US3949674A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Operation of fragment core warhead
Assignee: United States Department of the Navy
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Filing: 1965-10-22
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Granted: 1976-04-13
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Expires: 1985-10-22
Abstract
Abstract A cylindrical warhead having a central core of fragments and a radially sented burst charge encompassing the fragment core. A plurality of separation charges are disposed between the burst charge segments and function to remove without detonating the charge segments oriented toward the target whereby the fragment core has an unimpeded path toward the target when the remaining segments are detonated.
Inventors
- 👤 James C. Talley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 12:31
CPC Classifications
F; F42; F42B; F42B12/00; F42B12/02; F42B12/20; F42B12/22; F42B12/36; F42B12/56; F42B12/58; F42B12/60
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
97 words
A warhead for a guided missile comprising a fragmentation core; a radially segmented burst charge surrounding said fragmentation core, each segment of said segmented burst charge being adapted to be folded outwardly from said core; and means for folding a predetermined pair of adjacent segments of said segmented burst charge outwardly from said core, whereby upon the folding outwardly of said predetermined pair of adjacent segments, the subsequent explosion of the remaining segments of said segmented burst charge will cause said fragmentation core to be propelled through the space vacated by said predetermined pair of adjacent segments.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
97 words
A warhead for a guided missile comprising a fragmentation core; a radially segmented burst charge surrounding said fragmentation core, each segment of said segmented burst charge being adapted to be folded outwardly from said core; and means for folding a predetermined pair of adjacent segments of said segmented burst charge outwardly from said core, whereby upon the folding outwardly of said predetermined pair of adjacent segments, the subsequent explosion of the remaining segments of said segmented burst charge will cause said fragmentation core to be propelled through the space vacated by said predetermined pair of adjacent segments.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
63 words
The structure of claim 1 wherein said means for folding comprises a plurality of separation charges, each separation charge being positioned between and in aligment with an adjacent pair of segments of said segmented burst charge, whereby the firing of one of said plurality of separation charges will cause said adjacent pair of segments to be separated and folded out of said warhead.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The structure of claim 2 wherein each of said separating charges comprise a sheet explosive sandwiched between said adjacent pair of burst charge segments and extending longitudinally for the entire length thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
77 words
The structure of claim 3 wherein said warhead further comprises a protective cover surrounding and enclosing said warhead and wherein each of said separation charges includes a shaped charge section located on the outer edge thereof extending longitudinally for the entire length thereof, whereby explosion of said separation charge will cause said shaped charge section to cut open said protective cover for its entire length allowing said pair of adjacent burst charge segments to be folded out.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
99 words
A warhead for guided missiles comprising a cylindrical fragmentation core; a cylindrical radially segmented burst charge coaxially disposed about said fragmentation core, each segment being adapted to be folded outwardly from said core; and a plurality of sheet explosive separation charges interposed between and aligned with adjacent segments of said segmented burst charge, each of said separation charges being adapted to fold the pair of adjacent segments of said burst charge outward from said core, whereby the firing of a single separating charge will cause the adjacent pair of burst charge segments to be folded outwardly from said core.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
99 words
A warhead for guided missiles comprising a cylindrical fragmentation core; a cylindrical radially segmented burst charge coaxially disposed about said fragmentation core, each segment being adapted to be folded outwardly from said core; and a plurality of sheet explosive separation charges interposed between and aligned with adjacent segments of said segmented burst charge, each of said separation charges being adapted to fold the pair of adjacent segments of said burst charge outward from said core, whereby the firing of a single separating charge will cause the adjacent pair of burst charge segments to be folded outwardly from said core.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
85 words
The structure of claim 5 wherein said warhead further comprises a cylindrical protective cover coaxially disposed about said segmented burst charge and enclosing said warhead and wherein each of said separation charges includes a shaped charge section located on the outer edge thereof and extending longitudinally for the entire length thereof, whereby explosion of said separation charge will cause said shaped charge section to cut open said protective cover for its entire length allowing said pair of adjacent burst charge segments to be folded out.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
78 words
A method for aiming the destructive fragments of a warhead having a center fragmentation core surrounded by a burst charge comprising folding outwardly from the core that segment of the burst charge nearest the target; and exploding the remainder of the burst charge whereby the force of the explosion will cause the fragmentation core to be moved in the direction of the target through the area vacated by that segment of the burst charge which was folded outwardly.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
78 words
A method for aiming the destructive fragments of a warhead having a center fragmentation core surrounded by a burst charge comprising folding outwardly from the core that segment of the burst charge nearest the target; and exploding the remainder of the burst charge whereby the force of the explosion will cause the fragmentation core to be moved in the direction of the target through the area vacated by that segment of the burst charge which was folded outwardly.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
105 words
A method for aiming the destructive fragments of a warhead having a center fragmentation core surrounded by a burst charge and a protective cover comprising cutting the protective cover open for its entire length at that point closest to the target; folding outwardly from the core that segment of the burst charge which is adjacent to the opening in the protective cover; and exploding the remainder of the burst charge, whereby the force of the explosion will cause the fragmentation core to be moved in the direction of the target through the area vacated by the segment of the burst charge which was folded outwardly.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
105 words
A method for aiming the destructive fragments of a warhead having a center fragmentation core surrounded by a burst charge and a protective cover comprising cutting the protective cover open for its entire length at that point closest to the target; folding outwardly from the core that segment of the burst charge which is adjacent to the opening in the protective cover; and exploding the remainder of the burst charge, whereby the force of the explosion will cause the fragmentation core to be moved in the direction of the target through the area vacated by the segment of the burst charge which was folded outwardly.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-04-13 | 1979-10-13 | 1980-04-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-04-13 | 1983-10-13 | 1984-04-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-04-13 | 1987-10-13 | 1988-04-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |