US2411788A - Bomb control system - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 26, 1946. J. H. HAMMOND, JR 2,411,738

BOMB CONTROL SYSTEM Filed Dec. 18, 1943 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 RADIO CONTROL APPARATUS TIME 48 MECH EXPLOSQVE INVENTOR JOHN HAYs HAMMOND,JR.

Nov. 26, 1946. J. H. HAMMOND, JR 2,411,788

BOMB CONTROL SYSTEM Filed Dec. 18, 1943 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 a SUBAUDIBLE L c OSCILLATOR Monun.ATo& 45 OSCILLATOR AMPLlFlER RADIO c RELAY TUBE. 55

SELECTOR RECEIVER "AND RELAY '36 l l I an as 34 POWER PACK 0 INVENTOR ?aiente 2a 1 non/m CONTROL SYSTEM John Hays Hammond, J12, Gloucester, Mass, assignor to Radio Corporation of America Application December 18, 1943, Serial No. 51%,747

8 Claims. 1

This invention relates to the detonation of bombs by radiant energy and more particularly to the radio detonation or a plurality of bombs simultaneously.

The invention also provides means for making the detonating mechanism of the bomb inactive for a predetermined time after the bomb has been released.

The invention further provides means for making the radio receiver in the bomb active only during certain predetermined hours of the day for several consecutive days.

The invention also provides means for explodingthe bomb automatically at the end of a predetermined time which is preferably several days.

The invention further provides means for automatically exploding the bomb if it is disturbed in the slightest from the position in which it came to rest after hitting the target. 1

The invention also consists in certain new and original features of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter set forth and claimed.

Although the novel features which are believed to be characteristic of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims appended hereto, the invention itself, as to its objects and advantages, the mode of its operation and the manner of its organization may be better understood by referring to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, in which Figure 1 is a section thru the bomb showing the control mechanisms;

Figure 2 illustrates diagrammatically the transmitting circuits on the plane;

Figure 3 illustrates diagrammatically the receiving circuits located in the bomb;

Figure 4 is an enlarged plan view of the sensitive mechanism for detonating the bomb if disturbed; and

Figure 5 is an enlarged sectional view of part of the mechanism shown in Fig. 4.

Like reference characters denote like parts in the several figures of the drawings.

In the following description parts will be identified by specific names for convenience, but they are intended to be as generic in their application to similar parts as the art will permit.

Referring to the accompanying drawings and more particularly to Fig. 1 a bomb H is provided with a steel casing l2 to which is attached a hemispherical casing l3 made of plastic or other non-metallic material. Suitable vanes '4 are 2 provided for guiding the bomb in its flight. The interior of the bomb is divided into three compartments l5, I6 and H by means of two trans* verse bulkheads l8 and W.

In the compartment [Sis the explosive charge 2| and a detonator 22. Between the bulkheads I8 and I9 is mounted a cylinder 22' in which slides a cylindrical casing 23. The space between the base of the casing 23 and the bulkhead I8 is filled with sponge rubber 24 or other shock absorbing material.

In the casing 23 is mounted a radio control apparatus 25, a time mechanism 26 and a contact device 21. The radio control apparatus 25 is connected by a flexible conductor 28 to an antenna 29 mounted inside the casing H3. The antenna may be of any suitable non-directive construction and may, if desired, be embedded in the plastic material.

The radio control apparatus 25, see Fig. 3, may comprise a radio receiver 3|, to which the antenna 29 is connected, a power pack 32, a selector 33 and a relay tube and relay 34. The contacts of the relay 34 are connected to two terminals 35 and 36. The power pack 32 may include a battery 31 and is connected to two terminals 38 and 39.

A suitable transmitter may be provided on the airplane, see Fig. 2, which includes a subaudible oscillator 4|, a key 42, 3. modulator 43, an oscillator amplifier 44 and an antenna system 45.

The time mechanism 26 includes three discs 46, 41 and 48 (Fig. 1), which rotate at varying speeds. For example, the disc 46 may make one revolution in four hours, the disc 41 one revolution in twenty-four hours and the disc 48 one revolution in four days. The disc 46 is provided with a pin 49 and the discs 41 and 48 are provided with conducting sectors 5! and 52 respectively.

Engaging the pin 49 is an arm of conducting material 53 which is pivoted at 54. A spring 55 tends to move this arm to the left. Co-operating with the arm 53 are two contacts 56 and 51.

Engaging the discs 41 and 48 are two pairs of contacts 5859 and 6l62 respectively.

, The contact mechanism 21 comprises a hemispherical bowl 63 (Figs. 1, 4 and 5) provided with a top 64, the bowl and top being made of nonconducting material. The bowl is secured to a ring 65 which is pivotally mounted in a gimbal ring 66, which in turn is pivotally mounted in brackets 61.

Secured to the ring 65 is a pivot 66, rotatably mounted in the gimbal ring 66, to the end of 3 which is secured a friction disc 88, see Fig. 5. Mounted on a bracket II, which is secured to the gimbal ring 88, is a solenoid I2 provided with a core I3. Secured to the core I3 is a collar I4 between which and the solenoid I2 is mounted a compression spring 15. Mounted on the gimbal ring 88 is a spring I8, which is held out of engagement with the friction disc 88 by means of the core I3. A weight I8 mounted on the gimbal ring 88 counterbalances the weight of the solenoid I2, etc.

Secured to the gimbal ring 88 is a pivot 11 where a similar construction is provided including a spring I8 which is controlled by a solenoid I8. The winding of the solenoid I2 is connected by a flexible conductor 8| to one side of a battery 83 and by a flexible conductor 82 to the contact 51. The other side of the battery 83 is connected by a conductor 88 to the arm 53. The winding of the solenoid I8 is connected by branch conductors 84 and 85 to the conductors 8| and 82 respectively.

Mounted in the top 84 of the bowl 83 are four contacts 88 which are connected together and by a flexible conductor 81 to the arm 53. The bowl 83 is filled with mercury 88 or other conducting liquid, to a level just below the contacts 88. Projecting into the mercury 88 is an electrode 89 which is connected by a flexible conductor 8| to the terminal 35. The terminal 38 is connected by a conductor 82 to the contact 58 and the terminals 38 and 38 are connected by conductors 83 and 84 to the contacts 58 and 58 respectively. The contacts 8| and 82 are connected by branch conductors 85 and 88 to the conductors 8| and 82, respectively, which in turn are connected by flexible conductors 87 and 88 and a battery 88 to the detonator 22. 4

In the operation of this invention when the bomb H is released from the airplane the time mechanism 28 is started by any suitable means not shown. When the bomb strikes the target it will not explode, as the circuit to the detonator 22 is open at the contact 58. The sponge rubber 24 will absorb the shock of striking the target so that the mechanisms in the casing 23 will not be damaged. After the bomb has come to rest the contact device 21 will assume a horizontal position, as it is suspended in the gimbal ring 88.

After a predetermined interval of time has elapsed, for example four hours, the disc 48 together with the pin 48 will have rotated sufliciently in a clockwise direction, as indicated by the arrow, to release the arm 53, which will be moved to the left under the action of the spring 55, thus engaging the contacts 58 and 51. This will close a circuit from the battery 83 thru the solenoids I2 and I8, the cores of which will be retracted, thus releasing the springs I8 and I8 which will clamp the contact device 21 in whatever horizontal position it has assumedwith respect to the bomb H. In this position the contacts 88 will be just clear of the surface of the mercury 88.,

If any attempt is made to tamper with the bomb and it is moved ever so slightly from the position in' which it came to rest the mercury 88 will engageone of the contacts 88 thus completing a circuit from the battery 88 conductors 81 and 8|, electrode 88, mercury 88, contact 88, conductor 81, arm 53, contact 58 and conductors 82 and 88 to the detonator 22 which is exploded thus causing the detonation of the explosive charge 2|.

If the bomb is not thus exploded the disc 41 will rotate in a clockwise direction, as indicated by the arrow, until the segment 5| engages the contacts 58 and 58 which will close the circuit of the battery 31 of the'power pack 32. This will put the whole radio control apparatus 25 into a sensitive condition ready to receive signals from the transmitter shown in Fig. 2. This energization may be initiated, for example 20 hours after the bomb has been dropped and may last, for example, for a period of four hours. This active period'will recur each 'day for a predetermined interval of time for a period of several days.

If during this active period a predetermined signal is transmitted from the airplane and is received by the antenna 28 of radio control apparatus 25 will cause the relay circuit 34 to be closed thus completing a circuit from the battery 88, conductors 81 and 8| to terminal 35. relay 34, terminal 38, conductors 82 and 88 to the detonator 22, which will be exploded, thus detonating the explosive charge 2|.

In this way, all of the bombs, which may have been planted during several bombing raids over a period of several days, may be exploded simultaneously. I

The type of radio transmitter depicted in Fig.

i 2 is assumed to produce a high frequency carrier wave, which is modulated at a lower frequency, which for example may be a subaudible frequency. The receiver shown in Fig. 3 is of a type suitable to selectively receive this signal and cause the operation of the relay 34. It is to be understood, however, that the radio system is not to be limited to this particular type, but may be of any suitable'design and construction.

It the bomb is not exploded by radio after a predetermined period, which, for example may be four days, the disc 48 will have rotated in a clockwise direction, as indicated by the arrow, so that the segment 52 will engage the contacts 8| and 82, This will close a circuit from the battery 88, conductors 8! and 85, contact 8|, segment 52, contact 82, conductors 88 and 88 to the detonator 22 which will be exploded, thus detonatlng the explosive charge 2|.

It is thus seen that a system is provided in which salvos of bombs may be planted on targets on successive days and then all exploded simultaneously by a remote radio signal thus producing a much greater destructive eifect than if each of the bombs exploded at the time it struck the target. If, for any reason, it is not possible to explode the bombs by radio they will be automatically exploded at the end of the predetermined period. Meanwhile any attempt to tamper with or remove the bomb will cause it to explode.

Although only a specific formin which this invention may be embodied has been shown herein, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to any specific construction but may be embodied in various forms without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined by the v appended claims.

What is'claimed is:

1. A bomb comprising a detonator, an electric actuating circuit therefor including a liquid switch means adapted to be closed in response to tilting from a horizontal position, means mounting said liquid switch means for universal movement, gravity actuated means to cause said liquid switch means to assume a horizontal position, means initially holding said actuating circuit open, and time-controlled means actuated after said bomb comes to rest to lock said mounting means against further movement relative to said bomb and to close said actuating circuit; to said liquid switch means, whereby movement of said bomb thereafter will close said liquid switch means and operate said detonator.

2. A bomb comprising a detonator, an electric actuating circuit therefor including a mercury switch adapted to be closed in response to tilting from a horizontal position, gimbal means mounting said switch for universal movement, gravity actuated means to cause said switch to assume a horizontal position, a time switch initially holding said actuating circuit open, and time-controlled means operative after said bomb comes to rest to close said time switch and to lock said gimbal means against further movement relative to said bomb, whereby movement of said bomb thereafter will close said mercury switch and uperate said detonator,

3. A bomb comprising a detonator, an electric actuating circuit therefor including a liquid switch adapted to be closed inresponse to tilting from a horizontal position, means mounting said switch for universal movement, gravity actuated means to cause said switch to assume a horizontal position, a normally open contact in circuit with said liquid switch, time-controlled means closing said last contact and locking said liquid switch against further movement relative to said bomb whereby movement of said bomb thereafter will close said liquid switch and operate said detonator, a radio receiver including a relay connected to close said actuating circuit, said receiver having means responsive to a predetermined received radio signal to energize said relay, time-controlled means for rendering said receiver operative to receive radio waves periodically for predetermined intervals of time whereby said bomb will be exploded upon reception of said predetermined signal during said operative periods, and additional time-controlled means connected to close said actuating circuit to operate said detonator after a predetermined number of such operative periods.

4. A bomb comprising a detonator, an electric circuit for firing the detonator, a first time-controlled means for conditioning the detonator cir-' cuit to be energized upon the movement of the bomb from its position of rest, a second timecontrolled means for conditioning the detonator circuit to be energized upon receipt of a control signal from a remote point, and a third timecontrolled means for conditioning the detonator circuit to be energized after the lapse of a predetermined time interval.

5. A bomb comprising a. detonator, an electric circuit for firing the detonator, a first time-controlled means for conditioning the detonator circuit to be energized upon the movement of the bomb from its position of rest after its release, a second time-controlled means for conditioning the detonator circuit to be energized during predetermined time intervals upon receipt of a control signal from a remote point, and a third timecontrolled means for conditioning the detonator circuit to be energized at the termination of a predetermined number of such time intervals.

6. A bomb comprising a detonator, an electric circuit for firing the detonator, a plurality of switches selectively operable each to energize said circuit, means for conditioning the detonator circuit to be closed through one of said switches upon movement of the bomb from its position of rest, time-controlled means for closing the detonator circuit through a second of said switches upon the receipt of a radio control signal, and other time-controlled means for closing the detonator circuit through a third of said switches after the lapse of a predetermined time interval in the absence of a control signal.

7. A bomb comprising a detonator, an electric circuit for firing the detonator, a plurality of switches selectively operable at predetermined times each to energize said circuit, means for actuating one of said switches to thereby condition the detonator circuit to be energized upon movement of the bomb from its position of rest, the detonator circuit upon the receipt of a radio control signal, means for actuating another or said switches to close the detonator circuit after the lapse, of a predetermined time interval in the absence of a control signal, and time mechanism controlling the operation of said switch actuating means in a predetermined time sequence.

8. A bomb comprising a detonator, an electric circuit for firing the detonator. a plurality of switches selectively operable at predetermined times each to energize said circuit, means ior actuating one of said switches to thereby condition the detonator circuit to be energized upon movement of the bomb from its position of rest, a radio receiver having a relay which operates upon receipt of a predetermined radio signal to actuate another of said switches to close the detonator circuit, means for actuating another of said switches to close the detonator circuit after the lapse of a predetermined time interval in the absence of a control signal, and time mechanism controlling the operation of said switch actuating means in a predetermined time sequence.

JOHN HAYS HAMMOND. JR.

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