Patent Grant
11450500
The present disclosure relates generally to shock resistant structures configured to absorb, minimize, or divert shock energy for fuze survivability.
When performing shock testing or within a tactical environment, a device may be subject to sudden and extreme amounts of acceleration or deceleration. This helps determine to what degree items can physically withstand relatively infrequent forces or mechanical shocks and vibrations. During pyroshock testing or warhead penetration testing, for example, extreme shock waves may travel through various structures and advance into the housings of the electronics (e.g., fuze). These shock waves may mechanically break and damage the sensitive electronics, often impairing or disabling the warhead and disrupting mission critical events. In this regard, there is a need for a device, structure, or mechanism that absorbs, diverts, prevents, or minimizes extreme shock loading energy traveling towards critical electronic components.
To minimize the limitations in the related art and other limitations that will become apparent upon reading and understanding the present specification, the following discloses embodiments of new and useful shock resistant mounting structures for fuze systems.
One embodiment may be a shock resistant collar, comprising: a ring-shaped housing having a center opening adapted to engage a fuze body, such that the ring-shaped housing may surround and snugly fit at least a portion of the fuze body; and one or more cripple studs radially disposed within the ring-shaped housing; wherein the one or more cripple studs may extend between opposing sides of the ring-shaped housing. The ring-shaped housing may be filled with a urethane polymer. Each of the one or more cripple studs may have a cross section substantially shaped as a cross with a web portion having a maximum thickness of 0.25 inches. Each of the one or more cripple studs may be oriented in spaced parallel relation to each other. The ring-shaped housing and the one or more cripple studs may be constructed of a metal. The ring-shaped housing and the one or more cripple studs may form a single unitary piece.
Another embodiment may be a shock resistant fuze cap, comprising: a circular cap housing having a receptacle configured to engage a flange end of a fuze, the circular cap housing being adapted to snugly fit within a fuze well, such that the circular cap housing may be disposed between the flange end of the fuze and the fuze well; and a plurality of cripple studs disposed within the circular cap housing; wherein the plurality of cripple studs may extend between at least one or more opposing sides of the circular cap housing. The circular cap housing may be filled with a urethane polymer. Each of the plurality of cripple studs may have web portions having a maximum thickness than 0.25 inches. The plurality of cripple studs may be oriented in spaced parallel relation to each other. The circular cap housing and the plurality of cripple studs may be constructed of a metal. The circular cap housing and the plurality of cripple studs may form a single unitary piece.
Another embodiment may be a shock resistant fuze cap and shock resistant collar combination, comprising: a shock resistant fuze cap and a shock resistant collar. The shock resistant fuze cap may comprise: a circular cap housing having a receptacle configured to engage a flange end of a fuze, the circular cap housing being adapted to snugly fit within a fuze well, such that the circular cap housing may be disposed between the flange end of the fuze and the fuze well; and a plurality of first cripple studs disposed within the circular cap housing. The shock resistant collar may comprise: a ring-shaped housing having a center opening adapted to engage a fuze body, the ring-shaped housing having an outer diameter less than a diameter of the receptacle of the circular cap housing, such that when the fuze body is snugly fit within the center opening of the ring-shaped housing, the ring-shaped housing may fit within the receptacle of the circular cap housing, the fuze well, and the flange end of the fuze; and one or more second cripple studs radially disposed within the ring-shaped housing. The flange end of the fuze may be disposed between the shock resistant fuze cap and the shock resistant collar when the shock resistant collar and the shock resistant fuze cap are engaged with the flange end of the fuze and installed within the fuze well. The circular cap housing may be filled with a urethane polymer. The ring-shaped housing may be filled with a urethane polymer. The plurality of first cripple studs may extend between opposing sides within the circular cap housing and may be oriented in spaced parallel relation to each other. Each of the plurality of first cripple studs may extend between opposing sides of the circular cap housing and may be oriented in a direction towards the fuze. Each of the one or more second cripple studs may have a cross section substantially shaped as a cross and may extend within opposing sides of the collar housing. The shock resistant fuze cap and the shock resistant collar may be constructed of a metal. The shock resistant fuze cap and shock resistant collar combination may further comprise a retaining ring adapted to snugly fit within the fuze well when the shock resistant fuze cap, the shock resistant collar, and the fuze are installed within the fuze well. The circular cap housing and the plurality of first cripple studs may form a single unitary piece. The ring-shaped housing and the one or more second cripple studs may form a single unitary piece.
Another embodiment may be a shock resistant collar, comprising: a ring-shaped housing having an annular space defined by: an outer cylindrical sidewall; an inner cylindrical sidewall concentrically disposed within the outer cylindrical sidewall and defining a center opening of the ring-shaped housing, the center opening being adapted to snugly insert a fuze body of a fuze; a bottom portion, generally ring-shaped, and having an inner circumference adjoining a bottom end of the inner cylindrical sidewall and an outer circumference adjoining a bottom end of the outer cylindrical sidewall; and a top portion, generally ring-shaped, and having an inner circumference adjoining a top end of the first inner cylindrical sidewall and an outer circumference adjoining a top end of the outer cylindrical sidewall; and one or more cripple studs located within the annular space of the ring-shaped housing and radially disposed around the inner cylindrical sidewall, wherein each of the one or more cripple studs may comprise: a vertical web portion having a bottom end orthogonally adjoining the bottom portion and a top end orthogonally adjoining the top portion; and a horizontal web portion having a first end orthogonally adjoining the inner cylindrical sidewall and a second end orthogonally adjoining the outer cylindrical sidewall; wherein mid-sections of the vertical web portion and the horizontal web portion may adjoin together, such that each of the one or more cripple studs may be substantially cross-shaped. The ring-shaped housing and the one or more cripple studs may be constructed of a metal; wherein the vertical web portions and the horizontal web portions of the one or more cripple studs may have a maximum thickness of 0.25 inches, such that the vertical web portions and the horizontal web portions may be semi-rigid. The ring-shaped housing may be filled with a urethane polymer. The one or more cripple studs may be oriented in spaced parallel relation to each other. The ring-shaped housing and the one or more cripple studs may form a single unitary piece. The ring-shaped housing may be generally circular.
Another embodiment may be a shock resistant fuze cap, comprising: a circular cap housing defined by: an outer cylindrical sidewall adapted to snugly fit within a fuzewell; a first inner cylindrical sidewall concentrically disposed within a bottom end of the outer cylindrical sidewall; a bottom portion, generally ring-shaped, and having an inner circumference adjoining a bottom end of the first inner cylindrical sidewall and an outer circumference adjoining the bottom end of the outer cylindrical sidewall, thereby forming a first annular space therein; a second inner cylindrical sidewall having a diameter less than the first inner cylindrical sidewall and concentrically disposed within a top end of the outer cylindrical sidewall, wherein the second inner cylindrical sidewall defines a center opening of the circular cap housing and is adapted to snugly engage an upper portion of the fuze; an intermediate portion, generally disc-shaped, and having an inner circumference adjoining a bottom end of the second inner cylindrical sidewall and an outer circumference adjoining a top end of the first inner cylindrical sidewall; and a top portion, generally disc-shaped, and having an outer circumference adjoining the top end of the outer cylindrical sidewall and an inner circumference adjoining a top end of the second inner cylindrical sidewall, such that the top portion, the second inner cylindrical sidewall, and the intermediate portion may form a second annular space therein; wherein the first inner cylindrical sidewall and the intermediate portion may form a receptacle configured to fit a flange end of a fuze, such that the circular cap housing may be adapted to be disposed between the flange end of the fuze and a fuze well; and wherein the circular cap housing may include an interior space defined by the first and second annular spaces; and a plurality of cripple studs disposed within the interior space of the circular cap housing and including: one or more first cripple studs, each comprising: a first web portion located within the first annular space and having a first end orthogonally adjoining the outer cylindrical sidewall; and a second web portion located with the first annular space and having a first end orthogonally adjoining the first inner cylindrical sidewall; wherein second ends of the first and second web portions of the one or more first cripple studs may adjoin and partially overlap each other to form one or more first single steps; one or more second cripple studs, each comprising: a first web portion disposed substantially between the first and second annular spaces and having a first end adjoining the outer cylindrical sidewall; and a second web portion located substantially between the first and second annular spaces and having a first end adjoining the top end of the first inner cylindrical sidewall and the outer circumference of the intermediate portion; wherein second ends of the first and second web portions of the one or more second cripple studs may adjoin and partially overlap each other to form one or more second single steps; and one or more third cripple studs, each comprising: a first web portion located within the second annular space and having a first end orthogonally adjoining the top portion; a second web portion located within the second annular space and having a first end orthogonally adjoining the intermediate portion; and a third web portion extending to and orthogonally adjoining second ends of the first and second web portions of the one or more third cripple studs to form one or more third single steps. The circular cap housing and the plurality of cripple studs may be constructed of a metal; and wherein the first, second, and third web portions of the plurality of cripple studs may have a maximum thickness of 0.25 inches, such that the plurality of cripple studs may be semi-rigid. The circular cap housing may be filled with a urethane polymer. The circular cap housing and the plurality of cripple studs may form a single unitary piece.
Another embodiment may be a shock resistant fuze cap and collar combination, comprising: a circular cap housing defined by: a first outer cylindrical sidewall adapted to snugly fit within a fuzewell; a first inner cylindrical sidewall concentrically disposed within a bottom end of the first outer cylindrical sidewall; a first bottom portion, generally ring-shaped, and having an inner circumference adjoining a bottom end of the first inner cylindrical sidewall and an outer circumference adjoining the bottom end of the first outer cylindrical sidewall, thereby forming a first annular space therein; a second inner cylindrical sidewall having a diameter less than the first inner cylindrical sidewall and concentrically disposed within a top end of the first outer cylindrical sidewall, wherein the second inner cylindrical sidewall defines a center opening of the circular cap housing and is adapted to snugly engage a portion of a fuze; an intermediate portion, generally disc-shaped, and having an inner circumference adjoining a bottom end of the second inner cylindrical sidewall and an outer circumference adjoining a top end of the first inner cylindrical sidewall; and a first top portion, generally disc-shaped, and having an outer circumference adjoining the top end of the outer cylindrical sidewall and an inner circumference adjoining a top end of the second inner cylindrical sidewall, such that the first top portion, the second inner cylindrical sidewall, and the intermediate portion may form a second annular space therein; wherein the first inner cylindrical sidewall and the intermediate portion may form a receptacle configured to fit a flange end of a fuze, such that the circular cap housing may be adapted to be disposed between the flange end of the fuze and a fuze well; and wherein the circular cap housing may include an interior space defined by the first annular space and the second annular space; and a plurality of cripple studs disposed within the interior space of the circular cap housing and including: one or more first cripple studs, each comprising: a first web portion located within the first annular space and having a first end orthogonally adjoining the first outer cylindrical sidewall; and a second web portion located with the first annular space and having a first end orthogonally adjoining the first inner cylindrical sidewall; wherein second ends of the first and second web portions of the one or more first cripple studs may adjoin and partially overlap each other to form one or more first single steps; one or more second cripple studs, each comprising: a first web portion located substantially between the first and second annular spaces and having a first end adjoining the first outer cylindrical sidewall; and a second web portion located substantially between the first and second annular spaces and having a first end adjoining the top end of the first inner cylindrical sidewall and the outer circumference of the intermediate portion; wherein second ends of the first web portions and the second web portions of the one or more second cripple studs may adjoin and partially overlap each other to form one or more second single steps; and one or more third cripple studs, each comprising: a first web portion located within the second annular space and having a first end orthogonally adjoining the first top portion; a second web portion located within the second annular space and having a first end orthogonally adjoining the intermediate portion; and a third web portion extending to and orthogonally adjoining second ends of the first and second web portions of the one or more third cripple studs to form a one or more third single steps; and a shock resistant collar, comprising: a ring-shaped housing having a third annular space defined by: a second outer cylindrical sidewall; a third inner cylindrical sidewall concentrically disposed within the second outer cylindrical sidewall and defining a center opening of the ring-shaped housing, the center opening being adapted to snugly insert a fuze body of a fuze; a second bottom portion, generally ring-shaped, and having an inner circumference adjoining a bottom end of the third inner cylindrical sidewall and an outer circumference adjoining a bottom end of the second outer cylindrical sidewall; and a second top portion, generally ring-shaped, and having an inner circumference adjoining a top end of the third inner cylindrical sidewall and an outer circumference adjoining a top end of the second outer cylindrical sidewall; and one or more fourth cripple studs located within the third annular space of the ring-shaped housing and radially disposed around the third inner cylindrical sidewall, wherein each of the one or more fourth cripple studs may comprise: a vertical web portion having a bottom end orthogonally adjoining the second bottom portion and at top end orthogonally adjoining the second top portion; and a horizontal web portion having a first end orthogonally adjoining the third inner cylindrical sidewall and a second end orthogonally adjoining the second outer cylindrical sidewall; wherein mid-sections of the vertical web portion and the horizontal web portion may orthogonally adjoin together, such that each of the one or more fourth cripple studs may be substantially cross-shaped; wherein the ring-shaped housing may have a center opening adapted to snugly insert a fuze body of a fuze; and wherein the ring-shaped housing may have an outer diameter less than a diameter of the receptacle of the circular cap housing, such that when the fuze body is snugly fit within the center opening of the ring-shaped housing, the ring-shaped housing may be adapted to fit within the receptacle of the circular cap housing, the fuze well, and the flange end of the fuze. The ring-shaped housing, the circular cap housing, and the one or more first, second, third, and fourth cripple studs may be constructed of a metal; and wherein the first, second, and third web portions of the one or more first, second, and third cripple studs and the vertical and horizontal web portions of the one or more fourth cripple studs may have a maximum thickness of 0.25 inches, such that the one or more first, second, third, and fourth cripple studs may be semi-rigid. The circular cap housing may be filled with a urethane polymer. The ring-shaped housing may be filled with a urethane polymer. The one or more fourth cripple studs may be oriented in spaced parallel relation to each other. The circular cap housing and the one or more first, second, and third cripple studs may form a single unitary piece. The ring-shaped housing and the one or more fourth cripple studs may form a single unitary piece. The ring-shaped housing may be generally circular. The shock resistant fuze cap and collar combination may further comprise a retaining ring adapted to fit within the fuze well when the shock resistant fuze cap, the shock resistant collar, and the fuze are installed within the fuze well. The flange end of the fuze may be disposed between the shock resistant fuze cap and the shock resistant collar when the shock resistant collar and the shock resistant fuze cap are engaged with the flange end of the fuze and installed within the fuze well.
It is an object to overcome the limitations of the prior art.
These, as well as other components, steps, features, objects, benefits, and advantages, will now become clear from a review of the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments, the accompanying drawings, and the claims.
The drawings are illustrative embodiments. They do not illustrate all embodiments. They do not set forth all embodiments. Other embodiments may be used in addition or instead. Details, which may be apparent or unnecessary, may be omitted to save space or for more effective illustration. Some embodiments may be practiced with additional components or steps and/or without all of the components or steps, which are illustrated. When the same numeral appears in different drawings, it is intended to refer to the same or like components or steps.
In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of various aspects of one or more embodiments of the shock resistant mounting structures for fuze systems. However, these embodiments may be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, and/or components have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure the aspects of these embodiments.
Before the embodiments are disclosed and described, it is to be understood that these embodiments are not limited to the particular structures, process steps, or materials disclosed herein, but is extended to equivalents thereof as would be recognized by those ordinarily skilled in the relevant arts. It should also be understood that the terminology used herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting.
Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or “another embodiment” may refer to a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment of the present disclosure. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification may not necessarily refer to the same embodiment.
Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in various embodiments. In the following description, numerous specific details are provided, such as examples of materials, fasteners, sizes, lengths, widths, shapes, etc. . . . to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the scope of protection can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, etc. . . . In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are generally not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the disclosure.
In the following description, certain terminology is used to describe certain features of the embodiments of the shock resistant mounting structures for fuze systems. For example, as used herein, unless otherwise specified, the term “substantially” refers to the complete, or nearly complete, extent or degree of an action, characteristic, property, state, structure, item, or result. As an arbitrary example, an object that is “substantially” surrounded would mean that the object is either completely surrounded or nearly completely surrounded. The exact allowable degree of deviation from absolute completeness may in some cases depend on the specific context. However, generally speaking, the nearness of completion will be so as to have the same overall result as if absolute and total completion were obtained.
The use of “substantially” is equally applicable when used in a negative connotation to refer to the complete or near complete lack of an action, characteristic, property, state, structure, item, or result. As another arbitrary example, a composition that is “substantially free of” particles would either completely lack particles, or so nearly completely lack particles that the effect would be the same as if it completely lacked particles. In other words, a composition that is “substantially free of” an ingredient or element may still actually contain such item as long as there is no measurable effect thereof.
As used herein, the term “semi-rigid” generally refers to a characteristic of the cripple studs wherein the cripple studs generally hold their respective shapes and provide support to the shock resistant mounting structure, shock resistant fuze cap, shock resistant collar, fuze, fuze well, or fuze assembly but is capable of being physically deformed to divert extreme shocks or vibrations from the fuze, fuze well, or fuze assembly.
As used herein, the term “approximately” may refer to a range of values of ±10% of a specific value.
As used herein, the term “near” refers to a region within close proximity of an intended point, position, or target. The term “near” may also refer to being at the intended point, position, or target.
As used herein the term “somewhat” refers to a range of values of ±50% of a specific value.
As used herein, the term “about” is used to provide flexibility to a numerical range endpoint by providing that a given value may be “a little above” or “a little below” the endpoint. In some cases, the term “about” is to include a range of not more than about two inches of deviation.
By way of illustration, a numerical range of “about 1 inch to about 5 inches” should be interpreted to include not only the explicitly recited values of about 1 inch to about 5 inches, but also include individual values and sub-ranges within the indicated range. Thus, included in this numerical range are individual values such as 2, 3, and 4 and sub-ranges such as from 1-3, from 2-4, and from 3-5.
This same principle applies to ranges reciting only one numerical value and should apply regardless of the breadth of the range or the characteristics being described.
Distances, forces, weights, amounts, and other numerical data may be expressed or presented herein in a range format. It is to be understood that such a range format is used merely for convenience and brevity and thus should be interpreted flexibly to include not only the numerical values explicitly recited as the limits of the range, but also to include all the individual numerical values or sub-ranges encompassed within that range as if each numerical value and sub-range is explicitly recited.
This same principle applies to ranges reciting only one numerical value and should apply regardless of the breadth of the range or the characteristics being described.
As used herein in this disclosure, the singular forms “a” and “the” may include plural referents, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
The present disclosure relates generally to mounting structures that minimize, divert, or eliminate extreme shocks. In general, when sensitive electronics are subject to sudden force or impact, shock energy may travel and physically damage the electronics. Shock testing may help prevent or mitigate such damage by subjecting a test device to sudden and extreme amounts of acceleration or deceleration and determining to what degree items can physically withstand relatively infrequent forces or mechanical vibrations. During pyroshock testing or warhead penetration testing, for example, extreme shock waves may travel through various mounting structures and advance into a fuze system. These shock waves may mechanically break the electronics, often impairing or disabling the warhead and disrupting mission critical events.
Embodiments of the shock resistant mounting structure for fuze systems disclosed herein solve this problem by interfacing the fuze system with a plurality of cripple studs that divert or physically deform when subject to extreme shocks or vibrations. For example, one embodiment of the shock resistant mounting structure may be a shock resistant fuze cap, comprising a circular cap housing configured to engage and disengage a flange end of a fuze. The circular cap housing may comprise a plurality of cripple studs disposed within the circular cap housing, and the cripple studs may deform when experiencing extreme shock or vibrations.
In another embodiment, the shock resistant mounting structure may be a shock resistant fuze cap and shock resistant collar combination adapted to interface a flange end of a fuze. The shock resistant fuze cap may engage a flange end and upper portion of the fuze and may comprise cripple studs disposed therein. The shock resistant collar may engage with the fuze body and may likewise comprise cripple studs to mechanically deform upon receiving extreme shock. In this manner, both the shock resistant fuze cap and shock resistant collar may absorb or divert extreme shock loading energy from damaging critical electronic components.
In the accompany drawings, like reference numbers indicate like elements. Reference characters 1000, 2000, 3000, 3100, 3200 depict various embodiments of the shock resistant mounting structures for fuze systems.
As shown in
Embodiments of the cripple studs 110 may be manufactured in various shapes and may comprise at least two flange ends 110b coupled to the inner opposing sides 105a, 105b of the housing 105 and a web portion 110a, 110c that extends between the flange ends 110b. For example, as shown in
The shock resistant mounting structures 1000 may be constructed of various materials. For example, in one embodiment, the shock resistant mounting structure 1000 may be constructed of a metal. Examples of such metals may include, without limitation: aluminum, titanium alloy, nickel alloy (e.g., Inconel®), and maraging steel. In another embodiment, the shock resistant mounting structure 1000 may be cast or additively manufactured.
In another embodiment, the shock resistant mounting structure 1000 may also be filled with an insulating liquid compound such as urethane polymer 115. Specifically, urethane polymer 115 may be used to fill the housing 105 to further damp shock or vibrational energy at frequencies spectra known to excite printed circuit board mounted electronic components. Preferably, an insulating liquid compound that solidifies is used in order to permanently protect the cripple studs 110 and assembly. The urethane polymer 115 may provide shielding or heat dissipating functions in addition to preventing or mitigation extreme shock. Other embodiments that may be used to also fill the shock resistant mounting structure 1000 may include, without limitation, epoxy potting compounds, urethane potting compounds, and silicone potting compounds.
Unlike the previous embodiment shown in
Embodiments, the shock resistant collar 3200 may comprise one or more cripple studs 3210 (shown in
As shown in
The top portion 3209 and bottom portion 3208 may be flat, circular portions that are substantially ring-shaped and may have center openings that adjoin the inner cylindrical sidewall 3207. In an exemplary embodiment, the top portion 3209 and the bottom portion 3208 may be the same size and shape. Notably, the bottom portion 3208 may have an inner circumference 3208a adjoining a bottom end 3207b of the inner cylindrical sidewall 3207, and the top portion 3209 may have an inner circumference 3209a adjoining a top end 3207a of the inner cylindrical sidewall 3207 (shown in
As recited above, the center opening 3205a of the ring-shaped housing 3205 is preferably adapted to engage the fuze body 4200 of a fuze 4000, and the ring-shaped housing 3205 may be configured to house the cripple stud(s) 3210. Like the previous embodiments shown in
Importantly, the vertical web portion 3210a and a horizontal web portion 3210b of the cripple studs 3210 may be constructed of a slightly stiff material (e.g., metal) and preferably have a maximum thickness of 0.25 inches. This may allow the vertical web portion 3210a and a horizontal web portion 3210b to be semi-rigid in order to deform when subjected to shock energy 120, yet strong enough to withstand typical forces and stresses associated with everyday use and misuse. In other embodiments, the vertical web portion 3210a and a horizontal web portion 3210b may have varying thicknesses. In various embodiments involving multiple cripple studs, each cripple stud 3210 may be in spaced parallel relation with each other and may be radially disposed around the inner cylindrical sidewall 3207 within the ring-shaped housing 3205. In this manner, the cripple stud(s) 3210 may deform or break when subjected to shock energy 120 entering towards the fuze 4000 through the shock resistant collar 3200.
As shown in
The bottom portion 3101 may be a flat, circular portion that is generally ring-shaped. The bottom portion 3101 may also have an inner circumference 3101a adjoining a bottom end 3107b of the first cylindrical sidewall 3107 and an outer circumference 3101b adjoining the bottom end 31066 of the outer cylindrical sidewall 3106. In this manner, the outer cylindrical sidewall 3106, first inner cylindrical sidewall 3107, and bottom portion 3101 may altogether form a first annular space 3105d within the circular cap housing 3105.
The intermediate portion 3102 may be a flat, circular portion that is generally disc-shaped (i.e., having an inner circumference 3102a that is substantially smaller than the inner circumference 3101a of the ring-shaped bottom portion 3101). Importantly, the intermediate portion 3102 may also have an inner circumference 3102a that adjoins the bottom end 3108b of the second inner cylindrical sidewall 3108 and an outer circumference 3102b that adjoins the top end 3107a of the first cylindrical sidewall 3107. In this manner, the first inner cylindrical sidewall 3107 and the intermediate portion 3102 may form a receptacle 3105a configured to fit a flange end 4100 of a fuze 4000.
Like the intermediate portion 3102, the top portion 3103 may be a flat, circular portion that is generally disc-shaped (i.e., having an inner circumference 3103a that is substantially smaller than the inner circumference 3101a of the ring-shaped bottom portion 3101). Importantly, the top portion 3103 may have an outer circumference 3103b that adjoins the top end 3106a of the outer cylindrical sidewall 3106 and an inner circumference 3103a that adjoins the top end 3108a of the second inner cylindrical sidewall 3108. In this manner, the top portion 3103, second inner cylindrical sidewall 3108, and intermediate portion 3102 may altogether form a second annular space 3105e within the circular cap housing 3105. Given that the bottom portion 3101, intermediate portion 3102, and top portion 3103 may be substantially flat, the cumulative heights of the first inner cylindrical sidewall 3107 and second inner cylindrical sidewall 3108 may be approximately the same height as the outer cylindrical sidewall 3106.
Preferably, the circular cap housing 3105 is adapted to be disposed between the flange end 4100 of the fuze 4000 and a fuze well 3300. The circular cap housing 3105 also preferably includes an interior space defined by both the first annular space 3105d and second annular space 3105e.
As recited above, the center opening 3100a of the shock resistant fuze cap 3100 (i.e., center opening 3105c of the circular cap housing 3105) is preferably adapted to engage an upper portion 4300 of the fuze 4000. Notably, the circular cap housing 3105 may be configured to house the cripple studs 3110. Like the previous embodiments, the cripple studs 3110 may be semi-rigid, special-purpose structural members that are physically coupled to or integrated with at least two interior, opposing sides of the circular cap housing 3105. The cripple studs 3110 may also be configured to absorb or physically deform when subjected to shock loading energy 120. Notably, the cripple studs 3110 are preferably located within the interior space of the circular cap housing 3105 in order to allow shock loading energy 120 entering from outside the fuze well 3300 to first travel along the cripple studs 3110 prior to contacting the fuze 4000.
Regarding the first cripple studs 3111 of the shock resistant fuze cap 3100, each first cripple stud 3111 may have at least two web portions 3111a, 3111b adjoined to each other in an offset pattern, such that each first cripple stud 3111 forms a single step. In particular, the first cripple studs 3111 may comprise a first web portion 3111a and second web portion 3111b. The first web portion 3111a may be located within the first annular space 3105d and may have a first end orthogonally adjoining the outer cylindrical sidewall 3106, as shown in
Similarly, regarding the second cripple studs 3112, each second cripple stud 3112 may have at least two web portions 3112a, 3112b adjoined to each other in an offset pattern, such that each second cripple stud 3112 forms a single step. In particular, the second cripple studs 3112 may comprise a first web portion 3112a and second web portion 3112b. The first web portion 3111a may be located substantially between the first and second annular spaces 3105d, 3105e within the circular cap housing 3105 and may have a first end adjoining the outer cylindrical sidewall 3106, as shown in
Finally, regarding the third cripple studs 3113, each third cripple studs 3113 may have at least three web portions 3113a, 3113b, 3113c adjoined to each other in an offset pattern, such that each third cripple stud 3113 forms a single step. In particular, the third cripple studs 3113 may comprise a first web portion 3113a, second web portion 3113b, and third web portion 3113c. The first web portion 3113a may be located within the second annular space 3105e of the circular cap housing 3105 and may have a first end orthogonally adjoining the top portion 3103. Similarly, the second web portion 3113b may be located within the second annular space 3105e within the circular cap housing 3105 and may have a first end orthogonally adjoining the intermediate portion 3102. Finally, the third web portion 3113c may extend to and orthogonally adjoin the second ends of the first and second web portions 3113a, 3113b of the third cripple studs 3113, such that the first web portion 3113a, second web portion 3113b, and third web portion 3113c form a single step, as shown in
The fuze 4000 may be a device configured to detonate a munition's explosive material under specified conditions and may have safety and arming mechanisms that protect users from premature or accidental detonation. Importantly, the fuze 4000 may contain the electronic or mechanical elements necessary to signal or actuate the detonator and may contain a small amount of primary explosive to initiate the detonation.
The fuze well 3300 may be a physical envelope or casing for interfacing the fuze 4000. Importantly, the fuze well 3300 may be adapted to hold and secure a shock resistant fuze cap 3100, shock resistant collar 3200, and fuze 4000.
Regarding the cripple stud(s) 3210 of the shock resistant collar 3200, the cripple stud(s) 3210 may absorb or deform when subject to shock loading energy 120. The cripple stud(s) 3210 may be radially disposed within the ring-shaped housing 3205, thereby allowing shock loading energy 120 entering from outside the fuze well 3300 to first travel along the cripple stud(s) 3210 prior to contacting the fuze body 4200 of the fuze 4000.
As recited above, the shock resistant fuze cap 3100 and shock resistant collar 3200 are preferably constructed of a metal. Examples of such metals may include, without limitation, aluminum, titanium alloy, nickel alloy (e.g., Inconel®), and maraging steel. In another embodiment, the shock resistant fuze cap 3100 and shock resistant collar 3200 may be cast or additively manufactured. Additionally, the shock resistant fuze cap 3100 and/or shock resistant collar 3200 may be filled with an insulating compound such as a urethane polymer.
Importantly,
As discussed above, each cripple stud 3111, 3112, 3113, 3210 may have web portions 3111a, 3111b, 3112a, 3112b, 3113a, 3113b, 3113c having various shapes. In particular, within the circular cap housing 3105 of the shock resistant fuze cap 3100, the first set of cripple studs 3111 and second set of cripple studs 3112 may have at least two web portions 3111a, 3111b, 3112a, 3112b, such that each cripple stud 3111, 3112 may form a single step. Similarly, the third set of cripple studs 3113 may have three web portions 3113a, 3113b, 3113c, also forming a single step. Regarding the shock resistant collar 3200, each cripple stud 3210 may have a least two web portions 3210a, 32106 extending between two opposing inner sides of the ring-shaped housing 3205 and intersecting each other at a midsection, such that each cripple stud 3210 may be substantially shaped as a cross. While
The foregoing description of the embodiments of the shock resistant mounting structures for fuze systems has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. While multiple embodiments of the shock resistant mounting structures are disclosed such as the shock resistant fuze cap and shock resistant collar, other embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the above detailed description. As will be realized, these embodiments are capable of modifications in various obvious aspects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the detailed description is to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive.
Although embodiments of the shock resistant mounting structure are described in considerable detail, other versions are possible such as, for example, orienting and/or attaching the shock resistant fuze cap and/or shock resistant collar in a different fashion. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of versions included herein.
Except as stated immediately above, nothing, which has been stated or illustrated, is intended or should be interpreted to cause a dedication of any component, step, feature, object, benefit, advantage, or equivalent to the public, regardless of whether it is or is not recited in the claims. The scope of protection is limited solely by the claims that now follow, and that scope is intended to be broad as is reasonably consistent with the language that is used in the claims. The scope of protection is also intended to be broad to encompass all structural and functional equivalents.
This application is a continuation-in-part patent application of the commonly owned, U.S. non-provisional patent application Ser. No. 16/737,214, titled “Shock Resistant Mounting Structures for Fuze Systems,” filed on Jan. 8, 2020 by inventor Nicholas H. Albrecht, the contents of which are hereby expressly incorporated herein by reference in its entirety and to which priority is claimed.
The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the government of the United States of America for governmental purposes without the payment of any royalties thereon or therefor.
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| Google Search for “Shock Resistant Washer”. |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 16737214 | Jan 2020 | US |
| Child | 17406450 | US |
