Projectile Stretcher Positioning Assembly for Precise Shell Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for loading projectiles into large caliber weapons fail to ensure proper alignment and secure positioning of the projectile within the stretcher, leading to potential misplacement and safety issues during ramming.
Innovation Solution
A positioning and position keeping assembly with movable arms and a pivoting actuation mechanism, utilizing a pivoting actuation mechanism and elastic return means, ensures the projectile is aligned and secured within the stretcher before ramming, using a concave longitudinal profile and torsion bar for support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a stretcher is equipped with anti-extraction device or locking means to prevent ejection of the shell during displacement, then the shell is prevented from being radially withdrawn, but the shell alignment with the longitudinal axis of the stretcher is not ensured
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning system is divided into separate functional elements: movable arms with bearing surfaces for alignment, and elastic return means for maintaining position. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in either alignment or positioning stability, resolving the contradiction between preventing ejection and ensuring alignment precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable arms perform preliminary alignment action on the shell before the ramming operation begins. By pre-positioning and aligning the shell in the stretcher using the bearing surfaces, the system ensures correct orientation prior to displacement, thereby addressing the alignment precision issue while maintaining reliability through subsequent locking mechanisms.
2Manufacturing precision
If movable arms are introduced to align and position the projectile in the stretcher, then alignment precision and positioning accuracy are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning arms are designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing them to adapt to the projectile and achieve precise alignment dynamically. The elastic return means provide automatic restoration to the initial position, eliminating the need for complex control mechanisms while maintaining high alignment precision throughout the operation cycle.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic return means enable the movable arms to automatically return to their initial positions after positioning the projectile, without requiring external actuation or complex control systems. This self-service mechanism reduces device complexity while maintaining the precision alignment capability throughout multiple operation cycles.
3Device complexity
If elastic return means are used to return the arm to the raised position, then the device complexity is reduced compared to motorized systems, but the control precision over the arm position may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing surfaces of the movable arms feature a concave longitudinal profile that complements the cylindrical or conical shape of the projectile. This curved geometry provides natural guidance and precise positioning through form closure, achieving high position control precision through geometric constraints rather than complex actuation mechanisms.
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 assembly guarantees precise alignment and secure positioning of the projectile, preventing radial withdrawal and ensuring safe ramming into the weapon chamber.
Implementation Method 1
elastic return means for the at least one arm so as to return same to the raised position thereof once the stretcher has been placed in the ramming position
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a rammer (1) for positioning an artillery shell, the rammer (1) comprising a stretcher (2) intended to receive the shell and guide it in translation, the rammer (1) being characterized in that it comprises a pusher (4) which can be driven in a reciprocating movement along the stretcher (2), reciprocating movement which is provided by a pair of closed flexible links (6) arranged on either side of the pusher (4), each link (6) connecting a drive wheel (6b) and a free wheel (6a), the pusher (4) having a bearing surface intended to correspond with a rear face of the shell in order to push it.