Percussion fuse for exercise shells with early detonation prevention - ensuring that shells will not explode just forward of the firing position if obstacle is hit

摘要

A percussion fuse for an exercise projectile providing security against detonation just after the shell has left the barrel. The percussion fuse has stepped guidance paths (13) for two locking balls (14) over steps (9-12) in the outer wall of the impact body (6) and the inner wall of the shell (3). Only when the balls (14) reach the receptacles (15) in the shell is the fuse armed. After firing of the shell the balls must move into the receptacles which takes some 10-25m (adjustable). Before this if the shell hits an obstacle (e.g. a tree) the impact body (6) is thrown forward and the balls (14) locked in between one or other of the steps. The fuse needle (5) cannot strike the percussion cap (7) and the main charge (8) is not ignited. USE/ADVANTAGE - The percussion fuse is for use in exercise shells where it is undesirable that the shell may go off in the region just forward of the gun barrel, e.g. as may occur when it hits a tree branch. Once the safety mechanism has been triggered, i.e. the locking balls have been clamped, it is not possible for the impact body (6) to return to its initial position so that the shell will still not go off on a second impact, e.g. when it falls to the ground.