Cannon Turret Assembly for Rapid Multi-Magazine Ammunition Feed

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

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 positioned around a traverse path, enabling efficient handling and direction of various ammunition types.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multiple magazines are positioned around the traverse path to enable rapid ammunition delivery, then the productivity of ammunition handling is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the need for multiple magazines and alignment mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveammunition handling speedVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The ammunition supply system is segmented into multiple magazines (first magazine and second magazine) positioned at different locations around the traverse path. Each magazine can independently deliver ammunition components to the ammunition feed unit, allowing parallel operation and increased productivity while distributing system complexity across modular units

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The ammunition feed unit is designed with universal capability to receive ammunition components from multiple different magazines. The feed unit can switch between receiving from the first magazine or second magazine depending on ammunition type requirements, making it a multi-functional component that handles various ammunition types through a single interface

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the turret assembly is made rotatable to access multiple magazines, then the adaptability of ammunition types is improved, but the weight of the moving object increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveammunition type flexibilityVSAvoidturret assembly weight
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The turret assembly is designed to be rotatable about a vertical axis, allowing dynamic repositioning to access different magazines positioned around the traverse path. This rotational capability enables the system to adapt to different ammunition types by selecting the appropriate magazine, providing versatility without requiring all ammunition types to be mounted on a single static platform

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Magazines are positioned in different angular positions around the traverse path rather than stacking them vertically or horizontally. This spatial arrangement in the horizontal plane allows the turret to access multiple ammunition types by rotating to different angular positions, distributing weight across a larger area and avoiding concentration of mass in one location

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Productivity

If magazines are spaced apart around the traverse path to allow simultaneous access, then the productivity of ammunition delivery is improved, but the area occupied by the system increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveammunition delivery rateVSAvoidsystem footprint
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Magazines are positioned around a circular traverse path, utilizing the curved geometry to space multiple magazines at different angular positions. This circular arrangement allows the turret to access each magazine by rotating to the appropriate angle, enabling simultaneous availability of multiple ammunition types while compacting the system within a circular footprint rather than requiring linear spacing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Data Source

PatentEP4617613A1Further improvements to weapon sub-system
Publication Date: 2025.09.17 BAE SYSTEMS PLC
  • EP4617613A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4617613A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4617613A1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A cannon system (10) which forms part of a weapon sub-system. The cannon system (10) comprises a cannon turret assembly system (100) comprising a turret assembly (102) for supporting a cannon (104). The turret assembly (102) is rotatably mounted to a support structure (20) such that it is rotatable about a z-axis to travel in a traverse path (106). The turret assembly (102) comprises a cannon assembly support (120) and a cannon assembly (140) pivotably mounted to the cannon assembly support (120) such that it can pivot at least 90 degrees but no more than190 degrees about a cannon pivot axis (150).