US2754760A - Combination fuze for a bomb - Google Patents

Description

July 17, 1956 Filed May l5. 1947 R. O. WYNN COMBINATION FUZE OR A BOMB 2 Sheets-Sheet l July 17, 1955 R. o. WYNN 2,754,760

COMBINATION FUZB FOR A BOMB Filed May l5, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Hag 3.

35 @V 34 E@ 4h 2g 29 5 64 74 4675 |35 |2I lll |3| I3 |09 755I 59 |34 |27 l |08 ||3 6248 8I786 |28 IOO s? le u2 58m l 837e B5 70 i |07 85@ 57 L15 This invention relates to a fuze and more particularly to a combination hydrostatic tail fuze for a bomb adapted to be dropped from an aircraft in flight which will explode after striking a target or when the bomb has sunk to a predetermined depth within the Water, in the event of a near-miss.

in bombs of this type heretofore devised, it has been the usual practice to provide the bomb with a nose fuze adapted to fire the bomb in predetermined time relation with respect to the impact of the bomb with the target. Such devices, however, possess the disadvantage that the nose of the bomb is not sufliciently strong to pierce the deck of a modern large naval lighting vessel and, in many cases, it has been found that the bomb explodes on the surface of the deck or after a small degree of penetration of the deck with the result that the damage indicted by the bomb is greatly lessened.

This difliculty is overcome in the device of the present invention by providing a fuze within the tail of the bomb in which the tiring cycle of the bomb is initiated by the sudden displacement of a magnetic keeper from an electromagnetic generator sufliciently to generate a tiring impulse and thereby set in operation a time delay mechanism whereby the bomb is not fired until sufficient time has elapsed for the bomb to penetrate the deck of the vessel and pass into the hull sufficiently to utilize to the best advantage, the full destructive force of the bomb. In the event of a near-miss, however, a hydrostatically responsive device within the fuze causes the bomb to be fired at a predetermined depth of submersion adjacent the hull of the vessel and during the time delay interval immediately following the displacement of the aforesaid keeper.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a combination tail fuze for a bomb having tiring means arranged therein adapted to be controlled by a prejte rates Patent determined increase of either gas or Water pressure applied thereto, as the case may be.

Another object is to provide a combination tail fuze for a bomb for igniting an electroresponsive detonator by low electrical energy generated within the fuze as the forward movement of the bomb is suddenly arrested as, for example, when the bomb strikes a target, and in which means adapted to be controlled by either gas or water pressure are employed for ring the main explosive charge arranged within the bomb when a predetermined period of time has elapsed after the impact.

Another object is to provide a combination tail fuze for a bomb having fluid pressure controlled tiring means arranged therein for firing the main explosive charge disposed within the bomb in which new and improved means are employed for generating the pressure as the forward movement of the bomb is suddenly arrested.

Another object is to provide a combination hydrostatically arld electrically controlled tail fuze for a bomb in which tiring of the bomb is delayed until a predetermined period of time has elapsed after the bomb strikes a target, and in which firing thereof will 'occur in re- Patented July 17, 1956 spense to a predetermined amount of water pressure applied thereto in the event that the bomb has reached a predetermined depth within a body of water.

Still another object is to provide a combination iluid and electrically controlled tail fuze for a bomb having an electroresponsive detonator arranged therein adapted to be ignited by an inertia voltage generator as the rate of forward movement of the bomb is suddenly decreased, and in which time delay means are employed for firing the main charge arranged within the bomb when a predetermined period of time has elapsed after the detonator has been ignited.

A still furtherV object of the inventionris to provide a combination tail fuze for a bomb having pressure controlled tiring means therefor in which means are employed for applying a predetermined pressure to the pressure firing means when the bomb has struck either a body of water or a target, as the case may be.

A still further object is to provide a combination fuze for an armor piercing bomb adapted to be dropped from an aircraft in flight upon a vessel target having means for exploding the bomb within the hull of the vessel in which new and improved means are employed for exploding the bomb within the water in the event of a near-miss suficiently near the vessel to inflict severe damage thereto.

Still other objects, advantages and improvements will become apparent from a consideration of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. l is a central longitudinal sectional view of the combination tail fuze of the present invention in an unarmed condition showing the manner in which the fuze is secured to a bomb;

Fig. 2 is a view partly in elevation and partly in section of the fuze of the present invention;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1 but showing the fuze in a firing position;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 5 5 of Fig. 4; and

Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic view of the tiring mechanism and the pressure generating means, the time delay control means, and the firing circuit therefor.

Referring now to the drawings for a more complete understanding of the invention and more particularly to Fig. 1 thereof, there is shown thereon a fragmentary portion of a bomb indicated generally by the numeral 10 and comprising a casing 11 to which the combination tail fuze 12 of the present invention is secured, the casing having arranged therein the usual explosive charge 13, as is well known to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains.

The fuze 12 comprises a casing 14 having an enlarged body portion 15 internally threaded as at 16 and having threaded engagement with `an annular disc 17 locked thereto by a set screw 18. The annular disc having integrally formed thereon a tubular nipple 19 which has threaded engagement with an adapter 21, the nipple extending a predetermined distance into the adapter, Figs. 1 and 3. The adapter is threaded into a boss 22 integrally formed on the bomb casing 11 as at 23 and thus the fuze is secured to and supported by the bomb in operative relation with respect thereto.

T he casing 14 is provided with a reduced tubular portion 24 integrally formed therewith and extending outwardly therefrom, the portion 24 being threaded as at 25 for threaded engagement with a collar 26. Secured Within the collar 26 in any suitable manner is one end of an elongated tube 27, aange 28 being secured to the other end of the tube and having a plurality of openings 29 extending therethrough, the purpose of which will be hereinafter more fully described. t

A pair of bearings 30 and 31 are secured within the tube 27 in any suitablemanner but preferably as indicated by the reference. character 32, Figs, 1 and 2. Rotatably supported withinthebearings. 3,0.and 31 is a vane or propeller shaft 33, one. end` thereof extending a predetermined distance. beyond the-flange 28 and. having secured thereto as.by ay cotter pin34. orv the like, a vane or propeller 35, the other end thereof extendingY into the tube 27 a predetermined distance and. having a pair of diametrically disposed slots. 36 arranged: therein. Endwise movement of the propeller shaft 33, is prevented by a washer 37 havingabutting engagement with one-face of the bearing 3b and maintained in abutting engagement therewith by a Cotter pin 3 8. A Y

An arming stem 39 is rotatably and. slidably supported within a threaded axiallbore. 41 arrangedv in a tubular guide 4Z and comprising, a portion 43, having threaded engagement with the bore41sucl'1 thatl during rotation of the arming stem, outwardv movement is also imparted thereto. Secured transversely to one end of the, arming stern Ba in any suitable manner and extendinginto the slo-ts 36 formed in the vane shaft 33 is,v a. driving pin 44 thereby to' provide` a. driving connection between the stern 39 and the vane shaft 33'. It will be understood, however, that rotative movement is imparted" to the shaft 313 by the propeller in response to the pressure of air directed thereagainst during the free ight of the bomb toward the target; A flange or shoulder 45 is formed on the arming stern 39intermediate the ends thereof, the flange being of greater diameter than. the arming stem, the purpose of which will more clearly appear as the description proceeds; p

A pistony generally'indicatedt by the numeral 46 is slidably arranged within the casing 14, comprising a cupshaped head 47 arrangedrwithin the 4nipple 19; having formed thereon a stem- 4S disposed within the enlarged portion of the casing' 14. The; stemis threaded as at 51 for threaded engagement with a stem nut 52,` the nut having a reduced extension 53 formed' thereon adapted to have sliding movement withinA a centrally disposed opening 54 arranged in a U-shaped bracket 55 secured to the disc 17 by'screwsY 56, Pigs. 2, 4 and 5'. Secured to the head 47 of the piston in any suitablemanner is a ilange 57 to. which one endl of a bellows or diaphragm 58 is attached, the other end ofthe bellows being attached to an annular plate-.5921sby solder or the like. The plate 59.y issecured. toithe' disc 1-7 by the aforesaid screws 56.

Clamped between a. shoulder 61 formed` on the stem 48 andy one end of the. stem nut 5'2. is: a. rack member 62, the; rack member. extending between and in abutting enJ gagement, with a pair ofy spaced leg-S1632 formed on the U-shaped bracket.y 55,. thus maintaining the rack member in fixed. position on the stem 48 and also preventing rota.- tive movement of the; rack and piston'. but permitting sliding movement thereof. The rack member isprovided with a pair of rack teeth 64 respectively.v arranged on opposite sides thereof, the purpose of which willi. be apparent as the description proceeds.

As-shown on Eig. L they fuze, is ini an; unarmed condition and arming thereof will notv occur untilY the bomb has been releasedl from an aircraft inightand the propeller has, made a predetermined number of revolutions during the free flight of the. bombytoward. the target. In the unarmed conditionthe armingl stem 39 passes through a bore 65 arranged in the stern nut 52 and extends a predetermined distance into aV complementaryV bore 66 disposed within, the, piston steml 48., Sliding, movement of the piston 46 including the sternY nut-V 52 is prevented by a pair of locking balls 6.7 disposed with diametrically arranged apertures 68J formed in the extension 53 on the sternV nut whichisslidably arranged in the aforesaid'apertur-e 5.4, the balls being adapted to lock the stem nut, piston and component, parts thereof from. sliding movement until released. The balls 67v are maintained in locking engagement with the stem nut 52 by the arming stem 39 and a tubular sleeve 69 formed on the guide member 42. It will be understood, however, that when the arming stem 39 has been rotated in the aforesaid manner a predetermined amount, the axial movement thereof will be suicient to withdraw the arming stem from engagement with the locking balls 67 thus releasing the balls from locking engagement with the stem nut and permitting'. sliding movement thereof together with the piston 46 when a predetermined amount of gas or water pressure, as'the case may be, has been applied to the disc 57 secured to the piston head and supporting the bellows 53.

A charnbenly is'fprovided within the casing 14 and Water is adapted to enter therein when the bomb enters a body of water and sinks therein, the water being adapted toenter the chamber 71 through a plurality of ports or ventsv 72 formed in theextensiorr 24 of the casing 14.

A shieldvr or bale ring. 7,3 encirclesV theextension 24 in such a manner as to preventforeign 'matter from clogging or entering the ports-72 astheV bombsinks within a body of water thus assuring free ow of water therethrough and into the chamber 71 and also: preventing foreign matter from entering the chamber 71`.

Pivoted between the legs 63 of the bracket 55 as by pins 74 are a pair of' counterweights 75, the weights being disposed on opposite sides of the piston stem 48, each weight having arranged thereon a pair'of teeth 76 which mesh with each of. the teeth 64 respectively provided on each side of the rack 62. Y The weights 75 are arranged on their pivot pins 74 in such a manner such that during the free flight of the bomb toward the tarv get the center of gravity thereof is displaced about 45 degrees from the vertical .on each side of the rack 62. However, the weights are free for. pivotal movement outwardly about the pins 74, in order to allow the rack 62', piston 46 and component parts thereofV to move inwardlyV therebetween as the bomb sinks Within a body of water; It will be understood, however, that while the centers of gravity of the Weights are free to move in a direction opposite to` direction of movement of the rack 62 and the component parts thereof, theQweights '75 are not free to move ifA the same forceV tending to moveV the rack4 62, pistonV 46 and component parts thereof in an inwardly direction also tendstomove the counterweights 75 in the same direction. Thus when the bomb strikes the surfaceV ofwater or target the sudden shock would tendto movethe rackr 62,'piston 46 and component parts thereof in an inwardly' directionv and simultaneously therewith it would tendto move the counterweights 75' inV the same direction. The tendency ofthe counterweights 75 to move thus counterbalances the tendency of the rack 62, piston 46 and' component parts thereof to move, and therefore-the rack'62, piston-64'- and` aforesaid parts thereof do not move under' the sudden shock of the bomb striking the-surface of the body of water or target, as the case may be.

A plunger housing 79 issecured within the nipple 19 in anysuitable manner but preferably as: shown on Figs. l and' 2, and comprisinganlannular plate 77' having formed thereon and extending therefrom a cylindrical sleeve 78 over which is slideably arranged the piston head 47. Releasably lockedf to the sleeve 78. and slideable therein when released `is a. plunger 79. having aV percussion cap 81 arranged therein. The locking means for the plunger includes a circumferential? groove 82. formed therein having two locking .balls 83m engagement therewith, Pig. l.

' theballs -beingfarranged i'n'diametrieally disposed apertures 84 formedinfthesleeve 73 and maintained inloeking engagement with the aforesaid groove by the piston head 47. As the piston head moves inwardly by either water or gas pressure exerted on. the disc 57,l a shoulder 35 on the piston head 47'passes beyond the locking balls 83, thus bringing an enlarged'ichamber 86.formed in the piston degree head in registration with the balls and thereby permitting the balls 83 to move outwardly within the respective apertures 84 in the sleeve 78 and releasing the balls from locking engagement with the plunger 79.

As the piston 46 moves inwardly by either hydrostatic or gas pressure, a firing spring 87 arranged in a well 88 formed in the piston 46 is compressed, the ring spring having one end thereof in engagement with the bottom wall of the well 88 and the other end in engagement with the plunger 79. When the piston 46 moves a predetermined amount the locking balls 83 release the plunger 79 for sliding movement, the plunger is driven inwardly by the now contracted firing spring 87 and the percussion cap 81 arranged therein strikes the tiring pin 89 with suti'lcient force to initiate tiring thereof. The tiring pin 89 is secured to an end cap 92, threaded on one end of a Vcontainer 93, the container having arranged therein the usual booster charge 94.

As shown on Fig. 3 the fuze is in a tiring position, the cap 81 being in tiring engagement with the firing pin 89, the lead-in charges 95--95 arranged in the plunger 79 align with the lead-in charges 96-96 disposed within the container 93 thereby to provide a continuous explosive train from the cap 81 to the booster charge 94. It will be understood, however, that the cap 81 is lred upon violent impact with the firing pin 89 thus initiating firing of each pair of lead-in charges 95 and 96, booster charge 94 which fractures the end cap 92 and explodes the auxiliary booster 97 thereby to explode the main charge 13 disposed within the bomb 10.

Arranged within the enlarged portion of the casing 14 is a plastic block 98 having disposed therein a magnetic inertia voltage generator indicated by the reference character 99. The inertia generator may be of any type suitable for the purpose such, for example, as the generator disclosed and claimed in the copending application of H. I. Plumley for Improved Magnetic Inertia Controlled Fuze, Serial No. 718,098 filed December 23, 1946. Briey stated, the inertia generator comprises a housing 101 composed of nonmagnetic material having arranged in one end thereof an adapter 102, the adapter being cornposed of magnetic material and having formed thereon an enlarged flange 103 adapted to seat against one end of the housing 101. The adapter has formed therein a centrally disposed bore 104 having arranged therein a core 105 of magnetic material. The core 105 is provided with an enlarged head 106 adapted to seat in a recess 107 formed in the adapter 102, the end of lthe core being in alignment with one end of the adapter, Fig. 5.

Disposed around the core 105 is a coil support or spool 108 having anges 109 extending therefrom defining a coil compartment within which a coil 111 is arranged. A pair of lead wires 112 are connected to the coil 111 and adapted to complete a firing connection to an electroresponsive detonator 113 arranged in the plastic block 98 when the fuze is in an armed position. Arranged within the housing 101 and in abutting engagement with respect to one end of the adapter 102 is a tapered inertia sleeve 114 composed of magnetic material and having a closed end 115. A well 116 is formed in the sleeve 114 and disposed therein is a permanent magnet 117 which has abutting engagement with an element 118 of somewhat larger diameter than the magnet 117 and composed of magnetic material. The Well 116 is enlarged as at 119 and disposed therein is a bushing 121 of nonmagnetic material suitable for purpose such, for example, as lead or the like.

It will be understood, however, that when the bomb strikes a target or the surface of a body of Water, the inertial force received thereby will dislodge the inertia assembly comprising the tapered sleeve 114, magnet 117, and element 118 from its normal position whereupon the lines of force cutting the coil 111 suddenly collapse, and a voltage is generated therein.

Supported by a sleeve 122 composed of any suitable insulating material is a pair of contacts 123 and 124, the

sleeve 122 being disposed about the sleeve 69 of the guide member 42. As shown on Fig. 2 the contacts 123 and 124 are completely insulated from each other and from the fuze casing by the insulating sleeve 122. A pair of diametrically disposed apertures 125 are provided in the sleeve 69 through which lugs 126 extend, the lugs being formed on the sleeve 122. The end portions of the contacts 123 and 124 are bent at a right angle with respect to the body portions thereof as at 120 and extend through openings arranged in the lugs 126 and into the sleeve 69, the portions 120 of the contacts being adapted to engage the shoulder or flange 45 on the arming stem 39 when the fuze is in an armed position thereby providing a tiring circuit from the coil 111 to the electroresponsive detonator 113, by way of lead wires, one wire 112 connecting the coil with one side of the detonator 113, the other 112 wire connecting the coil with contact 123, and the other side of the detonator 113 being connected to the contact 124 by a conductor 100.

Therefore it will be understood, that when the fuze is in an armed position with the shoulder 45 bridging the contacts 123 and 124, a complete firing circuit is established from the coil 111 to the detonator 113 and ignition thereof will occur upon impact of bomb with a target or the surface of a body of water as the case may be. Such impact force is suflicient' to dislodge the inertia assembly comprising the inertia sleeve 114, magnet 117, and element 118, from its normal position, whereupon the magnetic eld about the coil 111 collapses, inducing a voltage in the coil, the voltage is applied to the electroresponsive detonator 113 by way of the aforesaid firing circuit thereby to tire said detonator 113 and explode the bomb in predetermined time delayed relation with respect to impact thereof with a target, as will more clearly appear as the description proceeds.

As shown on Figs. 4 and 5 the detonator 113 has secured thereto a casing 127 which is arranged in a well or bore 128 provided in the block 98. A relatively thick tube 129 having a centrally disposed bore 131 extending therethrough is arranged within the casing 127 and arranged within the bore 131 is a time delay fuze 132 adapted to burn for a predetermined period of time when ignited such, for example as 4 seconds. Ignition of the time delay fuze is initiated by a quick-match pellet 133 arranged adjacent one end of the electroresponsive detonator 113 and tired thereby in response to an electrical energy impulse received by the detonator from the magnetic inertia generator upon impact of the bomb with a target or with the surface of a body of water.

The casing 127 is closed at one end at 134, and arranged in abutting relation therewith and with the tube 129 is a flash charge 135 adapted to be fired by the delay fuze 132 when a predetermined period of time has elapsed. The ash from the ash charge 135 ignites a quantity of smokeless powder 136 arranged in a container 137 dis posed in a bore 138 formed in the plastic 98, the block being provided with a flash chamber 139 which communicates with the bores 128 and 138 such that the ash from the flash charge 135 is directed against one end of the container 137 thereby to ignite the powder 136 contained therein. When this occurs, a gas pressure is gradually built up in the chamber 71 by the slow burning powder 136, such pressure being adapted to expand the bellows 58 and function the firing mechanism of the fuze in the same manner as by the aforesaid water pressure.

It will be understood, however, that the magnetic inertia generator will function in response to the impact of the bomb against a ship or the surface of a body of water. However, when the bomb strikes the surface of a body of water and has sunk therein to a predetermined depth, such as 25 feet approximately one second later, the fuze will function hydrostatically and the bomb will explode at this depth, inasmuch as the time delay fuze 132 would not ignite the slow burning powder 136 to set up the gas pressurewithin the chamber 71 until 4 seconds. has elapsed after impact of the bomb with. a target or thel surface of a. body of water.

g It will be further understoodlthat when the bomb strikes the deck of a-ship, the momentum ofthe bomb is sufcient to cause the bombfto pierce thedeck thereof and to continue downwardly into the holdof the ship. As the bomb strikes the deck of the ship, themagnetic flux within the coil; 111i is changed suiiiciently to fire the electroresponsive detonator 113. The detonator 113-, it. will berecalled, has arranged therein ay delay fuze 132 adaptedrto ignite the slow burning powder 136 approxirnatelyv 4 seconds after impact of the bomb withv a target. When this occurs sufficient gas pressure is created from the burning powderv to operate the firing mechanism ofthe fuze inthe same manner as by water pressure. sonof thedelay, however, the bomb is exploded below the deck of the` shipl where the full explosive force of the bomb is' made effective;

As shown on Fig. 2 an arming wire 141 is preferably employed to prevent rotative movement of the 'propeller 35 until the bomb is released from anraircraft in flight. The arming wire 14:1 is normally arranged Yinv one' of the openings 29m flange 2S and in compiementary loops formed on the free ends of a wire bandv 1.412 arranged about Vthecollar 26 and passing through an aperture provided in the enlarged head formed onl al pin 143, the pin extending through a pair of complementary apertures 144 in` the collar 26 and tube 27, Fig. l, and disposed inthe slots 36 formed in the propeller shaft 33. Thus the propeller 35 is prevented from rotative movement until the arming Wire is withdrawn from the aforesaid loops and opening. Whenv this occurs the pin 1413 is ejectedV from the apertures 144 by a spring 1135Y and carriestherewith the wire band 142, the spring being arrangedY about the pin 143 and having one end thereofin engagement with the collar 26, and the other end in engagement with the enlarged head formed on the pin.

The fuze is maintained in a safe position during handling and transportation by a cotter pin 146, Fig. l, ar-y ranged in a pair of complementary openings 147 in tube 27 and a pair of complementary openings 148 in the propeller shaft 33. It will be understoodhowever, that the safety pin 145 is removed when the bomb is detach-y ably secured to the aircraft at which time the arming wire 141r isVV detachably secured to the fuze` in the aforesaid manner.

The operation of the fuze will now be described; Let

-it be assumed by way ofv example, that the bomb is released from an aircraft in ilight. As-the bomb falls away'from the aircraft during the flight toward the target vessel the arming wire 141 is withdrawn from the aforesaid loops and opening thereby releasing the propeller 35- for rotation. As the propeller 3o' rotates during the free flightl of the bomb through the air, the propeller shaft 33- is rotated thereby and when the propeller shaft has made a'predetermined number of revolutions the arming stem is rotated andmoved outwardly to an armedpositionA by the propeller shaft 33. Nhen this occurs the arming switch contacts 121%A are closed thereby completing a firing circuit between the coil 111 and the electroresponsive detonator 113. When the armino stem 39 has been moved to the armed position the balls 67' are released fromA locking engagement with the stern nutV 52 thus permitting sliding movement of the piston d6 and components parts thereof as heretofore described.

Upon impact of the bomb with a target or a body of water momentum thereof tends to move the piston'and component parts thereof in an inward direction, this movement being prevented as heretofore described by the aforesaid-L counterweights and rack arrangement. Concurrently with the aforesaid impact the inertiasleeve 1-14; magnet 117', and element 11S are dislodged from their normal positionand thel electroresponsive detonator 113 is` fired, it being understood, however, that the tiring mechanism for exploding the bomb will not function by By reagasVpressure until a: predetermined period of time such, for example, asy 4 seconds haselapsed.. Therefore, should the bomb just; missk thev tai-.get and strike the' surface of a body of water and sinkthenein approximately 25 feet, the bomb' is fired: by water pressureentering apertures 72 rather thanzbyy gas pressure, as theis'mokeless powder 135 is not ignited: by the delay fuze for approximately 4 seconds after impact of the bomb withv a: target whileV the bomb will sink to a depth of 25 feet in approximately l second; Thus the ratio of time between the ignition of the smokeless powder 136 by thedelay fuze and the time it takes the bomb to sinkto a depth of 25 feet is'suflicient to per-mit` the fuze to be fired hydrostatically at a depth of 25v feet thereby effecting severe damage to the target vessel; I

Let it be assumed further thatl the bomb strikes the deck of the vessell in which case the momentum of the bomb is suflicient to cause the bomb to pierce the deck andy toi continue the downwardt movementthereof into the hold', of the ship. As the bomb strikes the deck of the ship, the magnetic lluxl within the coil 1:11 is altered sufliciently to firev they electroresponsive detonator 113, initiating firingl the quick-match fires the time delay fuze 132 and when a predetermined period of time has elapsed such, for examplegras 4 seconds,vthe delay fuze ignites the flash charge 139 and the' flash charge ignites the smokeless powder 136 thereby creatingra sufficient amount of gas Vpressure Within chamber 71 'toffunction the ring mechanism of thefuze; By reason of theV delay, the bomb is exploded below the deck of the ship, the final liringoperation thereofbeing initiated by they percussion cap 81V and tiring pin 89^when the locking balls 83 release the liringplunger 79` for sliding movement, whereupon the firing Spring S7 drives the plunger 79 inwardly and the capv 81 supported thereby strikes the ring pin 89 with suicient force to initiate firing thereof and explode the bomb.

Briey stated in summary, the. present invention contemplates the provision of a newy andl improved fuze for a bomb in which meansy are provided for functioning the fuze by either hydrostaticV or gas pressure thereby to explode the bomb, and in which a magnetic inertia generator is employed for functioning the fuze in response to a sudden impact received thereby such, for example, asV when the bomb strikes the deck of a ship, and in which additional means are employed for functioning the fuze hydrostatically when the bomb sinks within a body of water to a predetermined depth. Furthermore, the present invention provides means for firing an explosive charge in predetermined'ti'me delayed relation with respect to the operation of' a magnetic inertia generator arranged therein.

While the invention has beendescribed with reference to a preferred example thereof which gives satisfactory results, Vit will be understood by those skilled in the art to which the, invention pertains, after understanding the invention, that various changes and modifications maybe made without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the inventiomand it is intended, therefore, in the appended claims to cover all such changes and modications.

The invention herein. described and claimed may be manufactured and used by or' for the Government of the United4 States` of America VfonV governmental purposes without payment of any royalties thereon4 or therefor.

What is claimed as new Vand desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is:

l. In a fuze foran. aircraft bomb, acasing, a container secured to said casing,.a detonator charge arranged within said container, a normally locked pressure responsive device arrangedwithin said casing and adapted when released to be moved a predetermined.amountinresponse tov an increase in pressure Within said casing, means including a member carriedfby said pressure responsive device for lockingr said-pressure responsive device, means including,v a propellenrotatablyl supportedy on said casing 9 for releasing said locking means when said propeller has made a predetermined number of revolutions during the free night of the bomb toward a target, gas pressure generating means in communication with the casing and adapted to effect said increase in pressure, means including a magnetic inertia generator responsive to impact of the bomb with a target surface, a time delay element operable by said inertia generator for igniting said pressure generating means in predetermined time delayed relation with respect to said impact, means including a percussion cap releasably locked to said member and actuated to a release position when the pressure responsive device `has been moved said predetermined amount in response to said increase in pressure for tiring said detonator charge, tiring means for said percussion cap, and means including a pair of weighted members pivotally mounted `Von said casing and operatively connected to said member for preventing said movement of the device as the bomb strikes said target surface.

2. In a fuze for an aircraft bomb, a casing, a container secured to said casing, a detonator charge arranged within said container, a normally locked pressure responsive device arranged within said casing and adapted when released to be moved a predetermined amount in response to an increase in pressure within said casing, means including a member carried by said pressure responsive device for locking said pressure responsive device within said casing, means including a propeller rotatably supported on said casing for releasing said locking means when said propeller has made a predetermined number of revolutions during the free Hight of the bomb toward a target, a combustible gas pressure generating device in communication with the casing and adapted to effect said increase in pressure when ignited, means including a magnetic inertia generator responsive to impact of the bomb with a target surface, a time delay element operable by said inertia generator for igniting said pressure generating device in predeterimned time delayed relation with respect to said impact, a plunger releasably locked to said member and having a percussion cap supported thereby, means including a plurality of detents for locking said plunger to the member, said last named means being adapted to release the plunger for sliding movement when the pressure responsive device has been moved said predetermined amount, a tiring pin supported by said container for tiring said percussion cap as said! plunger is released, means for urging the percussion cap into tiring engagement with said ring pin when the plunger has been released thereby to fire said detonator charge, a rack element carried by said member, and a pair of weights pivotally mounted on said casing in engagement with said rack for preventing said movement of the pressure responsive device as the bomb strikes said target surface.

3. In a fuze for an aircraft bomb, a casing, a container secured to said casing, a detonator charge arranged within said container, a pressure responsive device arranged within said casing and adapted to be moved a predetermined amount in response to an increase in pressure within the casing, a magnetic inertia generator adapted to generate an electrical firing impulse as the bomb strikes a target surface, a normally open tiring circuit connected to said generator, an electroresponsive detonator included within said tiring circuit and adapted to be fired in response to said impulse, a propeller on the tail of said bomb, means including a switch controlled by said propeller for closing the firing circuit during the free flight of the bomb toward a target, combustible gas pressure generating means in communication with the casing and adapted to effect said increase in pressure, means controlled by said detonator for igniting said pressure generating means in predetermined time delayed relation with respect to said impact, and means controlled by said pressure responsive device for firing said detonator charge when the pressure responsive device has been moved said predetermined amount, a rack member operatively connected to said pressure responsive device, and a pair of weights pivotally secured to the casing in engagement with said rack member for preventing said movement of the pressure responsive device as the bomb strikes said target surface.

4. A combination fuze for an aircraft dropped bomb for attack on a surface vessel comprising a casing having a plurality of vents therein for the admission of water thereto, a container secured to said casing, a detonator charge arranged within said container, means including a pressure responsive device in communication with the surrounding water through said vents for firing said charge in response to an increase in hydrostatic pressure within the casing when the bomb misses said vessel and sinks to a predetermined depth within a body of water, gas pressure generating means adapted to actuate said pressure responsive device suciently to re the charge when the gas pressure has increased to a value corresponding to said predetermined depth of submersion, means including a magnetic inertia generator responsive to impact of the bomb with a target surface, a time delay element operable by said inertia generator for initiating operation of said pressure generating device in predetermined time delayed relation with respect to said impact, and means including a pair of weighted members pivotally secured to said casing and operatively connected to said pressure responsive device for maintaining the pressure responsive device inactive upon said impact and movable by the pressure responsive device when said gas pressure has increased to said value corresponding to said predetermined depth of submersion.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 384,662 Zalinski June 19, 1888 1,142,827 Machenbach .Tune 15, 1915 1,374,121 Swan Apr. 5, 1921 2,487,056 King Nov. 8, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS 694,402 France Sept. l5, 1930 525,333 Great Britain Aug. 27, 1940 862,440 France Dec. 9, 1940

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