The invention relates to a method of delaying a mechanism in a firearm and a delay unit for a projectile comprising i) a first and a second pressure chamber (3a, 3b) arranged to receive combustion gases in a firearm via at least one inlet (1a, 1b) arranged to each of said first and second pressure chambers (3a, 3b) following firing of a projectile ii) at least one outlet for transferring the combustion gases (4a, 4b), arranged to each of said first and second pressure chambers (3a, 3b), to a piston chamber in which a displaceable piston (6) is arranged dividing the piston chamber into a compartment (5b) having a volume V.sub.1 upstream the piston (6) and a compartment (5a) having a volume V.sub.2 downstream the piston (6), wherein said at least one outlet (4a, 4b) from the first and second pressure chambers (3a, 3b) are arranged to transfer said combustion gases to said compartments (5a, b) of said piston chamber to provide an overall pressure difference between compartments (5a) and (5b) pressing the piston (6) at an initial idle position downstream whereby the volume V.sub.2 of compartment (5a) is reduced and whereby the piston (6) being pressed downstream towards an end position actuates a function at a predetermined point in time following firing of a firearm.

A power supply for providing electrical energy to a self-destruct fuze for submunitions contained in a projectile. The power supply including: a movable mass; at least one elastic element attached to the mass at one end for storing mechanical energy upon a firing acceleration of the projectile; at least one piezoelectric element attached to another end of the at least one elastic element for converting the stored mechanical energy to electrical energy upon the firing acceleration to vibrate the mass and at least one elastic element to apply a cyclic force to the at least one piezoelectric element; and a self destruct fuze for detonation of the self destruct fuze upon receiving the electrical energy.

A power supply for providing electrical energy to a self-destruct fuze for submunitions contained in a projectile. The power supply including: a movable mass; at least one elastic element attached to the mass at one end for storing mechanical energy upon a firing acceleration of the projectile; at least one piezoelectric element attached to another end of the at least one elastic element for converting the stored mechanical energy to electrical energy upon the firing acceleration to vibrate the mass and at least one elastic element to apply a cyclic force to the at least one piezoelectric element; and a self destruct fuze for detonation of the self destruct fuze upon receiving the electrical energy.

The invention relates to a percussion fuse having an active sensor, which generates a sensor voltage, having a filter circuit consisting of a high pass and at least one low pass, in order to be able to adjust dynamic percussion characteristics. The invention further relates to an operating state switch, which can transition the percussion fuse into one of two operating states, specifically into an activated and a deactivated operating state. To this end, the operating state switch is switched into one of the two operating states by means of a safety voltage. In the active operating state, the sensor voltage is supplied directly to the threshold value switch and in the deactivated operating state, the sensor voltage is held below the threshold value of the threshold value switch by an input limiter.

A multi-mode fuse system for use in a warhead for combating a target. At least one target sensor is electrically connected to a signal processing block and an I/O-block. The I/O-block is configured to be set by the operator of the warhead. The target sensor is adapted to generate an electrical output in response to the rate of deceleration of the warhead. The fuse system is adapted to discriminate the hardness of the target based upon the electrical output of the target sensor and to select the mode of operation depending upon the target discrimination. The fuse system is adapted to discriminate at least one type of target depending upon the electrical output of the target sensors. The fuse system selects one of at least three modes of operation of the warhead. Also a method for classifying the target hardness and selection of the operational mode of a warhead.

A multi-mode fuse system for use in a warhead for combating a target. At least one target sensor is electrically connected to a signal processing block and an I/O-block. The I/O-block is configured to be set by the operator of the warhead. The target sensor is adapted to generate an electrical output in response to the rate of deceleration of the warhead. The fuse system is adapted to discriminate the hardness of the target based upon the electrical output of the target sensor and to select the mode of operation depending upon the target discrimination. The fuse system is adapted to discriminate at least one type of target depending upon the electrical output of the target sensors. The fuse system selects one of at least three modes of operation of the warhead. Also a method for classifying the target hardness and selection of the operational mode of a warhead.

A device responsive to an acceleration pulse event, the device including: a piezoelectric device configured to generate a voltage over a duration responsive to one or more acceleration pulse events; an electrical storage device configured to receive a portion of the generated voltage to accumulate a charge; an energy dissipating device coupled to the electrical storage device and configured to dissipate the accumulated charge following the one or more acceleration pulse events and not to substantially dissipate the accumulated charge during the one or more acceleration pulse events; and a voltage limiting device coupled to the electrical storage device and configured to limit the portion of the generated voltage applied to the electrical storage device to a predetermined limit.

A device responsive to an acceleration pulse event, the device including: a piezoelectric device configured to generate a voltage over a duration responsive to one or more acceleration pulse events; an electrical storage device configured to receive a portion of the generated voltage to accumulate a charge; an energy dissipating device coupled to the electrical storage device and configured to dissipate the accumulated charge following the one or more acceleration pulse events and not to substantially dissipate the accumulated charge during the one or more acceleration pulse events; and a voltage limiting device coupled to the electrical storage device and configured to limit the portion of the generated voltage applied to the electrical storage device to a predetermined limit.

The invention relates to a method of delaying a mechanism in a firearm and a delay unit for a projectile comprising i) a first and a second pressure chamber (3a, 3b) arranged to receive combustion gases in a firearm via at least one inlet (1a, 1b) arranged to each of said first and second pressure chambers (3a, 3b) following firing of a projectile ii) at least one outlet for transferring the combustion gases (4a, 4b), arranged to each of said first and second pressure chambers (3a, 3b), to a piston chamber in which a displaceable piston (6) is arranged dividing the piston chamber into a compartment (5b) having a volume V.sub.1 upstream the piston (6) and a compartment (5a) having a volume V.sub.2 downstream the piston (6), wherein said at least one outlet (4a, 4b) from the first and second pressure chambers (3a, 3b) are arranged to transfer said combustion gases to said compartments (5a, b) of said piston chamber to provide an overall pressure difference between compartments (5a) and (5b) pressing the piston (6) at an initial idle position downstream whereby the volume V.sub.2 of compartment (5a) is reduced and whereby the piston (6) being pressed downstream towards an end position actuates a function at a predetermined point in time following firing of a firearm.

A piezoelectric generator for generating power upon an acceleration and upon a deceleration of a body. The piezoelectric generator including: first and second masses; first and second springs, the first spring being connected to the body at one end and to the first mass at an other end, the second spring being connected to the body at one end and to the second spring at an other end; and a piezoelectric material connected to the first and second masses such that the piezoelectric material generates power when the body is accelerated or decelerated.