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.

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.