US3734023A - Fuse for the safe and precise detonation of explosive projectiles - Google Patents

Fuse for the safe and precise detonation of explosive projectiles Download PDF

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Publication number
US3734023A
US3734023A US00206295A US3734023DA US3734023A US 3734023 A US3734023 A US 3734023A US 00206295 A US00206295 A US 00206295A US 3734023D A US3734023D A US 3734023DA US 3734023 A US3734023 A US 3734023A
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Prior art keywords
safety
nut
rotation
core member
firing pin
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US00206295A
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English (en)
Inventor
P Kaiser
R Weber
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Gebrueder Junghans GmbH
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Gebrueder Junghans GmbH
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    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F42—AMMUNITION; BLASTING
    • F42C—AMMUNITION FUZES; ARMING OR SAFETY MEANS THEREFOR
    • F42C9/00—Time fuzes; Combined time and percussion or pressure-actuated fuzes; Fuzes for timed self-destruction of ammunition
    • F42C9/02—Time fuzes; Combined time and percussion or pressure-actuated fuzes; Fuzes for timed self-destruction of ammunition the timing being caused by mechanical means
    • F42C9/04—Time fuzes; Combined time and percussion or pressure-actuated fuzes; Fuzes for timed self-destruction of ammunition the timing being caused by mechanical means by spring motor
    • F42C9/041—Time fuzes; Combined time and percussion or pressure-actuated fuzes; Fuzes for timed self-destruction of ammunition the timing being caused by mechanical means by spring motor the clockwork activating a security device, e.g. for unlocking the firing-pin
    • F42C9/045—Time fuzes; Combined time and percussion or pressure-actuated fuzes; Fuzes for timed self-destruction of ammunition the timing being caused by mechanical means by spring motor the clockwork activating a security device, e.g. for unlocking the firing-pin and the firing-pin being activated by a spring
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F42—AMMUNITION; BLASTING
    • F42C—AMMUNITION FUZES; ARMING OR SAFETY MEANS THEREFOR
    • F42C14/00—Mechanical fuzes characterised by the ammunition class or type
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F42—AMMUNITION; BLASTING
    • F42C—AMMUNITION FUZES; ARMING OR SAFETY MEANS THEREFOR
    • F42C15/00—Arming-means in fuzes; Safety means for preventing premature detonation of fuzes or charges
    • F42C15/18—Arming-means in fuzes; Safety means for preventing premature detonation of fuzes or charges wherein a carrier for an element of the pyrotechnic or explosive train is moved
    • F42C15/188—Arming-means in fuzes; Safety means for preventing premature detonation of fuzes or charges wherein a carrier for an element of the pyrotechnic or explosive train is moved using a rotatable carrier
    • F42C15/192—Arming-means in fuzes; Safety means for preventing premature detonation of fuzes or charges wherein a carrier for an element of the pyrotechnic or explosive train is moved using a rotatable carrier rotatable in a plane which is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the projectile
    • F42C15/196—Arming-means in fuzes; Safety means for preventing premature detonation of fuzes or charges wherein a carrier for an element of the pyrotechnic or explosive train is moved using a rotatable carrier rotatable in a plane which is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the projectile by the action of centrifugal or inertia forces on the carrier body, e.g. the carrier having eccentrically mounted weights or eccentric centre of gravity
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F42—AMMUNITION; BLASTING
    • F42C—AMMUNITION FUZES; ARMING OR SAFETY MEANS THEREFOR
    • F42C15/00—Arming-means in fuzes; Safety means for preventing premature detonation of fuzes or charges
    • F42C15/20—Arming-means in fuzes; Safety means for preventing premature detonation of fuzes or charges wherein a securing-pin or latch is removed to arm the fuze, e.g. removed from the firing-pin
    • F42C15/22—Arming-means in fuzes; Safety means for preventing premature detonation of fuzes or charges wherein a securing-pin or latch is removed to arm the fuze, e.g. removed from the firing-pin using centrifugal force
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F42—AMMUNITION; BLASTING
    • F42C—AMMUNITION FUZES; ARMING OR SAFETY MEANS THEREFOR
    • F42C15/00—Arming-means in fuzes; Safety means for preventing premature detonation of fuzes or charges
    • F42C15/20—Arming-means in fuzes; Safety means for preventing premature detonation of fuzes or charges wherein a securing-pin or latch is removed to arm the fuze, e.g. removed from the firing-pin
    • F42C15/23—Arming-means in fuzes; Safety means for preventing premature detonation of fuzes or charges wherein a securing-pin or latch is removed to arm the fuze, e.g. removed from the firing-pin by unwinding a flexible ribbon or tape

Definitions

  • ABSTRACT A detonating fuse for a fired, spinning projectile, which fuse includes a primer-supporting rotor which is prevented from being moved from a safety to a firing position by means of a spring-biased safety lever.
  • the safety lever is prevented from swinging out, under the influence of centrifugal force, by means of a rotatable spring core member.
  • the core member is locked against rotation by an anchor until the projectile is fired at which time the anchor is released and the core member is rotated in a predetermined angle by a draw spring to release the safety lever.
  • the core member and safety lever further include mutually engageable stops to prevent unintentional detonation during transport.
  • the invention relates to a fuse for the detonation of fired, spinning projectiles, which fuse includes a firing pin and a primer-containing rotor disposed between the point of the firing pin and an explosive charge.
  • the rotor is in a safety position prior to discharge of the shot, in which position the primer lies outside the range of movement of the firing pin.
  • a safety element is provided which engages a stop recess of the rotor in the safety position.
  • the safety element is provided with a thread and is moved out of the recess by means of a safety nut activated upon the release of a centrifugal strip.
  • a further safety device is provided for restraining the firing pin, and includes a draw spring. The draw spring, after a decrease in the spinning of the projectile, and at a predetermined time, releases the firing pin for movement toward the primer.
  • the fuse of the former case in which the time for self-destruction is controlled merely by the centrifugal force, can be produced at a relatively low cost.
  • the occurrence of self-destruction is not precise but rather fluctuates depending on the amount of spinning, which can be changed by many influencing conditions.
  • the projectiles might leave the muzzle of the barrel with a different or unexpected amount of spinning.
  • the atmospheric density will change, which somewhat decellerates the spinning.
  • very large variations in the atmospheric pressure also have their effect on self-destruction in the case where projectiles are fired against or from airplanes.
  • the range or spread of the self-destruction times under certain circumstances can lead to endangering ones own troops.
  • such fuses have a very small muzzle safety i.e., an initial safe travel in which detonation cannot occur, which typically is about meters.
  • Draw spring control fuses have good muzzle safety and transportation safety. Also, with such fuses one can achieve comparatively precise self-destruction times. Such fuses however, are more difficult to produce and therefore more expensive.
  • a spin-controlled fuse is currently known, as shown in US. Pat. No. 2,790,390, which is provided with a thread-control of the firing pin.
  • a draw spring attached at one end to a fuse housing, is looped around a rotor.
  • the draw spring is cocked during spinning, counter to its drawing force, and consequently will turn the rotor which is attached to its other end.
  • a firing pin which can be shifted only longitudinally, is shifted, by means of a thread, from its position securing the rotor toward the point of the fuse.
  • the draw force of the draw spring exceeds the centrifugal force and the firing pin is screwed in a reverse direction into the rotor which has been swiveled in the meantime into the primed position, and the primer is pierced.
  • a flexible strip which is attached at one end to the rotor and at the other end to the fuse housing, is wound around the rotor.
  • This strip pulls a draw spring, which engages against a bore of the fuse housing under spring tension, onto a rotor attachment in a direction counter to its tension force as a result of centrifugal force created by the spin.
  • the tension force of the cocked draw spring then the flexible strip again is rolled onto the rotor by means of the draw spring, and the firing pin is moved in the direction of the primer.
  • the present invention has as its primary objective the provision of a fuse of the initially mentioned type which can be produced at low cost, while having maximum muzzle safety and enabling a precise adjustment of the self-destruction occurrence to be made.
  • a safety nut is mounted freely rotatably and concentrically around a firing pin.
  • the safety nut is connected, by way of a threaded arrangement, to a safety bushing which serves as a safety element.
  • the safety bushing can be shifted longitudinally and encloses the firing pin with clearance.
  • a device which includes a draw spring has a spring core for driving a timing mechanism and is freely rotatable about the firing pin.
  • the spring core has a first, lower extension on its front surface, i.e., the surface facing the safety nut, in order to release a lock mechanism which secures the safety nut.
  • the spring core further includes, on its front side facing away from the safety nut, a threaded, upper extension.
  • a movable nut is guided on the upper extension for rotationless, longitudinal shifting. In one of its terminal positions the movable nut secures a lock device for a spring which would otherwise move the firing pin in the direction of the primer.
  • the lock mechanism which secures the safety nut preferably consists of a pivotally mounted safety lever having a recess.
  • the safety lever can be pivoted from a rest or safety position by centrifugal force. In its safety position the safety lever encloses one end of the safety nut in a positive locking manner.
  • the safety lever preferably includes, in its recess, a lug which reaches behind the lower extension of the spring core to prevent the latter from being rotated by a cocked-spring.
  • the lower extension of the spring core has a recess which, after being turned by a predetermined angle, releases the lug.
  • the recess of the safety lever will include a notch such that, if the lower extension of the spring core should turn while the safety lever is in its safety position, the lower extension of the spring core will jam in this notch to prevent further turning.
  • the timing mechanism of the fuse preferably consists of a single gear arranged on the spring core, a drive wheel driven by this gear and connected with a speed gear and an anchor driven by the speed gear.
  • the anchor is pivotally mounted on the lower extension of the spring core and serves to regulate the rotation of the spring core.
  • a lock for the firing pin consists of at least one lever pivotally mounted outside of the firing pin. In its inwardly swung position the lever forms a stop for the firing pin. The lever can be swung outwardly, under the influence of centrifugal force.
  • the lever is provided with an arm extending to the bore of a movable nut, the lever being released only after a predetermined longitudinally shift of the movable nut.
  • the movable nut has a crosssection of noncircular form, preferably a polygonal cross-section.
  • a guide element surrounds the movable nut and prevents it from turning.
  • the locking lever for the firing pin may be mounted on this guide element.
  • the guide element is mounted on a spring housing containing the draw spring and has been provided with projecting tabs which engage recesses in the spring housing.
  • FIG. 1 shows a longitudinal section through a fuse according to the invention, taken along line II of FIG.
  • FIG. 2 shows a section taken along line II-II of FIG. I, in which the lever securing the firing pins is in a safety position
  • FIG. 3 shows a section taken along line IIIIII of FIG. 1, showing the spring housing and the spring core
  • FIG. 4 shows a section taken along line lV-IV of FIG. 1, showing the drive mechanism for the spring core
  • FIG. 5 shows a section taken along line VV of FIG. 1 through the braking arrangement for the spring core
  • FIG. 6 shows a section taken along line Vl-VI of FIG. 1, which shows the release mechanism for the muzzle safety device
  • FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of the lock mechanism for the safety nut
  • FIG. 8 shows a section taken along line VIIIVIII of FIG. 1,
  • FIG. 9 shows a section taken along line IX-IX of FIG. 1.
  • the individual elements of the fuse are shown in their safe state.
  • the entire fuse structure is essentially divided into two main assembly portions, or groups, which are in operative connection with one another. One of these portions establishes the muzzle safety while the second portion defines the self-destroying arrangement.
  • the entire fuse is located inside a fuse housing 10, which is screwed onto a bursting charge or projectile, such as a grenade.
  • the assembly portion which establishes muzzle safety consists of a safety nut 13 with a centrifugal strip 14, which nut may also be designated as the core nut.
  • the safety nut 13 is mounted rotatably in a plate 12 in the fuse body 11, the latter being threadably attached to the fuse housing 10.
  • the safety nut 13 has a polygonal circumference on which has been wound a centrifugal strip 14, known in the art, and which can consist, for example, of aluminum.
  • the centrifugal strip 14 is held together by a steel loop 15.
  • the safety nut 13 has an inside bore which is slidably penetrated by a firing pin 35.
  • the inside bore of the safety nut 13 has a thread 13a into which a safety element, or bushing, 40, being provided with an outside thread, is screwed.
  • the safety bushing In the position shown in FIG. I, the safety bushing is in its lower, safety position in which it engages, with its pointed end, a stop portion of the rotor.
  • the stop portion is preferably in the form of a stopping recess 16a in the rotor 16, which rotor contains a primer 17. Consequently, the rotor 16 is held in the position shown in FIG. 1, in which the primer 17 is located outside the range of movement of the firing pin 35.
  • the stop portion of the rotor may consist of an outwardly projecting lug which is engageable within the central bore of the safety bushing 40, in lieu of the stopping recess 16a.
  • the safety nut 13 normally is secured in its safety position of FIG. 1 by means of a safety lever 20, which lever is pivotally mounted on a pivot pin 19.
  • the safety lever 20 has two recesses 20a and 20b, shown also in FIGS. 6 and 7.
  • the recess 20a has two parallel surfaces extending around corresponding outside surfaces of the safety nut 13 in the safety position to prevent the latter from turning.
  • the safety lever in its solid-line safety position of FIG. 6, is held by means of a leaf spring 21.
  • the second recess 20b of the safety lever 20 encompasses a first, lower extension 22a of a spring core member 22, the spring core member being connected to a draw spring 24.
  • the lower extension 22a of the spring core 22 has a lateral recess and thus forms two stop surfaces 220 and 22a;; to prevent the spring core 22 from rotating (see FIG. 7).
  • the preipheral surface of the lower extension 22a is designated by a reference character 22a
  • the recess 20!) of the safety lever 20 further includes a lug 200 which engages behind the stop surface 22a of the lower extension 22a of the spring core whenever the lower extension 22a is in the safety position shown in FIG. 6.
  • the safety lever 20 in such case cannot be swung out of the position shown in FIG. 6 by centrifugal force, occurring during discharge of the projectile,
  • the second assembly portion causes the self-destruction of the projectile whenever the latter has not reached its target after a predetermined time.
  • This portion comprises the spring core 22, already described, with the draw spring 24, the latter being disposed in a fixed or stationary spring housing 23.
  • the spring core 22 is rotatably mounted in a plate 29 and in a cover member 30 which covers the spring housing.
  • the spring core 22 is freely penetrated by the firing pin 35 and contains a spring 38 which holds the firing pin in its rest position shown in FIG. 1.
  • the spring core 22, as already explained has its lower extension 22a projecting into one end of the safety nut 13 and, as previously explained, thus causes the securing of the safety lever 20.
  • a second timing mechanism which consists of a gear 25 attached to the spring core, a drive wheel 26 driven by the gear 25, a gear wheel 27 drivingly connected with the drive wheel 26, and an anchor 28 driven by the gear wheel 27, as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 4 and 5.
  • the anchor 28 is rotatably mounted on the spring core 22 and is held, prior to discharge of the projectile, by two metal flaps 39, so that the timing mechanism cannot run down.
  • the metal flaps 39, during discharge of the projectile are moved outwardly as a result of the centrifugal force caused by the spinning of the projectile as shown in dash-dot lines in FIG. 5. As a result, the anchor 28 is released and the timing mechanism begins to run down.
  • the gear wheel 27 and the anchor 28 are arranged such that, as the gear wheel 27 rotates, it must cam open the anchor.
  • the anchor offers resistance to the rotation of the gear wheel and tends to regulate somewhat the turning of the spring core.
  • a spring may be provided to bias the anchor or escapement 28 to a neutral position (perpendicular to a radius of wheel 27 or vertical in FIG. 5) to increase the resistance which must be overcome by the gear wheel 27.
  • the spring core 22, on its end facing away from the safety nut 13, is provided with a second, upper extension 22b having an outside thread.
  • a movable nut 31 is screwed onto this outside thread, which nut 31 has an outside periphery that is non-circular, being preferably polygonally shaped.
  • the movable nut 31 is guided in a guide element 33 within a recess formed by a portion 33a of the guide element. This guide element conforms to the outside periphery of the movable nut 31 to prevent the latter from turning, while permitting it to move axially.
  • the movable nut 31 has an inside bore 31a which, in the position shown in FIG. 1, receives two arms 32a of two safety levers 32 for controlling the firing'pin 35 (see FIG. 2).
  • the safety levers 32 are pivotally mounted on pivot pins 37.
  • the safety levers form stops, Le, a restraining mechanism, for a firing bushing or self-destroying element 34, which is biased by a spring 36. Upon release, the spring 36 causes a movement of the firing pin in the direction of the primer 17.
  • the movable nut 31 is moved in a direction toward the cover of the spring housing, to such a point that it will assume a lowered, dash-dot position as shown in FIG. 1.
  • the bore 31a is no longer able to contain the arms 32a of the levers 32.
  • the levers 32 are moved toward the outside as shown in dash-dot lines in FIG. 2.
  • the levers 32 are moved away from the striking bushing 34, and the bushing can move the striking pin toward the primer 17.
  • the safety bushing 40 is guided by means of two parallel surfaces 11a in body 1 l of the fuse, as shown in FIG. 9. These surfaces 11a extend against corresponding surfaces 40a of the safety bushing and prevent the latter from turning, while permitting an axial shifting of the safety bushing.
  • the parts Prior to discharge of the projectile, the parts are in the position shown in FIG. 1. In this position the fuse is largely protected from all imaginable influences. Even if a shaft of the timing mechanism, for example, the one mounting the drive element 26 and the gear wheel 27, should break in the event of the projectile being dropped, a discharge is not possible. Such is the case since the surface 22a;, of the lower extension 22a of the spring core will strike the lug 200 in the recess 20b of the safety lever 20 after a predetermined turn of the spring core. As a result, the lower extension 22a of the spring core has its stop surface 22a;, and its peripheral surface 22a, jammed into a notch 20d, formed by the lug 200 as shown in FIG. 7, to prevent further rotation. The safety lever 20 will not swing outwardly since it is biased by the spring 21. Thus, in the case of either an impact or the effect of rotation, it is impossible to release either the muzzle safety or the self-destroying arrangement.
  • the projectile Upon discharge, the projectile is given a rotational spin of about 30,000 rpm or more. As a result, the various pivoted elements are acted upon by the resulting centrifugal force and will pivot outwardly. Thus the metal flaps 39 are moved outwardly, as indicated in FIG. 5. As a result, the anchor 28 of the timer is released and the timer will start to run down under the effect of the draw spring 24 which had been cocked during assembly. Consequently, the spring core 22, including the lower extension 22a and the stop surfaces 22a and 22a will rotate (see FIG. 6).
  • the force of the spring 21 will be overcome by the outwardly urged lever 20 at approximately 30,000 rpm.
  • the safety lever 20 swivels outwardly, the safety nut 13 will be disengaged from the safety lever 20, so that it is no longer secured against turning.
  • the positional arrangement of the stop surfaces 22a, and 22a; will be selected during mounting of the fuse, and will be dependent upon how great a muzzle safety of the fuse is desired.
  • the steel loop 15 enclosing centrifugal strip 14 is released, as a result of the spinning and the resulting centrifugal force of the projectile. Consequently, the centrifugal strip 14 begins to unwind.
  • the safety nut 13 is turned in such a direction that the safety bushing 40 is screwed upwardly into the safety nut 13. Therefore, the safety bushing 40 is pulled out of the stopping recess 16a of the rotor 16, and the rotor will turn, under the influence of the centrifugal force, into such a position that the primer 17 will come into the path of movement of the firing pin 35. If the projectile should now strike a target, the firing pin will penetrate into the primer, as a result of which the latter is made to explode.
  • the largest possible angle a corresponds to an angle of 72. This means that if the spring core 22 accomplishes one revolution per second, this angle of 72 is traversed in onefifth of a second.
  • the muzzle safety therefore amounts to one-fifth of a second. If one assumes that the starting velocity of a projectile amounts to about 800 meters per second, then in such a case there results a muzzle safety path of 160 meters from the lever 20.
  • the centrifugal strip 14 then unwinds, which, according to a preferred form of the invention, results in a further safety of about to meters. Naturally, by making angle a smaller, any desired muzzle safety under 160 meters can be achieved.
  • the leaf spring 21 has an important task to fulfill in maintaining a bias on the safety lever 20 for preventing the safety lever from swinging out due merely, for example, to the force of gravity which, as a consequence, would cause a premature release of the safety nut 13.
  • the timing mechanism 22, 24 through 28 and 31 through 33a for the self-destroying element is, as already described, in operative connection with the arrangement for the muzzle safety via the extension 22a of the spring core.
  • the timing mechanism may be considered as being divided into three subgroups, which are in close functional connection with one another, namely:
  • a timer for regulating the running down of the timing mechanism comprising a single pair of gears and 27, with a drive wheel 26, and
  • the timer which was described previously, further includes the anchor 28, which is rotatably mounted on the extension 22a of the spring core 22.
  • the draw spring 24 which drives the timer is precocked by a predetermined amount during assembly by winding the spring core 22 (see FIG. 3).
  • the extension 22b of the spring core has a screw nick 22c adapted to receive a suitable winding tool (see FIG. 2).
  • the amount of precocking is preferably such that the spring core 22 can execute eight revolutions.
  • the spring core 22 is rotated by means of the tool which is inserted into the screw nick 22c.
  • the guide element 33 can be removed, with the fuse housing 10 being disassembled.
  • the guide element 33 has a plurality of tabs 33b attached at its base. The tabs are insertable into diametrically arranged, upwardly opening recesses in the stationary spring housing 23 to prevent rotation of the guide element.
  • the guide element 33 thus can be lifted off of the cover 30 of the spring housing and off of the movable nut 31 during assembly, and can be replaced again when turned by or 360.
  • a turn by 360 corresponds to one second. Therefore, the self-destroying time of the fuse can be determined for a precise detonation, during assembly.
  • a fine tuning within one-eighth of a second can be accomplished by the movable nut 31 itself. Since the movable nut 31 has 8 sides, upon adjusting it by one-eighth of a revolution, i.e., 360/8, adjustment by 45 increments is possible after lifting the guide element 33 off of the movable nut. Since a revolution corresponds to one second, a 45 turn equals one-eighth of a second.
  • the spring core 22 is turned to wind the draw spring 24 to a desired tension.
  • the movable nut 31, the guide element 33, and the levers 32 are then assembled in a position to secure the firing pin 35 against movement.
  • the angle a between the lug 20c and the stop surface 220 of the lower extension 22a determines the amount of rotation of the spring core 22 which is necessary to release the safety lever 20. This, then, determines the muzzle safety of the projectile.
  • Pre-Firing Condition It will be apparent that in its pre-firing safety position, the firing pin cannot detonate the primer 17 because the primer is held out of alignment with the firing pin 35 through engagement of the safety bushing 40 within the stopping aperture 16a.
  • the safety busing in turn, is held against rotation by the surfaces 11a of the fuse body 11 (see FIG. 9). Sliding movement of the safety bushing occurs when the safety nut 13 rotates.
  • Rotation of the lower extension 22a of the spring core 22 is constrained by the connection of the gear 25, attached to the spring core 22, with the anchor 28.
  • the anchor 28 is prevented from turning by the metal flaps 39 (see FIG. Since the gear 25 is connected with the anchor 28 through the drive wheel 26 and the gear wheel 27, the latter being turnable only upon release of the anchor, there can be no rotation of the spring core.
  • the spring core 22 can only rotate to the position at which the portion defined by the stop surface 22a,, and the outer periphery of the lower extension becomes jammed within the notch d. Such an occurrence renders the fuse inoperative since the safety lever 20 cannot swing outwardly to release the safety nut 13.
  • the firing pin 35 In the safety position, the firing pin 35 is kept in a raised position by the spring 38 and is separated from the downwardly biased firing bushing by the pivoted levers 32.
  • the safety lever 20 is freed and swings outwardly against the spring 21 by centrifugal force.
  • the safety nut 13 is now free to rotate under the influence of the centrifugal strip 14 and the safety bushing 40 is drawn upwardly to become disengaged from the rotor 16.
  • the rotor then turns, under centrifugal force, to a position where the primer 17 is aligned with the firing pin 35.
  • the present invention provides a fuse which exhibits required muzzle safety characteristics while affording certain detonation of the projectile.
  • the positive engagement between the stop surface 22a and the lug 200 provides assurance that the muzzle safety will not become jeopardized by unexpected variations in the amounts of projectile spinning or by accidental impacts.
  • the adjustability of the location of the stop surface 22a provides a precise variation of the amount of muzzle safety.
  • the structural arrangement of the firing pin and firing bushing assures that the firing pin, when urged toward the primer, will travel at high speed to insure a proper control over the occurrance of detonation.
  • the arrangement of the stop surface 22a and the notch 20d provides a positive safety mechanism for preventing firing as a result of inadvertent impacts. This enables the projectiles to be safely transported.
  • the adjustability feature of the relative position between the arms 32a and the movable nut 31 enables precise variations in the occurrence of self-destruction to be made.
  • a detonating fuse for use in combination with an explosive projectile and comprising:
  • a firing pin mounted for longitudinal movement
  • a primer-mounting rotor for supporting a primer mechanism of an explosive charge
  • said rotor being mounted for movement between:
  • biasing means adapted to bias said firing pin from a rest position to a firing position within said rotor
  • a safety nut being rotatably mounted around said firing pin
  • a safety element being threadably connected to said safety nut and being longitudinally shiftable along said firing pin, in response to rotation of said safety nut, between:
  • a nut-locking mechanism being movable between:
  • a core member mounted for rotation around said firing pin and including first and second extensions;
  • said first extension having means for:
  • a restraining mechanism located adjacent said biasing means and being movable between:
  • a movable nut being threadably secured to said second extension and being mounted thereon for nonrotatable, longitudinal shifting movement along said firing pin, in response to rotation of said core member, between:
  • a draw spring being operatively connected to said core member to cause rotation thereof;
  • timer means connected to said core body to regulate the rate of rotation of said core member
  • a fuse according to claim 1 wherein said nutlocking means comprises:
  • a safety lever being pivotally mounted on one end for movement from its rest position to its release position in response to centrifugal force
  • said safety lever having at least one recess portion at its other end, said one recess portion encompassing said safety nut to hold said safety nut against rotation, while said safety lever is in its rest position.
  • said first extension of said core member is provided with-at least one stop surface
  • said safety lever being provided with:
  • said one stop surface and said lug being arranged such that pivotal movement of said safety lever into its release position is prevented by engagement of said one stop surface and said lug;
  • said safety lever is provided with another recess portion for encompassing said first extension
  • said other recess portion including a notch
  • said first extension being provided with a stop surface
  • said notch and said stop surface being arranged such that rotation of said core member within said other recess portion causes an extension part, defined by said stop surface and the outer periphery of said first extension, to become jammed into said notch, in the absence of a force tending to move said safety lever to its release position.
  • said timer means comprises:
  • a fuse according to claim 1 wherein said restraining mechanism comprises:
  • said swingable lever including an arm which, in an inwardly swung position of said swingable lever, projects into a bore provided in said movable nut, to define the restraining position of said restraining mechanism;
  • said arm and said movable nut being arranged such that, in response to a predetermined longitudinal shifting of said movable nut, said arm is freed from said bore to enable said swingable lever to pivot, in response to centrifugal force, to an outwardly swung position to define the release position of said restraining mechanism.
  • a guide element is positioned to encompass a noncircular outer periphery of said movable nut
  • said guide element being arranged to prevent rotation of said movable nut relative to said upper extension of said core member.
  • said draw spring is mounted in a spring housing member
  • said guide element being provided with tabs which are removably engageable in recesses in said spring housing.
  • a guide element is positioned to encompass a noncircular outer periphery of said movable nut
  • said guide element being arranged to prevent rotation of said movable nut relative tosaid upper extension of said core member.
  • said core member is provided with spring means for biasing said firing pin to its rest position
  • said safety lever being provided with spring means for biasing said safety lever to its rest position.
  • a detonating fuse for use in combination with an explosive projectile and comprising:
  • a firing pin mounted for longitudinal movement
  • primer-mounting means for supporting a primer mechanism of an explosive charge
  • said primer-mounting means being mounted for movement between:
  • biasing means adapted to bias said firing pin from a rest position within said primer-mounting means
  • a safety nut being rotatably mounted around said firing pin
  • a safety element being threadably connected to said safety nut and being longitudinally shiftable along said firing pin, in response to rotation of said safety nut, between:
  • a nut-locking mechanism being movable between:
  • a core member mounted for rotation around said firing pin and including first and second extensions;
  • said first extension having means for:
  • a restraining mechanism located adjacent said biasing means and being movable between:
  • a movable nut being threadably secured to said second extension and being mounted thereon for nonrotatable, longitudinal shifting movement along said firing pin, in response to rotation of said core member, between:
  • a draw spring being operatively connected to said core member to cause rotation thereof;
  • timer means connected to said core body to regulate the rate of rotation of said core member
  • a detonating fuse for use in combination with an explosive projectile and comprising:
  • a firing pin mounted for longitudinal movement
  • primer-mounting means for supporting a primer mechanism of an explosive charge
  • said primer-mounting means being mounted for movement between:
  • biasing means adapted to bias said firing pin from a rest position within said primer-mounting means
  • a safety nut being rotatably mounted around said firing pin
  • a safety element being threadably connected to said safety nut and being longitudinally shiftable along said firing pin, in response to rotation of said safety nut, between:
  • a nut-locking mechanism being movable between:
  • a core member mounted for rotation around said firing pin and including first and second extensions;
  • said first extension having means for:
  • a restraining mechanism located adjacent said biasing means and being movable between:
  • a movable nut being threadably secured to said second extension and being mounted thereon for nonrotatable, longitudinal shifting movement along said firing pin, in response to rotation of said core member, between:
  • a draw spring being operatively connected to said core member to cause rotation thereof;
  • said nut-locking means including:
  • a safety lever being pivotally mounted at one end for movement from said rest position to said release position in response to centrifugal force
  • said safety lever having first and second recess portions at its other end;
  • said first recess portion encompassing said safety nut while in the rest position of said safety lever to hold said safety nut against rotation;
  • said first extension of said core member being provided with first and second stop surfaces
  • said second recess portion of said safety lever encompassing said first extension when said safety leve is in its rest position
  • a lug being provided on said safety lever and projecting into said second recess portion
  • said first stop surface and said lug being arranged such that pivotal movement of said safety lever into its release position is prevented by engagement of said first stop surface and said lug;
  • said second recess portion further including a notch
  • said timing means including:
  • rotatable anchor means mounted for engagement with said gear wheel to regulate the rotation of said gear wheel
  • said anchor means including means for securing said anchor means and said core member against rotation and being movable, in response to centrifugal force, to a position releasing said anchor means and said core member for rotation by said draw spring;
  • said restraining mechanism including:
  • At least one swingable lever pivotally mounted externally of said firing pin
  • said swingable lever including an arm which, in an inwardly swung position of said swingable lever, projects into a bore provided in said movable nut, to define the restraining position of said restraining mechanism
  • said arm and said movable nut being arranged such that, in response to a predetermined longitudinal shifting of said movable nut, said arm is freed from said bore to enable said swingable lever to pivot under the influence of centrifugal force to an outwardly swung position to define the release position of said restraining mechanism;
  • a guide element being arranged to encompass a noncircular outer periphery of said movable nut to prevent rotation of said movable nut relative to said second extension of said core member;

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Computer Security & Cryptography (AREA)
  • Air Bags (AREA)
  • Portable Nailing Machines And Staplers (AREA)
US00206295A 1970-12-15 1971-12-09 Fuse for the safe and precise detonation of explosive projectiles Expired - Lifetime US3734023A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE19702061765 DE2061765A1 (de) 1970-12-15 1970-12-15 Zünder für Drallgeschosse

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3734023A true US3734023A (en) 1973-05-22

Family

ID=5791058

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US00206295A Expired - Lifetime US3734023A (en) 1970-12-15 1971-12-09 Fuse for the safe and precise detonation of explosive projectiles

Country Status (3)

Country Link
US (1) US3734023A (de)
CH (1) CH531700A (de)
DE (1) DE2061765A1 (de)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4535695A (en) * 1982-12-02 1985-08-20 Gebruder Junghans Gmbh Fuse for a spin-type projectile
US5147974A (en) * 1990-11-06 1992-09-15 Motorola Inc. Unwinding ribbon safing and arming device
US20110000388A1 (en) * 2006-06-01 2011-01-06 Dse, Inc. Mechanical self destruct for runaway escapements
US20170138714A1 (en) * 2015-07-24 2017-05-18 Nexter Munitions Safety and arming device for an instant impact point fuse and fuse including such a device

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2463386A1 (fr) * 1979-08-13 1981-02-20 Haut Rhin Manufacture Machines Dispositif de securite temporise par un ressort spiral, pour projectile giratoire

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4535695A (en) * 1982-12-02 1985-08-20 Gebruder Junghans Gmbh Fuse for a spin-type projectile
US5147974A (en) * 1990-11-06 1992-09-15 Motorola Inc. Unwinding ribbon safing and arming device
US20110000388A1 (en) * 2006-06-01 2011-01-06 Dse, Inc. Mechanical self destruct for runaway escapements
US8037826B2 (en) 2006-06-01 2011-10-18 Dse, Inc. Mechanical self destruct for runaway escapements
US20170138714A1 (en) * 2015-07-24 2017-05-18 Nexter Munitions Safety and arming device for an instant impact point fuse and fuse including such a device
US10041775B2 (en) * 2015-07-24 2018-08-07 Nexter Munitions Safety and arming device for an instant impact point fuse and fuse including such a device

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CH531700A (de) 1972-12-15
DE2061765A1 (de) 1972-06-29

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