Rotary Ammunition Feed Unit for Multi-Type Cannon Loading

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing weapon systems struggle to efficiently and quickly handle and direct different types of ammunition components.

Innovation Solution

A cannon system with a turret assembly and ammunition feed unit that allows for the rapid alignment and delivery of ammunition components from multiple magazines to a firing chamber, utilizing a rotatable turret and interchangeable ammunition storage racks and transport paths.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a weapon system uses a single ammunition storage configuration, then the structure is simple, but it cannot efficiently handle and direct different types of ammunition components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to handle different ammunition typesVSAvoidammunition storage and delivery system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The ammunition storage system is divided into multiple independent magazines (first magazine 310, second magazine 320) positioned at different locations around the traverse path. Each magazine can be independently selected and aligned with the ammunition feed unit through turret rotation, allowing the system to handle different ammunition types without requiring a completely integrated complex storage structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The turret assembly serves multiple functions: it rotates to position different magazines in alignment with the ammunition feed unit, supports the cannon, and enables traverse movement. This multi-functional design allows the system to handle various ammunition types through a single versatile mechanism rather than requiring separate dedicated systems for each ammunition type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Measurement precision

If the turret rotates slowly to align with magazines, then alignment precision is improved, but the ammunition delivery speed decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment precision between magazine outlet and ammunition feed unitVSAvoidammunition delivery speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple magazines are pre-positioned at specific locations around the traverse path (first magazine 310, second magazine 320) during system setup. The turret can quickly rotate to predetermined angular positions to align the required magazine with the ammunition feed unit, eliminating the need for slow continuous searching and adjustment during operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The turret assembly acts as an intermediary mechanism that bridges the stationary magazines and the moving ammunition feed unit. By rotating the turret to specific angular positions, the system achieves precise alignment between magazine outlets (312, 322) and the ammunition feed unit inlet (204) without requiring the entire weapon system to slow down.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple magazines are positioned far apart around the traverse path, then ammunition type selection flexibility is improved, but the turret rotation time to switch between magazines increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveammunition type selection flexibilityVSAvoidturret rotation time between magazine positions

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The magazines are positioned at specific optimized angular intervals around the traverse path rather than being uniformly distributed. This allows the turret to cover the required angular distance between adjacent magazine positions in minimal rotation time while still providing sufficient flexibility to handle different ammunition types. The local positioning optimizes the balance between selection flexibility and rotation speed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP4617609A1Improvements relating to weapon sub-system

Publication Date: 2025.09.17 BAE SYSTEMS PLC

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AI summary

An ammunition feed unit system (500) for loading an ammunition component (30) into a firing chamber (110) of a cannon system (10) which forms part of a weapon sub-system. The ammunition feed unit system (500) comprises an ammunition feed unit (200) and an intermediate ammunition loading unit (600). The ammunition feed unit (200) comprises an ammunition storage rack (202) defining an ammunition component transport path (205) extending in a transport direction (TD1) from an ammunition storage rack inlet (204) to an ammunition storage rack outlet (206). The intermediate ammunition loading unit (600) comprises a support frame (602) centred on, and rotatable about, a z-axis. A plurality of ammunition component support bays (604) are fixed to the support frame (602), the ammunition component support bays (604) being spaced apart from one another around the central axis. Each ammunition component support bay (604) has an ammunition component support bay inlet (606) for the delivery of an ammunition component (30) therethrough to the ammunition component support bay (604) from an ammunition source. Each ammunition component support bay (604) is open at their upper side to define an outlet (608) for the delivery of an ammunition component (30) therethrough from the ammunition component support bay (604) to the ammunition storage rack inlet (204).