GB853789A - Improvements in and relating to a self-propelled projectile - Google Patents

Abstract

853,789. Projectiles and self-propelled missiles and fuzes therefor. HOTCHKISS-BRANDT. Jan. 27, 1959 [Feb. 3, 1958], No. 2871/59. Classes 9(1) and 9(2). Relates to a self-propelled missile launched by an auxiliary charge separated from the propellent charge proper by an obturator P containing a fuze as in Specification 768,295, the fuze consisting of two parts, one behind the other, the rear part being a compressed powder, which withstands high launching pressures and is not completely consumed until the missile leaves the launching tube and the forward part having a passage containing a compressed powder which burns after the missile leaves the launcher. A finned tail Q receives a tube R containing the launching charge S as in Specification 834,969. The obturator P, which is held in position by a shear ring 16 and a clamping ring 17, has a body 14 with an axial bore housing the fuze components. The bore ends at a concave wall 22 through which extend passages 23, which can be closed by rotation of an apertured disc 25. The disc is provided with a rib 27 which is engaged in the tube R, so that by rotating the tube the disc is adjusted. The rear element V of the fuze is held against a shoulder 20 in the bore by screwing in the forward element W. The element V has a body 28 of a plastic material such as a superpolyamide and bears against a sealing ring 29. Flash from the launching charge S is conveyed to the time fuze charge 30 in the body 28 by powder 24 in the passages 23 and cavity 21, the rate of propagation depending on the degree of opening of the apertures. An auxiliary relay charge 32 is pressed into a blind hole in the wall 22. The element W is a cylindrical metal block, Figs. 5 and 8, with an annular recess (35, 36) in each end face, each recess being interrupted by a metal plug (37, 38). An inclined bore 39 leads from recess 36 to the centre of the opposite end face and a parallel bore 40 leads from recess 35 to the centre of the first end face. A bore 41 parallel to the axis of element W provides direct communication between the recesses. Compressed black powder fills the bores and recesses. The device P is closed by a relay 42 having a flange 45 cold-welded to the body 14 and housing an igniter 43 and loose powder 44. Over the powder, a disc 46 is welded to the relay, which extends into the flash tube 9 of the missile propellant. By manipulating the disc 25 to close the passages 23, the missile can be fired as a projectile by means of charge S. If the disc 25 is adjusted to uncover the passages, flash from the charge S ignites the powder 24, which in turn ignites the fuze 30. Fuze 30 ignites the black powder in element W at a and the combustion proceeds from a to b along groove 36 and through bore 41 to groove 35 whence it travels through bore 40 to h to fire the igniter 43. Relay 43 ignites the powder 44 and the flash passes through tube 9 to ignite a primer 8 for the propellant as in Specification 768,295, the device P being ejected by the gas pressure.