Switch Patents (Class 102/262)
  • Patent number: 11069496
    Abstract: An improved magnetic switch assembly (16) has a housing (24), a first electrode (40) positioned within the housing (24), a second electrode (42), and a magnetically movable component (48) located within the housing (24) and shiftable between a first position in simultaneous contact with electrodes (40, 42), and a second position out of such simultaneous contact. The electrode (40) has a radially enlarged contact section (44, 58) adjacent the free end thereof which prevents hangup or sticking of component (48) in the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: Magnasphere Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph C. Hedeen, Randall Woods, Larry Hedeen
  • Patent number: 10546705
    Abstract: A switch including: first and second electrically conductive electrodes; an electrically conductive element; an electrically insulating medium separating the first and second electrodes and separating the electrically conductive element from the second electrode; and a pyrotechnic element including an explosive, explosion of the explosive causing the electrically conductive element to be driven into contact with the second electrode and the conductive element to be welded to the second electrode to form an electrically conductive link between the first and second electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES
    Inventors: Daniel Chatroux, Sebastien Carcouet, Jeremy Dupont, Pierre Perichon
  • Patent number: 9934921
    Abstract: An improved magnetic switch assembly (16) has a housing (24), a first electrode (40) positioned within the housing (24), a second electrode (42), and a magnetically movable component (48) located within the housing (24) and shiftable between a first position in simultaneous contact with electrodes (40, 42), and a second position out of such simultaneous contact. The electrode (40) has a radially enlarged contact section (44, 58) adjacent the free end thereof which prevents hangup or sticking of component (48) in the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Magnasphere Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph C. Hedeen, Randall Woods, Larry Hedeen
  • Patent number: 9006628
    Abstract: A weapon and weapon system, and methods of manufacturing and operating the same. In one embodiment, the weapon includes a warhead having destructive elements. The weapon also includes a folding lug switch assembly that provides a mechanism to attach the weapon to a delivery vehicle and is configured to close after launching from the delivery vehicle, thereby satisfying a criterion to arm the warhead. The weapon still further includes a guidance section including an antenna configured to receive mission data before launching from the delivery vehicle and further configured to receive instructions after launching from the delivery vehicle to guide the weapon to a target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Lone Star IP Holdings, LP
    Inventors: Steven D. Roemerman, John P. Volpi
  • Patent number: 8939083
    Abstract: The safing system employs a multi-axis accelerometer system and multi-axis gyroscope system and a processor that is programmed to iteratively read acceleration data from the accelerometer system and apply a multi-axis rotation on the acceleration data using gyroscope data iteratively read from the gyroscope system to generate rotationally corrected acceleration data and further programmed to calculate a cumulative distance measure using the rotationally corrected acceleration data. The processor then compares the cumulative distance measure with a predetermined reference measure and to issue a control signal to enable arming of the device when the cumulative distance measure exceeds the reference measure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: L3 Fuzing and Ordnance Systems
    Inventors: Noah Desch, Tim B. Bonbrake
  • Patent number: 8925462
    Abstract: A system includes a first arm switch, a voltage multiplier device connected in series with the first arm switch, and a first intermediate voltage detector portion communicatively connected to the sequence of events logic portion, the first intermediate voltage detector portion operative to determine whether a first voltage signal is greater than a first threshold voltage value and responsive to determining that the first voltage signal is greater than the first threshold voltage value affect an actuation of the first arm switch and output a first arm signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Bradley M. Biggs, Tim Bonbrake, Nicole Quackenbush
  • Patent number: 8869700
    Abstract: A G-switch including: a base and posts, the posts having a hole; a locking ball with a portion disposed in the holes; a striker mass movably disposed relative to the posts and having a concave portion, wherein a portion of the locking balls is disposed the concave portion; a collar movable relative to the posts; a biasing element for biasing the collar in a position which retains the locking balls within the concave portions, the biasing element permitting movement of the collar to a position in which the locking balls are released from the concave portions to release the striker mass upon a predetermined acceleration profile; and a member on the striker mass and first and second electrically conductive contacts on a portion of the body, the first member opening or closing an electrical circuit between the first and second contacts upon release of the striker mass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Omnitek Partners LLC
    Inventor: Jahangir S. Rastegar
  • Patent number: 8857339
    Abstract: An explosives detonator system for detonating an explosive charge with which it is, in use, arranged in a detonating relationship is provided. On acceptance of a detonation initiating signal having a detonation initiating property, the system initiates and thus detonates the explosive charge. The system includes an initiating device which accepts the detonation initiating signal and initiates and thus detonates the explosive charge. The initiating device is initially in a non-detonation initiating condition, in which it is not capable of accepting the detonation initiating signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: AEL Mining Services Limited
    Inventors: Elmar Muller, Pieter Stephanus Jacobus Halliday, Clifford Gordon Morgan, Paul Dastoor, Warwick Belcher, Xiaojing Zhou, Glenn Bryant
  • Patent number: 8820241
    Abstract: A safety device for a fuze of a projectile that includes a detonating device for detonating the fuze. The safety device has a safety unit with a processor for safeguarding a detonation process of the detonating device. The safety unit contains a sensor unit configured to output a disengagement signal at a predetermined acceleration state. The processor is set up to output a control signal to release the safety unit in accordance with the presence of the disengagement signal. A low-acceleration state of the flight of the projectile can thus be detected and used as release parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Junghans Microtec GmbH
    Inventors: Karl Kautzsch, Siegfried Lauble, Robert Hüttner, Andreas Schellhorn
  • Patent number: 8695505
    Abstract: A detonator (120) which has a battery (136) which is movable by a pressure wave from a shock tube (158) to a position at which the battery is placed in electrical contact with a circuit (130) which controls firing of an ignition element (128).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Detnet South Africa (Pty) Ltd.
    Inventors: Andre Louis Koekemoer, Johannes Petrus Kruger, Christopher Malcolm Birkin
  • Patent number: 8528478
    Abstract: According to certain embodiments, an arming system includes a first logic device and a second logic device that are both coupled to a detonation circuit operable to initiate a detonation device. The second logic device is operable to receive one or more first signals generated by the first logic device, determine a first fault condition of the first logic device according to the received one or more first signals, and disable the detonation circuit according to the determined first fault condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventor: Delmer D. Fisher
  • Patent number: 8479651
    Abstract: A pyrotechnic training system includes a firing block assembly housed in a first container, a pressure-armed trigger module having two triggers housed in a second container, and a power pack/switch system that connects the firing block assembly and triggers. The first and second containers are remote from each other, and may be made from common objects that might be found in combat zones. Quick-release pins inserted through components of the firing block prevents their separation by exploding ordinance within the firing block, maintaining close electrical contacts within the firing block. The pressure-armed triggers employ a mechanical system that energizes an electrical circuit when pressure is released. Such triggers are arranged such that opening or moving the container triggers an explosion at the remote firing block assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Pacific Coast Systems
    Inventors: Diana P. Schaeffer, James Leung Mok
  • Patent number: 8397640
    Abstract: The presently disclosed technique pertains to in-line explosive trains, and, more particularly, to a dynamic switch for use in an in-line explosive train. In a first aspect, the presently disclosed technique includes a method for use in arming an in-line explosive train comprising: arming two S&A circuits independently of one another; transitioning each arming circuit to a dynamic control start state to initiate a pair of state machines, each state machine associate with a respective one of the S&A circuits; transitioning through the states of the state machine to turn a switch on and off. In a second aspect, the presently disclosed technique includes a dynamic safety switch for use in an in-line explosive train comprising: a pair of S&A circuits; a pair of state machines entering a predetermined cycle upon indication to arm from both the S&A circuits and cooperatively transitioning through the cycle; and a switch controlled by the cooperative transition of the state machines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corp.
    Inventors: Paul J. Carson, Eric E. Roach
  • Patent number: 8387533
    Abstract: A downhole perforating gun switch is located in the sub housing and has first, second and intermediate contacts, with the intermediate contact located between the first and second contacts. In an initial position, the intermediate and second contacts are in contact with each other, while the intermediate and first contacts are out of contact with each other. A thermoplastic plug is positioned between the intermediate and second contacts. A conductive sleeve or enclosure provides the electrical contact between the intermediate and second contacts. When the switch is subjected to detonation effects from the perforating gun, the second contact, the plug, and the intermediate contact are moved toward the first contact, wherein the first and intermediate contacts contact each other and the intermediate and second contacts are out of contact with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Inventor: Kevin D. Runkel
  • Publication number: 20120247356
    Abstract: The presently disclosed technique pertains to in-line explosive trains, and, more particularly, to a dynamic switch for use in an in-line explosive train. In a first aspect, the presently disclosed technique includes a method for use in arming an in-line explosive train comprising: arming two S&A circuits independently of one another; transitioning each arming circuit to a dynamic control start state to initiate a pair of state machines, each state machine associate with a respective one of the S&A circuits; transitioning through the states of the state machine to turn a switch on and off. In a second aspect, the presently disclosed technique includes a dynamic safety switch for use in an in-line explosive train comprising: a pair of S&A circuits; a pair of state machines entering a predetermined cycle upon indication to arm from both the S&A circuits and cooperatively transitioning through the cycle; and a switch controlled by the cooperative transition of the state machines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2011
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Inventors: Paul J. Carson, Erich E. Roach
  • Publication number: 20120119013
    Abstract: A weapon and weapon system, and methods of manufacturing and operating the same. In one embodiment, the weapon includes a warhead having destructive elements. The weapon also includes a folding lug switch assembly that provides a mechanism to attach the weapon to a delivery vehicle and is configured to close after launching from the delivery vehicle, thereby satisfying a criterion to arm the warhead. The weapon still further includes a guidance section including an antenna configured to receive mission data before launching from the delivery vehicle and further configured to receive instructions after launching from the delivery vehicle to guide the weapon to a target.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2010
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Inventors: Steven D. Roemerman, John P. Volpi
  • Publication number: 20120111217
    Abstract: A firing head embodiment of the invention confines a connected capacitance cartridge, explosive detonator, and wireline connection switch within an independent, cylindrical housing tube that is environmentally capped at both ends by threaded closures for secure transport to a well site.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Inventor: William T. Bell
  • Patent number: 8161879
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for sensing acceleration according to various aspects of the present invention comprises a non-rigid membrane and a switching latch electrically coupled to the membrane. The membrane is responsive to acceleration forces and is configured to produce a signal as a result of deflections in the membrane caused by acceleration. The signal is transmitted to the switching latch causing a change in state of the switching latch. This change in state allows a second signal to be sent to an activating device such as a squib.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventor: John Pattison
  • Publication number: 20120090490
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for sensing acceleration according to various aspects of the present invention comprises a non-rigid membrane and a switching latch electrically coupled to the membrane. The membrane is responsive to acceleration forces and is configured to produce a signal as a result of deflections in the membrane caused by acceleration. The signal is transmitted to the switching latch causing a change in state of the switching latch. This change in state allows a second signal to be sent to an activating device such as a squib.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2009
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Inventor: John Pattison
  • Patent number: 7905177
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Foster-Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel R. Deguire, Peter Wells, Pierre Bergeron, Joshua Huggins, Mark St. Lawrence
  • Patent number: 7791858
    Abstract: An electronic blasting system (10) comprising a plurality of hardware components (12.1 to 12.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Orica Explosives Technology Pty, Ltd.
    Inventors: Dirk Hummel, Michael John McCann, Charles Michael Lownds, Erich Nicol Meyer
  • Publication number: 20100199873
    Abstract: A method for enabling safe/arm functionality in weapons. The method including: attaching the weapon to an airframe; providing an elastic element in the weapon; releasing the weapon from the airframe to release a stored energy in the elastic element; converting the stored energy to an electrical energy; and providing the electrical energy to one or more components in the weapon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2009
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Applicant: OMNITEK PARTNERS LLC
    Inventor: Jahangir S. Rastegar
  • Patent number: 7699003
    Abstract: A safety and arming unit with a safe separation distance device (14), which acts as a function of a free-flight incident flow and temperature, for the fuze (12) of a projectile (11), which fuze is hermetically sealed from environmental influences, has, as a measurement device for the cooling, as a function of the incident flow, of a conductor through which current passes, in the heating circuit (18) of a resistant heating element (16) which is fitted flat on the fuze casing surface (17), an electronic current measurement apparatus (21) which is connected upstream of an evaluation circuit (22), in order to ram a firing circuit. Two heating elements (16, 16?), which are fed in the same way, are preferably arranged one behind the other in the incident flow direction (15), and, additionally as an environmental temperature sensor, a comparison heating element (16?) which is not influenced by the incident flow (15).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Junghans Microtec GmbH
    Inventors: Alexander Zinell, Reiner Hennig, Rolf Kaden
  • Patent number: 7661364
    Abstract: A safety and arming unit (11) which is designed in particular for an electrical fuze circuit (27) does not reliably respond just to lateral loads on one side, but responds only to centrifugal forces produced by the spin during free flight, in that two contact pairs (22-23, 22-23) which are connected electrically in parallel with one another via rings (14, 15) and are arranged diametrically opposite one another on a cross-sectional plane of the fuze (12) are both no longer electrically conductively bridged at the same time by the bolt (17) because, just by virtue of the centrifugal force, both bolts (17) are simultaneously moved radially outwards from their short-circuit safety positions in their blind holes (16), which are oriented transversely with respect to the rotation axis (13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Junghans Microtec GmbH
    Inventors: Alexander Zinell, Reiner Hennig, Alfred Boos
  • Patent number: 7614346
    Abstract: A projectile fuze (12) having fuze electronics in which the time of flight (T) can be programmed, having a timer/counter which counts up to the programmed time of flight (T)—minus a defined time value (?t)—and then charges an electrical firing circuit, and having a mechanical safety and arming unit (16) which switches a firing chain to the armed position after a specific time interval. The firing chain has an electrical detonator (24), a fuze needle (20), a piercing detonator (22) and a booster charge (26). The projectile fuze (12) has a pyrotechnic force element (14), which is interconnected with the fuze electronics and mechanically blocks the safety and arming unit (16) until the time of flight (T) minus the predetermined time value (?t) is reached, after which the electrical firing circuit is charged and the safety and arming unit (16) is unlocked to the armed position by initiation of the force element (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: Junghans Microtech GmbH
    Inventors: Frank Kienzler, Wolfgang Schillinger, Wolfgang Zehnder, Reiner Hennig, Esther Laufer, Siegfried Paulini
  • Publication number: 20090126593
    Abstract: A safety and arming unit for a fuse includes a firing chain having first and second firing devices defining an intermediate space therebetween and a barrier blocking the intermediate space in a safe position. The firing chain is brought into an armed position by a releasing movement vacating the intermediate space. First and second mutually independent securing devices lock the barrier in the safe position and execute an unlocking action based on two mutually independent physical arming parameters. A compact and very reliable safety and arming unit can be achieved in this way.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2008
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Applicant: JUNGHANS MICROTEC GMBH
    Inventors: Karl Glatthaar, Reiner Hennig, Gerhard Heussler, Karl Kautzsch, Frank Martin Kienzler, Alexander Zinell
  • Patent number: 7464648
    Abstract: A hybrid electronic and electromechanical arm-fire device comprising a moving mechanical element having a safe position and an armed position, one or more pyrotechnic detonators each having an output mounted on the moving mechanical element, a pickup adjacent to the detonator output(s) that is in alignment therewith when the moving mechanical element is in the armed position but is not so aligned when the moving mechanical element is in the safe position, and electronic circuitry including a logic core having an electronic switch. The electronic circuitry may also include an electronic sensor such as a photointerruptor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: Special Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Gimtong Teowee, John A. Sudick, Russ E. Rukavina
  • Patent number: 7370584
    Abstract: A safety and arming apparatus for arming a fuze of a smart weapon comprise a release sensor and a verification maneuver sensor in cooperative electronic communication with each other, such that when the release sensor senses that the weapon has been released and the verification maneuver sensor detects a predetermined verification maneuver of the weapon in flight, the fuze is armed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Alliant Techsystems Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Johnson, Kenneth Ceola
  • Publication number: 20080083344
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2006
    Publication date: April 10, 2008
    Inventors: Daniel R. Deguire, Peter Wells, Pierre Bergeron, Joshua Huggins, Mark St. Lawrence
  • Publication number: 20080047451
    Abstract: A safety and arming apparatus for arming a fuze of a smart weapon comprise a release sensor and a verification maneuver sensor in cooperative electronic communication with each other, such that when the release sensor senses that the weapon has been released and the verification maneuver sensor detects a predetermined verification maneuver of the weapon in flight, the fuze is armed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2004
    Publication date: February 28, 2008
    Applicant: Alliant Techsystems Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Johnson, Kenneth Ceola
  • Patent number: 7240617
    Abstract: An arming system for a weapon, such as a missile, includes a pair of logic elements that output different types of signals upon the occurrence of different pre-arming events. The different types of signals may be, for instance, signals at different frequencies. The different signals are combined in a mixer. The mixed combined signal may be processed by passing it though elements such as a band pass filter and/or a pulse-width modulator/controller. An arming switch is configured to initiate arming when a predetermined condition in the combined signal is detected, such as the presence of a frequency in the combined signal at the difference between the frequencies of the individual signals from the logic elements. By basing arming on characteristics of a mixed combined signal from two logical elements, there are no credible single-point failure modes in the arming system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Timothy B. Bonbrake, Christopher J. Rutz, Christina L. Adair
  • Patent number: 6729240
    Abstract: An ignition isolating interrupt control circuit (52) includes a main transition circuit (90) isolating a first activation circuit (84) from an ignition circuit (114). The main transition circuit (90) includes a source terminal (93) that is electrically coupled to and receives a first source power from the first activation circuit (84). An input terminal (106) is electrically coupled to a second activation circuit (88) and receives an activation signal. An output terminal (138) is electrically coupled to the ignition circuit (114) and receives and supplies the first source power to the ignition circuit (114) in response to the activation signal. A power source monitor cutoff circuit (112) including a comparator is electrically coupled to the first activation circuit (84) and to the ignition circuit (114) and disables the ignition circuit (114) when a source voltage level is less than a predetermined voltage level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Gregory H. Smith, David M. Wheeler
  • Patent number: 6675715
    Abstract: A device supplies electric energy for projectile detonators without a battery or additional energy generation during flight of the projectile. For operating the projectile detonator in the flight phase, a supply capacitor charged during an inductive programming phase is disposed. The capacitor has a very low leakage current in order to bridge a time in the range of minutes between the programming and the start of the flight phase without significant energy loss. The charging of the supply capacitor takes place through halfwaves, of a programming AC voltage not utilized in the programming and not under load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Honeywell AG
    Inventor: Bertram Kölbli
  • Publication number: 20030209161
    Abstract: A nesting switch is disclosed that is used to sense that the submunitions of an explosive ordnance have been removed, unnested, or unstacked from their storage locations. The nesting switch, in one embodiment, has at least one contact that is stationary and another contact which sticks out and interferes with the submunitions so as to be compressed against the stationary contact while the submunitions is in a storage (non operative) location and, then if the submunition is removed the interfering contact moves away from the stationary contact causing the generation of an unnested control signal that is delivered to the system controlling the fuze of the submunitions. The nesting switch is another embodiment that has a lever that sticks out and interferes with the submunition so as to be compressed causing another part of the lever to come in contact with the electrical contacts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2002
    Publication date: November 13, 2003
    Inventor: Eugene E. Marquis
  • Patent number: 6622629
    Abstract: A fuze for a submunition is miniaturized in size by forming the fuze of a micro-electromechanical systems (“MEMS”) velocity sensor (38, 32, 34 and 36), a MEMs shock detector (31), a DC power supply (30) and one of the MEMs arm-fire device (2, FIG. 1) or MEMs safe and arm device (2, FIG. 5). Multiple fuzes may be incorporated in a fuze to ensure detonation of the explosive charge, should one fuze fail. A millimeter-microwave (“MMW”) receiver-decoder may be included to permit remote detonation on command from a remote transmitter (52) and/or a microprocessor (54) may be included to time the detonation to the physical characteristics of the target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Corporation
    Inventors: Kathleen F. Hodge, David K. Hoffmaster, William W. Mogan, Marion E. Fines, Daniel V. Haun
  • Patent number: 6564717
    Abstract: The disclosure describes a circuit arrangement for driving an occupant protection system gas generator whose ignition process can be influenced by a magnetic field; this is based on a switching control principle, with the load coil generating the magnetic field being itself used as a component part of the switching control. For a fast reduction of the magnetic field and thus for accelerating the ignition process, a resistor may by connected into the free-wheeling branch, which is bridged in normal operation. Alternatively, it is possible to effect a return feed of the energy stored in the coil into the self-sufficiency capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Conti Temic microelectronic GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Haerle, Johann Florian, Gerhard Roth, Guido Wetzel
  • Patent number: 6463856
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electronically and mechanically-operated ignition delay which is used in cartridge-type pyrotechnic decoy flare ammunition. Said ignition delay comprises a cylindrical sleeve (10), containing an ignition device (1) in the base, a propellant (2) for expelling the inflammable active material (8) and devices (9) for delaying the ignition of the active material. The electric ignition device of the propellant charge is galvanically connected to a capacitor element (3) which is fixed in the propulsion reflector (4). Said capacitor element is galvanically connected to a mechanical switch-on element (7) in the active material, whereby said mechanical switch-on element is, in turn, galvanically connected to an electric ignition unit in the active material. The switch-on process is thus triggered by the relative movement of the active material as it travels along the sleeve axis away from the propulsion reflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: Pepete GmbH
    Inventor: Ernst-Christian Koch
  • Patent number: 6431071
    Abstract: Miniature arm fire and safe and arm devices include an electrically operated pyrotechnic initiation device (5) to generate a detonation wave upon command and a movable pressure barrier (9) that blocks propagation of the detonation wave if the device is not intended to be fired and opens a window (12) to transfer the detonation wave externally of the device. The detonation wave may in alternate embodiments be a subsonic flame front and pressure wave or a supersonic shock wave, respectively. An electromagnet (7) may serve to move the pressure barrier. Detonation waves output from the device have application in igniting an explosive train, either directly or indirectly, the latter by operating an electrical switch. In the arm fire device, the barrier automatically prevents a detonation output when electrical power is removed from the device. In the safe and arm device, the barrier, once moved out of the way, remains out of the way, even when electrical power is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: TRW Inc.
    Inventors: Kathleen F. Hodge, David H. Lewis, Jr., Steven D. Nelson, Victor W. Ruwe
  • Patent number: 6314887
    Abstract: Various ultra-miniature, monolithic inertial switching (G-switch) devices used in safety and arming (S&A) devices for projected munitions, which operate in accordance with a shuttle member (50), which effectuates current switching of around an ampere of current when subjected to a threshold inertial loading (for example, an impact or gun launch of a projection munition). The embodiments of the invention can be a passive threshold G-switch with or without switch enable and arming capability. The embodiments (100, 200) of the invention use either mechanical or electromechanical switch enable functioning and can optionally include a shuttle time-delay feature (54).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Charles H. Robinson
  • Patent number: 6295932
    Abstract: An electronic safe arm & fire (ESAF) device has a common module and a pair of programmable devices that are readily configurable to different missile types. The ESAF device has a first static arming switch that is controlled by the first programmable device and a second static arming switch that is controlled by the second programmable device. The ESAF device has a firing module that has an exploding foil initiator. The common module and the firing module can be configured as a standalone module in close proximity to a warhead or can be integrated into a warhead. The common module has some inputs that are used by all the missiles in a group for the same signals; some inputs that are used by all the missiles, but for different signals; and, some inputs that are used by some of the missile, but not by all of the missiles. The common module has an input port for a separation signal, a communications port for a fuze data signal, and an input port for a signal that can be used to determine safe separation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventor: James P. Kane, III
  • Patent number: 6284990
    Abstract: A safety switch is provided to detect when a tube launched which exits the tube. The switch is located within the vehicle having a switch plunger extending to the periphery of the vehicle. The plunger is biased to provide outward pressure against a lever on the exterior of the vehicle. The lever rides within the bore of the launch tube such that, when the vehicle is within the launch tube, the lever contacts the interior bore of the tube. The lever contacting the tube bore prevents the plunger from extending to activate the switch. When the vehicle exits the tube, the lever is free to rotate away from the vehicle allowing the plunger to extend and activate the switch which may be a single or multi-pole switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Douglas G. Arnold, William A. Hardin, Michael J. Wroblewski
  • Patent number: 6269746
    Abstract: A disarm mechanism to maintain a safe work area for individuals that may be working in such area which allows for the remote disarming of an article of explosive equipment by remotely shifting a switch of an explosive circuit to an off or non-operative position. Said switch is connected in series with a detonator and along with an explosive charge housed within an extinguishant container from which extinguishant would normally be dispelled when the explosive circuit is activated. After switching, a lock-out device is secured to the disarm mechanism such that the switch cannot be shifted to the on or operative position without removal of such lockout. Visual indicia is provided to alert the operator as to the position of the control switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: Advanced Innovation, Inc.
    Inventor: Theodore E. Larsen
  • Patent number: 6129022
    Abstract: A safety and arming unit for a round of ammunition, comprising one or more acceleration sensors for detecting when the acceleration of the ammunition reaches at least two different predetermined linear acceleration values; timer means for measuring the time interval between the detection of two of the predetermined linear acceleration values, means for electronically comparing the said measured time interval with a range of predetermined and pre-set time intervals representing satisfactory firing for the round of ammunition, and means for producing an electronic signal when the said measured time interval falls within the range of predetermined and pre-set time intervals, which signal operates to arm the ammunition ready for detonation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Assignee: Royal Ordnance PLC
    Inventors: Dennis J Hickey, John G Rawcliffe
  • Patent number: 6082267
    Abstract: A munitions fuze implements an operating mechanism comprising a piston, operating rod and toggle body bearing a detonator, aligned in a cavity within a munitions housing. In the safe condition the toggle body is out of line with a transfer lead and output booster arranged to charge an explosive when activated by the detonator. Overlying the piston is a primer and a piezoelectric device and primer that, when impacted by a striker produces pressurized gas for driving the piston and electricity for an electronic delay circuit. The piston moves the operating rod to bring the toggle body and detonator into alignment with the transfer lead and booster for detonation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: Bulova Technologies, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Edward F. Cooper
  • Patent number: 5914459
    Abstract: A discriminating deceleration sensing electrical switch assembly is enclosed within a munitions projectile for providing an electrical circuit path between a pair of electrical contacts upon deceleration of the projectile being greater than a selected deceleration threshold value. The discriminating deceleration electrical switch assembly includes a switch support having a bore hole for holding a spherical mass or ball. A tactile dome switch or snap switch is juxtaposed between an electrical contact assembly, including a pair of electrically conductive surface regions, and the spherical mass. The components are arranged along the munitions firing axis such that, upon sufficient deceleration along the firing axis, a force acting on the spherical mass will cause the dome switch to deform and contact the conductive surface regions to provide switch closure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1999
    Assignee: Alliant Techsystems Inc.
    Inventors: Larry A. Teske, Kevin J. Olson, David P. Erdmann, Michael A. Johson
  • Patent number: 5902953
    Abstract: The blocking disc serving as an explosive train interrupter of a safety and rming mechanism is angularly displaced from its safe position by a stepping motor through reduction gearing in response to timed energizing pulses applied thereto from a crystal-controlled pulse generator. The blocking disc is releasably latched in its safe position by a locking rod controlling the supply and cut-off of energizing voltage to the pulse generator to accurately time displacement of the disc to an armed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Daniel S. Lenko, Thomas P. Frederick
  • Patent number: 5499579
    Abstract: A pancake-configured housing holds first and second printed circuit boards. The first board includes electronic circuitry providing an adjustable timing delay and a first switch manually operated from a position external to the housing. The second board includes a pyrotechnic device and electronic circuitry for firing the device after the adjustable time delay. The second board also includes second switches with arms actuatable to convert such switches from first to second operative states. In the first state, the second switches short circuit the device and an energy storage member (e.g. a capacitor) on the second board and provide an open circuit to the circuitry on the first board. In the second state, the second switches provide a charging of the capacitor, the initiation of the timing through the circuitry in the first board with the first switch closed and the device firing by the capacitor energy after the adjustable delay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1996
    Assignee: Universal Propulsion Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald J. Lewis
  • Patent number: 5279226
    Abstract: A pair of explosive detonators are recessed in the end of a cylindrical body containing a permanent magnet, which serves as the rotor in a brushless, bi-directional torque motor enclosed in a housing. A reversible positioning current causes the motor to rotate the body between armed and safe positions and thereby establish and interrupt axial explosive transfer paths from the detonators to a corresponding pair of explosive transfer lines ported through the housing cover. An internal switching circuit disables the detonators when the body is in the safe position and passes a firing current to them when the body is in the armed position. A detent ring secured to the rotatable body, and a pair of spring-loaded detents in the housing index the rotatable body in the armed and safe positions and prevent its accidental rotation. Mechanical safing means are provided for manually overriding an electrical arming signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1994
    Assignee: Special Devices, Incorporated
    Inventors: Robert S. Ritchie, John A. Sudick
  • Patent number: 5249526
    Abstract: A safe and arm device has a cylindrical body from which a plurality of exsive leads diverge from a rotor movable through an arming angle to electrically and mechanically arm a plurality of detonators and has a rotary solenoid with a shaft oscillating a predetermined number of times when the device is to assume an armed condition. The device has an axle extending alongside the shaft, and a setback weight is mounted on and helically coupled to the axle to motivate the axle through an angle actuating the rotor through the arming angle. The shaft bears an arcuate pawl having recesses, and the axle bears an arcuate cam having recesses juxtapositioned to the pawl. Latch balls are mounted in the body between the pawl and cam for movement partially into and from the recesses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1993
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: George E. Cooksey
  • Patent number: 5245926
    Abstract: This disclosure is directed to the use of application specific integrated rcuits in safe and arm devices. The application specific circuits each comprising a buffer means for forming an environmental interface and providing input to a microcontroller, latch means for recording physical evidence, power-up reset means for providing a delayed state change which initializes the microcontroller, static and dynamic AND gate means, command arm data link register means, and a programmable counter means for providing a hard logic derived timing function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1993
    Assignee: United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Donald W. Hunter