Patent ID: 7530313
Filing Date: 2009-05-12
Classification: F42C

Abstract:
1. A self-destruct fuze delay device for a submunition, the submunition having a longitudinal axis, a main charge and a detonating fuze for initiating the main charge upon impact, the detonating fuze having a movable slide, said self-destruct faze delay device comprising: a detonator mounted to a movable slide; a delay mechanism offset and substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal axis, said delay mechanism including an energizing source and a self-destruct firing pin, said self-destruct firing pin aligned with said detonator and urged toward said detonator in a first direction by said energizing source; a restraining unit movable between a first position within the movable slide, in which said restraining unit abuts said self-destruct firing pin and holds said self-destruct firing pin away from said detonator, and a second position within the movable slide offset from the first position in a second direction in which said restraining unit allows said energizing source to move said self-destruct firing pin into said detonator; and an activation mechanism offset from said delay mechanism and supporting said restraining unit in the first position against said self-destruct firing pin, said activation mechanism adapted to shift after a delay and release its support of said restraining unit against said self-destruct firing pin to allow movement of said restraining unit to the second position, said activation mechanism including a container holding a fluid, and a breaking member that breaks said container and accesses said fluid to erode said breaking member over the delay and release the support of said restraining unit against said self-defense firing pin, said breaking member including a timing ball in contact with a piston, said timing ball adapted to break said container, access the fluid, erode when exposed to the fluid during the delay, and move into said container after the delay.