GB548039A - Improvements in shell fuzes - Google Patents

Abstract

548,039. Shell fuzes. TURNER, G. F. B., and REDGRAVE, K. July 1, 1940. No.11099. [Class 9(i)] A projectile fuze is. fitted with two firing devices, one adapted for actuation by direct impact, the other operated by graze action at low angles of trajectory, means being provided for interaction between the two devices. As shown, the main (impact) detonator D is fired by a pin 35 which is driven in by a plunger 7. The graze detonator 17, which co-operates with a fixed pin 20, is carried by an inertia-actuated plug E. The plunger 7 is threaded through a block I mounted in the end of the fuze-body A, a nose G screwed on the projecting end of the block 1 being provided with vanes 5 whereby the nose is unscrewed in flight from the safety position shown in Fig. 1 to the operative position shown in Fig. 3. Inertia spring-loaded pins 8 and HI normally hold the nose G at safe. The inner end of the plunger 7 is arranged to operate the firing-pin 35 by pressure upon a delay pellet 15 without firing the pellet. The magazine charge 50 is normally sealed from the detonator D by a shutter C as shown in Fig. 2. Under centrifugal action, assisted by springs 42, the shutter is moved from the safety position shown, to bring an aperture 47 into axial alignment with the primer 31 and diaphragms 30, 30a normally blocking the flash passage. The shutter is locked in the open position by the engagement of a pair of spring-pressed detents 45 over the shoulders B 1 of a plate B in which the shutter is guided. To provide interaction between the graze detonator 17 and the impact detonator D, the plug E has a flash passage 16 communicating through ports 7a, 7b in the plunger 7 with the delay pellet 15. Pockets 27 in the plug 36 carrying the impact firing pin 35 are packed with powder, the ignition of which by the pellet 15 drives the pin 35 on to the detonator D. The plug E is normally locked by a centrifugal bolt 25 which is itself held, before firing, by an inertia-operated non- return detent H 2 . A similar detent H 3 is fitted to hold the shutter C at safety. The plunger 7 may be removed and replaced by a short screw-plug, in which case the graze mechanism functions as a delay-action percussion device both under direct impact and on graze impact.