U.S. patent application number 09/953220 was filed with the patent office on 2002-03-21 for fuse device for a projectile.
Invention is credited to Kienzler, Frank, Schillinger, Wolfgang, Zehnder, Wolfgang.
Application Number | 20020033110 09/953220 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 7655023 |
Filed Date | 2002-03-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020033110 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kienzler, Frank ; et
al. |
March 21, 2002 |
Fuse device for a projectile
Abstract
A mortar includes a fuse device having a detonator, and a firing
booster arranged to be ignited in response to detonation of the
detonator. The detonator is detonated by a firing pin which
comprises part of a sliding component in an electric solenoid
mechanism. Upon receipt of an electric firing signal, the solenoid
produces an electromagnetic force that thrusts the firing pin
against the detonator.
Inventors: |
Kienzler, Frank;
(Villingen-Schwenningen, DE) ; Schillinger, Wolfgang;
(Schiltach, DE) ; Zehnder, Wolfgang; (Schramberg,
DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Alan E. Kopecki, Esq.
BURNS, DOANE, SWECKER & MATHIS, L.L.P.
P.O. BOX 1404
Alexandria
VA
22313-1404
US
|
Family ID: |
7655023 |
Appl. No.: |
09/953220 |
Filed: |
September 17, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
102/264 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F42C 15/40 20130101;
F42C 11/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
102/264 |
International
Class: |
F42C 015/40 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 15, 2000 |
DE |
100 43 684.7 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A fuse device comprising: a casing; an initiating detonator
disposed in the casing; a firing booster arranged to be ignited in
response to detonation of the initiating detonator; and an
electromagnetic power device for detonating the initiating
detonator, comprising a firing pin displaceable toward the
initiating detonator under an electromagnetic force generated in
the power device.
2. The fuse device according to claim 1 wherein the power device
comprises an electric solenoid having a cylinder and a slidable
element disposed in the cylinder, the sliding element including the
firing pin.
3. The fuse device according to claim 1 wherein the fuse device is
operable in response to receipt of an electric signal from an
electronic firing system in the fuse device.
Description
[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn..sctn. 119 and/or 365 to Patent Application Serial No. 100 43
581.5 filed in Germany on Sep. 15, 2000, the entire content of
which is hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention concerns a fuse device for a projectile, such
as a mortar. The fuse device comprises a firing pin, an initiating
detonator to be ignited by the firing pin, and a firing booster
arranged to be ignited by the initiating detonator, which are
arranged in a firing chain.
[0003] Fuse devices of that kind are known in various different
design configurations. For example, see the configuration disclosed
in copending U.S. Ser. No. 09/754,208 filed Jan. 5, 2001, the
disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.
[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide a fuse
device of that general kind which is of a comparatively simple
design and which has a high level of operational reliability.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] In accordance with the invention, that object is attained in
that the firing pin is integrated into an electrical force
element.
[0006] Besides the advantages of a high level of operational
reliability combined with a saving on component parts, the fuse
device according to the invention also enjoys the advantage that it
can be used for all electrical fuses.
[0007] By virtue of the fact that, with the fuse device according
to the invention, the electrical and mechanical firing functions
are combined together in a firing chain, it is possible that the
fuse device according to the invention to be used instead of an
electrical primer or percussion cap or detonator.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] The objects and advantages of the invention will become
apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred
embodiment thereof in connection with the accompanying drawing in
which like numerals designate like elements, and in which:
[0009] the sole FIGURE is a view in longitudinal section of a
portion of a projectile containing a fuse device according to the
invention.
DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
[0010] In the sole FIGURE there is shown a view in longitudinal
section of a part of a projectile 10 in which a fuse device 12 is
disposed. The projectile 10 is preferably a mortar. The fuse device
is similar to that described in earlier-mentioned U.S. Ser. No.
09/754,208 in that an initiating detonator is mounted in a housing
1 which is rotatable within a casing 4 about an axis A. Rotation of
the housing 1 occurs following a launching of the mortar, and the
rotational drive is supplied by a shaft 2 that is connected to a
worm 3 disposed on the axis A. Details of how the rotation of the
worm 3 is transmitted to the housing are not part of the present
invention, but may be found in the above-referenced Ser. No.
09/754,208.
[0011] Rotation of the housing causes the initiating detonator 1 to
be displaced into an active position (depicted) wherein one side
thereof faces a firing pin 14, and an opposite side thereof faces a
firing booster 18. Accordingly, by actuating the firing pin 14, the
detonator will detonate and ignite the booster 18.
[0012] In accordance with the present invention, the firing pin is
actuated electrically in response to a signal received, via
connector 24, from a suitable electric firing system within the
fuse device, e.g., a proximity fuse (not shown). The firing pin
itself constitutes a slidable part of a power element 20, such as
an electric solenoid mechanism, which displaces the firing pin by
electromagnetic force. The solenoid mechanism comprises a cylinder
22 in which the firing pin 14 slides. An electric coil (not shown)
is disposed in the cylinder which creates a magnetic field when
energized. The firing pin could be magnetized, or attached to a
magnetized component, such as a piston, whereby the firing pin is
caused to slide in either direction, depending upon the direction
of electric current in the coil. When caused to slide toward the
detonator 16, it will cause the detonator to detonate and ignite
the booster 18.
[0013] It will be appreciated that the power element 20 is of
simple construction and formed of few components. It exhibits a
high degree of ruggedness and reliability. Moreover, it can be used
in all electric fuses. Since the electrical activating force also
creates the mechanical (i.e., electromagnetic) firing pin-thrusting
force, the fuse can replace an electric primer or percussion cap
detonator.
[0014] Although the invention has been described in connection with
a preferred embodiment thereof, it will be appreciated by those
skilled in the art that additions, modifications, substitutions and
deletions not specifically described may be made without departing
from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the
appended claims.
* * * * *