GB191201089A - Improvements in or relating to Projectile Fuses. - Google Patents

Abstract

1089. Houghton, J., and White, J. Esmonde-. Jan. 13. Projectile fuses.-Relates to electrically-operated time and percussion fuses, and consists in combining with a circuit containing an electric generator and a detonator, electric firing- contacts adapted to be closed after a set time by a mechanical or electro-mechanical device, a second impact-closed circuit from the generator to the detonator being also preferably provided. In the form shown in longitudinal section in Fig. 1, and in cross-section in Fig. 3, the generator employed is a dynamo, the magnet system B of which rotates with the projectile, while the armature is prevented from rotating by an eccentric mass D on its shaft, and an eccentric mass in its core. This rotation of the armature shaft relatively to the magnets B is adapted, through worm gearing G<1>, G<2>, G<3>, G<4> carried by the magnets B, to rotate a wheel G<5> carrying an arm J, in order to bring this arm into contact with a second arm J<1> and close the circuit E<2> E<3> E<4> including the generator and a detonator F. The worm gearing is quadruplicated for balancing purposes, as shown in Fig. 3. The time that elapses before this con. tact is made may be adjusted to any predetermined value by rotating the pin K on which the arm J<1> is fixed, the necessary amount of rotation being indicated by a scale on the plate K<1>. A nipple on the plate K<1> is adapted to drive the pin K inwardly when the projectile strikes a target, and complete the detonator circuit through the arm J and a contact disk J<2> integral with the contact arm J<1> The action of the eccentric masses on the armature may be supplemented by a fan actuated by air entering the fuse during the flight of the projectile, or the armature may be driven solely by the action of such a fan. In a modification, the dynamo is replaced by a motor of similar construction, driven by a battery, the battery-motor circuit being closed at the moment of firing by a wellknown device. The motor armature is compelled to rotate with its field, while the motion of the projectile is being accelerated, by a ratchet device on its shaft, as the projectile leaves the muzzle of the gun, the battery imparts an additional rotation to the armature and sets in motion the contact J. In a further modification, the timing-contacts are operated by a step-by-step mechanism, driven through ratchet gearing, the pawl of which is reciprocated by the vibrating armature of an electromagnet actuated by the generator. Condensers, sparking-coils, or similar devices may be employed with the generator to produce the requisite heating or sparking effect at the detonator,