EP0116322A1 - Nose fuse - Google Patents

Abstract

On the one hand, a detonator should be as light as possible, on the other hand, a light metal housing (11) must protect a delay device (not shown) from premature destruction when the projectile hits the target so that the projectile is as deep as possible in or through a hard target, e.g. a concrete wall can penetrate before the projectile is ignited. To meet these two requirements, a steel housing (12) is inserted into the interior of the light metal housing (11).

Description

The invention relates to a detonator for a projectile with a detonator housing which forms the tip of the projectile, is screwed into the projectile body and contains essential detonator parts.

It is common to use either a heavy steel housing or a light metal housing for such a detonator. Steel casings have the advantage that the detonator can penetrate further into the target before it is destroyed. Light metal housings reduce the weight of the igniter.

An impact head igniter of this type is known (see U.S. Patent 4,230,042) which has two igniter housings, the front of which is made of a light material, e.g. Plastic, and the other is steel. This known detonator is therefore relatively heavy and therefore does not meet the requirement for a relatively light detonator.

A "switchable igniter" can be switched from instantaneous ignition to delayed ignition. For the momentary ignition there is an ignition pin which can be activated by the impact of the projectile in the target. The momentary ignition takes place before the projectile has penetrated deep into the target. A device is available for the delay ignition, which only initiates the ignition after the bullet has hit the target. The delay ignition only occurs when the projectile has penetrated deep into the target. If the projectile is to penetrate a concrete wall, there is a risk that the delay device, which is an "essential detonator part", will be destroyed or the ignition will take place prematurely.

The object to be achieved with the present invention is to create a light detonator that is as deep as possible in a hard target, e.g. penetrate a concrete wall and ignite reliably, i.e. it should be prevented that e.g. the delayed ignition is destroyed prematurely by deformation on impact at the target.

This object is achieved according to the invention in that a steel housing is inserted into the interior of the light metal housing. The steel housing is preferably screwed into the light metal housing.

A single embodiment of the head igniter according to the invention is described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawing, the invention being of course not limited to this embodiment. The only figure in the drawing shows a longitudinal section through the head igniter according to the invention.

According to this single figure of the drawing, a light metal housing 11 is screwed into a projectile body 10. A steel housing 12 and an igniter housing 13 are screwed into this light metal housing 11. This detonator housing 13 contains a yer charge 14 and protrudes into an explosive charge 15 which is located inside the projectile body 10. A first thread 16 connects the projectile body 10 and the light metal housing 11 and a second thread 17 connects the igniter housing 13 to the light metal housing 11. The same thread 17 is also used to fasten the steel housing 12 in the light metal housing 11. An actuation button 18 is arranged in the tip of the light metal housing 11 , which is used to move a firing pin 19. So that no moisture can penetrate into the igniter, the actuation button 18 is covered by an elastic cap 20. A switching device 21, which prevents the ignition pin 19 from being displaced when the button 18 is actuated, is used to switch the igniter from instantaneous ignition to delay ignition.

The firing pin 19 is used to pierce a squib, not shown, which is located in a slide 22. The slide 22 is slidably mounted in a carrier 23. The carrier 23 is fastened in a manner not shown in the igniter housing 13 and has a bore 24 through which the ignition pin 19 can pierce the primer capsule as soon as the slide 22 has been moved from a safety position into an arming position. The steel housing 12 protects both the pyrotechnic components and the deceleration device against premature destruction in the event of an impact.

• Falls die Schaltvorrichtung 21 auf Momentanzündung eingestellt ist, wird beim Aufschlag des Geschosses im Ziel der Betätigungsknopf 18 eingedrückt und stösst den Zündstift 19 gegen die Zündkapsel im Schieber 22, der sich während des Geschossfluges in die Scharfstellung verschoben hat. Das Geschoss wird somit gezündet bevor es ins Ziel eindringen kann.

The operation of the head igniter described is as follows:

• If the switching device 21 is set to instantaneous ignition, when the projectile hits the target, the actuating button 18 is pressed in and pushes the firing pin 19 against the primer in the slide 22, which has shifted into focus during the projectile flight. The projectile is fired before it can penetrate the target.

However, if the switching device 21 is set to delay detonator, when the projectile hits the target, the actuation button 18 is also pressed in, but it does not push the firing pin 19 against the primer in the slide 22. The projectile is then only after the impact by the delay device fired at the target. During this time, the projectile can penetrate deep into the target, e.g. a concrete wall. The pyrotechnic components are allowed to enter the target and the delay device is not deformed to such an extent that it becomes inoperable. These deformations are prevented by the steel housing 12 inserted into the light metal housing 11.

Reference number list

• 10 bullet bodies
• 11 light metal housing
• 12 steel case
• 13 igniter housing
• 14 amplifier charge
• 15 explosive charge
• 16 threads
• 17 threads
• 18 operating button
• 19 firing pin
• 20 cap
• 21 switching device
• 22 slider
• 23 carriers
• 24 hole

Claims (2)

1. Head fuse for a projectile with a detonator housing (11) which forms the tip of the projectile (10), is screwed into the projectile body and contains essential detonator parts (19, 22, 25), characterized in that the detonator housing (11) is made of lightweight material Material is made and that a steel housing is inserted inside the housing (11) to protect the igniter parts (19, 22, 25) 2. Head igniter according to claim 1, characterized in that the steel housing (12) is screwed into the light metal housing (11).

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