Abstract: A firing pin assembly with a firing pin having a shaft with a distal bearing thereon. The firing pin has a standby position, a load position, and a fire position. A cam engages the bearing and is configured to drive the shaft between the standby position and the load position. A spring about the shaft is compressed when the shaft is driven into the load position. A driver turns the cam when energized to drive the shaft from the standby position to the load position and then to turn the cam further whereupon the compressed spring urges the firing pin to fire.

Abstract: This subject invention features a robot deployed weapon system. A remotely controlled mobile robot has a weapon mounted to the robot. There is a firing circuit for the weapon and a weapon interrupt module on board the robot. An operator control unit is for remotely operating the robot and the weapon. The operating control unit preferably includes a stop switch. Also, a separate operator module is in communication with the weapon interrupt module. Preferably, the operator module includes a kill switch. There are two communication links. The first communication link is between the operator control unit and the robot. This communication link is configured to safe the weapon if the stop switch is activated and/or the first communication link degrades. The second communication link is between the operator module and the weapon interrupt module. The communication link is configured to safe the weapon if the kill switch is activated and/or the second communication link degrades.

Abstract: A mobile, remotely controlled robot includes a turret subsystem, a robot controller subsystem configured to control the robot, control the turret, and fire the weapon, a robot navigation subsystem configured to determine the position of the robot, a turret orientation determination subsystem, and a robot communications subsystem for receiving commands and for transmitting robot position data and turret orientation data. An operator control unit includes a user interface for commanding the robot, the turret, and the weapon. An operator control unit communications subsystem transmits commands to the robot and receives robot position data and turret orientation data from the robot. An operator control unit navigation subsystem is configured to determine the position of the operator control unit.

Abstract: A safe and arm system includes an operator control subsystem including a first arm switch, a second arm switch, and a fire switch. A fire control subsystem is responsive to the operator control subsystem and includes at least a pair of terminals for connection to a munition. The terminals are initially shorted together and without a ground. A power supply control circuit is configured to supply power to the terminals. A ground supply circuit is configured to ground one said terminal. A terminal shorting circuit is configured to remove the short across the pair of terminals. The power supply control circuit, the ground supply circuit, and the terminal shorting circuit are configured to ground one terminal, remove the short across the pair of terminals, and to supply power to the terminals only if the first and second arm switches and the fire switch are all activated in a predetermined sequence.

Abstract: This subject invention features a robot deployed weapon system. A remotely controlled mobile robot has a weapon mounted to the robot. There is a firing circuit for the weapon and a weapon interrupt module on board the robot. An operator control unit is for remotely operating the robot and the weapon. The operating control unit preferably includes a stop switch. Also, a separate operator module is in communication with the weapon interrupt module. Preferably, the operator module includes a kill switch. There are two communication links. The first communication link is between the operator control unit and the robot. This communication link is configured to safe the weapon if the stop switch is activated and/or the first communication link degrades. The second communication link is between the operator module and the weapon interrupt module. The communication link is configured to safe the weapon if the kill switch is activated and/or the second communication link degrades.

Abstract: A firing pin assembly with a firing pin having a shaft with a distal bearing thereon. The firing pin has a standby position, a load position, and a fire position. A cam engages the bearing and is configured to drive the shaft between the standby position and the load position. A spring about the shaft is compressed when the shaft is driven into the load position. A driver turns the cam when energized to drive the shaft from the standby position to the load position and then to turn the cam further whereupon the compressed spring urges the firing pin to fire.

Abstract: A mobile, remotely controlled robot includes a turret subsystem, a robot controller subsystem configured to control the robot, control the turret, and fire the weapon, a robot navigation subsystem configured to determine the position of the robot, a turret orientation determination subsystem, and a robot communications subsystem for receiving commands and for transmitting robot position data and turret orientation data. An operator control unit includes a user interface for commanding the robot, the turret, and the weapon. An operator control unit communications subsystem transmits commands to the robot and receives robot position data and turret orientation data from the robot. An operator control unit navigation subsystem is configured to determine the position of the operator control unit.

Abstract: A safe and arm system includes an operator subsystem including a first arm switch, a second arm switch, and a fire switch. A fire control subsystem is responsive to the control subsystem and includes at least a pair of terminals for connection to a munition. The terminals are initially shorted together and without a ground. A power supply control circuit is configured to supply power to the terminals. A ground supply circuit is configured to ground one said terminal. A terminal shorting circuit is configured to remove the short across the pair of terminals. The power supply control circuit, the ground supply circuit, and the terminal shorting circuit are configured to ground one terminal, remove the short across the pair of terminals, and to supply power to the terminals only if the first and second arm switches and the fire switch are all activated in a predetermined sequence.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for determining whether soil is satisfactorily compacted. An operator delivers impact energy to the soil, and the amount of impact energy transmitted through the soil is repeatedly sensed and stored. A modelling formula, which approximates the variation of the stored amounts of impact energy, is used to generate current and target values for the level of compaction; if the current value equals or exceeds the target value, the soil is considered to be satisfactorily compacted.