US2435415A - Fuze - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 3, 1948. P. H. THOMPSON FUZE 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed 001'.. 4, 1945 FIG. ET FOR D/ILAY \/337RMED FOR DELAY y f/f Feb. 3, 1948.

,5. P f .o

P. H. THOMPSON FUZE Filed Oct. 4, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Feb. 3, 1948 Parke H. Thompson, Kirkwood, Mo., assignor to Amp Corporation, St. Louis, Mo., a corporation j 'of Missouri "Application October 4, 1945, Serial No. 620,291

This invention relates" to tive safety fuzes for projectiles.

The invention 4is an improvement upon that disclosed in my United States patent applications Serial No. 537,563, led May 27, 1944, for Fuze, and Serial No. 592,131, led May 5, 1945, for Fuze.

Among the several objectsfof the inventionmay be noted the provision of a reliable,"point initiated mechanical fuze which, prior to ring of a projectile, may easily be 'set for ultimateA quick or delayed action upon impact; the provision of a fuze of the olassdescribed which is safe both before and after selective setting; and the provision of a fuze of the class described which is simple to manufacture "in largeV numbers and in a large range of sizes. Other objects will be in part obvious Vand in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the `elements and combinations of elements, features of construction, and arrangements of parts which will be'eXemplii-led inthe structures hereinafter described, and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawings, in which one of various possible embodiments of the invention is illustrated,

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section showing my new fuze in unarmed and unset position;

Fig. 2 is a lateral section taken on line of Fig. 1; Y Y

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal and horizontal section taken on line 3-.3 of Fig.r2;

Fig. 4 is an outside oblique view showing certain operating index` characters;

Fig. 5 is a detail view of parts `of Fig. 1 showing one selected setting for quick detonation:

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5 showing an. other selected settingior delayed` detonation;

Fig. 7 is a View similar toFig. 1 but showing an `armed condition for quick detonation;

Fig.y 8 is afragmentary detail-view of parts of Fig. 7 but showing an armed condition for delayed detonation;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged detail section taken on line 9--9 oiFig. 3; I l, .Y j Fig. 19 isa section taken on line III--I of Fig.

9; Iii- Id `of Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a detail cross II-EI of Fig.

Fig. 12 is a detail cross section taken on.A line I2-I2 of'Fig. `10; andY section taken on line fu'zes, and with re-f gard to certain more specific features, to selec- 8 Claims. (Cl. 102-74) Fig. 13 is a perspective detail view ofV aV slide member.

Similar reference characters indicate corre-1 sponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings. Y

So far as is possible, reference characterswill be used herein corresponding to those of said patent application Serial No. 592,131, in order that points of departure vfor the vpresent invention may be noted more readily. Y

Referring now more particularly to Fig. 1, atv

' numeral I is shown a tapered, inner fuze body having a threaded shank -3 forapplication to theV threaded end of a projectile. The projectile carries the main explosive charge to be detonated. It also carries the booster charge directly behind theshank 3. It is this booster charge that is exploded by means of the present fuze. The shank 3 is hollow and is interiorly threaded to receive a threaded retainer 5.` This retainer has a -spanner socket 'I with which a Spanner wrench may cooperate for threading the retainer to its seat. Through theY retainer islocated a central passage 9 for transmitting to the booster the detonating eiect of the fuze. In the forward end 0f this passage 9 the retainer 5 is formed as a spherical seat II for seating a spherical safety rotor or gyroscopic element I3. The

rotor. E3 is carried for swiveling ina compart-v Vaction detonator.Y Capsule I9 (Fig. 9) contains an outwardly facing primer P-I and an inward-'- lyfacing azide charge A. In the capsule 2n is an inwardly facing delayed-action charge D next to which is an ignitor chargeI. Next to the ignitor charge and outermost is a primer P--2. The primers P-I and P-2 are facing outwardly at the opposite openings O and O-l in the rotor. I3. The quick-action charge A and the .delayedactionv charge D face one another at innerv openings O-Z.

Y At i9 is shown. a groove, limited in extent, which is locatedmidway on a great circle between the ends of the axis of openings of bore I5. VOn another great circle through theends of the axis of the bore I5 is recess 2l whichreceives a tongue 22 of a selector key 23.. This key 23 has a reduced flat end 22 and has a sliding iit in a bore 25 of a tumbler barrel 24. Tumbler barrel 24 is rotatable in an angular bore I6 of the body I. The bore I6 extends from the body I into communication with a larger opening |03 located in a conical cap IOI. The latter ts over the body I and is held onto the body I by means of a conical cover 3| which is flanged as shown. .at` 95.-. The flange V95 is gripped byw an adjacent part of the'. projectile whenthe body` I is screwed home. A lug |29' and socketA I3I` the fuze is set in an unarmed non-selective condition, as will appear. Next to the index character Oi are the index characters SQ (meaning super-quick) and Delay (the meaning o f which is obvious). These index characters SQ and Delay correspond to clockwise and anticlockwise release settings ofthe tumbler |09 in the bights I |.9 and |23 respectively, frelease being for possible radial movement of key 23.

prevent rotation between bodies I and IOI (Figs, IIL From the above it will be clear that by apply- 2 and 3).

In regard to the cover 9|, it will be seen that its,-

tightly seals the fuze when the assembly is screwed home on a projectile, the fiange; 95 being squeezed tight. In order to prevent the cover 9| from rotating on the fuze before application, the body I| is provided with an openinglliz-" into .Winona portion |21 of the cover is pressed. Thus aspan.- ner wrench may be used .at the resulting recess at |21. for applying the assembly to a projectile. It willbe noted that-the lug ^I29onbody` IOI- which cooperates with a recess I3I in the body par-t rI prevents relative vrno tion'betwee1'r the two'f -Th selector key 23 carries ears '8F which slideY ingrooves 85 of the tumbler 24. A spring r11 blases'the key.'23` inan'inward-'directio'n to cause the tongue' 22v tov cooperateV with the groove 2 outwardly' Vthe key 23` is provided with an ex; tension 25movab1e1n'an axial-hole 28-'of'thetums bler barrel. This hole' 28'ends in 4a'langed*p0r-` tion I05of the tumbler barrel." This flanged portion |05Y is: crossed by a selector slot |01 which intersects the end of the hole' 28:' At right angles' to theho 28' is another hole |08 for an'inte'r-l lockturnbler |09;` Through-a hole lI I I' inthe tumbler |09' passesa single-,loop coilspring II3.'Y The` ends- II'5'of this spring abut on one yside ofv the opening VI 03' '(Figll) and thus bias the inter-a lock'tumble'r .|09 therefrom. One end` II5 is anchoredin the hole |08','jopp0site the tumbler |09."

Tiimbler|09 is biased .toward a cam-forming recess I I'lforming a ramication from the opening |03. Thislrecess has three .cam bightsV rI I9, I2| and |23.' Bights |I19 and |23 are symmetricall with respectto bight I2I and are radially deeper. Thus Vifthe tumbler .barrel 21I`is` turned to the centralpositionshown in Figs. 10 and-11, the tumbler. vIil9"`wil1,b `e pushed .inward toits interlo'cked position-.against action of the spring 'I I3.' IftheV tumbler .barrel.24 be Vturned there either cldckwisebranticlockwisa the spring .II3 will push .thetumbler |09 either into the bight II9 or. I23,`.thus..withdrawing.said tumbler |09 from its interlncked positionof Figs. 10 and 11. The rea.. son.for. this'lwill appear.

Thev .cover 9|, is madeoi thin aluminum which covers .theopening .|0311 At.. this' point it is embossed or, pressed thin within a .circular bead. |02. which-lserves as .aiocator for applying acrew drn/er-.orthe like. .Withinthe bead |02 the. thin partlis..,indicate'd generally vatLIIl4. It is thin enoughcasly .to bebrokenby means of the set'- ting toolbut notthinenongh'that itwill be easily brokeninshipment.. Across the central portion ofthisthin part. or. diaphragm |04 is formed fa guide groove |06 which is parallel to the position of .the slot |01; in-thetumbler 24 when the .lat ter; is in the. interlockedposition .of .the tumbler |09 `as.shown.in Figs. -10v and 11.` Thus anyjat tool .which .breaks through .groove ,I 015. fantomaticallywenters slot ',I 01.. The normal positions of groove .|06 and 'slot |01 are crosswise ofthe axis of the projectileas a whole. For convenience, the index character Off` isV stamped opposite one end of the recess |06. Thischaracte'r meansthat Fig. 2.

ing a tool to the depression |06 and forcing it through, that it will enter the slot |01 for turning the tumbler 24 which in turn, through the slotsiandeaasiturns the key 23, including its tongue-.22`. Thls;turns the ball rotor I3. Thus from one side this 'rotor may be turned either into..an'unarmedrposition for non-delay (quick) operation.y (Fig. 5), or an unarmed position for delay operation (Fig. 6).. It will be evident that in all of the Figs. 1, 5 and 6 locations, the rotor I3 isi'in Van 1unarmed condition;I

When the key-23 isturned.- since the axis of the safety sleeve 35islnntat vright-angles to the key, some component 'of rotation of the bail'rotor willoccurfwithirespectto' the 'keyfin-the Fig. 9 plane. Therefore the fit 'betweenithe tongue 22 and the groove-I 8 is more or-less loose as indicated. in Fig. 10. This looseness does not interfere withv the proper operation of the device, tobe described.

It' Will`be noted that if; 'and vwhenthe projec-v tile rotates at a lsubstantial'- speed," centrifugal forcewill tend to drive outv` the key 23.. If' tumbler |092 is out of ther way, 'resulting radial movement ofthe key may occur." This will free the ball rotor I 3 'for further movement as soon'asv another,

interlock, to be mentionecLbpens.4 Howeventumbler I09'wi1l not free the key for retracting tongue.

22y from'rotor I3 until tumbler. 24' is' turned either to its SQ`or its Delay position.' .that is,. not until the fuze is prepared for firing.,

Returning `1;(5 the arcuate recess I8," it cooperates endwise with the beveled end of .a safety sleeve 35." This safety ysleeve' slides in the rear cylindric` part 31 of an axial bore 39 which enters the taper 29.T

The'front end of the safetysleeve 35 .is approximately ush withthe .rear ends' of two passages 4|,'each of square cross section. These slope rearwardly as indicated. Each carries a detentslide 43 ofsquare' cross section. The slides 43 include openingsy l'through'which' are encircled 'a spiral Yarming spring '45 as shown in 'Ihis spring tends to .bias ,the slides. 03 inward.

It maybe seen from Figs.. 1 and 'l .that the square openings-4I needed for the square slides A3. are provided simplyvbymilli'n'gin the inner face ofthe member IOI.` At the end of the recesses 4I. are openings |33 Whichextend throughthe skirt portions |35; of the bottom of body |0.|' where at the base it surrounds the body vTheseopenings |33 `accommodate outward movement ofthe slides 43. Afcircularpen'space ,|31 is..le`ft' Where the bodies IOI and! cooperate, ,for the. reception of the circular spring 45.

A detail of each detent .slide.43` is shown in Fig. 13. The inner end *of each.has..a bearing portion.28 behind which is a semicircular groove 30.` These inner end portions of the slide 43 are made for cooperation with a ringpin 53.. This firing pin at the front end has. a flat' circular head 55'undercut as indicated at 51.'to nterlock:with the grooves30 in the slides 43." The rear end of the ring'pin `53 isv pointedasindicated at 59, the length of the pin being "such that its point under safetyv conditions Vlies within. the safety sleeve 35 (Figs. 1 and 10). -Thus the point 55 is normally completely protected from damage and, as will appear, does not release the rotor,4

of the firing pin headv 5. The taper may forA example be made .25 inch in diameter and tapered larger on the diameter .006 inch per inch of length passing forward.

within the tapered bore cls hoiiow striker' 65, whichis open at its rear adiacentto the head 55 and closed at its front end, as indicated at 6l. Withthe rear end against "the head55, the front end 61 lies in the enlarged recess 63, but at some distance away from the outer edge 69 of said recess. The strikeris relatively light, being hollow andmade withthin iwalls. VSince there is more metal at the closed end 51 than at the rear open nend, the centeru ofgravity ofthe striker'55 lies forwardly with respect to its central p oint along its length. j l Operation is as follows' Theffuze V(mounted on the projectile) is 'received by the artilleryman in the condition shown in'FigsilfZ, 9,10, 11 and 12. ThisA is its' rOi and Ysafe condition for handling; being unarmed. Since the tumbler |09 locks in the key 23, no amount of lnishandling prior to setting can release the'roto'rIB from the tongue 22. Hence'the rotor isposit'ively held in the very safe Fig 1 position until setting occurs.

Toprepare Vthe fuze for-'ring the artilleryman drives a tool such as a screw driver into the Vguide notch I 86; This causes the screw `driver to enter the slot Iil'I in the tumbler 2li, this slot IIJI at this time being parallel to the guide I; If superquick action atthe end ofthe trajectory is desired, he turns the screw driverclockwise s as `to move the tumbler |09. into the releasing cam lobe I I9, thus withdrawingsaid'tumbler from behind the extension 25. It'will be seen that until this setting wasmadeit would have been impossible under even high speeds of rotationof the fuze, or rough handling, for the key23 to have been driven back. However, 'after^"m'aking'v the stated setting, the tumbler Illanolonger'interferes'and under suitable rapid rotation of `thefnze 'on its longitudinal-axis key'23 may move VVout by centrifugal action against the-spring 'I'I, thus removing the tongue 22 from the Vslot' 21.- However, priorto rotation Asuch removal does 'not occur; Hence the saidsetting-to'thefSQ condition will merely turn the ball rotor I3 to the position shown in Fig. 5. The fuze under such conditions is still bore safe but it is now in 'condition to arm upon firing and consequent rotation. -It-isbore safe because one end of the groove l'is'locked by the safety sleeve 35. Hence the rotor 'can -turn no further.

Had the'operator -decided to' set the' device to delayed action, he would,- afterhaving driven the screw driver through the groove IBG, turned it anti-clockwise, which would Vhavefbrought the tumbler |39 into the bight'I23-,Ythus'again freeing the key 23 from AthefballV rotor Igandsetting the latter to theFig. 6` angled position.- Again, -thc ammunition would be bore safe because the other endof the groove I 8 is locked by the safety/sleeve Thusit wil1`be clear that ringoccurs under either the Fig.' 5 or the Fig. 6 initial position of the ball' rotor la, depending upon the initial' setting which was made. From either of these Fig. 5 or Fig. 6 positions the rotor is adapted to move into its arming position when the ammunition is red.

It will be noted that the motion from the Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 positions respectively to the Fig. '7 and Fig. 8 positions cannot occur until the safety sleeve 35 is moved out of vthe groove I8. This removal is effected after firing. Upon firing a set- .ba'ck forceis operative upon the rotor t3 which tends to Vseat it firmly upon the spherical seat I I. The safety sleeve 35 being set back positively continues to hold the rotor in a bore safe condition'either as shown in Fig. 5 or as shown in Fig. 6. It is not the delicate point 59 of the firingpin 53 that holds the rotor, and the pin 59 is preserved in proper condition until needed. The set-back actin of the strong safety sleeve 35 in holding the rotor I3 makes the fuZe positively bore safe during the entire movement through the gun barrel.' It also makes a rocket safe throughout Athe initial acceleration of its flight. Itwill also be noted thatV the rotor is held by the safety sleeve 35`in either the Fig. 5 or Fig. 6 position because, although spinning ofthe fuze tends to rotate the rotor clockwise in Fig. 5, and anticlockwise in Fig. 6, neither of these rotations can occur as long as the safety sleeve 35 is in the circular groove I8.

In addition, set-back forces due to accelera- .tion tend to send the striker backv against the head 55 of the firing pin, thus tending to lock said head into the groove 30 of the detent slides 33. This, in addition to the spring 45, and rearwardly sloping positions of the slides, tends for a certain period to hold in the slides. After the projectilehas been angularlyV accelerated for a period, the resulting angular velocity reaches a point at which the spring-5 tends to expand andthe detent slides 43 tend to move out. Then after linear acceleration ceases, linear deceleration sets in, due to unbalanced axial frictional forces exerted upon the projectile in passing through the air. Since there is no substantial frictional force on the striker 55, it, the firing `pin 53 and the safetyY sleeve 35tend to drift forward. This drift by itself may be indifferent. But, since the projectile is at this time spinning on its longitudinal axis at a substantial speed, and since the striker 65 has a conical spin in the conical bore '5I'. the striker positively moves forward against the impact diaphragm 93 and positively remains there as shown for example in Fig. 7. This action releases the slides 43 which move voutward by centrifugall force. Thus they slide from infront of the firing pin 53 which also moves forward. Forward movement of the safety sleeve 35 also at this time locks out the slides so that they cannot again come in. This forward motion Vof the safety sleeve 35 also releases the ball rotor I3 so Ythat the' latter spins gyroscopically into a position coaxial with the openings 9 and 3l.' Which of the coaxial positions of Fig. 7 or 8 the rotor takes, depends upon the initial manual setting that was made either of Fig.V 5 or Fig. V6. Y

When the target is reached, impact on the diaphragm 93 which isA thenin direct contact with the striker 55 drives the latterback with considerable force against the head 55 of the firing pin and drivesit into the bore of the rotor I3. Y'Ihis explodes the detonator in this bore I5. The explosion is communicated throughV the opening-i9 i.tothe boosterchargewwhich explodes.

thei fprojectilei charges Iffftlie rotor :I 3v comes f into thefarmed-'positionf of. Figf, itheouickfaction detonator.y .capsule .l 9 is forward. This explodes promptly and the-resulting..zforce blowsfzithrough :the @delayed-action capsule-:20 and finto thevbooster charge f If,.. as:

in Fig. 8,). the 'delayedaction capsule :2 0 is .for-V ward,E .fit1 actuatesfwith timewdela-y. Thus' it.l does notfaectthe.: capsule. I9 forsome vperiod .of time delaytbut when capsule 20 does-explode, the cap-g sulefl 9. explodesfintoithe opening `9 and activates.

the'boosterfchargef4 From :thewabovey it twill; be- .seen .thatv there; is.

provideda :fuze having all fof-the safetygfeatures, ofthe fuze' .offsaid .application r.Serial No. 592,131?

In addition," itimay be .set-'for either `quick or delayed operationfprior'to :ring, all with a .con-

struction. whichzis.- almost fas` simple as Vthat :of

said :application .Serial ...Noi 592,131; f.

Asvto.- theaction` per.v se of the iball rotorffl3;

itfis, ineffect a gyroscopiezelement. which 'in the Oiis lsetting of i the fuze is.' in .La median .positionv (Figs l) ,i preferably ate right `angles to .the Yaxis of .rotation of .r the: projectile;` Some .deviation from; rig-htfangula-rityf is not important. In either one of the set-positionl (ElQ-or` delayed) oithis.- gyrosoopic. elementxsuch fas' shown in Figs. 5 andzpitisfconditioned to'move clockwise or anticlockwise through an acute. angle-liess than 902) .whennnlockedby-the; safety sleeve.` When unlocked. -bythis; tsafety. :-sleeve thisfgyroscopic rotor element,- .-l 3 .-is: free to rprecess; either .clock` wise; uor..lanticlockwise'irespectively to its superquick or.- l.delayed .position .f .coaxial with the axis of.-spin.of the-projectile. suchas shown in Figs..'7 and 8.\ In other-wordsitmoVes veither from the Fig.,.5 clockwise to thevFig-.f 7 position; orv from the-FigV-.position' anticlockwise-to the Fig. 8 positiom.. all depending onlygupon which initial setting of. Fig..5.or=Fig.-f6 was chosen; Furthermore, ,thisgyroscopic rotor `element' I3 islocked in its rneutral `position by fthe mechanism; consisting of .thekey-.23 and the interlocking tumbler m9.. vwhen f the :device isi in its .Off` position.`

As to .the reason. for. .the gyroscopic rotor. laction-.under projectile-spin, this-is due to the average..,density -of @the materials in-the opening l5 beingilessthanthe density gofzthe'material of the rotor.` I 3,-whieh latter is 4vfor .example made of commercialbrass. This produces-"centroids: in any section ofthe rotor'omopposite sides of the axis of the. bore'lS.VA Hence -when'the projectile spins,..as upon-ringthe ammunition, the rotor will.spin,.and.the centroids `will tend to seek a common'planeof rotation'perpendicular to the axis'ofspin Thiswill place the bore/'l5 ofthe rotor..l3.coaxial'wi-th-the:bore-.39 `of the.A body l which isthedesiredarmingposition.` The angular direction will-alwaysfbe such as to :traverse the least (acute); angle-,e-,which :accounts :for .the action. above described.:

Infviewfof the above, it will be yseen that the sevoral.objectsf of the invention are achieved and other advantageous resultsv attained.

Asmany changes could. bev made in the above constructions without departing from-.the-scope ofthe. invention; itais intended thatall .matter containediinthe above description or shown in theaccompanying .drawings shall be. interpreted asA :illustrative and lnot-inca vlimiting sense.

I .claim:.

1.. Afuzecomprising a .tbody adapted `to -be'spun upon@I longitudinal. axis, Va .gyroscopic rotor hav.-

operating withsaid rotor topositionzit in either oftwo acute angular`r positions of saidsgyroscopic :lOll

axis. withrespectto said longitudinal axis, said rotor under rotation of the body being adapted.- to precess in opposite directions from the respec. tive. alternate position into a position of said vgyroscopicaxis, parallel with saidlongitudinal. axis, and a detonating means carried by the rotor. hav-y ingyoppositely positioned quick` and delayedy elements adaptedto bereversely related-aon -said longitudinal axis. depending upon which position therotor assumes upon `said axis.

2. A fuze comprising a body` adapted to be spun upon -a longitudinal axis, a gyrosoopic rotor=hav ing .afgyrosc-opic axisi an adjusting means co--v operating .with saidrotor to lposition it'in-either of'two acute-angle positions of saidgyroscopic axis withgrespect -to 'said longitudinal axis, lsaid rotorfunder rotation of the body being adapted to precess from the krespective alternate position overconerof .the acute angles-into a position of said gyroscopic axis parallel with said longitud-inal axis, a detonating means carried bythe rotor havngoppositely positioned'y quick vand-delayed elements adapted to be-reversely related on bsaid longitudinal axis, depending upon rwhich position the rotor assumesuuponsaid axis, and

means'responsive to spin'of the bodyjadapted to releasethe adjusting means from cooperative relation to the .rotor so Vthat the rotor .may precess. freely.`

3. A `fuze for projectiles'l comprising a body adapted'to be spun upon a .longitudinal axis, a gyroscopic *rotor normally'fpositioned with its gyroscopio axis inia. median position atan-'angle With Arespect to said .longitudinal axis; an adjust ing-locking key-cooperating with said rotor to position it in said median position'or in either of two other `alternate angularV positions of the gyroscopic axis with-respect to the -longitudinal..axis, a safety membermovable. parallel to .said lo'ngi tudinalaxis in response to linear deceleration of said body; means. onsaid `rotor cooperating with said safety member adapted in either of said alternate :positions and f before :movement ofv :the safety member to lock the rotor, said rotor under rotation of ithe body being adapted when re. leased by the safety member .to precess in either of opposite directions from the respective alternate/position into aposition of said 'gyroscopic axis parallel with said longitudinal axisg-and means for mounting saidkey so that. when said body isv spun it may move from a cooperating position-with respect to the rotor provided that the key has set the rotor to one -ofsaid alternate angular positions.

4. A fuze forv projectiles comprising a body adapted to be lspun upon a longitudinal axis, a gyroscopic rotornormally positioned with its gyroscopic axis in a median position at an angle withvrespectto said longitudinal axis,an adjusting locking key cooperating with said rotor Ato locate it in said median position or in either of two other angular positions of 'said gyroscopic axis with respect to vsaid longitudinal axis, a safetygmember `movable parallel to' said longitudinal axis in response to linear deceleration of said body, means on said rotor cooperating with said vsafety member adapted in either of said alternate positions to lock the rotorbefore movement of said safety member, said rotor under rotation of the body being adapted to precess `in either of .opposite directions from the respective alternate positions into a position of said gyroscopic axis parallel with said longitudinal axis, means for mounting said key so that it may move from a cooperating position with respect to the rotor when said body is spun, and interlock means for preventing said movement of the key when it is in a position corresponding to a setting of said rotor in said median position.

5. A fuze for projectiles comprising a body adapted to be spun upon a longitudinal axis, a gyroscopic rotor normally positioned with its gyroscopic axis in a median position at an angle with respect to said longitudinal axis, an adjusting key cooperating with said rotor to position it in either of two other alternate angular positions of said gyroscopic axis with respect to said p longitudinal axis, a safety member movable parallel to said longitudinal axis in response to linear deceleration of said body, means n said rotor cooperating with said safety member adapted in either of said alternate positions to lock the rotor therein before movement of said safety member, said rotor under rotation of the body tending to precess in either of opposite directions from the respective alternate position into a position ofv said gyroscopic axis parallel with said longitudinal axis, and a detonating means carried by the rotor having oppositely positioned quick" and delayed elements adapted to be reversely related on said longitudinal axis depending upon which position the rotor assumes upon said axis.

6. A fuze comprising a gyroscopic rotor adapted to be set into a median or either of two alternative positions, means for setting said rotor comprising a slot therein, a rotary tumbler barrel, a slidable key in said barrel, said key having a tongue and being biased for cooperation between said tongue and said slot, a tumbler pin in the tumbler barrel, and cam means traversed relatively by said tumbler pin upon relative rotation between the tumbler barrel and the cam means to prevent movement of the key with its tongue from said slot in the median position of the rotor but in said alternative positions of the rotor permitting movement under centrifugal force of the key and its tongue from said slot.

7. A fuze comprising a body having a longitudinal axis of spin, an opening along said axis, a firing element operative along said opening, a gyroscopic rotor in said opening, said rotor having a gyroscopic axis, an opening in said rotor along said gyroscopic axis, detonating means in said rotor opening presenting. a fast-acting component toward one end of the opening and a slow-acting component toward the other end thereof, selector means for setting said gyroscopic axis angularly with respect to said longitudinal axis on either of opposite sides of a median plane substantially normal to the longithe rotor with its axis in said median plane but permitting retraction of the key in the position of the rotor with its axis in either one of said two angular positions.

8. A fuze comprising a body having a longitudinal axis of spin, an opening along said axis, a, firing element operative along said opening, a gyroscopic rotor in said opening, said rotor having a gyroscopic axis, an opening in said rotor along said gyroscopic axis, detonating means in said rotor opening presenting a fast-acting component toward one end of the opening and a slowacting component toward the other end thereof, selector means for setting said gyroscopic axis angularly with respect to said longitudinal axis on either of opposite sides of a median plane substantially normal to the longitudinal axis or in said median plane, whereby upon spin of said body the gyroscopic rotor will precess in either one of opposite acute-angle directions to place either the slow-acting component or the fastacting component along the longitudinal axis in the direction of said firing means, said selector means comprising a centrifugally retractable key normally cooperating with the rotor, means for adjusting the key, interlock means preventing centrifugal retraction of the key in the position of the rotor with its axis in said median plane but permitting retraction of the key in the position of the rotor with its axis in either one of said two angular positions, and further interlock means cooperating with the rotor to hold it in either one of its angular positions until the body has passed through a period of linear and angular acceleration and subsequent linear deceleration.

PARKE H. THOMPSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the ille of this patent:

UNrrED STATES PATENTS

Images