US 4,145,972 A · Dual-mode warhead initiation system

Abstract

Dual-mode capability is provided in a warhead initiation system having an itiation transfer assembly and two, end booster plates. The initiation transfer assembly comprises five, separate lines of mild detonating cord (MDC) swaged together at one end in an acceptor manifold. Two MDCs of equal length terminate at each of the booster plates and the fifth, shorter MDC is directed to the center of the aft booster plate via an initiation mode selector which controls detonation propagation along this cord. The safety and arming mechanism of the warhead ignites the acceptor manifold, causing simultaneous initiation of the five MDCs. In the normal mode, a launch signal causes the initiation mode selector to extend a control barrier across the path of the shorter, fifth MDC to prevent faster propagation of detonation to the aft booster plate, thus resulting in dual-ended initiation of the warhead when both end plates are simultaneously ignited by the equal-length MDCs. For single-ended initiation, the mode selector is not actuated, thus permitting the aft booster plate to initiate sooner than the forward plate via the shorter, fifth MDC.

Claims13

Dependent claims

A dual-mode initiation system for use in explosive warheads for selectively causing substantially simultaneous initiation at two ends or only at one end of the explosive warhead comprising:

an initiation transfer device positioned approximate one end of the explosive warhead and having primary and secondary ignitors;
a plurality of detonator trains interconnecting said primary and secondary ignitors, including at least two trains of equal length and a third train of shorter length;
booster explosive means positioned adjacent said secondary ignitor;
an initiation mode selector interposed between the ends of the shorter detonator train for controlling propagation of detonation along this train;
and
activation means positioned adjacent said primary ignitor for ignition of said primary ignitor,
whereby the activation means ignites the primary ignitor, causing detonation fronts to simultaneously travel through said detonator trains, with the propagation of detonation front through the trains of equal length causing initiation of the explosive warhead at both ends by said booster explosive means and propagation of detonation front through the shorter train causing initiation of the warhead at one end prior to initiation at the other end.

4 more elements

In combination with an explosive warhead having an explosive charge and actuator means to control detonation of said charge, a dual-mode warhead initiation system for selectively causing substantially simultaneous initiation of both ends of said explosive charge or only at one end thereof which comprises:

an initiation transfer device positioned within and adjacent to one end of said explosive charge and having primary and secondary explosive ignitors;
a plurality of detonator trains interconnecting said primary and secondary ignitors, including at least two trains of equal length and a third train of shorter length, said third train terminating at the end of said explosive charge closest to said initiation transfer device;
booster explosive means positioned at the ends of said explosive charge and adjacent to said secondary ignitors;
and
an initiation mode selector interposed between the ends of said shorter detonator train for controlling propagation of detonation along this train,
whereby the actuator means ignites the primary ignitor, causing detonation fronts to simultanously travel through said detonator trains, with the propagation of detonation front through the trains of equal length causing initiation of said explosive charge at both ends by said booster explosive means and propagation of detonation front through the shorter train causing initiation of the warhead at one end prior to initiation at the other end.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Dual-mode warhead initiation system

Life of this patent

Dual-mode warhead initiation system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims13