Weapon Station Independent Sensor Rotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing turret-mounted gun systems face challenges in independently orienting weapons and sensors, leading to potential obstruction of sensor lines-of-sight and increased shock impact during weapon firing, which can affect the accuracy and reliability of targeting systems.
Innovation Solution
A weapon station design that allows independent rotation of weapons and sensors about common and separate elevation axes, with weapons offset from the azimuth axis to reduce obstruction and utilize separate drive mechanisms to attenuate shock impacts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If weapons and sensors are mounted on the same turret with shared rotation mechanism, then device complexity is reduced, but sensor line-of-sight obstruction and shock impact on sighting device increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the mounting system into separate apparatuses: a weapon mounting apparatus for mounting weapons and a sight mounting apparatus for mounting sighting devices. Each apparatus has its own rotational drive mechanism, allowing independent control. This segmentation eliminates the conflict between weapon and sensor positioning while maintaining operational independence.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces independent rotational dimensions for weapons and sensors. The weapon mounting apparatus rotates about a first rotational axis while the sight mounting apparatus rotates about a second rotational axis. This dimensional separation allows both weapons and sensors to achieve independent azimuth and elevation positioning without obstructing each other's line-of-sight.
2Device complexity
If weapons and sensors share the same rotation mechanism, then structural simplicity is improved, but shock impact from weapon firing affects sighting device accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements separate rotational drive mechanisms: a first rotational drive mechanism for the weapon mounting apparatus and a second rotational drive mechanism for the sight mounting apparatus. This segmentation isolates the sighting device from shock impulses generated during weapon firing, preventing accuracy degradation while maintaining individual control over each subsystem.
3Area of stationary object
If weapons are positioned co-axially with sensors, then footprint is minimized, but sensor field-of-regard is obstructed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions weapons and sensors in three-dimensional space with independent rotational capabilities. The weapon mounting apparatus and sight mounting apparatus rotate about different axes, allowing weapons to be positioned at offsets from the sensor axis without blocking the sensor's field-of-regard. This spatial arrangement maintains a compact footprint while eliminating line-of-sight obstruction.
Data Source
AI summary
In certain embodiments, a weapon station comprises a weapon mounting apparatus and a sight mounting apparatus. The weapon mounting apparatus is adapted to rotate, using a first rotational drive mechanism, about an azimuth axis. The weapon mounting apparatus is adapted to receive one or more weapons for attachment at a position offset from the azimuth axis. The sight mounting apparatus is coupled to the weapon mounting apparatus and is adapted to receive for attachment a sighting device. The sighting device comprises one or more sensors and is adapted to rotate, using a second rotational drive mechanism, the one or more sensors about the azimuth axis independently of rotational movement of the weapon mounting apparatus about the azimuth axis. The azimuth axis about which the weapon mounting apparatus and the one or more sensors rotate is a common azimuth axis.