US1693661A - Percussion and hydrostatic fuse - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 4, 1928. 1,693,661

IA. OGDEN PERCUSSION AND HYDROSTATIC FUSE Filed July '7. 1926 2 Sheets-SheetI l ELS.

Bec. 4, 1928.A

Fil

'A. OGDEN PERCUSSION AND HYDROSTATIC FUSE ad July 7, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 n INVENTO? BY l bw HTTO/NEYJ Patented Dec. 4, 1928.

UNITED STATES APATENT- oFFlcE.

AMOS OGDEN, 0F BARROW-IN-FURNESS, ENGLAND, ASSIGNOR T0 VICKERS LIMITED,

OF WESTMINSTER, ENGLAND, A BRITISH COMPANY. Y .l

PERCUSSION AND HYDRIOSTATIG FUSE.

Application led July 7, 1926, Serial No. 120,924, and in Great Britain November 26, 1925.

This invention relates to. bombs adapted to be dropped from aircraft and more particularly to improvements in the impact mechanism of such bombs, with the object of increasing their efficiency in attack. The bombs are provided with improved hydrostatically operated firing mechanism so that they may also serve as depth charges.

According to this invention the bomb is provided at its lower end with means by which it is adapted on impact to penetrate an obstruction of moderate strength, such as the non-protective deck of a vessel, without operating the impact firing mechanism, whereupon the bomb is rendere-d capable of firing on meeting the next obstacle. The penetrating member is preferably in the form of a pointed nose piece carried in a detachable manner by the bomb and having a tubular shank extending over the outer end of an impact firing rod, the penetrating member being secured in position in the nose of the bomb by a spring clip or equivalent device which after the light deck or other minor obstruction has been penetrated allows the penetrating member to iiy od, owing to the momentary check given to the body of the bomb on striking the obstruction, whereupon thc impact firing rod is left exposed w and the bomb is fired when the rod meets the second deck or next obstruct-ion. If, however, the bomb strikes a protective deck or the amouring of a vessel, the penetrating member is driven back together with the impact rod and t-he bomb is fired instantaneously.

In order that the said invention may be clearly understood and readily carried into effect, the same will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 shows in longitudinal section a bomb embodyingv this invention, and Figs. 2 and 3 are similar views to a larger scale of the main portion of the apparatus.

A, A are the two main casing members of the bomb, the member A being .of greater thickness and forming the nose or lower end of the bomb, the casing containing the charge B. C is a central tube extending from end to end of the bomb, and open to the water through channels a. D is the impact detonator of the bomb mounted on a tubular carrier Z sliding within the impact pistol E. F is the penetrating member mounted in the nose of the bomb. G is a primer fitted slidably or floating Within a guide tube H mounted in the central tube C. J is a depth charge pistol with detonator j, the depth charge pistol being fired at the desired depth, in the event of the bomb serving as a depth charge, by means of the pistol K.

In the construction of impact firing ap aratus illustrated the detonator D on the sllding carrier d is fired by a firing pin e in the pistol casing E. The ring pin I1s held back by a spring e which extends lnto the tubular carrier d and abuts against the collar or nut e2 on the rea'r end of the firing pin, the spring e normally holding the firingzpin-well away from the detonator D in the position shown in the drawing. The firing pin is mounted in the tubular carrier e3 within which the detonator carrier d slides. Shoulders d and e4 limit the relative movement of the car-A riers e3 and Z and shoulders e5, and e limit the movement'of the carrier es in the casing E. Impact ring is effected by the impact firing rod L which is formed with a headZ sliding in the outer end of the pistol casing VE and spaced a short distance from the lower or outer end of the firing pin e, a strong spring Z maintaining the head of the firing rod against a fixed iianged ring m carried at the inner end of the nose piece M supporting the impact rod L and thepenetrating member F. Water can pass freely into the interior of the centre tube C through the openings a in the nose of the-bomb, if the bomb is ldropped into water.

-On the 'impact rod L being forced back it rst meets the collar e2 on the lower end of the firing pin and drives the, latter back 'against the spring e. The primer G is ioating or slidably mounted in the guide tube H and on the bomb meeting an obstruction the primer moves. down by its momentum and forces back the detonator carrier d. The end of the primer G is provided with a small central recesslg into which the detonator D projects so that the detonator is not forced back until the end of the primer reaches the detonator carrier d. The detonator can be fired, however, only lif the striking o'dalso forces up the firing pin e, so that firing takes place only by the combined movement due to the firing rod andthe primer and the shoull ders e4, e5, e6 of the pistol E are so arrangedthat neither of these -two movements sepaj rately can effect the firing. v

Itv will be seen especially in Figure 2 that the detonator carrier d when pushed fully back does not bring the detonator D into contact With the firing pin when the latter is in the position shown, but if the striking rod L is at the same time driven back carrying with it the firing pin e the firing piu and detonator come into contact an-d the bomb is explode-d. If on the other hand the firing pin only is pushed back until the shoulders e5 and eG meet movement of the firing pin limited by these shoulders is not sufficient to bring the pin into contact with the detonator D, the spacing of the various shoulders being such that the individual movements permitted to the detonator and the firing pin would not unless combined enable the striking pin to reach the detonator.

It Will be seen that the impact rod L is prevented from operation as long as the penetrating member F is in the position shown in the drawing, the penetrating member being secured in the nose M of the bomb by the spring clip f, which in the construction illustrated comprises a pair of springs mounted in grooves f in the tubular shank f2 of the penetrating member and having bent ends which extend into the annular groove m of the nose piece M. The penetrating member F, if the bomb drops on to a relatively slight obstruction `such. for example, as the light deck of a vessel, passes through the deck and prevents firing of the bomb during the penetration of the deck by the member F and the heavy bomb, While the slight check to the bomb given by the resistance o the deck to the large surface of the nose A1 of the bomb causes the member F Which has been substantially unchecked on penetrating to fly olf the nose of the bomb and leave the impact rod L exposed. With the penetrating member F absent the rod L on meeting the second obstruction is forced back and as the primer has already driven back the detonator D the tiring pin e on being forced back by the rod L explodes the detonator and res the bomb.

While the penetrating member F prevents firing of the bomb as long as it maintains its forward position should the bomb strike any heavy obstruction such as a protective deck or the covering of a vessel, the force of impact drives back the member F, which is held in position by a shearing ring m2 fitted inside the nose piece vM behind a ring m3 against which the inner end of the penetrating member F abuts, the vshearing ring m2 being of sulicient strength to hold the penetrating member in position for any relatlvely slight obstruction, while if the resistance on impact is sufficiently great the shearing ring yields and the penetrating member F together with the impact rod L is forced back and instantaneous firing is e'ected by the combined operation of the penetratin member, firing rod andprimer. The s caring ring m2 or equivalent resisting member can be set to prevent yielding and consequent ring up to any desired impact resistance.

The bomb is, of course, not fired on striking the surface of Water but penetrates it until a hydrostatically operated or depth charge pistol is actuated. The hydrostatic mechanism may be on the lines described in the specifications of applications for patent Serial Nos. 59.808, filed October 1, 1925, and 99,695, filed April 5, 1926, especially the latter, in which the construction of the upper end of the present bomb is described. The depth charge pistol J is stationary and is cocked and fired by the hydrostatically operated piston co-operating with the sliding or floating primer unit G Which is also subjected to the pressure of the Water. A recess g at the upper or rear end of the primer receives the detonator y'.

In the arrangement shown the depth charge pistol J is rigidly attached to the guide tube H (formed in two parts) While the regulator or piston K is movable Within the tube, under the influence of the hydrostatic pressure, relatively to the primer unit G.

The depth regulator K is provided with two auxiliary air chambers 7c and 1", in addition to the main a'ir chamber N, the main air chamber N being located on each side of the pistol J and a passage j being provided to place the two parts of the chamber N in communication with one another.

The depth regulator K and the primer unit G are provided With rubber rings k2 and g2 between them and the tube H Within Which they are slidably mounted. The rubber rings maintain an airtight joint While at the same time they give very little resistance to movement. By means of these rubber rings a volume of air is trapped between the primer unit G and .the depth regulator K which has to be compressed before these tWo members can move into a position at which they jointly operate the depth charge pistol J. The external water pressure and the internal air pressure will at any given depth be substantially the same, the hydrostatic pressure being slightly greater so as to overcome the slight friction. There is, therefore, no tendency for air to leak out and due to the slight difference of pressure the rubber rings effectually prevent Water from leaking in- Wards. The initial air volume and the final compression volume provided for the purpose of regulating the depth at which firing is to take place is adjusted in advance by cutting olf the volumes/7c and k by means of a rotary valve O from communication through the passages 0, o, o2 and 03 with the main air chamber N.

The hydrostatically operated piston K is open to the pressure of the Water at its outer end so that should the bomb fall into Water the piston is acted upon by an increasing water pressure as the bomb sinks, compressing the air in the' space N immediately in front of the iston, the back pressure of. the compressed air determining the movement of the piston with relation to the hydrostatic pressure as the depth increases. At

the same time the Water is free to enter the space in the tube C causing pressure inside the guide tube in the annular space surrounding 1t and also around the p-rimer G, water entering through the nose of the bomb into the guide tube through the apertures a as already mentioned.

In the arrangement shown the depth charge is adapted to lire at 30, 120 and 180 feet. In

order to fire at 30 feet the additional volumes 7c and k are opened to the central working volume N; to fire at 120 feet the volume 7c 1s cut off; to fire at 180 feet the volumesc and lc are cut off. When, however, the

depth charge has reached the depth at which automatic firing is to take place and is subjected to a hydrostatic pressure corresponding to any one of the said set depths the depth regulator or piston K is pushed inwards until it strikes the pistol J and moves inwards the part j2 so as partiallyI to compress the spring ya.

At the same time the primer unit G has also been moved inwards by the hydrostatic pressure along the guide tube' H. until it contacts with the shoulder jt* and pushes in the detonator support 75 also compressing the spring i3. When both these movements are completed the balls P of a ball releasing device of common constructionare free to move radially outwards thus releasing the striker j which moves forward and lires the detonator j. It will be clear that the pistol cannot operate until both the depth regu-` lator and the primer units are simultaneouslypushed in to the centre of the guide tube. Should the primer unit or the depth regu-y lator move in separately, for example owing to inertia, the depth charge cannot accidentally be exploded as the pistol can only be operated by the hydrostatic pressure actingsimultaneously on both units.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is 1. In a bomb, impact firing mechanism adapted to be ired on striking the obstacle, means whereby the bomb is prevented from exploding on striking a solid obstacle offering a relatively small resistance, which means are rendered inoperative upon such obstacle being struck, and means whereby the bomb is then exploded upon meeting a further obstacle.

2. In a bomb, impact tiring mechanism, and means for preventing the said firing mechanism exploding the bomb on the latter striking a solid obstacle offering a relatively small resistance, which preventive means are rendered inoperative after such obstacle is struction. penetrated by the said member and struck, whereupon the said impact firingA mechanism can explode the bomb upon meetl for retaining the penetrating member iny position and for enabling it to release itself from the bomb on the latter meeting an o bimpact irmg mechanism protected from operation by the saidpenetrating member while the latter is in position on the bomb.

4:. In a bomb, a pointed nose piece detachably `moimted at the end of the bomb, a clip retaining the said nose piece in positlon but lallowing it to free itself from the bomb by momentum, an impact rod the' forward end of which is covered and protected by' the pointed nose piece but operated on meetin an obstruction after the detachment of the said nose piece and firing mechanism adaptedl vto be operated by the said impact rod.

5. Iny a bomb, a penetrating member mounted at the lower end of the bomb, means for retaining the penetrating member in position and for enabling it to releaseV itself from the bomb on the latter meeting an 'obstruction penetrated by the said member, impact firing mechanism protected from operation by the said pentrating member while the latter is in position'on the bomb, means for supporting the said penetrating member,

on impact, against a predetermined impact force, which means yield to allow the said penetrating member to be driven back and' to operate the firing mechanism if the impact force exceeds the predetermined amount. 6. In a bomb, a penetrating member mounted at the lower end'of the bomb, means 105 for retaining the penetrating member in positionv andi'or enabling it to release itself 'from the bomb on' the latter meeting an obstruction penetrated by the said member, im- L. pact ringfmechanism protected from operllo ation by the said penetrating member while' the latter i'sin position on the bomb, a shearing member mounted in the nose vof the 4bomb` l l behind :theISad penetrating member andl adapted tobe sheared by impact pressure on A the penetratingv member above va predetermined amount.

k7. In a bomb, a pointed penetrating member havingv a tubular shank mounted in the nose of the bomb, afclip device retaining the 12 said tubular shank in position but adapted to free the said penetrating member from the nose of the bomb on any check to its fall being given to the bomb after the penetrating member haspierced an obstacle, an impact 125 rod extending into the tubular shank and yprotected by the penetrating member when in position and firing mechanism adapted tov be operated by the said impact rod when the latter is forced back on mpact.-

70 mounted at the lower end' of the bomb, means 8. In a bomb, a primer unit slidably mounted Within the bomb and adapted to move down on impact, an impact member at the nose of said bomb and firing mechanism operated jointlyl by the primer unit and impact member, t e said firing mechanism bcing inoperative unless both the primer unit and the aforesaid impact member combine to actuate the tiring mechanism.

9. In a bomb, impact firing mechanism including a detonator and an impact operated firing pin, and a primer unit slidabl y mounted inside the bomb and adapted on impact of the bomb to move forward for actuation of a part of the said firing mechanism so as to bring the firing pin and detonator into cooperative relation to enable the ring mechanism to act.

10. In a bomb, the firing mechanism comprising a slidably mounted detonator, a firing pin, resilient means for maintaining the detonator and firing pin in spaced relation, an external impact member adapted onmeeting an obstacle to actuate a portion of the firing mechanism to decrease the space between the detonator and firing pin and an internal member adapted on impact to actuate a second member of the firing mechanism also to decrease the space between the detonator and firing pin, the firing pin meeting the detonator only if both of the said members have co-operated to actuate the tiring mechamsm.

11. In a bomb, impact ring mechanism comprising an impact pistol casing, a detonator, a tubular etonator carrier adapted to slide in the said pistol casing, a firing pin, a second tubular carrier for the said firing pin also adapted to slide in the pistol casing, a spring normally maintaining the two sliding tubular carriers in inoperative relative position and two sliding members adapted on impact to act separately upon the two tubular carriers, the iring pin being caused to strike the detonator only on the co-operative action of both the sliding members.

movable within the said bomb to co-operate with either the impact firing mechanism or the hydrostatically operated firing mechamsm.

13. In a bomb, impact firing mechanism fitted in the noso of the bomb, hydrostatically operated firing mechanism open to the water at the rear of the bomb and a sliding primer unit exposed, on the bomb being dropped into Water, to water pressure at one. end and to co-operate with the hydrostatically actuated firing mechanism and adapted, on the other hand, to co-operate With the impact firing mechanism on impact of the bomb upon a solid obstruction.

14. In a bomb as claimed in claim 8, hydrostatically operated firing mechanism in which the said rimer unit co-operates to actuate the said ring mechanism whereby the bomb will serve as a depth charge.

15. In a bomb, impact firing mechanism comprising an impact pistol having a detonator mounted slidably therein, an impact member adapted to operate a part of the impact pistol, a primer unit slidably mounted and on moving adapted to co-operate with the said impact member and having a recessed end receiving the detonator on movement of the primer by impact of the bomb, the primer unit on further movement pressing back the detonator carrier and co-operating in the firing of the detonator.

16. In a bomb provided both with impact and hydrostaticall operated ring devices, a primer unit slida ly mounted Within a tube in the bomb, and a movable sealing ring interposed between the primer unit and its guide tube whereby the primer unit can serve as a piston under water pressure when the bomb is used as a depth charge.

AMOS OGDEN.

Images