US2344968A - Fuse - Google Patents

Description

March 2 8, 1944. J. H. CHURCH ETAL FUSE Filed Feb. 6, 1.940

Patented Mar'. 28, 1944 FUSE Joseph H. Church, Austin, Minn, and Gregory J. Kessenich, Madison, Wis.

Application February 6, 1940, Serial No. 317,558

(Granted under the act of March 3, 1883, as amended April 30, 1928; 370 0. G. 757) 4 Claims.

The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government for governmental purposes, without the payment to us of any royalty thereon.

This invention relates to a fuse for a projectile.

In U, S. Patent 639,214 and in French Patents 504,857 and 516,457 there are shown projectiles loaded with nitroglycerin and an absorbent which remain insensitive until the nitroglycerin is separated from the absorbent under the influence of centrifugal force due to rotation of the projectile. Because of the dead space occupied by the absorbent the explosive force of the nitroglycerin is generally insufficient to properly fragment the projectile.

In providing a projectile which is arranged to carry a relatively large charge of high explosive that is to be initiated by a relatively small charge of nitroglycerin which is to serve as a supersensitive fuse, the space limitations of a fuse casing for a small caliber projectile and practical considerations of manufacture and assembly impose restrictions on structural arrangements.

The purpose of this invention is to provide a fuse in which a cushioning member for supporting the charge against the forces of set-back has suificient strength or mass to maintain a relatively weak or thin capsule in position as the projectile is fed through the mechanism of an automatic gun.

The specific nature of the invention as well as other objects and advantages thereof will clearly appear from a description of several embodiments as shown in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. l is a view in side elevation and partly in longitudinal section of a projectile and the improved fuse.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of a modification of the fuse.

Fig. 3 is a similar view of another modification.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the plug of Fig. 3.

Referring to Fig. 1 there is shown a projectile comprising a shell or casing 5 having a closed base and an open front end and providing a chamber for receiving a relatively large main charge 6.

A fuse adapted to be carried in the nose of the casing comprises a capsule I which may be made of thin copper material and is formed with an ogival head 8 and a rearwardly constricted conical body 1- The capsule contains a relatively small charge it! of nitroglycerin mixed with an absorbent such as kieselguhr or fullers earth. This charge is normally insensitive but becomes sensitive after the projectile is some distance in night beyond the muzzle of the gun, the nitroglycerin separating out from the absorbent under the influence of centrifugal force and being distributed along the wall of the capsule.

A bushing H of a yielding material such as lead is provided with a conical aperture Ila complementary to the conical body 9 of the capsule and is fitted on the body. The bushing preferably terminates in rear of the shoulder I2 of the capsule so that the shoulder overlies the rim E3 of the bushing. The bushing also terminates short of the rear end I4 of the body 9 so that a cap 15 closing the rear end may be applied and serve as a nut to maintain the assembly,

The bushing is inserted in the open front end of the casing 5 and it may be held in place by frictional engagement or by a threaded connection It.

In operation, the bushing l I serves as a cushion for supporting the capsule against the force of set-back on firing the projectile. During flight the nitroglycerin separates out from the absorbent under the influence of centrifugal force and is distributed along the wall of the capsule. On impact with an object such as airplane wing or balloon cloth the head of the capsule will be crushed or deformed or forced rearwardly and will initiate explosion of the nitroglycerin which in turn will detonate the main charge. This will be facilitated by the pinching action of the shoulder I2 against the rim of the bushing and the casing and by forcing the absorbent rearwardly through the constricted body 9 of the capsule.

In the modification shown in Fig. 2 a similar result is obtained by a variation of the structure. A plug ll of a yielding material such as lead is inserted in the rear end of an ogival capsule l8 and a connection illustrated by threads l9 may be formed in the rear part of the capsule to conneot these two members and to provide a means of attachment to a projectile casing 28. The plug has a rearwardly constricted aperture 2| to provide a conical seat for the charge 22. A thin disk 23 of wax or lead placed on the outer end of the main charge establishes a closure for the fuse when it is assembled to the projectile.

Referring to Figs. 3 and 4 a conical capsule 24 has a closure 25 which carries a pin 25 whereby it may be attached to a bushing or plug 21 having apertures 28.

By virtue of the foregoing arrangements, 2. projectile of small caliber may retain its usual proper form factor, the provision of which in a mechanical nose fuse is practically impossible of achievement. At the same time the cushioning member has sufficient mass or strength to provide a firm connection for holding the capsule in position as the projectile is moved through the feedway of an automatic gun.

We claim: 7 V

1. In a fuse, a capsule having an ogival head and a rearwardly contricted body, a charge of nitroglycerin mixed with an absorbent in the capsule and adapted to be separated from the absorbent under the influence of centrifugal force to be exploded on impact, a bushing fitting'on the constricted body of the capsule and having a rim underlying the forward end of the body and a cap on the rear end of the body for holding it in the bushing.

2. In a fuse, a. capsule having an 'ogival head and a rearwardly constricted body, a charge of nitroglycerin mixed with an absorbent in the capsule and adapted to be separated from the absorbent under the influence of centrifugal force to be exploded on impact, a bushing fitting on the constricted body of the capsule and having a rim underlying the forward end of the body and means on the rear end of the body for holding it in the bushing.

3. In a fuse, a capsule having an ogival head and a rearwardly constricted body, a charge of nitroglycerin mixed with an absorbent in the capsule and adapted to be separated from the absorbent under the influence of centrifugal force to be exploded on impact, a bushing fitting on the contricted body of the capsule and a cap on the rear end of the body for holding it in the bushing.

4. In a fuse, a capsule having an ogival head and a rearwardly constricted body, a charge of nitroglycerin mixed with an absorbent in the capsule and adapted to be separated from the absorbent under the influence of centrifugal force to be exploded on impact, a bushing fitting on the constricted body of the capsule and means on the rear end of the body for holding it in the bushing.

JOSEPH H. CHURCH. GREGORY J. KESSENICH.

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