US2965035A

US2965035A - Impact nose fuze for a torpedo

Info

Publication number: US2965035A
Application number: US27099A
Authority: US
Inventors: Robert O Wynn
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1948-05-14
Filing date: 1948-05-14
Publication date: 1960-12-20
Anticipated expiration: 1977-12-20

Description

Dec. 20, 1960 R. o. wYNN IMPACT NOSE FUzE: FOR A ToRPEDo 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 14, 1948 Dec. 20, 1960 R. o. wYNN IMPACT NosE Fuza FOR A ToRPEDo 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 14. 1948 bm Nm I mn mm n mm. B mm mm. mm

mm NO. mm Om R. o, wYNN f mw mm ww t. omvwwm N. 2. 5 ww n@ Dec. 20, 1960 R. o. WYNN IMPACT NosE FuzE FOR A ToRPEDo 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed May 14, 1948 R. O. WYNN www Dec. 2o, 1960 R. o. WYNN 2,965,035

IMPACT NOSE FUZE FOR A TORPEDO Filed May 14. 1948 5 Sheets-Shea?l 4 m mg,

Dec. 20, 1960 R. o. wYNN IMPACT NOSE FUzE'FoR A ToRPEDo v 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed May 14, 1948 me/Wto@ R. O. WYNN United States Patent O IMPACT NOSE FUZE FOR A TORPEDO Robert 0. Wynn, 633 E. 13V: St., Houston, Tex.

Filed May 14, 1948, Ser. No. 27,099

Claims. (Cl. 102-70.2)

(Granted under Title 35, U.S. Code (1952), sec. 266) This invention relates to a fuze and more particularly to a combination nose fuze for a torpedo in which the war head of the torpedo is exploded by the fuze either mechanically or in response to an electrical impulse upon impact with the target vessel.

More specifically, the present invention contemplates the provision of a new and improved fuze for a selfpropelled torpedo in which means are provided for functioning the fuze either mechanically or by an inertia operated voltage generator depending upon the manner in which the torpedo strikes the target vessel, in which the liring cycle of the torpedo is initiated by the sudden displacement of a magnetic keeper from an electromagnet causes the generator to generate a tiring impulse and thereby fire an electroresponsive detonator should the torpedo strike the target vessel a glancing blow, yand in which` additional means are employed for functioning the fuze mechanically in case the torpedo strikes head-on against the target vessel. Furthermore, the present invention provides a fuze having means for firing the explosive charge arranged within the war head of the torpedo instantaneously upon impact of the ltorpedo with the target vessel regardless of the angle at which the torpedo strikes the target vessel.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a combination fuze -for a self-propelled torpedo having means arranged therein for firing an explosive charge disposed within the war head of the torpedo either mechanically or electrically as the torpedo strikes a target vessel depending upon the angle of impact.

Another object is to provide a new and improved combination fuze for an automotive torpedo for igniting an electroresponsive detonator by low electrical energy generated within the fuze as the forward movement of the torpedo is suddenly arrested upon impact of the torpedo with a target vessel, and in which mechanically controlled means are employed for ring the main explosive charge arranged within the war head of the torpedo upon impact of the torpedo with the vessel.

Another object is to provide a combination mechanically and electrically controlled fuze for a torpedo having an electroresponsive detonator `arranged therein adapted to be ignited by an inertia voltage generator as the rate of forward movement of the torpedo is suddenly decreased thereby to fire the main explosive charge arranged within the war head of the torpedo.

Another object is to provide a fuze for a torpedo in which new and improved means are provided for maintaining the fuze in a safe or unarmed condition until the torpedo has been launched within a body of water andthe torpedo has traveled through the water a predetermined distance.

Still another object is to provide a fuze for a torpedo having new and improved means for arming the fuze as the torpedo is propelled toward the target vessel, the arming means therefor being controlled by an impeller rotatably supported within the fuze and adapted to move an arming shaft operatively connected thereto a predetermined amount axially thereby to release a pair of arming Frice shutters and, in addition thereto, to render the electrical tiring mechanism effective.

Still other objects, advantages and improvements will become apparent from a consideration of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a central longitudinal sectional View of the combination fuze of the present invention in an unarmed condition showing the fuze secured to a torpedo;

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 but showing the fuze in an armed condition;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line 3 3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4 and showing the fuze armed;

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5 but showing the fuze in an unarmed condition;

Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken on the line 7--7 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 8 is a ysectional view of one of the arming shutters showing the shutter in an armed condition in full line and in an unarmed condition in dashed outline;

Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken on the line 9-9 of Fig. 8; and

Fig. l0 is a diagrammatic view of the electrical tiring mechanism and the tiring circuit therefor.

Referring now to the drawings for a more complete understanding of the invention and more particularly t0 Fig. 1 thereof, there is shown thereon a fragmentary portion of a self-propelled torpedo, the war head of which being generally indicated by the reference character 10 and comprising a casing 11 to which the combination fuze 12 of the present invention is secured, the casing having varranged therein the usua-l explosive charge 13, as is well known to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains.

The fuze 12 comprises a casing 14 extending a predetermined distance into the explosive charge 13 in the war head 10, the casing being threaded at one end thereof for threaded engagement with an adapter 15. The adapter ='15 may be secured to the nose of the torpedo in any convenient manner but preferably in the aforesaid manner and las indicated by the reference character 16, Figs. l and 2. By this arrangement the fuze is supported on the nose of the torpedo by the adapter 15 and the casing 14 thereof is disposed within the explosive charge 13. A sealing gasket 17 is arranged between the end portion of the casing 14 and a shoulder formed on the adapter 15, Figs. 1 and 2, to, form a moistureproof seal therebetween.

One end of the casing 14 is closed by a disc 19 secured thereto in any suitable manner preferably by crimping the end of the casing about the outer portion of the disc, Figs. l and 2. Disposed within one end of the casing 14 is a container 21, the respective ends thereof being closed by discs 22 and 23 thereby to support and enclose a booster charge 24.

The disc 23 is provided with a pair of spaced bores 25 extending therethrough for respectively receiving and supporting a pair of lead-incharges 26, the lead-in charges being adapted to fire the booster charge upon impact of the torpedo with a target vessel or the like.

A tiring pin carriage generally indicated by the reference character 27 is slideably arranged within the adapter 15 and comprises an enlarged annular. head 28 having formed thereon a nipple 29 of reduced diameter, the nipple being adapted to slideably support the carriage 27 within a bore 31 arranged withi-n the adapter 15. The nipple 29 is provided with a pair of spaced threaded bores 32 having respectively threaded therein a pair of 3 firing pins generally indicated by the numeral 33, Figs. 1 and 2.

Each firing pin comprises an elongated shaft 34 having integrally formed thereon a locking member 35 of reduced diameter, the firing pins being of such length as to extend a predetermined distance beyond the inner surface of the nipple 29 substantially as shown.

Formed on the ends of each locking member 35 is a striker 36, the purpose of which will more clearly appear as the description proceeds. The firing pins are connected together by a plate 37 having a pair of spaced openings 38 formed therein through which the locking members 35 respectively pass, the firing pins being locked on the plate in any suitable manner preferably by a nut 39 threaded on each member 35 and into abutting engagement with the outer surface of the plate 37, the plate being clamped between a pair of washers 40 respectively arranged on the members 35 and maintained in abutting engagement with shoulders formed at the juncture of the shafts 34 and members 35 by the nuts 39, Figs. 1 and 2.

The plate 37 is arranged within a chamber 41 formed between spaced

discs

42 and 43 disposed within the casing 14 for free movement therein, the discs being maintained in spaced relation with respect to each other in any suitable manner but preferably by a plurality of supports 44, Figs. 1, 2, and 4. One end of each support is anchored in a shutter support 45 disposed within the casing 14, the other end thereof being respectively threaded into recesses 46 formed in the adapter 15 as most clearly shown on Figs. 1 and 2. The disc 42 is provided with a pair of spaced bores 47, and the disc 43 is provided with a pair of spaced complementary bores 48, each bore 47 having slideably arranged therein one of the shafts 34 on the firing pin, and each bore 48 having slideably arranged therein one of the members 35 on the firing pin. The disc 43 is composed of any insulating material suitable for the purpose such, for example, as Bakelite As shown on Fig. l the members 35 are of such length as to extend through spaced bores 48 in disc 43 and into complementary spaced bores 49 formed in the support 45. The ends of each member 35 terminate within a recess 51 respectively arranged within a pair of arming shutters generally indicated by the reference character 52 thereby locking the shutters in an initial safe position until the torpedo is red from the torpedo tube whereupon arming of the fuze will not occur except during the propulsion of the torpedo toward the target vessel. By the aforesaid arrangement it will be understood, that the members 35 lock the arming shutters in an initial safe position and prevent movement thereof to an armed position until the torpedo is launched from the torpedo tube into a body of water and has been propelled a predetermined distance therein.

Secured to the disc 42 as at 53 is an arming shaft 54, the shaft extending through a centrally disposed bore 55 formed in the carriage 27 and terminating a predetermined distance therebeyond and thus the carriage is slideably supported by the shaft and within the bore 31 of adapter l5. The shaft 54 is threaded as at 56 for threaded engagement with a gear 57, the gear being adapted to be rotated about the threaded portion of the shaft and with respect thereto, the purpose of which will more clearly appear as the description proceeds.

Secured to a boss 58 formed on the carriage 27 in any convenient manner but preferably by a pair of spaced studs 59 is a gear 61, the studs being respectively secured within a pair of recesses formed in the carriage 27 as by a press fit, each pin being adapted to pass through a complementary opening 62 arranged in the gear 61 and thus the gear is secured to the carriage 27 for free rotation about the shaft 54.

As shown on Figs. 1 and 2 the gear 61 is provided with acentrally disposed bore 63 through which the threaded portion of the arming shaft 54 is adapted to pass freely as the carriage is moved outwardly.

Rotatably supported within a recess 64 formed in the outer end of the carriage 27 and on a sleeve 65 is a support generally indicated by the numeral 66. The support comprises a circular plate 67 having integrally formed thereon a spindle 68 journaled on the sleeve 65 thereby to permit free rotation of the support 66. Disposed within a recess 69 formed in the support 66 are the gears 57 and 61, the plate 67 having secured thereto in any suitable manner but preferably by screws 71 a disc 72.

Rotatably supported on the plate 67 and the disc 72 as at 73 and disposed therebetwee-n is an idle or driving gear 74, the gear being in continuous mesh with the gears 57 and 61. From the foregoing, it will be apparent that a structure has been disclosed in which the arming shaft 54 is adapted to be rotated at a greatly reduced rate of speed with respect to the rotation of the member 66 by reason of theV planetary gear arrangement disclosed, it being understood, however, that the gear 57 has one tooth less than that of the gear 61.

Secured to the outer end of the carriage 27 as by screws- 75 is an impact member orv head indicated by the numeral 76, comprising an inwardly tapered body portion 77 having arranged therein a recess 78 in communication with an enlarged recess 79 formed in the outer end of the carriage 27, thus providing a chamber 80 there between in which is disposed an impeller or water turbine generally indicated by the reference character 81. As shown on Figs. l and 2 of the drawings an inlet -port 82 is arranged within the impact member 76 and in communication with the chamber 80, the inlet port being adapted to permit the free flow of water therethrough and into the chamber as the torpedo is propelled through the water toward a target vessel, the flow of water through the chamber 80 in response to movement of the torpedo being adapted to cause rotation of the impellerl 81 and arming of the fuze.

The impeller 81 is rotatably supported on the sleeve 65 and comprises a circular portion 84 having a plurality of tangentially arranged diffusion vanes 85 integrally formed thereon, Figs. 1, 2, and 3. The impeller is constructed and arranged to be rotated in response to the action of the water against the diffusion vanes 85 as the torpedo moves through the water, the water entering and engaging the diffusion vanes by way of the inlet port 82 formed in head 76 and discharged through a plurality of exhaust ports 86 formed in the outer portion of head 28 as most clearly shown on Fig. 3.

As shown on Figs. 1 and 2, a driving connection is established between the impeller and the member 66 by a pair of spaced pins 87 secured to the impeller in any suitable manner such, for example, by a press t therein, the pins extending into complementary spaced sockets formed in the spindle 68 arranged on member 66. By

this arrangement it-will be understood, however, that upon rotation of the impeller in the aforesaid manner, rotative movement is imparted to the member 66. When this occurs the planetary gearing is set in motion and, due to the rotation thereof and by reason of the threaded connection between the gear 57 and the arming shaft 54, the carriage 28 is moved outwardly a sufficient distance to permit the members 35 to move out of locking engagement with the arming shutters whereupon the arming shutters are released and moved to an armed position by springs 89 respectively in engagement therewith.

As most clearly shown on Fig. l the impeller is restrained vfrom rotation during transportation of the torpedo by a clutch plate 91 having a pair of diametrically disposed lugs 92 formed thereon adapted respectively to engage a pair of recesses 93 formed in the head 28. The plate 91 is slideably supported on the spindle 68 as at 94, the impeller being normally locked thereto by a pin 95 secured to the plate and extending into one of a pair of spaced openings 96 disposed within the impeller. The

plate 91 is normally maintained in abutting engagement with the impeller by a spring 90, one end of the spring being in abutting engagement with the plate 91, the other end thereof being in abutting engagement with a disc 97 arranged within the recess 64 formed in head 28 and thus the impeller is maintained in a normally locked condi-V tion by the aforesaid plate and pin arrangement until the torpedo is launched within a body of water. It will be understood, however, that the clutch plate will be maintained in normal locked engagement with the impeller by the spring 90 until the water pressure within the charnber 80 is suicient to overcome the tension of the spring and move the clutch plate out of locking engagement with the impeller whereupon the impeller will be rotated by the action of the water on the diffusion vanes thereof as the water enters the chamber 80 by way of inlet port 82 and is exhausted therefrom by way of ports 86 as the impeller is rotated by circulaiton of the water through the circulatory system. The clutch plate 91 is prevented from being moved forward by the water pressure on the rear portion thereof by an expansible bellows 88 of lesser diameter than the diameter of the clutch plate and secured thereto thereby providing a differential piston arrangement having a larger effective surface area of the clutch plate exposed to the pressure of the water on the outward side than on the inward side thereof.

The arming shutters 52 are respectively and slideably arranged within recesses 70 formed in the member 45, each shutter being provided with a bore 98 extending therethrough and having a detonator 99 arranged therein. When the fuze is in an armed position, Fig. 2, the detonators 99 are in line with the lead-in charges 26 and also in line with the strikers 36 on the firing pins 33, the firing pins having been moved outwardly to a release position as the torpedo is propelled toward the target vessel thereby releasing the arming shutters4 52 and permitting the shutters to be urged to an armed position by the springs 89 and locked therein by spring actuated detents 101, Figs. 7 and 8, before the torpedo strikes the target vessel. Upon impact of the torpedo with the target vessel the strikers 36 on the firing pins 33 are driven into engagement with the detonators 99 with sufficient force to fire the detonators thus initiating ring of the booster charge 24 thereby to cause explosion of the torpedo war head.

As shown on Fig. 2 means are provided for preventing water from entering chamber 41, such means comprising a pair of expansible bellows 30 respectively enclosing the shafts 34, one end of each bellows being respectively secured to the disc 42, the other end thereof being respectively secured to the washers 40. By this arrangement the chamber is rendered moisture-proof and deterioration of the explosive materials is prevented and the inertia generator generally indicated by the reference 102 is` protected from the deleterious effects of moisture. The inertia generator may be of any type suitable for the purpose such, for example, as the generator disclosed and claimed in the copending application of H. I. Plumley for an Improved Magnetic Inertia Controlled Fuze, Serial No. 718,098, filed December 23, 1946, now Patent No. 2,775,941. The inertia generator comprises a casing 103 of non-magnetic material arranged within an opening 104 formed in the block 43 and secured therein by a flange 105 formed on the casing, Fig. 7. Disposed within the casing 103 is a member 106 of magnetic material having arranged therein a spool or support 107. The spool 107 has arranged thereon a coil 108 and disposed` within the spool is a core 109 of magnetic material, the core being provided with a head 111 adapted to engage snugly the inner reduced wall of the member 106. The core 109 has arranged therein a centrally disposed bore 112` through which extends a plunger 113 composed of non-magnetic material. 1 Threaded into one,` end of the casing 103 is a plug 114 of non-magnetic material, the plug being provided with a bore Y having threaded therein a set screw116. Formed on the plunger 113 and disposed within the bore 115 is a head 117. A coil spring 118 is disposed within the bore 115, one end thereof being in abutting engagement with the head 117 and the other end in abutting engagement with the set screw 116 and thus the plunger is urged yieldably toward the core 109.

As shown on Fig. 7 the casing 103 and member 106 are provided with notches 119 in registration with respect to each other thereby to permit the coil conductors 110 to pass therethrough for establishing an external electrical connection to the coil.

Arranged within a recess 120 formed in one end of the casing 103 for free movement therein and in abutting engagement with member 106 is a movable casing 122 of magnetic material having one end thereof closed as at 123. Disposed within the end 123 is a centrally arranged bore 124 for receiving fixedly a permanent magnet 125, the magnet having a member 126 of magnetic ma-l terial secured thereto and in abutting engagement with the core 109. The casing 122 extends through an opening 127 formed in the plate 37 suiciently large to provide free movement of the member 122 therein and has secured thereto in any suitable manner a member 128, the member having a flange 129 formed on one end thereof. Disposed within the casing 122 between the walls thereof and the magnet is a member 132 composed of non-magnetic material.

Arranged about the casing 122 and having one end thereof in abutting engagement with plate 37 is a spring 131, the other end of the spring being in abutting engagement with the ange 129 on member 128. By this arrangement the spring 131 maintains the casing 122 within the opening 120 in casing 103 and in normal abutting engagement with the member 106 and movement of the casing 122 is prevented thereby when the fuze is in a safe or unarmed condition and substantial movement of the casing 122 will not be permitted until the plate 37 has been moved to the position, shown on Fig. 7. It will be understood, however, that magnetic attraction tends to maintain element 126 in normal abutting engagement with core 109, and casing 122 in abutting engagement with casing 103, whereas tension on spring 118 against head 117 on plunger 113 tends to dislodge element 126 from core 109. From the foregoing it will be understood that member 122 is maintained in a safe condition in the aforesaid manner with the element 126 secured against the core 109 until the fuze has been actuated to an armed position.k

When the plate 37 has been moved a suflcient amount away from ange 129 to relieve the tension of spring 131 on the casing 122 movement of the casing 122 is permitted upon impact of the torpedo with a target vessel.

The conductors 110 connected to the coil 108 are adapted to complete a firing connection to an electro-y responsive detonator 133 when the fuze is in an armed condition, the detonator being7 disposed in a pair of recesses 134 respectively arranged in disc 43 and block 45, Figs. 5 and 6. As most clearly shown on Fig. 5, a duct` 135 communicates with one of the bores 49 and with one of the recesses 134. By this arrangement it will be understood, that when the fuze is in an armed condition and the electroresponsive detonator-133 is fired, the flash therefrom will fire the detonator 99 arranged in operative relation withprespkect thereto, the flash being directed from the detonator 133 to detonator 99 by way of duct 135 and bore 49, Fig. 5. v

When the fuze is in an armed condition, a complete ring circuit is established from the coil 108 to the electroresponsive detonator 133 by way of conductors 110, one conductor connecting the coil with one side of the electroresponsive detonator 133, the other side of the detonator having a ground connection to one of the shutters 52, Figs. 7 and 10, by way of conductor 136,

screw 137 secured to disc 43 and extending therethrough and into engagement with one of the grounded spring actuated detents 101, the other conductor 110 connected to the coil being grounded to the block 45 as by screw 138. By the foregoing arrangement it will be understood, that a complete firing circuit will not be established from the inertia generator through the electroresponsive detonator until the fuze is in an armed condition as completion of the circuit will not occur until the aforesaid detent is in engagement with screw 137.

When the movable element 122 is dislodged in response to inertial or set forward force applied thereto and to the component parts thereof as the torpedo strikes the target vessel, a small space between the element 122 and the stationary core element 109 is effected, such movement being suicient to reduce the magnetic attraction to a value where it is insuilicient to resist the force of spring 118, whereupon the spring acts to complete the disengagement of the aforesaid elements by a substantial increase in the distance therebetween before the inertial force or element 122 has diminished sufciently to permit the spring 131 to come into play to restore the member 122 to its initial position. When this occurs the collapse of the lines of force cutting coil 108 induces a voltage therein as the magnet 125 moves away from the core 109. It will be understood from the foregoing description that when the torpedo strikes a target vessel a glancing blow the inertial force received thereby will dislodge the movable assembly 122 from its normal position whereupon a voltage is generated in coil 108 as heretofore described, such voltage being of sufficient strength to fire the low energy detonator 133 thereby initiating explosion of the torpedo war head.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that the inertia generator is particularly adapted to function the fuze when the torpedo strikes the target vessel a glancing blow, and the ring pins 33 are adapted to function the fuze particularly when the torpedo strikes the target vessel a head-on blow. By the aforesaid arrangement means are devised for functioning the fuze and exploding the torpedo war head regardless of the angle at which the torpedo strikes the target vessel.

Briefly stated in summary, the present invention contemplates the provision of a new and improved fuze for a torpedo in which a water turbine is employed to control the arming means comprising releasing for operation the movable element of an inertia controlled voltage generator, closing a firing circuit thereto, and releasing a pair of normally locked shutters in which means are provided for functioning the fuze by either a mechanically controlled impact device or by electrically controlled impact means, and in which a magnetic inertia generator is employed for functioning the fuze in response to a sudden impact received thereby such, for example, as when the torpedo strikes a target vessel, and in which the fuze is fired mechanically in cases where the torpedo strikes the target vessel a head-on blow.

Obviously many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in the light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specically described.

The invention herein described and claimed may be manufactured and used by or for the Government of the United States of America for governmental purposes without payment of any royalties thereon or therefor.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a fuze for a torpedo, a casing, a container secured to said casing, a detonator charge arranged within said container, means including a normally locked water actuated impeller constructed and arranged to be rotated when released, hydrostatic pressure responsive clutch means normally engaging said impeller and responsive to the movement of said fuze through the water for releasing said impeller for subsequent rotation, a 'normally locked inertia actuated voltage generator having a moveable inertial element disposed for actuation only in response to impact of said torpedo with a target vessel for firing the detonator charge, and locking means arranged within said casing and connected for actuation by said impeller for unlocking said voltage generator when the impeller has been released and rotated a predetermined number of revolutions.

2. In a fuze for a torpedo, a casing having an inlet port arranged therein for admitting water under differential pressure into the interior of said casing, a container secured to the casing, a detonator charge arranged within said container, means including a normally locked impeller actuated by movement of the torpedo through the water for arming the fuze after the impeller has been released and rotated a predetermined number of revolutions, an initially locked clutch means including a hydrostatic pressure responsive device normally engaging' said impeller for releasing the impeller when the water pressure within the casing has increased to a predetermined value, a normally locked inertia actuated voltage generator responsive to impact of said torpedo with a target vessel for firing the detonator charge, and means including a slideable carriage arranged within said casing connected to and actuated by said impeller for unlocking said generator when the impeller has made said predetermined number of revolutions.

3. In a fuze for a torpedo, a casing having an inlet port arranged therein for admitting water pressure into the interior of said casing, a container secured to said casing, an explosive charge arranged within said container, means including a normally locked impeller controlled by said water for arming the fuze when the impeller has been released and rotated a predetermined number of revolutions, means including a pressure responsive device for releasing the impeller for rotation when said water pressure within the casing has increased to a predetermined value, a normally locked inertia actuated voltage generator for generating an electrical firing impulse as the torpedo strikes a target vessel, means including a slideable member controlled by the impeller for unlocking said generator when the member has been moved a predetermined amount thereby, a normally open tiring circuit connected to said generator and including switch means having an actuator for the contacts thereof whereby they are adapted to be closed as the generator is unlocked, an electroresponsive detonator connected in said firing circuit in a manner to be red in response to said impulse when the tiring circuit has been closed, means controlled by said slideable member for closing the tiring circuit as the generator is unlocked, and means tired by said electroresponsive detonator for ring said explosive charge.

4. In a fuze for a torpedo, a casing having an inlet port arranged therein for admitting water pressure into the interior of the casing, a container secured to said casing, an explosive charge disposed within said container, means including a normally locked impeller controlled by said water pressure for actuating said fuze to an armed position when the impeller has been released and rotated a predetermined number of revolutions, means including a moveable plate responsive to said pressure for releasing the impeller for rotation when the pressure within the casing has increased to a predetermined value, a normally locked inertia actuated voltage generator for generating an electrical tiring impulse upon impact of the torpedo with a target vessel, means controlled by the impeller for unlocking the generator when the torpedo has traveled a predetermined distance through the water, a normally open firing circuit connected to said generator, an electroresponsive detonator included within said firing circuit and adapted to be tired in response to said impulse when the firing'circuit has been closed, means including a springl detent controlled by said unlocking means for closing the ring circuit as the generator is unlocked, and means including a booster charge :fired by said detonator for ring said explosive charge.

5. In a fuze for a torpedo, a casing, a container secured to said casing, an explosive charge arranged within said container, a pair of releaseable arming members slideably supported within said container in an initial safe position, a pair of firing pins slideably supported within the container for releasably locking the arming members in said initial safe position and adapted to unlock the arming members when the pins are moved a predetermined amount, means including a normally locked water actuated impeller rotatably supported within the casing for moving the ring pins said predetermined amount, means responsive to the pressure of the water for releasing said impeller for rotation, means operatively connected to said arming members for moving the arming members from said initial safe position to an armed position when the arming members have been released, a normally locked voltage generator responsive-to impact of said torpedo with a target vessel for tiring said explosecured to said ring pins for unlocking said generator when the pins have been moved said predetermined amount.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 431,377 Merriam July 1, 1890 953,848 Leavitt Apr. 5, 1910 1,814,059 Rogers July 14, 1931 1,893,663 Woodberry Jan. 10, 1933 2,054,111 Zornig Sept. 15, 1936 2,409,205 Graumann Oct. l5, 1946 2,443,041 Jordan June 8, 1948 2,511,872 Parker June 20, 1950 2,544,860 Rasmussen Mar. 13, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,089 Great Britain Jan. 13, 1912 525,333 Great Britain Aug. 27, 1940 707,149 Germany June 14, 1941