Impact And Time Delay Patents (Class 102/266)
  • Patent number: 8887640
    Abstract: A safety fuze includes a magneto striker generator (MSG) as its a power generation source. The MSG provides energy to energize an electronic unit and a safety and arming device. The safety fuze allows safety and arming of military hand grenades, with a fully out-of-line explosive initiator and an integrated power generation means, for improving safety and performance. The MSG includes a striker and a receiving bobbin that houses a conductive coil. The striker comprises a permanent magnet that is mounted on a pivot mechanism for allowing a rotational displacement of the permanent magnet, into the bobbin, in order to generate an electrical current. As the permanent magnet is being inserted inside the bobbin, the magnetic flux change induces an electric current in the coil, creating the necessary energy for the fuze operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Ryan R. Knight, Oliver M. Barham, Thinh Q. Hoang, Robert H. Wood
  • Patent number: 8813648
    Abstract: An ignition and delay circuit of an ammunition unit for time controlled delay of the initiation of an electric blasting cap. The ignition and delay circuit includes a piezo electric device generating electrical energy when hitting a target. An energy storing device stores the energy generated by the piezo electric device. A delay device supplied by the energy storing device and controlling the initiation of the electric blasting cap. A programmable micro processor is provided supplied by the energy storing device and arranged to control the delay of the initiation in dependence of at least the type of ammunition in question.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: SAAB AB
    Inventor: Henrik Remahl
  • Patent number: 8689692
    Abstract: A method for operating a guided munition with a switchable fuze arrangement includes launching the guided munition towards a target. During flight of the guided munition, images are provided to a remote operator, who supplies a switching input. Responsive to said switching input, the fuze arrangement is switched to either of at least two of the following states: a delayed detonation state in which detonation of the explosive charge is delayed by a time delay after impact of the guided munition, an impact detonation state in which detonation of the explosive charge occurs on impact of the guided munition, a proximity detonation state in which detonation of the explosive charge is triggered by a proximity sensing arrangement, and a disabled state in which the guided munition functions as a guided kinetic shell without detonation of the explosive charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd.
    Inventors: Yariv Brill, Ohad Hanan Nuriel
  • Patent number: 8381651
    Abstract: A rotational variable pyrotechnic delay selector for munitions which permits the selection of various ignition delays. Advantageously, the variable delay selector is configurable for a variety of field conditions and targets and is adaptable to a number of munitions systems and pyrotechnic ignition mixtures and delays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Thomas Michael Presutti, Jr., Nicholas Liggett Grossman
  • Patent number: 8037827
    Abstract: A fuze for a projectile has a firing assembly for firing a main charge of the projectile and a delay detonator for firing the firing assembly after a delay time which is defined by a burning distance of a delay charge. The delay detonator has a housing with a fuze half in which it is fired and a detonator half which contains a detonator charge for firing the firing assembly. In order to prevent the projectile from misfiring as a result of premature detonation of the delay detonator, the housing has a relief opening in the fuze half, with an opening cross section that can be passed through freely in the firing state of the delay detonator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Junghans Microtec GmbH
    Inventors: Marcus Kopf, Frank Martin Kienzler, Gerd Giesler, Herbert Höni
  • Publication number: 20110041720
    Abstract: A method for operating a guided munition with a switchable fuse arrangement includes launching the guided munition towards a target. During flight of the guided munition, images are provided to a remote operator, who supplies a switching input. Responsive to said switching input, the fuze arrangement is switched to either of at least two of the following states: a delayed detonation state in which detonation of the explosive charge is delayed by a time delay after impact of the guided munition, an impact detonation state in which detonation of the explosive charge occurs on impact of the guided munition, a proximity detonation state in which detonation of the explosive charge is triggered by a proximity sensing arrangement, and a disabled state in which the guided munition functions as a guided kinetic shell without detonation of the explosive charge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2009
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Applicant: RAFAEL ADVANCED DEFENSE SYSTEMS LTD.
    Inventors: Yariv Brill, Ohad Hanan Nuriel
  • Publication number: 20100251879
    Abstract: A method is provided for recovering and/or exploded an unexploded munition. The method including: providing the munition with a power supply having a piezoelectric material for generating power from an induced vibration; inducing a vibration; monitoring an output from the power supply after the power supply has stopped generating power from a firing of the munition; and generating a beacon signal or detonation signal upon the detection of the output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2007
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Inventors: Jahangir S. Rastegar, Carlos M. Pereira, Richard Dratler
  • Patent number: 7600475
    Abstract: A multi-mode fuze includes first and second microprocessors, the first microprocessor being connected to a resistor/capacitor oscillator and the second microprocessor being connected to a quartz crystal oscillator, the first and second microprocessors being connected to each other, the second microprocessor being operable to time calibrate the first microprocessor; a safe and arm device connected to the first microprocessor; power storage capacitors connected to the first microprocessor; a nose mounted impact switch connected to the first microprocessor; at least one impact delay circuit connected to the first microprocessor; and at least one acceleration switch connected to the first microprocessor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Jason Friedberg, Olivier T. Nguyen, Barry Schwartz
  • Patent number: 7314004
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and a method for accurately locating a penetrating-type weapon within a shelter for detonation at a desired target site. The method includes detecting a deceleration threshold event indicative of the penetrating weapon impacting and traversing a layer of shelter having certain material or structural characteristics (e.g., a “hard” or a “thick” layer). A delayed detonation program or process is enabled upon detection of the threshold event. For example, a delayed detonation program or process may include layer counting, void counting, or a combination of layer and void counting until the desired number of layers (and/or voids) of a shelter has been detected, at which time the weapon may be detonated. Any deceleration events that occur prior to the deceleration threshold event are ignored to minimize the potential failure of detecting specific types of layers including certain types of “soft” or “thin” layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2008
    Assignee: Alliant Techsystems Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley M. Biggs, William A. Friedrich
  • Patent number: 7197981
    Abstract: A projectile, having a casing, a projectile base, which closes off the casing at the rear, a receiver coil for receiving electromagnetic signals, an energy source, brought into contact with the receiver coil, and a logic module. The casing is made of a plastic material, at least in the area of the rear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: Oerlikon Contraves Pyrotec AG
    Inventor: Peter Ettmüller
  • Publication number: 20040163564
    Abstract: A modular fuze assembly is provided for use in multiple types of military ordnance. The fuze comprises a base unit having an initiator for arming the fuze; a timer assembly that includes a programmable clock package; a trigger assembly comprising a line monitoring circuit and a photo-capacitor; and a top cover unit. Each of the individual components are interconnected together to form a single, unitized system. Multiple initiation stages are provided to ensure payload activation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2003
    Publication date: August 26, 2004
    Inventor: Scott A. Sutcliffe
  • Publication number: 20030140811
    Abstract: A multi-mode fuze for a munition has at least one sensor that generates an electrical output dependent on a rate of deceleration when the munition impacts a target, a logic circuit electrically coupled to the at least one sensor effective to discriminate between a soft target and a hard target dependent on the electrical output and a fuze that transmits a detonation signal to an initiating explosive to thereby detonate the munition. The detonation signal is transmitted at a time dependent on target discrimination. The multi-mode fuze of the invention may be incorporated into an explosive projectile that includes an aerodynamically shaped metallic casing, an explosive contained within the metallic casing and an initiating explosive contacting the explosive. The multi-mode fuze communicates with the initiating explosive to trigger detonation of the explosive either on impact with a hard target or following a delay on impact with a soft target.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2002
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Applicant: General Dynamics Ordnance & Tactical Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank M. Bone
  • Patent number: 6481355
    Abstract: A priming unit, consisting of a combination of rested casings 5, 6, 7, a firing pin 3 with assembly aid 12, as well as a priming spring 8 and a propulsion spring 9, are arranged to provide a secure detonation of a fuze or bomblet fuze. The priming unit ensures a secure detonation upon impact with a target or at the completion of the flight phase. As a result, almost no duds are created. If, for any reason, the detonator carrier has not been armed, it is maintained in the unarmed position as a result of the arrangement, so that no dangerous duds result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: Rheinmetall W & M GmbH
    Inventor: Adolf Weber
  • Patent number: 6427598
    Abstract: The determination of the active projectile velocity required for the correction computation and the correction of the disaggregation time (Tz(vo) are performed in a projectile after it has been fired. The velocity measurement takes place in the form of a measurement of a first time (t) which is required for a defined number of revolutions (Nm) of the projectile, wherein a velocity difference, which must be multiplied by a correction factor, is expressed by the actual projectile velocity and a lead velocity of the projectile by means of a time difference (t−tm) formed from the first time (t) and a predetermined second time (tm).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: Oerlikon Contraves AG
    Inventor: André Boss
  • Patent number: 6295932
    Abstract: An electronic safe arm & fire (ESAF) device has a common module and a pair of programmable devices that are readily configurable to different missile types. The ESAF device has a first static arming switch that is controlled by the first programmable device and a second static arming switch that is controlled by the second programmable device. The ESAF device has a firing module that has an exploding foil initiator. The common module and the firing module can be configured as a standalone module in close proximity to a warhead or can be integrated into a warhead. The common module has some inputs that are used by all the missiles in a group for the same signals; some inputs that are used by all the missiles, but for different signals; and, some inputs that are used by some of the missile, but not by all of the missiles. The common module has an input port for a separation signal, a communications port for a fuze data signal, and an input port for a signal that can be used to determine safe separation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventor: James P. Kane, III
  • Patent number: 6257145
    Abstract: A projectile includes a pyrotechnical detonation chain arranged to be ignited in response to a launching of the projectile. The chain includes two successive spaced-apart portions that are spaced apart to prevent ignition from being transferred therebetween. One of the portions is movable into contact with the other. A holder imposes a yieldable retaining force (e.g., friction, or shear pin) against the movable portion. That force can be overcome by momentum of the movable portion when the projectile strikes a target, whereupon the movable portion moves into contact with, and ignites, the other portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: Buck Neue Technologien GmbH
    Inventor: Norbert Wardecki
  • Patent number: 6244184
    Abstract: A fuze for a submunition grenade including an electric detonator and primary super quick apparatus for electrically initiating the electric detonator upon percussion. Preferably, the fuze also includes self-destruct apparatus for electrically initiating said electric detonator, after a period of time, when said primary apparatus fails to initiate said electric detonator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: Israel Military Industries Ltd.
    Inventor: Oded Tadmor
  • Patent number: 6145439
    Abstract: Apparatus mountable in a projectile for utilization with a rotor-type safing and arming mechanism for post-launch self-neutralization of a projectile having a fused warhead and a stab detonator, including a launch-activated battery, an electric detonator positioned sufficiently close to the stab detonator to initiate the stab detonator upon initiation of the electric detonator, and a time delay switch circuit operatively interconnecting the battery and the electric detonator after a predetermined delay time for delivering power sufficient to initiate the electric detonator. The time delay switch circuit includes an R-C delay circuit having a delay capacitor, and an SCR connected in series between the electric power source and the electric detonator, with the SCR gate operatively connected to the delay capacitor. The apparatus also includes a pre-launch shorting circuit electrically connected in parallel with the electric detonator, and a current amplifier interconnected with the SCR and a storage capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: General Dynamics Armament Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard T. Ziemba
  • Patent number: 6142079
    Abstract: The invention relates to a random time delay fuze for an area denial submtion with anti-disturbance capability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Frank Diorio
  • Patent number: 6053109
    Abstract: A triggering arrangement for the priming or initiation of an anti-shelter projectile and more particularly, the triggering or detonation of the warhead of the projectile subsequent to the penetrating of the shelter wall structure. The triggering arrangement is provided with a time-delay device which delivers a trigger-releasing signal in dependence upon reaching of the entry of the through-passage into the shelter wall or the exit from the passage through the shelter wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignee: Diehl Stiftung & Co.
    Inventor: Werner Rudenauer
  • Patent number: 5787785
    Abstract: In this more cost-effective, less elaborate method, the disintegration time is calculated from a predetermined muzzle velocity and a distance to the target and is transmitted to a receiver coil prior to firing. The receiver coil is connected via a comparator circuit (7) and a decoder (8) with a shift register (9), whose output is connected to a first comparator (6), so that the disintegration time is present on the outputs of the latter. A first counter (1), which is connected with a clock generator (2) and a programmable counter (3), is unblocked or blocked by the start-stop pulses, supplied via the receiver coil, of a muzzle velocity measuring device. The programmable counter (3) forms a clock signal from the number of the clock pulses, added in the first counter (1) during the unblocked time, and of the clock generator frequency, whose frequency is equal to the muzzle velocity and is supplied via a is binary circuit (4) to a second counter (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Assignee: Oerlikon Contraves Pyrotec AG
    Inventors: Klaus Muenzel, Markus Engler
  • Patent number: 5705766
    Abstract: A fuse (12) detonates a spin-stabilized projectile (10) after the fuse (12) experiences a preset number of turns. The preset number is communicated (64) to the fuse (12) prior to launch. A semiconductor piezoelectric strain gauge (26) senses stress and provides a signal which is responsive to centrifugal forces experienced by the sensor (26) as a result of projectile spin. A microcontroller (30) repetitively digitizes and translates the sensor signal to determine turn numbers, which the microcontroller (30) integrates to determine the total number of turns experienced by the fuse (12) since launch. When the accumulated turn number reaches (94) the preset number, the fuse (12) detonates the projectile (10). However, an arming duration (76) must have expired before the projectile (10) can detonate, and the projectile (10) can detonate at any time following the expiration of the arming duration when an impact is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1998
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Louis Pasqual Farace, John Floyd Kaslow, Monty Wooson Bai
  • Patent number: 5670736
    Abstract: A priming system for the explosive charge of a sub-munition carried on board a carrier comprises a main firing pin, a primer tube operative to move from a safety position to an armed position, at least two devices to lock the primer tube in the safety position before the sub-munition is ejected, and a self-destruct mechanism operative to destroy the sub-munition after a predetermined delay. A first one of the locking devices is formed of a cam operative to move from a cam safety position, in which it forms a limit stop preventing the primer tube from passing freely into an armed position, to a retracted position in which it allows free passage of the primer tube. The cam carries an auxiliary firing pin to ignite a delay cord of the self-destruct mechanism. A second one of the locking devices engage the primer tube by the percussion tip of the firing pin to hold the primer tube in a safety position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1997
    Assignee: Giat Industries
    Inventors: Patrice Chemiere, Jean-Paul Dupuy
  • Patent number: 5576510
    Abstract: An impact fuse for a projectile comprises a firing needle and a main detonator carried by a rotor. The rotor is rotatable about an axis, upon launching of the projectile, and is rotated by centrifugal force from a safety position to a firing position in which the firing needle is aligned with the main detonator. Upon target impact, the rotor is displaced axially to cause the firing needle to detonate the main detonator. Acceleration forces occurring upon launching cause a piercing pin to activate a delay detonator. After a pre-selected time delay, the activated delay detonator emits a gas which displaces the rotor axially and produces detonation of the main detonator, in the absence of target impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1996
    Assignee: Gebruder Junghans GmbH
    Inventor: Werner Rudenauer
  • Patent number: 5515786
    Abstract: A projectile includes an explosive charge, a corresponding initiating device, a penetrator that only deforms upon impact with a target having a predetermined mechanical resistance, an internal impact contactor arranged between the penetrator and the charge, and a device to ensure initiation of the charge following crushing of the internal impact contactor and after the explosive charge has begun to be deformed following impact on the target. The projectile is particularly effective against hard targets such as stone, brick or cement structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1996
    Assignee: Luchaire Defense SA
    Inventors: Michel Schilling, Jean-Gabriel Misse, Bruno Lang
  • Patent number: 5497704
    Abstract: A multifunctional magnetic fuze is disclosed. The sensor includes an apparatus and method for counting each rotation of a projectile after firing from a weapon. A signal is generated which indicates the rotations of the projectile and a counter counts the turns so that the projectile may detonate at a predetermined nominal number of turns. The turns count may also be used to calculate spin rate and muzzle velocity so that the nominal turns count may be adjusted based on actual velocity. The fuze also may include a timer for counting a time to burst of a projectile. The turns count and/or the times count may be utilized to provide accurate detonation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1996
    Assignee: Alliant Techsystems Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis L. Kurschner, David P. Erdmann, Scott D. Crist
  • Patent number: 5387257
    Abstract: The invention relates to a fuze for a submunition grenade which will selfstruct electrically in the event that the mechanical primary inertial functioning mode fails to operate upon striking an intended target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1995
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Michael Tari, Louis J. Adimari, Frank Diorio
  • Patent number: 5373790
    Abstract: A mechanical system for self-destruction of a munition, in particular a carrier shell submunition, is provided in a munition having a warhead initiated by a pyrotechnic sequence, a main striker and a priming device composed of a slide movable between a safety position and an armed position and which has a device for priming the charge. The self destruction system includes a secondary striker mounted inside a receptacle of a slide and a control device to release the secondary striker after a preset delay. Secondary striker is integral with a holding element and held abutting a seat by the urging of an arming spring. The control device of the secondary striker has a corrosive agent designed to chemically attack the holding element to release it from its seat. When the holding element is released, secondary striker is translationally moved to contact the detonator to destroy the munition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1994
    Assignee: Giat Industries
    Inventors: Patrice H. Chemiere, Jean-Paul A. Dupuy, Bernard F. Bayard, Jean-Pierre Ruet
  • Patent number: 5255608
    Abstract: Intelligent hard-target weapons provide a real-time estimation of a medium as the weapon is penetrating through it. Input signals are provided by an accelerometer used as a primary sensor. On-line concurrent processing of the data of a specific length facilitates a few different modes of feature extraction. The processor provides a robust, real-time decision making for the fuze utilizing sensor signals (accelerometer data). The feature sets utilized include (1) amplitude profiles of the signals, (2) their derivative profiles, and (3), the measure of their abrupt changes. The purpose is to provide for detonation at the proper point as the high-speed penetrator passes through various layers such as concrete, steel, dirt, sand, etc. on its way to a valuable buried target. Real-time decision making is provided for the fuze utilizing accelerometer data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1993
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventors: Kwang S. Min, Hisook L. Min
  • Patent number: 5247866
    Abstract: An optically set fuze system for a projectile for a cannon, or the like. optically set fuze system includes a projectile, a laser beam processing interior circuit and an exterior laser means, which transmits to the laser beam processing interior circuit a composite laser beam for supplying power and for setting timing in the fuze system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1993
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Kobi O'Malley
  • Patent number: 5025728
    Abstract: A projectile fuze device selectively adjustable to allow either point dettion (PD) or delayed detonation of the explosive charge of a projectile upon impact with the target. In the PD option the selector assembly permits the centrifugal movement of the alignment assembly during projectile flight to align the PD detonator in the fuze explosive train. In the delayed detonation option the delay detonator in the alignment assembly is aligned in the fuze explosive train prior to firing with subsequent centrifugal movement prevented by the selector assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1983
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1991
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Richard Marion
  • Patent number: 4998476
    Abstract: A fuze for a bomblet including a slider in which there is arranged a detonator triggered in response to an impact or percussion, and which undergoes a transition during the free flight of the bomblet from a safe or secured position into an armed position. Arranged in the slider is a hydraulic or penumatic cylinder-piston retarding device and a spring-biased self-destruct pin which is operatively coupled to the device, which has a self-destruct detonator associated therewith, wherein the retarding device is blocked until the slider is generally located in the armed position thereof, and in which the retarding device, in the armed position of the slider, will brake the movement of the self-destruct pin during a self-destruct time period and thereafter will cause the releast of the latter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1991
    Assignee: Diehl GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Werner Rudenauer, Fritz Muller, Joachim Furtmayr
  • Patent number: 4934270
    Abstract: A multiconnector whereby a primary length of low energy fuse can be connected to a selected number of secondary lengths of low energy fuse has an inlet port into which an end of the primary length can be inserted and a number of outlet ports into which ends of secondary lengths of fuse can be inserted. The outlet ports and the inlet port communicate via internal passages. The outlet port may be closed by removable plugs or rupturable membranes so that those outlet ports that are not used do not establish a communication path between the inlet port and the atmosphere or the multiconnector may have two parts that are relatively displaceable so that the number of outlet ports that communicate with the inlet port can be set by relative displacement of the two parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 19, 1990
    Assignee: AECI Limited
    Inventors: Clive F. Wilkins, William A. Jones
  • Patent number: 4799427
    Abstract: An ignition device for a projectile, in particular a guided missile, where the ignition moment is controllable as a function of the impingement delay and of the flight time of the projectile. This allows compensation for the type of material comprising the taget, e.g., hard or soft, and for the amount of time the projectile has been airborne, thus compensating for reduced projectile velocity at the time of striking the target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1989
    Assignee: Messerschmitt-Bolkow-Blohm GmbH
    Inventors: Manfred Held, Horst Kirsche
  • Patent number: 4690057
    Abstract: A projectile is provided for penetration into targets of both slight and great resistance to penetration. The projectile is also operative for exploding the payload of the projectile after penetration. The projectile includes a forward barrier of high strength material and a fuse adapted to be detonated on impact with targets. This fuse operates with high sensitivity on impact with targets of slight resistance to penetration and by delayed action which permits explosion of the payload of the projectile after penetration. A delayed action charge included in the fuse is placed behind the barrier and is allocated a protected position where shock waves which occur in the forward material portions of the projectile are prevented from triggering or actuating the delayed action charge. The delayed action charge is exposed to a unit placed between the barrier and the delayed action charge, the unit, when the fuse is detonated, effectuating a reliable ignition of the delayed action charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1987
    Assignee: AB BOFORS
    Inventor: Gengt Carlsson
  • Patent number: 4633780
    Abstract: A backup mechanism for a fuze includes a plate having a slot therein which is freed up during the arming of the firing pin screw. A weight link having a pair of legs spaced along the slot is mounted for movement in the slot. A trip link is pivotally mounted to the plate and has a first leg for frictional engagement against the side of the first weight link leg. The second leg of the trip link is biased for rotation by a leaf spring. Another leaf spring engages against the second leg of the weight link for urging it in a movement direction along the slot. Friction between the first legs of the trip and weight links and/or the upward pull force of the ribbon hold the weight link in an initial position after fuze arming. When exposed to inertia, and/or the absence of upward ribbon pull force the weight link moves. This causes disengagement between its first leg and the first leg of the trip link. The spring rotates the strip link so that its first leg now pushes the weight link along the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1987
    Inventor: Richard S. Andrejkovics
  • Patent number: 4567830
    Abstract: The impact fuze is as light as possible and protects a time-delay device against preliminary destruction at impact of the projectile in or at the target in order that the projectile can penetrate as deeply as possible into or through a hard target, for instance a concrete wall, before the projectile is detonated. A steel housing is introduced into the interior of a light metal housing of the impact fuze in order to fulfill both of these requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1986
    Assignee: Werkzeugmaschinenfabrik Oerlikon-Buhrle AG
    Inventor: Robert Apotheloz
  • Patent number: 4515081
    Abstract: Arrangement in a fuse for projectiles with explosive charge for changing over between direct and delayed ignition of the explosive charge. The arrangement includes a movable contact member which in an initial position short-circuits an electrical igniter which is designed for direct ignition of the explosive charge. A locking member in the form of a pin in an initial orientation of the projectile takes up a position in which the contact member can move under the influence of the accelerational forces effective on the projectile to a second position where the contact member is held by a detent device. With a second orientation of the projectile the pin, as a result of its own weight, drops down to a position where it prevents the contact member moving from the said initial position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1982
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1985
    Assignee: Forenade Fabriksverken
    Inventor: Kenneth Sundvall
  • Patent number: 4480550
    Abstract: A relative velocity sensor for projectile fuzes and the like provides adaptive penetration delay for maximum effectiveness. A pair of contact activated switches on the fuze spaced a known distance apart provide electrical signals useful for calculating the relative velocity of the projectile with respect to a target. An adaptive penetration delay circuit utilizes these signals to detonate the projectile after a delay period determined by the relative velocity. Low graze angle impacts will cause immediate detonation of the fuze. The invention provides simple, effective means for achieving adaptive target penetration delay with very low in-flight power consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1982
    Date of Patent: November 6, 1984
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventor: Edgar J. Abt
  • Patent number: 4116133
    Abstract: An electronic firing device of a missile, enabling precise setting of a time delay from several milliseconds up to an hour or more, comprises an energy accumulator formed by a capacitor associated with an energy receiving coil charging the capacitor from an external signal. This signal has a low frequency energy-supply component and a high frequency signal having a series of pulse trains defining a decimal number up to, for example, 10.sup.7. The high frequency signal passes via a coded selective filter supplying, to a memory, a coded value defining a time delay. An oscillator triggered by a security switch supplies clock signals which are divided to provide 1 millisecond pulses counted in a coding circuit in the same code as the memory. This coding circuit and the memory are connected to a comparator which supplies a firing signal when the count reaches the memorized value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1976
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1978
    Assignee: Mefina S.A.
    Inventor: Roger Beuchat