Delay fuse

摘要

An impact delay fuse for a spin launched shell for delaying detonation of the explosive charge of the shell until after impact of the shell with a target. The impact delay fuse includes a hollow housing adapted to be positioned in the shell for rotation therewith in a first direction about a shell spin axis when the shell is launched, a detonation means for detonating the explosive charge of the shell, a rotatable locking member coaxially mounted within the housing for locking the detonation means in a loaded position, and a sensing and firing mechanism for controlling rotation of the locking member to move the locking member to a release position to release the detonation means to detonate the explosive charge of the shell. The sensing and firing mechanism comprises an inertia member and inertia mounting means for mounting the inertia member coaxially in the housing to rotate with the housing in the first direction when the shell is launched and to rotate the inertia member in the first direction relative to the housing when the shell impacts with the target. Inertia bias means biases the inertia member for rotation in a second direction, opposite to the first direction, relative to the housing and coupling means engage the locking member with the inertia member for rotation therewith only when the inertia member is rotated in the second direction relative to the housing. A time delay device is also provided for preventing movement of the inertia member relative to the housing for a predetermined period after launch to prevent premature detonation of the shell.