GB1389360A - Electrical projectile fuse with switch means - Google Patents

Abstract

1389360 Projectile fuzes DIEHL 23 Oct 1973 [13 Nov 1972] 49170/73 Heading F3A An electrical fuze for a projectile comprises a piezoelectric element 9, Fig. 1, which is activated on target impact or after a predetermined flight duration and triggers an electronic switch, e.g. a thyristor, to enable a capacitor to discharge through an armed electrical igniter 39. A spring-loaded striker 14 is provided to activate the piezoelectric element 9 after the predetermined flight duration. The striker is normally held in a retracted position by two pivoted, inter-engaging pincer arms 45, 46, Fig. 2. An articulated part 49 of the arm 45 is urged radially inwardly by a leaf-spring 56. However, its hooked end 53 is prevented from disengaging the hooked end of the arm 52 by the interposition of a cylinder 55. Centrifugal force causes the part 49 to move radially outwardly against the action of the spring 56 thereby releasing the cylinder 55 and enabling the hooked ends of the pincer arms to move into closer engagement. As the centrifugal force decreases, the part 49 is moved radially inwardly by the spring 56 until the hooked ends of the pincer arms become disengaged. Thereupon, the arms move outwardly under the action of the residual centrifugal force to release the striker. The centrifugal force also expands a spiral band 30, Fig. 1. This releases an electrical contact 27 which is moved by a spring 25 into abutment with a contact 40 of the igniter 39 that, meanwhile, has been moved into the armed position by a centrifugal rotor 38. The igniter is short-circuited in the unarmed position by engagement of the contact 40 with the fuze body 1. The capacitor for supplying current to the igniter is charged upon firing the projectile by an electromagnetic generator carried by the fuze; or by a piezoelectric element 20 which is compressed by an inertia plate 19; or alternatively is charged before firing by an external source of electrical energy.