BI-DIRECTIONAL FUZE ASSEMBLY
United States Patent 3664264
The disclosure shows a fuze assembly capable of detonating a bomb whether mounted in a nose well or a tail well therein. A pair of inertia balls are mounted in side-by-side cylindrical raceways. Dependent upon the fuze assembly being mounted in a tail well or nose well, one or the other of the pairs of balls acts on a pivotal lever to drive a firing pin against a detonator charge to detonate the bomb.
US Patent References:
Impact switch
Richard - April 1956 - 2741674
Fuze
Seavey - April 1960 - 2934018
INERTIA IMPACT FIRING MECHANISM FOR MUNITIONS HAVING RETARDING MEANS
Bowers - May 1970 - 3511184
Impact switch
Richard - April 1956 - 2741674
Fuze
Seavey - April 1960 - 2934018
INERTIA IMPACT FIRING MECHANISM FOR MUNITIONS HAVING RETARDING MEANS
Bowers - May 1970 - 3511184
Application Number:
04/874584
Publication Date:
05/23/1972
Filing Date:
11/06/1969
View Patent Images:
Export Citation:
Assignee:
Avco Corporation (Richmond, IN)
Primary Class:
Other Classes:
102/273
International Classes:
F42C1/04; F42C15/24; F42C1/00; F42C15/00; F42C1/04
Field of Search:
102/70,69,73-76,78,79
Primary Examiner:
Engle, Samuel W.
Claims:
Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as novel and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is
1. A fuze assembly for bombs and similar munitions, said fuze assembly comprising:
2. A fuze assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein
3. A fuse assembly as set forth in claim 2 wherein
1. A fuze assembly for bombs and similar munitions, said fuze assembly comprising:
2. A fuze assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein
3. A fuse assembly as set forth in claim 2 wherein
Description:
The present invention relates to improvements in fuze assemblies for bombs and similar munitions and more particularly to improved firing devices therefor.
One of the more important considerations in connection with munitions is their logistic support. Bombs, and similar munitions, require various functions of the fuze assemblies that are mounted therein to control detonation. For example, if a fuze assembly has a multi-function capability, the increased costs of such a fuze may be more than offset by the savings in provisioning a plurality of single purpose fuze assemblies. Further savings are also potentially available in servicing and procurement.
For example of an impact fuze assembly is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,511,184 issued May 12, 1970, to R. E. Bowers, and of common assignment with the present Application. In addition to improved assurance of detonation at low angles of impact of the bomb with a target, that fuze assembly has the capability of use with free fall bombs, as well as bombs having retarding fins which are deployed after release of the bomb from an aircraft to give the aircraft time to reach a safe separation distance from impact and the detonation of the bomb.
A general object of the invention is to extend the multi-function capabilities of fuze assemblies for bombs and similar munitions.
A more specific object of the invention is to provide a fuze assembly incorporating a firing device having the capability of detonating a bomb upon impact in either direction relative to the axis of a firing pin employed to initiate detonation.
To further explain the last stated object, some bombs have tail wells in which the fuze assembly is mounted, while other bombs, for technical or tactical reasons have a nose well in which the fuze assembly is mounted, and still others have both types of fuze wells. A conventional fuze assembly is mounted with its firing pin facing towards the explosive charge in the main part of the bomb. This means that the inertia forces of impact, relative to the firing pin, are in opposite directions in the two types of bombs. It has, therefore, been an accepted practice to supply, or provision, two types of fuze assemblies, as a minimum, for these two types of bombs. Thus this object of the invention relates to the provision of an improved fuze assembly which can function equally well in both the nose and tail wells of bombs and thus eliminate the need for two distinct types of fuze assemblies for these two types of bombs.
A further and still more specific object of the invention is to achieve the above ends in extending the multi-function capabilities of the fuze assembly of the above-referenced Application.
In its broader aspects, the invention takes the form of a fuze assembly having means for initiating detonation of a bomb in response to axial movement of a firing pin in a given direction. Inertia means responsive to a deceleration force in either direction, relative to the axis of the firing pin, are employed to generate the firing movement, in said given direction, to the firing pin. This allows the fuze assembly to be mounted in a bomb having either a tail well or a nose well therein.
More specifically, the means for initiating detonation of the bomb include a detonator charge against which the firing pin is driven. The inertia means comprise inertia balls rollable in cylindrical raceways of approximately the same diameter as the balls. Further, two raceways are disposed in side-by-side relation with a lever pivotally mounted therebetween. The lever extends into both raceways and the firing pin is slidable in the lower end of one raceway. At least one of the inertia balls is disposed in that raceway above the lever and at least one of the balls is disposed in the other raceway below the lever. The lever is specifically formed to assure detonation at low angles of impact in either direction.
In greater specifics, the detonator charge is carried in a detonator holder which shifts the detonator charge into alignment with the firing pin when it is desired to detonate the bomb after deployment of retarding fins.
The above and other related objects and features of the invention will be apparent from a reading of the following description of the disclosure found in the accompanying drawing and the novelty thereof pointed out in the appended claims.
In the drawing:
FIG. 1 is an elevation, partly in section, of a fuze assembly embodying the present invention; and
FIG. 2 is an elevation, partly in section, of a firing device seen in FIG. 1, illustrating one of its firing modes; and
FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2, illustrating the alternate firing mode of the firing device.
Referencing FIG. 1, the present fuze assembly comprises a frame 10 which is adapted to be mounted on structural elements of a bomb in either the tail well of the bomb or its nose well dependent upon the type of bomb. A timing device 12 controls the position of a latch arm 14. In the safe position of the fuze assembly, the latch arm maintains a detonator holder 16 in the position of FIG. 1 with a relief hold 18 aligned with a firing pin 20. In either type of bomb, the firing pin would be generally aligned with the longitudinal axis of the bomb.
The firing pin 20 is a component of a firing device indicated generally by reference character 22. The firing device 22 further comprises a housing 24 which is mounted, as by brazing, on the frame 10. The firing pin 20 has a piston 26 connected to its upper end and is slidable in the lower end of a cylindrical chamber or raceway 28. A lever 30 overlies the piston 26 and two inertia balls 32 are disposed in the raceway 28 above the lever 30. (For convenience of description and reference, such terms as "upper" and "lower" are related to orientation of a fuze assembly as illustrated in the drawing even though the relative positions and terms would be reversed for a nose well mounted fuze assembly, as compared to a tail well mounted fuze assembly.) A second parallel chamber or raceway 34 is formed in the housing 24 in side-by-side relation with the raceway 28. The lever 30 is mounted, by pivots 36, on the housing 24 and extends into the raceway 34. The housing 24 has a slot 38 between the two raceways 28 and 34 to permit pivotal movement of the lever 30. A spring 39, disposed in the lower end of the raceway 28, acts against the piston 26 to urge the component parts to the positions seen in FIG. 1. The upper ends of the raceways 28 and 34 are closed by retaining screw caps 41.
After release of the bomb from an aircraft the timing device 12 rotates the latch arm 14 to release the detonator holder so that it may rotate about axis 42 and in so doing align a detonator charge 44 with the firing pin 20. The fuze assembly is now in its armed condition, illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3.
FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate, by arrows A, the orientation of the fuze assembly relative to the direction of bomb travel towards impact with a target, where the fuze assembly is mounted in a tail well. When the bomb impacts on the target, even at a relatively low angle, the inertia balls 32 will continue towards the bottom of the raceway 28 causing the firing pin 20 to be driven against the detonator charge 44. This striking of the detonator charge ignites it and results in detonation of the bomb. It will be noted that the lever 30 is interposed between the lower ball 32 and the piston 26 as the firing pin 20 is driven into the detonator charge 44 and that the lower surface of the lever is curved to centralize the force loading on the piston and firing pin so that any tendency to bind these elements is minimized. This further ensures proper firing action.
FIG. 3 illustrates, by arrow B, the orientation of the fuze assembly relative to the direction of bomb travel towards impact with a target, where the fuze assembly is mounted in a nose well. When the bomb impacts on the target, the balls 40 will continue towards the upper end of the raceway 34 causing the lever 30 to pivot in a clockwise direction. The lever 30, acting against the piston 26, drives the firing pin 20 against the detonator charge 44 to detonate this type of bomb equally as effectively as the earlier described detonation of a tail well type of bomb.
In addition to the previously referenced curved portion of the lever 30 for engaging the piston 26, the lever 30 is relieved at 46 and 48 to further assure proper firing action at low angles of impact for a given size of the inertia balls 32 and 40. The relieved portions 46 and 48, respectively, provide clearance for the balls 32 and 40 so that a maximum effective torque force can be transmitted, by point contact, to the lever 30.
As has been previously indicated, the present fuze assembly is also adapted for use with bombs having retarding fins which are deployed after release of the bomb from an aircraft to delay detonation of the bomb until the aircraft reaches a safe distance from the resulting explosion. When these fins are deployed, the fuze assembly is in the safe position illustrated in FIG. 1. The retardation force, resulting from opening of the fins, is sufficient for the inertia force of either the balls 32 or the balls 40 (dependent upon whether a nose well fuze or a tail well fuze is employed in the bomb) to overcome the spring 39 and drive the firing pin 20 downwardly. In such event the firing pin 20 simply enters the relief hole 18. After the retardation force abates, the spring 39 returns the firing pin and the balls 32, 40 to their original positions and the detonator holder 16 is swung to the armed position of the fuze assembly.
Various modifications of the preferred embodiment, described herein, will occur to those skilled in the art within the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, in the broader aspects of the invention it is not necessary that the inertia means take the form of balls or that two balls be employed in each raceway.
One of the more important considerations in connection with munitions is their logistic support. Bombs, and similar munitions, require various functions of the fuze assemblies that are mounted therein to control detonation. For example, if a fuze assembly has a multi-function capability, the increased costs of such a fuze may be more than offset by the savings in provisioning a plurality of single purpose fuze assemblies. Further savings are also potentially available in servicing and procurement.
For example of an impact fuze assembly is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,511,184 issued May 12, 1970, to R. E. Bowers, and of common assignment with the present Application. In addition to improved assurance of detonation at low angles of impact of the bomb with a target, that fuze assembly has the capability of use with free fall bombs, as well as bombs having retarding fins which are deployed after release of the bomb from an aircraft to give the aircraft time to reach a safe separation distance from impact and the detonation of the bomb.
A general object of the invention is to extend the multi-function capabilities of fuze assemblies for bombs and similar munitions.
A more specific object of the invention is to provide a fuze assembly incorporating a firing device having the capability of detonating a bomb upon impact in either direction relative to the axis of a firing pin employed to initiate detonation.
To further explain the last stated object, some bombs have tail wells in which the fuze assembly is mounted, while other bombs, for technical or tactical reasons have a nose well in which the fuze assembly is mounted, and still others have both types of fuze wells. A conventional fuze assembly is mounted with its firing pin facing towards the explosive charge in the main part of the bomb. This means that the inertia forces of impact, relative to the firing pin, are in opposite directions in the two types of bombs. It has, therefore, been an accepted practice to supply, or provision, two types of fuze assemblies, as a minimum, for these two types of bombs. Thus this object of the invention relates to the provision of an improved fuze assembly which can function equally well in both the nose and tail wells of bombs and thus eliminate the need for two distinct types of fuze assemblies for these two types of bombs.
A further and still more specific object of the invention is to achieve the above ends in extending the multi-function capabilities of the fuze assembly of the above-referenced Application.
In its broader aspects, the invention takes the form of a fuze assembly having means for initiating detonation of a bomb in response to axial movement of a firing pin in a given direction. Inertia means responsive to a deceleration force in either direction, relative to the axis of the firing pin, are employed to generate the firing movement, in said given direction, to the firing pin. This allows the fuze assembly to be mounted in a bomb having either a tail well or a nose well therein.
More specifically, the means for initiating detonation of the bomb include a detonator charge against which the firing pin is driven. The inertia means comprise inertia balls rollable in cylindrical raceways of approximately the same diameter as the balls. Further, two raceways are disposed in side-by-side relation with a lever pivotally mounted therebetween. The lever extends into both raceways and the firing pin is slidable in the lower end of one raceway. At least one of the inertia balls is disposed in that raceway above the lever and at least one of the balls is disposed in the other raceway below the lever. The lever is specifically formed to assure detonation at low angles of impact in either direction.
In greater specifics, the detonator charge is carried in a detonator holder which shifts the detonator charge into alignment with the firing pin when it is desired to detonate the bomb after deployment of retarding fins.
The above and other related objects and features of the invention will be apparent from a reading of the following description of the disclosure found in the accompanying drawing and the novelty thereof pointed out in the appended claims.
In the drawing:
FIG. 1 is an elevation, partly in section, of a fuze assembly embodying the present invention; and
FIG. 2 is an elevation, partly in section, of a firing device seen in FIG. 1, illustrating one of its firing modes; and
FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2, illustrating the alternate firing mode of the firing device.
Referencing FIG. 1, the present fuze assembly comprises a frame 10 which is adapted to be mounted on structural elements of a bomb in either the tail well of the bomb or its nose well dependent upon the type of bomb. A timing device 12 controls the position of a latch arm 14. In the safe position of the fuze assembly, the latch arm maintains a detonator holder 16 in the position of FIG. 1 with a relief hold 18 aligned with a firing pin 20. In either type of bomb, the firing pin would be generally aligned with the longitudinal axis of the bomb.
The firing pin 20 is a component of a firing device indicated generally by reference character 22. The firing device 22 further comprises a housing 24 which is mounted, as by brazing, on the frame 10. The firing pin 20 has a piston 26 connected to its upper end and is slidable in the lower end of a cylindrical chamber or raceway 28. A lever 30 overlies the piston 26 and two inertia balls 32 are disposed in the raceway 28 above the lever 30. (For convenience of description and reference, such terms as "upper" and "lower" are related to orientation of a fuze assembly as illustrated in the drawing even though the relative positions and terms would be reversed for a nose well mounted fuze assembly, as compared to a tail well mounted fuze assembly.) A second parallel chamber or raceway 34 is formed in the housing 24 in side-by-side relation with the raceway 28. The lever 30 is mounted, by pivots 36, on the housing 24 and extends into the raceway 34. The housing 24 has a slot 38 between the two raceways 28 and 34 to permit pivotal movement of the lever 30. A spring 39, disposed in the lower end of the raceway 28, acts against the piston 26 to urge the component parts to the positions seen in FIG. 1. The upper ends of the raceways 28 and 34 are closed by retaining screw caps 41.
After release of the bomb from an aircraft the timing device 12 rotates the latch arm 14 to release the detonator holder so that it may rotate about axis 42 and in so doing align a detonator charge 44 with the firing pin 20. The fuze assembly is now in its armed condition, illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3.
FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate, by arrows A, the orientation of the fuze assembly relative to the direction of bomb travel towards impact with a target, where the fuze assembly is mounted in a tail well. When the bomb impacts on the target, even at a relatively low angle, the inertia balls 32 will continue towards the bottom of the raceway 28 causing the firing pin 20 to be driven against the detonator charge 44. This striking of the detonator charge ignites it and results in detonation of the bomb. It will be noted that the lever 30 is interposed between the lower ball 32 and the piston 26 as the firing pin 20 is driven into the detonator charge 44 and that the lower surface of the lever is curved to centralize the force loading on the piston and firing pin so that any tendency to bind these elements is minimized. This further ensures proper firing action.
FIG. 3 illustrates, by arrow B, the orientation of the fuze assembly relative to the direction of bomb travel towards impact with a target, where the fuze assembly is mounted in a nose well. When the bomb impacts on the target, the balls 40 will continue towards the upper end of the raceway 34 causing the lever 30 to pivot in a clockwise direction. The lever 30, acting against the piston 26, drives the firing pin 20 against the detonator charge 44 to detonate this type of bomb equally as effectively as the earlier described detonation of a tail well type of bomb.
In addition to the previously referenced curved portion of the lever 30 for engaging the piston 26, the lever 30 is relieved at 46 and 48 to further assure proper firing action at low angles of impact for a given size of the inertia balls 32 and 40. The relieved portions 46 and 48, respectively, provide clearance for the balls 32 and 40 so that a maximum effective torque force can be transmitted, by point contact, to the lever 30.
As has been previously indicated, the present fuze assembly is also adapted for use with bombs having retarding fins which are deployed after release of the bomb from an aircraft to delay detonation of the bomb until the aircraft reaches a safe distance from the resulting explosion. When these fins are deployed, the fuze assembly is in the safe position illustrated in FIG. 1. The retardation force, resulting from opening of the fins, is sufficient for the inertia force of either the balls 32 or the balls 40 (dependent upon whether a nose well fuze or a tail well fuze is employed in the bomb) to overcome the spring 39 and drive the firing pin 20 downwardly. In such event the firing pin 20 simply enters the relief hole 18. After the retardation force abates, the spring 39 returns the firing pin and the balls 32, 40 to their original positions and the detonator holder 16 is swung to the armed position of the fuze assembly.
Various modifications of the preferred embodiment, described herein, will occur to those skilled in the art within the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, in the broader aspects of the invention it is not necessary that the inertia means take the form of balls or that two balls be employed in each raceway.