I hope this works - right from the Mk 14 Mk 23 manual. I will attach the word document so you can see the diagrams - they do not come through with copy and pastge.
War heads for the Torpedoes Mk 14 and Mk 23 Type are fitted with Exploder Mechanisms Mk 6 Mod 5, which are fired by direct impact with the target.
The exploder mechanism is mounted on a flange in a rectangular cavity (exploder-mechanism casing) in the forward part of the war head. The exploder-mechanism base is rectangular in shape to fit the war head cavity, and its exterior surface is curved to maintain the contour of the head.
A channel in the exploder mechanism base provides a path for the stream of water that drives the impeller wheel which furnishes the driving power for the various mechanisms within the exploder mechanism (Fig. 6A). The rotation of the impeller is transmitted to the interior of the exploder-mechanism base by means of a shaft passing through a watertight packing gland.
A direct-current generator driven from the impeller shaft supplies the electrical energy necessary for firing the detonator. A voltage regulator tube controls the output of this generator, limiting it to a nearly constant value, regardless of the speed of the generator. This generator charges a large condenser, which then becomes a reservoir of electrical energy. When this energy is released by closing an impact switch, it fires the detonator and detonates the war head.
hen the torpedo is fired, the exploder mechanism must be inoperative for the first part of the run in order to protect the firing vessel from possible premature action of
Figure 6A-Exploder Mechanism Base, showing Impeller, Channel, and Impeller Guard (removed)
the exploder mechanism. This is the function of the arming mechanism, the essential features of which are as follows:
1. The safety chamber, in which the detonator is housed during the first part of
Figure 7A-Exploder Mechanism Mk 6-5-Unarmed
Figure 8A-Exploder Mechanism Mk 6-5-Armed
Figure 7B-Exploder Mechanism Mk 6-5-Ball Switch Open
Figure 8B-Exploder Mechanism Mk 6-5-Ball Switch Closed (Fired)
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the run and within which it can be fired without detonating the war head.
2. The delay device, composed of a switch which grounds the generator of the exploder mechanism during the first part of the run, thus temporarily preventing current from passing into the condenser and detonator.
A self-cocking impact-operated switch provides the means for firing the detonator upon impact of the torpedo with the target. This impact switch is installed in the exploder-mechanism casing above the exploder mechanism, and is connected by wire leads to the electric terminals of the condenser and the detonator, which are mounted in the exploder-mechanism base.
The operation of the exploder is as follows:
Upon launching of the torpedo the impeller of the exploder begins to rotate. The rotation of the impeller drives a gear train (Fig. 7A) which rotates the delay-device worm wheel and the arming gear. The delay device renders the generator inoperative by grounding its field circuit until the delay wheel has made nearly a complete revolution, at which time the wheel stops, breaking the ground, thus activating the field circuit and allowing the generator to build up operating voltages. In the meantime the rotation of the arming gear has run the detonator up out of the safety chamber into the booster cavity (firing position). The generator charges the large condenser, mounted on the firing-mechanism base plate, which supplies the electrical energy necessary for firing the electrical detonator.
Upon impact with the target, the ball in the impact switch (Fig. 8B) is displaced,
and as a result the spring contact of the switch is forced down, making electrical contact with the fixed contact. As soon as electrical contact is made, the condenser is discharged through the electric detonator (Fig. 8A), setting it off, thus detonating the booster and the main charge in the war head.
Note: The exploder mechanisms are issued to the service with a pick-up coil and thyratron tube installed on their base. These devices are applicable to the influence feature only and will not be described in this publication.
Booster
Above the exploder mechanism, when installed in the war head, is a thin sheet-copper container holding a charge of tetryl. This is known as the booster. It is so shaped that it fits inside the pocket at the top of the exploder casing, and rests snugly upon the top of the safety chamber.
The detonator, during the arming operation, is moved up out of the safety chamber into a recess in the bottom of the booster; thus, the detonation of the detonator can set off the booster. Before the exploder is fully armed, the detonator holder is within the safety chamber, where it can explode without detonating the booster. It is not until the detonator holder is well extended from its safety chamber that it can detonate the booster; thus any accident which might cause the detonator to explode while the torpedo is still aboard, or close to its firing vessel, cannot cause detonation of the war head, since the torpedo must travel about 350 yards through the water before the detonator can fire the booster.
