GB162099A - Improvements in and relating to fuzes for explosive shells and the like projectiles - Google Patents

Abstract

162,099. Last, J. J. Jan. 28, 1920. Projectiles and fuses. -Relates to percussion fuzes in which the firing-needle is carried by a movable member which is displaced by centrifugal force during flight to bring the needle into line with the detonator. According to the invention, the needle 29 is fixed on a centrifugal shutter 27 pivotally mounted on a non-movable component or plug 6 of the fuze. The plug 6 contains the momentum pellet 10 which is held in place by a centrifugal bolt 23 which can be locked by a pin 17 or a lever on an inertia detent 19 adapted to set back to release the bolt 23 when the projectile is discharged from a gun. The flash from the detonator cap 14 passes down a port 15 through the momentum pellet, and along ports 35, 37, 36 in the body 1 of the fuze to a gunpowder ring 45 in a head-piece 43 provided with flash holes 44 and screwed to the end of the fuze body. Paper tubes and powder pellets 39 perforated or solid according to the delay required in the transmission of the flash are put in the flash passages, which are normally obturated by a centrifugal shutter 47 disposed beneath a disc 52 behind the momentum pellet 10; this shutter opens a passage for the flash only when displaced by centrifugal force during flight. The needle-carrying shutter 27 is normally held in the inoperative position by a spring 30 and is further gripped by a spring 31. On discharge, the spring 31 releases its grip on the shutter, and after the shutter has been displaced by centrifugal force and has brought the needle in line with the detonator, the spring 31 snaps against a flat 56 on the side of the shutter and thereby prevents its return. The flash obturating shutter is controlled by a spring similar to the spring 30 and by a detent which sets back on discharge to release the shutter. A similar detent may be used for the needle carrying shutter, which is covered by a cap 33 screwed to the plug 6. The body 1 of the fuze is preferably made of brass, aluminium, or gun-metal. A " tracer " 42<1> is screwed into the base of the fuze body 1. The joint between the fuze body and the projectile to which it is screwed is made flash-proof by means of a fillet 55<1> of asbestos rope against the flange 2 of the fuze body.