Rotary Drum Ammunition Storage With Automated Carousel Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing artillery ammunition storage systems on warships and submarines face challenges due to the weight and variety of ammunition types, requiring manual handling and interrupting firing actions for drum reloading, which is dangerous and inefficient, especially during fast-paced battles.
Innovation Solution
A storage system featuring a plurality of rotary drums with a rotatable support and data processing unit for automated selection and loading of different ammunition types, allowing for continuous, high-rate, and automated ammunition supply to artillery pieces, with the ability to reload and unload munitions without interrupting the firing process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual handling devices are used to move ammunition from magazine to artillery piece, then the weight and dimensions of ammunition can be managed, but the operation becomes complex and requires special handling devices
Solution Approach 1:
The storage system is divided into multiple drums, each capable of holding multiple ammunition rounds. The carousel is segmented into multiple positions, with each position containing a drum. This segmentation allows the system to handle different ammunition types efficiently while maintaining manageable operational complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The storage system is designed to handle multiple types of artillery ammunition (different calibers, lengths, and warhead types) using the same carousel and drum mechanism. The system can store and retrieve various ammunition types through the same automated pathway, reducing the need for specialized handling devices for each ammunition type.
2Productivity
If traditional drum storage is used, then ammunition can be stored and retrieved, but the firing action must be interrupted when the drum is empty requiring manual reloading
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple drums are pre-loaded with different ammunition types and positioned on the carousel in advance. When one drum is emptied, the system can quickly switch to another pre-loaded drum without interrupting the firing action. The carousel positions multiple drums so that replacement is already prepared and can be executed rapidly.
Solution Approach 2:
The carousel rotates to continuously present loaded drums to the loading position. When a drum is depleted, the system automatically or semi-automatically replaces it with a pre-loaded drum from the carousel, maintaining continuous ammunition supply to the artillery piece without stopping the firing sequence.
3Adaptability or versatility
If manual action is required to change ammunition type, then flexibility to handle different munition types is maintained, but the speed and automation of firing actions is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Different ammunition types are segregated into separate drums, with each drum dedicated to a specific ammunition type. The carousel is segmented into multiple positions, each potentially holding a drum with a different ammunition type. This segmentation allows rapid switching between ammunition types by simply rotating the carousel to a different position, providing both versatility and automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The carousel provides dynamic reconfiguration of ammunition types at the loading position. By rotating the carousel, the system can quickly switch between different ammunition types stored in different drums, enabling automated adaptation to different firing requirements without manual intervention for each ammunition type change.
4Speed
If drums are positioned fixedly for ammunition retrieval, then simple retrieval mechanism is used, but the system cannot quickly switch between different ammunition types during battle
Solution Approach 1:
The carousel merges the functions of multiple fixed storage positions into a single rotating structure. Instead of having separate fixed retrieval mechanisms for each ammunition type, the carousel combines multiple drum positions into one unified system that can present any drum to the loading position by rotation, reducing overall system complexity while increasing switching speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The carousel introduces dynamic positioning of drums, allowing the system to rotate and present different ammunition types to the loading position as needed. This dynamic repositioning capability enables rapid switching between ammunition types while using a relatively simple rotating mechanism rather than complex individual positioning systems for each drum.
Data Source
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AI summary
A storage system (10) for artillery ammunition, susceptible of containing artillery ammunition (100) of various types and comprising a plurality of drums (11) rotating about a central axis (Y) of their own and having a plurality of cells (11a), each adapted to contain one of said ammunition (100); said storage system (10) comprises a rotatable support (12), which can turn about an axis of rotation (Z) of its own, parallel to said central axis (Y), on which the plurality of rotary drums (11) are rotatably pivoted; - and further comprising at least one data processing unit for the automated selection of a drum (11') from among the plurality of rotary drums (11).