US Government as Represented by the Secretary of the Army

William J Holley

Lloyd D Post

John J Dineen

Stephan Kosonocky

William K Clark

Fredrick R Hayward

A fuze device to self-destruct a spinning projectile when the primary fuz system, such as mechanical time fuze or point detonating fuze, fails to function. The fuze utilizes separate locking devices which are each responsive to acceleration environments that a projectile experiences in a normal launch and flight. A setback pin, double resiliently mounted detents, spin detent, armed indicator, shutter, rotor, plunger, plunger lock and sac assembly containing silicone grease pressed on by blades of the rotor combine in a mechanically complementary design which insures that this self-destruct fuze may not be assembled armed in a projectile but will fire a projectile in which it is assembled in response to terminal deceleration of the projectile.

Self-destruct fuze for spinning artillery projectile

A pneumatic point detonating fuze utilizes the environmental parameters of he setback acceleration and projectile to accomplish safing and arming functions. Launch acceleration is utilized to unlock a fluidic system and allow it to respond to the air stream velocity. Upon completion of the arming cycle the fluidic system enables a mechanical-electrical fuzing system by closing electrical contacts and rotating out-of-line detonators so that they are in-line with an explosive train. A setback magnetic pulse generator operates at launch to charge a firing capacitor in an electronic switching circuit. Piezoelectric elements operate in conjunction with a trigger circuit to provide a firing signal at impact.

Growing community of inventors

Sparta, NJ, United States of America

William J Holley