Abstract:
A turret assembly without deck penetration for minimizing exposure of combatants to enemy forces when accessing above deck equipment comprises a base plate on top of which is mounted at least one finable and remotely operable combatant interfaceable implement, the base plate being rotatable about a substantially vertical axis and supported for rotation by bearing means mounted within a deck of a military facility; a hatch displaceably connected to the base plate, for normally covering a hatchway formed in said base plate and for exposing said hatchway when displaced; and a rotatable disc of a slip ring unit carried by the hatch, by which electricity for operating equipment mounted on top of the deck and for initiating control signals is transmitted to the equipment.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to the field of Remote Controlled Weapon Systems or Stations (hereinafter RCWS). More particularly, the present invention relates to a turret assembly for use in conjunction with a RCWS. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     A RCWS is used for light and medium caliber weapons and can be installed on any type of land and sea-based vehicle. Modern military vehicles are provided with such equipment, which allow a gunner to remain in the relative protection of the vehicle. The RCWS may be installed when the vehicle is being manufactured or may be retrofitted on an existing vehicle. 
     A typical RCWS enables a variety of devices to be operated automatically or by remote control, including 5.56 mm, 7.62 mm, and 12.7 mm machine guns, as well as 40 mm automatic grenade launchers, 30 mm cannons, anti-tank missiles, and even observation pods. Such an RCWS is designed to be mounted on, for example, light-armored, high-mobility military vehicles and an upper surface of stationary posts, and is adapted to be operated by a gunner or vehicle commander operating under-the-deck. 
     Other information concerning a RCWS can be obtaining by referring for example to U.S. Pat. No. 5,949,015, U.S. Pat. No. 6,769,347, U.S. Pat. No. 7,293,493, and WO 2005/118295. 
     A typical RCWS is mounted with one or more barrel weapons, each of which is fed with ammunition by means of an ammunition belt consisting of a long string of cartridges fastened together and of a suitable feed mechanism, or is provided with a linkless ammunition loading system. 
     The orientation of a barrel is generally adjusted, for example in order to aim at a selected target, by rotating a turret assembly on top of which the RCWS is mounted. As the RCWS is of a limited volume and the turret assembly can support equipment only of a limited weight, including the RCWS, control equipment, communication equipment, and the ammunition, the amount of ammunition that can be stored in the RCWS is consequently also limited. The ammunition therefore has to be frequently replenished. 
     In order to access above deck equipment, such as to replenish the stock of ammunition, the combatant is endangered and dangerously exposed, for example to enemy forces, outside the confines of the vehicle and during an extended period of time. 
     Some weapon systems are equipped with a mechanical mechanism for the remote loading of ammunition. An enclosure in which are installed remote ammunition loading mechanisms downwardly extending from deck of the carrier vehicle into its interior, normally referred to as a “turret basket, is often used. As the ammunition quantity decreases, it is feasible to replenish the ammunition stock inside the turret basket while being located within a relatively sheltered space. 
     Naturally, mechanical mechanisms for the remote feeding of weapon systems are relatively cumbersome. As a consequence of the complexity of these ammunition feeding systems, the probability for the occurrence of malfunctions in their operation is increased. 
     The existence of such mechanical mechanisms for the remote feeding of weapon systems also mandates the necessity to allocate an otherwise free volume inside the inner space of the carrier vehicle in order to accommodate the turret basket. A substantial usable volume of the combatants&#39; compartment would have to be reduced, even though this volume is already small and congested. It is also to be remembered that the presence of active mechanisms for advancing the belts of rounds or for rotating the turret basket presents a threat and safety danger to the combatants staying in the crammed compartment in the immediate proximity of the turret basket. 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide apparatus for accessing above deck equipment without excessive exposure of the combatants to enemy forces, without allocating free space within the RCWS, and without reducing the available usable volume within the combatant compartment located within the inner space of the carrier vehicle. 
     It is an additional object of the present invention to provide apparatus for accessing above deck equipment which is relatively low priced and simple to manufacture, install and operate, and which will generally not be subject to malfunctions. 
     Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the description proceeds. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a turret assembly without deck penetration for minimizing exposure of combatants to enemy forces when accessing above deck equipment, comprising a base plate on top of which is mounted at least one firable and remotely operable combatant interfaceable implement, said base plate being rotatable about a substantially vertical axis and supported for rotation by bearing means mounted within a deck of a military facility; a hatch displaceably connected to said base plate, for normally covering a hatchway formed in said base plate and for exposing said hatchway when displaced; and a rotatable disc of a slip ring unit carried by said hatch, by which electricity for operating equipment mounted on top of said deck and for initiating control signals is transmitted to said equipment. 
     The hatchway is sufficiently large to accommodate the passage therethrough to the deck of a combatant usable product, e.g. ammunition, in order to access the above deck equipment when the hatch is in a completely displaced position. 
     When the above deck equipment is accessed, above deck activities which include, but are not limited to, replenishing the stock of ammunition, loading ammunition, gun stoppage related operations, direct aiming of a weapon station, and manual firing operations, are performable. 
     The base plate of the turret assembly may be rotatably mounted within the deck of an armored vehicle, such as one selected from the group consisting of a tank, a retriever, a light armored vehicle, a mobile missile launcher, an armored personnel carrier, and a waterborne combat vehicle, or within the deck of a stationary military facility, such as a defense post, including but not limited to an infantry post and a border police post. 
     In one embodiment, the hatch is pivotally connected to the base plate. 
     In one embodiment, the hatch is displaceably connected to the base plate by means of four arm assemblies which allow the hatch to be lowered and displaced laterally from the base plate and then to be returnably displaceable so as to cover the hatchway. 
     In one embodiment, the hatch is displaceably connected to the base plate by means of a rod extending downwardly from the base plate and an engagement member that is attached to the inner face of the hatch and is rotatably mounted about said rod, allowing the hatch to be rotatable about said rod. 
     In one aspect, the turret assembly further comprises latch means securable to a stationary disc of the slip ring unit to prevent displacement of the hatch. 
     In one aspect, the latch means comprises a retractable element that is sufficiently spaced from a corresponding side edge of the hatch when retracted to enable unobstructed displacement of the hatch. 
     In one aspect, the turret assembly further comprises a hatch displacement initiator. 
     In one aspect, the hatch displacement initiator comprises a handle connected to an interior facing end of an axle assembly rotatably mounted within the hatch for applying a displacement initiating force to the hatch, and a locking bar, e.g. a flexible locking bar, connected to an exterior facing end of the axle assembly and having substantially the same angular disposition as the handle, rotation of the handle in a first rotational direction causing the locking bar to be positioned in abutting relation with an upper surface of the base plate whereby to prevent the hatch from opening, and subsequent rotation of the handle in a second rotational direction opposite to said first rotational direction causing said locking bar to be disengaged from the base plate. 
     In one aspect, the hatch displacement initiator comprises one or more linear actuators connected to an above deck surface fixedly attached to the base plate. The one or more linear actuators is selected from the group consisting of a hydraulic actuator, pneumatic actuator, and electric actuator. 
     In one aspect, the combatant interfaceable implement is a weapon system. 
     In one aspect, the slip ring unit comprises an input port unit for connection from an electrical source and an output port unit for connection with the equipment. 
     In one aspect, the turret assembly further comprises control means for preventing the base plate from rotating when the hatch is opened. 
     In one aspect, the control means comprises a sensor for detecting an openable state of the hatch, and a controller for receiving signals from said sensor and for commanding a turret motor adapted to rotationally drive the base plate to become deactivated when receiving a signal from said sensor that the hatch has been set to an openable state. 
     In one aspect, the hatch is set to an openable state when it is in a displaced position. 
     In one aspect, the hatch is set to an openable state when a handle rotatably mounted within the hatch for applying a displacement initiating force has been rotated. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exemplary turreted armored combat vehicle; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view from the bottom of a prior art turret assembly, showing that passage through the base plate to the combat vehicle deck is obstructed; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view from the bottom of a turret assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention, showing a stationary element of a slip ring unit being secured by latches; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view from the bottom of the turret assembly of  FIG. 3 , showing the latches in a retracted position; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view from the bottom of the turret assembly of  FIG. 3 , showing a hatch in a pivoted position; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view from the bottom of the turret assembly of  FIG. 3 , showing a hatch in a completely pivoted position and an input port unit mounted thereon; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view from the bottom of a turret assembly according to another embodiment of the present invention, showing a stationary element of a slip ring unit being secured by latches; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view from the bottom of the turret assembly of  FIG. 7 , showing a hatch in a pivoted position; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view from the side of the hatch of  FIG. 6  when in a completely pivoted position, showing the inner face thereof and an output port unit mounted thereon; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view from the top of a slip ring unit while the hatch is removed, showing the output port unit when angularly spaced from the input port unit; 
         FIG. 11  is a block diagram of an automatic control for preventing the base plate from rotating when the hatch is opened; 
         FIG. 12  is a top perspective view of the turret assembly of  FIG. 3  when the hatch of  FIG. 6  is in a completely pivoted position, showing a weapon system that can accessed via the hatchway; 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view from the bottom of a turret assembly according to another embodiment of the present invention, shown in an opened position; and 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view from the bottom of a turret assembly according to another embodiment of the present invention, shown in an opened position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The present invention is a novel turret assembly that is provided with a displaceable hatch, on which is carried a slip ring unit. A bodily portion of a combatant is therefore able to pass through the hatchway when having to access the weapon station mounted on top of the turret assembly, obviating the need of exiting the combat vehicle in order to climb on top of the combat vehicle deck while being exposed to enemy forces. 
     An exemplary armored combat vehicle  10  is illustrated in  FIG. 1 . In a central portion of deck  5  is rotatably mounted a turret assembly  7 . A weapon station  8 , generally comprising at least one machine gun  9 , such as an anti-tank gun or an anti-aircraft gun, is mounted on turret assembly  7 , and can be aimed and fired at a desired target by rotating the turret assembly, as controlled remotely by a gunner or vehicle commander located within the confines of vehicle  10  and under deck  5 . Other types of equipment that may also be mounted to turret assembly  7  include a smoke grenade launcher, a laser warning system, an electronic control unit, and communication equipment. Combat vehicles that may be provided with the turret assembly of the present invention included tanks, retrievers, light armored vehicles, mobile missile launchers, and armored personnel carriers, or any waterborne combat vehicle. 
     In order to appreciate the utility of the present invention, reference is first made to  FIG. 2 , which illustrates a turret assembly  17  of the prior art, to which is operatively connected a pancake shaped slip ring unit  15 . Slip ring unit  15 , by which electricity for operating equipment and for passing control signals is transmitted to the equipment mounted on top of turret assembly  17 , is positioned within a recessed portion  19  formed within a central region of the underside of rotatable base plate  12 . Slip ring unit  15  comprises a rotating part connected to base plate  12 , a stationary part, and brushes arranged on the rotating part. Electricity is delivered from a stationary source within the vehicle, and is transmitted by means of the brushes to a port located on top of base plate  12 . Electricity delivered to the port is distributed to the various types of equipment located on top of the deck. Coolant and hydraulic fluid is also deliverable by means of a fluid rotary joint, possibly interfacing with the slip ring with use of a plurality of suitable seals, to the above-deck equipment through base plate  12 . 
     As the rotating part of slip ring unit  15  is permanently connected to base plate  12 , passage through the base plate to the vehicle deck is prevented so that the above-deck equipment can be accessed, in order to reload the ammunition, to correct feeding malfunctions, and for maintenance purposes. That is, even if a through-bore opening were formed within base plate  12 , such an opening would be considerably smaller than the dimensions of a combatant usable product, e.g. 0.25 m 2 , due to the presence of slip ring  15  and the fluid rotary joint. Typical combatant usable products that are needed in order to access the above-deck equipment include tools, a toolbox, diagnostic equipment, and an ammunition box. Since the above-deck equipment is inaccessible from within the combatant compartment, the combatant is forced to exit the combat vehicle and then climb onto the deck. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a turret assembly  27  according to one embodiment of the present invention. Turret assembly  27  comprises base plate  31  and turret bearing  33 , about which base plate  31  is rotatable a complete rotation or a fraction thereof with respect to a vertical axis. A hatchway is formed in base plate  31  to allow passage of a combatant usable product from the interior of the combat vehicle to the upper surface of the deck, and is covered by an openable and closable planar hatch  36 . Two hinges  34  and  35  pivotally attach end  38  of hatch  36  to base plate  31 . 
     Mounting plate  41  connected to the rotatable disc of slip ring unit  45  is attached to hatch  36 , to permit rotation when base plate  31  is rotated. Protruding through mounting plate  41  is base  49  of an output port unit for connection to the above-deck equipment. Output port unit base  49  is shown to be aligned with input port unit  44 , which is connected to stationary disc  46  of ring unit  45  and comprises a plurality of ports facing the combatant compartment for electrical connection, signal command connection, hydraulic connection, or pneumatic connection from a corresponding source disposed within the interior of the combat vehicle. When base plate  31  is rotated, the output port unit is displaced together with mounting plate  41 , being separated from the stationary input port unit  44 . 
     Two laterally separated latches  51 A and  51 B are used for securing stationary disc  46 , to prevent hatch  36  from being pivoted during normal operation of turret assembly  27  and of the equipment mounted thereto. Each of latches  51 A and  51 B comprises a stationary holder  55  formed with an elongated opening  56 , e.g. elliptical as shown, a bar  54  received in a channel formed within, and displaceable with respect to, holder  55 , and a handle  58  attached to bar  54  and protruding through opening  56 . Bar  54  and holder  55  may be rectangular as shown, or may be of any other desired shape. Holder  55  may be attached or welded to the deck, or may be held stationary by any other means well known to those skilled in the art. Bar  54  may be configured with a groove  59 , e.g. a semielliptical groove, which is adapted to be secured to stationary disc  46 . 
     The equipment mounted on top of the base plate or on top of the deck may be operated remotely when hatch  36  is in a closed position. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , stationary disc  46  is provided with two diametrically opposite catches  61 . Each catch  46 , which may be spring biased, may be attached to peripheral edge  48  of stationary disc  46 , or alternatively, may be attached in any other suitable fashion to stationary disc  46 . Groove  59  extending inwardly from ring-facing straight edge  63  of bar  54  is configured to receive, and be secured to, catch  61  when bar  54  is fully extended, as shown in  FIG. 3 . When handle  58  is laterally shifted, as shown in  FIG. 4 , groove  59  is separated from catch  61  and bar  54  is correspondingly displaced. Holder  55  is suitably positioned so that when bar  54  is fully retracted, the corresponding side edge  37  of hatch  36  is unobstructed, allowing hatch  36  to be pivoted inwardly into the vehicle interior, as shown in  FIG. 5 . 
     Hatch  36  is shown to be in a fully pivoted position in  FIG. 6 , exposing hatchway  39  which is centrally formed within base plate  31 . Through-bore hatchway  39  is sufficiently large to accommodate the dimensions of a combatant usable product that is passed therethrough to the deck in order to perform certain above-deck functions such as reloading the ammunition, correcting feeding malfunctions, and maintenance operations (hereinafter “equipment accessing”). 
     Hatch  36  may be pivotable by means of one or more linear actuators  66 . Each linear actuator  66 , which may be of the hydraulic, pneumatic, mechanical, or electric type, comprises a housing and an extendable rod e.g. telescopingly extendable, which is linearly extendable from the housing. The rod may be pivotally connected by means of a pin joint to hatch  36  and the housing may be pivotally connected by means of a pin joint to a surface fixedly attached to the base plate above the deck. As the rod is extended, a force is applied to hatch  36 , causing the latter to change its inclination with respect to base plate  31 . Both the rod and housing pivot about their pin joint while the inclination of hatch  36  continuously changes until achieving a completely open and substantially vertical position. A spring may be attached to hatch  36  in order to counterbalance its pivoting action without interfering with the extendible rod. The illustrated open position of hatch  36  corresponds to the maximum extension of the rod. 
     When the rod is retracted to its minimal extent, it may be locked in place by conventional means well known to those skilled in the art to prevent hatch  36  against unwanted opening during rotation of base plate  31 , in addition to the force applied by latches  51 A and  51 B, as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
     Alternatively, as shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , hatch  86  of a turret assembly  87  may be provided with a handle  91  for opening and closing hatch  86 . Handle  91  may be connected to the interior facing end of an axle assembly  94  rotatably mounted within hatch  86 . A locking bar  97  may be connected to the exterior facing end of axle assembly  94  and have substantially the same angular disposition as handle  91 . Thus when hatch  86  is in a normal unpivoted position substantially flush with base plate  31  as shown in  FIG. 7 , rotation of handle  91  in direction R will place locking bar  97  in abutting relation with the upper surface of base plate  31  to prevent hatch  86  from opening. Subsequent rotation of handle  91  in direction T opposite to direction R will cause locking bar  97  to be disengaged from base plate  31  and to allow hatch  86  to be pivoted after applying a pulling force to the handle, as shown in  FIG. 8 . Locking bar  97  may be flexible, such as configured with camming surfaces as shown, to facilitate effortless engagement and disengagement with hatch  86 . 
       FIG. 9  illustrates the inner face of hatch  36  when in a fully pivoted position. Rotatable disc  47  of the slip ring unit is shown, as well as output port unit  69 . Output port unit  69  comprises a plurality of ports for electrical connection, signal command connection, hydraulic connection, or pneumatic connection to a corresponding type of equipment located on top of the combat vehicle. Output port unit  69  is in electrical communication with input port unit  49  ( FIG. 3 ) by means of the brushes of the slip ring unit, which are in engagement with the conductors of the rotatable disc. Thus the transmission conducted through each cable connected to the input port unit will also be conducted through a corresponding cable connected to output port unit  69  and extending to an above-deck piece of equipment, regardless of the rotational disposition of output port unit  69 . Both the stationary and rotatable discs of the slip ring unit are mounted within hatch  36 , allowing a transmission to be continuously conducted from the input port unit to an above-deck piece of equipment via the output port unit even when hatch  36  is in a fully pivoted position. The cables connecting output port unit  69  and the equipment located on top of the deck are sufficiently long so that they will not be damaged when hatch  36  is in a fully pivoted position. 
       FIG. 10  illustrates slip ring unit  45  after rotatable disc  47  has been rotated together with the base plate which is not shown and mounting plate  41  attached to the base plate. Output port unit  69  attached to mounting plate  41  is accordingly shown to be angularly spaced from input port unit  44  mounted on stationary disc  46 . 
       FIG. 11  illustrates an automatic control for preventing the base plate from rotating when the hatch is opened. The hatch is provided with a sensor  101 , such as an orientation sensor or a limit switch, for detecting whether the hatch is in an unpivoted or a pivoted position. Controller  103  receives signals from sensor  101 , and commands turret motor  105  for rotationally driving the base plate to become deactivated when receiving a signal that the hatch has been opened. If a handle arrangement for pivoting the hatch is employed as shown in  FIG. 8 , controller  103  may command turret motor  105  to become deactivated when receiving a signal that the handle has been rotated. Thus damage to the turret assembly, above-deck equipment, and to the combatants located in the interior of the vehicle which would be caused by the pivoting of the hatch when the base plate is being rotated will be prevented. 
       FIG. 12  illustrates the accessibility of a weapon system with respect to a hatchway  39  when the hatch is opened. A main gun  74  and secondary gun  76  are shown to be mounted on top of base plate  31  by means of triangular mounts  78  and  79 , respectively. Mounts  78  and  79  are positioned such that hatchway  39  is interposed therebetween. Firing assembly  75  of main gun  74  is positioned above hatchway  39 , so that a combatant may advantageously remain within the vehicle interior when accessing main gun  74 . Although secondary gun  76  cannot be accessed from the vehicle interior, the exposure of a combatant to enemy forces is held to a minimum when accessing secondary gun  76  since the latter is positioned adjacent to hatchway  39  and therefore the combatant needs to be above deck for no more than a few minutes. A protective shield surrounding mounts  78  and  79  may be provided to protect a combatant passing through hatchway  39 . The arrangement of the equipment mounted to base plate  31  may be different than that the equipment arrangement mounted to a prior art turret assembly due to the presence of hatchway  39 . 
       FIG. 13  illustrates a turret assembly  127  according to another embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, hatch  136  is displaceably connected to base plate  131  by means of four arm assemblies  121 - 124 , each of which comprising two links  128  and  129  that are pivotally connected to each other and to another element. Link  128  of arm assemblies  121 - 124  is pivotally connected to base plate  131 . Link  129  of arm assemblies  121  and  123  is pivotally connected to hatch  136 , while link  129  of arm assemblies  122  and  124  is pivotally connected to a corresponding latch holder  138 , which is attached to the inner face of hatch  136 . As a result of this configuration, hatch  136  is able to be lowered from base plate  131  and then be displaced laterally from hatchway  139 , for example laterally from the base plate, when set to an opened state, to enable unobstructed passage through the hatchway. When hatch  136  is completely closed, the latch of each latch holder  138 , which may be e.g. spring biased or manually adjusted, is engaged with a corresponding catch  141  attached to the inner face of base plate  131 . 
       FIG. 14  illustrates a turret assembly  227  according to another embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, hatch  236  carrying slip ring unit  245  is displaceably connected to base plate  231  by means of a rod  221  extending downwardly from base plate  231  and an engagement member  234  that is attached to the inner face of hatch  236  and is rotatably mounted about rod  221 . As a result of this configuration, hatch  236  is able to be rotated about rod  221  to an opened position, as illustrated, to enable unobstructed passage through hatchway  239 . When hatch  236  is rotated in an opposite direction to become completely closed, the latch of latch holder  238 , which is attached to hatch  236  and protrudes from hatch edge  237 , is engaged with a corresponding catch  241  attached to the inner face of base plate  231 . Engagement member  234  and latch holder  238  are attached to hatch  236  at opposite ends of hatch edge  237 . 
     While some embodiments of the invention have been described by way of illustration, it will be apparent that the invention can be carried into practice with many modifications, variations and adaptations, and with the use of numerous equivalents or alternative solutions that are within the scope of persons skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit of the invention or exceeding the scope of the claims.