US1331623A - Detonator for high-explosive shells - Google Patents

Description

(n. J CARTWRIGHT.

DEIONAT'OR FOR HIGH EXFfLOSlVE SHELLS.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 4. 1918- Patented Feb. 24,1920.

Quownr 01 1 7 DAVID J. CARTWRIGH'T, F YORK, N. Y.

DEIONAT OR FOR HIGI-I-EXPLOSIVE SHELLS.

This invention pertains to detonators for high explosive shells and has for its main object theproduction of a detonator which will be safe under all service conditions and which will likewise function with certainty.

' A further object of the invention is to provide a detonator which may be reliably employed todetonate a high powerexplosive, such for instance, as tri-nitrotoluol, and this without the employment of a booster charge. Astill further object is to produce a detonators wherein two substances or com- I reference is had to the annexed. drawing,

wherein the detonator is shown in longitudinal section.

V In said figure 1 denotes the base of-the housing-having a centrally disposed open ing 2 extending therethrough into a chamher or recess 3, the latter in turn opening into the lower portion of an upper rela-. tively large chamber 4. The wall 5 of the latter is thin or light and the housing'or shell will be preferably turned from a single piece of metal, such as brass. Placed'within the bottom of chamber 3 and overlying and closing the inner end of opening 2' is a thin disk 6 preferably formed of copper.

A suitable compound (fulminate of mercury) susceptible of being detonated bv friction, as; for instance, the stabbing action of a firing pin or hammer, is placed within the chamber 3, said compound being, preferably, subjected to a high degree of compres- V sion when positioned. Resting upon the lower wall of chamber or cavity 4 and overlying the primary exploding charge just mentioned, is a CllSkOI' Washer 7 preferably a disk of muslin. The secondary or detonat- Specification of Letters Patent.

in the upper end thereof.

Patented Feb. 24, 1920.

Application filed May 4, 1918. Serial No. 232,623.

srars rnr OFFIQE. f

ing charge is compressed within said chamher 4, and will, in practice,be preferably fulminate of mercury. This charge will be likewise subjected to pressure, say 5000 lbs. per square inch, whereas the primary charge may be subjected to 15,000 lbs. pressure to the square inch.

Resting upon the upper portion of the fulminate charge is a disk 8, preferably formed of paper or felt, and overlying such disk is a sealing cap-shaped member 0 formedof copper or other ductile or flexi- .ble' metal.

shap'ed sealing disk 9, which, during such operation, may also be bent or turned in slightly as clearly shown in the drawing,

A water-proof sealing compound 10 will then be placed in the upper end of the bolls ing and overlie and fill the sealing member 9 so as to absolutely preclude the entrance of moisture into the charge.

Fitting over the upper'end of 'the'housing is a metallic cap or hood 11 of copper or other suitable material), the wall of which is thin and made of about the same thickness as the wall'5 ofthe housing. Said cap makes a close or mechanical fit with the exterior of said wall 5 so that when it is forced to place it will retain its position under all service handling or conditions. A small opening 12 willbe, formed in the cap or hood It is conceivable that the primary and exploding charges may be of the'same material andload'ed at different densities. [As will be seen upon referenceto the drawing, when the water-proof compound 10 is placed in the upper end of the structure prior to the placement of the hood or cap 11 it tends to settle down and shrink somewhat and to afford an air space between the upper portions thereof and the adjacent overlying wall of the cap or hood 11. The muslin disk or washer 7 interposed between the two charges acts as a septum to prevent chemical reaction between the constituents of the two charges in case they be made or formed of different materials which might'react one upon the other and cause a disintegration in the opening provided in the shell andthe major portion thereof extends into the chamber within the shell which is loaded with a high explosive, such for -instance, as T'LNI T. Upon the firing of the shell from the-- gun; the cap or hood'll, in a measure vtakesup the shock of the burstin charge of the shell due to the set back 0 'such material. when the: gunis. fired. If the pressurecame directly upon the fulminate charge such charge might be prematurel exploded; So,

too, the sea'lin element an the underlying yieldable was er 8 tends to absorbc such shock and to render the detonator safe so;

in the chamber lif through accident the loaded shell shouldbe dropped andistrike on its forward end. "'Inother words, whileitj1s sought inthe assembling ofthe various elementsnto absolutely prevent any. movement of the fuhninate charge within: the cham ber, it-will. be readily appreciated that if a shelltweredropped and movementofTthe charge relatively. to the chamber, take place a detonation might ensue,",but by' having the felt or other equivalentldisk, 8, the" chances of such movement are minimized,'and, furthermore, the disk would act asa cushion and prevent such a jar or impact aslwould preclude the explosion of thefulminate. WVhen' thev shell strikesan objecttheffirin pin is thrown forwardly andpassesrthrou'g the opening 2 perforating the thin disk 6 and causing an explosion or i ition of the primary charge in the chain er 3'. Such charge in turnwill cause thefulminate or other charge with-in the chamberr l toexlode and such, explosion willdisrupt the housing and its alliedparts andeffect a detonation of the surrounding highyexplosive within the shell,

In practice thefdetonator has beenfound absolutely safe in handling. and in service ogieration and likewise hasproved highly e cient in. efiecftin the detonationofthe bursting charge wit infthe shell.

'What. I claim asnew and desire to secure by Letters Patent is,

1. In a 'detonator,the-combination of a housingnhaving two chambers therein; a highly compressed compound located 'in one I of said chambers susce 'tible of beingcaused to -function through t e stabbing-or penetrative. action ofi'a firing'pin; a detonating charge locatedjin'the other chamber-,said detonating' charge being caused to, act. by the 'functioningof the other charge and; a septumv located between said charges and normally 7 separating, the,v same ,to prevent chemical reaction between the same.

2; In a detonator, the combination of a.

housi grhavi g repe g in one a friction compound located within the housingladjamntrsaaidr'end; a detonating charge overlyin the friction compound; means for sealinggsuch materials within the; and a separatorformed of muslin between the-friction compound and the detonating charge.

3. In a detonatorfor. hi hpowe'r c 16830 shells, the combinationo "a housing avin an opening'in one end'; a friction co overlying said opening; a detonating 1gb overlying the friction compound; and':; 621i? overlyingthe'-upperpportion of'the hou' and serving to'absorb' the set back of; I. material which surrounds'the'detonatorim the firing of the projectile.

4c. In afdetonator, the combinationof f if housing having an opening in one end there of for the entrance of 'a firing 'pin ,a disk of thin metal overlying the inner end ofsa'ld opening; a friction compound compressed; within the housing and resting upon the disk; a second"diskoverlying saiddtitinh} compound; a closure fo'r'tlie u er endidf the housing, u said housing; and c osure'z'fiwg ing an interlocking engagement; and a waterproof compound located withinfthe upper end of the housing I, outside dffl'tliq closure and serving to seal'the arts.

5; In a detonator, the comb na'ti'qna-of a; housing having an openin in vone end there offor the entrance sofa ring. pin; affi'ics tion compound located adj acent' said. open ing; an explosive charge"located ,w'lthiinth e housing above the friction compound, a: yielding cliskoverlyingthe upper enddf' the r explosive-charge; and a watentightoiosure for the upper endofthe housing; I

'6. In a detonator, the combinatimi offs, housinghaving an openin in one endftii 1 offor the entrance of a ring pinra- 10- tion compound locatediadjaeent said'ppen: ing; an explosive charge loeatedwithin the housing above the "friction 1 compound a} yielding disk overlyingjftheuppei'BI Td" Offlfe explosive char egf a cup; ka fedclesure rgst ingmupon the isk within the" housing, 3.111 closure andv the upper end oftheihousing being inturned' to formanf interlockin eh gagcment; ,ali'dia water-proof fcompoufi 1'0- catjed, between the upper, enfdjof thehoushzg and the cup, shaped closur 7. In a'ndetonator, the combination Qf, a. housinghaving an opening in oneendthereof, for the entrance ofa, firjng pin ;;a fie tion, compoundllocated adjacent saidgopjenjc ng;v an ex", losiv -chargeilocated within-she housing a ove, the friction, compound'ga 12 yieldingjidiskoverlying thefuppenend'Ofiflfi explosive char eg'a cup-shaped'closure' rent?- ing upon" the iskr within the housings-581d closure; and the. up. er. and offthej housing being inturnedto orm aninterlockin'gen 13 gagement; a Water-proof compound located within the upper end of the housing and the cup shaped closure; and a cap extending over the upper end of the housing and downwardly along the sides thereof.

8. In a detonator, the combination of a housing having an opening in one end thereof through which a firing pin may pass; a thin copper disk overlying the inner end of said opening; a friction compound compressed within the housing over said disk; a muslin disk overlying said compound; an explosive charge compressed within the housing above said muslin disk; a yielding disk overlying the upper end of the explosive charge; a cup shaped closure mounted within the upper end of the housing and resting on the disk just mentioned, said cup shaped closure and the upper end of the housing being inturned to hold the closure in place; a water-proof compound placed within the cup shaped closure and the upper portion of the housing and serving to seal the same; and a cap mounted upon the upper end of the housing, said cap extending downwardly along the exterior wall of the housing and likewise provided with an opening in the upper face thereof; said opening communicating with the air space left between the under face of the cap and the upper face of the water-proof compound.

9. In a detonator, the combination of a housing or body containing an explosive In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

DAVID J CARTWRIGHT.

} charge; and a cap overying the upper end of

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