Patent Publication Number: US-10775124-B2

Title: Motor-less cartridge ring gear engagement module for actuating rotation of a turret

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit and is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/704,910 titled “Cartridge Based Modular Turret Control System,” filed by Domholt, et al. on Sep. 14, 2017, which is a Continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/055,384, titled “Cartridge Based Modular Turret Control System,” filed by Domholt, et al. on Feb. 26, 2016, which is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/722,819, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,733,037, titled “Battery-Powered Motor Unit,” filed by Domholt, et al. on May 27, 2015, which is a Continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/895,787, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,759,506, titled “Battery-Powered Motor Unit,” filed by Domholt, et al. on May 16, 2013, which is a Divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/751,254, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,443,710, titled “Battery-Powered Motor Unit,” filed by Domholt, et al. on Mar. 31, 2010, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/165,310, titled “Battery-Powered Motor Unit,” filed by Domholt, et al on Mar. 31, 2009. 
     This application incorporates the entire contents of the foregoing application(s) herein by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     Various embodiments relate generally to operation of turret systems. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Turret gun systems are commonly deployed in military operations. The turret gun systems may be mounted on structures such as buildings, or on vehicles, such as combat vehicles, aircrafts or ships. 
     Turret gun systems are commonly equipped on armored vehicles and have mountings for large caliber guns. For the turret gun systems to be effective, the rotation of the turret gun system must be accomplished very efficiently. Turret gun systems usually include shields to provide protection to the operator(s) of the turret gun system. 
     SUMMARY 
     Apparatus and associated methods relate to a motor-less cartridge ring gear engagement module (CRGEM) for a turret-rotating system that includes a main drive gear configured to rotate in a rotation plane, a manual input shaft that extends substantially orthogonal relative to the rotation plane, and a drive shaft that extends substantially orthogonal relative to the rotation plane, where the drive shaft and the manual input shaft extend substantially parallel to one another. In an illustrative example, both the main drive gear and a hand crank may be located on a top surface of the CRGEM. In some embodiments, a manual drive cap may be hingedly coupled to the gearbox and configured to rotate in a vertical plane that is substantially orthogonal to the rotation plane. At least some examples may provide for a hand-operated, manual traverse unit that advantageously does not require electrical power to operate. 
     Various embodiments may achieve one or more advantages. A motor-less CRGEM may operate with more free movement by a user. For example, a user using a hand crank that rotates in a horizontal plane may perform more natural and lower effort movements to rotate a turret. A motor-less CRGEM may not require an external or internal electrical power source, such as a battery or a generator, and may not require heavy or bulky motor components such as a rotor, stator, and/or magnets, with the end result of significantly reducing the weight of the system. A motor-less CRGEM may be more compact versus a motor-operated turret-rotating system, which may allow for easier operation and a smaller footprint turret-rotating system. A motor-less CRGEM may also completely eliminate any safety issues with a motor being mechanically coupled to a manual input crank, in that the input crank cannot be suddenly actuated by a motor due to the absence of a motor in the system. A removable handle/crank and input shaft cap may allow the motor-less CRGEM to be less obtrusive when not being manually operated by a user. 
     A motor-less CRGEM may, in some embodiments, include a brake that is mechanically coupled to a brake shaft, where the brake shaft is mechanically coupled to the main drive gear, such that the brake is configured to prevent rotation of the brake shaft to prevent rotation of the main drive gear. This may advantageously allow for a safety brake feature that reduces the chance of dangerous and wildly uncontrolled movement of a turret that could impart uncontrolled rotation of a crank handle attached to the manual input shaft. In some examples, rotation of any one of the brake shaft, the manual input shaft, and the main drive gear may impart rotation upon the other two, such that rotation of the handle while coupled to the manual input shaft may impart rotation upon the brake shaft, the manual input shaft, and the main drive gear. In at least some embodiments, the brake shaft, the manual input shaft, and the main drive gear are in continuous mechanical communication in all operating modes. This may advantageously permit the brake to halt movement of any of the gears, shafts, or mechanical components of the system, thus providing a global safety feature that prevents unwanted movement/rotation of any mechanical parts of the motor-less CRGEM. 
     The details of various embodiments are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features and advantages will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  depicts an exploded view of a turret system including an exemplary cartridge mounting assembly. 
         FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C  depict perspective, side, and top views, respectively of an exemplary motor-less cartridge ring gear engagement module (CRGEM) for actuating rotation of a turret, the CRGEM including an exemplary crank having a crank shaft oriented in a vertical direction. 
         FIG. 2  depicts a cross-sectional top view of an exemplary motor-less CRGEM for actuating rotation of a turret, the CRGEM including an exemplary crank having a crank shaft oriented in a vertical direction. 
         FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C, and 3D  depict perspective, side, top, and bottom views, respectively, of an exemplary motor-less CRGEM mounted on an exemplary cartridge mounting assembly (CMA). 
         FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C, and 4D  depict perspective, side, top, and bottom views, respectively, of an exemplary motor-less CRGEM mounted on an exemplary cartridge mounting assembly (CMA), the CRGEM including upper and lower crank handles. 
     
    
    
     Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG. 1  depicts an exploded view of a turret system including an exemplary cartridge mounting assembly. As depicted in  FIG. 1 , a turret system  10  includes a cover plate  105  and a base plate  106 . The cover plate  105  shields a ring gear  115  that is attached to the base plate. The cover plate  105 , as depicted, includes an extended portion  107  where a motor-less cartridge ring gear engagement module (CRGEM)  125  communicates with the ring gear  115 . The motor-less CRGEM  125  includes a gear engagement component  108 , such that, when the motor-less CRGEM  125  installs on a cartridge mounting assembly (CMA)  135 , the motor-less CRGEM  125  mounts to an inner race of a bearing (not shown) where the gear engagement component  108  is in operable communication with the ring gear  115  to actuate rotation of the turret system  10 . A pair of slide flange securing mechanisms, such as, for example, install pins (not shown) may secure the motor-less CRGEM  125  when installed on the CMA  135 . 
     At least some of the features, functions, and components of the motor-less CRGEM  125  may be the same as, or similar to, the features, functions, and components of the motorized system disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/895,787, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,759,506, entitled “Battery-Powered Motor Unit,” filed May 16, 2013 by Domholt, et al., the entire contents of which are herein incorporated by reference. For example, both may include a gearbox, a drive gear, and a drive shaft, for example. Both may be configured to directly engage teeth of a ring gear on a vehicle body. Both may include a releasably couplable hand crank, a manual input shaft, and a manual drive gear. Both may include a drive cap configured to cover a manual input shaft. However, there may be significant differences between the motorized system disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/895,787, and the motor-less CRGEM  125  disclosed herein. Persons of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate these differences upon careful reading of the present disclosure. 
       FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C  depict perspective, side, and top views, respectively of an exemplary motor-less cartridge ring gear engagement module (CRGEM) for actuating rotation of a turret, the CRGEM including an exemplary crank having a crank shaft oriented in a vertical direction. The motor-less CRGEM  100  (which may be the same motor-less CRGEM  125  shown in  FIG. 1 ) has a gear box  110  having a gear system that is further detailed in  FIG. 2 . The gear box  110  houses gears that transfer rotation from the hand crank to a drive gear  117  (shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3C ), which drives rotation of a vehicle turret (not shown). The motor-less CRGEM  100  is configured to be in mechanical communication with, and cause rotation of, the turret. The gear box  110  is coupled to the turret and has a drive gear  117  fixed to a drive shaft  116  that may be in direct engagement with corresponding teeth on a ring gear on a vehicle body. 
       FIG. 2  depicts a cross-sectional top view of an exemplary motor-less CRGEM for actuating rotation of a turret, the CRGEM including an exemplary crank having a crank shaft oriented in a vertical direction. The cross-sectional view of a motor-less CRGEM  100  shown in  FIG. 2  provides a view of the mechanical communication chain between the manual input shaft  150  and gears in the gear box  110 . The gear box  110  has a first gear  112  that is in mechanical communication with a drive shaft  116  that drives rotation of the turret (not shown). The manual drive gear  152  (which is mechanically coupled to the manual input shaft  150 ) rotates and is in mechanical communication with the drive shaft  116  and is configured to cause rotation of the drive shaft  116 . In the embodiment depicted, a brake shaft  128  is mechanically coupled to a second gear  114 , which is in further mechanical communication with the first gear  112 . Those skilled in the art will appreciate that gears within the gear housing can have a variety of configurations to transfer rotation from the manual input shaft  150  to the drive shaft  116 . 
     A brake lever  124  is in communication with a brake  126  that is in further communication with the brake shaft  128 . The brake  126  is generally configured to prevent rotation of the drive shaft  116 . When the brake lever  124  is in an “engaged” position, the brake  126  is engaged to prevent rotation of the brake shaft  128 . In at least one embodiment the brake  126  is a spring-loaded clutch plate. The brake  126  can also be mechanically disengaged in a variety of embodiments. 
     The manual input shaft  150  is incorporated in the gearbox  110 . The manual input shaft  150  is in mechanical communication with the drive shaft  116  and the drive shaft  116  is fixed to the direct drive gear  117 . A drive cap  130  is pivotably coupled to the gear box  110  with a hinge connection  132  such that the drive cap  130  is pivotably disposed over the manual input shaft  150 . The side of the drive cap  130  opposite the hinge connection  132  defines a pin opening that substantially aligns with at least one other pin opening defined by the gearbox  110 . A cap pin (not shown) may pass through the substantially aligned pin openings of the drive cap and the gear box. When the manual input shaft  150  needs to be accessed by a user, the pin is removed and the drive cap  130  is pivoted open about the hinge connection  132 . 
       FIGS. 1A-1C and 2  depict the motor-less CRGEM  100  with the drive cap  130  in an open position to access the manual input shaft  150 . When the drive cap  130  is open the manual input shaft  150  is revealed. The manual input shaft  150  transfers rotational energy to a gear system that is coupled to the drive gear  117 . The motor-less CRGEM  100  may include a handle  140  coupled to the manual input shaft  150  for manual operation. The handle  140  has a coupling end that is configured to removably attach to the manual input shaft  150 . Both the coupling end of the handle  140  and the manual input shaft  150  mutually define a pin passage that receives a handle pin  138 . Such a configuration allows rotation of the handle  140  to be transferred to the manual input shaft  150  and eventually to the drive gear  117 , thus rotating the turret. 
     In order to allow the manual input shaft to operate the system, a brake lever  124 , which is in operative communication with the system  100 , is pivotably disposed on the brake housing  120  to disengage and engage the brake  126 . In some embodiments, the brake lever  124  can be configured to engage and disengage a manual input shaft to be in operative communication with the drive shaft  116 . 
     The handle  140  can be connected by coupling the handle  140  to the manual input shaft  150 . In at least one embodiment the handle  140  defines an opening that is configured to receive a portion of the manual input shaft  150 . In such an embodiment a handle pin  138  is mutually received by an opening cumulatively defined by the manual input shaft  150  and the handle  140 . In one embodiment the handle pin  138  is a spring pin. 
     Before operating the handle  140 , the brake lever  124  may be pivoted to a “disengaged” position, to disengage the brake from the system. The brake  126  may disengage from the brake shaft  128 , which allows rotation of all the gears in the system including the manual gear  152 . The handle  140  mechanically couples to the manual input shaft  150  with a handle pin  138 , such that manual rotation from the handle  140  is transmitted to the manual input shaft  150 . Such rotation is transferred from the manual input shaft  150  to a manual drive gear  152  coupled thereto, which eventually transmits rotation to a first gear  112  in mechanical communication with the drive shaft  116 . When the turret has been manually rotated to a desired position, the brake lever  124  can be pivoted to its “engaged” position, to engage the brake  126  in the system such that further rotation is prevented. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that alternate configurations for the braking system are within the scope of the technology disclosed herein. Further, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that gear couplings within the gear box  110  can have a variety of configurations to transmit the manual rotation of the handle  140  to rotation of the drive gear  117 . 
       FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C, and 3D  depict perspective, side, top, and bottom views, respectively, of an exemplary motor-less CRGEM mounted on an exemplary cartridge mounting assembly (CMA). As detailed in  FIGS. 3A-3D  a mounting bracket provides a means of attaching a motorized system to a turret. The mounting bracket can be configured for ease in attaching the system to a turret. The mounting bracket can also be configured for ease in replacing a first motor-less (or motorized) system with a second motor-less (or motorized) system, should that become necessary or desired. In the embodiment shown in the figures, no tools are required to replace a first system having the slide flanges with a second system having the slide flanges. 
     A motor-less CRGEM  100  is shown as being mounted on the mounting bracket  300 . At least some of the features, functions, and components of the mounting bracket  300  may be the same as, or similar to, the features, functions, and components of the mounting bracket disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/895,787, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,759,506, entitled “Battery-Powered Motor Unit,” filed May 16, 2013 by Domholt, et al., the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. The mounting bracket is generally configured to couple to, and therefore mount a motor-less CRGEM system to, a structure. In a variety of embodiments, the structure can be a turret. In other embodiments the structure could be a vehicle. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the motor-less CRGEM  100  can be coupled to a variety of locations and still remain within the scope of the current technology. In multiple implementations the motor-less CRGEM system only need be mounted to a location that allows mechanical communication between the motorized system and the turret such that mechanical movement of the motorized system is transferred to the turret. Examples of such mounting locations include the turret, a turret bearing, and the vehicle frame proximate to the turret. 
       FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C, and 4D  depict perspective, side, top, and bottom views, respectively, of an exemplary motor-less CRGEM mounted on an exemplary cartridge mounting assembly (CMA), the CRGEM including upper and lower crank handles. A motor-less CRGEM includes a top crank handle  400 A and a bottom crank handle  400 B. In some examples, only one of the top or bottom crank handles  400 A,  400 B may be employed at a single time (e.g., one of the handles  400 A,  400 B may be optional or not required). A bottom crank handle may be more convenient for a user to operate, since as shown in  FIG. 1 , the user may be sitting within a turret and so may be able to crank the CRGEM more easily sitting under the turret. In contrast with  FIGS. 3A-3D , the CRGEM shown in  FIGS. 4A-4D  does not include a protective cap (e.g., the protective cap  130  may be an optional feature, at least in some embodiments). 
     As depicted in  FIG. 4B , a crank of the CRGEM may have one of a variety of types of connection structures. For example, the top crank  400 A is shown as having a (recessed) female type connection  405 A which mates with a (protruding) male type connection  410 A of the CRGEM. In contrast, the bottom crank  400 B includes a (protruding) male type connection  410 B which mates with a (recessed) female type connection  405 B of the CRGEM. In various embodiments, the male/female connections may be the different than the exact structures shown in  FIG. 4B  (e.g., the top crank  400 A may include a male connection, while the bottom crank  400 B may include a female connection). The bottom crank  400 B includes a ball bearing  420 , which may include an outer race and an inner race. The ball bearing  420  may advantageously enable smooth operation of the crank  400 B by reducing rotational friction and supporting the cranking force applied by a user rotating the crank  400 B. As shown in  FIGS. 4C and 4D , the (protruding) male type connection features are shown as having a D-shaped cross-section, which may engage with a (recessed) female type connection that also has a D-shaped cross-section. 
     As used herein, the phrase “mechanical communication” is used to describe the configuration of at least two components where at least one component is configured to transmit kinetic energy to at least one other component. Generally, such components can be directly attached, indirectly attached, directly interfacing with, and/or indirectly interfacing with. The term “direct engagement” is used to describe the configuration of two or more components that are in physical contact. The term “substantially orthogonal” means two lines/axes/vectors (or two normal vectors of two planes) having an angle of about 75°, 80°, 85°, 90°, 95°, 100°, or about 105° between them, or a line/axis/vector and a normal vector of a plane having an angle of about −15°, −10°, −5°, 0°, 5°, 10°, or about 15° between them. The term “substantially parallel” means two lines/axes/vectors (or two planes with normal vectors) having an angle of about −15°, −10°, −5°, 0°, 5°, 10°, or about 15° between them. 
     In various embodiments, a turret-rotating system may include a main drive gear  117  configured to engage a geared perimeter of a circular ring gear  115 , where the main drive gear and the circular ring gear may move relative to one another in response to rotation of the main drive gear. The main drive gear may, for example, be configured to rotate in a rotation plane that is a horizontal plane. A turret-rotating system may include, in some embodiments, a manual input shaft  150  operable to rotate in response to a manual user input to rotate a handle  140  while the handle is releasably coupled to the manual input shaft. In various implementations, rotation of any one of the manual input shaft and the main drive gear may impart rotation upon the other, such that rotation of the handle while coupled to the manual input shaft may impart rotation upon the manual input shaft and the main drive gear. In at least some embodiments, the manual input shaft and the main drive gear may be in continuous mechanical communication in all operating modes. Some examples of the turret-rotating system may be a motor-less turret-rotating system. 
     In various examples, the manual input shaft may extend from a gearbox  110  of the turret rotating system, and the manual input shaft extend substantially orthogonal relative to the rotation plane of the main drive gear. A turret-rotating system may include a drive shaft  116  fixedly coupled to the main drive gear and in mechanical communication with the manual input shaft such that rotation of the manual input shaft imparts rotation to both the drive shaft and the main drive gear. In some implementations, the manual input shaft extends from the gearbox of the turret rotating system. In some implementations, the drive shaft extends substantially orthogonal relative to the rotation plane of the main drive gear. In some implementations, the drive shaft  116  and the manual input shaft  150  extend substantially parallel to one another. 
     A turret-rotating system may include the handle  140  that is releasably coupled to the manual input shaft, such that when a user rotates the handle to impart rotation to the main drive gear, the handle rotates in a first plane that is substantially parallel to the rotation plane of the main drive gear. A turret-rotating system may include a manual drive cap  130  hingedly coupled to the gearbox and configured to rotate in a vertical plane that is substantially orthogonal to the rotation plane of the main drive gear. In a closed state (shown in  FIGS. 3A-3C ), the manual drive cap may cover a distal end of the manual input shaft, and in an opened state (shown in  FIGS. 1A-1C ), the manual drive cap may leave the distal end of the manual input shaft exposed. 
     A turret-rotating system may include a brake  126  mechanically coupled to a brake shaft  128 , where the brake shaft may be mechanically coupled to the main drive gear, such that the brake may be configured to prevent rotation of the brake shaft to prevent rotation of the main drive gear. A turret rotating system may include a brake housing  120  that houses the brake and/or the brake shaft, wherein the brake housing may extend externally from the gearbox. In at least some implementations, rotation of any one of the brake shaft, the manual input shaft, and the main drive gear may impart rotation upon the other two, such that rotation of the handle while coupled to the manual input shaft imparts rotation upon the brake shaft, the manual input shaft, and the main drive gear. In some examples, the brake shaft, the manual input shaft, and the main drive gear are in continuous mechanical communication in all operating modes. 
     In various implementations, a turret-rotating system may include: a main drive gear configured to: (1) engage a geared perimeter of a circular ring gear that defines a first plane, (2) rotate in a second plane that is substantially parallel to the first plane, and (3) move relative to the circular ring gear in response to rotation of the main drive gear; a main drive shaft that: (1) is configured to fixedly couple to the main drive gear, (2) is configured to drive rotation of the main drive gear; and, a manual input shaft that: (1) is configured to rotate in response to a manual user input, (2) is in mechanical communication with the main drive shaft such that rotation of any one of the manual input shaft and the main drive shaft imparts rotation upon the other, and (3) extends along an axis that is substantially orthogonal to the first plane. 
     The turret-rotating system may further include a handle configured to mechanically couple to the manual input shaft, such that when a user rotates the handle while the handle is mechanically coupled to the manual input shaft: (1) the handle imparts rotation to the manual input shaft, and (2) the handle rotates in a third plane that is substantially parallel to the first plane. Some examples may include a gearbox, where the manual input shaft and the main drive shaft extend from the gearbox, and the gearbox houses at least one gear configured to facilitate the mechanical communication between the manual input shaft and both the main drive shaft and the main drive gear. The manual input shaft and the main drive shaft may be located at the same side of the gearbox, for example. 
     Some embodiments may include a manual drive cap hingedly coupled to the gearbox and configured to rotate in a fourth plane that is substantially orthogonal to the first plane, such that in a closed state, the manual drive cap covers a distal end of the manual input shaft, and in an opened state, the manual drive cap leaves the distal end of the manual input shaft exposed. Some examples may include a brake mechanically coupled to a brake shaft, where the brake shaft is in mechanical communication with the main drive shaft, such that the brake is configured to prevent rotation of the brake shaft that in turn prevents rotation of the main drive shaft. Some examples may include a brake housing that houses the brake, where the brake housing extends externally from the gearbox. In some embodiments, rotation of any one of the brake shaft, the manual input shaft, and the main drive shaft may impart rotation upon the other two. In various examples, the brake shaft, the manual input shaft, and the main drive shaft may in continuous mechanical communication in all operating modes. 
     The turret-rotating system may include a manual drive gear fixedly coupled to the manual input shaft configured to facilitate the mechanical communication between the manual input shaft and both the main drive shaft and the main drive gear. In some examples, the manual drive gear may be configured to rotate in a fifth plane that is substantially parallel to the first plane. The main drive gear may be configured to directly engage the geared perimeter of the circular ring gear. The main drive gear may be configured to indirectly engage the geared perimeter of the circular ring gear. For example, there may be intermediate gear or other mechanical component(s) that is mechanically coupled between the main drive gear and the circular ring gear. In some examples, the turret-rotating system may be a motor-less turret rotating system. 
     Although various embodiments have been described with reference to the Figures, other embodiments are possible. A number of implementations have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modification may be made. For example, advantageous results may be achieved if the steps of the disclosed techniques were performed in a different sequence, or if components of the disclosed systems were combined in a different manner, or if the components were supplemented with other components. Accordingly, other implementations are contemplated.