Abstract: A release system may include a space vehicle separation plate operably coupled to a space vehicle, a launch vehicle adaptor plate operably coupled to a launch vehicle capable of carrying the space vehicle into space or into a ballistic (non-orbital) trajectory for release of the space vehicle from the launch vehicle, an actuator release mechanism assembly and a biasing element assembly. The actuator release mechanism assembly may be configured to separably couple the space vehicle separation plate to the launch vehicle adaptor plate. The biasing element assembly may be configured to provide a configurable force in a first direction normal to a surface of the launch vehicle adaptor plate to separate the space vehicle separation plate from the launch vehicle adaptor plate when the actuator-release mechanism assembly is triggered to release the space vehicle separation plate from the launch vehicle adaptor plate.

Abstract: A fuze includes a shell, a plunger a firing pin unit, a spring, a receptacle, a plurality of detents, a detonation unit and a restraint unit. The plunger is movably provided in the shell. The firing pin unit is movably provided in the shell, in the vicinity of the plunger. The spring is compressed between the plunger and the firing pin unit. The receptacle is provided in the shell and movably connected to the firing pin unit. The detents are movably provided between the firing pin unit and the receptacle. The detonation unit is movably provided in the receptacle opposite to the detents. The restraint unit is provided in the shell and movably connected to the detonation unit.

Abstract: The present invention provides a self destruction impact fuse for fail-proof detonating a projectile, preferably a low velocity projectile. The present invention further provides a projectile that can be detonated reliably even at low velocity.

Abstract: A MEMS mechanical initiator having a striker arm extending from a striker body. The tip of the striker arm is adjacent to, but does not touch, the side of a microdetonator. A cocking and release mechanism moves the striker body such that the striker arm pulls away from the side of the microdetonator against the action of a set of springs connected to the striker body. Thereafter the cocking and release mechanism releases the striker body such that the tip of the striker arm swipes the side of the microdetonator causing initiation thereof.

Abstract: A time delay latch device of the arming assembly of a delay fuze which replaces the current system in support of the U.S. Navy Mine Clearing Program. The time delay mechanism is a mechanical run-away escapement having a one-half pound release force that unlatches an 800-pound load. The mechanical force reduction mechanism that makes up the latch device consists of 10 components rather than the existing 31 and a pyrotechnic time delay mechanism consisting of two components in lieu of the existing 14. Hence, the latch device taught herein provides not only the requisite delay and required latch release force but also reduces the total number of components from 44 to 12; thus creating significant cost savings in manufacturing. Time delay latch mechanism is located within the ram shaft that holds the ram shaft spring captive between the ram shafts and housing. The latching mechanism for the ram shaft comprises two ball detents located within the ram shaft and held in place by the housing.

Abstract: A priming unit, consisting of a combination of rested casings 5, 6, 7, a firing pin 3 with assembly aid 12, as well as a priming spring 8 and a propulsion spring 9, are arranged to provide a secure detonation of a fuze or bomblet fuze. The priming unit ensures a secure detonation upon impact with a target or at the completion of the flight phase. As a result, almost no duds are created. If, for any reason, the detonator carrier has not been armed, it is maintained in the unarmed position as a result of the arrangement, so that no dangerous duds result.

Abstract: A firing pin assembly for mechanically igniting a warhead detonator of a projectile by being accelerated in a forward direction by inertia upon impact, includes a firing pin having a rearward firing pin part and a frontal firing pin part arranged in series with the rearward firing pin part as viewed in the forward direction. The assembly further has a firing pin spring urging the firing pin in a direction opposite to the forward direction, and a mechanical device positioned between the rearward firing pin part and the frontal firing pin part. The mechanical device includes a transmission arrangement for transmitting a forward motion of the rearward firing pin part to the frontal firing pin part with a stepped up transmission ratio whereby a forward motion of the rearward firing pin part through a first distance results in a forward motion of the frontal firing pin part, against the force of the firing pin spring, through a second distance which is greater than the first distance.

Abstract: A device for firing a pyrotechnic propellent composition having a sensor mass (3) which for firing purposes releases a locking lever (4) which in the rest position bears lockingly against a ring (9) of the firing pin (1).

Abstract: A launch vehicle payload housing and assembly joint for a launch vehicle, the housing comprising a shroud having first and second shell sections, and a frusto-conical payload adapter mounted in the shroud. The shell sections are connected together to form a housing. A peripherally extending explosive seam and a pair of longitudinally extending explosive seams hold the shell sections together. Each seam comprises a plurality of seam elements which include a pair of brackets attached to opposed ends of those parts of the shell abutting the longitudinally and peripherally extending seams. The brackets are spaced from one another to define a cavity. The cavity accommodates a deformable tube which houses explosive material in the form of an explosive cord. Detonation of the explosive material causes the shell sections to separate from one another.

Abstract: A mechanical ignition sensor which can reduce rotational resistance of a trigger lever. An inner periphery of a slit on the side of a spring is formed into an inclined surface which is an abutment surface with an outer peripheral side of the slit opened. An inclined surface of a slide holding portion is formed as a curved surface along a locus of rotation of an abutment leading end portion of the slide holding portion. An angle of inclination .alpha. 1 of an abutment leading end P of an inertial mass body with respect to an axial direction of the mechanical ignition sensor is set small such that only the abutment leading end P abuts against the inclined surface of the slide holding portion. As a result, sliding resistance between the inclined surface of the slit and the inclined surface of the slide holding portion.

Abstract: A mechanical ignition sensor is disclosed having a trigger lever engages an ignition pin and holds the ignition pin at a position separated from a detonating member. When an inertial mass is moved, the trigger lever moves in a direction of separating from the ignition pin so as to allow movement of the ignition pin. A safety device is movable from a position at which the safety device abuts the inertial mass so as to prevent movement of the inertial mass, to a position at which the safety device and the inertial mass are in a state of non-abutment so as to allow movement of the inertial mass. Since movement of the inertial mass is prevented by the safety device, the trigger lever does not move and the mechanical ignition sensor does not operate at the same time that the safety device is released. Thus, the operation of the sensor can be prevented when the safety device is released.

Abstract: An inertial sensor for activating a vehicular passenger restraining system comprises a housing, a sensor body supported in the housing for a sliding translational movement under the action of inertial forces from a rest position to an activating position and a return spring preloading the sensor body towards the rest position. A striking pin is displaceably mounted in the housing for activation of an impact igniter. An additional spring is provided which preloads the striking pin towards the impact igniter in a direction transverse to translational movement of the sensor body. A ramp surface is provided on the housing which rises in a direction of sensor body movement towards the activating position. The striking pin has a lateral shoulder resting on the ramp surface and holding the striking pin in a rest position as long as the sensor body has not reached the activating position. The preloading force of the return spring is overcome by an acceleration as low as approximately 2 g.

Abstract: A launch vehicle system includes at least one primary solid fuel motor, a shroud for housing a payload and an attitude control system. The attitude control system is connected intermediate the primary solid fuel motor and the shroud. It has a circular outer wall and liquid fuel motors for exerting thrust along a longitudinal axis of the rocket system, and for controlling pitch, roll and yaw of the shroud. The attitude control system includes a support structure defining three pairs of fuel tank supporting zones, each zone having laterally extending supporting brackets connected to the outer wall. The attitude control system also includes connecting tubing for connecting outlets of sets of fuel tanks consisting of one, two and three pairs of fuel tanks to the liquid fuel motors.

Abstract: A mechanical acceleration sensor includes a sensor casing, a weight, a spring-loaded firing pin, and a latch lever, the weight, the firing pin, and the latch lever, each being movably mounted in the sensor casing in such a manner as to either translate along an axis or to rotate about an axis, the axes of translation of the members that translate being substantially perpendicular to that the axes of rotation of the members that rotate. The latch lever is loaded with a set load to engage the firing pin and is positioned to be engaged by the weight upon inertial movement of the weight to disengage from the firing pin, thereby allowing the firing pin to perform a percussive firing action by the spring load. The casing has an opening for receiving the weight, firing pin and latch lever, and shaft support grooves are provided in the casing such that each shaft support groove is open at an end thereof which faces the opening. A shaft for a member that rotates is supported by the shaft support grooves.

Abstract: In a push-type safety lever, a contact surface between a safety lever and a trigger lever is slanted. In a rotation-type safety lever, its circumferential surface is gradually increased in radiuses from an area in which a safety lever does not contact a trigger lever to an area in which it contacts the trigger lever. A mechanical ignition sensor is thereby provided so as to prevent the safety lever and the trigger lever from catching on each other and to reliably operate the safety device.

Abstract: A mechanical acceleration sensor having a weight movably supported on a casing, a latch lever loaded with a set load and disposed to face the weight, and a firing pin spring-loaded and engaged with the latch lever. The latch lever is disengaged from the firing pin against the set load by inertial movement of the weight relative to the casing, thereby allowing the firing pin to perform a percussive action. A sub-lever is provided in connection with the latch lever. The sub-lever is disposed to face a side of the weight which is opposite to the side thereof that faces the latch lever so as to cooperate with the latch lever to clamp the weight from both sides of the direction of inertial movement of the weight, thereby making it possible to sense acceleration acting on the sensor in both the positive and negative directions of inertial movement of the weight by the inertial movement thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to an igniter mechanism for a pyrotechnical gas generator of a vehicle occupant restraining system in which either an impact member or the gas generator for actuating the belt tensioning action is pretensioned by at least one spring so that the spring loads the impact member in a first direction against a stop. In addition the spring counteracts movement of the impact member in a second direction as a result of the forces of inertia acting on acceleration of the vehicle by means of a force which grows until a center position is reached. Force conversion means are provided to convert a torque generated by said spring into an axial force applied to said impact member.

Abstract: Upon a sudden deceleration of a vehicle, if an inertial body moves a predetermined amount against the urging force of a return spring, the trigger means will be released from engagement with the firing pin. Under the urging force of a spring, the firing pin is released from engagement with the trigger means, strikes and ignites a detonator so as to activate the actuator. The trigger means will not move until the inertial body has moved by the predetermined amount. Only after the inertial body has moved the predetermined amount, will the trigger means start to move suddenly and quickly. Therefore, friction at the time the inertial body engages the trigger means is kept constant. The stable operation of the sensor is thereby assured.

Abstract: A mechanical ignition type gas generator ignited by a striker comprises a gunpowder holder incorporating a gunpowder, a striker caused to dash against the gunpowder in the gunpowder holder, a striker holding member having a striker guide aperture in which the striker is inserted, a main spring for resiliently biasing the striker in the detaching direction, a trigger for retaining the striker, and a balancer for releasing the retainment of the trigger. A tapered portion that diametrically enlarges toward the gunpowder holder is disposed in the inner circumferential surface of the striker guide aperture of the striker holding member. A gas leak inhibiting ring is apart from the outer circumferential surface of the striker during non-ignition state of the gunpowder.

Abstract: A powered canopy breaker attached to an ejection seat, that fractures a canopy when the seat is ejected. The breaker has a piston that is operatively connected to an explosive cartridge. When the seat is ejected, the piston engages the canopy, pushing the piston a predetermined distance until the cartridge is detonated. The detonated cartridge ignites a detonating cord that fractures the canopy.

Abstract: A deceleration sensor, comprising a pair of U-shaped pendulums pivotally suspended from upper parts of a casing at their upper ends by way of pivot shafts extending in parallel with each other, one of the pendulums being received by the other in such a manner that they are permitted to pivot around their respective pivot shafts without interfering with each other, a pair of biasing springs for opposing movement of the pendulums against their inertia forces, a firing pin slidably received in the guide bore, a drive spring urging the firing pin toward a fuse which is intended to be activated by the deceleration sensor, a swing arm which is pivotally attached to the sensor casing at its one end and engaged by one of the pendulums at its other end; and a trigger arm which is pivotally attached to a middle part of the swing arm so as to be able to swing in a same plane as the swing arm, and is engaged by the other of the pendulumns at its one end and engages the firing pin against the spring force of the drive spr

Abstract: A deceleration sensor for detecting a threshold level of deceleration indicative of a vehicle collision, comprising a pair of sensor masses in the form of pendulums, a spring-loaded firing pin, a pair of trigger levers which individually hold the firing pin in a dormant state as long as they are held by the sensor masses in their neutral states but can be individually disengaged from the sensor masses by the motion of the sensor masses as a result of detecting a deceleration level greater than the threshold level. Since the firing pin is released only when both the trigger levers are released from their neutral states, the reliability of the dormant state of the firing pin is assured. To the end of improving the reliability of the activation of the firing pin, the firing pin may be spring-loaded by a pair of springs in such a manner that either spring is sufficient for the activation of the firing pin.

Abstract: An impact or percussion detonator including a detonator cap which is piercable by a striker or firing pin actuated by a spring force from the rear end of the detonator, including a mechanical retarding or delay arrangement incorporating blocking members which, in their blocking position are located, on the one side, in recesses provided in the striker and on the other side, in recesses provided in a detonator component. The detonator component is constituted of an axially movable securing sleeve, and a recess which receives the blocking members is provided a base member fastened to a housing of the detonator at a distance in the direction towards detonating.

Abstract: A backup mechanism for a fuze includes a plate having a slot therein which is freed up during the arming of the firing pin screw. A weight link having a pair of legs spaced along the slot is mounted for movement in the slot. A trip link is pivotally mounted to the plate and has a first leg for frictional engagement against the side of the first weight link leg. The second leg of the trip link is biased for rotation by a leaf spring. Another leaf spring engages against the second leg of the weight link for urging it in a movement direction along the slot. Friction between the first legs of the trip and weight links and/or the upward pull force of the ribbon hold the weight link in an initial position after fuze arming. When exposed to inertia, and/or the absence of upward ribbon pull force the weight link moves. This causes disengagement between its first leg and the first leg of the trip link. The spring rotates the strip link so that its first leg now pushes the weight link along the slot.

Abstract: An ignition device for mines, in particular training mines. The device includes a percussion bolt which is mechanically held in an inoperative position and is loaded by the action of a coil spring so that when released it is propelled axially towards a pyrophoric ignition charge to initiate an ignition chain.The ignition device is of simple and inexpensive construction and can be mechanically released by forces acting in a variety of directions. The device includes a cylindrical housing in which a percussion bolt and actuating lever are mounted one behind the other in axial alignment. A plurality of cup-shaped members, preferably a pair, are mounted in the housing so as to surround at least a portion of the actuating lever and percussion bolt. Upon actuation of the lever by applying a force thereto in a predetermined direction the cup-shaped members are spread apart against a biasing force to release the percussion bolt in the firing direction.

Abstract: A firing mechanism for projectiles comprises a housing (42) having a bore (50) in which a firing pin (54) is slidably mounted under the influence of a spring (70). Leaf springs (72) formed in the housing wall hold the firing pin in a safety position until released by movement of a slider (82) caused by aerodynamic drag forces acting on deployable fins (96) or a parachute (92).

Abstract: A straight pull cock and fire device is used which permits launching of t fin fire devices. The pressure cartridge produces gas which is routed to a pusher piston through a combined ported manifold and firing device pusher assembly mounting unit. In-line pulls avoid rotational jamming. The spring-loaded actuator pin assures that a minimal level of force is required to initiate the device to avoid random jamming from triggering the device.

Abstract: A spinning projectile fuze contains a rotor which is retained by a safety spring in the form of a substantially ring-shaped disk in a safety or unarmed position. To enable the ring-shaped disk to release the rotor it must be pressed flat both by the firing acceleration and also by the spin. This ring-shaped disk possesses cut-outs or recesses by means of which it is subdivided into segments which are bent in an undulated or wave-shaped configuration.

Abstract: A fuze has a firing pin slidably mounted in a frame. A detonator mounted in he frame is operable to slide into alignment with the pin. An impact sensor can engage and restrain the pin. This sensor is pivotally mounted in the frame and is operable to disengage the pin in response to deceleration of the frame in excess of a predetermined magnitude.

Abstract: The invention relates to a firing mechanism for high acceleration applicans having a body member having a first chamber, a second chamber and a web member separating the first chamber from the second chamber. A first spring is positioned within the first chamber and a second spring is positioned with the second chamber. A firing pin is positioned substantially in the first chamber and has a spring retaining section at its forward end and a release cam mechanism at its rearward end. An arming pin is positioned substantially in the second chamber and has a spring retaining section at its rearward end and a release cam mechanism at its forward end. The release cam mechanism of said arming pin is dimensioned to interlock with said release cam mechanism of the firing pin with the two release cam mechanism and is positioned within the web member and is restrained against release by the web member.

Abstract: An omni-directional impact actuating mechanism for utilization in actuating a system such as a munition device. By utilizing a multi-directional impact sensor the munition device becomes omni-directional in that it can be detonated when receiving an impact force from any angle. The omni-directional actuating mechanism includes: an actuating member which is movable between a first position and a second position, a control mechanism for switching the actuating member between its two positions and an impact sensor which serves to operate the control mechanism for switching the actuating member. The control mechanism itself is switchable between a first condition for initially applying a force for restraining the actuating member in its first position and a second condition for subsequently applying a force for moving the actuating member into its second position.

Abstract: An out-of-line igniter assembly having a primer located out-of-line of an nition train and movable to an in-line position for ignition of a main pyrotechnic charge. A housing has a raceway connected with a gas expansion chamber and a pellet chamber, and a slider having a primer and a striker assembly is movable in the raceway. Premature detonation of the primer causes the primer to fire into the gas expansion chamber but, in normal operation, the slider is moved so that the primer is fired into the pellet chamber. Movement of the slider causes the striker assembly to actuate when the slider is in an in-line position with the pellet chamber.

Abstract: There is disclosed an initiator assembly for a ballistic missile system to ffect fluid flow of a gas from a source thereof to user equipment disposed in a housing therefor including gas inlet and outlet conduits and comprised of a rotor member journalled for rotation in the housing and formed with a mass of an eccentric weight distribution with respect to the axis of rotation and wherein the rotor is provided with an explosive assembly ignited by a striker assembly activated by launch acceleration of the missile and wherein a drive piston of the explosive assembly fractures a closure element disposed in one of said gas conduits.