US3381613A - Safe and arming mechanism for fuze - Google Patents

Safe and arming mechanism for fuze Download PDF

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Publication number
US3381613A
US3381613A US650818A US65081867A US3381613A US 3381613 A US3381613 A US 3381613A US 650818 A US650818 A US 650818A US 65081867 A US65081867 A US 65081867A US 3381613 A US3381613 A US 3381613A
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Prior art keywords
fuze
slider
detonator
arming
safe
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US650818A
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Webb George
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Avco Corp
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Avco Corp
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    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F42—AMMUNITION; BLASTING
    • F42C—AMMUNITION FUZES; ARMING OR SAFETY MEANS THEREFOR
    • F42C11/00—Electric fuzes
    • F42C11/008—Power generation in electric fuzes
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F42—AMMUNITION; BLASTING
    • F42C—AMMUNITION FUZES; ARMING OR SAFETY MEANS THEREFOR
    • F42C15/00—Arming-means in fuzes; Safety means for preventing premature detonation of fuzes or charges
    • F42C15/20—Arming-means in fuzes; Safety means for preventing premature detonation of fuzes or charges wherein a securing-pin or latch is removed to arm the fuze, e.g. removed from the firing-pin
    • F42C15/22—Arming-means in fuzes; Safety means for preventing premature detonation of fuzes or charges wherein a securing-pin or latch is removed to arm the fuze, e.g. removed from the firing-pin using centrifugal force
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F42—AMMUNITION; BLASTING
    • F42C—AMMUNITION FUZES; ARMING OR SAFETY MEANS THEREFOR
    • F42C15/00—Arming-means in fuzes; Safety means for preventing premature detonation of fuzes or charges
    • F42C15/40—Arming-means in fuzes; Safety means for preventing premature detonation of fuzes or charges wherein the safety or arming action is effected electrically

Definitions

  • ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This is a mechanism for incorporation in a fuze of the proximity type, powered by a thermal battery.
  • the fuze is adapted for use in a bomblet.
  • the mechanism includes a thermal battery and an electric detonator and its unarmed condition is characterized as follows: first, by a short-circuit on the detonator; second, by misalignment of a lead on an electric detonator.
  • the fuze is armed by spin, arming weights releasing a slider, which impacts a stab primer against a stab firing pin, the resultant percussive forces driving another firing pin into the thermal battery to actuate the same. Additionally, the movement of the slider aligns the lead with the electric detonator and removes the short-circuit from the detonator, whereby the fuze is fully armed.
  • the principal object of the invention is to provide a safe and arming mechanism for spin armed missiles and the like.
  • Another object of the invention is to provide a fuze safe and arming mechanism of the slider type, which utilizes excess energy provided by the motion of the slide to cause an internal explosion, which in turn is utilized to perform arming functions at an energy level which is relatively high as compared to the energy level involved in the motion of the slider.
  • a further object of the invention is to provide a fuze safe and arming mechanism which responds to spin to perform an arming function and then sets up a high energy process, which high energy is utilized to complete the arming sequence.
  • FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view as taken along section lines 11 of FIG. 2, looking in the direction of the arrows;
  • FIG. 2 is an end view of the fuze arming mechanism in accordance with the invention.
  • the fuze in which the present invention is of particular utility is powered by a thermal battery and includes electrical circuitry (not shown) which is energized by the thermal battery to fire an electrical detonator. This occurs when the fuze reaches the vicinity of a target, the action being that of the well-known proximity fuze which need not be described in detail.
  • a switch imposes a short-circuit across the electrical detonator, for safety reasons.
  • a slider holds a lead out of alignment with the electrical detonator so that the firing train is broken. The lead is not in alignment with the detonator until the slider moves in the armed position.
  • the slider moves not only to align the lead and the electrical detonator but also to remove the short-circuit from the detonator.
  • the slider performs two additional functions. First, as it moves into the armed position, it carries a primer against a first firing pin of the stab type, which drives a second firing -pin into a thermal battery. The slider is thereby locked in the armed position and the thermal battery is activated.
  • the slider comprises a brass weight member 10 and an aluminum carrier member 11, suitably mechanically joined, as indicated at 12.
  • the carrier is transversely bored near its upper end to provide a mounting for a lead 13 disposed therewithin.
  • the carrier is formed near its central axis with a cylinder for retention of the firing pin 14 and this cylinder is in communication with a radially extending bore in which a stab primer 15 is mounted.
  • Support for the operating parts of the fuze is provided by a housing frame 16, which is generally of well-shaped configuration.
  • the frame is disposed within a cup 17.
  • the frame is further formed with a port 18 in communication with an electrical detonator 19.
  • This detonator is normally short-circuited by a switch 21.
  • the frame is formed to secure in position the detonator and a thermal battery 20.
  • the carrier and the fuze housing are suitably formed to provide for the engagement, release and sliding movement of arming weights 22 and 23.
  • the weights 22 and 23 are normally biased into latching position by arming weight springs 24 and 25.
  • a firing pin 26 of the stab type is mounted on a flange portion of the frame 16. It extends inwardly in a radial direction and is in alignment with stab primer 15.
  • Switch 27 is normally in a short-circuiting position with respect to the electrical detonator 19 and this switch has an arm 21 which is biased in such a manner that when the slider frees that arm the short-circuit is removed from the electrical detonator 19. That is, the switch 27 is mounted on the frame 16 and the arm 21 is so biased as to exert a thrust against the carrier member 11. When the carrier moves to the armed position the switch arm 21 turns counter-clockwise (FIG. 2) and opens the switch 27.
  • slider locking means responsive to spin to be released to permit displacement of the slider in response to centrifugal force to a position Whereat the said other firing pin is impacted by the primer, thereby driving the first-mentioned firing pin into the thermal battery to actuate same, said displacement bringing the lead into alignment with the detonator so as to accomplish arming.

Description

May 7, 1968 G. WEBB SAFE AND ARMING MECHANISM FOR. PUT-R Filed July 5, 1967 INVENTOR. GEORGE WEBB ATTORNEY.
United States Patent Ofice 3,381,613 Patented May 7, 1968 3,381,613 SAFE AND ARMING MECHANISM FOR FUZE George Webb, Richmond, Ind., assignor to Avco Corporation, Richmond, Ind., a corporation of Delaware Filed July 3, 1967, Ser. No. 650,818 3 Claims. (Cl. 10270.2)
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This is a mechanism for incorporation in a fuze of the proximity type, powered by a thermal battery. The fuze is adapted for use in a bomblet. The mechanism includes a thermal battery and an electric detonator and its unarmed condition is characterized as follows: first, by a short-circuit on the detonator; second, by misalignment of a lead on an electric detonator. The fuze is armed by spin, arming weights releasing a slider, which impacts a stab primer against a stab firing pin, the resultant percussive forces driving another firing pin into the thermal battery to actuate the same. Additionally, the movement of the slider aligns the lead with the electric detonator and removes the short-circuit from the detonator, whereby the fuze is fully armed.
Field of the invention The principal object of the invention is to provide a safe and arming mechanism for spin armed missiles and the like.
Another object of the invention is to provide a fuze safe and arming mechanism of the slider type, which utilizes excess energy provided by the motion of the slide to cause an internal explosion, which in turn is utilized to perform arming functions at an energy level which is relatively high as compared to the energy level involved in the motion of the slider.
A further object of the invention is to provide a fuze safe and arming mechanism which responds to spin to perform an arming function and then sets up a high energy process, which high energy is utilized to complete the arming sequence.
It is a general object of the invention to provide a fuze mechanism for performing all arming functions, in cases in which the mechanical forces available due to spin or gravitation are not adequate.
Description of the drawings For a better understanding of the invention, together with other and further objects, advantages and capabilities thereof, reference is made to the following description of the appended drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view as taken along section lines 11 of FIG. 2, looking in the direction of the arrows; and
FIG. 2 is an end view of the fuze arming mechanism in accordance with the invention.
Detailed description of the invention The fuze in which the present invention is of particular utility is powered by a thermal battery and includes electrical circuitry (not shown) which is energized by the thermal battery to fire an electrical detonator. This occurs when the fuze reaches the vicinity of a target, the action being that of the well-known proximity fuze which need not be described in detail.
In the unarmed condition of the fuze here shown, a switch imposes a short-circuit across the electrical detonator, for safety reasons. Further, in the unarmed condition, a slider holds a lead out of alignment with the electrical detonator so that the firing train is broken. The lead is not in alignment with the detonator until the slider moves in the armed position. This is an additional safety feature. In this fuze, the slider moves not only to align the lead and the electrical detonator but also to remove the short-circuit from the detonator. The slider performs two additional functions. First, as it moves into the armed position, it carries a primer against a first firing pin of the stab type, which drives a second firing -pin into a thermal battery. The slider is thereby locked in the armed position and the thermal battery is activated.
Referring now to the drawings, attention is first invited to the arming means or slider 10, 11. The slider comprises a brass weight member 10 and an aluminum carrier member 11, suitably mechanically joined, as indicated at 12. The carrier is transversely bored near its upper end to provide a mounting for a lead 13 disposed therewithin. The carrier is formed near its central axis with a cylinder for retention of the firing pin 14 and this cylinder is in communication with a radially extending bore in which a stab primer 15 is mounted. Support for the operating parts of the fuze is provided by a housing frame 16, which is generally of well-shaped configuration. The frame is disposed within a cup 17. The frame is further formed with a port 18 in communication with an electrical detonator 19. This detonator is normally short-circuited by a switch 21. The frame is formed to secure in position the detonator and a thermal battery 20. The carrier and the fuze housing are suitably formed to provide for the engagement, release and sliding movement of arming weights 22 and 23. The weights 22 and 23 are normally biased into latching position by arming weight springs 24 and 25. A firing pin 26 of the stab type is mounted on a flange portion of the frame 16. It extends inwardly in a radial direction and is in alignment with stab primer 15.
The discussion now proceeds to a typical cycle of operation. As the bomblet in which the fuze is installed attains the required threshold rate of spin, centrifugal force acting on the arming weights 22 and 23 overcomes the force of the arming springs 24 and 25 so that the weights 22 and 23 move outwardly, disengaging from and freeing the slider 10, 11. The slider is freed and the slider moves in a direction transverse to the axis of the fuze into the armed position, placing the lead 13 in line with the detonator 19. Additionally, the slider drives the stab primer 15 into the firing pin 26. As the stab primer 15 strikes the firing pin 26, the energy in the primer 15 is released and it causes the firing pin 14 to be driven into the thermal battery 20. This action locks the slider 10, 11 in place.
Switch 27 is normally in a short-circuiting position with respect to the electrical detonator 19 and this switch has an arm 21 which is biased in such a manner that when the slider frees that arm the short-circuit is removed from the electrical detonator 19. That is, the switch 27 is mounted on the frame 16 and the arm 21 is so biased as to exert a thrust against the carrier member 11. When the carrier moves to the armed position the switch arm 21 turns counter-clockwise (FIG. 2) and opens the switch 27.
While there has been shown and described what is at present considered to be the preferred embodiment of the invention, various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention as defined by the appended claims.
What is claimed is:
1. In a safe and arming mechanism for a fuze of the type having a thermal battery and an electric detonator, the combination of:
a frame formed to support said thermal battery and detonator,
a slider mounted for dis-placement transverse to the longitudinal axis of said mechanism,
a firing pin carried by the slider,
a stab primer carried by the slider,
21 firing lead carried by the slider,
another firing pin mounted on the frame,
locking means for normally retaining the slider in such position that the lead is misaligned with the detonator and the stab primer is aligned with but out of contact with said other firing pin and the first firing pin is misaligned with the detonator,
and slider locking means responsive to spin to be released to permit displacement of the slider in response to centrifugal force to a position Whereat the said other firing pin is impacted by the primer, thereby driving the first-mentioned firing pin into the thermal battery to actuate same, said displacement bringing the lead into alignment with the detonator so as to accomplish arming.
2. The combination in accordance with claim 1 and position.
References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Dell et a1. 102-70.2 Brode 10270.2
Burrell 102-70.2
Crozier 102-702 Crozier 10270.2
BENJAMIN A. BORCHELT, Primary Examiner.
T. H. WEBB, Assistant Examiner.
US650818A 1967-07-03 1967-07-03 Safe and arming mechanism for fuze Expired - Lifetime US3381613A (en)

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Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3780660A (en) * 1971-02-23 1973-12-25 Us Air Force Multiple function safe and arm mechanism
US4691634A (en) * 1986-06-19 1987-09-08 Motorola, Inc. Electro-explosive safety and arming device
US4796532A (en) * 1987-11-12 1989-01-10 Magnavox Government And Industrial Electronics Company Safe and arm device for spinning munitions
EP1909057A1 (en) 2006-10-07 2008-04-09 JUNGHANS Microtec GmbH Safety device for a spin stabilised projectile fuse
WO2011027139A3 (en) * 2009-09-01 2011-05-05 Omnitek Partners Llc Compact and low volume mechanical igniter and ignition systems for thermal batteries and the like

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2498032A (en) * 1947-03-04 1950-02-21 Albert H Dell Thermal circuit breaker
US2737890A (en) * 1942-11-09 1956-03-13 Robert B Brode Safety unit for explosive devices
US2900908A (en) * 1949-10-07 1959-08-25 Burrell Ellis Centrifugal safety device for a projectile fuze
US2919649A (en) * 1946-01-15 1960-01-05 William D Crozier Impact detonator
US2925777A (en) * 1947-01-10 1960-02-23 William D Crozier Ampule breaker mechanism

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2737890A (en) * 1942-11-09 1956-03-13 Robert B Brode Safety unit for explosive devices
US2919649A (en) * 1946-01-15 1960-01-05 William D Crozier Impact detonator
US2925777A (en) * 1947-01-10 1960-02-23 William D Crozier Ampule breaker mechanism
US2498032A (en) * 1947-03-04 1950-02-21 Albert H Dell Thermal circuit breaker
US2900908A (en) * 1949-10-07 1959-08-25 Burrell Ellis Centrifugal safety device for a projectile fuze

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3780660A (en) * 1971-02-23 1973-12-25 Us Air Force Multiple function safe and arm mechanism
US4691634A (en) * 1986-06-19 1987-09-08 Motorola, Inc. Electro-explosive safety and arming device
US4796532A (en) * 1987-11-12 1989-01-10 Magnavox Government And Industrial Electronics Company Safe and arm device for spinning munitions
EP1909057A1 (en) 2006-10-07 2008-04-09 JUNGHANS Microtec GmbH Safety device for a spin stabilised projectile fuse
US20080210117A1 (en) * 2006-10-07 2008-09-04 Junghans Microtec Gmbh Safety and Arming Unit for a Spinning Projectile Fuze
US7661364B2 (en) * 2006-10-07 2010-02-16 Junghans Microtec Gmbh Safety and arming unit for a spinning projectile fuze
KR101172434B1 (en) * 2006-10-07 2012-08-09 융한스 마이크로텍 게엠베하 Safety and arming unit for a spinning projectile fuze
WO2011027139A3 (en) * 2009-09-01 2011-05-05 Omnitek Partners Llc Compact and low volume mechanical igniter and ignition systems for thermal batteries and the like

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