DUAL MODE FUZE EXPLOSIVE TRAIN
United States Patent 3633510
A dual mode fuze explosive train which comprises the combination of a supuick firing pin assembly and an inertial firing pin assembly whereby the inertial pin comes forward to initiate the stab primer when the fuze hits a soft target and the superquick firing pin is driven into a stab detonator thereby initiating the end initiator when a hard target is struck.
US Patent References:
Selectively-acting fuse
Semple - July 1920 - 1347716
Percussion fuse for aircraft bombs and other purposes
Remondy - March 1925 - 1531717
Combination fuse
Brayton - March 1930 - 1751616
Fuse
Woodberry - July 1933 - 1916245
Selectively-acting fuse
Semple - July 1920 - 1347716
Percussion fuse for aircraft bombs and other purposes
Remondy - March 1925 - 1531717
Combination fuse
Brayton - March 1930 - 1751616
Fuse
Woodberry - July 1933 - 1916245
Application Number:
05/061129
Publication Date:
01/11/1972
Filing Date:
08/05/1970
View Patent Images:
Export Citation:
Primary Class:
Other Classes:
102/265, 102/397
International Classes:
F42C1/02; F42C1/08; F42C1/00; F42C1/00
Field of Search:
102/70,71,74,56,76,7.2,78,85.6
Primary Examiner:
Engle, Samuel W.
Claims:
What is claimed is
1. A dual mode hard and soft target fuze explosive assembly comprising:
1. A dual mode hard and soft target fuze explosive assembly comprising:
Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a dual mode fuze explosive train.
To meet the needs of the overall performance of guided missiles, much time has been expended on exploration of new fuze design, improved fuze design, improved fuze systems for specific applications, and technical evaluation of fuze systems. The present invention provides a dual mode fuze explosive train which improves the performance of the antipersonnel/antimaterial cluster weapons. The general purpose is to provide a fuzing system which is simple, inexpensive and reliable. The invention provides such a system which will initiate detonation of a warhead if either a hard target is hit or a soft target is hit.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
FIG. 1 is an enlarged view in section of a portion of a bomblet incorporating the present invention;
FIG. 2 is an end view of the fuze housing; and
FIG. 3 shows the end cap which covers the fuze section of the bomblet.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring now to the drawing there is shown in FIG. 1 a bomblet in partial section which incorporates the present invention. The bomblet comprises a casing 11 which is formed of notched steel wire high explosive 14 such as HMX, or RDX. A dual fuze explosive train assembly designated generally as numeral 15 is secured by suitable means to the nose end of said bomblet casing 11 and is adapted to initiate the booster 16 which is positioned at the apex of cone liner 13. Booster 16 is connected to the fuze train assembly 15 by a detonating transfer train 17 and end initiator 34. The dual fuze explosive train assembly 15 comprises a fuze housing 18 provided with a cavity into which is positioned a cylindrically shaped rotor 19 mounted for rotation about its longitudinal axis. A gear train mechanism 20 is mounted to the side of fuze housing 18 and is suitably attached to rotor 19 for driving said rotor. Rotor 19 has two vertical bores near each end one which contains a stab detonator as shown at 21 and the other a stab primer 22 as shown. Also rotor 19 is provided with a transverse bore containing a delay composition 23 as shown between the two vertical bores. Rotor 19 is positioned in the fuze housing 18 so that the end containing stab detonator 21 is adjacent a firing pin retainer 24 which is fixed in fuze housing 18. The end containing stab primer 22 is adjacent an inertia firing pin assembly 25 which is also fixed in said fuze housing as shown. Rotor 19 is positioned so as to be out of line or in a safe position and is driven to the armed position shown. The primer 22 and detonator 21 which when actuated conduct the detonation wave through the end initiator 34 and detonating transfer train 17 to the booster 16 which in turn detonates shaped charge 12.
The nose end 26 of fuze housing 11 shown in FIG. 2 is provided with a lever plate 27 positioned adjacent firing pin retainer 24, which moves to actuate said pin when a hard target is struck.
Fuze housing 18 is provided with a nose probe 28 as shown in FIG. 3 which slides firmly over the outside of fuze housing 18 and is a part of bomblet casing 11. As shown nose probe 28 is provided with a hollow cone-shaped end having a slidably mounted striker 29 positioned therein which is secured by a pair of restraining pins 30.
Inertia firing pin assembly 25 comprises a delay firing inertia weight 32, and a firing pin 33 which will drive into the stab primer 22 when a soft target is hit. Stab primer 22 initiates a propellant charge 35 and the pyrotechnic time delay composition 23 which burns to the sensitive end of and initiates the stab detonator 21. Ultimately the stab detonator fires and transmits a detonation wave via the end initiator 34 and transfer train 17 to the booster 16 and thence to the shaped charge explosive resulting in an airburst of the warhead.
When the bomblet impacts a hard target such as armor, metal clad body, rock or the like, the striker 29 on nose probe 28 defeats two restraining shear pins 30 and pushes against lever plate 27 positioned on fuze housing 18 which actuates superquick firing pin 31 held in retainer 24. Firing pin 31 now stabs detonator 21 which causes it to explode sending a detonation signal via the end initiator 34 and transfer train 17 to the booster 16 which transmits the wave to the main charge 12. The target will then be subjected to shaped charge warhead action.
The present invention relates to a dual mode fuze explosive train.
To meet the needs of the overall performance of guided missiles, much time has been expended on exploration of new fuze design, improved fuze design, improved fuze systems for specific applications, and technical evaluation of fuze systems. The present invention provides a dual mode fuze explosive train which improves the performance of the antipersonnel/antimaterial cluster weapons. The general purpose is to provide a fuzing system which is simple, inexpensive and reliable. The invention provides such a system which will initiate detonation of a warhead if either a hard target is hit or a soft target is hit.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
FIG. 1 is an enlarged view in section of a portion of a bomblet incorporating the present invention;
FIG. 2 is an end view of the fuze housing; and
FIG. 3 shows the end cap which covers the fuze section of the bomblet.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring now to the drawing there is shown in FIG. 1 a bomblet in partial section which incorporates the present invention. The bomblet comprises a casing 11 which is formed of notched steel wire high explosive 14 such as HMX, or RDX. A dual fuze explosive train assembly designated generally as numeral 15 is secured by suitable means to the nose end of said bomblet casing 11 and is adapted to initiate the booster 16 which is positioned at the apex of cone liner 13. Booster 16 is connected to the fuze train assembly 15 by a detonating transfer train 17 and end initiator 34. The dual fuze explosive train assembly 15 comprises a fuze housing 18 provided with a cavity into which is positioned a cylindrically shaped rotor 19 mounted for rotation about its longitudinal axis. A gear train mechanism 20 is mounted to the side of fuze housing 18 and is suitably attached to rotor 19 for driving said rotor. Rotor 19 has two vertical bores near each end one which contains a stab detonator as shown at 21 and the other a stab primer 22 as shown. Also rotor 19 is provided with a transverse bore containing a delay composition 23 as shown between the two vertical bores. Rotor 19 is positioned in the fuze housing 18 so that the end containing stab detonator 21 is adjacent a firing pin retainer 24 which is fixed in fuze housing 18. The end containing stab primer 22 is adjacent an inertia firing pin assembly 25 which is also fixed in said fuze housing as shown. Rotor 19 is positioned so as to be out of line or in a safe position and is driven to the armed position shown. The primer 22 and detonator 21 which when actuated conduct the detonation wave through the end initiator 34 and detonating transfer train 17 to the booster 16 which in turn detonates shaped charge 12.
The nose end 26 of fuze housing 11 shown in FIG. 2 is provided with a lever plate 27 positioned adjacent firing pin retainer 24, which moves to actuate said pin when a hard target is struck.
Fuze housing 18 is provided with a nose probe 28 as shown in FIG. 3 which slides firmly over the outside of fuze housing 18 and is a part of bomblet casing 11. As shown nose probe 28 is provided with a hollow cone-shaped end having a slidably mounted striker 29 positioned therein which is secured by a pair of restraining pins 30.
Inertia firing pin assembly 25 comprises a delay firing inertia weight 32, and a firing pin 33 which will drive into the stab primer 22 when a soft target is hit. Stab primer 22 initiates a propellant charge 35 and the pyrotechnic time delay composition 23 which burns to the sensitive end of and initiates the stab detonator 21. Ultimately the stab detonator fires and transmits a detonation wave via the end initiator 34 and transfer train 17 to the booster 16 and thence to the shaped charge explosive resulting in an airburst of the warhead.
When the bomblet impacts a hard target such as armor, metal clad body, rock or the like, the striker 29 on nose probe 28 defeats two restraining shear pins 30 and pushes against lever plate 27 positioned on fuze housing 18 which actuates superquick firing pin 31 held in retainer 24. Firing pin 31 now stabs detonator 21 which causes it to explode sending a detonation signal via the end initiator 34 and transfer train 17 to the booster 16 which transmits the wave to the main charge 12. The target will then be subjected to shaped charge warhead action.