US1182839A - Mechanical time-fuse. - Google Patents

Description

H. H. CUMMINGS.

MECHANICAL TIME FUSE.

APPLICATION msn AuG.23. 1915.

1,182,839, Patented May 9, 1916.

MECHALCAL TIME-FUSE,

i auf 'amic/liao a; fern:

ii-c it known thu` tiranni; 4 citizen of the lriiiteil State it a resilient Newton in the county of Middlesex and. i'tate oi Massachusetts; linie invented an improvement in Mechanical Tiiiic-liuscs, of hicli thc following description, in conne@ 4n with the accompanying drawings, is a nccificzition, like characters :in the draw- ,igs representing like parts.

This invention rclntes to incchaniczil time I' particnlariy adapted iv if use in conM ition with cniiiosii'cs of various types, such., for example. iis slirainiol or other explosive shells, :un also canaiiie of use in other relations. i

in order that the principio of the invention may he readily iinflcrstooil, I have dis ciosed n single embodiment thereof iii the accompanying drawing wherein I have represented the invcntion as ziiiilicii to a shrapnel or other explosive Shel in' the drawing: Figure "l is a vertical, central section of a shrapnei or other explosive shell having my invciition applied thcreto; Fig. 2 is a hoigizoiital .section -of said fuse upon thc line 2--2 of Fig. 1; Fig. Si is a detail View of the table und supported pars looking down in Fig( 3; Figfi4 is a view of the same parts looking toward the leftin Fig. 2; Fig. 5 is :i View of thc. same parts looking up in Fig. 2; 6 is a lplan kien of the graduated tapfl vlfcrahly erniiitgicci by nie in the practicl o? mi: inienv :fion: ansi Fig'. 7 a sc ctiom iicinii itil/ic li, CUM Miri ns,

:nim roll und its siiiiport. y q n fiirapnel ano other expwin'c snails I neun hcrctoforc provided with pi' 'f rk which are intcnded to in so nyiivimn in hin'n in predetta( Acd ic if' s in wir waaien., i Mci ii militer "www "canse ivefiiintion Qg the rate of inarniiich aa inf haii in voir-ii to f "i ifi ,Jini

lit im im c thc explo nent iiienns if i creare, iw swuiiicti df i 'Nemi iii-rist dich nsw Specification of Letters atentV tained., that the. slower the. spciui at which I im led ingaat 23, 1915. Serial Noa 546,75??

ity of about 2606 cct. per r-:iicoiiii it follows that a heat once a fc/min would have little practical control thc cxplosion of the shell. Escapeineiit mechanisms have been devised for ciiiilosirc shells whcrcin there occiir asv miiny as '$580 to 500 beats iier second, the purpose tl'iereoi' coing "to control the explosion ofKA the shcii with great accuracy and at predetermined points, or in the 'immediate vicinity thereof. ln practice,i however, such high number oi' beats results in inaccuracy of oontroi, in the conrse of my cxpcrinicnts, i haar, :ascer- I'nay maintain `a constant or approximately constant cscapemennthc greater thc {icgrce of accuracy ofcontrol My inventionV thcifci'ore, in ont, aspect thereof contemplates the employment of a 'I5 ymechanical time 'fuse employing iin escape- -nieiit mechanism whereby great accuracy of 'control may be effected. While this result may be secured in many'diiereiit Ways, I shall set forth one form of mechanism for accomplishing the same.

Other objects of the invention will be set forth fully hereinafter.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the body of the shell is indicated at 1, it being in part broken away. Such body may hc -mini@ of the usual material and is adnptcilto contain bullets or other missiles and :i suitable explosive. The upper portion of the hoch. is of generally truncated, conical forni. and if. hercin shown as having a tint., annular cnil i5 iiicrnasiiy threaded at 5 for the reception o? :i fuso naso a externally threaded at 55 and having an opstanding Harige 6 suitably formed to receive a cap T which may hc of Sinin brass or any other suitable material, Thee said can iP .iaptcd to he positioned after the inse inochanisni and cao-,acting parti-z haw been licicin the Said fiangc 'fii'f,i"iie 1l with on annular groove 8 into n i inciimi head, 9 of th!l cap i' may lise sin vB'ifniiitcrl within the H1 l the US@ ich L, rotto nii i'ftcci mi: which or annulus 14, which does not partake of the rotation of the shell upon its axis or at most partakes thereof to a limited extent, and is intended to be restrained from rotation upon the initial discharge of the shell by its own inertia. I have herein represented said rings or annuli 1() and 14 as having upon their inner surfaces annular grooves 15 16 adapted loosely to receive a retaining ring 17 having flanges 18, 19 bent to enter said grooves 15 and16. Said retaining ring 17 does not cause rotation of the ring or annulus 14 with the annulus 10` but serves merely to retain said members in pro er relation with each other during the lig t of -the shell. Mounted 'within the retaining ring 17 is a central receptacle 20 adapted to contain black powder or other suitable charging material and having applied thereto a percussion cap 21l or other suitable portion of the detonating means.

I contemplate the provision of any suitable means to cushion the time fuse mechanism during the initial projection of the shell. For this purpose i preferably provide the fuse base with an annular chamber 22, or if desired, with a plurality of pockets, and therein I position preferably some plastic material which will cushion the fuse mechanism without, however, lmpartlng a rebound lthereto. For this purpose I preferably place in said chamber or pockets a suitable quantity of sculptors modeling-clay indicated at 24, the same being preferably mixed with glycerin. I also preferably provide air spaces, such, for example, as indicated at 25, 26, whereby I obtaln a cushion composed in part of plastic material and in part of imprisoned air. The action of such a cushion is to yield at the initial discharge of the shell, thereby cushioning the fuse mechanism, without causing a rebound thereof. 'Within the scope of my invention other suitable cushioning means may be employed.

Fast to the ring or annulus 14 is the support for the fuse timing mechanism. In this,

formof my invention I provide a disk-like base 27 fast with the ring or annulus 14 and having secured thereto or formed therewith arms or projections 28, 29 meeting or merging into each other at their upper ends, as indicated most clearly in Fig. 1. Said arms or projections are relatively narrow as indicated most clearly in Fig. 2, and constitute an inclosure and partial support for the fuse timing mechanism. Centrally of the base 27 I provide an upright tube 30, preferably rigid with said base and herein shown as riveted into the central opening 32 in said base 27. lVithin the said tube 30 I loosely position a firing pin 33 constituting a portion of the detonating means and so located thatits small', upright weight 39 having a depend- The said firing pin '33 is provided with a collar or shoulder 35 limiting the upward -movement of said pin by contact with the under surface of the base 27.

In order to prevent premature movement of the firing pin and the consequent ignition of the charge, I may provide any suitable means. Herein for the purpose I have represented the upper endfgf the pin 33 as provided with a head 36 somewhat spaced from the upper end of the tube 30, in the position of the parts shown in Fig. 1. Between the upper end of said tube 30 and the head 36 of the pin 33 I position a yoke-like wedge 37 adapted upon the initial discharge of the shell to be automatically 4removed from its position between the head 36 and I the upper end ot' the tube 30, so as to permit the firing pin 33 to be driven against the percussion cap when said pin is struck by the hammer or other suitable means upon its release by the fuse timing mechanism. For this purpose I have represented the said yoke-like wedge 37 as pivoted at 38 upon a ing arm 40 pivoted at 41. With the described construction of parts, upon the discharge of the shell, the weight 39 receives a relative outward or swinging movement upon its pivot 41, thus withdrawing the yoke-like wedge 37 from beneath the head of the tiring pin 36 and leaving the latter in condition to be driven against the percussion cap 11 at the pro er time.

In the disclosed em vodiment of the nvention, I provide the tube 30 with a collar or annular shoulder 42 and beneath the same I position with a running fit upon said tube a circular table 43, the latter having an upstanding, central tianve 44. Between the table 43 and the base 2% I position a suitable spring or springs 45 tending normally to hold said table 43 against the collar or shoulder 42, but permitting it to yield with respect thereto. In order to restrain the table and supported parts of the fuse mechanism from rotation with the shell in its Hight or markedly to retard rotation of the table therewith, and particularly during the initial position of said flight, I provide said table with an opstanding weighted portion 46 which is eccentric to the axis of rotation of the shell. I have herein represented the upper end of said Weight 46 as provided with a bearing 47 to receive a depending pin 48 120 positioned axially of the shell and supported by the arms 28, 29 at their meeting point.' Said pin 48 is of sufficient length to support said weight when the table 43 moves, relatively, toward the base 27. The said weight 46 may be suitably recessed or otherwise shaped to permit portions of the fuse mechanism to be supported beneath the same upon the table 43.

In the flight of the shell the ring or annulua 'iu rotates therewith, but the ring or annulus 14, being free therefrom. need not partake of such rotation. 'lho action of the weight i6 is to restrain from rotation or to retard the rotation of tin` table i3 and parts supp-.Mod thereby and also the base 27 With its up anding arms 2u. and particularly during the initial flight of the shell.

In the disclosed en'ilmiliment of Iny invention, I -provide an nisin by means of which I control the time or period of operation or movement of the tiring pin and preferably I provide a plurality of escapement devices which are arranged 'to operate out of unison or nonsyiarhronously. In the course of my experiments, l have ascertained that by providing a plurality of escapement devices and securing a resultant or composite movement of some suitable element or part, I may thereby obtain great accuracy of control. In the disclosed embodiment of my invention. I have provided an element to which I am enabled to'impart, or which I permit to partake of, a substantially continuous movement inv one direction. This kpreferably do by providing a pair or other plurality of escapements operating alternately or out of unison and in such manner that each escapement device permits a movement of said element to be immediately or substantiallyv immediately followed by a permissive movement of said element through or controlled by the other escapement. 4In this manner, I ma obtain, through a deadbeat or other suitable escapement, the operation of said element at such a constant or otherwise suitable s eed as to control the explosion of the shel with great accuracy and at theA point desired or inthe immediate proximity thereof.

In the disclosed embodiment of my invention I mount upon the table 43 a bracket 49 having opstanding members 50, 51` wherein I position a horizontal shaft 52, the bearing for said shaft 52 in the bracket member 50 being slightly elongated as represented at 53 1n Fig. 5, so as to permit a slight rocking motion of said shaft from one end thereof as a pivot, to and from the plane of the sheet, viewing Fig. 4. The construction of parts is such that the'said shaft may have a slight pivotal movement in the bracketmember 51 in effecting such rockingr motion, Fast upon one end of said shaft is a beveled gear 54 adapted to mesh with beveled pinions55 and 56 loose upon the stud 57 rising from the table 43. The beveled pinion 55 has fast therein an escapeN ment ratchet 58 shown most clearly in Fig. 2. and the beveled pinion 56 hasfast therein an escapement ratchet 59, the teeth whereof are oppositely positioned with respect to those of the ratchet 58. i

gui-rounding the shaft `42 is a coiled escapement mechaup the coil spring 60, thereby to spring 60, one end 61 whereof is secured to a collar 63 fast upon said shaft The other end of said spring is fixedly secured to a collar 64 loose about the shaft and having a sleeved portion 55 extending into a split portion 66 of the bracket 50, said split portion of said bracket being 'provided with a set screw 67 by means of which it may be tightened about the ,sleeve of said collar 64. The collary 64 is provided with one or more radial sockets 68, by means-of which the collar may be turned in order to wind give it sufficient tension to turn the shaft 52 when rotation thereof is permitted byI the escapement ratchets 58, 59. Inasmuch as one end of said springs 60 is fast to the shaft and the other end of the spring is secured to a support, the tendency of said spring 60 is to impart a movement of rotation to the shaft or element 52 in one direction, such movement being governed or controlled by the escapement ratchets 58, 59.

In the disclosed embodiment of my invention, I employ the shaft or element 52 to impart movement to a controller for the hammer or other means by which the firing pin 33 is operated. Herein for the purpose I provide a tape 69 shown in Fig. 6 and which may be of any suitable material, such, for example, as paper or ribbon. The said tape is provided with graduations 70 reading from the left toward the right in Fig. 6, and preferably with an ungraduated portion 71 which maybe secured by inturning the ends 72 thereof into a slot in a drum 73 fast upon the shaft 52 and having a flange 75 shown most clearly in Figs. 3 and'4. Between the, flange 75 of the drum and the member 51 of the bracket 49, I position a collar 76 upon the 'shaft 52 and I tighten the said drum with its flange against said collar to a sufficient extent by a thumb nut 77 upon the threaded end 78 of said shaft. Ro-v tation of said shaft 62 thus tends to wind the tape 69 upon the drum 73 and to unwind it from the support. The said tape 69 may be coiled upon any suitable support. Herein for the purpose I have represented a bracket 79 secured to and upstanding from the table43 and having laterally extending therefrom a short threaded pin or spindle 80 adapted to receive thereon a drum 61 having a flange 82.-`The said pin or spindle S0 may have an annular shoulder thereon against which may bezipositioned a thumb nut. 83 received upon lthe threaded end 84 of said pin or spindle, thereby to hold said drum in position but to permit the tape t0 be unwound therefrom by the rotation of the shaft or element 62.

Between the drums 7 3 and 79 the tape ex tends in a substantially straight or flat con4 dition yand passes beath two looped guides 85l R6 secured to the table 43 and suitably spaced from each other. Between said guides 85, 86 and beneath the tape I position an arm 87 connected with the hammer mechanism, theconstruction and arrangement of parts being such that when the tape has been sutliciently wound upon the drum 7 3 to be withdrawn from the guide 85, the arml 87 ofthe hammer mechanism is released, thus releasing the hammer and permitting it to strike the firing pin at the prear ranged time and thereby to explode the shell.

In the vicinity of the tapev69 I position a suitable gage 88 by means of which the tape may be initially set so that it will act to release the arm 87 at a prearranged or predetermined time or period. The graduations upon the tape may indicate periods of time and I may thus control the period of explosion of the shell within a very minute fraction of a second. The arm 87 laterally extends from' an arm 89 of a bell crank lever pivoted at 90 upon the table and having a second arm 91 provided with a notched portion 92 which receives the end of an arm 93 of a hammer pivoted at 94 and provided with a head 95 which, when the hammer is released, strikes the head of the firing pin 33 and drives the same against the percussion cap 11. The hammer lever is provided with a suitable spring 96 coiled about the pivot thereof and so supported' that it tends to throw the hammer head with force against the firing pin when released by the tape.

Upon the table 43, as shown most clearly in Fig. 5, I mount a bracket or casing 97,'

wherein is supported the spindle 57 whereon the escapement ratchets and their beveled pinions are loosely mounted. Within said casing or bracket l also mount in/,a preferably upright position the shaft 98 of any suitable escapement operating device. I have herein represented the said shaft as having fast thereon a balance wheel 99 and a hair spring 100 which may be of any suitable.construction, not herein necessary more fully to describe. I also mount in an upright position within the casing or bracket 97 a shaft 101 having fast thereon oppositely positioned, double-ended pawls or pallets 102, 103, which control the operation of the escapement ratchets 58, 59. Fast upon the shaft 101 is an arm 101 extending toward the balance wheel and having its end suitably mounted upon the pin 105 thereon, whereby in the usual operation of the balance wheel the said arm 104 is rocked to and fro, thereby to oscillate the shaft 101 with its oppositely set pawls or pallets 102, 103.

In order to prevent operation of the balance wheel` prior to th discharge of the shell. I may provide any suitable means. Herein and as shown most clearly in Fig. 2, I have provided a bracket 106 having a accurately control the time of firing.

pivotal portion 107 wherein is frictionally received a brake member 108 having a weighted outer end 109 and an inner angular end 110 adapted to enter a notch in the periphery of the balance wheel and to restrain the same from movement. The initial flight of the shell effects a movement of the weighted end 109 of the brake in such direction as to remove the angular end 110 from the balance whel, thus permitting the same to begin its movement, thereby to permit alternate movements of the escapement ratchets 58, 59.

It will be clear from the foregoing description tht the beveled gear 54 is in mesh with v.the beveled pinions 55 and 66of the escapement ratchets 58. and 59, Each beveledgpinion 55, 56 is temporarily restrained from movement by its escapement ratchet, but the construction and operation of the parts are such that instantly upon the release of the ratchet 58 and its pinion 59 the shaft 52 receives movement of rotation from its coil spring50, and upon said ratchet 58 and its pinion 55 being again held from action, the ratchet 59 and the pinion 56 immediately acts to give movement of rotation in the saine direction to the shaft 52 so that I may in this manner render the movement of the shaft 52 substantially constant or with but very slight and practically imperceptible periods of dwell in between. Thus the tape 69 may be drawn along at a substantially constant rate and thereby very Owing to the fact that the shaft 52 receives a pivotal mounting in the bracket 51 and may vibrate slightly infits bearing in the bracket member 50, it will be evident that thebeveled pinion 54 has a driving relation lfirst with the beveled pinion 55 and then with the beveled pinion 56 between and relative to which it has a slight rocking or vibrating movement, so that when one of said pinions 55 or 56 is restrained from rotative movement by its escapement ratchet 58 or 59, the rotation of the beveled `gear'54 is arrested thereby at its point of mesh and the diametrically opposite teeth of bevel gear 54 impart rotative movement 115 to the other pinion, so that the shaft 52 is given a movement of substantially constant rotation through the agency of the coil spring 60.

From the foregoing description, it will he evident that I have provided a mechanical time fuse peculiarly adapted for eXplosive shells but capable of use in other relations. The construction of parts is such. that the fuse mechanism is cushioned during the flight of the shell or during the initial portion of the flight and likewise is` restrained from rotative movement with the shell or has such movement sufficiently retarded to protect and prevent derangement of the fuse mechanism. Moreover, the

- shell, it is obvious that it is adapted for use in other relations. The escapement 1s not herein claimed broadlv as the same is 'broadly claimed in another application.

vHaving thus described one illustrative embodiment of my invention, I desire 1t to be understood thatI although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense. and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention being set forth in the following claims.

Claims:

L An explosive projectile adapted to rotate in its flight, a mechanical time fuse carried by the projectile, `but independent in operation of the said rotation of the projectile, and means to retard said fuse from rotation fvith the projectile.

2. An explosive projectile adapted to rotate in its flight, an escapement-controlled mechanical time fuse carried by the projectile but indcj'iendcnt in operation of the said rotation of the projectile, and means to retard iuse from rotation with the prrr jectile.

3. An explosive projectile adapted to rotate in its flight, a mechanical time fuse can ried the projectile but independent in operation ot the d rotation of the projectile, and a Weight to resist centrifugal action and thereby to said fuse from rotation with the projectile.

4. An explosive projectile adapted to ro tate in its flight, e. mechanical time fuse carried by the prt.. litile but independent in operation o the said rotation of the projectile, a table within the projectile carryinpr said fuse., and means to retard said fuse from rotation with the projectile.

An explo e projectile adapted to ro'- tate in its night, a n'iechanical time fuse carried by the proj@ tile but independent in operation of the iid rotation oi' the projectile, a table within tiic projectile carryingr said fuse, and action and ther., f to retard said fuse from rotation with the projectile.

6. An explosive projwf'le, adapted to ro tate. in its liifrht, a mechanical time fuse carried by the projectile but independent in operation oi'. the said rotation of the projectile. cushio ncans for said` fuse and meani to retarr fuse from rotation with the projectile.

7. in explosive projectile adapted to ro tate in its fight, an, escapement-controlled mechanical time fue@ carried by the projecfor said and means to retard said i weight to resistcentrifugal tile but independent in operation fifths. rotation of the projectile. cnshioni from rotation with the projectile.

8. An explosive projectile adapted to rotatcjin its flight, a mechanical time fuse carried by the projectile but independent in cperation of the said rotation'of the projectile, plastic cushioning and rebound-preventing means for said fuse, and means to retard said fuse from rotation with the projectile.

9. A mechanical time fuse having a plurality of non-synchronized escapements, an element to which movement is transmitted by each of said escapements, means whereby said escapements conjointly impart a substantially continuous movement to said ele` ment, and a detonation controlling strip operated by said element.

10. A mechanical time fuse having a plurality of non-synchronized escapements, an element to which movement is transmitted by each of said escapements, means whereby said escapements conjointly impart a snbstantially continuous movement to said ele ment and a detonation controlling strip wound by said element.

l1. A mechanical time fuse having a plnrality of non-synchronizedescapemcnts, an element to which movement is transmitted by each of said escapements, .means whereby said escapeinents conjointly impart a. result ant movement to said element and a detona tion controlling strip operated by said element.

12. A mechanical time fuse having a plurality of nonsynchronized escapements, an element to which movement is transmitted by each of said escapements, means whereby said escapements conjcintly impart a result ant nioven'i it to said element and a detonation contro znp; strip Wound by said element. i anieal time fuse having a pin rality of iton-synchronized escapenients. a shaft to which movement of rotation is transmitted by each escapement, means whereby a resultant .movement of substantially constant rotation is transmitted by said escapements to said shaft, a detonating;

controlling strip there-for opernzed escapenients., e.

tially con; s is transmit L said escapements to s shaft, a, detone f ig device, an graduate ans operate-.fl by i detonating de fuse having i rality ot iized escapeme shaftto kich movement et' rotation transmitted by each escapement, means i control l5: A ni whereby a resultant movement of schets@ Y tially constant rotation is transmitted by said escapements to said shaft, a detonating device, and a graduated strip adapted to be Wound by said shaft and controlling said detonating device.

16. A mechanical time fuse comprising a graduated strip, means to move said strip from one support to another, and a detonating device controlled by said movement of said strip.

17. A mechanical time fuse comprising an escapement, a graduated strip operatively connected to and adapted to`be moved by said escapementt and a detonating device controlled in action by said strip.

18. A mechanical time fuse comprising an escapement, a graduated strip operatively connected to and adapted to be moved by said escapement, and including two supports from and under which the strip,V is wound, and a detonating device controlled in action by said strip.

19. A mechanical time fuse comprising an escapement, a graduated strip operatively connected to and adapted to be moved by said esca ement, a support from which said strip is rawn by the action of said escapement, and a detonatng device controlled in action Yby said strip;

20. A mechanical time fuse comprising a graduated strip, a support whereon said .strip may be coiled, a second support spaced from the former and onto which the strip may be drawn, and a detonating device including a member held from movelnent by the portion of the strip between s aid supports.

21. A mechanical time fuse comprising a graduated strip, means to Wind the same from one support onto another, and a detonating device controlled by said strip.

A 'mechanical time fuse comprising a graduated strip, a support ivhereon said strip may be coiled, means to lwind said strip from` said support onto another support, and a detonating device restrained from action by said strip.

23. An explosive projectile adapted to rotate in its flight, a mechanical time fuse carried by said projectile but independent in operation of the said rotation of the projectile cushioning means 22, 24 for the said time fuse and means including the weight 46, to retard said fuse from rotation with the projectile.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

i HE'NRYpH. CUMMINGS. Witnesses:

ROBERT Hb ICAMMLM, MAY H. Lower.

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