Abstract: An exemplary self-destruct fuze delay for a submuntion includes a container filled with an activation fluid, a spring-loaded ampoule breaker to break the container upon deployment of the munition, a spring-loaded self-destruct firing pin to initiate a secondary detonator in close proximity to a primary detonator, and an interlock ball supported by the ampoule breaker that locks the self-destruct firing pin away from the secondary detonator. The ampoule breaker includes a piston and a timing ball, which accesses the activation liquid. The action of the activation liquid on the timing ball over time causes the timing ball to erode until it is forced into the container by the spring-loaded piston. The movement of the piston frees the interlock ball, allowing the spring-loaded self-destruct firing pin to move under force and impact or initiate the secondary detonator.

Abstract: An igniter for a flare that includes a housing and a slider assembly. The housing includes an ignition device portion and a slurry groove portion. The ignition device portion has an ignition device portal for holding an ignition device, while the slurry groove portion has a groove for ignition slurry. The slider assembly is disposed within the housing, the slider assembly has an armed position and a safe position, the armed position not covering the ignition device portal allowing the ignition device disposed within the ignition device portals to ignite the ignition slurry, which ignites the flare, the safe position covering the ignition device portal and preventing ignition of the flare.

Abstract: A safe-and-arm device for a projectile fired from a smooth bore gun has a rotor that rotates between a safe position and armed position. A setback sensor retains the rotor in the safe position until an acceleration of the projectile causes the setback sensor to be repositioned. Once the setback sensor is repositioned, a bore rider is released and a rotor spring rotates the rotor to arm the projectile.

Abstract: A fuze operates in two modes. In a primary mode, the fuze functions similarly to a conventional M223 fuze. In a secondary, self-destruct mode, a pyrotechnic delay mechanism is initiated. The slide assembly is comprised of an aerodynamic safety release, a safety pin, a rotational firing pin fitted with a resilient member such as a spring, a M55 detonator, pyrotechnic initiator, a pyrotechnic delay mix and end cap. In use, the fuze is fitted to a grenade. As the grenade is dispensed from its carrier, a grenade stabilizer starts to oscillate. The oscillation results in an arming screw and an inertial weight to back out from a slide assembly, allowing the slide assembly to move to an in-line position relative to a main M55 detonator in-line with the arming screw (firing pin). Concurrently, the aerodynamic safety release is lifted in the upward direction under the force of the airstream, releasing the safety pin.

Abstract: A secondary self-destruct fuze that functions in the event the primary fuze mode fails to function, and that meets the design requirements for a low cost, highly producible no-spin/low velocity operating environment. The fuze includes a bottom plate, two spacers, a firing pin, a striker, a rotor, a pyrotechnic mix, a rotor spring, a striker spring, a weight with a firing pin, a weight spring, a bore rider, a bore rider spring, a housing, a handling safety pin, and a ribbon retainer. In use, the handling safety pin is removed upon loading of the grenade in the main carrier. When the grenade is ejected, the expulsion event forces the ribbon retainer to be uncovered and the ribbon to unfurl, which releases the safety lock feature. The unfurling of the ribbon in the air stream stabilizes the grenade by causing an upward pull force. Simultaneously, the air stream forces the bore rider and the bore rider spring out of the fuze.

Abstract: The Auto-destruct fuze is a mechanism that provides a primary mode detona and a delayed auto-destruct/self-neutralize mode detonator function for a grenade or similar munition. The mechanics for the primary mode detonation is similar to the M223 fuze which the present invention is designed to replace. Operation of the auto-destruct/self-neutralize mode is based on the working principles of the Liquid Annular Orifice Device (LAOD). The LAOD is released from a locked position upon expulsion of the device from a storage container. The LAOD moves slowly under the urging of a spring and eventually releases a cleanup firing pin which activates a cleanup detonator to auto-destruct or self-neutralize the grenade.

Abstract: An explosive projectile carrying an active charge is to be launched from a barrel. Detonation of the charge requires that a firing pin be driven to a firing position where it impacts a percussion cap. The firing pin is held in a safety position by a barrel probe which is movable to an armed position in a direction perpendicularly to the launch direction. Prior to launching, the barrel probe is held immovable by engagement with both the launch barrel and an acceleration sensor. When the projectile leaves the barrel and acceleration displaces the acceleration sensor, the barrel probe is free to move to its armed position. Also provided are a pretensioned spring, and a pyrotechnical delay element for generating propulsion gas. Either the spring or the delay element functions to move the firing pin to its firing position, and the other of the spring and delay element moves the barrel probe to its armed position.

Abstract: A projection for dispersing a pyrotechnic charge (10) is described. It comprises a first and a second pressure chamber (7,9) with a throttled gas connection (16) between them. A piston (8) expells the charge (10) out of its casing (2) when the gas pressure in the second pressure chamber (9) reaches a predetermined level. The projectile is characterized particularly by a third pressure chamber (18) in gas connection with the first pressure chamber (7) in the first piston (8). A second piston (20) provided with a striking pin (22) for activating an igniting element (11) for igniting the charge (10) is movable in the first piston (8). The second piston (20) is detended against movement by a first locking element (24) until this is released by the casing (2).

Abstract: The invention provides a projectile adapted to be fired from a smooth bore weapon, such as a shotgun, by means of a cartridge containing a propellant charge. The projectile comprises a generally cylindrical casing and a warhead assembly, the warhead being hollow to accommodate an explosive charge and an initiator, the casing being formed with a firing pin spring biased to a safety position and locked in the safety position by a spring biased safety pin. The spring biased safety pin is adapted to release the firing pin in a predetermined period of time after the projectile exits from the weapon. The casing includes a plurality of fins foldable within the cartridge, but which deploy radially on leaving the weapon.

Abstract: An arrangement to prevent a premature ignition of an active charge, which is to be ignited by means of an adjustable time-delay fuse and is provided for a projectile that is expended from a firing barrel by means of a charge, includes both a mechanical and a pyrotechnical safety element. The ignition path between a first delay element that can be ignited while firing and the active charge of the projectile can be blocked by a barrel probe movable at right angles to the firing direction, and in its position blocking the ignition path can be arrested by an acceleration probe movable counter to the firing direction and, as long as the projectile is located in the firing barrel, by the firing barrel wall. A second delay element which can also be ignited while firing and exhibits a shorter delay period than the first delay element pressurizes the barrel probe with gas pressure in the direction of its end safety position following expiration of its delay period.

Abstract: A safe-and-arm arrangement for a grenade or other projectile, having an interrupter slide member disposed in the path of an ignition/explosive train, in which said interrupter carries a portion of said train and interlocks with a setback pin to prevent arming except after insertion of the grenade or other projectile into a launch barrel and subsequent launching thereof from the barrel.

Abstract: A blind-setting or protective blocking device for a detonator, in particular for a detonator of a launched bomb, in which a release or tripping lever maintains a securing slider in a secured position. The tripping lever is maintained against the force of a spring through the intermediary of two latching elements, wherein, as a rule, the first latching element is released by an electronic circuit of the detonator within the launch tube or barrel, and the second latching element is released by the circuit subsequent to exiting from the launch tube, as a result of which the securing slider is placed into the armed position. The tripping lever is equipped with a projection which is associated with a contact stop on the securing slider, and in which the projection, in the secured position, is located outside of the path of movement of the contact stop, and pivots into the path of movement of the contact stop when the second latching element is also released prior to exiting from the launch tube.

Abstract: A mine fuze timer having a ball serving as a locking element, which ball is released after the elapse of a predetermined time period. Such time period may be determined by a timer by exerting needed load against a readily deformable material, or as an alternative, by a dash-pot using a viscous liquid. The mine fuze timer is glued to the top of a mine containing a borerider and is encased in a mine canister. A fuze for small caliber ammunition, with a barrier consisting of two halves tied together by a soft wire and locked in safe position by two setback pins. The stretching and the eventual ruture of the soft wire, under the influence of spin which follows the setback at the time of firing, ensures the necessary safety delay for arming.

Abstract: An explosive body such as a rocket, bomb, cluster shell, or the like is pided with a safety mechanism which assures that the explosive body cannot explode in its launching tube nor shortly after leaving the launching tube. The mechanism also makes sure that a body which has been accidentally cocked cannot be inserted into its launching tube. For these purposes the safety mechanism has a slide (3) carrying a detonator and slidable in a housing under the control of a spring loaded see-saw lever (2) having one lever arm (16) cooperating with a plurality of position controllable stops (11, 12, 32) and another lever arm (17) cooperating with stop shoulders (5 or 6) of the slide (3) whereby shifting of the detonator into its arming or "life" position takes place in at least two steps. An arresting device (21) prevents the shifting of the slide back into the safety-on position once the slide has moved to any extent in the arming or safety-off direction.