US4320704A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electronic projectile fuse
Assignee: Dynamit Nobel AG
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Filing: 1974-08-01
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Granted: 1982-03-23
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Expires: 1994-08-01
Abstract
Abstract An electronic switch for projectiles includes a circuit with a source of electric energy which is switched in when the projectile is discharged. The circuit includes an adjustable time-delay device for the explosion of the projectile, a device for preventing muzzle burst, and a self-destruct arrangement. The exploding fuse is connected to the source of energy by an impact or a proximity switch. The self-destruct arrangement is settable by cooperating cells carried by the projectile and by the barrel of the gun.
Inventors
- 👤 Heinz Gawlick
- 👤 Uwe Brede
- 👤 Hellmut Bendler
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 21:21
CPC Classifications
F; F42; F42C; F42C17/00; F42C17/04; F42C11/00; F42C11/06; F42C11/065; F42C9/00; F42C9/14; F42C9/148
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
100 words
Electronic fuse for projectiles having a switch, a detonator and an explosive charge, said fuse comprising a source of electrical energy, means responsive to discharge of the projectile to render said energy source operative, a control mechanism for preventing muzzle burst, an adjustable mechanism for determining the time delay of explosion and a programmable self-destruct mechanism, all said mechanisms being connected to said energy source, said mechanisms being provided with control elements and formed as self-contained units, the control mechanism including an electronic integrated circuit having an anode-cathode connection with a thyristor in the anode-cathode connection and a trigger diode.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
100 words
Electronic fuse for projectiles having a switch, a detonator and an explosive charge, said fuse comprising a source of electrical energy, means responsive to discharge of the projectile to render said energy source operative, a control mechanism for preventing muzzle burst, an adjustable mechanism for determining the time delay of explosion and a programmable self-destruct mechanism, all said mechanisms being connected to said energy source, said mechanisms being provided with control elements and formed as self-contained units, the control mechanism including an electronic integrated circuit having an anode-cathode connection with a thyristor in the anode-cathode connection and a trigger diode.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
79 words
Electronic fuse for projectiles having a switch, a detonator and an explosive charge, said fuse comprising a source of electrical energy, means responsive to discharge of the projectile to render said energy source operative, a control mechanism for preventing muzzle burst, an adjustable mechanism for determining the time delay of explosion and a programmable self-destruct mechanism, all said mechanisms being connected to said energy source, the source of electrical energy being a battery provided with a direct voltage transformer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
79 words
Electronic fuse for projectiles having a switch, a detonator and an explosive charge, said fuse comprising a source of electrical energy, means responsive to discharge of the projectile to render said energy source operative, a control mechanism for preventing muzzle burst, an adjustable mechanism for determining the time delay of explosion and a programmable self-destruct mechanism, all said mechanisms being connected to said energy source, the source of electrical energy being a battery provided with a direct voltage transformer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
136 words
Electronic fuse for projectiles having a switch, a detonator and an explosive charge, said fuse comprising a source of electrical energy, means responsive to discharge of the projectile to render said energy source operative, a control mechanism for preventing muzzle burst, an adjustable mechanism for determining the time delay of explosion and a programmable self-destruct mechanism, all said mechanisms being connected to said energy source, said fuse including a firing condenser, said muzzle burst preventing mechanism including means to connect said condenser to the energy source after the passage of a predetermined time from discharge of the projectile, whereby the energy for firing the detonator is stored in the condenser, said connecting means including a resistance means connected in parallel to the firing condenser to cause the firing current to decrease according to an exponential function.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
136 words
Electronic fuse for projectiles having a switch, a detonator and an explosive charge, said fuse comprising a source of electrical energy, means responsive to discharge of the projectile to render said energy source operative, a control mechanism for preventing muzzle burst, an adjustable mechanism for determining the time delay of explosion and a programmable self-destruct mechanism, all said mechanisms being connected to said energy source, said fuse including a firing condenser, said muzzle burst preventing mechanism including means to connect said condenser to the energy source after the passage of a predetermined time from discharge of the projectile, whereby the energy for firing the detonator is stored in the condenser, said connecting means including a resistance means connected in parallel to the firing condenser to cause the firing current to decrease according to an exponential function.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
Electronic fuses as claimed in claim 3, in which said self-destruct mechanism includes a coil in which current can be induced by a magnetic field producing means at the muzzle of a gun.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
Electronic fuses as claimed in claim 4, in which the self-destruct mechanism includes a diode connected to said coil, a condenser, and a field effect transistor connecting said diode and said condenser of said self-destruct mechanism.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
Electronic fuses as claimed in claim 4, in which the self-destruct mechanism includes a diode connected to said coil, a condenser and a zener diode connecting said diode and said condenser of said self-destruct mechanism.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
Electronic fuses as claimed in claim 4, in which said coil conforms in shape to the outer surface of the projectile.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
100 words
Electronic fuse for projectiles having a switch, a detonator and an explosive charge, said fuse comprising a source of electrical energy, means responsive to discharge of the projectile to render said energy source operative, a control mechanism for preventing muzzle burst, an adjustable mechanism for determining the time delay of explosion and a programmable self-destruct mechanism, all said mechanisms being connected to said energy source, means independent of the energy source for programming the self-destruct mechanism, said programming means including a coil in which current can be induced by a magnetic field producing means at the muzzle of a gun.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
100 words
Electronic fuse for projectiles having a switch, a detonator and an explosive charge, said fuse comprising a source of electrical energy, means responsive to discharge of the projectile to render said energy source operative, a control mechanism for preventing muzzle burst, an adjustable mechanism for determining the time delay of explosion and a programmable self-destruct mechanism, all said mechanisms being connected to said energy source, means independent of the energy source for programming the self-destruct mechanism, said programming means including a coil in which current can be induced by a magnetic field producing means at the muzzle of a gun.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1985-03-22 | 1985-09-21 | 1986-03-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-03-22 | 1989-09-21 | 1990-03-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-03-22 | 1993-09-21 | 1994-03-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |