Abstract: The invention relates to a pyrotechnic article (10), comprising at least one first receiving part (11) for a pyrotechnic effect (20) and at least one ignition means (40) connected to the pyrotechnic effect (20). Moreover, at least one auxiliary ignition system (30) is provided, which can be ignited by the ignition means (40), wherein an igniting flame (31) can be generated by the auxiliary ignition system (30), and the igniting flame (31) can, in particular, be directed substantially horizontally out of the pyrotechnic article (10), whereby at least one additional pyrotechnic article comprising a pyrotechnic effect can be ignited.

Abstract: A method of igniting one of a pyrotechnic material and primer during or after an all fire setback acceleration. The method including: positioning a mass element along an inclined surface; biasing the mass element in a direction into the inclined surface such that the mass element traverses the inclined surface upon the all fire setback acceleration against the biasing; drawing the mass element toward one of a pyrotechnic material and primer with the biasing after the mass element traverses the inclined surface. The method can further include delaying the drawing until the mass element experiences a set forward acceleration. The delaying can include drawing the mass element into a delay well after the mass element traverses the inclined surface and drawing the mass element across a delay wedge when the mass element experiences the set forward acceleration.

Abstract: A SAFE and ARM mechanism is includes an elongated casing having a first end and a second end. A high-G force firing pin is arranged relatively near to the first end and a low-G force firing pin is arranged relatively near to the second end. A detonator is arranged between the high-G force firing pin and the first end. When a G-force within a first range of magnitudes is applied to the casing along its longitudinal axis, the low-G force firing pin is displaced to strike a portion of the high-G force firing pin, and if a G-force within a second range of magnitudes is applied to the casing along its longitudinal axis, the high-G force firing pin is displaced to strike the detonator. The device may become ARMED in response to a centrifugal force generated by spinning the casing on its longitudinal axis.

Abstract: An ammunition firing device incorporating a firing pin intended to impact a pyrotechnic composition to activate its ignition, wherein said firing pin incorporates a rod that slides when said ammunition is fired through the effect of the firing acceleration from a starting position to a deployed position, able to be locked in said deployed position, said rod being integral with a percussion tip occupying a fixed position in contact with said pyrotechnic composition, said rod being located fully inside said tip in said starting position and protruding from said tip in its deployed position, said device further incorporating a hammer to strike said rod during the impact of said ammunition on a target to cause the ignition of said composition.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method to initiate a detonation utilizing an impact switch. A nose assembly is mounted upon a missile or other kind of explosive device. Within the nose assembly conductive elements are separated from one another. The conductive elements are electrically connected to a fuze within the weapon. Upon an impact, the conducting elements within the assembly are forced together thereby completing a circuit in the fuze and initiating a detonation. A method of initiating a detonation utilizes an impact switch within which forcing conducting elements together initiates a detonation.

Abstract: A fuze for a submunition comprises a fuze housing with a stabilizer ribbon for aerodynamic orientation, a fuze slider released by tension on the stabilizer ribbon, an air-powered electric generator extended into the airstream by the fuze slider and powered in flight by high-speed airflow, a MEMS safety and arming device, a fuze circuit board including an explosive fireset, and an electrically initiated firetrain. The fuze is fixed to and communicates explosively with the end of a grenade warhead.

Abstract: A fuse device for a mortar shell includes an impact weight carrying a detonation charge and arranged to impact against a firing pin when the mortar shell strikes a target. A safety arm locks the impact weight against movement toward the firing pin in a safety position. The safety arm is movable out of locking relationship with the impact arm to establish an armed condition of the fuse device. Energy for moving the safety arm is stored in a spring. That energy is stored after the mortar shell has been launched, because an impeller is rotated by an air flow generated by the moving mortar shell, and that impeller rotation is transmitted to the spring to store energy.

Abstract: A firing pin assembly for mechanically igniting a warhead detonator of a projectile by being accelerated in a forward direction by inertia upon impact, includes a firing pin having a rearward firing pin part and a frontal firing pin part arranged in series with the rearward firing pin part as viewed in the forward direction. The assembly further has a firing pin spring urging the firing pin in a direction opposite to the forward direction, and a mechanical device positioned between the rearward firing pin part and the frontal firing pin part. The mechanical device includes a transmission arrangement for transmitting a forward motion of the rearward firing pin part to the frontal firing pin part with a stepped up transmission ratio whereby a forward motion of the rearward firing pin part through a first distance results in a forward motion of the frontal firing pin part, against the force of the firing pin spring, through a second distance which is greater than the first distance.

Abstract: A device for firing a pyrotechnic propellent composition having a sensor mass (3) which for firing purposes releases a locking lever (4) which in the rest position bears lockingly against a ring (9) of the firing pin (1).

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 impact sensing apparatus includes a container, a weight swingably supported in the container and which is swung by an impact exceeding a predetermined value, an output member rotatably supported in the container and which engages the weight, the output member disengages the weight by the swing movement of the weight. A spring member is disposed between the container and the output member, which biases the output member so as to be rotated, and urges the weight so as not to swing. The weight includes a stopper portion for contacting the container so as to hold the weight at an initial position. The stopper portion is disposed at an outside edge of the weight and spaced from the pivotal axis of the weight so that the spring member presses against the container in an upwardly direction substantially vertical to a surface of the container.

Abstract: A shock detecting device includes a housing, a weight disposed in the housing and moved by a shock which is more than a predetermined value from outside, an output member rotatably disposed in the housing and rotated in response to the movement of the weight so as to be projected from the housing and a safety mechanism being provided with a stopper pin which is formed on the weight and which contacts with the housing in an initial condition in order to maintain the weight in the initial condition, a rock lever which is rotatably supported on the housing and which being able to engage or disengage with or from the stopper pin and a first urging device which is disposed between the rock lever and the housing always for urging the rock lever so as to be engaged the rock lever with the stopper pin. According to this improved shock detecting device, it is able to maintain the high reliability of the safety mechanism with a simple structure.

Abstract: A mechanical acceleration sensor includes a sensor casing, a weight, a spring-loaded firing pin, and a latch lever, the weight, the firing pin, and the latch lever, each being movably mounted in the sensor casing in such a manner as to either translate along an axis or to rotate about an axis, the axes of translation of the members that translate being substantially perpendicular to that the axes of rotation of the members that rotate. The latch lever is loaded with a set load to engage the firing pin and is positioned to be engaged by the weight upon inertial movement of the weight to disengage from the firing pin, thereby allowing the firing pin to perform a percussive firing action by the spring load. The casing has an opening for receiving the weight, firing pin and latch lever, and shaft support grooves are provided in the casing such that each shaft support groove is open at an end thereof which faces the opening. A shaft for a member that rotates is supported by the shaft support grooves.

Abstract: An impact sensing apparatus is comprised of a housing having therein an inner space, and a unitary assembly independent of the housing upon constitution thereof, accommodated within the housing so as to be secured thereto, and including a frame accommodated within the inner space of the housing, a weight supported on the frame so as to be transferred upon receipt of an impact through the housing, and a firing lever pivotally mounted to the frame and set to be rotated for being extended outside the housing upon transfer of the weight.

Abstract: An impact sensing apparatus includes a housing having a wall portion which is parallel with the applied direction of an outside shock and a hole which is formed in the wall portion, a weight disposed in the housing and moved by an outside shock which is more than a predetermined value, an output member rotatably disposed in the housing and rotated in response to the movement of the weight and an urging member interposed between the housing and the output member for urging the output member so as to project from the hole. According to this improved impact sensing apparatus, it is possible to lengthen the stroke of the rotational motion of the output member and therefore it is possible to effectively utilize the urging force of the urging member as a kinetic energy of the output member. Thus, it is possible to improve the reliability for igniting the ignition element such as a primer due to a striking operation of the output member.

Abstract: A hole 13 though which a firing pin 6a of a firing lever 6 is projected outside a housing 1 is formed in a wall 1c of the housing which is in parallel with a direction of an external shock applied to the housing 1. This structure ensures the rotational angle of the firing lever 6 and a biasing force of a spring 9 which urges the firing lever 6 can be used effectively as kinetic energy thereof.

Abstract: An impact sensing apparatus includes a housing, a weight freely rotatably and movably supported within the housing at a position offset from the centroid of the weight, a firing lever pivotally supported on the housing for engaging the weight, and a spring stretched between the housing and the firing member for constantly biasing the firing member in a direction which engages it with the weight. The weight is held at a predetermined position, though its engagement with the firing pin, owing to the biasing force of the spring. When the apparatus is subjected to a prescribed acceleration under these conditions, the weight moves and rotates against the biasing force of the spring, thereby disengaging the firing pin and allowing it to turn. Erroneous operation ascribable to small, momentary shocks, as when a vehicle is traveling on a bumpy road, is prevented.

Abstract: A shock detecting device having a housing, a weight disposed within the housing and rotatably slidable in response to an external shock. A cam is formed on the weight for engaging or disengaging the firing lever by the rotational sliding of the weight. A spring is interposed between the housing and firing lever for urging constantly the firing lever in the rotatable direction.

Abstract: A deceleration sensor for detecting a threshold level of deceleration indicative of a vehicle collision, comprising a pair of sensor masses in the form of pendulums, a spring-loaded firing pin, a pair of trigger levers which individually hold the firing pin in a dormant state as long as they are held by the sensor masses in their neutral states but can be individually disengaged from the sensor masses by the motion of the sensor masses as a result of detecting a deceleration level greater than the threshold level. Since the firing pin is released only when both the trigger levers are released from their neutral states, the reliability of the dormant state of the firing pin is assured. To the end of improving the reliability of the activation of the firing pin, the firing pin may be spring-loaded by a pair of springs in such a manner that either spring is sufficient for the activation of the firing pin.

Abstract: A compact, self-contained fuse assembly for producing a near surface burst of a military projectile such as a mortar shell.

Abstract: A running web which contains moisture is caused to travel through the nip of two squeezing rollers one of which is deformable in that it comprises a stationary carrier and a cylindrical shell which surrounds the carrier and also surrounds a first set of inflatable cushions adjacent the nip and a second set of inflatable cushions opposite the first set. Sensors monitor the moisture content of selected longitudinally extending portions of the web, and the signals which are generated by such sensors are processed by an evaluating circuit and are transmitted to valves which regulate the pressure of pneumatic fluid in the cushions. Each cushion of the second set registers with a cushion of the first set, and the registering cushions can receive fluid from associated sets of valves including a pressure regulating valve which can increase or reduce the pressure of fluid in the respective cushions and a second valve which can shift the admission of fluid from one into the other of the registering valves.

Abstract: A fuze of the type used in a rifle grenade assembly with a striker, a rotor nd a rotor lock includes one or more improvements. One pertains to the striker to prevent it from reaching a detonator-striking forward position more than once. Once it advances to the forward position it is locked in it by a spring biased locking pin. Other improvements relate to the release of the rotor by the rotor lock. The rotor remains locked, i.e. in the disarmed state even after intentional launching. It is released to assume the armed state only when the launched assembly accelerates at a certain rate toward the target.

Abstract: A percussion fuse for artillery training ammunition such as mortar and howitzer projectiles. The training fuse assembly includes a body adapted for connection to a projectile body, a composition signal charge mountable within the fuse body and emitting report, smoke, and flash signals, and a striker unit for detonating the signal charge upon impact with a desired target. A combination safety system prevents premature detonation of the charge during handling, transportation, loading, and initial in-flight upward travel of the projectile. The fuse only becomes fully armed when the projectile reaches its terminal velocity and begins its downward flight toward the designated target. The armed fuse is highly sensitive and even upon impact with water will detonate in super quick fashion to discharge the entire signal before the projectile disappears below the surface of the water.

Abstract: There is disclosed an initiator assembly for a ballistic missile system to ffect fluid flow of a gas from a source thereof to user equipment disposed in a housing therefor including gas inlet and outlet conduits and comprised of a rotor member journalled for rotation in the housing and formed with a mass of an eccentric weight distribution with respect to the axis of rotation and wherein the rotor is provided with an explosive assembly ignited by a striker assembly activated by launch acceleration of the missile and wherein a drive piston of the explosive assembly fractures a closure element disposed in one of said gas conduits.