Accession Number:

ADD014934

Title:

Electrorheologically Damped Impact System.

Descriptive Note:

Patent, Filed 5 Jan 90, patented 7 May 91,

Corporate Author:

DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY WASHINGTON DC

Personal Author(s):

• Hardt, Lee R.

Report Date:

1991-05-07

Pagination or Media Count:

6.0

Abstract:

An impact switch having a housing containing a rigid coaxial conductor entering one end. An inner cylindrical contact extends axially inward from and beyond the in housing end of an outer tubular contact which has a spiral spring extending axially from within a recess therein. The free end of the spring supports a mass spaced from the end of the inner contact. The contacts, spring and mass are enclosed within a flexible shroud spaced from the inner wall of the housing. The space between the shroud and housing contains an electrorheological fluid, the viscosity of which is a function of the voltage supplied by two electrodes extending through the housing and into the fluid. The voltage controlled viscosity permits control of damping of the shroud, mass, and spring movements in response to impact caused switch deceleration and control of time for switch closure and fuze delay by means of mass contact with the inner cylindrical contact, or spring contact with the outer tubular contact.

Descriptors:

• CLOSURES
• CONTROL
• COVERINGS
• CYLINDRICAL BODIES
• DAMPING
• DECELERATION
• DELAY
• ELECTRODES
• EXTERNAL
• FUZES(ORDNANCE)
• IMPACT
• INTERNAL
• MASS
• RESPONSE
• SPRINGS
• SUPPORTS
• SWITCHES
• TIME
• TUBULAR STRUCTURES
• WALLS

Subject Categories:

• Ammunition and Explosives

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE