Warhead orientation device
AssigneeGeneral Dynamics, Pomona Division
InventorClair K. Lair
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A warhead orientation device and its use in a directional attack mine are disclosed. The device includes a warhead launchable in a "pop-up" mode from a launch tube. The launch tube and warhead have a cooperating pin and helical groove system which imparts spin to the warhead during ejection from the tube. A stationary "fly wheel" type mass is attached to the spinning warhead. A cooperating pin and straight groove system on the mass and tube prevent rotation of the mass during ejection. This combination of spinning warhead and decoupled stationary mass provide a stable platform in one axis. Thus, suitable sensors and firing mechanisms may be used to cause a directional firing mechanism in the warhead to fire in a selected direction after pop-up.
Claims10
A directional warhead capable of ejection from a launch tube comprising;
- a generally cylindrical body containing an explosive charge in one end thereof;
- at least one first guide pin extending outwardly from the cylindrical wall of said body adapted to engage at least one first groove in a warhead launch tube;
- a base plate mounted adjacent said body at the end opposite said explosive charge in said body, said base plate provided with an upper face having at least one thrust bearing;
- a shaft attached to said base plate;
- a stable mass revolubly coupled to said shaft by means permitting free relative rotation between said body and said mass around the axis of said body, said stable mass located adjacent said base plate against the upper face and said at least one thrust bearing of which said mass is forced by acceleration forces during warhead ejection;
- at least one second guide pin extending outwardly from said mass adapted to engage at least one second groove in said warhead launch tube;
- an electrical power source contained within said body;
- arming switch means connected to said power source for arming said warhead, said arming switch means arming detonating means for detonating said explosive charge in said warhead when the warhead has reached a predetermined height above a launch tube after ejection therefrom;
- and
- position sensing means connected to said power source for sensing a direction in which to detonate said explosive charge in said ejected warhead.
A directional attack mine comprising:
- a launch tube adapted to receive a directional warhead;
- means to eject said directional warhead from said tube;
- a directional warhead adapted to fit within said launch tube, said warhead comprising:
- a generally cylindrical body containing an explosive charge at one end thereof;
- at least one first guide pin extending outwardly from said body;
- at least one first groove in the inner wall of said tube adapted to receive said first pin;
- at least one second guide pin extending outwardly from said mass;
- at least one second groove in the inner wall of said tube adapted to receive said second pin;
- one of said first and second grooves being substantially parallel to the axis of said cylindrical body and the other lying at an angle to said axis;
- a base plate mounted adjacent said body at the end opposite said explosive charge in said body, said base plate provided with an upper face having at least one thrust bearing;
- a shaft attached to said base plate;
- a stable mass revolubly coupled to said shaft by means permitting free relative rotation between said body and said mass around the axis of said body, said mass located adjacent said base plate against the upper face and said at least one thrust bearing of which said mass is forced by acceleration forces during warhead ejection from said launch tube;
- an electrical power source contained within said body;
- arming switch means connected to said power source for arming said warhead, said arming switch means arming detonating means for detonating said explosive charge in said warhead when said warhead has reached a predetermined height above said launch tube after ejection therefrom;
- and
- position sensing means connected to said power source for sensing a direction in which to detonate said explosive charge in said ejected warhead.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.