GB398052A - Improvements in or relating to percussion fuses for projectiles - Google Patents

Abstract

398,052. Projectile fuzes. BRANDT, E. W., 101, Boulevard Murat, Paris. Nov. 11, 1932, No. 31925. Convention date, Nov. 30, 1931. [Class 9 (i).] A percussion fuze comprises a primer carrier which is so arranged that it can move forward in its housing, by inertia, on the projectile being retarded by air resistance, and can thus reach an enlarged annular space in the vicinity of the striker, into which space locking members normally screening the striker can pass so that the fuze is then armed ; when in engagement with the walls of the annular space, the locking members serve to prevent rearward movement of the primer carrier when impact occurs. In a bore 2 in the fuze casing 1, a very light striker 3 is provided at the front end, held forward by a spring 4. The spring also presses rearwardly a tube 6 in which a primer carrier 9 is located, the latter being normally held at the rear end of the tube 6 by balls 13, retained in holes in the tube by a spring-pressed inertia sleeve 16. The cylindrical bore 7<1> of the tube 6 opens into a wider portion 7 at the end adjacent to the firing pin 3. Balls 11 or the like are housed above the primer 10 in holes in the walls of the member 9, and are retained in the position shown in Fig. 1, in which they form a barrier between the primer and the firing pin 3, so long as the primer carrier 9 remains in the narrower portion 71 of the bore of the member 6. When the projectile is fired, the sleeve 16 sets back, and the balls 13 escape from their housings, releasing the primer carrier 9. This creeps forward during the flight of the projectile, and reaches the position shown in Fig. 4 by the time the projectile is at a safe distance from the gun. The balls 11 then pass out into the wide space 7, leaving the firing pin a clear passage to the primer 10. Ignition occurs either when the striker 3 is driven in by direct action, or by forward movement of the tube 6, due to its momentum, or by both these actions. Instantaneous or delayed firing on impact is effected at will by providing two passages 20, 21, leading to the detonator 23, the passage 20 containing a time-fuze composition 24, and the passage 21 a cock 25 which can be set to close the passage when delayed action is desired. Fig. 12 shows a modification in which the primer carrier 9 slides in the bore 2 of the fuze casing, the movable housing 6 being dispensed with. The device for locking the member 9 in the rearward position and the arrangement of the spring 4.are also modified as shown.