Centrifugally Released Latch Patents (Class 102/245)
  • Patent number: 11506474
    Abstract: Fuze assembly methods and devices. The methods include providing a firing pin to detonate the projectile; operably connecting a weighted body to the firing pin; and operably connecting a flexural portion to the weighted body to retain position of the weighted body due to centrifugal force generated by the rotation of the projectile to retain the firing pin in a detonation prevention position and move the weighted body to drive the firing pin to a detonation position upon impact of the projectile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: AURA Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Garrett Goss, Alex Blate
  • Patent number: 8511230
    Abstract: A safety and arming device for a spin-stabilized explosive projectile, said device incorporating a screen obstructing a transmission channel linking a detonator and a pyrotechnic relay, said screen comprising two half-screens able to move with respect to one another and transversally with respect to said channel, said two half-screens obstructing said channel when contacting one another, wherein said two half-screens are able to slide in a bore hole carried by a rotor coaxial to said projectile, said rotor is able to pivot on the axis of said projectile and carries said channel, said two half-screens locked into the position obstructing said channel by at least two locks, a first lock or inertial lock which retracts when said projectile is fired and a second lock or centrifugal lock formed by a spiral spring surrounding an external cylindrical surface of said rotor and applied against the ends of said half-screens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Nexter Munitions
    Inventors: Bertrand Padiolleau, Renaud Lafont
  • Patent number: 8464641
    Abstract: A forty millimeter caliber exercise bullet has been improved for properly exploding on a target, and securely maintaining the unloaded status during ordinary time. The improved exercise bullet is comprised of: a skirt (200), a striking pin (10), a safety device assembly (300) consisting of a detent cover (310) with a central mounting groove (311) and a pair of mounting grooves (312), a detent (320) for retaining the striking pin (10) by engaging or disengaging into the circumferential groove (11) by springs (323), a detonator cap (330) forming a hollow pocket (331) to insert a detonator trigger (20), a washer (30), a press-spring (332) for pressing a guiding cap (340), an explosion pipe (400), a smoke shell (500), and an ogive (600). When the bullet is fired, the rotation of the bullet generates centrifugal force to slide the retainer outward for disengaging the circumferential groove. Then, the striking pin moves upward to impact the detonator trigger when it hit on the target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Korea C.N.O. Tech Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Se-Hong O
  • Patent number: 8443728
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology, Armaments, Bureau, Ministry of National Defense
    Inventors: Li-Tin Chiang, Chun-Wei Chiu, Kuei-Ju Lee
  • Patent number: 8061272
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: DSE, Inc.
    Inventor: Norman C. Taylor
  • Patent number: 7798064
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: DSE, Inc.
    Inventor: Norman C. Taylor
  • Patent number: 7661364
    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).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Junghans Microtec GmbH
    Inventors: Alexander Zinell, Reiner Hennig, Alfred Boos
  • Patent number: 7461596
    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).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: JUNGHANS Microtec GmbH
    Inventors: Alexander Zinell, Frank Kienzler, Martin Leonhardt, Ronald Ketterer, Günter Westphal
  • Patent number: 7357081
    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).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: JUNGHANS Microtec GmbH
    Inventors: Alexander Zinell, Frank Kienzler, Martin Leonhardt, Roland Ketterer, Günter Westphal
  • Patent number: 7168367
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Israel Military Industries Ltd.
    Inventors: Amir Levy, Asaf Hargaash, Ran Yerushalmi, Amnon Hay
  • Patent number: 6705231
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Alexey Zacharin
  • Patent number: 6564716
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: KDI Precision Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael F. Steele, William Marc Schmidt, Ezra Stearns Waller
  • Patent number: 6237495
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: Chartered Ammunition Industries PTE LTD
    Inventors: AW Cheng Hok, EE Guan Soon, Tan Chian Chiow
  • Patent number: 5467713
    Abstract: An ignition and safety device for a grenade projectile provided with a shaped charge insert and having a bottom-side impact fuse that has a spin-dependent safety element and acceleration-dependent safety element (14, 17), and a self-destruct device. The self-destruct device includes a pyrotechnical delay segment (29) that is axially displaceable into engagement with a firing pin (30) by means of the launch acceleration and acts on a booster charge (8), which is disposed extremely off-center of the projectile axis for the projectile effective charge. Consequently, no shaped charge jet is formed during self-destruction for the projectile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1995
    Assignee: Rheinmetall GmbH
    Inventors: Karl-Heinz Roosmann, Ulf Hahn
  • Patent number: 5275101
    Abstract: A pyrotechnic chain igniter device for cargo warhead sub-ammunition including an explosive charge contained in an enclosure, comprising a first striker mobile in a longitudinal bore of a body for striking a primer, a slider carrying the primer, the slider being slidably mounted in a transverse groove in the body and being adapted for sliding between a safety position and an armed position, wherein the safety position is defined by the slider being misaligned with the first striker and the armed position is defined by the primer being substantially aligned with the first striker. The first striker is adapted for striking the primer when the slider is in the armed position and when the sub-ammunition impacts a target. At least one device for blocking the slider in the safety position is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 4, 1994
    Assignee: GIAT Industries
    Inventors: Patrice H. Chemiere, Jean-Paul A. Dupuy, Alain R. Pascal
  • Patent number: 5243912
    Abstract: This invention provides a safing and arming mechanism for a fuze for a spinning projectile including a ball rotor journaled for rotation within a cavity in the fuze. A firing pin, said cavity and a booster charge lie along the longitudinal axis of the fuze. The rotor carries a stab sensitive detonator in its diametral bore. A first spring mounted on a first seat cut into the ball normally fixes the ball with the detonator, out of alignment with the longitudinal axis of the fuze. A second spring mounted on a second seat cut into the ball also fixes the ball out of alignment. To release the ball, the first spring must be shifted aftwardly by setback force to a third seat cut into the ball, and the second spring must be enlarged by centrifugal force and removed from said second seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1993
    Assignee: General Electric Co.
    Inventor: Richard T. Ziemba
  • Patent number: 5147974
    Abstract: In a weapon subject to linear acceleration and spin, including a detonator and an explosive charge, the safing and arming device comprising a housing, a setback spring configuration restraining a ribbon spiral unwinder, and a detonator-enabling circuit which provides a fail safe for the omission of the safing and arming device from the fuze assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1992
    Assignee: Motorola Inc.
    Inventors: Monty W. Bai, Danny E. Minks, Alfred B. Meyer
  • Patent number: 5067405
    Abstract: In a weapon subject to a sequence of high acceleration followed by high spin and including a detonator and an explosive charge; the improvement comprising a barrier having two parts located between the detonator and explosive charge to normally form an obstruction to prevent accidental detonation of the explosive charge by the detonator. Mechanical locking means are provided to lock the barrier in place, comprising a split cylinder and a spirally wound ribbon, a pair of pins restraining the outer surface of the ribbon to prevent premature unwinding. When the weapon is fired from a gun, the high acceleration will remove the pins and allow the ribbon to unwind. Upon unwinding the entire ribbon, the barrier under the action of spin, will be removed to provide an unobstructed path between the detonator and explosive charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1991
    Inventors: Dragolyoub Popovitch, Herbert L. Andrews
  • Patent number: 5056434
    Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a safe and arm device for spinning munitions that takes advantage of the conservation of momentum law to impart a differential angular velocity to a ball rotating in a race within the device. The rotating ball is used to established discrete time intervals that can be integrated with an electronic counter to determine a safe arm distance, which distance can be programmed to be well beyond the 400-800 caliber arming distance achievable with conventional arming devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1991
    Assignee: Magnavox Government and Industrial Electronics Company
    Inventors: Chiman R. Patel, George Webb
  • Patent number: 5048419
    Abstract: A fuze for an explosive projectile, particularly a submunition projectile (bomblet) which includes a first primary firing pin mounted in a housing for axial displacement in the longitudinal direction, and a detonation charge carried by a slide disposed in the housing, with the slide being mounted for displacement transverse to the longitudinal direction of said housing, and to its center longitudinal axis, between a safety position, wherein the detonation charge is not aligned with the firing pin, and an armed position, wherein the detonation charge is aligned with the firing pin. The slide is further provided with a self destruct arrangement, which includes an ignition element disposed adjacent an edge of the slide, to cause self destruction of at least said fuze after a given time delay following ignition of the ignition element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1991
    Assignee: Rheinmetall GmbH
    Inventor: Gerhard Skowasch
  • Patent number: 5046424
    Abstract: A fuze for a bomblet projectile, with the fuze being of the type including a fuze housing, an axially displaceable firing pin mounted in the housing, a slide carrying a detonation charge mounted in the housing and displaceable transverse to the longitudinal direction of the housing between a safety position and an armed position, and spin braking fins pivotally mounted on the exterior of the fuze housing. To provide a further safety measure for the bomblet fuze and to ensure pendulum-free spin braking for safe detonation, the slide is provided with a safety pin and the fuze housing is provided with a corresponding opening such that the safety pin is in operative connection adjacent the opening with a spin braking fin if the latter is not deployed, and thus the slide can be arrested in its safety position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1991
    Assignee: Rheinmetall GmbH
    Inventors: Gerhard Skowasch, Wolfgang Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 5022325
    Abstract: A fuze for a bomblet projectile of the type including a primary firing pin mounted in a housing for axial displacement in the longitudinal direction and a detonation charge carried by a slide disposed in the housing for displacement in a direction transverse to said longitudinal direction of the housing, between a safety position, wherein the detonation charge is not aligned with the primary firing pin, and an armed position, wherein the detonation charge is aligned with primary firing pin. To further improve the firing and safety devices of such fuzes and permit safe pick-up of duds, a lateral recess is provided in a side surface of the slide in the form of a longitudinal groove so that the movement of the slide, if minimum centrifugal forces are no longer present, can be arrested in an intermediate position by renewed engagement of a spring tensioned safety pin in the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1991
    Assignee: Rheinmetall GmbH
    Inventors: Gerhard Skowasch, Udo Sabranski, Jurgen Funk, Siegfried Quick
  • Patent number: 4995317
    Abstract: A safe-and-arm or securing device for the fuze of a spinning or spin-stabilized projectile which includes a fuze member and a supporting member in which a spherical rotor is rotatably supported and which has a radial groove formed therein. The rotor possesses a bore having a detonator inserted therein, and in a peripheral region incorporates a grooves which extends along a plane which is axially offset relative to the radial groove, and with a spreadably or expandable restraining medium being inserted into the groove. The restraining medium releases the rotor which is retained in its secured position only subsequent to the firing of the projectile through the securing element which is spreadable and axially displaceable under the effect of axial and spin forces and which allows the rotor, after its release, to be pivoted in conjunction with the detonator into the armed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 26, 1991
    Assignee: Diehl GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Adolf Bankel, Hans Strauss, Stephan Kerk
  • Patent number: 4942816
    Abstract: A safe-and-arm or securing device for the fuze of a spinning or spin-stabilized projectile which includes a fuze member and a supporting member in which a spherical rotor is rotatably supported, and which has a radial groove formed therein. The rotor possesses a bore having a detonator inserted therein, and in a peripheral region incorporates a groove which extends along a plane which is axially offset relative to the radial groove, and with a spreadable or expandable restraining medium being inserted into the groove. The restraining medium releases the rotor which is retained in its secured position only subsequent to the firing of the projectile through the securing element which is spreadable and axially displaceable under the effect of axial and spin forces and which allows the rotor, after its release, to be pioted in conjuction with the detonator into the armed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 24, 1990
    Assignee: Diehl GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Adolf Bankel, Hans Strauss, Stephan Kerk
  • Patent number: 4938138
    Abstract: A spin stabilized projectile (16) containing a high explosive bursting charge (24) is provided with a safing and arming mechanism (20) comprising a safety barrier (48) for blocking the firing train between the detonator (38) and the charge (24), and two mechanical components for restraining and releasing the barrier. The two mechanical components include a conventional setback tab (76), which is responsive to forces of linear acceleration during launching of the projectile (16), and a delayed action lock ball device (67, 68), which is responsive to centrifugal forces after the projectile (16) has begun to spin. The delay in the response of the lock ball device (67, 68) to the centrifugal forces is accomplished by means of a creep ribbon (54) which prevents release of the barrier (48) until the ribbon (54) has undergone a predetermined amount of time-dependent deformation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 3, 1990
    Assignee: Honeywell Inc.
    Inventor: William O. Maruska
  • Patent number: 4744298
    Abstract: A safing and arming device mounted inside the shell of small caliber ammunition for normally forming a barrier between a detonator and an explosive train contained in the shell. A soft wire of lead, aluminum or plastic material, embedded in a groove in the top of the barrier normally holds it against movement. As the result of high spin, the barrier is forced to move so as to open a path between said detonator and explosive train to enable arming after a safe delay. The barrier may be two halves tied together by the soft wire of stretchable material which will slowly stretch as the result of high spin and ultimately break, allowing the halves to move apart radially to open the path. A modification of the barrier is to normally position it eccentrically of the center of gravity, at which location it forms a barrier. High spin will effect cutting of the wire and movement of the barrier to a non-blocking position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1988
    Inventor: Dragolyoub Popovitch
  • Patent number: 4723490
    Abstract: The base fuze of a spinning projectile possesses a detonator capsule which is pierced by a firing pin. The firing pin is connected to a hammer sleeve. An inertia body is arranged behind the hammer sleeve in order to improve the response sensitivity of the base fuze. Upon impact of the projectile at the target, the inertia body, due to the inertia thereof, drives the firing pin conjointly with the hammer sleeve against the detonator capsule. This inertia body is subdivided into a number of sector-shaped portions which contain substantially cylindrical sections and truncated conical sections. A bore of a fuze housing within which the inertia body is arranged possesses a shoulder. This shoulder serves to support the truncated conical sections of the inertia body such that due to the spin of the projectile an axial force is produced which acts upon the inertia body causing it to impact against the hammer sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1988
    Assignee: Werkzeugmaschinenfabrik Oerlikon-Buhrle AG
    Inventor: Hugo Sigrist
  • Patent number: 4691634
    Abstract: A safety and arming mechanism wherein a sliding member is held in an out-of-line position breaking the fuze train. An actuator releases the sliding member and moves the sliding member, which contains a stab detonator, in-line and towards a firing pin completing the fuze train. Arming and detonating occur at the same time when the fuze train is completed and the stab detonator is impaled on the firing pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1987
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: John D. Titus, Phillip E. Hall
  • Patent number: 4662279
    Abstract: In a weapon subject to a sequence of high acceleration followed by high spin and including a detonator and an explosive charge; the improvement comprising a barrier located between the detonator and explosive charge to normally form an obstruction to prevent accidental detonation of the explosive charge by the detonator. Mechanical locking means are provided to lock the barrier in place, comprising a spirally wound ribbon, a pair of pins restraining the outer surface of the ribbon to prevent premature unwinding, and a pair of superimposed anti-friction balls mounted on a hub portion of the ribbon, the upper ball being seated in an extension portion of the barrier. When the weapon is fired from a gun, the high acceleration will remove the pins and allow the ribbon to unwind. Upon unwinding the entire ribbon, the balls will be released and the barrier under the action of spin, will be removed to provide an unobstructed path between the detonator and explosive charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1987
    Assignee: Interdyne Service Corp.
    Inventor: Dragolyoub Popovitch
  • Patent number: 4653402
    Abstract: A projectile fuse includes a carrier for an igniter. The carrier is held in a safety position by a safety element, which under the effect of centrifugal force moves to release the carrier. The safety element comprises a piston guided in a bore formed in the fuse body. The bore is filled with a flowable medium. The piston is provided with an orifice for enabling the medium to flow from one end of the piston to the other under the effect of the centrifugal force. The medium thus brakes the movement of the piston and creates a time delay before the carrier is released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1987
    Assignee: Gebruder Junghans GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Halssig, Horst Moosmann, Walter Winterhalter, Gunter Westphal
  • Patent number: 4612858
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1986
    Assignee: Rheinmetall GmbH.
    Inventors: Guenter Backstein, Hans W. Unger
  • Patent number: 4604953
    Abstract: A void-sensing fuze whose initiation is deferred until after impact forces have terminated. A safety device safeties the fuze until after the ordnance has fired. Thereafter, upon impact the fuze is committed to fire, but fires only after impact forces have terminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1984
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1986
    Assignee: Hi-Shear Corporation
    Inventors: Donald E. Olander, Harold J. Woods
  • Patent number: 4535695
    Abstract: A fuse is used in a spin-type projectile. A percussion cap is mounted in a rotor which is normally disposed in a safety position. Rotation of the rotor to a firing position wherein the percussion cap is aligned with a firing pin is prevented by two independently operating safety devices prior to firing of the projectile. A first safety device comprises a conventional centrifugal mechanism which normally holds a bush within a recess of the rotor but releases same when the projectile spins. A second safety device comprises the firing pin which is urged into engagement with the rotor recess by a spring. An inertia disk is moved, in response to spinning of the projectile, to a position holding the firing pin out of engagement with the rotor recess. This enables the rotor to rotate to its firing position. When the projectile spin slows down or when the projectile impacts the target, the inertia disk can be moved aside as the firing pin enters the percussion cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1983
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1985
    Assignee: Gebruder Junghans GmbH
    Inventor: Walter Winterhalter
  • Patent number: 4534292
    Abstract: A self-destruct device for the detonators of spin-stabilized projectiles, wherein a generally crescent-shaped locking lever is pivotably supported on a circular disc-shaped plate which extends perpendicular to the longitudinal projectile axis. In its extended position, the locking lever engages below a spring-loaded percussion sleeve arranged so as to be axially displaceable on the firing pin which, in turn, is latched by means of the hook on a tripping lever which can be swung outwardly against the force of a spring engaging therewith during firing as a result of the centrifugal force exerted thereon caused by the projectile spin. The arm of the tripping lever which sustains the centrifugal force is subordinated in its extended position to a safety support which is fastened on the plate and, subsequent to the outward pivoting of the tripping lever, and also through the centrifugal force, is radially displaceable and thereby releases the tripping lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1983
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1985
    Assignee: Diehl GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Adolf Weber, Hans Strauss, Hans Pauly
  • Patent number: 4510869
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1985
    Assignee: Manufacture de Machines du Haut-Rhin, "Manurhin"
    Inventors: Jacques Nicolas, Roland Raso
  • Patent number: 4480551
    Abstract: The fuze comprises a fuze body having a readily crushable nose cone and a thermal initiator, a thermally ignitable flash detonator and a main charge of booster explosive disposed in sequence in the body. The thermal initiator includes a cup having a closed front end and an open rear end closed by a non-metallic, thermally destructive closure. A readily thermally ignitable, incendiary, exothermic chemical material is disposed in the cup, and the cup is fixed in the nose. Rearward of the cup a rotor ball is disposed in the fuze, which rotor ball contains the detonator. A C-spring connects the rotor ball to the fuze body and maintains the rotor ball in an orientation such that the detonator in the rotor ball is out of alignment with the initiator except when the fuze is spinning beyond the gun barrel as when it is connected to a fired projectile. The detonator includes a cup having a closed thermal barrier alignable with the rear end of the initiator cup, and a thermally destructive closure on the opposite end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1983
    Date of Patent: November 6, 1984
    Assignee: Whittaker Corporation
    Inventor: Louis LoFiego
  • Patent number: 4458594
    Abstract: In small-caliber, barreled-weapon ammunition with head or base fuses, detonator safety is achieved in that the inadvertantly ignited detonator which is a secure position within a rotor remains without effect on an intensifying charge. Measures are provided for the gas to expand within the fuse and the energy of the rotor fragments used up so that the gas expanding direction and the flight direction of the fragments face away from the explosives of the intensifying charge. Expansion chambers are formed by recesses in the fuse for safety devices adjacent the rotor, such as different centrifugal force-dependent safety devices for the firing pin which are separated from each other by breaking locations destroyable by the gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 10, 1984
    Assignee: Diehl GmbH and Co.
    Inventors: Adolf Weber, Siegfried Rhau, Hans Strauss, Utz-Udo Ahlers
  • Patent number: 4449456
    Abstract: A safety device for a projectile, adapted to make a barrier between an ignition charge in the forward end of the projectile and one or more incendiary and/or explosive charges situated behind the ignition charge. The device comprises two discs having concentric apertures therethrough, situated behind the ignition charge. A plug constituting the barrier is situated in the aperture in the foremost disc, and a split ring which is held together by a spring supports the plug, the split ring being supported by the rearmost disc. The plug comprises at least one portion adapted to seal the aperture in the foremost disc when being exposed to pressure developed by firing of the ignition charge prior to arming of the projectile. Arming takes place only when the projectile reaches a rotational velocity sufficient to open the split ring because of the centrifugal forces, whereby these forces exceed the resistance of the spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1982
    Date of Patent: May 22, 1984
    Assignee: A/S Raufoss Ammunisjonsfabrikker
    Inventors: Morten Foss, Kaare R. Strandli
  • Patent number: 4421033
    Abstract: Exercise projectile substantially of a configuration defined by a pointed head prolonged by a tail-piece, characterized in that the projectile contains at least one explosive charge and an associated device for delayed firing, the duration of the delay substantially corresponding to the statistical flight time of the projectile from its starting time to the end of its intended useful trajectory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1981
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1983
    Assignee: s.a. PRB, societe anonyme
    Inventor: Gerard E. Dupont
  • Patent number: 4242963
    Abstract: The provision of a delayed arming fuze utilizing a ball rotor, and a firing pin which is captured to the ball rotor by an unwinding ribbon, and which pin precludes the rotor from swinging into alignment for arming until the ribbon has unwound under the sequential presence of setback and spin forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1978
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1981
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Richard T. Ziemba
  • Patent number: 4242964
    Abstract: A percussion type projectile nose fuse includes a generally conical fuse body having a cavity open only to the base thereof. Disposed within the cavity is a firing pin, a sleeve and a ball igniter. A fuse tip portion is defined by a weakened region, open to the fuse body exterior surface, which ruptures upon tip impact with a target, thereby causing at least partial rearward penetration of the tip into the cavity. Upon such tip penetration, the tip severs a flange on the firing pin by driving it against the sleeve, and propells the firing pin rearwardly along the sleeve and into engagement with the ball igniter. By forming the sleeve substantially longer than the length of the firing pin, a time delay before ignition, equal to the firing pin transit time, is provided. A forward opening recess formed in the apex of the tip, with a thin deformable wall thereabout, provides shock absorption so that accidental rupture of the weakened region does not occur during normal handling and loading of the projectile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1978
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1981
    Assignee: Ares, Inc.
    Inventors: John B. Warren, Ernest Y. Robinson, Robert P. Kazanjy
  • Patent number: 4237788
    Abstract: An elongated, aerodynamically improved ballistic projectile fuse, having an overall fuse length greater than its maximum diameter by a factor of approximately two, includes a lightweight aluminum fuse body having forward and rearward portions and an interiorily disposed firing pin with a shearable flange thereon. A steel sleeve mounted in the fuse body is provided for supporting the firing pin with a head portion thereof forwardly directed and exterior to the sleeve and for guiding the firing pin through the fuse body toward the rearward portion thereof subsequent to impact of the fuse with a target. A cap, enclosing the firing pin head, is configured for collapsing and impacting the head upon fuse impact with a target, thereby causing shearing of the firing pin flange and driving of the firing pin rearwardly toward detonation means disposed within the fuse body rearward portion. The cap is in turn enclosed by a windscreen which provides an aerodynamically streamlined, forward continuation of the fuse body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1978
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1980
    Assignee: ARES, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard L. Hagen
  • Patent number: 4213395
    Abstract: The ball rotor safety and arming device of this invention includes means for rendering the friction forces which effect the alignment time of the ball rotor more reproducible and controllable reducing the dispersion of arming distances of the device and in some cases increasing the mean arming distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1978
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1980
    Inventor: David S. Breed
  • Patent number: 4145971
    Abstract: In a fuse for spinning explosive projectiles, a base member having a sliding member mounted thereon for generally radially outwardly sliding movement in response to centrifugal force, a shear pin holding the sliding member in a safe position with a piston actuator mounted to break the shear pin upon proper actuation thereof to allow the sliding member to move to an arm position, a detonator mounted so as to be properly positioned only when the sliding member has moved to the arm position, switch means normally maintaining the piston actuator and the detonator in a safe mode and operating in response to centrifugal force and the movement of the sliding member to provide a circuit for the actuation of the piston actuator and the detonator, a battery actuatable in response to setback and spin of the projectile, and redundant and sequential electrical timing means connected to the battery and the switch means for activating the piston actuator a predetermined time after the battery is activated and for arming the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1977
    Date of Patent: March 27, 1979
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: R. Gordon Graham, Norman L. Jackson
  • Patent number: H698
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1989
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Terry E. Thomas, Sr.