GB539699A - Improvements in and relating to aerial bombs - Google Patents

Abstract

539,699. Aerial bombs. KENT, C. W. Dec. 8, 1939, No. 31792. [Class 9 (i)] An aerial bomb having direct-acting detonating-means operated by impact is fitted with a nose-portion 13 adapted to be sheared from the main body 9 on impact with water, leaving one or more oblique surfaces 14 which cause the bomb to be diverted towards, or out of the surface of the water, delay-action detonating-means being provided to operate after a pre-determined lessening of the water resistance. Figs. 1 and 6 show the bomb in its composite form, and Figs. 5 and 7 after removal of the detachable nose-portion. The latter is normally secured to the body portion by means of interengaging tongues and grooves with or without catch-means such as a removable locking-pin, or a spring detent. A firing-pin 21 on a rod 20 is normally held at safety by a pin 23 engaging a sleeve 18, the pin being sheared on impact of the sleeve on the ground or other hard object such as a ship 34, Fig. 8. The delay-action means, which become operable when the noseportion 13 is removed, comprise a flap 26 pivoted on a guide-bearing 22 for the rod 20, and formed with detents 29 normally engaging lugs 32 on a rod 30 swung from a collar 24 slidable on the rod 20. In this position (Fig. 6), a spring 25 is compressed between the collar 24 and the sleeve 22. As the bomb enters the water, and is diverted along paths such as 37, 44, 40, Fig. 8, the reaction of the water against the flap 26 at first overcomes the pressure of the spring 25 which ultimately reacts to disengage the detents 29 from the lugs 32. The collar 24 is then forcibly urged against the flange 33 of the firing- pin to explode the bomb as indicated at 38 or 42, Fig. 8. The same Figure indicates impact explosion at 36. 45. To enhance the diversion of the submerged bomb, one or more tail fins 11 may be pivoted in an unbalanced arrangement so as to produce a hydroplane effect as indicated at 41, Fig. 8. In modifications (not shown), the main portion may comprise a series of bomb elements having differentlydirected diversion-surfaces so as to increase the effective area of operation.