Artillery Shell Recovery with Solid Damping Braking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for testing medium-caliber shells are impractical due to the need for large outdoor firing ranges, which are costly and compromise confidentiality, and fail to simulate controlled deceleration and parasitic obstacles effectively, potentially damaging internal mechanisms and limiting precise testing conditions.

Innovation Solution

A shell recovery device with a recuperator featuring a first braking block of solid damping material, adjustable deceleration, and a plug to reduce lift and increase drag, along with speed sensors and a duct system for precise control and obstacle simulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If outdoor firing range is used for shell testing, then shell recovery is possible, but large space is occupied and confidentiality is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshell recovery capabilityVSAvoidfiring range space

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The recuperator is nested within an existing indoor facility (warehouse or hangar), allowing the shell recovery system to be housed within a pre-existing structure. This eliminates the need for dedicated outdoor firing ranges while maintaining shell recovery capabilities, directly resolving the contradiction between recovery capability and space occupation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

A portable launcher serves as an intermediary device that can be positioned within the indoor facility to fire shells toward the recuperator. This mediator enables the testing function without requiring permanent outdoor infrastructure, allowing confidentiality and space efficiency while maintaining testing capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Strength

If loose earth is used for shell deceleration, then shell envelope remains intact, but deceleration is uncontrolled and mechanisms can be damaged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshell envelope integrityVSAvoiddeceleration control

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the deceleration parameter from uncontrolled (loose earth) to controlled by using a recuperator with adjustable braking mechanisms. The recuperator can regulate deceleration forces to prevent damage to internal mechanisms while maintaining envelope integrity, directly addressing the contradiction between strength preservation and operational control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The recuperator employs dynamic braking systems that can adjust deceleration forces in real-time based on shell characteristics and test requirements. This dynamic control allows the system to maintain envelope integrity while preventing excessive deceleration that could damage internal mechanisms, resolving the contradiction between strength and ease of operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If outdoor shooting conditions are used, then natural test conditions are available, but parasitic obstacles cannot be precisely simulated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetest condition varietyVSAvoidobstacle simulation accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-positions various obstacles and environmental conditions within the indoor facility before conducting tests. This preliminary setup allows precise simulation of specific parasitic obstacles and test conditions that would be difficult to reproduce outdoors, while maintaining the versatility to test different scenarios by reconfiguring the environment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The indoor facility allows different local zones to be configured with specific obstacle types and environmental conditions tailored to particular test requirements. This localized customization enables precise simulation of specific parasitic obstacles while maintaining overall test versatility, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and measurement precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 efficient, controlled, and precise recovery of medium-caliber shells with adjustable deceleration, reduced bulk, and the ability to simulate natural obstacles, facilitating quick series testing and maintaining shell integrity.

Implementation Method 1

a first block (9) for braking the shell (1), constituted by a solid damping material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

the first block (9) for braking the shell (1), constituted by a solid damping material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDamping: Damping

Implementation Method 3

the shell (1) being equipped with means ensuring a reduction in its lift and an increase in its drag

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDrag: Drag

Data Source

PatentEP2439481B1System and and proces for recovering an artillery projectile

Publication Date: 2017.11.01 NEXTER MUNITIONS SA

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AI summary

The invention relates to a device for recovering a shell (1) to be tested, the shell being fired from a cannon (3) and recovered using a recoiler (2). The recoiler (2) comprises an inlet (5) providing access to a first braking block (9) made of a solid damping material. This recoiler is also intended to recover the shell (1) equipped with means (16) ensuring a reduction in its lift and an increase in its drag. The invention also relates to a method for avoiding firing the shell in open air within a firing range that includes a large area of soft ground for shell reception.