Abstract: A warhead fuse mechanism is used to prevent an accidental explosive event of a warhead by separating the booster lead into a plurality of booster lead segments, with each of the individual booster lead segments having a diameter less than the failure diameter of the booster lead explosive. A separating device separates the booster lead segments from each other to maintain the failure diameter until detonation is desired.

Abstract: A fuze includes a shell, a plunger a firing pin unit, a spring, a receptacle, a plurality of detents, a detonation unit and a restraint unit. The plunger is movably provided in the shell. The firing pin unit is movably provided in the shell, in the vicinity of the plunger. The spring is compressed between the plunger and the firing pin unit. The receptacle is provided in the shell and movably connected to the firing pin unit. The detents are movably provided between the firing pin unit and the receptacle. The detonation unit is movably provided in the receptacle opposite to the detents. The restraint unit is provided in the shell and movably connected to the detonation unit.

Abstract: A fuze for a projectile having a firing chain has an interrupter for interruption of the firing chain. The interrupter is configured to snap from a safe position to an armed position when unlocked. A locking device is disposed to lock the interrupter in the safe position and to unlock the interrupter by way of an unlocking movement. The fuze is rendered compact and reliable in that the unlocking movement of the locking device is an axial movement.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, a submunition is contemplated having a submunition body, an explosive payload housed within said submunition body and an elongated delay member housed within the submunition body, the elongated delay member coated with at least one reactive material that provides a controlled time delay between submunition impact and detonation of the explosive payload. The submunition may also comprise an elongated pendulum having a hollow core sized to receive said elongated delay member, the elongated pendulum adapted to be movable between a locked position that mitigates likelihood of inadvertent detonation of the explosive payload and an unlocked position that enables detonation of the explosive payload.

Abstract: A spin sensor includes a fuze housing, a sense weight and a rotating induction device. The rotating induction device comprises a first rotatable element affixed to the fuze housing and a second rotatable element affixed to the sense weight. The second rotatable element is mechanically coupled to the first rotatable element such that it may rotate relative to the first rotatable element. In addition, the second rotatable element is inductively coupled to the first rotatable element such that the relative rotation between the first rotatable element and the second rotatable element generates a spin signal on an electrical connection to the rotating induction device. The spin signal may be compared to a suitable spin profile to determine if a valid spin environment is present.

Abstract: The present invention provides a self destruction impact fuse for fail-proof detonating a projectile, preferably a low velocity projectile. The present invention further provides a projectile that can be detonated reliably even at low velocity.

Abstract: A mechanical safe and arm device for rotating munitions reduces arming scatter so that the “no arm” and “all arm” distance are substantially the same. A first spring holds a flywheel, a pinion gear, and a drive gear against rotation until centrifugal forces cause the spring to release them. The drive gear then rotates, causing rotation of the pinion gear and the flywheel. A post depending from the flywheel strikes and unlocks a second spring that unlocks a pivotally-mounted rotor that carries a detonator. The rotor then pivots and brings the detonator into alignment with a firing pin.

Abstract: An escapement fuze self-destruct mechanism for a projectile includes a drive weight that maintains a biasing member in a compressed state by centrifugal force when a projectile's RPM speed is above a preselected threshold. When the RPM speed falls below the preselected threshold, the biasing member exerts sufficient counter-rotational force to overcome the centrifugal force exerted by the drive weight. The biasing member expands to an uncompressed state and displaces the drive weight into position for mechanically implementing self-destruction of the projectile if a rotor is fully armed or for rendering the projectile “safe” if the rotor is in any position other then fully armed.

Abstract: A command to arm apparatus includes a housing having a hollow interior. A pivotally-mounted rotor is disposed in the hollow interior. The rotor has a first, safe position of rotational adjustment that prevents detonation of an explosive and a second, armed position of rotational adjustment that enables detonation of an explosive. A locking cam is pivotally mounted to the rotor and has a rotor-locking position of repose. The rotor is free to rotate from its safe position to its armed position when the locking cam is rotated out of the rotor-locking position by a piston that extends from a piston actuator. The rotor abuts a flat formed in a sidewall of the housing and can rotate no further when the device is in the armed configuration.

Abstract: A safety and arming unit (11) which is designed in particular for an electrical fuze circuit (27) does not reliably respond just to lateral loads on one side, but responds only to centrifugal forces produced by the spin during free flight, in that two contact pairs (22-23, 22-23) which are connected electrically in parallel with one another via rings (14, 15) and are arranged diametrically opposite one another on a cross-sectional plane of the fuze (12) are both no longer electrically conductively bridged at the same time by the bolt (17) because, just by virtue of the centrifugal force, both bolts (17) are simultaneously moved radially outwards from their short-circuit safety positions in their blind holes (16), which are oriented transversely with respect to the rotation axis (13).

Abstract: A safety and arming unit (11) which is designed in particular for an electrical fuze circuit (27) does not reliably respond just to lateral loads on one side, but responds only to centrifugal forces produced by the spin during free flight, in that two contact pairs (22-23, 22-23) which are connected electrically in parallel with one another via rings (14, 15) and are arranged diametrically opposite one another on a cross-sectional plane of the fuze (12) are both no longer electrically conductively bridged at the same time by the bolt (17) because, just by virtue of the centrifugal force, both bolts (17) are simultaneously moved radially outwards from their short-circuit safety positions in their blind holes (16), which are oriented transversely with respect to the rotation axis (13).

Abstract: A safety and arming apparatus for arming a fuze of a smart weapon comprise a release sensor and a verification maneuver sensor in cooperative electronic communication with each other, such that when the release sensor senses that the weapon has been released and the verification maneuver sensor detects a predetermined verification maneuver of the weapon in flight, the fuze is armed.

Abstract: A safety and arming unit (10) for a spinning projectile fuze, which has a fuze body (12) and a bearing body (14), which define a spherical cavity (16) between them, in which a spherical rotor (18) is mounted such that it can rotate, in which rotor (18) a detonator (20) is provided. In order to make the safety and arming unit suitable for fuzes in weapon systems with extremely fast munition feed units, the rotor (18) can be surrounded by a rotor locking ring (28) in the safe position, prevents the rotor (18) from rotating through an acceleration ring (30) and a spring element (32) which connects the acceleration ring (30) to the rotor locking ring (28) in an interlocking manner, with the rotor locking ring (28) being formed with a slot (36) in order that it can be spread open by rotation and centrifugal forces into an open space (34).

Abstract: A safety and arming apparatus for arming a fuze of a smart weapon comprise a release sensor and a verification maneuver sensor in cooperative electronic communication with each other, such that when the release sensor senses that the weapon has been released and the verification maneuver sensor detects a predetermined verification maneuver of the weapon in flight, the fuze is armed.

Abstract: The spherical rolling explosive ordnance is a bomb having a substantially spherical shaped structure that includes a hard outer shell and a shock absorbing outer layer. The spherical shaped structure has a hollow inner core that is symmetrically disposed about an axial center of the structure. Within the hollow inner core are a plurality of mutually orthogonal motion sensors and a computing device. The sensors are electrically coupled to the computing device which accepts sensor outputs to process a plurality of motion profile samples. An explosive charge is distributed between the shell and the core. A fuse mechanism within the explosive charge is electrically coupled to a primary arming device. The primary arming device is armed responsive to the predetermined criteria of the motion profile samples. Arming the arming device causes the fuse to be ignited to provide detonation of the ordnance device.

Abstract: An improved fuze for a submunition grenade designed to be launched from a cargo projectile comprising a fuze, a charge and a casing; the improved fuze comprising a fuze housing; a threaded firing pin having a pointed tip, oriented coaxially with the submunition grenade, and threadedly engageable to a threaded hole in a weighted insert that is able to reciprocate within the fuze housing; a slider slidingly moveable in a substantially radial plane tangential to the axis of the firing pin, between a safe position and an armed position; the firing pin being able to rotatably reciprocate forwards and backwards by rotation of the firing pin with respect to the weighted insert along the threadedly engaged screw threads; the fuze further comprising a fully mechanical inertial releasable safety apparatus for preventing swiveling of the swivel mounted striker, to prevention initiation of the time delay detonator ignition system.

Abstract: A safing and arming device is provided for a warhead or round which is to be launched by a rifled gun and which includes submunitions. A slider is disposed in a housing between a detonator and lead cup and is movable between a first, safe position wherein the slider acts as an interrupter and a second, armed position wherein an opening in the slider is in alignment with the detonator and lead cup. A setback sensor initially locks the slider in the safe position and then, responsive to a setback force produced at gun launch, unlocks the slider. An ejection sensor also initially locks the slider in the safe position and continues to lock the slider against movement to the armed position during a period between gun launch and exiting of the warhead from the gun. Responsive to the ejection force produced at exiting of the warhead from the gun, the ejection sensor unlocks the slider to enable movement thereof to the armed position.

Abstract: A MEMS type safe and arm apparatus for a fuze includes a setback slider responsive to a first setback acceleration, the setback slider moving linearly in response to the first setback acceleration; a setforward slider responsive to a first setforward acceleration, the setback slider unlocking the setforward slider, the setforward slider moving linearly in response to the first setforward acceleration; a first rotor responsive to a second setback acceleration, the setforward slider unlocking the first rotor, the first rotor rotating in response to the second setback acceleration; a second rotor responsive to a second setforward acceleration, the first rotor unlocking the second rotor, the second rotor rotating in response to the second setforward acceleration; and an arming slider that moves linearly in response to the rotation of the second rotor to thereby arm the fuze.

Abstract: A fuze for a munition adapted to prevent unintended arming thereof. The fuze incorporates an arming screw having a keyed portion and a centrifugal locking mechanism for preventing rotation of the arming screw unless the fuze mechanism is in a rapidly spinning condition such as that experienced when the fuze and its associated munition are deployed from an airborne rocket or artillery shell, and thus spinning at a rate of at least several thousand rpm. The centrifugal locking mechanism includes a pair of locking members which are biased by biasing elements into engagement with the keyed portion of the arming screw. This prevents the arming screw from being accidentally unscrewed from an inertia weight within the fuze, thus placing the fuze in an unintended armed condition.

Abstract: A self destructing impact fuse including a cylindrical firing pin having a hollow centrifugal chamber for holding a number of spheres and a number of radial openings on its surface for exposing portions of the spheres when the chamber is spun. At one end of the chamber is a spring for exerting compression force along the longitudinal axis of the chamber and at the other end is a self-destructing (SD) firing pin for striking the detonator. A centrifugal lock having a pivot offset from the longitudinal axis holds the chamber in place by mating with a groove on the surface of the centrifugal chamber. The cylindrical firing pin is seated concentrically within a frame and disposed over an escapement assembly featuring the detonator. The detonator is rotated into alignment with the SD firing pin after the projectile, incorporating the fuse, travels the minimum tactical distance. The frame is further coupled with a base, which features a point detonation (PD) firing pin for striking the detonator.

Abstract: An explosive system for use in projectiles such as guided missiles and rocket projectiles, includes an explosive charge and an ignition booster for igniting the explosive charge. A detonator is provided for igniting the booster. An ignition transfer device is disposed between the detonator and the booster for being ignited by the detonator and igniting the booster. A portion of the ignition transfer device is embedded axially within an end face of the booster.

Abstract: The mechanism consists of a one coil spring disposed a spaced distance about the inner circumference of a cylindrical housing; and a lever pivotally attached to said housing. When the device is subjected to centrifugal forces the coil is forced outward towards the inner wall of the cylindrical housing causing the two ends of the coil to be separated. Once separated, the lever may pivot causing one end to contact the inner wall of the cylindrical housing and the second end to pivot away from the inner wall of the cylindrical housing and contact a activating device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fuse for a satellite projectile that is expelled from a carrier projectile. In order to maintain a defined ignition time within narrow tolerances, despite initial blind position of the fuse immediately after the expulsion of the satellite projectile, the firing pin 7 is centrally arranged in the interior of a key-shaped cover 12 which is movably disposed in the interior of a housing 1. The wall 12' of the cover 12 has a plurality of recesses 5' into which there engage a corresponding number of locking pins 5 mounted on sheet metal springs 4. These springs 4 are radially outwardly swingable and are secured to the housing 1. The locking pins 5 prevent an axial movement of the firing pin 7 during the safety inactive-position-period and prevent thereby a radial outward swinging of the detonator support 15 into the ignition position.

Abstract: The security device of the invention comprises a movable organ in the interior of a cage mounted for rotation with respect to the body of a projectile, the movable organ being temporarily blocked from such rotation around the axis of gyration by at least one pin ejectable under the action of centrifugal force. Said pin is itself retained by an elastic spiral band enrolled upon the cage and which, as a result of a difference introduced into the speeds of respective rotation of the cage and of the body around the axis of gyration upon the exit of the projectile from the muzzle of the weapon, unwinds to liberate the pin. As a result, the movable organ after a trajectory of many tens of meters after the projectile has left the muzzle of the barrel of the weapon completes the pyrotechnic train which fires the projectile.

Abstract: Impact with a resistant media at adequate forward velocity and rate of rotation causes a pivoted sector weight to shear a retaining shear pin and rotate quickly, bringing a firing pin on the sector weight into violent contact with a percussion primer and thereby igniting a fuze train or high explosive booster.

Abstract: In a rifled missile having a primer tube or firing channel, a safety device adapted to coact with a percussion fuse. The safety device is disposed in the missle transversely across the primer tube between the impact-sensitive primer and a booster charge. The primer tube axially extends from the impact-sensitive primer to the booster charge. The safety device includes a blocking disc and a biased tape-reel surrounding the blocking disc and bearing against it. The tape-reel is adapted to unwind when under the influence of a predetermined centrifugal force to thereby release the blocking disc which is then freed to turn oppositely relative to the rotary direction of the missile due to the influence of a predetermined inertial force to thereby unblock the primer tube.

Abstract: A low cost graze sensor fuze arrangement for a point detonating spin stabzed projectile in which firing pin actuation for detonation purposes is accomplished where the projectile may only graze the target and a graze sensor element will be laterally moved a limited amount to cam a firing pin assembly rearwardly toward a rotor armed detonator.

Abstract: A pair of contacting rolling spheres are disposed in a tubular housing inmediate a stationary cam element and a fluidically damped and lubricated movable cam-piston member. The cam-piston member provides an axial force of sufficient strength to restrain loosely stacked elements of a spin stabilized munition. The device has its longitudinal axis offset from the main spin axis of the munition in order to utilize centrifugal forces associated with spin to generate by cam action an axial thrust force of sufficient magnitude and proper direction to restrain slidable elements within the munition.

Abstract: A plurality of submunitions packed in a projectile deliver an incapacitat gas payload at far range from the projectile launch site only after the submunitions have been properly armed by mechanical removal of a blocker member from between an in-line firing pin and primer. A non-ground-impact type fuse detonates each submunition.

Abstract: A plurality of submunitions packed in a projectile deliver an incapacitat gas payload at far range from the projectile launch site only after the submunitions have been properly ejected and after each submunition has been properly armed. A non-ground-impact type fuse detonates each submunition.