Abstract: A night vision system including a power system having a low voltage unit coupled to a high voltage unit. The low voltage unit includes a low voltage controller and a low voltage table correlating pulse widths to step values. The low voltage unit transmits the step value to the high voltage unit in a pulse train having a period corresponding to a frequency. The high voltage unit including an opto-isolator for receiving the step value from the low voltage controller, a high voltage controller accessing a high voltage table correlating step value to pulse width and threshold. The high voltage controller generates control pulses at the frequency in response to the pulse width and the threshold.

Abstract: This invention relates to protective circuitry (12) for electrical initiation elements (10) and finds utility in preventing inadvertent functioning of electrical bridge-initiation elements, such as semiconductor bridges (SCBs), bridgewires, etc., by transient environmental electrical signals. The protective circuitry (12) of this invention comprises a timer portion (14) and a clamping portion (16) and is designed to divert from the electrical initiation element (10) at least a portion of an electrical signal received at the input nodes (10a, 10b) thereof for a suitable time interval that corresponds to the duration of an expected transient signal, which is typically significantly smaller than the duration of a proper initiation signal.

Abstract: An ordnance system of the present invention may include or feature any one or more of: a control unit, one or more effectors (detonators, initiators, shaped charges and the like), and a two-, three- or four-wire communication bus between the control unit and the effectors; an addressable system in which all the effectors can be connected to the same communication bus and the control unit can issue coded signals on the bus addressed to a specific effector; inductive coupling between the effectors and the communication bus; and a multi-voltage level communication system in which communication signals are carried at a first voltage and arming signals are provided at a second, higher voltage. Other features may include two-way communication between effectors and the control unit and the de-centralization of firing control so that the control unit does not have exclusive control over whether the effectors function.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a gas generation arrangement. The arrangement includes an initiating element in operable communication with a heat generating material. The heat generating material is positioned so that thermal energy causes the gas evolution material to decompose to evolve a target gas. Further disclosed herein is a portable power source having a gas evolution arrangement and a fuel cell in operable communication therewith. A control having at least one sensor is in operable communication with both the gas evolution arrangement and the fuel cell.