GB615972A - Improvements in and relating to ammunition projectile fuzes - Google Patents

Abstract

615,972. Projectile fuzes. AMP CORPORATION. June 13, 1945, No. 26510/47. Convention date, May 27, 1944. Divided out of 615,625. [Class 9 (i)] A projectile fuze comprises a seating for a sphere 53, which sphere has an axial opening terminating at one end in a notch 59 which is engaged by a cantilever spring 31, the arrangement being such that the spring under centrifugal force moves outwards to release the sphere which then spins until its axis of symmetry is coincident with that of the projectile. The spring is normally held in the notch by its latching with the firing pin 61. In the construction shown, the fuze body 1 contains a preconsolidated booster charge 13 which is further compacted by a plug 9, which initially bulges outwards but is pressed into an undercut groove 11. In front of the charge is a cup 21 carrying a primer charge. At the front of the body 1 and telescoping into it is a nose 39 containing the firing pin 61, the nose and body being secured together by a key 37. The sphere 53 has its axial opening filled with a detonating charge 77. In the normal unarmed position the opening of the sphere is at an angle greater than 45 degrees to the centre line of the fuze, and hence any accidental detonation of the charge 77 would not result in the detonation of the charge 13. When the shell is fired, the rotor 53 sets back firmly on its seat while acceleration is taking place, the spring 31 is urged more firmly into the slot 59, and the firing pin exerts an additional anticlockwise force to the spring. When the shell is in flight and linear deceleration sets in, the pin 61 creeps forward, thus unlocking the spring 31 which then bends outwards under centrifugal force to unlock the rotor. Under centrifugal force the unlocked rotor then moves to position its axis of symmetry in line with the centre line of the fuze which is then armed. When the shell strikes its objective, a drum 73 forming part of a cover 71 deforms and forms a pressure wave, causing pin 61 to strike charge 77 which in turn fires primer in cup 21, this setting off the charge 13. Specification 615,625 is referred tn.