US3889599A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fuze
Assignee: United States Department of the Army
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Filing: 1951-02-07
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Granted: 1975-06-17
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Expires: 1971-02-07
Abstract
Abstract 1. In an explosive missle having an electrostatically charged nose and body members insulated from each other, an electrostatic fuze comprising a thyratron relaxation oscillator, the thyratron switch of said oscillator having grid, anode and cold-cathode members, said grid member connected to said nose, a detonator having a time delay switch normally closed on it in the cathode circuit of said oscillator, a capacitor in the anode circuit of the oscillator, a resistor and a second capacitor in series and shunted across the anode circuit, means for charging the said second capacitor upon firing the missile, said second capacitor discharging to cause the oscillator to initially function for a predetermined period of time, said switch opening at the termination of the initial period of time, said missle upon close proximity to the target causing a positive charge to be impressed upon the grid whereupon said oscillator again oscillates and cathode current passes through the detonator to detonate said missile.
Inventors
- 👤 Maurice Apstein
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 10:11
CPC Classifications
F; F42; F42C; F42C13/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
158 words
In an explosive missile having an electrostatically charged nose and body members insulated from each other, an electrostatic fuze comprising a thyratron relaxation oscillator, the thyratron switch of said oscillator having grid, anode and cold-cathode members, said grid member connected to said nose, a detonator having a time delay switch normally closed on it in the cathode circuit of said oscillator, a capacitor in the anode circuit of the oscillator, a resistor and a second capacitor in series and shunted across the anode circuit, means for charging the said second capacitor upon firing the missile, said second capacitor discharging to cause the oscillator to initially function for a predetermined period of time, said switch opening at the termination of the initial period of time, said missile upon close proximity to the target causing a positive charge to be impressed upon the grid whereupon said oscillator again oscillates and cathode current passes through the detonator to detonate said missile.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
158 words
In an explosive missile having an electrostatically charged nose and body members insulated from each other, an electrostatic fuze comprising a thyratron relaxation oscillator, the thyratron switch of said oscillator having grid, anode and cold-cathode members, said grid member connected to said nose, a detonator having a time delay switch normally closed on it in the cathode circuit of said oscillator, a capacitor in the anode circuit of the oscillator, a resistor and a second capacitor in series and shunted across the anode circuit, means for charging the said second capacitor upon firing the missile, said second capacitor discharging to cause the oscillator to initially function for a predetermined period of time, said switch opening at the termination of the initial period of time, said missile upon close proximity to the target causing a positive charge to be impressed upon the grid whereupon said oscillator again oscillates and cathode current passes through the detonator to detonate said missile.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
144 words
In an explosive missile having an electrostatically charged nose and body members insulated from each other, an electrostatic fuze comprising a thyratron relaxation oscillator, the thyratron switch of said oscillator having grid, anode and cold-cathode members, said grid member connected to said nose, a capacitor in the anode circuit of the oscillator, a resistor and a second capacitor in series and shunted across the anode circuit, means for charging the said second capacitor upon firing of the missile, said second capacitor discharging to cause the oscillator to initially function for a predetermined period of time, a time delay switch and detonator series connected between the second capacitor and anode, the time delay switch closing after said predetermined period of time has elapsed, said oscillator again functioning due to target influence upon said missile whereupon anode current passes through the detonator to detonate said missile.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
144 words
In an explosive missile having an electrostatically charged nose and body members insulated from each other, an electrostatic fuze comprising a thyratron relaxation oscillator, the thyratron switch of said oscillator having grid, anode and cold-cathode members, said grid member connected to said nose, a capacitor in the anode circuit of the oscillator, a resistor and a second capacitor in series and shunted across the anode circuit, means for charging the said second capacitor upon firing of the missile, said second capacitor discharging to cause the oscillator to initially function for a predetermined period of time, a time delay switch and detonator series connected between the second capacitor and anode, the time delay switch closing after said predetermined period of time has elapsed, said oscillator again functioning due to target influence upon said missile whereupon anode current passes through the detonator to detonate said missile.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
136 words
In combination with an explosive missile, an electrostatic fuze comprising a thyratron having anode, cathode and grid elements, a nose insulated from the body of said missile and serving as the antenna of said electrostatic fuze, said nose being electrically connected to said grid, said nose having an electrostatic charge placed thereon during the firing period of said missile, means for maintaining a potential between said anode and cathode of said thyratron nearly equal to the firing potential of said thyratron, said potential being sufficiently below said firing potential to prevent firing of said thyratron, and means responsive to the firing of said thyratron for detonating said missile, said thyratron being adapted to fire in response to the positive charge that is impressed on said grid when said nose comes within close proximity of a target.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
136 words
In combination with an explosive missile, an electrostatic fuze comprising a thyratron having anode, cathode and grid elements, a nose insulated from the body of said missile and serving as the antenna of said electrostatic fuze, said nose being electrically connected to said grid, said nose having an electrostatic charge placed thereon during the firing period of said missile, means for maintaining a potential between said anode and cathode of said thyratron nearly equal to the firing potential of said thyratron, said potential being sufficiently below said firing potential to prevent firing of said thyratron, and means responsive to the firing of said thyratron for detonating said missile, said thyratron being adapted to fire in response to the positive charge that is impressed on said grid when said nose comes within close proximity of a target.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2403567A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-06-16 | 1978-12-16 | 1979-06-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-06-16 | 1982-12-16 | 1983-06-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-06-16 | 1986-12-16 | 1987-06-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |