US1665899A - Mechanical fuse for artillery projectiles - Google Patents

Description

April, 10, 1928. 1,665,899 A.VARAUD MECHANICAL FUSE FOR ARTILLERY PHOJ'ECTILES' u Fi Jan.'7 1927 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 April 10, 1928.

I 1,665,899 A. VARAUD MECHANICAL FUSE} FOR ARTILLERY PROJECTILES Filed Jan. 7. 1927 5 Sheeis-Sheet 2 April 10, 1928.

A. VARAUD MECHANICAL FUSE FOR ARTILLERY PROJECTILES Filed Jan-"F. 1927 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 April 10, 1928. 1,665,899

A. VARAUD MECHANICAL FUSE FOR ARTILLBRY PROJEGTILES Filed Jan.'7. 1927 SSheets-Sheet 4 April 10, 1928. 1,665,899

A. VARAUD MECHANICAL FUSE FOR ARTILLERY PROJECTILES Filed Jan.7, 1927 5 Sheets-Sfieet 5 Patented Apr. 10, 1928.

PATENT FFEQE.

ANDRE VABAUD, QF GENEVA, SWITZERLAND.

- MECHANICAL FUSE FOR ARTILLERY PROJECTILE S.

Application filed January 7, 1927, Serial No. 159,530,.and in Switzerland January 16, v1926.

The invention concerns mechanical fuses for artillery pro ectiles of the type in which the release of a striker device is controlled by a rotary member whose angular position can be set or adjusted prior to firing and which is driven during the flight of the projectile by a spring operated clockwork in a direction opposite to its setting.

The invention more particularly refers to fuses of the kind in which the driving motor-of the clockwork is constituted by a barrel shaft accommodated in the axis of the fuse in such a manner that it may describe several revolutions in one direction, for ef fecting before firing simultaneously the winding and the setting of the fuse, and in the inverse direction, during the trajectory, under the act-ion of the power spring, for driving the rotary member controlling the release of the striker member and for transmitting the driving power to a regulating device of the clockwork with a dead-beat cscapement and spiral balance.

Tillie fuse according to this invention is essentially characterized by the fact that the frame. housing the different movable members of the clockwork is composed of at least two parts, a fixed one containing the power spring which is rendered integral with the body of the fuse, and a movable one. which prior to firing may be angularly displaced with regard to the other part in order to effect simultaneously the winding of the power spring, the setting or adjusting of the'time of ignition of the charge of the projectile, and further by the fact that means operating by inertia, are provided for rendering the movable part of the frame integral' with the fixed part during the completetrajectory of the projectile.

The attached drawing shows, by way of example. one form in which this new mechanical fuse can be executed and fitted re spectively to a double-acting explosive shell (Fig. l) and to a single-acting explosive shell. more especially designed for firing against aeroplanes (Fig.

d igure 1 is an axial section representing this form in the position just after machining. that before firing.

Figure 2 is an axial section, turned round by 18(l-degrees in ratio to Figure 1, showing said form adapted to the single-acting explosive shell. The position indicated is that of fuse when detonation would occur.

Figure 3 is a cross-section on the line AA of Figure l, on upper plate of clockwork frame, showing how the key is to drive a movable part of said frame. ln this figure a dotted line also indicates the fuse balance accommodated within the upper plate of said movable part of frame.

Figure 4 is a cross-section on the line BB of Figure 1, under the upper plate of clock-work frame, showing, in plan view, the regulating device.

Figure 5 is a cr0ss-secti0n on the line CC of Figure 1, under a middle plate of clock-work frame, showing how the movable part of said frame carries along, while revolving, the fusedriving shaft.

Figure 6 is a cross-section on the line DD of Figure 1, under the clock-work barrel, showing how the fuse driving shaft carries along an auxiliary shaft for regulating the firing time of the projectile.

Figure 7 is a cross-section on the line EE of Figure 1, under a steel plate set between the barrel and the bottom of clockwork frame, showing a plan view of the controlling device for releasing the striker.

Figure 8 is a section on the axis of the fuse of another working form of the device for starting the balance.

Figure 9 is a plan View showing the position of the balance prior to firing.

Figure 10 is a similar plan view showing the device in its operative position and the position which the balance will take at the departure of the projectile and which it conserves during the complete duration of the linear acceleration.

Referring to the attached'drawing, it will be seen (Figures 1 and 2), that the cylindrical body of the fuse is composed of two parts 1 and 2, screwed on each other. The periphery of lower part 2 shows a steadypin 3, the head whereof slightly protrudes beyond the shell. for angularly fixing the latter on to a timing apparatus.

Axially mounted in cap 1 of the fuse, so as to be freely rotatable, is a key 4, which a slanting screw 5, co-operating withthe conical bottom of a recess 6 in the cylindrical body, prevents from axial displacement. Said key is provided, at the end opposite to its driving slot, With a transversal head rel 33, fitted with two lugs. 34 and fixed with 7 (Figure 3), the function whereof is here i inafter described.

' 2 of the fuse. a

' Whether-shell be single or double acting,

the detonating device is housed within a cylindrical cavity formed in the axis of body In the first case (Figure 1), detonating device includes a primer plunger 10-, subjected to the action of a spring 11, tending to keep the plunger'downward in the bottonr of its location, said plunger being provided,

' on its periphery, with air-gaps 12; a safety stay-bolt 13, constituted by a small cylindrical piston, operating in a radial groove 14 and normally kept engaged with a cross bore 15 of primer plunger 10 by means of a lever .16 subjected to the action of a, spring 17 and held in its operative position, till firing,

by a pin 18; a primer 19, screwed into'the axis of plunger 10 and a striker 20,. slidingly mounted within a guide located in the axis of the fuse. Said striker is subjected to the action of a percussion spring 21, resting, on the one side, under the bottom of the clock-work frame, and on the other side,

against a fiange provided on striker head.

. The said striker head is ended by the percussion point 22 normally'engaged within a transverse countersinkin the stay bolt 13. Close to its upper end, this striker is-. also provided with a" lateral notch 23, the function whereof is hereinafter described.

In the second case (Figure 2) the primer,

plunger 10, instead of being elastically kept Within the bottom of its location by a spring, is permanently fastened therein by a staybolt ring 24.

In the axis of fuse cap -1,'above the striker, there is' a bore having a cylindrical portion 25 wherein is mounted a casing 26 containing the clock-work movement. The bore is provided at its lower end with two mortises 27, diametrically opposite to each other, within which are made to fittwo projections ortenons 28 of the casing 26,so as to render.

this casing jointly connected with the fuse body in the angular direction. This casing is in two semi-cylindrical parts rigidly connected by means of screws '29 diametrically opposite to one another, screwed into pieces constituting the barrel and the bottom of the clockwork frame respectively, which'pieces are hereafter described. 30 and 31 indicate two plates the diameters whereof are slightly greater than the inner diameter of casing 26 so as to freely rotate within two corresponding circular countersinks of said casing. The upperv plate 30 is hollow so as to ance. These two plates 30, 31 are jointlyconnected by three pillars 32, so as to form together a solid block capable of revolving in the casing at a certain distance below the lower plate 31; 35 shows a steel stiffening disk; with two similarlugs (Figure 6) resting on a bottom disk 36, also fitted with two lugs 34,which constitutes the bottom of the .casing (Figure 7 v The lugs 34 of drum33. and the lugs on disks 35 and 36 are diametrically opposite to one another and superposed so as to jointly engage, as a single piece,

' within two corresponding mortises, diametrically opposite to each other and located inside the lower part of casing so as to face the projections or tenons 28. The screws 29 go through openings drilled into said proQ jections or tenons 28 and extend into the periphery ofthe bottom of the drum 33 and the bottom-disk 36, respectively. The barrel 33 and the .two disks 35 and 36 are also.

rigidly fastened together by means, of two strong pins 37 (Figures 6 and 7). Thus it willv be seen that the frame for the clockwork' movement is entirely housed within casing 26 and that it is composed of two partsz the'one, movable within saidcasing and constituted by the two plates 30, 31, the other fixed, jointly connected with the casing and formed by the three superposed disks, 33, 25 and136. J

The power spring 38 of clock work movement is lodged within a cylindrical cavity provided in drum'33. and closed with a barrel cover 39.. The outer end of said spring is fas-' tened by'its usual bridle. to drum 33 :so that the bridle will be sunk into a corresponding hollow'in the internal wall of. barrel while the springis" loose. vThe inner end of the spring is secured to a collet 40. mounted on a squareportion of a central arbor 41accommodated in the axis of the casing. This-arbor serves, in the first place, for winding up the spring 38 by means ofa winding mechanism hereafter described and, in the second place, for transmitting the motive power, on the one side, by means of a pinion 42 tothe organs of the clock-work controlling the action of the fuse striker and, on the other side, to the. clockwork regulating device, the different gears whereof are, inserted between.

plates 30 and 31. The arbor 41 pivots by the same. This support 45 is fixed underthe lower plate 31. Arbor 41 is provided, at the rear end, thereof, with the pinion '42 v meshingwith anintermediate wheel 46 fasprovlde accommodation for the fuse baltened to a small shaft 47 pivoting, on the one side, in the bottom of drum 33 and, on the other side, in the bottom disk 36. This shaft 47 which serves to transmitthe motive power to the controllin device releasing the striker during the flig t and to adjust the racemes firing itime of the charge in the projectile prior to departure, also :carries a pinion 48, In constantmesh with the inner teeth ofa crown 49, freely "rotating within a circularcOunterSink :50, provided in the botto disk :36. V

In openings of the steel disk 35 are lo cated "three balls 51 (Figure 6) whereon the upper :face of crown-49 .can roll. In the.

edgeiof thecrown projecting parallel to the axis of the fuse is provided a notch' 52, wherein' the nose of a stopping lever 53 of the striker .is made to engage when said striker is released (Figure This lever 53 may'pivot around a shouldered screw .54, screwed thereon through the bottom-disk 36, so as to move out of notch 23 of the striker just when notch 52 faces' thelever nose. The operatingsurfaces of lever and of notch 23, which co-operate in keeping'the striker bolted till detonation occurs, are slightly slanting, so as to make unlocking of bolt easier. The lever 53 carries a perpendicular pin 55, against the free extremity whereof operates a spring 56, located within a countersinkin bottom of drum33, for the purpose of counteracting the action of the percussionspring 21. Said spring 56 normally ten'dsto keep -'lever 53 resting against the inertia pin 57, integral with a clutch spring 58 which automatically moves away under the action of inertia when the projectile is fired'and said spring 56 also causes the nose of lever 53 to penetrate within notch 52 when pin 57 has moved off and when said notch 52 happens to face the lever nose. The pin 57, fitted with spring 58, operates in a cylinder 59, fixed under the bottom disk 36, and enters a cylindrical countersink formed in body 2 of the fuse.

The crown 49 presents a lug 60 radially projecting towards the'center thereof. Said lug is normally kept engaged (Figure 1), within a corresponding notch 61 of the inertia pin 57 so as to prevent, on the one hand, crown 49 from moving clockwise and, on the other hand, to prevent the pin 57 from prematurely moving off before timing of fuse has been performed; for example if the shell happens to drop down while being handled.

As long as pin 57, is in its operative position (thatis during'the whole time of transport, handling and loading of the shell), said lug 60, while remaining in notch 61 of pin 57, prevents "the crown 49 from rotating in a clockwise direction and, consequent- 1y impedes every accidental release of striker 20. The inertiapin 57 however, does not'prevent the crown 49 from rotating in a counterclockwise direction by 335 degrees or so, when it is desired to adjust the firing time of the charge in projectile, namely to time the fuse. Said timing is performed whilepower spring 38 is being'wound up with theaid of :the key 4 by turning the same clockwise with a timing apparatus at the angle required to secure thefiring range desired. By turning the :key 4, the lower end whereof :is guided by an axial cylindrical tenon 62, fixed in the cover of the upper plate 30, the movable frame 30, 31 is driven with the aid of atransverse head-stud 7 and amortised plate*63, fastened-on the .cover'of the hollow plate 30,.so as to co-operate with stud 7 of the key. The movable frame 30, 31 then describes, in a clockwise direction, the same angle as key 4 while frictionally revolving within :the two insidegrooves located in the upper part of .the casing 26.

In the bearing 45, fixed under the plate 31, is mounted. a pinion 64, which constitutes the first rotating member of the gear-train in the clock-work movement. Said pinion-as it is the case for the whole gear-train is prevented from revolving until firing time (as hereinafter described) and is in constant mesh with the inner teeth (S5 of a disk 66 in the casing 26, between the lower plate 31 and the cover 39 of the drum and squeezed, on a square portion of the driving shaft 41, between the gudgeon 43 and the collet 40. :Because of :this construction, the driving shaft 41 remains coupled with the movable frame 30, 31 as long as the pinion 64 is prevented from rotating. Thus, when the movable frame30', 31 is driven by means of key 4, the central shaft 41 is made to revolve in a clockwise direction, which has, on the one hand, the effect of winding up the power spring 38 and, on the other hand, simultaneously of turning a counterclockwise the crown 49 controlling the device releasing the striker through gears 42, 46, 48.

The winding position of power spring and of timing thus imparted to the fuse, through difference between the movable part and the fixed part of the clock-work frame, is maintained between the moment of timing the projectiles and the moment. of firing the latter, through friction of the plates 30, 31 within grooves of casing 26. Said friction is secured, on mounting up the frame in the casing, so as to remain constant, due to a space 67, existing between the fixed part 33, 35, 36 of the frame, and the casing 26except at bottom of bottom 36-said space being suflicient for allowing both halves of casing to be properly tightened on the movable part '30, 31 of frame, withthe aid of screws 29.

On firing, the movable frame 30, 31, integral with the key 4, is immobilized in the casing 26 as soon as inertia begins to prove effectual (through a device hereinafter described) whereas, simultaneously, the gear train of the clock-work movement and, consequently, also the pinion 64, are released (through a device hereinafter described). Under the action of power spring 38, the

shaft 41 startsrevolving counter-clockwise driving, on the one hand, the whole geartrain throughcrown '65 and, von'the otherv hand, the crown '49through gears .42, 46 and 48,."during the complete trajectory of the projectile, theframe 30, 31, previously:

movable, as well. as key- 4, remaining all that time integralwitlrfuse body 1, 2..

Hence, the crown 49 resumes the initial.

position it-occupied prior to timing, that is its position just after machining, but, at thatv very moment, the pin 57, having withdrawn, through inertia, on pro ectile being fired, s no longer in the path of lug 60, and besides,

E the power derived from the. power spring still driving the shaft 41. and the crown 49,

the latter keeps rotating-in a clockwise direction until notch '52 thereof exactly faces the nose of bolting lever 53. Under the ac- I tion of spring 56 andof the centrifugal force produced by axial. "revolution. of the pro ectile, the lever 58 instantly revolves in a counter-clockwise directionthrough an angle suflicient for permitting its complete withdrawl from the notch 23 of striker 20, thus causing saidstriker to be instantaneous ly released. To make sure'that on firing, the adjustment of the fuse is not likely to be destroyed, and to keep the movable frame 30, 31 integral with the 'fuse bodydurin'g the completetrajectory, there is en'lployed. aplunger-ring 68 provided with "four steel points 69u Said ring is mounted around the key '4, axially movable within a circular countersmk v7O in the ogive' of the fuse.

This ring is normally kept inflthe bottom ofsaid countersink-bya fiat spring wlth occur on firing, there are two centrifugal (38 until the projectile is fired.

bolts 74, slidingly' mountedwithin a trans. versebore in key 4 and subjected to the action of a spring 76, said action being added to and combined with'tha't. of the centrifugal force. These bolts are held in their inoperative positio'nsilligure 1) by the-ring On firing said bolts move off and are made totake up the position shown in FigureEZ, namely, the position required for preventing the ring 68 from sliding upwards.

The pinion' 64 being'in constant mesh with the inner teeth 65'of the'disk 66, keyed on the driving shaft, is carried at the lower end of a small shaft 77 pivoting, on the one side, within the upper plate .30 and, on the otherside, within bearing 45. 78 indicates a circular countersink provided in the plate 31 securing free passage: for pinion 64 when the apparatus is being mounted. Saidshaft 7-7 carrie's, above the lower plate 31,a.wh eel 7 9 operating a pinion 80made integral with a bevel' wheel-.82 operating asmall bevel pinion 83' carried by-a smallshaft 84 re- 'volvi'ng-in ,a bearing 85'. composed of two parts In saidlbearing is fastened an .end-

piece screw'86, acting upon one end of shaft 84. In the middle of this shaft-is fixed a double escape wheel 87. which co-operates with a sector-shaped pallet 88 fixed on the shaft of rod 89 of the balance 90. 'The rod 89 pivots axially in relation to the fuse, betwcen;the cover of the plate.v 3O

andf'the plate 31. The lower end of 'said rod revolves in plate 31', whereas the upper end thereof is made to bear against the extremity a of an end-piece screw 91, located in the tenon 62guiding the key4. The rod 89 carries, at the upper end. thereof, the ba1ance-90 which presents two paddles projectinglbe yond each other. Each paddle is constituted by -a thin flexible metallic blade, the free weight 92. in the form of a disk.

extremity whereof is fitted. with a-sma1l- The verge of balan'ce 89 carries, between thebalance and thepallet. 88, 21. bevel pinion "93'which. meshes with a second bevel pinion 94 keyed at one end of a small radial shaft 95, pivoting on the oneside, ina bridge 96 and, on the other side, in another bridge 100, hereinafterdescribed. Behind the bevel pinion 94, said shaft is provided with a portion97, the diameter of which is larger,

and wherein is hired oneendof the cylindrica'l balance spring. 98. The otherendof said spring is fastened'to a split ring 99 adjustable in angular position ona cylindrical shoulder lOO, formed 'bya stud lOl,

screwed on plate 31. Said. ring 99 presents a cylindrical projection whereon is frictionally'mounted a split ring 103, acting as regulator and fitted with a stud 104 crossed by the last spire of the spiral. V The detonation device, in the first case 0 a double-acting shell (Figure 1) operates as followsz i -Prior to firing,' V of primer 19 is made impossible throughthe safety stay-bolt '13, accommodated between primer 19 and point22 of striker, which stay-bolt is kept in this operativejposition by a lever 16 and a pin 18. On removing the latter, when firing,

as the action of linear acceleration is superior to that of angular acceleration, that is at least during the complete passage through the gun-bore, the' lever 16 being then kept, by the. force of inertia, strongly applied.

any ill-timed percussion said stay-bolt 13 is maintained in ts operative position as long tion of the centrifugal force, thus liberating the percussion members 19 and 20,. which are then ready to perform their functions.

Whilenormally operating as a timeshell, the latter bursts on release of striker 20, the point 22 whereof is made to pierce the primer 19, tightly kept within its location by the spring 11 (Figure 2), during the whole trajectory. However on percussion firing, the primer-plunger 10 is projected forward, at the moment of impact and in the usual manner, onthe point 22 of the striker, this against the action of spring 11.

In the case of the single-acting shell (Figure 2:), everything is performed as in the preceding instance exceptthat any axial displacement of the primer-plunger is made impossible through the fixed stay-bolt 24, which. means that the shell can only operate as a time-shell;

' Inthis working" form the balance 90, prior to firing, is arrested in its cocked position by a pin 105 (Figures 8 and 9) 'which by inertia iswithdrawn in. any known manner at the moment of firing.

The device is composed of an oscillating lever 106 having a nose 107 and a pivot 108.

'This" lever is subjected to, the action of a spring 109 which tends to hold it in its operative position, its free end then coming to" bear on the hub of the escapement wheel 87 The balance 90 has a short arm 110 which at the moment of firing comes to bear against the nose 107 of lever 106, after the inertia'pin' 105 has been withdrawn.-

Since during the whole duration of the linear acceleration the effect of inertia acting on-the lever 106 is much greater than the action of the centrifugal force, the said lever will be arrested in the position as represented in Figure 10.

Thus the balance 90 7 remains immobilized by the nose107 as long asthe linear acceleration continues, that is say during the complete passage of the projectile through the bore of the cannon and a few meters in additionafter having left the gun. However, as soon as the linear acceleraceases, the lever 106 rotates onits pivot 108 under the action of the centrifugal force and" takes a-position in which it is retained within acountersink 11 1 of the regulator frame by means ofa' small spring 112 which at the end of the stroke of the lever 106 enters a cavity 113 in the countersink 111.

The nose 107 is at that time out of the way of the course of the balance 90, which therefore may describe its first oscillation under the action of its spiral spring 98 to 'which it is mechanically connected by the angle gear 94.

In order that the center of gravity remains in the axis of the fuse, another arm '1 10 is provided for symmetric to the first one.

The plane of oscillations of the lever 106 might be directed so that when the lever is withdrawn, it gives to the balance an impulse facilitating its start.

I claim as my invention:

1.111 a mechanical fuse for artillery proj'ectilcs of the type in which the power mem ber of the clockwork is constituted by a barrel shaft arranged in the axis of the fuse in such a manner as to describe several revolutions, in one direction for effecting, prior to'firing, simultaneously the winding and the setting or adjusting of the fuse, and in the inverse direction and during thetrajectory under the action of the power spring and for driving the rotary member controlling the release of the striker member, and also for transmitting the driving power to a regulating device of the clockwork with a dead-beat escapement and a spiral balance, in combination a frame, for housing the differentn1ovable members of the clockwork, said frame being composed of at least two parts, one of them bein a fixed one and containing the power sprmg, said fixed part being integral with the fuse body, and a movable one adapted to become, prior to firing, displaced angularly with regard to the fixed part, for effecting simultaneously the winding of the power spring and the adjusting of the time of ignition of the pro jectile charge,means being provided, which, in function of the inertia, are adapted to render, during the complete trajectory, this movable part of the frame integral with the said fixed part.

2. A fuse as per claim 1, in which an oscillating safety member is arranged in such 'a manner, that the power of inertia generated by the linear acceleration of the projectile is used for preventing, in spite of the centrifugal force, its oscillation during the passing of the projectile through the bore of the gun, the center of gravitation of said memher being outside of the axis of rotation of w of the rotary members of the clockwork in said interval.

4. A fuse as per claim l, in which means are provided for maintaining the movable part of the frame coupled with the barrel shaft of thefuse until the moment of firing.

5. A fuse as per claim 1 in which the movable, part of the frame houses the gear train andv the regulating device of the clock work and is angularly displaced prior to firing by means of a key disposed in the axis of the fuse in the point of the latter...

'6. A fuse as per'claim 1, in which the barrel shaft constituting the power member carries on its top portion a crown wheel with inner teeth in constant mesh with a pinion of the gear-train which, as well as all the other wheels of said gear train, is held immobilized until firing the projectile, but which participates in the rotation of the movable part of the frame in such a manner. as to serve, prior to firing, for causing the barrel shaft to partake in said rotation.

7. A fuse as per claim 1, in which means are provided for preventing the balance of the regulating device from rotating respectively until the moment of the departure of the projectile and until the acceleration has come to an end, inorder, to immobilize during all this time the-wheels of the gear train by means of the escapement wheel adjusted in its inoperative position in the course of manufacture and in order to allow, prior to firing, the crown with inner teeth and carried by the barrel shaft to be rotated too when the movable frame part is, rotatcdby the pinion in constant mesh with thesame.

8. A fuse as per claim 1, in whichv steel points are provided, mounted asto be axial- "parts and-within the top part of which the movable part of the frame may rotate frictionally. A

10. A fuse as per claim l, in. which steel] points are provided, mounted so as to be axially movable in the body of the fuse above the movable part of the frame in such a manner as to allow them to penetrate by the effect of inertia at the moment of firing in the't0p surface of said movable part so as to render it integral with the body of the fuse, the said-steel points being carried by a plunger mounted slidingly in an axial bore of the body of the fuse above the movable: part of the frame,at least one centrifugal member being provided which is adapted: to thereupon place itself behind said plung er for the purpose of immobilizing it inits operative position during the. complete tra ectory of theprojectiler 11..A fuse as per claim 1 in which anoscillatmg safety member is arranged in such 1' a manner-that the power of inertia generated.

by the lincaracceleration of tlievprojectile is used for preventing, in spitev ofthefcentrifugal force, its oscillation during the passing of the projectile through'the bore of the gun,;the center of gravitation. of said mem er being outside of theaxis of rotation of the projectilein order to have-the member to oscillate as soon as the linear acceleration has reachedits end, that is after-therprojectile has left-the hereof. the gun," the said oscillation being used for-causing the release of the regulating balance of the fuse,

, thesaid oscillating safety member vbeing constituted by a lever which' may rotate in a plane parallel to the axis of rotation ofathe I projectile, said lever. being arrested during the entire duration ofthe linear acceleration in such a position as to prevent any displacement of a centrifugal bolt'protruding between the striker and the primer,

12. A fuse as per claim'l, inwhichv an oscillating safety member is arranged in such amanner that the power of inertiagene eratedby the linear acceleration of the projectile isusedfor preventing, in spite. of the centrifugal force, its oscillation during the passing of'the projectile through the-bore of the gun, the center of gravitation of said member being outside of theva'xis of rota-1 tion of the. projectile iniorderl to have the member to oscillate as soon as the linear acceleration has reached-its end, that, is after the projectile has leftfthe bore of the gun, the saidv oscillation being used for causing the release of the regulating balance of zthef 7 fuse.'the said oscillating safety member being constituted by a lever which may rotate in a plane parallel to the axis of rotation of the projectile, said lever being arrested during. the entire duration of the linear acceleration in-such a position as to prevent-any displacement ofaa centrifuga'l bolt protrud ing between the striker and the primer, and in which the said centrifugal bolt is con stitut'ed by a pinfthe gravity center'of which i is eccentric with regard to the axis 50f rotation of the projectile and-which is suscep tibleto be displaced in a radial slot, said pin having on the one part a longitudinal notch, intowhich may penetrate the-pointof the striker, and on the other part, a cylindrical cavity with a widened vborder into I which the point of the striker is wedged in the case of some accidental function'of the latter in the bore of the gun, so that the said bolt will definitely become immobilized in its active position.

13. A fuse as per claim 1, in which means are provided for preventing any axial displacement of one part of the clockwork frame with regard to the other part and for holding the two frame parts a certain interval apart from one another for lodging one of the rotary members of the clockwork it is possible for the movable part to become,

prior to firing, angularly displaced with regard to the said fixed frame part.

.14. A fuse as per claim 1, in which an oscillating safety member is arranged in such a manner, that the power of inertia generated by the linear acceleration of the projectile is used, in spite of the centrifugal force, its oscillation during the passing of the projectile through the bore of the gun, the center of gravitation of said member being outside of the axis of rotation of the projectile, in order to have the member to oscillate as soon as the linear acceleration has reached its end, that is after the projectile has left the bore of the gun, the said oscillation being used for causing the release of the striker member from the act-ion of said oscillating safety member.

15. A fuse as per claim 1 in which an oscillating safety member is arranged in such a manner that the power of inertia generated by the linear acceleration of the projectile is used for preventing, in spite of the centrifugal force, its oscillation during the passing of the projectile through the bore of the gun, the center of gravitation of said member being outside of the axis of rotation of the projectile in order to have the member to oscillate as soon as the linear acceleration has reached its end, that is after the projectile has left the bore of the gun, the said oscillation being used for releasing the striker member from the action of the said safety member, the said oscillating safety member being constituted by a lever which may rotate in a plane parallel to the axis of rotation of the projectile, said lever being arrested during the entire duration of the linear acceleration in such a position as to prevent any displacement of a centrifugal bolt protruding between the striker and the primer.

16. A fuse as per claim. 1, in which an oscillating safety member is arranged in such a manner that the power of inertia generated by the linear acceleration of the projectile is used for preventing, in spite of the centrifugal force, its oscillation during the passing of the projectile through the bore of the gun, the center of gravitation of said member being outside of the axis of rotation of the projectile in order to have the member to oscillate as soon as the linear acceleration has reached its end, that is after the projectile has left the bore of the gun, the said oscillation being used for releasing the striker member from the action of the said safety member, the said oscillating safety member being constituted by a lever which may rotate in a plane parallel to the axis of rotation of the projectile, said lever being arrested during the entire duration of the linear acceleration in such a position as to prevent any displacement of a centrifugal bolt protruding between the striker and the primer, and in which the said centrifugal bolt is constituted by a pin the gravity center of which is eccentric with regard to the axis of rotation of the projectile and which is susceptible to be displaced in a radial slot, said pin having on the one part alongitudinal notch, into which may penetrate the point of the striker, and on the other part, a cylindrical cavity with a widened border into which the point of the striker is wedged in the case of some accidental function of the latter in the bore of the gun, so that the said bolt will definitely become immobilized in its active position.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

ANDRE VARAUD.

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