Remote-Operated Gun Breech with Recoil-Isolating Clutch
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional breech loaders on aircraft guns require manual operation, which is suboptimal for aerial applications due to constraints such as manual cranking, and existing adaptations from field artillery guns are not optimized for recoil mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A remote operated mechanism using a servo motor, pinion, clutch, and worm gear to automate the breech operation, with a clutch disengaging from the motor during recoil to protect sensitive components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a manual crank is used to operate the breech, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ease of operation deteriorates and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical crank system with an automated motor-driven mechanism. A motor rotates a pinion gear that engages with a gear on the breech assembly, automatically cycling the breech through loading, firing, and ejection operations without manual intervention. This substitution eliminates the need for manual cranking while providing automated control through electrical actuation.
2Reliability
If the breech mechanism is directly coupled to the motor, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability deteriorates due to recoil forces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the power transmission system into distinct functional modules: a motor assembly, a clutch mechanism, and a breech assembly. The clutch acts as a decoupling element that separates the motor from the breech during recoil events, allowing the motor to remain stationary while the breech moves independently. This segmentation protects the motor from recoil forces while maintaining automated operation during normal cycling.
Solution Approach 2:
The clutch serves as an intermediary element between the motor and the breech mechanism. During normal operation, the clutch engages to transmit motor power to the breech. During recoil, the clutch disengages to isolate the motor from recoil forces. This intermediary component mediates the interaction between the motor and breech, protecting sensitive components while enabling automated operation.
3Productivity
If automated operation is implemented, then the productivity increases, but the ease of manufacture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic clutch mechanism that automatically engages and disengages based on operational conditions. The clutch is designed to engage during normal firing cycles to enable automated operation and disengage during recoil to protect the motor. This dynamic behavior allows the system to achieve high productivity through automated cycling while using relatively simple mechanical components that can be manufactured and assembled using conventional techniques.
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
Enables automated and reliable breech operation, protecting sensitive components from recoil forces and enhancing operational efficiency in aerial gun systems.
Implementation Method 1
The servo motor axially rotates the pinion
Implementation Method 2
The worm gear couples the clutch to a shaft that turns the transfer gear
Implementation Method 3
a spring that pushes the coupler to engage the worm screw prior to firing
Data Source
AI summary
A remote operated mechanism is provided for raising and lowering a seal in a gun loader breech via a transfer gear. The mechanism includes a servo motor, a pinion, a clutch and a worm gear. The servo motor axially rotates the pinion. The clutch controllably engages and disengages with the pinion. The worm gear couples the clutch to a shaft that engages the transfer gear. The clutch disengages the pinion from the motor in response to recoil from firing the gun. The worm gear includes a worm screw that axially turns with the pinion and a worm wheel that engages the worm screw to laterally spin a shaft connected to the transfer gear. The clutch includes a coupler for engaging the worm screw, a spur gear that connects the coupler to the pinion, and a spring that pushes the coupler to engage the worm screw prior to firing.