US3905298A - Electronic proximity fuse incorporating means for preventing premature detonation by electronic counter measures - Google Patents

Electronic proximity fuse incorporating means for preventing premature detonation by electronic counter measures Download PDF

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Publication number
US3905298A
US3905298A US232660A US23266062A US3905298A US 3905298 A US3905298 A US 3905298A US 232660 A US232660 A US 232660A US 23266062 A US23266062 A US 23266062A US 3905298 A US3905298 A US 3905298A
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Prior art keywords
projectile
fuse circuit
target
detonator
battery
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Expired - Lifetime
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US232660A
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English (en)
Inventor
Ekkehard Rehbock
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Telefunken Patentverwertungs GmbH
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Telefunken Patentverwertungs GmbH
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    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F42—AMMUNITION; BLASTING
    • F42C—AMMUNITION FUZES; ARMING OR SAFETY MEANS THEREFOR
    • F42C13/00—Proximity fuzes; Fuzes for remote detonation
    • F42C13/04—Proximity fuzes; Fuzes for remote detonation operated by radio waves
    • 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
    • F42C15/40—Arming-means in fuzes; Safety means for preventing premature detonation of fuzes or charges wherein the safety or arming action is effected electrically

Definitions

  • the combination which comprises: [21] Appl' 232660 a. an electronic proximity fuse circuit including 1. a detonator and [30] Foreign Application Priority Data 2. a Doppler-frequency responsive Oct, 21, 196] Germany 21001 transmitter-receiver connected to Said detonator for applying a trigger signal thereto 52 us. (:1 102/702 P; 343/7 PF when the projectile is near the g and [Sl] Int. Cl.
  • F42C 13/04 11 means for pp y electric Power to Said fuse
  • References Cited act on said transmitter-receiver for purposes of UNITED STATES PATENTS prematurely detonating said detonator, is short,
  • the present invention relates to a method for triggering the electronic detonating means of an uncontrolled or remotely controlled projectile or missile, as well as to an arrangement carrying out such method.
  • a self-oscillating mixer stage emits a HF output of about to 100 milliwatts via a small antenna located at the front end of the projectile; when the projectile passes close to a target, a receiver carried by the projectile will pick up a portion of the energy reflected by the target; this reflected signal, whose frequency will differ from that of the transmitted signal by the Doppler frequency, is mixed with the transmitted signal frequency.
  • the thusobtained beat frequency is known to behave as follows: When the detonator approaches the target, the beat frequency at first increases, or even first becomes discernible from noise; the frequency will then, near the critical point at the target, very rapidly fall to zero; after the critical point is passed, the frequency will very rapidly increase; whereafter, the frequency will continue to decrease, or be lost in noise. This frequency is subjected to low frequency amplification and is utilized for triggering the detonator.
  • Such known arrangements have a supply battery which is activated by the effect of the acceleration to which the projectile is subjected when it is fired.
  • a battery may be of the chromic acid type and incorporate a glass ampoule which is shattered as a result of this acceleration.
  • projectiles will also include a safety device which is turned off (meaning that it is switched to a position wherein it will permit the detonator to explode), after the projectile has left the weapon by which it is fired, by the spin which is imparted to the projectile in the firing tube.
  • an object of the present invention to provide an electronic proximity fuse arrangement which avoids the drawbacks of known detonators and which, in addition thereto, can be made at low cost, is of small size, and is of light weight.
  • the present invention resides mainly in an arrangement, suitable for use in a projectile, and comprising an electronic proximity fuse Circuit including a detonator and a transmitter-receiver which is responsive to reflected energy, i.e., a Dopplerfrequency responsive transmitter-receiver, the latter being connected to the detonator for applying a trigger signal thereto when the projectile is near the target.
  • an electronic proximity fuse Circuit including a detonator and a transmitter-receiver which is responsive to reflected energy, i.e., a Dopplerfrequency responsive transmitter-receiver, the latter being connected to the detonator for applying a trigger signal thereto when the projectile is near the target.
  • the arrangement further comprises means for applying electric power to the fuse circuit only when the projectile is near its target, in consequence of which the time interval during which an electronic counter measure device may act on the transmitter-receiver, for purposes of prematurely detonatin g the detonator, is short
  • the means for applying electric power to the fuse circuit may include a battery as well as means for connecting the battery to the fuse circuit not at the time of firing but only when the projectile is near its target, or, in the absence of such connecting means, the battery can be of a type which can be caused to change over from a deactivated condition to an activated condition, in which case the battery will normally be in its deactivated condition but be activated when the projectile is near its target.
  • the present invention further resides in a method of triggering an electronic proximity fuse circuit of a projectile, which comprises the steps of applying electric power to the fuse circuit only when the projectile is near its target, and triggering the fuse circuit by a reflected energy signal when the projectile is near the target.
  • FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic showing of the firing of the projectile.
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an electronic proximity fuse arrangement according to the present invention.
  • FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a semiconductor thermoelectric battery which may be used in a proximity fuse according to the present invention.
  • FIG. 1 shows an enemy aircraft 2, flying in the direction of arrow 1, which aircraft is to be shot down by a friendly antiaircraft gun 3 shooting a projectile 4 along a trajectory 5 intended to bring the projectile on a collision course with the aircraft.
  • the projectile sends out a transmitter frequency f,, directed, inter alia, toward the target aircraft, as indicated by arrow 6.
  • a part of the signal is reflected, as indicated by arrow 7, the returning signal being shifted by the Doppler frequency dictated by the relative speed components and picked up by a receiver in projectile 4.
  • FIG. 2 shows the circuitry carried by the projectile, the same including a transistorized transmitter-receiver 8 having an antenna 9 for transmitting and receiving signals,
  • the power supply voltage for the transistors is derived from a battery 10, the electrical connection between the transmitter-receiver 8 and battery 10 being closed by actuation of a safety switch 11.
  • the latter is mechanically coupled to and actuated by a conven tional spin-responsive actuator 11a which causes the switch 11 to close after the projectile has received its spin in the gun 3.
  • the beat frequency obtained by mixing the transmitted and received frequencies is applied, via a line 12, to the actual detonator 13.
  • this beat frequency reaches a predetermined value, as, for example, zero, the detonator will receive a trigger signal.
  • premature triggering of the detonator by means ofa wobble transmitter is prevented by not supplying electric power to the transmitter-receiver 8 as soon as the projectile leaves the gun 3, but only when the projectile is near the target at which the detonator is intended to be triggered.
  • a suitable control device 20 is in- Lerposed between the transmitter-receiver 8 and the Jattery 10.
  • the control device 20 may be constituted 3y a remote-controlled switching circuit, or a preset :ime fuse or other time-controlled mechanism. lf the :ircuit 20 is to be controlled from the ground, this can 3e done by an appropriate command transmitter 14 IFIG. 1).
  • the control device 20 can be dispensed with and the battery 10 can be of a type which is not activated until the projectile is in the vicin- ,ty of the target.
  • the battery will not be a :onventional chromic acid battery of the type referred Lo above, but a battery which is activated, for example, 3y a coarsely adjustable time fuse.
  • Batteries which are Jarticularly useful for this purpose are the thermal or ;o-called pyrotechnic batteries whose electrolyte consists of melted salts which are heated, during the activating time, by burning nitrated paper serving as the electrolyte carrier.
  • the activating time is of the same order of magnitude as the short time interval, usually not more than 10 seconds, that elapses between the firing of the projectile and the instant at which the transmitterreceiver circuit is to be energized.
  • the parts 8, 11a, and 13 are conventional.
  • the transmitter-receiver 8 being the usual Doppler radar set, may operate as described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,699,543, issued Jan. 11th, 1955, column 2, lines 23 to 57;
  • the spin-responsive actuator 110 may be as the switch shown in U.S. Pat. No. 2,903,534, issued Sept. 8th, 1959;
  • the actual detonator 13 may include cir- :uitry as shown in FIG. 2 of U.S. Pat. No. 2,403,567, issued July 9th, 1946.
  • FIG. 3 shows a semiconductor thermoelectric bat tery, which may be used in combination with the invention.
  • the battery consists of an activator which normally may be of the quick-match-type or the electric pill-type 30, an exothermic charge 31 which may consist of thermite, a heat moderator-accumulator 32 and the battery of semiconductor elements 33.
  • a fuse arrangement according to the present invention can be made smaller and lighter than heretofore known arrangements, so that a projectile having the same ballistic characteristics can contain substantially more explosive than was previously possible. Moreover, the efficacy of enemy electronic counter measures is substantially reduced, if not eliminated.
  • a projectile the combination which comprises: a. an electronic proximity fuse circuit including 1. a detonator and 2. a Doppler-frequency responsive transmitterreceiver connected to said detonator for applying a trigger signal thereto when the projectile is near the target; and
  • connecting means comprise a remote-controlled electronic circuit which is responsive to a signal transmitted by a command transmitter apart from the projectile.
  • said means for applying electric power to said fuse circuit include a battery connected to said proximity fuse circuit for applying electric power thereto, said battery being of a type which can be caused to change over from a deactivated condition to an activated condition and being normally in its deactivated condition, said battery being activated only when the projectile is near its target.
  • said battery is one whose electrolyte consists of melted salts which are heated, during the activating time, by burning nitrated paper serving as the electrolyte carrier.
  • said battery is one whose activation is effected by pyrotechnic devices and which includes of semiconductor thermoelectric elements.
  • a method of triggering an electronic proximity fuse circuit of a projectile comprising the steps of applying electric power to the fuse circuit only when the projectile is near its target, and triggering the fuse circuit by a reflected energy signal when the projectile is near the target, in consequence of which the time interval during which an electronic counter measure device may simulate a reflected energy signal and thereby prematurely trigger the fuse circuit, is short.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Radar Systems Or Details Thereof (AREA)
US232660A 1961-10-21 1962-10-18 Electronic proximity fuse incorporating means for preventing premature detonation by electronic counter measures Expired - Lifetime US3905298A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DET0021001 1961-10-21

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US (1) US3905298A (fr)
DE (1) DE978027C (fr)
FR (1) FR1605422A (fr)
IT (1) IT993501B (fr)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4203110A (en) * 1963-03-12 1980-05-13 The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy Microwave proximity fuze requiring no warm-up time after being activated
US4991508A (en) * 1989-12-18 1991-02-12 General Electric Company Electric field enabled proximity fuzing system
US5942718A (en) * 1995-06-23 1999-08-24 Ibo Industrias Quimicas Ltda. Electronic delay detonator
EP2887006A3 (fr) * 2013-12-21 2015-09-30 JUNGHANS Microtec GmbH Amorce d'un missile
US10935357B2 (en) 2018-04-25 2021-03-02 Bae Systems Information And Electronic Systems Integration Inc. Proximity fuse having an E-field sensor

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
SE397583B (sv) * 1974-11-01 1977-11-07 Bofors Ab Anordning for markstyrd inkoppling av zonror

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2403567A (en) * 1942-01-13 1946-07-09 Jr Nathaniel B Wales Electrically energized fuse
US2699543A (en) * 1945-06-04 1955-01-11 Edward J Naumann Electrical system for an ordnance fuse
US2903534A (en) * 1942-07-09 1959-09-08 Robert M Bleakney Switch
US2931848A (en) * 1947-09-25 1960-04-05 Burrell Ellis Breaker mechanism for deferred-action electrical batteries
US3014215A (en) * 1945-11-19 1961-12-19 Westinghouse Electric Corp Electronic control system
US3046892A (en) * 1958-06-20 1962-07-31 Trt Telecom Radio Electr Proximity fuse
US3063345A (en) * 1943-05-25 1962-11-13 Westinghouse Electric Corp Method and apparatus for exploding bombs

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE943278C (de) * 1943-05-23 1956-05-17 Flugfunk Forschungsinstitut Ob Verfahren zur Fernzuendung von Granaten, insbesondere Flakgranaten
DE885966C (de) * 1943-08-07 1953-08-10 Max Baermann Magnetsystem zur Erzeugung von Stromstoessen fuer elektrische Zuender
FR1232907A (fr) * 1956-01-06 1960-10-12 Sadir Carpentier Perfectionnements aux fusées de proximité

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2403567A (en) * 1942-01-13 1946-07-09 Jr Nathaniel B Wales Electrically energized fuse
US2903534A (en) * 1942-07-09 1959-09-08 Robert M Bleakney Switch
US3063345A (en) * 1943-05-25 1962-11-13 Westinghouse Electric Corp Method and apparatus for exploding bombs
US2699543A (en) * 1945-06-04 1955-01-11 Edward J Naumann Electrical system for an ordnance fuse
US3014215A (en) * 1945-11-19 1961-12-19 Westinghouse Electric Corp Electronic control system
US2931848A (en) * 1947-09-25 1960-04-05 Burrell Ellis Breaker mechanism for deferred-action electrical batteries
US3046892A (en) * 1958-06-20 1962-07-31 Trt Telecom Radio Electr Proximity fuse

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4203110A (en) * 1963-03-12 1980-05-13 The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy Microwave proximity fuze requiring no warm-up time after being activated
US4991508A (en) * 1989-12-18 1991-02-12 General Electric Company Electric field enabled proximity fuzing system
US5942718A (en) * 1995-06-23 1999-08-24 Ibo Industrias Quimicas Ltda. Electronic delay detonator
EP2887006A3 (fr) * 2013-12-21 2015-09-30 JUNGHANS Microtec GmbH Amorce d'un missile
US10935357B2 (en) 2018-04-25 2021-03-02 Bae Systems Information And Electronic Systems Integration Inc. Proximity fuse having an E-field sensor

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR1605422A (fr) 1975-10-17
IT993501B (it) 1975-09-30
DE978027C (de) 1975-08-07

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