Patent GB-540570-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to fuze setting apparatus for shells
IPC: F42C17/00
Filed: 1940-03-20
Abstract: 540,570. Setting projectile fuzes. HARVEY, V. P., and MOLINS MACHINE CO., Ltd. March 20, 1940, No. 5201. [Class 9 (i)] Apparatus for setting fuzes, of the kind having a fixed and a rotatable fuze-element, comprises two holders for locating elements co-operating with the fuze-elements, the holders being driven in opposite directions by the sun wheels of a differential, gear, and means for rotating the planet-wheel to adjust, and lock, the relative angular positions of the sun-wheels. As shown, the apparatus comprises a socket 73 to receive the nose of the shell which is pressed home against a cushioning-device embodying a bush 33 rotatable in a sliding sleeve 34 backed by a buffer spring 36. In this position, pawls 71, 72 carried by rings 30, 32 are arranged to co-operate with abutments on the fixed and movable fuzeelements respectively. The rings 30, 32 are geared to the sun-wheels 25, 26 respectively of a differential-gear G the wheels 25, 26 being respectively fast and loose on the shaft 14. The planet-wheel 27 of the gear is carried on a sleeve 24 which is adjustable around the shaft 14 through a worm-gear 16, 17 which is set by the hand-wheel of a predictor device 21 to vary the initial relative angular positions of the sunwheels 25, 26. In operation, a crank-handle 1 is rotated clockwise through 360 degrees to rotate the shaft 14 through gears 7, 8, 10, 11, 13. The pawl-wheels 30, 32 are thus rotated, in opposite directions, and the engagement of pawl 72 on ring 32 with an abutment on the movable fuzeelement will effect independent rotation of that element until pawl 71 on ring 30 engages an abutment on the fixed, fuze-element. On the continued movement of the handle 1, the shell is bodily rotated up to the stop position of the handle. Means, shown in Figs. 1 and 3, are provided for locking the handle 1 until the shell is properly positioned. These comprise a stud 74 on the sleeve 34 which is moved to rock a tappet 37 on a spindle 38. A lever 39 on this spindle is thus caused to rock a lever 40 on a spindle 41 which also carries a hooked latch 42, the latter being connected to a lever 48 (fast on the shaft 41) through a spring 49 and pin 50. As the shell is pushed home, the hook 42 is moved until it engages a lever 43 on a spindle 44, the lever 43 carrying a pawl 45 which is normally urged by a spring 47 to engage a ratchet-wheel 58. A pin 56 projecting from a ring 65 on a gear 5 driven from the spindle 2 of the handle 1 is arranged to engage a projection 57 on the lever 43 to hold the pawl 45 clear of the ratchet 58. If the shell is not fully home, or is momentarily withdrawn and pushed back, the hook 42 will not engage over the side edge of the lever 43 so that the pawl 45 will hold the ratchet 58 until the handle 1 has been returned to its zero position. A thumb-lever 59 is provided for working or adjusting the apparatus without a shell in position. The 360 degrees movement of the handle 1 is controlled by a pivoted pawl 60 co-operating with notches 61 in a disc 62, and a spring-pressed roller 63 arranged to engage slots 64 in the ring 65 at the end of the stroke to prevent further movement under the weight of the handle 1.