Fin disengagement device for limiting projectile range
US6540176B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 8, 2001 |
| Grant date | Apr 1, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 8, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF42B10/48
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A fin disengagement device for limiting the range of a projectile uses an electronic safe and arm circuit to sense launch and spin levels. Once armed, the stored energy from the electronic safe and arm circuit is dumped into an initiator or directly to explosive bolts. The initiator ignites an energetic material to separate the fin from the projectile in-flight at a predetermined time. Alternatively, the explosive bolts separate the fin from the projectile in-flight at a predetermined time. In the embodiments using an initiator and energetic material, an opening or cavity in the rear portion of the projectile body or rod adapter acts as a pressure chamber. When enough pressure has built up from the burning of the energetic material, the front hub of the fin section expands enough to disengage the threads and separates the fin section from the projectile body.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.