Abstract: An improved modular igniter package designed for bus communication with a central control module has an internal bridge element that is electrically accessible for factory testing of the bridge element. Temporary electrical interconnects internal to the igniter package electrically couple the bridge element to a pair of external bus communication terminals, enabling direct access to the bridge element by factory test equipment for accurate measurement of electrical parameters such as electrical resistance and thermal capacitance. Following measurement of the electrical parameters, the temporary interconnects are electrically destroyed, isolating the bus communication terminals from the bridge element. The temporary interconnects are preferably in the form of a pair of metal fuse elements, which are electrically destroyed by electrical currents passing through the fuse elements and respective diodes coupling the bridge element to a ground terminal of the igniter package.

Abstract: A mechanical field effect transistor sensor which has a drain and a source on a semiconductor portion, and a moveable gate which causes conduction between the drain and source when the gate is in proximity or touching the semiconductor portion. The gate in its preferred embodiment comprises a cantilever microbeam which allows movement of the gate up or down with respect to the semiconductor portion when a force is applied to the microbeam. The microbeam can be replaced with a diaphragm or a simply supported beam. The gate is coupled to an external voltage source which supplies a voltage to the gate causing the conduction between drain and source. Another embodiment uses a piezoelectric material for the gate which generates a voltage when it is compressed or expanded due to forces caused by changes in acceleration and magnetic fields.

Abstract: In an electrical detonator, an electrical circuit includes a network for rging the fire pulse capacitor. After battery activation and gun launch, but before arming, the circuit (via an n channel MOS transistor within the CMOS) operates to ground the fire pulse capacitor. At "arm minus 50 msec", the n channel is turned OFF and the p channel transistor is turned ON. This charges the fire pulse capacitor to the battery voltage within 50 msec. The CMOS issues an "ARM COMMAND" to fire the piston actuator (PA) discharging the fire pulse capacitor until PA fires. The fire pulse capacitor is recharged in the 50 msec interval between ARM and FIRE. Logic within the CMOS is used to monitor the fire pulse capacitor. These circuits will detect premature voltage on the fire pulse capacitor and DUD the fuze.