US1549763A

US1549763A - Fuse for projectiles

Info

Publication number: US1549763A
Application number: US630363A
Authority: US
Inventors: Greenwell Nevil
Original assignee: Bethlehem Steel Corp
Current assignee: Bethlehem Steel Corp
Priority date: 1923-04-06
Filing date: 1923-04-06
Publication date: 1925-08-18
Anticipated expiration: 1942-08-18

Description

N. GREENWELL FUSE FOR PROJECTILES Filed Apri1 6, 1923 s Sheng-sheet 5 Patented Aug. 18', 1.925. j. 1 UNITED .STATES 1,549,763 PATENT OFFICE,

NEVIL GREENWELL, OF ETHLEHEM, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOB TO BETHLEHEM STEEL COMPANY, A. CORPORATION 0F PENNSYLVANIA.

FUSE FOR PBOJECTILES.

Application vtiled April. 6,

pose of causing the explosion of the projectile a short time after' the projectile has reached the target instead of immediately upon impact, the object being to cause the explosion to take place after the projectile has penetrated the target and has entered 'a space where its explosion will effect maximum destruction. Prior fuses of this type have generally included delay pellets or trains which, in theory at least, begin to burn upon the impact of the projectile and are of such a nature that the projectile charge is not ignited for a definite and invariable periodof time' after such impact. Inasmuch as the time of delay is fixed or determined beforev the projectile is fired from the gun and, inasmuch as the target is generally at a distant point and of unknown thickness -or strength it is readily seen that it is practically impossible to so time the projectile fuse that explosion will take place at the desired point, that is, immediately behind the target pierced.

The objec't of the present invention is to provide a projectile fuse requiring no adjustment before firing and which will with certainty cause the explosion of the projectile to which it is attached, immediately in rear of a target whichvit penetrates, or deeply ywithin the target itself in the case of an impenetrable target. No timing devices of previously known type are 4employed butv the moving parts of the fuse are so designed and constructed that the fuse arms itself upon firing followed by impact of the projectile and theA ring mechanism is released upon the cessation of the retardation caused by the impact. It will be seen that a fuse constructedto function in this manner will, in the event that an impenetrable target is encountered, explode only when the projectile has come to rest within 1928. Serial No. 630,363.

the target, and in the event that a penetrable target is encountered, will explode lmmedlately after the projectile has passed the target and continued its free flight.

The fuse may be designed and constructed for attachment to either the nose or base of a projectile and the design and arrangement of its component parts may be considerably modified Without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention. In the accompanying drawings two modifications are il-, lustrated and others will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a longitudinal axial section through a projectile having the improved fuse attached thereto, the moving parts of the fuse being illustrated in the which they occupy before the projectile is fired from a gun;

Figure 2 is a similar section showing the parts 1n the positions which they occupy immediately after firing;

Figure 3 is a similar view showing the position of the parts upon impact lof the projectile;

Figure 4 is also an axial section in which the parts are illustrated in the positions which they occupy at the instant when the fuse functions to explode the projectile; l

Figure 5 is a section on -line '5 5 of Figure 1; f

Figure 6 is a section on line 6 6 of Figure 3;

Figure 7 is a section on line 7 7 of Figure 1;

Figure 8 is a section online 8-8 of Figure 4;

Figure 9 is an axial section through a fuse adapted to be secured to the basel of a projectile;

Figure 10 is a section on Figure 1; and

Figure l1 is'a section on line 11-11 of Figure 4.

The body ofthe projectile is indicated at 10, the ogival nose portion at 11, an adapter at 12 and the fuse head at 13. The fuse head is bored axially and its inner wall is threaded at the rear end to receive the cor-' respondingly threaded forward portion of` the fuse body 14, which contains the booster charge 15. Clamped between annular muiine ioio of .tually facing shoulders of the fuse hea-d and voo ositions 55 viously referred to.

to provide a flame passage and space for the seating of a primer 18. A detonator holding block or shutter 19 is located in a chamber between the rear face of the

disk

16 and 5 the front face of the fuse body, this shutter having a detonator 20 therein and being designed and constructed substantially as set forth in Patent No. 1,342,652, issued June 8, 1920 to F, A. Sullivan and W. L.

Lukens.

The means for iring the primer is positioned in advance of the disk 16 and within the axial recess or aperture in the fuse head, this recess having a central portion 22, a forward portion 23 of reduced diameter and a rear portion 24 of greater diameter, these several portions being truly cylindrical and coaxial.

In the rear portion, designated a chamber for the sake of convenience, is slidably 'held a ring-like member 25, which constitutes a portion of an outer sleeve S having an annular forwardly facing interiorshoulder 26 and a conical forwardly facing seating surface 27. The sleeve S comprises in addition to the ring-like member 25 a forwardly extending cylindrical portion 28 which terminates at 29 and has diametrically opposed slots to receive theouter ends of 30 locking bolts B, the cylindrical outer surface of portion 28 fitting closely against the inner wall of the middle chamber 22 of the" aperture in the fuse head, but being freely slidable axially therein. Also slidably contained within the chamber 22 is an anticipator holder 30 which is a sleeve-like member provided with a forwardly extending portion 30 fitting closely within the forward chamber 23 and provided with a recess or socket 31 to receive the end lof an anticipator.

Slidably fitting against the inner walls of sleeve S and anticipator holder 30 is a second sleeve O normally urged by a spring 32 toward the disk 16 so that its rearwardly facing annular shoulder 33 is in contact with the shoulder 26 of the outer sleeve S. The inner sleeve O is also axially apertured and carries at its rear end for sliding movement relatively thereto a firing hammer 35 hav- 00 the inclined surface 27 of the outer sleeve.

The inner ends of the bolts are tapered or beveled to enter correspondingly shaped recesses in the firing hammer. 35. The hammer is locked against movement by these 05 members and may only move when the locking bolts have been moved outwardly, a movement which is normally opposed and prevented by the outer sleeve.

Bearing against the firing hammer and arranged coaxially therewith is a coiled lspring 40, the forward end of this spring being retained within a recess 41 in a plunger 42 slidably fitting within the sleeve O, the forward end of the plunger normally resting against the anticipator holder 30. The coiled spring 32 is contained in the annular space between the plunger and anticipator holder and normally tends to hold the sleeve O, and hence the outer sleeve S, against the disk 16, as previously pointed out, and to hold the anticip-ator'holder at the limit of its movement toward the point of the projectile. A friction ring 44 tightly engages the outer surface of the plunger and frictionally opposes the entrance of the plunger into the sleeve O.

A three part locking ring 45 is positioned within an annular groove near the inner end of the plunger which ring is adapted to expand under the influence of centrifugal force to enter an annular groove 46 formed in sleeve O after the projectile has been fired, as shown in Figure 3. The plunger is thus locked in the sleeveO. A similar expanding ring 47 in a groove in the inner 1 sleeve O is adapted to expand under the influence of centrifugal force, after the inner sleeve has moved forward relatively to the outer sleeve, as shown in Figure 3, and to abut against the shoulder 26 of the outer sleeve upon the rearward movement of the inner sleeve so as to prevent the complete re-entry of the inner sleeve into the outer sleeve, as shown in Figure 4.

Before firing the parts occupy the positions in which they are illustrated in Figure 1,' there being a slight gap between the rear end of the anticipator holder and the forward end of the outer sleeve S. Upon acceleration of the projectile the anticipator holder will move to the rear until its rear end strikes the forward rend of the outer sleeve, and the plunger moves toward the firing hammer, as shown in Figure 2, the ring 45 expanding and locking the plunger in this position with the spring 40 compressed. Upon impact of the nose of the projectile upon a target the inner sleeve O moves forwardly due to its inertia, carrying the locking bolts B and the plunger 42, as shown in Figure 3, the locking ring 47 expanding as shown. The outer sleeve S also moves forwardly so that locking bolts B are not released, and this movement continues until the ring portion 25 thereof strikes the rearwardly facing annular shoulder which defines the forward end of chamber 24. Upon cessation of retardation of the projectile as a result of its impact, that is, when the projectile has either stopped sleeve O in its forward in Figure 3) and the spring-32 immediatelyof the sprino' anejos entirely or has cleared the target the forces of inertia no longer act to hold the inner position (as shown acts todrive this sleeve rearwardly. The locking rin v47 strikes the shoulder 26 of the outer s eeve and both sleeves move to-y gether toward the disk 16. The outer sleeve is displaced rearwardly relatively to theJ in ner sleeve and therefore no longer obstructs the-outward movement of the ocking bolt B and these fly outwardly under the thrust 40, actingthrough `the cam surfaces of t e firing hammer, so that the firing hammer is released. and the firing pin f will strike the primer 18.

An anticipator may be used ,with the fuse to. cause detonation of the projectile before This anticipator is is inserted through an a erture in the point of the projectile normal y closed by plug 50.

The inner end of the antici ator seats in socket 31 of -the anticipator older. U on firing the firing spring 40 is compresse as before. Upon impact the inner sleeve O moves forwardly but the anticipator holder is thrust rearwardly and prevents forward movement of the outer sleeve. Relative movement of the inner and outer sleeves enables the bolts B to liyaoutward as before, allowing theiiring spring'to drive the firing hammer against the primer. A very quick action is thereby produced.

A modified formof the invention is illustrated in Figure 9, which is particularly adapted for use as abase detonating fuse. In this case the firing hammer, inner sleeve, plunger, ring spring and primer are largely formed as before and function in the same manner. Instead of a single outer sleeve, however, there are two sleeves provided between the inner sleeve and the fuse body, an intermediate sleeve 60 and an outer sleeve 61. The intermediate sleeve is slotted at 62 to receive the projecting ends 63 of the hammer locking bolts B and the outer sleeve 61 terminates at 64, there being .a gap in advancel thereof into which these locking bolts must project to allow the fuse to function. Upon firing the inner sleeve moves rearwardly, the outer ends of bolts B sliding along the inner surface. of the outer sleeve and the intermediate sleeve remaining stationary.` At the limit of this rearward movement of the inner sleeve the locking ring 65l expands into the groove 66 thereby locking the plunger 67 to this sleeve with the firing spring 68 compressed. As soon as initial acceleration of the projectile has ceased the inner sleeve (with the plunger) is again moved forwardly by the spring 69. Upon impact the intermediate and outer sleeves move forwardly together, the outer sleeve blocking outward movement of lockinterinediate sleeve u on its forward movement The intermedJ' i ward y through a greater distance thani the outer sleeve and relative movement vof the two sleeves permits ball/70 to esca e from the recess 71 in which it is normally held and to take. aposition to one sidev of the saine.. Upon cessation of retardation spring 69 drives intermediate sleeve 60 rearwardly and, through ball 70, also moves. sleeve 61. While sleeve 61 is returned to its original or extreme left hand position sleeve 60 is unable to'reach its original position due to interposed ball 70.l As a result of the forward and rearward movement 'of the parts therefore relative movement of the sleeves 60 and '61 occurs with the result that' the outer ends of locking bolts B are freed -so that the firing hammer may be immediately projected' forwardly.

The principle of the invention is broad in scope and may be carried out in fuses of va' rious other types and constructions, as willl be apparent to one skilled in the art. Certain parts of the fuse may be reversed, for instance the ositions of the firing pin and primer may e reversed if thoughty desirable, without departing in any way from the spirit of the invention. the appended claims the irin pin and primer are designated firing e ements.

Havingthus described the invention what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In a fuse for projectiles, the combination with a fuse body, of relatively movable firing elements and a firing spring, means for compressing the .firing spring upon initial acceleration of the projectile and retaining it in a compressed` state during flight, and means to normally prevent 'liring movement of said firing elements released upon cessation of retardation of the projectile.

2. In a fuse for projectiles, in combination, relatively movable firing elements, 'a firing spring, locking means normallyv preventing tiring movement of said firing elements, an inertia controlled device for compressing the firing spring upon initial acceleration, and inertia and spring controlled devices' for releasing the locking means after impact and after retardation has ceased.

3. In a fuse for projectiles in combination, relatively movable firing elements, locking means normally preventing ring movement of said elements, a liring spring, a second spring, an axially movable plunger for compressing the ring spring upon acceleration of the projectile in firing and control means for said locking means adapt In certain of Ving bolts B' (what yare disengaged by the iatesleeve moves forizo ed to compress said second spring upon inijectile.

5. In a fuse for projectiles, in combination, relatively movable firing elements,

'locking means normally preventing firing movement of said elements, a firing spring, a second spring, an axially movable plunger for compressing the firing spring upon acceleration of the projectile in firing, and control means for said locking means which includes two axially movable sleevesadapted to move relatively upon impact and one of said sleeves being arranged to compress said second spring upon impact and to be projected rearwardly thereby upon the ces sation of retardation of the projectile.

6. In a fuse for projectiles, in combination, firing elements, firing Tbeans to cause one of said elements to ignite the fuse and adapted to be energized on the discharge of 'the projectile from a gun, locking means adapted to maintain said firing means inactive during the flight of the projectile, and control means cooperating with sai locking means, adapted to be energized upon impact of the projectile upon a target and to function upon cessation of retardation due to impact to render said locking means ineffective. V

7. In a fuse for projectiles, in combination, firing elements, firing means to cause one of said elements to ignite the fuse and adapted to be energized on the discharge of the projectile from a gun, locking means adapted to maintain said firing means in* active during the flight of the projectile, and control means cooperating with said locking means including a sprmg adapted to store up energy upon impact of the projcctile upon a target and to function upon cessation of retardation of the projectile due to impact to render said locking means ineffective.

8. In a fuse for projectiles, in combination, firing elements, firing means to cause one of said elements to ignite the fuse and adapted to be energized on the discharge of the projectile from a gun, locking means adapted to maintain said firing means inactive during the flight of the projectile, and control means cooperating with said locking means including a sprin adapted to be compressed upon impact o the projectile u'pon a target and to expand upon cessation of retardation of the projectile due to impact and to locking means ineffective.

9. In a fuse for projectiles, in combination, firing elements, firing means to cause one of said elements to ignite the fuse and adapted to be energized on the discharge of the projectile from a n, locking means adapted to maintain said firing means inactive during the flight of the projectile, and control means cooperating with said locking means including a member secured to the fuse for limited movement upon im act and a spring positioned to be compresse by said member upon impact of the projectile upon a target and cause a return movement to said member upon cessation of retardation due to impact, whereby said locking means is rendered ineffective.

10. In a fuse for projectiles, in combination, firing elements, tiring means to cause one of said elements to ignite the fuse and function to render said` adapted to be energized on the discharge of the projectile from a gun, locking means adapted to maintain said firing means inactive during the flight of the projectile, and control means cooperating with said locking means including a member slidably mounted in the fuse for limited axial movement upon impact of the projectile upon a target and a coil spring arranged axially of the fuse and in advance of said member so asto be compressed upon impact by the forward movementof said member and to expand upon d cessation of retardation due to impact and move said member rearwardlv to render said locking means ineffective. l

11. In a fuse for projectiles, in combination, a detonator, a firing element for the detonator adapted to be armed when the projectile is discharged from a gun, locking means to maintain the firin element in its armed position during the flight of the projectile, and means cooperating with said locking means adapted to be energized upon impact of the projectile with a target and to function at the cessation of retardation due to impact to render said locking means ineffective.

12. In a fuse for projectiles, in combination, two firing elements, means to propel one of said elements toward the other to eiect firing of the fuse, means to energize said propelling means andl adapted to function upon discharge of the projectile from a gun, means to lock said element against movement, and means for releasing said locking means operable after impact and when retardation ofthe projectile and fuse have ceased. l

13. In a fuse for projectiles, in combination, two firing elements, means to propel one of taid elements toward the other to effect firing of the fuse, means to energize said propelling means and adapted to function` upon discharge of the projectile from a gun, means to lock said element against movement',I and means for releasing .said locking means partially upon impact and completely when vretardation of the projectile has ceased.

14. In a fuse for projectiles, in combination, relatively movable firing elements, means eli'ective upon the acceleration of the projectile for storing up energy for propelling one of said elements towards the other to effect firing of the fuse, locking means to normally prevent relative movement and contact of said firing elements, and control means for said locking means normally holding said locking means in locking position but adapted to release same upon cessation of retardation of the projectile after impact.

15. A fuse for projectiles including in combination relatively movable tiring elements, means effective upon the acceleration of the projectile for storing up energy for propelling one of said elements towards the other to eiect firing of the fuse, locking means to normally prevent relative movement andcontact of said firing elements, a pair of axially and relatively movable members, a spring opposing the movement of said members, and a fixed stop to limit the movement of one of said members, whereby upon impact of the projectile the members :ire caused to move forward' and relative to each other so that upon the return movement of said member the release of the locking means is eifected.

116. A fuse for projectiles including in combination relatively movable firing elements, tiring means energized upon shock of discharge of the projectile from a gun for .causing relativemovement of said elements and iiring of the fuse, locking means for preventing firing movement of the firing .elements, and control means for th'e locking means `comprising two members adapted to be relatively displaced upon impact of the projectile with a target and a spring normally preventing relative displacement of said members.

17. A fuse for, projectiles including in combination, a primer, a firing hammer, a 'sleeve in which the iiring hammer is slidably retained, a motor for propelling said firing hammer mounted in said sleeve and adapted to be energized upon shock of discharge of the projectile from a gun, locking bolts eX- tending through the sleeve and engaging the firing hammer, a second sleeve without the first mentioned sleeve and normally engaging said locking bolts to prevent outward movement thereof and release of the locking bolts, relative movement of said sleeves resulting in release of the locking bolts, and a ring normally opposing movement of said s eeves, the action of which is overcome by the inertia of said sleeves upon im act of the projectile so that the locking bo ts will be released.

18. ln a fuse'for rojectiles, the combina-l tion with a fuse bo y, of relatively movable Afiring elements and a propelling medium to the sleeve and engaging the firing animer, a

second sleeve without the lirst mentioned sleeve and normally engaging said lockin bolts to prevent -outward movement thereo and release of the locking bolts, a member slidably mounted in the first sleeve and normally disconnected therefrom but adapted to be interlocked during the Hight of the projectile, a coil spring lnterposed betweensaid member and the tiring hammer and normally opposing the interlocking of the member and the sleeve and also normally opposing the relative movement of said Asleeves which relative movement resulting in release of the locking bol-ts, the action of which is overcome by the inertia of one of the afore-l mentioned parts due to the initial acceleration of the projectile so that the interlocking ofthe sleeve and the member is effected and the tiring hammer loaded, and a second spring cooperating with the rst spring to oppose the relative movement of the sleeves, the action of which is overcome by the inertia of said sleeves upon impact of the profuse vfor projectiles including in jectile so that the locking ybolts will be released.

20. In a fuse of the class described, the

combination with a firing means adapted to be ener zed upon the initial acceleration of 'ment of the member, locking means maintaining said iring'means inactive during the v flight of the projectile, means controlling 'the projectile to which itl is secured, of locksaid locking means rendered ine'ective at the cessation of retardation due to impact, whereby the firing means is released to bring about the explosion, and means for establishing explosive relation between the booster charge and the detonator during the flight of the projectile.

22. In a fuse for projectiles, the combination of an exploding element, an axially movable sleeve member, a relatively movab e firing hammer therein, locking means positioned in the l`sleeve member, control means cooperating therewith for preventing firing engagement of the exploding element .and the firing hammer prior to a predetermined relative movement of the control means and Said sleeve member, and firing means adapted to be energized during the initial acceler ation of the projectile for thereafter bringing about said engagement.

23. A fuse for projectiles, including a firing element having a hammer, an inertia member, a firing spring interposed between the parts and adapted to be compressed by inertia due to the initial acceleration of the projectile, and means to lock said spring in its compressed state to be released upon cessation of retardation due to impact of the projectile with an obstacle.

24. A fuse for projectiles, the combination with a firing element, of an inertia member adapted to arm the firing element, a firing spring adapted to resist the movement of said member, a friction device cooperating with said spring adapted to augment the resisting force of said spring during the initial movement of said inertia member, and means to lock said firing element in its armed condition to be released upon cessation of retardation due to impact of the projectile with an obstacle.

25. A fuse for projectiles, the combination with a firing element, of an inertia member adapted to arm the ring element,

tion to be released upon cessation of retardation due to impact of a projectile with an obstacle.

26. A fuse for projectiles, the combination with a firing element, of an inertia member adapted to arm the firing element, a relatively movable spring abutment member, a iiring spring interposed between said members, a friction device to oppose the initial movement of the members, and means to lock said firing element in its armed condition to be released upon cessation of retardation due to impact of a projectile with an obstacle.

27. A fuse for projectiles, the combination with a tiring element, of an inertia member adapted to arm the ring element, a relatively movable spring abutment member normally disconnected from the inertia member, a firing sprin interposed between said members, and loc 'ing means adapted to function and interlock said members after a predetermined relative movement thereof.

28. A fuse for projectiles, the combination with a ring element, of an inertia member adapted to arm the tiring element, a relatively movable spring abutment member normally disconnected from the inertia member, a iring sprin interposed between said members, and loc ing means adapted to function and interlock said members after a predetermined relative movement thereof, and friction means opposing said movement.

29. A fuse for projectiles, the combination with a ring element, of an inertia member adapted to arm the firing element, a relatively movable spring abutment member normally disconnected from the inertia member, a firing spring interposed between said members and adapted to resist the movement of the inertia member, means augmenting said spring to resist the initial movement of said inertia member, and locking means adapted to function and interlock a firing spring adapted to resist the movemesaid membersafter a predetermined relative ment of said member, a friction ring mounted on said member adapted to cooperate witli said spring in resisting the movement of the member, and means to lock said firing element in its armed condimovement thereof.

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature.

NEVIL GREENWELL.