US2409282A - Dual-purpose aerial bomb - Google Patents

Description

i. 15, 194%: V Ns V 2,4Q9Z82 DUAL PURPOSE AERIAL BOMB I Filed June 18, 1942 wig /o Inven or Patented Oct. 15, 1946 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DUAL-.PURPO SE AERIAL BOMB .Nevil Mon Hopkins, New Yo k N Baymonde B. Hopkins, executor of said Nevi'l Monroe Hopkins, deceased, assignor, by mesne assignments, to Raymonde" Briggs Hopkins, Samuel Lloyd, and Murray T. Quigg, as trustees Applic ion une 1 19 2 rial No. 4.47.570 (01. 192- 2) 7 Claims.

Thi i ention pertain to im r veme ts in wa s. means and met o s o u i ompon nt liquid parts of a l q id high exp ve n aerial bom s. it is a part u ar o jec o th n t n to p ide W ys m ans and methods o u n the comp n nt liqu p rts of a liq i ex v n a non-l ak sys m.

It is a particular object of the invention to provide a bomb casin enclo n a i e tainer having lo u members w h ass c d m chanism f mo said c osure mem rs into opened posi on nd/or mixi t e mponent liquid pa ts t f rm the l uid hi h exp os e after the release of t e bom a b n on. roplan t is o a. particular je t oi th nvention to provide a bomb casing with an inner container having closure members therefor with associated mechanism for mixing the component liquid parts to form the liquid high explosive, either durin the flight of the bomb from aeroplane to target, or after impact of the bomb with the target, depending upon the adjusted position of a simple control device, thereby producing a dual purpose bomb.

It is also a particular object of the invention to provide a bomb casing with novel auto detachable ways .and means of attaching the tail member comprising air vanes or stabilizing fins.

It is also a particular object of this invention to provid anti-fouling means for the external mechanism of the bomb upon penetration of or contact with the ground or debris of a building for example, which penetration or contact nor;- na y prevents the p oper f nct onin of sa mechanism.

, It is also a particular object of this invention to provide positive mechanism for the functioning of the closure members of the inner container, using stored kinetic energy of comparatively great magnitude for the purpose.

It is also an important object of the invention to provide an impeller device with a delayed ac.- tion for mixing the component liquid ingredients.

It is also a particular object of this invention to p ide a bomb cas w th a inn contain r having closure members with associated mechanism for converting a relatively insensitive and relatively low powered mixture of a liquid hydrocarbon and liqu d nitrogen te re-oxide into a relati ely sensitive and relat vely hi h powered mixture of these fluids either during the flight of the omb rom lane to ta et, or after i pa t of the bomb wi h t e arget.

t is a so an impo tant obje t oi this inv ntion to provide a bomb casing with an inner container having closure members with associated mechanism, for mixing a relatively small volume of a liquid combustible, with a relativ y ge volume of liquid nitrogen tetra-oxide, either during the flight of the bomb from plane to target, or after impact of the bomb with the target.

, It is also a very important object of this invention to adjust the vapor pressure of one or more i uid combust bl flu ds mi e w t uid n on .te ra x de, and p ced in on am of the bomb, so as to be substantially the same as the Vapor pressure of liquid nitrogen tetra-oxide iso a d th reir om by be n pla d n the ham er of the omb ,It is also a very important object of this invention to adjust the vapor pressure of one or more liquid combustible fluids, and placed in one chamber of the bomb, so as to be substantially the same a the vapor pressure of liquid nitrogen tetra-oxide isolated therefrom by being placed in another chamber of the bomb.

It is also an important object of this invention to imp i the b m b ash o i it. and its associated explosive filler, so as to require but one detonator, to explode it, either upon impact of the bomb with the target, or by delayed a tion after su impa t- With the foregoing enumerated objects in view, as well as certain other objects which. will become apparent as the description proceeds and the illustrations are studied, the invention re.- sides in the novel parts, combinations of parts,

scientific principles and methods, all as herein set forth and particularly covered by the claims.

This invention is a continuation with improvements over my earlier development work in the art of missiles and other devices, and explosive fillers therefor, as exemplified by my previously filed and conendi pate ppl io s lows:

Missiles, Serial No. 217,900, filed July '7, 1 938; High explosive device, 'Serial No. 217,901, filed July '2, 1938; Penetration liquid explosive missiles, Ser. No. 268,487, filed April 18, 1939; Liquid explosives, Serial No. 272,434, filed May S, 1939,, now Patent No. 2293255; Torpedoes, Serial No. $21406, filed January 20, 19 i2; Explosive devices for war, naval and industrial purposes Serial No. $3,816, filed March 7, 1942; Explosive device, Serial No. 433,989, filed March 9, 1942; Container for liquid mixture and method ,of filling the some Serial No- 433,9 8 il d Ma 4.2; W

. .V shaped solid mass i5.

a bomb made in accordance with this invention, with the liquid components of the explosive mix ture omitted for the sake of clearness;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the bomb; Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the bomb with the screen cover removed; and

Fig. 4 is a side elevational view of the tailend Y of the bomb illustrating a portion of the control device used in connection with the timing .of the opening of the inner chamber of the bomb.

Referring to the drawing, I 0 represents the wall of the cylindrical outer steel casing, and H the wall of the inner steel (or aluminum) tubular container provided with a flange I2 by which it is suspended coaxially at the wide throat opening of the bomb casing as shown, and l3, l3 are two of a plurality of large openings through the wall ll.

A steel ring I is welded to the interior surface of the steel tube and positioned just below the plurality of large openings I3, l3. This ring may be electrically Welded with a continuous gas and liquid tight union all around its periphery, and be in addition, welded with steel through the agency of a high temperature flame, as indicated by the This ring is provided with a grooved valve seat as shown for the reception of a correspondingly grooved valve or closure member I6. There may be a ground gas and liquid tight joint here, or a suitable gasket of tin or aluminum for example, maybe used.

- A small steel dog I! is secured to the upper surface of the closure member IS, an end of said dog projecting through one of the large openings l3 to prevent rotation of the closure member more than a limited number of degrees. A boss 3 is .formed centrally of the closure member, and said boss and said member are bored through and threaded with a right hand thread to receive the right hand thread I 9 on the axially disposed steel shaft 20, which steel shaft is reduced in its diameter as shown at 2|, by turning down in a lathe after the screw threads I!) have been cut. The end of this reduced portion of said shaft, enters the collar member 22 and is securely attached thereto by screw threads (not shown) and pin. A stuiling box 23 is pinned to the shaft and fashioned to enclose the end of the boss I8 with a liquid and gas tight fit, as well as a length of graphited asbestos cord 24 wrapped around the shaft in the cavity of the stuffing box.

The lower end of the tubular steelcontainer II is closed by the valve or closure member 25, provided with a deep groove to receive the end of the container with a gas and liquid tight fit; graphited asbestos cord (not shown here) or other suitable sealing device or medium may be used for this purpose. A metal plug 26 is provided for a filler opening in the closure member 25, and 21 is a steel spring secured to the upper surface of said closure member as shown and fashioned to exert spring pressure against the inner surface of the container II, to impede free rotation of said member,

a central boss 28 which is bored part way through and threaded with a left hand thread, to receive a portion of the long left hand thread 29 cut upon 4 the axial shaft 20. Pinned on this threaded shaft is the stop collar 30, and above the collar, but screwed up some distance from it, is the threaded hub (threads not shown) 3| carrying the impeller blades 32, 32, fashioned toexert a pressure in the direction toward the closure member 25, on any liquid in which they may be immersed.

33 represents in full and dotted lines the level in the container ll of such a liquid (nitrogen tetra-oxide for example), and 34 represents in full and dotted lines the level in the space between saidcontainer and the bomb casing ll] of a mixture of one or more liquid combustible fluids with nitrogen tetra-oxide on the one hand, or a simpler mixture of one or more liquid combustible fluids, free of nitrogen tetra-oxide, on the other hand. 35 is the hub of a stout wire spider, fashioned to act as a centralizing member, when and if necessary for the shaft 20.

As previously described the reduced portion 2! of shaft 20 is secured to the collar 22' which seats into the bottom of the large stuffing box 35, provided with an internal shoulder 31 serving as a bearing surface for the heavy stationary disk 38, fashioned to relieve the rotatable collar from the downward pressure of the packing 39 when the stuffing box closure plug 40 is firmly screwed down (screw threads not shown). This stationary disk, seated as shown, is an important memher because it prevents the strong downward pressure of the packing 39, from arresting the free rotation of the collar 22. The packing here may consist of graphited asbestos cord for example, as this has proven an excellent packing, not only for liquid hydrocarbons but for liquid nitrogen tetra-oxide, and for mixtures of nitrogen tetra-oxide with liquid hydrocarbons.

The stufiing box 38 is seated in and hermetically welded, or otherwise sealed, to an aperture in the bottom wall of the heavy iron cup M by virtue of its extension boss 42. This heavy iron cup 4! is suspended by its integral flange 43 which overlaps the flange l2 of the inner container H. Thus it will now be appreciated that r both flanges are suspended at the wide throat opening of the bomb casing,

The metal of the throat of the bomb casing is, of course, turned or faced off in a lathe, and the face of the metal as well as the flanges l2 and 43 may be ground together with a gas and liquid tight fit, Or suitable gaskets may be provided, gaskets of tin or aluminum for example. The exterior surface of the cylindrical portion of the neck of the steel casing is, of course, cut with screw threads (not shown) to receive the threads (not shown) in the heavy closure cap 44 which, when powerfully turned down by a long and powerful' Stilson wrench, clamps and unites the cup 4| and the inner container II to the bomb casing and to each other in gas and liquid tight relationship.

The heavy cap 44 is provided with the stout central apertured boss member 45 having a threaded portion 43 (threads not shown) over which the apertured member 41 is securely locked in position by means of the heavy nut 48 v (threads not shown); The apertured member 4] carries a pluralit'y of attaching members 49, 43 for a cylindrical housing 50 over which slips, with-a tight fit, the surrounding cylinder 5| to which are attached the air vanes or stabilizing fins such as.52 of the bomb.

The apertured boss member 45 has a pair of recesses 53, 53 for the reception of the pins54,

54 fixed in one end of the tubular member 55 freely slidable on the shaft extension This tubular member is provided with a weight 56, and at its other end carries a yoke member .51 the opposite ends of which have sharp terminals 58, 58 capable of penetrating, when deperessed, th thin metal caps 59, 59, disposed over the long closed metal cans 60, BI] and additionally capable of firing primers centrally disposed in said cans. One of these primers is illustrated at 60' and it is fashioned to ignite, through its fuse, the combustible composition 6| in the can, said composition consisting of a mixture of sodium nitrate, sulphur and charcoal.

This combustible composition is fashioned with a suitable binding substance, or otherwise, to have the long conical recess, as in a rocket, to provide a discharge of high velocity gas, upon ignition of said composition, rather than to provide an explosion. The speed of burning is controlled by the percentage composition of the gunpowder in its salt peter, the sulphur and charcoal comprising the .rocket composition placed in the tin cans. By selecting the composition of the rocket powder it is possible tov secur close control over the mechanical performance of the impeller member 62 with regard to velocity of revolution and power.

This impeller has blade members 63, 63 so inclined as to revolve, in a right hand or clockwise manner when th streams of hot gases from the ignited rocket composition strikes them, upon the left .hand threads 64 of the shaft 20. The hub 65 of this impeller is internally threaded (threads not shown) to engage the threads 64 and it is therefore fashioned to climb (as viewed in the drawing) upon such right hand revolution.

Under the influence of the rocket gas blast, the impeller blades with their heavy peripherally disposed metal strips 65', 65 revolve rapidly and the impeller with its hub member and long associated ferrule 66, climbs the thread 64. This climb continues until the end of the hub member strikes the cap member 61 secured to the extreme end of shaft 20' whereupon all of the acquired kinetic energy, as well as the torque of the impeller under the gas discharge, is brought .to bear suddenly in a turning effort on the shaft extension 2|! which converts the static friction of th tightly set up screw threads I9 and 29 in the threaded bosses l8 and 28 respectively into moving friction, thereby resulting in closure member [5 being forced upwardly and closure member 25 being forced downwardly by the right and. left hand threads I!) and 2.9 respectively.

A heavy wire screen 68 supported by the ring 69 over the end of housing 50, is provided to prevent debris from falling into the impeller mechanism, said screen having centrally thereof a ring member H! serving as a guide for said ferrule which serves the purpose of protecting the screw thread 64 from any debris which may enter through the openings in the screen when the bomb penetrates soil, for example.

At the nose of the bomb is provided the .-delayed action detonator device 15 screwed into the axial opening 16 (screw threads not shown) through the wall of the bomb casing and covered internally of said caisng by the housing "I which is secured to said casing to make a liquid-tight fit therewith. This housing permits of the filling of the bomb casing with a liquid component part of the liquid explosive, with the detonator absent.

In the present detonator there is provided the usual form of arming air vanes 18, fashioned to unscrew in flight (threads not shown) and thus become detached from the boss 19, thereby ex posing the end of the firing pin extending out of said boss. The firin pin, on being exposed and struck when the bomb impacts the target, ignites a chemical composition in the cap 8| which in turn ignites the powder constitutin the core of the coiled fuse 82 which, upon completion of its combustion, explodes the mass of heat sensitive explosive 83, fulminate of mercury for example, withinthe coil of said fuse.

It is a feature of this invention that a sin le detonator may be employed, whether the b mb is desired to be exploded immediately upon its impact with its target, or at a time after such mpact, thereby avoiding the necessity of providing detonators having difierent times of firing as found necessary at the present tune. To, this end there is proposed a detonator capable of explod ing the explosive mixture, for example, within twenty seconds after actuation of its firing pin as by impact of the bomb with the target. This time element of twenty seconds is only by way of example, and in any event it is :made such as to be as great as the time element required for the gas generated by the rocket motor 61 to accomplish the opening of the inner container as well as the completion of the mixing of the component parts of the liquid explosive. The reason for this is that the final action of the detonator is not desired until after the mixing of the com-.- ponent parts of the liquid explosive, but it is to be understood that such mixing may be ,accom plished during the downward flight of the bomb and before it reaches its target, or the mixing maybe accomplished after the bomb has reached its target as in the case where a delayed explosion of the bomb is desired; such delayed explosion is desired when the bomb is used to penetrate the earth to some distance, to penetrate an outer wall of a building, or to permit escape of the aeroplane from the scene of the intended explosion. Whether the bomb is to have a substantially immediate explosion upon impact with the target, or a delayed explosion thereafter, it is to be further understood that the detonator has-its action initiated when its firing pin is actuated by the impact. The time element of final action of the detonator may be governed by the proportioning of the ingredients constituting the fuse core thereof, and/or by va y ng the len th of its coiled fuse.

For the purpose of cont-rolling the time of the explosion of the bomb, there is provided a latch or other mechanism generally identified by the numeral held in frictional support by the :tail housing 59, and provided with a finger lug '91 or other actuating device (such as the cord and pulley arrangement indicated by the dotted lines in the upper portion of Fig. 4 for remote operation) for sliding the latch, well as provided with an indication means such as the pointer 92. This latch is provided with an inwardly extending portion engageable and disengageable with one of the vanes 63 of the air impeller within said housing :50.

As indicated by the drawing, when the :latch is in its up position, the impeller vanes are prevented from rotation during the downward flight of the bomb, with the result that the liquid ingredients of the explosive mixture are not mixed during said flight. However, when the impact of the bomb with its target occurs, the weight of the latch is sufficient to cause the latch to auto matically slide down .by virtue of its momentum or kinetic energy, overcoming its frictional clampage, and thereby release the impeller vanes. At the same time of impact, the weighted yoke 57 under its kinetic energy is caused to move down- Wardly with such forces as to have its sharp points 58 detonate the primers B and thereby initiate the generation of gas from the rocket composition 8|, the blast of such generated gas causing rotation of the impeller vanes and the ultimate mixing of the liquid explosive ingredients, such mixing being accomplished within the time element of the detonator fuse 82.

On the other hand, when the latch is in its down position, the impeller vanes are not engaged thereby, and hence said vanes are free to rotate during the downward flight of the bomb by virtue of the air currents indicated by the arrows; As heretofore described the rotation of the impeller'brings about the mixing of the liquid explosive ingredients, therefore the mixing in this case is accomplished during the downward flight of the bomb, and the mixture is completely formed by the time the bomb impacts its target and thereby initiates action of the detonator.

From a careful study of this bomb and its associated mechanism, it will be appreciated that it is a dual purpose bomb, with but one detonator device, the bomb being fashioned to explode substantially immediately upon impact with a target, 'or to explode through delayed action after such impact, as desired and in accordance with the set position of the control latch. For immediate explosion upon impact (as in use against troops, for example) the impeller vanes 63 constitute an air motor means for mixing the component parts of the liquid explosive during the time of flight from aeroplane to target, and dependence is had upon the sheer force of impact of the bomb, and the mixed condition of the liquid explosive, to bring about detonation or explosion of the bomb. That is to say, this detonation takes place entirely independently of the detonator device; in fact such device might in this case be totally absent.

For delayed action, after impact with a target (as in demolition work of a building, or a city street, or submerged water; gas, or electric mains, for example) there is employed the rocket composition constituting a gas motor means for mixing the component parts of the liquid explosive, and the delayed action detonator so fashioned, and so timed, as to strike its blow only after the explosive mixture is formed.

"In connection with storage of these bombs. it is desired to particularly point out that there is herein disclosed a new and valuable teaching in the matter of the adjusted vapor pressures (and consequently the adjusted hydrostatic pressures) of the liquid combustible material and the liquid nitrogen tetraoxide, respectively, whereby such storage is rendered safe. That is to say, there has been, and there still persists, a fear in some quarters that one of the liquid component parts of this liquid explosive might leak into another component part, that is from one chamber to another, and form a dangerous explosive mixture. In other words, it might be alleged that such a leak might be brought about through slow seepage past the valve seats of the valves, and past the stufiing boxes and threads, during weeks or months and perhaps years of storage.

However, it is here emphasized that, by 'adjusting the quantity of either normal butane or iso-butane to the benzol, for example, in the space surrounding the inner container, to exert at a prescribed temperature a greater vapor pressure (and consequently a greater hydrostatic pressure) than the vapor pressure (and consequently the hydrostatic pressure) of the liquid nitrogen tetra-oxide in the inner container, any slow leakage or seepage that could take place during any period of time through the valve seats, packing boxes and screws, would cause the pressure in the inner container to rise rapidly until a vapor pressure (and accompanying hydrostatic pressure) was reached which equalled the vapor pressure (and hydrostatic pressure) of the exterior surrounding liquid. From an inspection of the drawing it will be seen that the space or volume is comparatively small between the levelof the liquid nitrogen tetra-oxide in the container and thebottom of the valve in its ring seat.

Based upon Boyle's law respecting the compressibility of gases it will be evident, 'uponan inspection of this limited volume or space, that very little liquid from the outer casing could be forced into the liquid within the inner container without rapidly and materially increasing the pressure therein. Therefore, the small influx of normal butane or iso-butane mixed with the benzol necessary to establish this superior hydrostatic pressure, would not be sufficient to form a dangerous explosive mixture. In fact, it would not be sufiicient to form any explosive mixture at all. The admixture of a. small volume of these liquid hydrocarbons with the comparatively large volume of the liquid nitrogen tetra-oxide would be far removed from an explosive mixture. To form a really sensitive explosive mixture, it would be necessary to have about one-third of the volume comprise the liquid combustibles, and twothirds of the volume comprise the liquid nitrogen tetra-oxide, but upon inspection of the drawing it will be appreciated by any physical chemist or physicist that such a status or proportion would be impossible to establish through leakage.

The foregoing technique is employed where I elect to convert a comparatively insensitive and comparatively low powered mixture of benzol, butane and nitrogen tetra-oxide, into a comparatively sensitive and comparatively high powered mixture by the addition of liquid nitrogen tetraoxide from the inner tubular container H to the encircling space in the outer shell I0.

In the case, however, where ,I elect to completely separate the benzol and butane from the liquid nitrogen tetra-oxide, by placing all of the liquid nitrogen tetra-oxide in the inner tubular container H, I elect to reversethe vapor pressures, and consequently the hydrostatic pressures, over the foregoing. In other words I elect to adjust the benzol, butane mixture to have a less vapor pressure, and consequently a less hydrostatic pressure, than the liquid nitrogen tetra-oxide in the inner tubular container. In this liquid filler system, I must increase the capacity of the inner tubular container, and reduce the capacity of the surrounding space, because in most cases I desire to have at least twice the volume of liquid nitrogen tetra-oxide, to one Volume of the mixed hydrocarbons. This substantially two to one by volume mixture, in favor of the liquid nitrogen tetra-oxide, gives the greatest sensitivity and power possible upon detonation.

The reason for adjusting the vapor pressure (and consequently the hydrostatic pressure) of the benzol, butane mixture to be less than that of theliquid nitrogen tetra-oxide, is to allow of restricted leakage of the liquid nitrogen tetra,-

' 9 oxi e into the b l and butane mixtu e ra se in the taper p essure nder Bo es a t ute cas g and stoppin further l aka ere in the same a ne as for bu n the inner tubular container If.

,Wi h this filler system and h os a ic 1 periority from the inside, I am enabled to detect q ic ly. and ecti el l ak e d when. t may take place. This is very efiectively done by adding a little water to the benzol, butane mixture, and by inserting an insulated zinc electrode into the casing [0. Through the agency of this electrode, I may quickly inspect, from the outside of the bomb, the condition of isolation of the liquid nitrogen tetra-oxide from the benzol, butane, water mixture inside, by attaching the terminals of a milli-voltmeter to the zinc electrode and steel casing l0 respectively, because a small quantity of the liquid nitrogen tetra-oxide will react at once with the water present to form nitric acid. Now nitric acid, zinc and iron, form a voltaic cell (a Groves cell or battery), and the electromotive force set up will deflect the pointer on the mini-voltmeter. A very small trace of water is suflicient to enable one to establish, with the liquid nitrogen tetra-oxide, the nitric acid for this Grove cell or battery type test. Thus, after days, months or years of storage, with this new system, an inspector may quickly determine whether or not there has been leakage.

It is obvious that those skilled in the art may vary the details of construction and arrangements of parts constituting this bomb, as well as vary the ways, methods, etc. of forming the explosive mixture and utilizing the bomb, without departing from the spirit of this invention wherefore it is desired not to be limited to the exact foregoing disclosure except as may be required by the claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An explosive device, comprising a casing and a liquid therein, a closed chamber containing a second liquid and disposed within the liquid in said casing, the two liquids when admixed forming a highly sensitive explosive mixture, chamber-opening means provided with an impeller having threaded engagement therewith of such character as initially to establish relative movement between the chamber-opening means and said impeller as well as longitudinal movement of said impeller upon said chamber-opening means, said impeller establishing a forced admixing circuit of the two liquids after opening of said chamber, said chamber-opening means provided with a stop device for limiting the longitudinal movement of the impeller and stopping the relative movement between the impeller and the chamber-opening means, and means comprising mechanism for delaying the time of opening of said chamber.

2. A device of the character described, comprising a casing and a liquid therein, a container within said casing and having relatively movable closures normally in closed position, a difierent liquid within the closed container, means carried by said casing causing movement of said closures into container-opening positions, said means extending into said container and provided with a member producing circulation and admixture of the two liquids upon opening of said container, means for controlling the actuation of the closure-moving means, said control means comprising a propeller mounted on the closure-moving means and an ignitible cartridge disposed to direct its force of gases of combustion against 16 s id prop ller, and me ns f fi in sa d car ge upon n mreet o hede it a ta ;3, A- device of the character described, comraisin a c s a d a i u d the ei a a teiee vv thie d cases an ha in e a v y tee ab e c o ures n ma l n e e e t ia discreet in is? W t n the ele ed ema r m b sa d eese e e ies-m 'm nt a; sale e eeu ee late Wet n -ve gie P s t s; said means extending into said container and provided with a member producing circulation and admixture of the two liquids upon opening of said container, means for controlling the actuation of the closure-moving means, said control means comprising a rotatable motor mounted on the closure-moving means and a potential source of propellant gas for rotating said motor, and means for initiating the release of such propellant gas upon impact of the device with a target.

4. A device of the character described, comprising two substantially coaxial chambers one disposed within the other, the inner chamber having normally closed but movable end members, a liquid explosive ingredient in one chamber and a different liquid explosive ingredient in the other chamber, the ingredient in the outer chamber having a vapor pressure which is not less than the vapor pressure of the other ingredient at the same operating temperature, and means for moving the end members of the inner chamher into chamber-opening positions, said means comprising circulating mechanism disposed substantially across the inner chamber in close relation to the inner surface thereof for causing the admixture of both ingredients While being circulated from one end of the inner chamber through the space between said chambers to and into the opposite end of the inner chamber, said means also comprising mechanism delaying the time of opening of the inner chamber.

5. An explosive device, comprising a casing and a liquid therein, a closed chamber in spaced relation to the walls of said casing, said chamber containing a second liquid and disposed within the liquid in said casing, the two liquids when admixed forming a highly senstive explosive mixture, chamber-opening means actuated after impact of the device with a target, said means provided with an impeller establishing a forced admixing circuit of the two liquids after opening of said chamber, the such circuit of the admixed liquids passing through the space between the walls of said chamber and said casing, means comprising gas-propelled mechanism for actuating the chamber-opening means, and means for exploding the admixture.

6. An explosive device, comprising a casing and a liquid therein, a closed chamber in spaced relation to the walls of said casing, said chamber containing a second liquid and disposed within the liquid in said casing, the two liquids when admixed forming a highl sensitive explosive mixture, chamber-opening means actuated after impact of the device with a target, said means provided with an impeller establishing a forced admixing circuit of the two liquids after opening of said chamber, the such circuit of the admixed liquids assing through the space between the walls of said chamber and said casing, means comprising gas-jet-propelled mechanism operative after impact of the device with a target for actuating the chamber-opening means, and means for exploding the admixture.

'7. An explosive device, comprising a casing and a liquid therein, a closed chamber in spaced rela- 11 tion to the walls of said casing, said chamber containing a second liquid and disposed within the liquid in said casing, the two liquids when admixed forming a highly sensitive explosive mixture, chamber-opening means actuated after impact of the device with a target, said means provided with an impeller establishing a forced admixing circuit of the two liquids after opening of said chamber, the suchcircuit of the admixed liquids passing through the space between the walls of said chamber and said casing, means comprising mechanism for actuating the chamber-opening means, said mechanism under-the influence of a gas generated after impact of the device with a target, and means for exploding the admixture. I

NEVIL MONROE HOPKINS.

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