US1481677A - Shell fuse - Google Patents

Description

A. E. BLASHILL.

Jan. 22 1924- SHELL FUSE 1917 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed July 5 lnvenhar.

. Hrl'hur E. slashm III/Ill,

Jan. 22 ,1924. 1,481,677

A. E. BLA'SHILL SHELL FUSE Original Filgd July 3, 191.7 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig. 14.

-15 36 Arm as gasm-n er Hilorney or Patented Jan. 22, 1924.

{UNITED STATES OFFICE.

' ABTHUlBfEJ BLASHILL,OF-WESTMOUNT, CANADA.

SHELL ruse.

. a u ati aigaihi .a, e17, Serial m vens. Renewed mm, 1922. Serial No. 540,666.

I T faZZ whom it mag/concern. f ,1 y Be'it known that I, ARTHUR E.,BLASHILL, of the city of Westmount,'Province of QuebecQDOrninion of,Cana'da,a subject of the 'Kingtof Great Britaim'fhave invented certain new and useful Improvements in-Shell F usesjan'd I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, andiexact description thereof.

1a) My invention relates to time and percus sion fuses for projectiles, and more particularly to fuses of this type for shrapnel shells.

Heretofore these fuses havebeen of a complex nature,- and either dangerous to handle 1.; and trans ort when loaded and assembled with the s ells, or liable to fail; another defeet is that after the shell bursts the fuse preserves its identity as a single projectile only and if not destroyed by impact is a source of information for the enemy. The object of my invention is to overcome these defects. 7 I

To this end my invention consists of a fuse composed of a relatively small number of parts forming an' axial magazine surrounded by time and percussion pellets and explosive charges, this arrangement permitting of a parallel arrangement of the ellets thereby maintaining concentricity o equilibrium and economizing space. This economizing of the space required for the o rating parts (the pellets, detonators an time rings) is designed by me to either provide chambers or explosive charges or to accommodate a greater len h of shell within given limits betweent ebase of the shell and the nose of the fuse. Another feature of my invention is a ositive lockforone of the pellets, obtaine by the interlocking direct intimate relation fdf the detonators tively;

t For full compi'e' invention referencemustbe had tofthe companying drawingsin reference characters indicate and wherein Figure 1 is a i'sidefel Q structe'd aocordin'gto -my even trated partly in section of awah the movable time ring, and ;s'ub-" ith the time rings and magaz'ine,.respechension,-5however, of my ingnc'entralf annular member 4 externally J screw threaded and having an open. bottom il' vue 7 centralstud 8 while the ended the top of Fi re 2 is a vertical sectional viewithereof ta en on line 2 2 Figure 3; Figure 3 is a similar view to Figure 2 taken at right anglesthereto on line 33 Fi re 2; p f I igure 4 is a plan view of the fuse with the cap removed;

Figure 5 is a similar view to Figure 4 with the uppertime-ring also removed;

Figure 6 is a horizontal sectional view taken on line 6-6 Figure 1;

F igure 7 is a horizontal sectional view taken on line 77 Figure 1;

Figure 8 is a vertical-sectional view of the time-pellet drawn-t0 a larger scale;

Figure 9- is a side elevation of the body of the fuse;

Figure 10 is a vertical sectional view of the percusion pellet drawn to a larger scale;

Figure 11 is an under-side elevation of the upper time-ring; v

4 igure 12 is a similar view to Figure 11 of the lower time-ring;

Figure 13 is a diametrical sectional view of the upper time ring; and t t Figure 14 is a similar view to Figure 13 of the lower time-ring. I Figure 15 is an underside view of the noseca v 16 is a plan view of the spring lock washer for preventing rotation of the nose-cap when in sition- Figure 17 is a side elevation thereof; and

Figure 18 is a detail elevation of the lock for setting the movable time-ring.

J mined time, secondly exploding when strik-- ing orgrazmg an object, and thirdlythe destruction of t e fuse in a: manner to produce fragmentation of it. This triplex nature of -thei fuse is one of its important features.

Y It :is composed of-a body, movable and fixed time-rings, and a cap.

,The body comprises a base having a, flange-2,11. central'pedestal 3and a depend- @touetLby a plu -5 A" central tube 6 f0- ts downwardfy and its lower end is ush th'thefltrim of the annulus. The top of'the p iiestiil-jhas atransverse tang 7 having a l -the tang are steppeddown as at 9 to afford clearance "for the rim of'the, cap which is screwed u on the stud as will be presently shown. his tang is diametric and has reater width on one side'of the centre of t -e fuse than on the other. magazine is formed by the bore of the tube 6 and a boring 10 along the axis of the body 1 toa point within close proximity of the base of the stud. This magazine 6, 10, 1s,- as seen in Fi ures 2and 3," in the central line of the she and conseqluently aligned with ventral tube of the she l (not shown). At diametrically opposite sides of the magazinearea pair of borings to serve as chambers for the time and percussion pellets.

. These pellet chambersare indicated at and 26 respectively. The boring 25 has an upri ht centralfiring pin '27 in its bottom and neath lies a horizontal borin 28 extending from the periphery of the ange to the magazine 10, the other end of this borin being closed by lug29, while the vertica borin 30 leads om boring, 28 upwardly throug the top of the flange and etfects communication between the magazine and the bottom time ring which will presently be described. The side of the pedestal in ine with the chamber 25 has a flash 34 commlmicating with the pellet-chamber and in the same radial plane as hole 30. The body of the pedestal at diametrically opposite sides thereof and between the bormgs 25 and 26, is bored out to present chambers ,35 and 36 respectively, the width, depth and height" these explosive chambers by an small bored screw 40, the boring'being indicate at 41 and constituting a portion of the magazine and having lateral borings 42 while the head 43 is bevelled by countersinkin the plug 5, which itireinforces. The plug as its inner side formed with an annular recess forming a central hub..45 in bearing relation with th'e lower end of the ce'ntra'lmagazine 6 and contains an annular chamber 46 with whichathe holes 42 in the screw 40 register; and in the top of this hub is a series of holes '47 adapted "to communicate with the bottom of the explosive chambers. The upper end of the screw 40 is closed by a celluloid disc17 5 and the lower end by a brass ,disc 176 for preventing 'displacement of the powder in'the magazine and screw. The brass disc is held The central screw to the explosive chamber is regulated by afelt disc 177 ,interposed between the tube 6 and the hub 45 of the plug and is of a diameter sufficient to partially close the upper'ends of the holes 47 thereby reducing the openin s' to thedesired degree and consequently delaying the flash. he flash may be further regulated by lowering ojr'rai'sing the point of communication between the annular chamber and the holes 47- The time and percussion 'ellets areindicated at 60 and '75 respective y, and they are axially movably contained in the' pellet chambers 25 and 26. The pellet 60 has an axial recess in its lower end for the time detonator and the mouth of the recess has a surrounding flange or bead 62 to be-spun in to hold the detonator in place while a saw cut 63 parallel to'the axisof the pellet "and in a radial plane intersects the recess efleeting communication between the latter and thebtelgper time-ring to be presently descri j Pellet has at one end an eccentrically arranged firing pin 76 and a hole 77 also eccentrically disposed is bored from the top of the pellet to within close proximity of the bottom. A helical compressmn spring 78 is seated in this hole with its upper end normally extended above the top of the pellet, and a capSOin the form o a sleeve with one end 0 osed encloses the top of the spring and extends slidably into the hole, one side being 'flattened'fora rtion of.its length and extended at a shou der 181, which is prevented from complete displacement from the pellet by the turned-in edge 182 "of the latter. One side of the-pellet is cut away-on the circumferential line of the pedestal and has a lateral lug 81 atone end forming'one member of the safety lock which co-acts with the movable time-ring. When a shell equipped with'this fuse grazes or strikes an object'this pellet 75 starts forward audits firing in strikes a percussion detonatorwhich res themagazineythe detonator being carried by the upper time-ring.- These pellets are safely-held while being-handled or shipped' from place to place by uniformly shea ofi when relative motion in an axial direction is set up between the pellet and the bodyofthefuse- I This percussion detonator consists of the usual explosive material located in achamber 94, the bottom of which has an opening 95 efiecting communication with. and in axial alignment with the firing pin 76. while a lateral opening 190 effects communication with the magazine.v x-The mouth of this chamber has a flange or head 98 adapted to sensitive and positive locks in the'formof safetgiilis 90 and 91- respectivelywhich are the side of brid its permieterconforms to the general contour of the fuse. Theunderside has a time train channel 101 extending from one side of the bridge a 102 around the ringto the other side thereof, and a flash hole 103 leads down through the top of the ring to the channel at the side of the bridge opposite to beside which the flash hole 125 in the fixe ring is located. The inner wall of the ring is increased in diameterin the form of a counter-bore 97 sufiicient to provide a clearance space to accommodate the travelfof the lug 81of the pellet, this counter-bore'being. continued throughout the circumference with the'exception of a small segment 106 forming a'stop block coactin with the member 81 and forming therewit the lock to temporarily sitively hold the pellet. The usual lug a apted to .be straddledby the fuse keyin the setting of the fuse i at 150, and like the movable ring, its peis indicated at 300 and is constituted by the outer end of a pin 301v mounted in the solid portion 102 of the movable time-ring. In.

order to prevent rotation of this pin it is notched as at 303 andthe adjacent wallof the ring is pressed in as at 305 to engage the notch."

The upper or fixed'time ring is indicated rimeter conforms to the neral contour of the fuse, and its undersi e has a time train channel 151 extending from one side of the bridge152 around the ring to the o posite side and a flash-hole 125 leads from the pellet chamber 25 to one end of this channel. The inner wall of this ring is of a diameter to snugly fit the pedestal.

The verticaldi-mension of this fixed ring is slightly greater than the dimension from the top of the movable ring to the shoulder of the destal; just below the tang. The top oft is fixed ring is partially closed and has a slot 155 to accommodate the tang on screwed on the central stud 8.

the pedestal while the detonator chamber 94 before-mentioned is located at one side of the centre of and above These time rings are hel against displace ment from thepedestal by a nose-capv 130 having an internal central 'ta ped boring ilutelyi prevents him from obtaining inforthrough which the cap is a a tedto be maintain a resilient'pressure upon the time rings in the event of the felt washers ',be.- tween the rings shrinking and to lock the metal lock washer 1 0ais located between the nose-cap and upper time ringoutside of, to give it the required resiliency and hfs' icircumg ferential slit 141 to present a pair'of pawls the tang 7 This washer is crim 142, the pawls being adapted to res eeqy gs the adjacent edge of thqgqsecap body.

for the lug llet chamber 26.

n order to which is serrated as at 143 and to bite into the upper time-ring therebysecuring a positive cap. To enable the removal of the cap the pawl which engages the same is provided with a lip 144 which may be pressed down with the thumb thus moving the pawl out of engagement with the teeth on the cap.

The esca e holes have heat insulating liningsand eets of the same material and are sunk flush with the surfaces beneath the holes for obvious reasons. 4 I

The perimeter of the flange of the base is engraved to indicate the usual aduations 200, the indicator or gauge line eing indicated at 201, the percussion point by a star ock. between the latter and the nosepreferred symbol.

- My improved fuse is provided with an internal ventilation system for the time rings. The system comprises a vertical-passage 160 in the perimeter of th'ebody 3 the lower end of which passage communicates with the outer atmospherethrough a horizontal assage 161 in the flange 2 of the he passage 160 is constructed and arranged to communicate with the upper time train through an extension of the latter, 162; communication between this extension and the passage bein normally cut oif by. a thin disc 163 whic can be made rather light and glued in position as the centrifu al force exerted u on it during rotation o the shell will 110 d it in position. assage 160 Communication between the and the lower time train is e ected in a similar manner to the upper time train with the exception thatthe counter-bore 97 performs the dual function of affording a space 81 on the ercussion pellet and a universa connection tween the extension of the time train and the vertical passage 160. It is obvious that no matter what position the time ring may bein the gas will always be able to escape to the atmosere. The fuse above described has the follow ing characteristicsand advantages to wit:

It is in effect per se a self-destroying bomb havin considerable destructive power, thus in addition to being adapted to effect relatively great damage to the enemy it abso .mation from any part of the fuse. It is more simple in construction and more easily assembled and inspected than other fuses heretofore known. All chances of incorrect assembling are obviated; the percussion ellet which is the dangerous element in the anced arrangement of the pellet permits an axial magazine to be employed and lateral explosive chambers and an explosive base to be incorporated without altering the standardized dimensions of the fuse. The particular arrangement of parts also permits the base of the fuse to be a heavy design, while the pedestal and particularly that portion of it, surrounded by the time rings has a relatively thin or weak wall. The ignition of the explosive charges in the fuse body is rendered more positive by the fact that it is substantially completely surrounded by the explosive mixture. The pellet chamber 26 being as shown extended in depth sufficiently to permit the pellet 75 to be suspended therein by its shear pm 91 with its firing pin 76 a short distance from the detonator and its base a short distance from the bottom of the chamber, accommodates the pellet in itsthe fuse absolutely safe while set at safety owing to the fact that not only are the flash holes covered but the percussion pellet is positively locked away 'from the detonator. The shear pins continue the safe condition of the fuse after the positive lock is released, and until the fuse is subjected to the'shock of discharge the particular arrangement of parts secure the exposure of all operating parts to inspection by the removal of'the nose cap and upper or fixed ring. The bottom plug when screwed to place is seated upon a shoulder near the lower end of the magazine thus avoiding the cutting of the threads in the base, and furthermore the expanding of the edge of the magazine to overlap and'lock the plugon its. seat reinforces the threads in performing their function of holding the plug against the explosive power in the base of the fuse. The fact that the tang has greater width on one side of the centre than on the other effectively prevents the incorrect assembling; while the fact that the spring cap 80 is prevented from being completely displaced from the pellet 75 enables these particular parts to be assembled and gauged before the fuse is assembled. A similar advantage is obtained from the fact that the percussion detonator is carried by a fixed time ring. The particular relative contiguous arrangement of the central magazine and percussion detonator insures the firing of the magazine charge under all circumstances and avoids the danger of misfire owing to the collapse of the nose cap by a sudden violent impact,- as happens with fuses, where the relative arrangement is more widely separated. The ignition of the mg a condition under which thispellet is time train is rendered more positive by the fact that the detonator fires in a direction away from the firing pin 27, and directly and laterally into the time train, the fire being concentrated in the communicating flash hole. The eccentric position of the firing pin 76, and pellet enables the percussion detonator to be locatedfclose to .the magazlne Wlth the advantage just mentioned; and the additional advantage that the shoulders 191 on the fixed time ring serve to support the end thrust due tothe pressure required in the charging of this time ring. My novel and particular arrangement and combination of parts provides the position or station in addition to the usual safety mark, which eliminates the element of uncertainty in fusesheretofore used by making it absolutely essential to shift the time ring from safety before the the edge or rim produced by grooving .the

portion of the. time rin top surrounding the same. All the flash hoes and time rings are charged in the ordinary way.

Operation. Upon a battery coming into action and several rounds ofammunition being tin-- covered that is to say the cover being removed from each fuse, and assuming that the latter is now with the indicator or gauge line at safety, then both bridges cover-the fire holes cuttingofl' the time trains, and the stop-block 106 positively locks the percussion pelletx'io'againstmove- I ment towards the detonator.

detonator in pellet 60 is detonated by the firing pin 27. The effect is that the flash is driven throught-he slot 63 and flash holes 34 and 125 to the upper time ring which burns idly tion with the other flash holes, an prevent:

The fuseis then set as ordered and if exgiins and 91 still prevent move the bridges being in (i'uxtaposiing advance of the fire. ,This condition in the time ring or a fraction of it obtains until the shell grazes or strikes and the pellet 75 is shot forward relatively speakmgand the firing pin 76 detonates the det- I the sh onator 94 with the instantaneous firing of the magazine 10, and with the explosion of e lthe fuse head is thrown off and the fire from the magazine ignites the channel 46 withthe effect that a very slight interval of inaction within the fuse 9. art from the burning of these supplementa fuses occurs which terminates in. the explosion of [the char es in the chambers '35 and 36.

This explosion is dela ed in order that the pgoper scattering of t e shrapnel may not interfered with. When the explosion occurs theefi'ect is of course, thatthe weakest part yields first and owing" to the peculiar construction of my fuse the base is reinforced up to the flange by its walls beneath the flange b'ein made thicker than the walls above it. -With thisconstruction the explosion is directed more heavily upon the up r or forward structure, includin the e estal time rim 5 and nose cap whic are agmentized while the pellets are projected and the base shattered, the whole being shattered with an initial velocity having its source within the. fuse itself-..

- When the fuse is set for time instead of the bridges being in juxtaposition with the flash holes, the latter will be placed in a position relatively to the time trains required by the particular ran The fire will therefore pass the lower ring and traverse same until it reaches flash holes and 28 through which it is projected to the magazine, and thence to the shell and the explosion chambers of the fuse as just described. p

Having fully set forth and ascertained the nature of my invention, I beg to state that what I claim and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

- 1. In a shell fuse, the combination with thebody thereof having a air of ex losive chambers arranged in para elism an in the same diametric, :line; of time and percussion pellets arranged in parallelism and in a diametric line at right angles to the line of the chambers.

. stroyed when the high explosive substance,

' taining a high exp and movable' time rings mounted u on the is detonated.

3. In a shell fuse adapted to be mounted on one end of a shell, the combination with the body thereof, said body being chambered substantially throughout its length and conosive substance; of fixed body and encircling the explosive c amber, and means constructed and arar'nge'd I to detonatethe said high explosive.

, 4. In a shell'fum, adapted to be mounted on one end of a shell, the combination with encircling the explosive chamber,

the body thereof, said body being chambered substantially throu hout its length and containing a high exp osive; of fixed and movable time rings mounted upon the body and and means controlled by the said time rings for detonating the high explosive.

. 5. A shell fuse consisting of a body having therein time and percussion pellets arranged parallel to each other and in the same diametric line and such body'being formed with parallel chambers in diametric line at right angles to the line of the pellets, an annular chamber in the base of the body and connecting with the said pair of chambers; and the said body having therein a magazine; and i iting means connecting the magazine to t e parallel chambers; detonators in effective detonating relation with the pellets: means whereby one of the said detonators ignites the magazine; fixed and movable time rings effecting and controllin communication between the other of sai detonators and said magazine.

' 6. A shell fuse adapted to be mounted upon one end of a shell and having an axial chamber extending substantially throughout the length thereof and containing a high explosive substance whereby the fuse is completely destroyed when the substance is detonated.

7. In a shell fuse the combination with the body thereof having an axial magazine extending substantially throughout the axial length thereof, a pair of pellet chambers arranged in v the same diametric line, a flash hole leading from the magazine through the body to within close proximity of one of the pellet chambers, and a fiash'hole in the outer wall of the body, a pair of explosive chambers disposed parallel to the axis and extending substantially throughout the bod from the annular chamber to the top, an in a diametric plane at right angles to the diametric iplane of the pellet chambers, passages e ecting communication between the arallelism with the axis and in magazine and the explosive chambers; fixed I an movable time rings each having a time groove in the underside thereof, the lower being movable and the upper fixed, the said upper time ring partially enclosing the top of the said body having a, detonator chamher in alignment with and eccentric to one of the pelletchambers and having a lateral flash hole adapted to register with the firstmentioned flash hole communicating with the ma azine, time and percussion pelletsin the pe let chambers, the percussionpellet having an eccentric firin pin at one end,

and 1n juxtaposition with the detonator chamber, a yielding resistance retaining the percussion pellet away from the detonator, a detonator' carried b the lower end of the time pellet, a firing pm on the bottom of the chamberbf the'time pellet, and. such time pellet having a flash slot in its side connecting with the detonator and registering with the flash hole in the wall of the body, and the said body having aflash hole leading from a point in communication with the lower fuse ring to the magazine.

8. In a shell fuse the combination with the body thereof having an axial magazine extending substantially throughout the axial length thereof, apair of chambers arranged in parallelism with the axis and in the same 'dianietric line, a flash hole leading from th'e'magazine' through the body, in the same" annular plane as one of the pellet chambers f an annular explosive "chamber within the base of the body, a pair of explosive-chambers disposed parallel to the axis and'extending substantially throughout the body from the annular chamber to the top and in diametric plane at right angles to the diametric plane of the pellet chambers, passages effecting communication between the magazine and the explosive chambers,

' fixed and movable time rings, each having a time groove in the underside thereof the lower being movable and the upper fixed, the said upper time ring partially enclosing the top of the said body and having a detonator chamberin alignment with and ec-,

centric to one of the pellet chambers, and

' having a lateral flash hole communicating the pellet and engaging and with the magazine, time and percussion pellets in the pellet chambers, the percussion pellet having an eccentric firin pin at one end and in juxtaposition with t e detonator chamber; shear pins rigidly temporarily retaining the pellets in fixed position spaced from the bottom of the chambers; a yielding resistance retaining the percussion pellet away from the detonate-r; a detonator carried by the lower end of the time pellet, a

firing pin on the bottom of the chamber of the time pellet and such time pellet having a flash slot in its side communicatingwith the detonator, and registering with the flash hole in the wall of the body, and the said body having a flash hole leading from a point in communication with the lower fuse ring to the magazine.

9. In a shell fuse the combination with a movable time ring and a pellet, of a lug on beneath the time ring, such time ring aving a clearance space to accommodate the lug in the movement ,ofthe pellet and a stop block within the said. clearance space for engagement with the lug for theurpose of'temporarily positively limiting t e axial movement of the pellet.

10. In a shell fuse of the type described containing a magazine, automatic detonating means in communication with the magazine, and an explosive chamber; of a passage extending from the magazine to the explosive chamber and means for controlling the passage.

and the said explosive chamber, and means for reducing the extent of communication between the second series of holes and the chamber.

12. In a shell fuse the combination with the body thereof having a transverse tang at its top, movable and fixed time rings fitted on the perimeter of the body, the fixed ring having its top partially closed and formed with a slot adapted to register withthe tang; a nose cap, and means for fastening the nose cap in place. i a.

13. In a shell fuse the combination with the body thereof having a transverse tang at its top, the said tang being of greater Width on one side of the axis of the fuse than on the other, movable and fixed time rings fitting on the perimeter of the body the fixed ring having its top partially closed and formed with a slot adapted to register with the tang, a nose cap and means for fastening the nose in place.

14. In a shell fuse a percussion pellet having at one end an eccentric firing pin and a hole or seat containing an expansile helical spring, a cap fitting over the spring and registering within the hole,-one side of the cap having a lug and the mouth of thehole being'constricted' to prevent exit of the lug from the hole. g

15.'In a time fuse the combination with the time ring of a time pellet containing a detonator and having a radial long standand slot in its perimeter extending substantially throughout the length of the pellet and being independent of the detonating opening for concentrating the detonating flash on the time ring.

16. In a fuse of the type described, the body having an open end, a central magazine and'explosive chamber, a plug screwed in the said open end for the purpose of closing the same and havin a central opening and a screw located in t e said openin for the pur ose of reinforcing the plug an constructe and arranged to form part of the magazine and assist in effecting communication between the magazine and the explosive chamber.

17. In a fuse, a movable time ring, a lug mounted therein for setting the same, means for preventing relative rotation between the lug and the ring, said means consisting of Ill a notch in the lug and a projection on the ring adapted to engage the saldnotch.

18. A shell fuse including a body; upper and lower time rings; a nose-cap, the underside immediately above'the" upper timering being serrated, and means for preventing rotation of the nose-cap when in position, said means consisting of a metal crimped spring Washer located between the nosecap and upper time-rin and being split to prevent upwardly and downwardly extending pawls, the downwardly extending pawl being constructed and arranged to bite into the upper time ring andthe other pawl beingconstruct-ed and arranged to engage the serrated portion of the nose-cap, such last mentioned pawl having a lip for the purpose of moving it out of engagement with the serrations. I

19. In a shell fuse of the type described the combination with a body having a central pedestal and. an upper and lower time ring encircling the pedestal and having time trains; of a ventilating system for the escape of gases from the time rings, said system comprising a vertical passage in the perimeter of the pedestal and in communication with the outer atmosphere, a POI'I effecting communication between the train of the upper time rlng andthe said passage, a counter bore in the lower time rlng 1n constant communicationwith the said passage irrespective of the position'of such I lower'time ring, and a portJefl'ect-ing communication between the counter bore and train for said ring. 20. In a'shell fuse of the't pe described the combination with a body iaving a central pedestal and an upper and lower time ring encircling the pedestal and having time trains; of a ventllating system for the escape of gases from the time rings, said system comprising a vertical passage in the perimeter of the pedestal and in communication with the outer atmosphere, a port effecting communication between the train of the upper time ring and the: said passage, a counter bore in the lower time ring in constant communication with the said passage irrespective of thepo'sition of such lower time ring, a port effecting communication between the counter bore and'train for said ring; and means normally closing the ports in both-rings and constructed and arranged to be held inposit-ion by oentrifugal force.

21. A shell fuse including a body, an upper and lower time ring, a nose cap the underside of the said cap being serrated and a crimped spring lock washer adapted to respectively bite into the upper time ring method of providing means for causing the destruction of the fuse consisting in form- -ing a vertical central passage in the body forming an annular chamber in the .body in position encircling the centralpassage, extending the annular chamber upwardly at opposite sides of said central passage, filling said annular chamber and' its extensions with an explosive substance, and filling said central passage with a combustible substance, closing the lower end, of the chamber effecting communication between the annular chamber and said central passage and forming passages effecting communication between the time percussion means andthe central passage.

23. In a shell fuse, a detonator, a percussion pellet having a firing pin on one end eccentric to the pellet and in the axial planeof thedetonator, a hole in the said end of the pellet and containing an expansile helical spring, and a cap fitting over the spring and registering with the hole, said spring being adapted to offer yielding resistance to the movement of the pellet toward the detonator.

24. .A shell fuse adapted to be mounted upon" one end of'a shell and having a chamber extending'substantially throughout the length, thereof and containing a high explosive substance whereby the fuse is com pletely destroyed when the substance is detonated.

25. A shell fuse adapted to be mounted upon one end of a shell and having an axial chamber adapted to contain a combustible powder, and a second chamber locatedein juxtaposition with the axial chamber and two witnesses.

ARTHUR E. BLASHILL.

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