US2642778A - Fuze setting apparatus - Google Patents

Description

l"June 23, r1953 A E. F. CAMPBELL ETAL 2,542,778

FUSE SETTING APPARATUS Filed May 9, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. l

INVENTORS ERNEST E GMPBELL GERALD W. KNZELMN BY ARTNU? J. STANTON ATTORNEY June 23,1953 E. F. CAMPBELL mL 2,642,718

FUSE SETTING APPARATUS Filed May 9, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 2

\ lee Zi T nlm ,50 ,60 ,52 ,7, l

llllll 160A 162 /sa /70 l f l mvENToRs l En/vssr F. @AM/asu I6 0 GERALD w. lr//vzEL/IMN FIG. 2A BY Aer/1w? srA/vroN ATTORNEY E. F. CAMPBELL rsf-AL' FUSE SETTING APPARATUS.

June 23', 1953 5 Sheetssheet 5 Filed May 9, 1945 June 23, 1953 E. F. CAMPBELL ETAL FUSE SETTING APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed May 9, 1945 INVENTORS ERNEST GAMPBELL GERALD W. K/NZELMAN BY AB77/UR J. STA/V70 ATTORNEY June 23, 1953 E. F. @MPa-:LL mi. 2,642,778

FUSE SETTING APPARATUS v vv D5 @s 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed may 9. 1945 ERNEST F' GMPBELL ELMAN Aar/1w? .1. STANTON ATTORNEY` Patented June 23, 1953 FUZE SETTING APPARATUS kErnest F. Campbell, Springeld, Va., Gerald W.

,Kinzelmam Washington, D. C., Stanton, Bethesda, Md. y

and Arthur J.

Application May 9, 1945, Serial No. 592,808 Y 12 Claims. (Cl. 8f3-6.5) (Granted Under Title 35, U. S. Code (1952), sec. 266) rllhis invention relates to major caliber guns employing semi-fixed ammunition and intended to be effective for both anti-aircraft and surface fire, and more especially to improvements in fuze setting mechanism for use with such guns.

In an application filed November` 28, 1942, SerialNo. 467,182 of George A. Chadwick, et al., there is described and illustrated, a gun of the type with which our invention is intended to be used. One feature of the invention described therein resides in a combination of elements which includes a tray fastened to the slide of the gun adapted to receive ammunition, a stop arranged to engage the ammunition and a fuze setting mechanism adapted to be moved long1- tudinally of the tray to engage the ammunition at the forward or loading-end of the tray to set the fuze and thereafter to move the ammunition from the forward position rearwardly to a position in which it is subsequently moved transversely of the gun to a ramming position. The fuze setting mechanism included a socket, for the reception of `the nose of the ammunition, a portion of which is movable with respect to another portion and associated with the socket are means adapted to engage Vlugs on the nose and the fuze ring, respectively. One of the aforesaid means is fixed and the other is movable with the movable portion of the socket to engage the lug on the nose and to rotate it with respect to the fuze ring, thereby to set it at any desired predetermined position. As thusdescribed and in previous similar devices, the ammunition must be loaded into the tray with suicient care to assure engagement of the xed means with the lug on the nose of the ammunition.

It is an object of this invention to provide an improved fuze setting mechanism which will be operative irrespective of how the ammunition 1s placed in the tray, which will be rugged and which may be installed in the gun assembly referred to above with a minimum of modication. p

AAs illustrated herein, one feature of the invention resides in a mechanism for rotating the nose of the ammunition with respect to the fuze ring, thereby to establish a given fuze setting including relatively movable elements adapted to engage respectively, slots in the nose and the i fuze ring, and means for effecting relative movement between the elements to produce an ultimate predetermined angular distance between the elements thereby to produce an ultimate predetermined angular distance -between the slots regardless of the initial position of the slotswith 2 respect to the elements. More specifically, there are annular concentrically disposed members adapted to receive the nose of the ammunition and with which there are associated latches adapted to engage these slots in the nose and the fuze ring of the ammunition, the latches being movable in opposite directions, relative to each other. The vlatches are normally spring pressed inwardly of the inner surface of the annular members, but are capable of being moved to a position iiush with the surface of the annular members, by the entrance of the nose of the ammunition into the annular members. When rotation of the annular members takes place, and the latches are brought opposite the aforesaid slots, they automatically snap into the slots. The one of the latches which drops into the slot in the fuze ring will immediately cease rotation because of the weight of the ammunition which resists rotation, whereupon the other latch, which engages the nose, moves twice as fast due to differential gearing employed for rotation of the members. This latter latch is constructed upon resistance to rotation, for instance, due to failure of the nose to turn, to be disengaged from the slot in the nose,.thereby to prevent damage to the mechanism. The latches are mounted on the annular members which are rotated relative to each other by the aforesaid diiferential gearing, the latter being adapted to be driven by ,pins which engage a pair of grooves formed in a shaft. The grooves comprise a helical portion and a straight portion, the straight portion being located at the rear end of the shaft. The aforesaid annular members and associated latches constitute the fuze setter and rotation of the aforesaid pins to engage the latches with the slots and set the fuze is accomplished by a combination of movement of the fuze setter longitudinally of the shaft and rotation of the shaft. The movement of the fuze setter, and hence, the pins along the helical portions of the grooves in the shaft effects engagement of the latches with the slots in the nose and fuze ring and to insure such engagement, the length of the helical portions of the grooves is designed so that movement of the pins from one end to the other by movement of the fuze setter along the shaft will cause the latches to be moved through at least 360 of rotation in opposite directions after engagement with the slots in the nose and fuze ring. The fuze setting is accomplished by rotation of the shaft in response to orders fed in from an indicator regulator coincidently with the rearward movement of the fuze setter which rotates the pins to cause a displacement of the latches by an amount corresponding to the desired fuze setting. Contin- Afurther rotation of the shaft. A chain is provided for moving the fuze setter from its loading position to its firing position along the shaftand the shaft is operably connected to. an indicator regulator and is rotated thereby in response tov orders set into the indicator regulator in the usual manner.

The details of the aforesaid construction will now be described with reference. to the a-ccompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of our improved" fuze setting mechanism partly in section;

Fig. 2 is a vertical section through the fuze settingmechanism on the line 2-2 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 2a is a fragmentary section of the fuze setter drive shaft showing the straight portion of the rear end thereof;

Fig. 3 is an elevational View of the back side of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is an end elevation view from the left side of Fig. 2, parts being shown in section;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary section on the line 5 5 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a section on the line 6-6 of Fig. 2; Fig. 7 is a section on the line 'i-T of Fig. 2; Fig. 8 is a section on the line 8--8 of Fig. 7; Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a spring clip; Fig. 10 is a section on the line Ill-I6 of Fig. 2; Fig. 1l is a section on the line I I-I I of Fig. 2; Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the gun showing the fuze setting apparatus attached to the ammunition tray of a gun assembly of the type withVY which it isused; and

' Fig. 13 isa side view partly in section showing the fuze setting'mechanism at the forward end of the gun.

The fuze setting mechanism of the present invention is used in' conjunction with the dual purpose gun, a perspective view of which is shown in Fig. 12, which forms thesubject matter of an application filed in the name of George A. Chadwick, et al., Serial No. 467,182, filed November As shown herein, referring specica'lly to Fig. 12, the fuze setting mechanism i8 is mounted for movement longitudinally of a tray I2 which is fastened to the gun slide lll in such a position that it tilts with the slide Id' about the gun trunnion, not shown. The longitudinal center line of the tray i2 lies in a vertical plane parallel to the bore of the gun. As will be seen by reference to Fig. 12, the ammunition consists of a projectile 2D and a powder case 22 which are placed in the tray with the base 2d of the projectile against the mouth of the powder case. A stop 26 which is normally locked in a forward position engages the base of the powder case and prevents it from sliding rearwardly when the gun is elevated. The stop is adapted to be'moved rearwardly with the ammunition as the latter is moved rearwardly in the `tray to the dotted line position, shown in Fig. l2, from which position the ammunition is'then moved transversely of the gun to a position behind the breechV from which it may be rammed into the breech of the gun. The projectile is supported in the tray I2 onY a slide 32, Figs. 4 and 13, and the latter and the fuze setting mechanism which is fastened thereto as will appear hereinafter, are moved rearwardly of the tray I2 by a sprocket and chain 4d and 46. Y

Referring Vto Fig. 1, therefis shown in somewhat more detail, the projectile 2|).A The projectile 28 comprises a body 36, and a time fuze consisting of a fuze ring 38 and nose 46, the fuze ring having formed therein a slot 42 and the nose having'formed therein a slot 244. A scale 246, graduated in' seconds of time is formed on the fuze ring and by rotation of the nose with respectto the fuze ring, the fuze may be set to causethe projectile to explode at the end of any given length of time.

The rotation of the nose 40 to accomplish setting the fuze to go off at a predetermined time visaccomplished herein by the fuze setting mechanism I0 which is shown in detail in Figs. 1 and 2. The fuze setting mechanism as shown in Figs. l and 2 comprises a housing 48 which is fastened to the projectile slide 32', by a strap 5D and cap 5I. The slide 32` is mounted for sliding' movement along the tray I2. Flanges 53 and 55i are formed on the strap andcap and through .these flanges are passed bolts 51 by' which the cap may be fastenedA to the strap to clamp the housing to the slide, Fig. 5. yAs illustrated, the tray I21is provided with oppositely disposed parallel grooves I3, Fig. 4.-, adapted slidably to` receive oppositely disposed tongues 33 formed on the slide 32.

The housing 48 is substantially cylindrical and has a cylindrical chamber 54, Fig; 2, therein', adapted to receive a pair of substantially conical members V56 and 58V- for rotation therein, the members 56 and 58`being concentrically arranged and adapted to rotate about a common axis. The conical member 56 is supportedffor rotation in the housing 48 by a ball bearing assembly 60'. Theforward end of the conical member 56 has formed integral therewith, a bevel gear 62 which, as will appear hereinafter, meshes with other gearing to bedescrbed, for' rotating the member 56. The rear end of the member 56 has fastened thereto, an annular ring 64, the ring being securedv to the member' 56 by boltsY 65 whichy are passed through an r annular flange 6-1 formed integral with the outer surface of the member' 56'. In the annular ring 64 there is formed an' open'- ing 66, Figs. 2 and 10, through which there projects a latch 68 pivotally supported onthe ring 64 at' 'I8 and yieldablypressed inwardly of the inner' surface of the member 58 by a spring T2'. The member 58` is rotatably supported within themember 56 by ball bearing assemblies I4 and 16, the former beingseated in anannular recessv 'I8 formed on the inner surface of the memberv 56 andthe latter being seatedin an opening 80formed in the forward end` of the member 56.' The forward end of the member 58 is closed and prolonged to form a shaft 82to which is fastened a gear 84 adapted to rotate the shaft 82 and hen-ce the member 58. The-rear end of the member' 58 has an annular rim 85 formed'thereon andan oversize opening'l-l is provided in the ange, Fig. 1l, through which the tip of aV latch 'projects, the latch being pivotally supported at'90 in elongated' holes'or slots 96a on the'rim 85 of the member 58 and in the member 58 and a notch |00 formed in the base of the latch 88. Thus it will be seen that spring member 86 urges the support pin 90 Vof latch 88 to the inner end of slot 90a while ,the resistance of the U-shaped spring 96 so as to bring the cam |85 and cam surface |86 toV ether to lift the laten sa out of the slot se, thus disengaging it and preventing damage to the mechanism.

The rotation of the aforesaid members 56 and 58 is accomplished by a train of gears. As illustrated, gears |02, |04 and |06 are provided, the gears |02 and |06 meshing with the gear 62 at the base of the member 55 and being mounted for free rotation on a pair of studs |08 and ||2, the latter being screwed into the hub ||0 of a disc III, Fig. '7, which is mounted for free rotation on the shaft 82. The disc |I| has a rim I I3 and diametrically opposed openings ||5 adapted to receive the gears |02 and |06. The gear I 04 is double faced and the gears |82 and |06 mesh with one face thereof, the gear I 04 being mounted for free rotation on the shaft 82. Fastened to the rim II3 by bolts I II is a ring gear I I8 which meshes with a gear I I6, the latter being journalled in Iball bearing assemblies ||8 and |20. The ball bearing assembly I|8 is seated in a recess |22 formed in the housing 48 and the assembly |20 is seated in a recess |24 formed in a cap |26. The cap |26 is fastened to the rear end of the housing 48 by bolts |28 and has an aperture |30 formed therein in which there is seated a ball bearing assembly |32 adapted to receive the forward end of the shaft 82 which is reduced at |34 to pass through the bearing assembly. A plate |36 is fastened by bolts |38 over the end of the aperture |30 to enclose the end of the shaft 82 and retain bearing assembly |32. An aperture |40 is formed in the cap |26 in which there is mounted a sleeve I4I in which there are disposed ball bearing assemblies I 42 adapted to rotatably receive astub shaft I 44 to one end of which there is attached a gear |46. The stub shaft is supported in position by a nut I 43 threaded on the end of the stub shaft and resting on the upper one of the ball bearing assemblies. A cover plate |45 is arranged to close the opening. The gear |46 meshes with the gear 84 and with the opposite face of the gear |04, and hence, provides means for rotating the gear 84, the shaft 82 and the member 58. The reason for the rotating gear |46 is to insure that thev members 56 and 58 carrying the latches 68 and 88 have a determinable angular displacement for a given angular displacement of ring gear II9. From Fig. 2, it can be seen that members 56 and 58 cannot rotate in the same direction but will always rotate in opposite directions for a given direction of rotation of the ring gear I I9. Moreover, the gear train is so designed that the angular displacement of latches 68 and 88 is always a constant ratio to the angular displacement of the ring gear I I8. That is, if one of the members 68 or 88 is restrained from movement, the other member 68 or 88 will rotate at twice the speed it would be moving if both members 68Y and 88 were moving. This is also true of any intermediate speed of either member from a maximum speed to a minimum speed. The gear ||6 is rotated to drive the differential gearing just. described, by a gear |48, the latter being formed on a sleeve |50 which is journalled in a bearing sleeve |52 supported in the cap |26. Rotation of the sleeve |50 is provided for by a pair of diametrically disposed pins |56 xed in the walls of the sleeve and extending inwardly thereof to the inner ends of which are fastened blocks |58. Th blocks are adapted to slide in a pair of grooves |60 formed in a shaft |162 which is parallel t0 the tray I2. The grooves consist of helical portions Which extend from the forward end of the shaft rearwardly. Near the rear end of the shaft the helical grooves terminate in straight portions |60A parallel with the axis of the shaft. It is evident that by rotation of the shaft |62 or relative movement of the fuze setting mechanism longitudinally of the shaft |62 or by a combination of these, the sleeve 50 may be caused to rotate, and hence, to produce rotation of the differential gearing in a manner to rotate the members 56 and 58. It is to be observed, however, that when the fuze setter approaches its rearward position, the blocks |58 move into the straight portions of the grooves |60 and from that point, relative movement of the latches will take place only by rotation of the shaft |62. The shaft |62 has a reduced end |64, Fig. 2, which is connected to an indicator regulator, IR, Fig. 12. Fuzer setting orders are continually fed from the IR by way of a shaft |63 and gearing |65 to the shaft |62 .in accordance with calculations made in the plotting room. It is evident, therefore, that the shaft |62 is continually rotating in one direction or the other which in turn rotates the members 56 and 58 with respect to each other to establish a predetermined distance between the latches 68 and 88 which corresponds to a given number of seconds of fuze time. The rotation of the latches in opposite directions by reason of the movement of the fuze setter longitudinally of the shaft |62 from the for- Ward or loading position aft toward the final fuze-setting position is for the purpose of insuring engagement of the latches with the notches in the nose and fuze ring, irrespective of their original position with respect to each other or their positions with respect to the latches. This is accomplished by designing the helical grooves so that the movement of the fuze setter from one end of the grooves to the other will rotate the latches in opposite directions through at least 720, after they engage the slots in the nose and fuze ring. Hence, if at the moment the fuze setter contacts the nose of the projectile the latches are displaced a given amount, they will again be displaced by the same amount at the terminal end of the helical grooves. It is evident, therefore, that if the projectile is dropped into the tray and the projectile slide and fuze setter together move rearwardly along the shaft, the latches are bound to pick up the notches in the nose and fuze ring somewhere in their relative movement and bring them into a position corresponding to the initial displacement of the latches when the fuze setter reaches the ends of the helical grooves. As soon as the fuze setter reaches the straight portions of the grooves, any further rotation of the latches can only take place by rotation of the shaft |62. Since the fuze at this time is set for a time dictated by vthe initial displacement of the latches when the l fuzesetter leaves the helical grooves,.rotation ofthe shaft |62 when the fuse setter ismov- .ing along the straight portions of the grooves will tion corresponding to the initial displacement between the latches and that the nal rearward movementalong the straight portion of the shaft accomplished thefuze' setting. This would be true only if the IR fed in a constantfuze set-- ting order for the entire time during which the f-uze setter moved rearwardly. As a matterof fact, theshaft |52 is continually being rotated by the IR in response to changes in the fuse setting orders, and hence, theV rotation of the shaft |62 is taking place during the entire time that the fuse setter is moving rearwardly from its-loading position to its final fuse-setting position. Thus the engagement of `the latches with the slots in the nose and fuze ring and the fuze setting take place simultaneously. The' movement of the fuse setting mechanism bodily. longitudinally of the shaft |62 is accomplished as follows: A boss |68 is formed on the fuze' setter and has an opening lie therein to which there is attached by means of a bolt,l oneend ofV the chain et. Reciprocation of this chain 4:5' will move the fuze setting mechanism and projectile surface` of 'the annular ring' l1@ `to; guide'v the nose of the ammunition as it' moves into the fuse slide longitudinally along the shaft |62 and it v is to Vbeobserved that to permit such movement, a slot |11 is formed along the bottom of the tray vl2, through which the projectileslide boss IES passes, and an opening |1| is provided in the boss through which the shaft |62 freely passes.

Heretofore, the fuze setting mechanism was described as being movable from a position forwardly of the tray l, Fig. l2, toa final fuzesetting position at the rear thereof, in which position the ammunition was ina position to'be moved transversely of the gun and to be rammed into the breech. Since this gun is a dual purpose gun, that is, suitable for both surface and anti-aircraft, the gun will be fired at high angles and in order to prevent the ammunition from sliding out of the tray at high angles of elevation, the stop 26, referred to above, was provided. The stop 2B, together with the fuze setting mechanism, engage the opposite ends of the ammunition 2i) and hold it firmly in the tray. During the rearward movement of the ammunition, however, this stop must be yieldable. and movable with the ammunition to the rearward position, hen'ce,lthere is provided means for releasing the stop which is normally lockedV inV a forward position and permitting its movement with the ammunition in response to the force applied by the rearward movement ofthe fuze setting mechanism. To this end, there is threaded intothe rear end of the housing t3, an annular ring |12, Fig. 2, and in this ring there is slid,- ably mounted for. movement axially ofthe fuze setting mechanism, an annular ring |115.' This latter annular ring |14 is yieldably heldin the lring |12 against springs |16, by bolts |18 which are passed through ring |14 and are threaded into the ring |12.

An annular ring` of some resilient material |3| is disposed on the inner setting mechanism and to prevent binding, this ring is held in place by apcap ring |82- which is bolted together with the ring |14 to the ringv |12. VAs the fuze setting mechanism` moves rearwardly and engages the nose of the ammunition, and as the ammunition moves into the fuze settingV mechanism, the body portion thereof engages the ring |8| and as the pressure increases, the ring |14 is forcedinwardly against Apair oflevers 119 Fig. 4,' are pivotally mounted at [B on opposite sides.

the spring |16.

of the casing 48. Each lever has-a flat surface |83, Fig. 3, near its free end adapted tol bear against aflat surface |84A formed on" the inner' fsidefof a radial extension on the ring |82, Figfi In the ange 53 formed at the ends of the cap 5| are provided bosses through whichare formed slideways |8 adapted to receive rods |88. One end of eachl rod bears against the free endof alever |19 and the other is necked down at |9i'! to receive av spring |32. One end of each spring ifisseated ina recess isti formed in the casing-and the other is telescoped over the end of the-,neck me Vso that the springs serve to urge the rods |83 toward the right, as seen in Fig. 3, thereby to push the levers |19 in a clockwise direction about their pivots. Enlargements |95 are formed integral with the rods and one end of each enlargement serves as a shoulder against which the springs |92 bear. A recess |98 is formed in each enlargement and is adapted to receive the ball end Zal-B at the end of. an arm 262. The arms 282-- are secured bynuts 294, vwhichl are screwed onto the opposite `end of a shaft Zella and which is revolvable in a boss/235 formed on the housing 5:8. One of the arms 252 has formed integralv therewith an arm 2&38 substantially' at right angles thereto and the end of this armis adapted to initiate theoperation of hydraulic means, not shown herein, thereby to release the stopv and allow it to move rearwardly with the ammunitionas the fuse setting mechanismy moves rearwardly to push the ammunitionrinto the position in which it is ready for transverse movement.

The operation of the fuse setting mechanism will now be' described with reference to the loading of the gun. Initially the fuse setting mechanism Hl is-at the forwardv or loading end of the tray l2 andis moved aft into its final fuseset-ting position by the sprocket and chain is and in such timed relation with reference to the ringof the gun that ammunition is always ready to Abe rammed for the ring of the gun. Continuous orders for the fuse setting mechanism are transmitted from the control room through the indicator regulator IR, by way of the shaft .it to the shaft |E2 through the gearing to actuate the fuze setting mechanism s0 that the latchesY e8 and 88 are moved relative toeach other to maintain the latest fuze setting. The loader places'lthe powder case '22v on theV tray i2, against the stop 25 and then places the projectile 2H on the tray i2 against the powder case, adjacent to the fuze setting mechanism. The tray operating lever, not shown, is then manipulated to cause rearward movement of the fulze setter and as the fuze setting mechanism |11 begins to move' rearwardly, since the ammunition is held stationary by the stop 26, the'projjectileslide 32 slides underthe projectile until the fuze setting mechanism moves over the" nose 40 of the projectile,` whereupon the ring |8| is engaged by the nose and the ring |14 is pressed inwardly. This actuates the hydraulic means (not shown) which in turn releases the stop 26 and the fuze setting mechanlsm, ammunition and stop move rearwardly. As the nose enters the fuze setter, the latches 68 and 88 are pressed outwardly until they are flush with the inner surface of the members 56 and B. As the fuze setter moves rearwardly the members 56 and 58 rotate relative to each other until one or the other of them falls into its slot. As soon as one of the latches falls into its slot, which will occur within two complete relative revolutions of the latches, it will be held stationary and the other will rotate until it engages the slot, then the latches will relatively rotate to complete the desired angular displacement. Diuring this rotation, the fuze setting orders are fed in continually and added or subtracted by the rotations of the shaft |62.

It is to be observed that if for any reason, such as dirt, corrosion, etc., the nose 40 becomes frozen with respect to the fuze ring and will not rotate, the latch 88 will automatically be thrown out of the recess 44 by the cam |85 which is formed integral with the latch adjacent to the inwardly projecting portion thereof,

k the cam being adapted to ride upwardly on the cam surface |86 which is formed in the opening B6 of the member 58 under the influence of lateral movement of the latch 88. This latch 88, as previously described, is held inwardly not only by the spring 92, but by a yieldably U- shaped member 96 which prevents disengagement of the latch 88 except under some unusual force such as would be offered by the resistance to rotation of the nose 40 when it becomes jammed or frozen in place.

The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government of the United IStates of America for governmental purposes without the payment of any royalties thereon or therefor.

What is claimed is:

1. Fuze setting mechanism for a projectile having a nose fuze adapted to be preset by rotation of the nose with respect to the fuze ring, said nose and fuze ring having latch receiving slots, comprising two relatively rotatable annular members adapted to receive said nose, two latches pivotally mounted each on a different one of said members, yieldable means normally holding said latches inwardly of the inner surfaces of said annular members, said latches being adapted to be moved outwardly to a position flush with the inner surface of the annular members by insertion of said nose into said annular members, and to snap inwardly into the slots in the nose and fuze ring upon rotation of the members to bring the latches opposite said slots, means for relatively moving said members, a cam on a given one of said relatively rotatable members, the latch of said given member being shiftable on its pivotal mounting into and out of engagement with said cam, a spring urging said latch out of engagement with said cam, said given member being rotatable in a direction relative to the nose during the fuze setting operation whereby said cam is carried into lifting engagement with said latch against the resistance of said spring so as to disengage said latch from said nose.

2. Fuze setting mechanism for a projectile having a nose fuze adapted to be preset by rotation of the nose with respect to the fuze ring, comprising a member having a recess therein adapted to receive the nose of the projectile, relatively movable latches associated with said member adapted to engage respectively slots in the nose and fuze ring when said nose is seated in the recess, a shaft, means for moving the said member along said shaft, and means operable by the movement of the member along the shaft and by rotation of the shaft to move the latches relative to each other to establish an angular disance between the slots a predetermined amount irrespective of the original position of the slots with -respect to the latches.

3. Fuze setting mechanism for a projectile having a nose fuze adapted to be preset by rotation of the nose with respect to the fuze ring, comprising a member having a recess therein adapted to receive the nose of the projectile, relatively movable latches associated with said member adapted to engage respectively slots in said nose and fuze ring when said nose is seated in the recess, and means for effecting rotation of said latches 'comprising a pin, a shaft having a groove therein with which said pin cooperates, means for effecting movement between the shaft and said member to cause the latches to engage the notches, and means for rotating the shaft to establish a predetermined distance between said latches.

4. Fuze setting mechanism for a projectile having a nose fuze adapted to be preset by rotation of the nose with respect to the fuze ring, comprising a body, relatively movable elements mounted on said body adapted to engage respectively slots in said nose and fuze ring, a shaft, a groove in the shaft consisting of a helical portion and a straight portion, means associated with the body adapted to engage said groove, said means being adapted by movement along the shaft to cause rotation of said movable elements and by rotation of the shaft to cause further rotation of said movable elements, means for moving the body along the shaft, and means for simultaneously rotating the shaft.

5. In a gun assembly, a barrel having a breech, an elongated tray supported adjacent said breech for receiving a round of ammunition having a nose fuze adapted to be preset by rotation of the nose with respect to the fuze ring, a fuze setting mechanism mounted for forward and rearward reciprocating movement along said tray and during its rearward movement being engageable with the nose of the ammunition, means for moving the fuze setting mechanism forwardly and rearwardly of said tray and adapted during rearward movement of said fuse setting mechanism to carry the ammunition to a rearward position for loading into the gun breech, relatively movable elements associated with the fuze setting mechanism, said elements being adapted to engage the nose and fuze ring respectively, and a shaft supported adjacent said breech against axial movement operably associated with said movable elements, the said shaft containing a groove therein having a helical portion, drive means engaging said groove and adapted by the relative movement of the fuze setting mechanism lengthwise of the shaft to effect movement of the relatively moveable elements associated with the fuze setting mechanism whereby movement of the fuze setting mechanism longitudinally of the tray causes setting of the projectile fuze.

6. In a gun assembly, a barrel having a breech,

fur/ie, and an indicator regulator il an elongated tray supported adjacent said breech for receiving a round of ammunition having a nose Yfuze adapted to be preset by rotation of the nose with respect to the fuze ring, fuze setting mechanism mounted for forward and rearward reciprocating movement along said tray and during its rearward movement being engageable with the nose of the ammunition, means for moving the fuze setting mechanism-forwardly and rearwardlyrof said tray and adapted during rearward movement of said fuze setting mechanism to carry the ammunition to a rearward position for loading into the gun breech, relatively movable elements associated with the fuze setting mechanism, to engage the nose and fuze ring respectively, a shaft having a helical groove, gearing differentially transmitting motion of said shaft to said' movable elements, anda member sliding in the helical groove in said shaft adapted by the relative movement of the fuze setting mechanism lengthwise ofthe shaft to eect setting of the fuze.

7. In a gun assembly, a barrel having a breech, an elongated tray supported adjacent said breech for receiving a round of ammunition having a nose fuze adapted to be preset by rotation of the nose with respect to the fuze ring, fuze vsetting mechanism mounted for forward and rearward reciprocating movement along said tray and during its rearward movement being engageable with the nose of the ammunition, means for moving Vthe fuze setting mechanism forwardly and rearwardly of said tray and adapted during rearward movement of said fuze setting mechanism to carry the ammunition to a rearward position for loading into the gun breech, relatively movable elements associated with the fuze setting mechanism, said elements being adapted to engage the nose and fuze ring respectively, a shaft having a helical groove, gearing differentially transmitting motion of said shaft to said movable elements, a member sliding in the helical. groove in said shaft adapted by the relative movement of the fuZe setting mechanism lengthwise of the shaft to effect setting of the adapted to rotate said shaft to vary the fuze setting.

8. In a gun assembly, a barrel having a breech,

an elongated tray supported adjacent said breechV for receiving `a round of ammunition having a nose fuze adapted to be preset by rotation of the nose with respect to the fuze ring, fuze setting mechanism mounted for forward and rearward reciprocating movement along said tray and during its rearward movement being engageable with the nose of the ammunition, means for moving the fuze setting mechanism forwardly and rearwardly of said tray and adapted during rearward movement of said fuze setting mechanism to carry the ammunition to a rearward position for loading into the gun breech, relatively movable elements associated with the fuze setting mechanism, said elements being adapted to engage the nose and fu'ze ring respectively, a shaft, gearing differentially transmitting motion of said shaft to said movable elements, saidshaft having a groove therein consisting of a helical portion and a straight portion, and a lmember sliding in said helical vportion of the groove and being adapted by the relative movement of the fuze setting mechanism lengthwise thereof to effect setting of the fuze, said member sliding in said straight portion after the fuze setting mechanism leaves the helical said elements being adapted Y portion of the groove to effect further settingn ofthe fuze upon rotation of said shaft.

9. In a gun assembly wherein a tray is mounted adjacent the gun breech forl receiving a round of ammunition having a nose fuze adapted to* be set by rotation of the nose with respect tov the fuze ring the combination of a support, a fuZe setting mechanism mounted on said;V support and engageable'with the nose of the ammunition and movable following the reception of the round of ammunition to shift the'ammunition on said tray, said fuze setting mechanism comprising relatively rotatable nose engaging elements adapted to engage slots in the nose and the fuze ring during said shifting movement, and means linking the fuse setting vmechanism to the support whereby the fuze setting operation occurs simultaneously with the movement of the 'ammunition into its shifted position.

l0. In a gun assembly wherein a tray is mounted adjacent the gun breech for receiving a round of ammunition having a nose fuze adapted to be set by rotation of the nose with respect tov prising relatively rotatable nose engaging ele-z ments adapted to engage slots in the nose and the fuze ring during vsaid shifting movement, and means linking the fuze setting mechanism to the support whereby the fuze setting operation occurs simultaneously with the movement of the ammunition into its shiftedposition, said linkage rotating the relatively movable elements in synchronism with the movement of the fuzesetting mechanism.

l1. In a gun assembly wherein a'tray is mounted adjacent the gun breech for receiving a round of ammunition having a nose ,fuzewadapted to be set by rotation of the nose with respect to the fuze ring the combination of; a support, a fuze setting mechanism mounted on said support andengageable with the vnose rof the `ammunition and movable following lthe reception of the round of ammunition to shift the ammunitioii on said tray, said fuze setting mechanism comprising relatively rotatable nose `eri-- gaging elements adapted to engage slots in the nose and the fuze ring during said shifting movement, and means Alinking the fuze setting mechanism to the support, whereby the fuze setting operation occurs simultaneously with the movement of the ammunition into its shifted position, said linkage rotating the relatively movable elements in synchronism with the movement of the fuZe-setting mechanism, and said linkage being adjustable during movement of the hize-setting mechanism to vary the ultimate settingof the fuze.

12. The combination with a gun assembly including an elongate trayrmounted adjacent the gun breech arranged to receive at one end thereof a round of kammunition having a nose fuze settable by rotation of the nose relative to a fuze ring; of a support mounted for reciprocatory movement longitudinally of the tray, a fuzesetting mechanism mounted on said support for reciprocation therewith and engageable with the nose of the ammunition upon reciprocation of said support to shift the ammunition toward the other end lof said tray, `said fuse-setting mechanism comprising relatively rotatablenose and fuze ring engaging elements, motion transmitting means diierentially connected to said rotatable elements, means actuating said motion transmitting means responsive to relative movement of saidfuze-setting mechanism and said tray, and means independently actuating said motion transmitting means responsive to fuzesetting adjustment.

ERNEST F. CAMPBELL.

GERALD W.. KINZELMAN.

ARTHUR J. STANTON.

References cited in the me of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 699,900 Schneider et a1 May 13, 1902 932,181 Schwartz Aug, 24, 1909v 1,332,763 Schneider Mar. 2, 1920 1,494,056 Benko May 13, 1924 Number Number Name Date Street May 12, 1925 Dawson et a1. Oct. 16, 1928 Junghans Aug. 13, 1929 Dabrasky Feb. 21, 1933 Connell Mar. 15, 1938 Beatty Sept. 9, 1941 Joseph Mar. 10, 1942 Worden Aug. 25, 1942 Beatty Dec. 15, 1942 Chappell et a1 June 20, 1944 Harvey Feb. 13, 1945 Molins et a1. Oct. 19, 1948 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Great Britain Oct. 22, 1941

Images