U.S. patent application number 14/552463 was filed with the patent office on 2016-08-11 for selective ammunition handling system.
The applicant listed for this patent is Systems and Materials Research Corporation. Invention is credited to Anjan CONTRACTOR, Christopher Young INGHAM, Jesse Baskin MCDANIEL, Malcolm David PROUTY, Keris Allrich WARD.
Application Number | 20160231074 14/552463 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 56566716 |
Filed Date | 2016-08-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160231074 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
MCDANIEL; Jesse Baskin ; et
al. |
August 11, 2016 |
Selective Ammunition Handling System
Abstract
An improved method and apparatus for ammunition handling,
including identifying and locating selected ammunition rounds in a
magazine and then rapidly transferring the selected rounds to a
weapon for firing. An ammunition handling system according to
embodiments of the invention provides a smart or smart-capable,
self-indexing ammunition handling and transfer system utilizing
precision sensors and actuation mechanisms. Particular embodiments
can index loaded rounds in a magazine by type and location, build
an inventory of remaining munitions accessible by the system,
locate selected rounds in the magazine and rapidly deploy the
selected rounds to a weapon for firing. Other capabilities
preferably include stores management and sorting for munitions
deployment optimization. Preferred embodiments are also compatible
with legacy weapons platforms.
Inventors: |
MCDANIEL; Jesse Baskin;
(Austin, TX) ; INGHAM; Christopher Young; (Austin,
TX) ; PROUTY; Malcolm David; (Austin, TX) ;
WARD; Keris Allrich; (Austin, TX) ; CONTRACTOR;
Anjan; (Austin, TX) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Systems and Materials Research Corporation |
Austin |
TX |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
56566716 |
Appl. No.: |
14/552463 |
Filed: |
November 24, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61908037 |
Nov 22, 2013 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41A 9/54 20130101; F41A
9/37 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F41A 9/09 20060101
F41A009/09; F41A 9/79 20060101 F41A009/79 |
Claims
1. An apparatus for identifying and locating selected ammunition
rounds in a magazine and then rapidly deploying the selected rounds
to a weapon for firing, the apparatus comprising: a magazine
storage container for storing ammunition rounds, the storage
container including an ammunition conveyor system for accepting
ammunition loaded into the storage container, moving the ammunition
within the storage container, and transferring selected ammunition
rounds out of the storage container for deployment; an ammunition
identification sensor for determining the ammunition type for each
ammunition round loaded into the storage container; and an
ammunition control unit for storing in a database the location and
ammunition type for each ammunition round loaded into the storage
container and for deploying selected ammunition rounds.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 in which the ammunition conveyor system
comprises a diverter mechanism that can be toggled between two
positions; (1) a transfer position in which ammunition rounds are
transferred out of the storage container for deployment when the
ammunition conveyor system is operated; and (2) a containment
position in which ammunition rounds are returned to the magazine
when the ammunition conveyor system is operated.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 in which the ammunition conveyor system
comprises a linkless loading system using a closed loop chain
ladder to convey individual ammunition rounds along a serpentine
path within the magazine.
4. The apparatus of claim 2 in which the ammunition conveyor system
is capable of moving the ammunition along the serpentine path
continuously in both the forward and reverse directions.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 in which ammunition of a first type and
ammunition of a second type can be simultaneously stored in the
storage container and in which transferring selected ammunition
from the storage container to the weapon comprises only
transferring ammunition of a first type from the storage container
to the weapon.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 in which the ammunition identification
sensor comprises an RGB colorimetric sensor.
7. The apparatus of claim 5 in which the ammunition identification
sensor comprises an RGB colorimetric sensor and in which the
ammunition of a first type and the ammunition of a second type are
labeled with different color bands on the ammunition rounds.
8. The apparatus of claim 5 in which the ammunition identification
sensor comprises bar code scanner, a QR code scanner, a symbology
scanner, an RFID reader, and/or a camera system with image
processing software.
9. The apparatus of claim 1 in which the ammunition identification
sensor is capable of determining the ammunition type of at least
500 rounds per minute.
10. The apparatus of claim 1 in which the ammunition identification
sensor has an identification/selection accuracy that is greater
than 75%.
11. The apparatus of claim 1 in which loading the ammunition into
the magazine storage container comprises determining the ammunition
type and location for each ammunition round during loading.
12. (canceled)
13. The apparatus of claim 1 in which the ammunition control unit
can employ use-statistics and logic to sort the ammunition mix into
optimized patterns for deployment.
14. The apparatus of claim 2 in which the ammunition control unit
can employ prediction algorithms based upon historical ammunition
use to keep the most-needed rounds close to the diverter mechanism
to reduce deployment times.
15. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising round soiling
capability, which allows the apparatus to re-order the rounds
within the magazine storage container to place particular types of
rounds in particular locations.
16. The apparatus of claim 15 in which round sorting capability
comprises moving selected rounds out of the storage container and
then moving them back into the storage container in a different
desired order.
17. The apparatus of claim 1 in which ammunition rounds transferred
out of the storage container for deployment but that are not fired
by the weapon can be stored and re-deployed for firing.
18. The apparatus of claim 1 in which ammunition rounds transferred
out of the storage container for deployment but that are not fired
by the weapon can be transferred back to the storage container.
19. The apparatus of claim 1 in which ammunition rounds transferred
out of the storage container for deployment but that are not fired
by the weapon can be indexed, stored in a secondary storage
container, and re-deployed for firing.
20. The apparatus of claim 1 in which ammunition rounds transferred
out of the storage container for deployment but that are not fired
by the weapon can be discarded without firing.
21. (canceled)
22. (canceled)
23. (canceled)
24. (canceled)
25. (canceled)
26. A method for firing selected ammunition rounds from a magazine,
the method comprising: generating a database of ammunition types
and location for each ammunition round loaded into a magazine, the
magazine containing ammunition of a first type and ammunition of a
second type and the magazine including an ammunition conveyor
system for accepting ammunition loaded into the magazine, moving
the ammunition within the magazine, and transferring selected
ammunition rounds out of the magazine by way of a magazine exit
port; selecting ammunition of the first type to be fired from a
gun; moving the ammunition in the magazine along a serpentine path
within the magazine until an ammunition round of the first type is
positioned at the magazine exit port; transferring the ammunition
round of the first type out of the magazine to the gun; and firing
the ammunition round of the first type.
27. A computer-controlled magazine for simultaneously storing
multiple types of ammunition and comprising a sensor for
identifying the type of ammunition located at each storage position
within the magazine so that ammunition of a particular type in the
magazine can be located and deployed.
28. The apparatus of claim 27 further comprising an ammunition
control unit for identifying and locating ammunition of a
particular type in the magazine and then deploying said ammunition
of a particular type to a weapon for firing.
29. The apparatus of claim 28 in which the ammunition control unit
can index loaded ammunition rounds by type and location, build an
inventory of remaining ammunition rounds, locate selected
ammunition rounds and deploy the selected rounds to a weapon for
firing.
30. The apparatus of claim 28 further comprising an ammunition
conveyor system for accepting ammunition loaded into the moving the
ammunition within the magazine, and transferring ammunition out of
the magazine for deployment.
Description
[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.119(e) to U.S. Provisional App. No. 61/908,037, entitled
"Selective Ammunition Deployment System", by Jesse Baskin McDaniel
et al, filed Nov. 22, 2013, which is assigned to the current
assignee hereof and incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety.
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0002] The present invention relates in general to an ammunition
handling system, and more particularly to an ammunition handling
system suitable for high-rate-of-fire weapons that can locate
system- or operator-selected ammunition rounds, and then rapidly
deploy the selected rounds to the weapon for firing.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Future weapon system operators (WSOs), in particular
aircraft pilots such as, for example Apache helicopter pilots, will
use advanced sensory and munitions technology to take on more of a
managerial battlefield role than that of a trigger puller. Upon
entering a combat zone, a WSO will visually select a region of
enemy activity, such as a fortified bunker or tank, then select a
type of weapon suited for that type of target, i.e. suppress the
area. From there the weapon systems of the future will take over,
employing a suite of tactical, "smart" rounds with varying
capabilities to carry out suppression of the enemy. The use of
smart rounds will result in the warfighter's spending less time
engaged in costly and potentially deadly fire exchanges with enemy
forces.
[0004] Modern weapon systems employ integrated sensor suites that
are capable of advanced enemy and friendly unit classification for
ground support operations, satellite-synched tracking maps, enemy
weapons classification, and precision targeting. In a similar
fashion, such integrated sensor suites could also be used to deploy
so-called "smart rounds," which are precision guided munitions with
a variety of functions, including thermo-baric, air-bursting,
armor-piercing, and non-lethal rounds. An ammunition handling
system for use with an integrated sensor system employing various
types of smart rounds must be able to locate the system- or
operator-selected rounds, and then deploy the selected smart rounds
to the weapon for firing.
[0005] What is needed is a smart ammunition handling system
suitable for high-rate-of-fire systems such as the M230 chain gun
found on the AH-64 Apache helicopter and other platforms.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] The present disclosure may be better understood, and its
numerous features and advantages made apparent to those skilled in
the art by referencing the accompanying drawings.
[0007] FIG. 1 shows a typical prior art ammunition handling and
deployment system.
[0008] FIG. 2 is a schematic drawing illustrating the major
components of an ammunition handling system according to an
embodiment of the invention.
[0009] FIG. 3 is a schematic drawing showing the ammunition cycle
path inside a storage container according to an embodiment.
[0010] FIG. 4A is a photograph of ground personnel loading
ammunition into a storage container on the Apache helicopter.
[0011] FIG. 4B illustrates a display showing five different
ammunition types that have been loaded, categorized, and indexed
according to particular embodiments of the invention.
[0012] FIG. 5 shows a smart magazine according to an
embodiment.
[0013] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an ammunition loading sequence
according to an embodiment.
[0014] FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating the ammunition firing and
status in an embodiment.
[0015] The accompanying drawings are not intended to be drawn to
scale. In the drawings, each identical or nearly identical
component that is illustrated in various figures is represented by
a like numeral. For purposes of clarity, not every component may be
labeled in every drawing.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0016] This disclosure, in general, relates to an improved method
and apparatus for ammunition handling, including identifying and
locating selected ammunition rounds in a magazine and then rapidly
transferring the selected rounds to a weapon for firing. An
ammunition handling system according to embodiments of the present
invention can provide for reduced engagement times for soldiers and
pilots through the optimized use of force-multiplying tactical
rounds. Preferred embodiments are also compatible with legacy
weapons platforms.
[0017] FIG. 1 shows a typical ammunition deployment system 100 used
by existing weapons platforms, such as the AH-64 Apache ("Apache").
The ammunition deployment system of FIG. 1 is comprised of a
linkless loading system which transfers ammunition from a magazine
101 to a chain gun 104 for deployment. Ammunition can be loaded
into magazine 101 using a load station (sideloader) 103.
[0018] When the WSO engages the primary weapon, such as an M230
chain gun, and begins firing rounds, the drive motor (typically a
hydraulic motor) near the chain gun activates to begin feeding
rounds to the weapon via a carrier chain 102. At the same time the
carrier drive motor activates to begin transferring rounds from the
magazine 101. Both operate simultaneously to load rounds from the
magazine 101 to the chain gun 104, achieving a maximum firing rate
of about 600 rounds per minute for the M230. Particular embodiments
described herein will make use of a smart magazine that will be a
drop-in replacement for conventional magazines in existing weapons
platforms.
[0019] Current aircraft weapons systems utilize round mixes
specified by the pilots that are specific to each mission, but
typically are comprised of only one type of round. For example, the
AH-64D Apache typically utilizes 30 mm M788 and M789 rounds, with
the 30 mm M789 High Explosive Dual Purpose (HEDP) being the primary
tactical round. Using the loading system of the Apache AH-64D, the
armament ground personnel will initiate a magazine loading step
with the loading control system. The ground personnel first
manually disengage a clutch on the feed mechanism at the gun to
allow the linkless chain to pass through the gun sprocket assembly.
Then loading is commenced, with the ground personnel loading rounds
into the magazine using pre-loaded ammunition strips that contain
11 rounds each. Loading continues until the magazine is full or
until the desired ammunition load is reached. At this time, the
mode is switched to feed loaded rounds from the magazine down to
the gun, filling the carriage chain with rounds. Once rounds are
fed up to the gun, the gun clutch is reengaged making the system
ready to fire.
[0020] Upon entering a combat zone, the WSO can aim and begin
firing the chain gun from the cockpit console. The system has a
spool-up delay of 0.2 seconds to achieve full rate of fire of 600
rounds per minute. The interaction between the WSO and the chain
gun are controlled by the Gun Control Unit (GCU). The GCU engages
the electric firing mechanism of the chain gun and also engages the
drive motors located at the weapon and the magazine. Spent casings
are ejected from the gun and the carrier chain returns in a loop
back to the magazine to pick up the next round.
[0021] Switching between ammunition types, however, would require
the magazine to be unloaded and then reloaded with a desired
ammunition type. This would obviously not be practical in a
battlefield situation while engaged with enemy forces in these
types of conventional weapons platforms.
[0022] Embodiments of the present invention, sometimes referred to
herein as a "smart magazine" or SmartMag.TM., provide a smart or
smart-capable, self-indexing ammunition handling and transfer
system utilizing precision sensors and actuation mechanisms. As
used herein, the terms "smart" and "smart-capable" are used to mean
respectively that the operations are computer controlled to some
degree or capable of such control. Particular embodiments can index
loaded rounds in a magazine by type and location, build an
inventory of remaining munitions accessible by the system, locate
selected rounds in the magazine and rapidly deploy the selected
rounds to a weapon for firing. Other capabilities preferably
include stores management and sorting for munitions deployment
optimization. In particular embodiments, an ammunition handling
system as described herein will comprise a smart magazine that is
reusable and that is a drop-in replacement for a conventional
ammunition magazine used with for existing weapons platforms.
Embodiments of the invention are not limited to any particular
weapons platform and can be readily applied to all linkless
ammunition handling systems
[0023] FIG. 2 is a schematic drawing illustrating the major
components of an ammunition handling system 200 or smart magazine
according to particular embodiments of the invention including the
Ammunition Control Unit 29, Storage Container 21, and Transfer Unit
23, which includes Diverter Unit 22 and optional Elevator Unit 24.
FIG. 5 shows an assembled ammunition handling system or smart
magazine 300 according to an embodiment sized to be a drop-in
replacement for a conventional magazine in an existing weapons
platform.
[0024] Ammunition Control Unit 29 (ACU) provides the necessary
hardware, software, and internal memory components to allow for
control of the operation of the ammunition handling system as
described below. ACU 29 also interfaces the ammunition handling
system with the weapons system of the aircraft or other weapons
platform, preferably through a standard bus channel (not shown). In
the embodiment of FIG. 2, ACU 29 uses sensor input from one or more
round identification (type) and/or during an ammunition loading
phase (described below) to index ammunition type and location in a
database or array for later retrieval during a firing phase (also
described below). In some embodiments, ACU 29 may also include or
be operably coupled to sensors or other circuitry configured to
monitor round placement/alignment and/or to monitor the status of
the various components within the ammunition handling system.
[0025] ACU 29 may comprise a variety of known hardware elements,
including industrial controllers that accommodate control inputs
and outputs, and a processor with integral software or firmware
configured to obtain data, process data, send data, control data
access and storage, issue commands, control other desired
operations of the ammunition handling system, and combinations
thereof. In some embodiments, ACU 29 may also comprise one or more
programmable controllers, microcontrollers or microprocessors,
associated electronic circuitry such as input/output circuitry
(digital and analog), analog circuits, programmed logic arrays,
input devices (such as a keypad or touchscreen), and/or output
devices (such as a display device). ACU 29 also includes associated
memory configured to store executable code or instructions (e.g.,
software, firmware, or combinations thereof), sensor data, other
types of electronic data, databases (including ammunition indexes
and historical ammunition loading and use habits), and/or other
digital information.
[0026] In particular embodiments, ACU 29 can receive commands from
the fire control system on the existing weapons platform that will
indicate the desired round and provide feedback to ascertain round
availability and report successful deployment. ACU 29 can also make
use of stored data and software that incorporates one or more
algorithms to maximize efficiency of operation. For example, ACU 29
can employ use-statistics and logic to sort the ammunition mix into
optimized patterns for rapid deployment. Known deployment patterns
can also be pre-programmed. As ammunition is used, prediction
algorithms in the ACU will keep the most-needed rounds close to the
transfer and feed system, producing faster deployment times. The
ACU can keep a database of ammunition loading and use habits to
increase prediction accuracy as the ammunition handling system is
used.
[0027] In conjunction with one or more sensors described below, ACU
also provides round sensing capability, which determines whether a
round is present at a given location, and round sorting capability,
which allows the smart magazine to re-order the rounds within the
SC to place particular types of rounds in particular locations
within the SC. In particular, round sorting advantageously allows
rounds to be arranged in optimized patterns for rapid deployment.
In some embodiments, round sorting can be accomplished by moving
selected rounds out of the SC and then moving them back into the SC
in a desired order. In some instances, spaces or empty spaces or
gaps can be left when loading ammunition rounds into the SC chain
ladder to facilitate re-ordering of the rounds.
[0028] The Storage Container 21 (SC) can be loaded with a variety
of different ammunition types--such as thermo-baric, air-bursting,
armor-piercing, and/or non-lethal rounds in a single magazine.
Ammunition is transferred within the SC by way of an ammunition
conveyor mechanism such as a conventional linkless loading system
using a closed loop (endless) chain ladder to convey individual
rounds along a serpentine path within the SC. Such a path is shown
in FIG. 3, which is a schematic drawing of the smart magazine of
FIG. 5 showing the ammunition cycle path 302 inside a storage
container 21 according to an embodiment. Referring again to FIG. 2,
the chain ladder conveyor can driven, for example, by Storage
Container Drive 32, which can be, for example, an electric motor or
a drive mechanism using hydraulic power from the weapon platform
itself. In some embodiments, the conveyor mechanism is capable of
cycling (which is the process of moving the ammunition along the
serpentine path) continuously in both the forward and reverse
directions.
[0029] In some embodiments, Storage Container Drive 32 is capable
of cycling the SC independently from the other mechanical
components of the ammunition deployment system (such as other
components of the ammunition handling system, including Elevator
Unit 24 and the weapon platform's carrier drive system) to
facilitate ammunition type selection. A Storage Container gear
clutch 30 can be used to couple/decouple the Storage Container and
carrier drive gear trains allowing the SC to be separately cycled
during gun firing to facilitate round selection and sorting
operations. Thus, when a deployment of rounds has been transferred
to the carrier drive system (that feeds rounds to the gun), the
smart magazine can decouple from the carrier drive chain so that
the rounds can be carried to the gun and fired while the SC
repositions for the next deployment. A storage container motor
clutch 31 can be used to couple/decouple the storage container
motor 32 and the storage container gear train so that power from
the weapons system platform (such as an aircraft in which the gun
is mounted) can be used to cycle the entire ammunition deployment
system without back driving the storage container drive.
[0030] In preferred embodiments, the SC is sized to be a drop-in
replacement for magazines used in existing weapons platforms,
although other sizes and shapes could be used, especially on newly
designed weapons systems. In a non-limiting example, the SC of FIG.
2 holds about 405 rounds of ammunition and measures 35.2 inches
wide.times.31.2 inches long.times.9.1 inches high (not including
any projections of the Storage Container motor-clutch, gears and
other components). The estimated weight for the SC is about 150
pounds empty and 462 pounds when filled with 405 rounds of
ammunition (with an ammunition weight of 0.77 pounds per round.
[0031] In some embodiments, Transfer Unit 23 (TU), which includes
Diverter Mechanism 22 and optional Elevator Unit 24, contains a set
of ammunition rotors to facilitate round transfer between the
Storage Container chain ladder and Elevator Unit sliders (described
below). A terminal drive shaft 305 couples and decouples the
storage container gear train from the gear in the Transfer Unit.
This eliminates interference between ammunition in the chain ladder
and Transfer Unit rotor tips and also enables independent cycling
of the Storage Container from the rest of the weapon system during
sorting and firing operations. The terminal drive shaft is also
coupled to the Diverter Mechanism movements.
[0032] Referring again to FIG. 3, ammunition Diverter Mechanism 22
(DM) is located at the round transfer port 304, where it can be
toggled between two positions: the transfer position and the
containment position. In the transfer position, ammunition is
transferred between the SC 21 and the Transfer Unit 23 when the
ammunition is cycled along the serpentine path in the SC and out
through the round transfer port 304. In the containment position,
ammunition is retained in the SC when cycled with the Storage
Container Drive during ammunition type selection. This is possible
because the chain ladder forms a closed loop so ammunition rounds
will be successively contained in the SC as they make a continuous
loop along the serpentine conveyor path. Once the SC reaches the
proper position for the next round deployment, the Transfer Unit
will shift to transfer mode to allow the rounds to exit the SC and
enter the gun carrier drive 25 which will carry the rounds to the
gun 28 for firing.
[0033] In some embodiments, Elevator Unit 24 (EU) interfaces with
the Carrier Drive 25 of an existing weapons system, which will
typically be mounted at a different height than the SC (for example
to allow the use of double stack storage containers). During
ammunition transfer, the Elevator raises/lowers ammunition from the
SC to the Carrier Drive 25. In some embodiments, the Elevator Unit
24 will be coupled by gear 346 to the Carrier Drive to receive
aircraft hydraulic power from the hydraulic motor 36 on the Carrier
Drive. During operation of the weapons system, rounds 345 are
transferred from Elevator Unit 24 to the Carrier Drive 25, which
feeds the ammunition to a gun.
[0034] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an ammunition loading sequence
according to an embodiment. The exact ammunition loading process to
be used with the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 will depend upon the
specific weapons platform. For example, with the AH-64 Apache
helicopter, rounds are loaded onto the aircraft via a load station
on the exterior of the aircraft.
[0035] Once a loading sequence is initiated, the ACU will cause
Diverter Mechanism to enter "Transfer Mode" (601). The ACU can then
prepare the load station 27 (referred to as a Sideloader in some
weapons platforms) for loading by initiating communication with the
load station system and initiating the loading sequence. The
Storage Container Dive Shaft is extended, for example by using
hydraulic power from the weapons platform, to couple the Storage
container gear train to the gear 306 in the Transfer Unit, and the
Storage Container Motor Clutch 31 is decoupled. The ACU then
prepares the gun for ammunition loading (703) by disengaging gun
clutch 33 (which can be any suitable type of automatically operated
clutch including an electric, hydraulic, or pneumatic clutch) to
allow the carrier chain to pass by the gun without firing the gun.
Ammunition can then be loaded into the ammunition handling system,
typically by ground personnel, at the external loading station (not
shown), sometimes referred to as a sideloader (704).
[0036] FIG. 4A is a photograph of ground personnel loading
ammunition into a storage container on the Apache helicopter. As in
a conventional ammunition handling system, rounds are placed in
trays holding 11 rounds each, and these trays are positioned up to
a receiver in the load station.
[0037] Rounds are pulled from the trays and onto the carrier drive,
which is used to cycle all ammunition rounds into the magazine SC
(705). In particular embodiments, the carrier drive transfers the
rounds to Elevator Unit 25, which lowers (or raises) the rounds to
the Transfer Unit 23, which in turn transfers the rounds into the
SC 21. In some instances, loading can be continued until SC 21 is
full (or at the desired capacity) and the carrier chain is full up
to the load station. The ACU can then send a message to the loading
station indicating that the magazine and carrier chain round
positions are full, and toggle the Diverter Mechanism to "Contain
Mode" (608). The storage container Drive Shaft is then retracted to
decouple the Storage container gear train from the gearing in the
Transfer Unit, and the Storage Container Motor Clutch is
re-coupled. This results in all of the deployment system drives
being engaged in the normal (deployment) direction to feed rounds
up to the gun. When the first round reaches the gun, the load
station is deactivated, the gun clutch is reengaged to prepare the
gun for operation (609), the load station loading sequence is
discontinued (610), and the system is ready to fire.
[0038] According to particular embodiments, different ammunition
types can be loaded into the same magazine. For example, the
magazine could be loaded with three different ammunition types in
equal quantities by loading alternating groups of 22 rounds (2
ammunition strips) each until the magazine is fully loaded.
Particular embodiments of the invention will not significantly
increase ammunition loading times over those o conventional
systems. In some embodiments, loaded ammunition can be cycled past
the Diverter 22 and into SC 21 at a rate of at least 50 RPM, such
as at least 100 RPM, at least 150 RPM, or even at least 200 RPM.
While some additional time may be required to toggle the diverter
to the CONTAIN mode and decouple/couple the SC clutches, in
particular embodiments this additional time will be no more that 5
seconds, such as no more than 3 seconds, or even no more than 2
seconds. Assuming a loading rate into the side loader of 100 rounds
per minute (RPM) with a dwell time between ammunition strip loads
of 1 second, embodiments of the present invention allow loading to
be fully completed in no more than 10 minutes, such as no more than
7 minutes, no more than 6 minutes, no more than 5 minutes, or even
no more than 3 minutes.
[0039] The following table shows loading event time and running
time in seconds for an exemplary loading operation for a magazine
holding 396 rounds in a particular embodiment. Embodiments of the
invention are applicable to any size magazine, for example the 1200
round capacity of a standard Apache magazine.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Load Load Assumed cycling to cycling - dwell
transport 36 ammo time all rounds strips (396 between into rounds)
35 SmartMag Storage into ammo LOADING (65 rnd Diverter Container
Storage Sideloader strip TIME pitch) Mechanism terminal Container
396 Gun Sideloader @ 100 loadings FOR at 100 toggled to drive motor
RNDS IN prepared prepared LOADING SPM of 396 SPM CONTAIN shaft
clutch STORAGE for for LOADING BEGINS (1.67 SPS) 1.0 sec RNDS (1.67
SPS) mode retracted coupled CONTAINER operation operation Event 0
237.1 35 38.9 1 0.5 0.5 -- -- Time Running 0 237.1 272.1 272.1
311.0 312.0 312.5 313.0 313.0 -- -- Time
[0040] In some embodiments, as ammunition is loaded into the SC (as
in step 604 above), the ammunition type will be determined by a
round identification system including at least one round
identification sensor located along the ammunition path, with the
type and location of each round within the SC stored by ACU 29 in a
computer database. Round positions within the SC can be arbitrarily
identified in succession as the rounds are identified and loaded.
In other words, the first round position loaded can be identified
as "position 1," with all remaining positions numbered
consecutively as each position is filled, up to the capacity of the
particular SC. The location of each particular round position can
be recorded and the SC drive motor used to precisely navigate to
any recorded position by way of a positional encoder 340.
[0041] A suitable round identification sensor can be used to
identify the ammunition type for each round loaded based upon a
corresponding pre-marking scheme applied to the rounds themselves,
either during or after manufacture. For example, in some
embodiments, ammunition rounds could be pre-marked with different
color bands designating the particular type of standard or smart
ammunition and an RGB colorimetric sensor could be used to identify
the ammunition type for each round as rounds are loaded into the
SC. A round identification sensor could be located at any desired
position along the ammunition path, such as adjacent to the
terminal drive shaft area 304 where rounds are loaded into the SC.
In some embodiments, a round identification sensor could be located
within the SC itself.
[0042] In a particular embodiment, a sensor such as an RGB
colorimetric sensor can be located along the ammunition path, such
as located adjacent to the terminal drive shaft area 304 where
rounds are loaded into the SC. In a specific example, a proximity
sensor (for example, a QRD1114 IR distance sensor) can be used to
determine when a round is being loaded. If the sensor senses a
round blocking its aperture--in other words, the analog voltage
being read in by the ACU falls below a certain value--the ACU takes
in an immediate reading from the color sensor. Rounds are
differentiated by this sensor returning to threshold voltage levels
before the next successive read. The sensor can be set to read
continuously while a round is in place, up to the maximum data rate
of the controller's analog to digital converter (ADC). This
represents an error checking opportunity as literally thousands of
optical sensor samples can be read for each round that passes, even
at a firing rate of 600 rounds per minute. The ACU then indexes
this color with the round, associating the round with a location
number and the color identified for that round (round type). These
values are stored in a database (array) within the ACU's memory.
Once the loading phase is complete, the program outputs the number
of rounds of each type identified and their respective
locations.
[0043] In other embodiments, different types of conventional
sensors could be used by the round identification system depending
on how the ammunition has been pre-marked to indicate ammunition
type. For example, assuming that the ammunition has been
correspondingly labeled or otherwise identified, a round
identification sensor could comprise a bar code, QR code, or
zymology scanner, an RFID reader, a camera system with image
processing software, etc. Regardless of which type of round
identification sensor is used, embodiments of the present invention
are capable of reading at least 500 rounds per minute, such as at
least 600 RPM, or even at least 700 RPM. In some embodiments,
identification/selection accuracy will be greater than 75%, such as
greater than 90%, greater than 95%, or even greater than 98%.
[0044] FIG. 4B illustrates a display showing five different
ammunition types that have been loaded, categorized, and indexed
according to particular embodiments of the invention. During the
loading phase, in some embodiments, the ACU will categorize and
index all loaded ammunition, which can be displayed to the WSO,
along with the status of key mechanical components such as the
ammunition deployment system clutches and/or the Diverter mode
(Continuous or Transfer). In some embodiments, estimated deployment
times for each type of ammunition rounds can be calculated (based
upon the position of the rounds within the SC) and displayed.
Ammunition may be loaded by ground personnel in optimized patterns
to reduce the amount of automated sorting operations, further
improving the reliability metrics and decreasing deployments
times.
[0045] When a round is selected for loading, the ACU calculates the
location of the closest round of the type indicated by the color
mode, and commands the SC drive motor to rotate to that position
(as controlled by the positional encoder). In some embodiments, the
ACU checks to output of a round identification sensor to ensure
that the desired round is in the indexed position, before
initiating a transfer of the round out of the SC and ultimately to
the gun for firing. The round is then removed from the database of
available rounds. In some embodiments, once a round is removed from
the SC, it must be either fired or discarded. In other embodiments,
unfired rounds loaded into the carrier drive chain can be returned
to the SC or, in some instances, to a second SC. A secondary SC
could be located, for example, near the loading station. In some
embodiments, the ammunition handling system will be able to index
and store rounds in the secondary SC and to transfer those rounds
to the gun as needed. Transfer of the unfired rounds can either
take place by reversing the chain drive to return rounds to the
smart magazine or by using the gun clutch to allow the chain (with
loaded rounds) to pass through the gun without firing. Allowing
rounds to pass through the gun without firing allows for a smart
magazine-controllable effective dual feed system, where ammunition
rounds can be selected for deployment by choosing the ammunition
feed path from either side of the gun.
[0046] The following table shows running time the steps involved in
selecting and deploying ammunition so that it is transferred to the
gun and ready to fire:
TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 System transfer cycling to SmartMag advance
selection SmartMag SmartMag selected SmartMag cycling selection
alignment ammo System WSO selects selection (18 = 20 - cycling
cycling Storage Storage Diverter past transfer ammo type cycling 1
- (ramp (final Container Container Mechanism diverter cycling
INITIAL 20 and qty (ramp up 1 rnd down positioning - gear motor
toogled to (ramp up (full rate ROUND (Type II, 1 rnd pitch max 1
rnd gear clutch clutch TRANSFER 1 rnd 18 rnd BURST qty 20) pitch)
travel) pitch) timing) coupled decoupled mode pitch) pitches) Event
Time 0 0.2 1.80 0.2 1 0.5 0.5 1 0.2 1.80 Running Time 0 0.2 2.00
2.20 3.20 3.70 4.20 5.20 5.40 7.20 System transfer Carrier Carrier
cycling to advanced Carrier advance advance cycling advance cycling
to selected to cycling transport Gun ammo transport (10 SPS ammo
clutch past Diverter Storage Storage ammo for 98 = to gun coupled
diverter Mechanism Container Container to gun 100 - (ramp (to
INITIAL 20 (ramp toggled to motor gear (ramp 1 - 1 down enable
READY ROUND down 1 CONTAIN clutch clutch up 1 rnd rnd 1 rnd gun TO
BURST rnd pitch) mode coupled decoupled pitch) pitches) pitch)
firing) FIRE Event Time 0.2 1 0.5 0.5 0.2 9.8 0.2 0.5 Running Time
7.40 8.40 8.90 9.40 9.60 19.40 19.60 20.10 20.10
[0047] At any time, a different type of round (and corresponding
color) can be selected, which will cause the new type of rounds to
be transferred to the gun for firing. When the firing button is
pressed after a new type of rounds is selected, the rounds actually
fired will be rounds of the newly selected type and color. In some
embodiments, if any rounds of the previously selected type remain
loaded into the carrier drive when a different round type is
selected, the rounds of the previously selected type will be
cleared from the carrier drive chain before the different rounds
are loaded. This can be done, for example, by discarding the loaded
rounds, reversing the carrier drive to return the previously loaded
rounds to the SC, or by allowing the previously loaded rounds to
pass through the gun unfired to be returned to the SC or diverted
to a secondary SC. When all of the rounds of a particular color are
fired, the program alerts the user and will not issue any more
firing commands until a new color is selected or the ACU is reset
(and re-loaded).
[0048] Some embodiments are capable of firing in continuous mode or
in burst mode. The ACU database contains an index of each type of
each round in magazine and can also index the type and locations of
rounds loaded onto the carrier drive, which is filled with rounds
in a desired round mix. Rounds of the desired type are removed from
the SC and added to the carrier drive as firing continues as
controlled by the ACU. For burst firing, the ACU database will be
primarily concerned with the index of the type of each round in
each position in the magazine alone. The carrier drive will
typically be empty of rounds immediately prior to the initiation of
a burst. Once the round type is selected by WSO, the preselected
number of rounds in the burst is deployed to the gun via the
carrier drive. In some embodiments, only rounds designated for the
firing burst will be transferred to the chain drive, with the rest
of the positions left empty. The process (from selection to
transfer to deployment) is repeated for each burst.
[0049] FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating the ammunition firing and
status in a particular embodiment. In the embodiment of FIG. 7, it
can be assumed that the ammunition has been loaded as described
above (alternating groups of 22 rounds of each type of round) and
that a 600 rounds per minute cycling rate is used for all the
firing steps, including selection cycling, system transfer (to and
from SC and carrier chain), and system advance (for SC and carrier
chain). Referring also to FIG. 2, ammunition is stored in the
SmartMag Storage Container 21 behind the diverter mechanism 22 with
the Storage Container in the contain mode (701). The gun clutch 33
is decoupled to allow the carrier chain 37 to pass the gun without
firing (702). WSO selects the desired ammunition type and quantity
to signal the beginning of the firing sequence (703), and the
ammunition in the SC is cycled until the selected rounds are
positioned at the diverter mechanism (704).
[0050] In some instances, to use a specific non-limiting example,
at the time the WSO makes the selection of the desired ammunition
type, it may be the case that the first of a group of 22 rounds of
a first type might be positioned at the diverter mechanism when the
WSO selects a 22 round burst of rounds of a second type to be
fired. Where only two different types of ammunition rounds are
loaded in 22 round groups as described above, for the first firing
operation (with a fully loaded magazine) the maximum distance to a
given round type is 22 round pitches (diameter of a round) with the
SmartMag capable of cycling in the forward or reverse directions to
position the selected round type at the diverter mechanism. Where
three different types of ammunition rounds are loaded in 22 round
groups as described above, the maximum distance to a given round
type is still 22 round pitches (diameter of a round) in either the
forward or reverse direction. Thus, in these particular examples
(and as shown in Table 2 above), rounds of the desired ammunition
type can be positioned at the diverter mechanism in approximately
2.2 seconds.
[0051] The Diverter Mechanism 22 is then toggled to "Transfer Mode"
by the ACU 29 (705). The storage container Dive Shaft is then
extended, for example by using hydraulic power from the weapons
platform, to couple the Storage container gear train to the gearing
in the Transfer Unit (706), and the Storage Container Motor Clutch
31 is decoupled (707). The weapons system carrier drive is then
powered and used to advance the selected ammunition rounds from the
SC into the carrier drive (708). In some embodiments, an Elevator
Unit 24 interfaces the Transfer Unit with the weapons system
carrier drive to raise or lower the ammunition rounds from the
Transfer Unit to the carrier drive.
[0052] The Diverter Mechanism 22 is then toggled to "Contain Mode"
by the ACU 29 (709). The storage container Dive Shaft is then
retracted to decouple the Storage container gear train from the
gearing in the Transfer Unit (710), and the Storage Container Motor
Clutch is re-coupled (711).
[0053] Ammunition rounds transferred to the carrier drive 25 are
advanced to the gun 28 (712), the gun clutch 33 is recoupled to
enable gun firing (713), and the weapons system reports "Ready to
Fire" (714). The selected and deployed rounds can then be fired by
the gun upon the execution of a firing command (715).
[0054] In the specific non-limiting example described above, the 22
selected rounds of the second type will pass through the diverter
mechanism and be ready for transfer to the gun at a cumulative time
(measured from the initial selection and initiation of loading) of
no more than 9.4 seconds. At a cumulative time of no more than 19.6
seconds, the 22 second type rounds can be positioned at the gun
ready to be fired. In this example, the gun clutch is coupled to
enable firing and selected ammunition can be fired at a cumulative
time of no more than 20.1 seconds.
[0055] After the initial firing sequence has been started the WSO
can select a second firing round type and quantity to be fired. In
some embodiments, in step 716, the process of cycling and
transferring rounds for the second burst can return to step 704
while the first burst is being transferred and fired (steps
712-714). The overlap of the firing and selection/transfer
processes decreases the time that it will take to begin firing the
second (or subsequent bursts).
[0056] Although much of the description herein is directed at the
weapon system on the AH-64 Apache helicopter, embodiments of the
invention could be used with any other type of linkless ammunition
handling systems, including existing systems on the Cobra,
Blackhawk, or a variety of naval crafts and ground vehicles.
[0057] A method or apparatus according to embodiments of the
present invention has many novel aspects. Because the invention can
be embodied in different methods or apparatuses for different
purposes, not every aspect need be present in every embodiment.
Moreover, many of the aspects of the described embodiments may be
separately patentable. The figures described below are generally
schematic and do not necessarily portray the embodiments of the
invention in proper proportion or scale unless otherwise
stated.
[0058] It should also be understood that the techniques of the
present invention might be implemented using a variety of
technologies. For example, the methods described herein may be
implemented in software running on a computer system, which is
either a standalone computer system or integrated into the drilling
system computer. The methods described herein may be implemented in
hardware utilizing one or more processors and logic (hardware
and/or software) for performing operations of the method,
application specific integrated circuits, programmable logic
devices such as Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), and/or
various combinations thereof. In particular, methods described
herein may be implemented by a series of computer-executable
instructions residing on a storage medium such as a physical (e.g.,
non-transitory) computer-readable medium. In addition, although
specific embodiments of the invention may employ object-oriented
software programing, the invention is not so limited and is easily
adapted to employ other forms of directing the operation of a
computer.
[0059] Portions of the invention can also be provided in the form
of a computer program product comprising a physical computer
readable medium having computer code thereon. A computer readable
medium can include any physical medium capable of storing computer
code thereon for use by a computer, including optical media such as
read only and writeable CD and DVD, magnetic memory or medium
(e.g., hard disk drive), and/or semiconductor memory (e.g., FLASH
memory and other portable memory cards).
[0060] The invention has broad applicability and can provide many
benefits as described and shown in the examples above. The
embodiments will vary greatly depending upon the specific
application, and not every embodiment will provide all of the
benefits and meet all of the objectives that are achievable by the
invention. Note that not all of the activities described above in
the general description or the examples are required, that a
portion of a specific activity may not be required, and that one or
more further activities may be performed in addition to those
described. Still further, the order in which activities are listed
are not necessarily the order in which they are performed.
[0061] In the foregoing specification, the concepts have been
described with reference to specific embodiments. However, one of
ordinary skill in the art appreciates that various modifications
and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the
invention as set forth in the claims below. Accordingly, the
specification and figures are to be regarded in an illustrative
rather than a restrictive sense, and all such modifications are
intended to be included within the scope of invention. After
reading the specification, skilled artisans will appreciate that
certain features are, for clarity, described herein in the context
of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a
single embodiment. Conversely, various features that are, for
brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also
be provided separately or in any subcombination. Further,
references to values stated in ranges include each and every value
within that range.
[0062] As used herein, the terms "comprises," "comprising,"
"includes," "including," "has," "having" or any other variation
thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For
example, a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a
list of features is not necessarily limited only to those features
but may include other features not expressly listed or inherent to
such process, method, article, or apparatus. Further, unless
expressly stated to the contrary, "or" refers to an inclusive-or
and not to an exclusive-or. For example, a condition A or B is
satisfied by any one of the following: A is true (or present) and B
is false (or not present), A is false (or not present) and B is
true (or present), and both A and B are true (or present). Also,
the use of "a" or "an" are employed to describe elements and
components described herein. This is done merely for convenience
and to give a general sense of the scope of the invention. This
description should be read to include one or at least one and the
singular also includes the plural unless it is obvious that it is
meant otherwise.
[0063] Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have
been described above with regard to specific embodiments. However,
the benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any feature(s)
that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or
become more pronounced are not to be construed as a critical,
required, or essential feature of any or all the claims.
[0064] Although the present invention and its advantages have been
described in detail, it should be understood that various changes,
substitutions and alterations can be made to the embodiments
described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention as defined by the appended claims. Moreover, the scope of
the present application is not intended to be limited to the
particular embodiments of the process, machine, manufacture,
composition of matter, means, methods and steps described in the
specification. As one of ordinary skill in the art will readily
appreciate from the disclosure of the present invention, processes,
machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or
steps, presently existing or later to be developed that perform
substantially the same function or achieve substantially the same
result as the corresponding embodiments described herein may be
utilized according to the present invention. Accordingly, the
appended claims are intended to include within their scope such
processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means,
methods, or steps.
* * * * *