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentEP1843121B1Munition test device
Publication Date: 2008.08.27 RHEINMETALL WAFFE MUNITION GMBH
  • EP1843121B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP1843121B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An ammunition checking apparatus (1) has a housing (2), and a tube (3) in the housing towards which a cartridge holder (5) is directed. The cartridge holder is axially mobile relative to the tube. A gas funnel (6) fixed to the cartridge holder is moved with it. The cartridge holder may be surrounded by a block (4), which in turn is enclosed in the housing and is axially guided by it.