RC time delay self-destruct fuze

An apparatus for post-launch self-neutralization of a projectile having a fused warhead including a stab detonator, the apparatus comprising:

• an electric power source;
• an electric detonator positioned sufficiently close to the stab detonator to initiate the stab detonator upon initiation of said electric detonator;
• a time delay switch circuit operatively interconnecting said power source and said electric detonator after a predetermined delay time for delivering power sufficient to initiate said electric detonator, each of said power source, said time delay switch circuit, and said electric detonator being configured for mounting in the projectile;
• and
• a shorting circuit electrically connected in parallel with said power source, said power source shorting circuit being activatable from a conducting state for times prior to launch to a non-conducting state for times following launch, the shorting circuit including a launch-induced setback-force activated switch, wherein the setback-force activated switch includes a conducting element and a movable weight element disposed to shear said conducting element when acted upon by launch-induced setback forces.

An apparatus for post-launch self-neutralization of a projectile having a fused warhead including a stab detonator and a launch-induced spin, the apparatus comprising:

• an electric power source;
• an electric detonator positioned sufficiently close to the stab detonator to initiate the stab detonator upon initiation of said electric detonator;
• a time delay switch circuit operatively interconnecting said sower source and said electric detonator after a predetermined delay time for delivering power sufficient to initiate said electric detonator, each of said power source, said time delay switch circuit, and said electric detonator being configured for mounting in the projectile;
• and
• a shorting circuit electrically connected in parallel with said power source and including a one-way spin switch, said power source shorting circuit being activatable from a conducting state for times prior to launch to a non-conducting state for times following launch, wherein said one-way spin switch includes a cantilevered contact element disposed in a position for conductively engaging said power source, said contact element configured to permanently deform into a conducting position when acted upon by launch-induced spin forces.

A method for post-launch self-neutralizing a projectile having a fused warhead including a stab detonator, the method including the steps of:

• a. providing in the projectile an electric power source and an electric detonator, the providing step including the substep of locating the electric detonator sufficiently close to the stab detonator to initiate the stab detonator upon the initiation of the electric detonator;
• b. activating the electric power source with launch-induced setback forces;
• and
• c. applying power from the electric power source to the electric detonator after a predetermined delay time to initiate the electric detonator.