Abstract: A SAFE and ARM mechanism includes an elongated casing having a first end and a second end. A high-G force firing pin is arranged relatively near to the first end and a low-G force firing pin is arranged relatively near to the second end. A detonator is arranged between the high-G force firing pin and the first end. When a G-force within a first range of magnitudes is applied to the casing along its longitudinal axis, the low-G force firing pin is displaced to strike a portion of the high-G force firing pin, and if a G-force within a second range of magnitudes is applied to the casing along its longitudinal axis, the high-G force firing pin is displaced to strike the detonator. The device may become ARMED in response to a centrifugal force generated by spinning the casing on its longitudinal axis.

Abstract: An ARM-FIRE device for a pyrotechnic system includes a first pyrotechnic, a second pyrotechnic, a passage extending between the first and second pyrotechnics, and an actuator/blocking device positioned between the first and second pyrotechnics. The first pyrotechnic is configured to be ignited by a heat source, and the second pyrotechnic is configured to be ignited by the first pyrotechnic in the FIRE arrangement. The actuator/blocking device includes a body configured to move between a first position in the SAFE arrangement and a second position in the FIRE arrangement, an aperture extending through the body, and an actuator. The aperture is offset from the passage in the first position of the body and is aligned with the passage in the second position of the body. The actuator is configured to move the body between the first and second positions. The first pyrotechnic, the second pyrotechnic, and the actuator/blocking device occupy a volume of approximately 49 cubic cm (3.0 cubic inches)or less.

Abstract: A SAFE and ARM mechanism includes an elongated casing having a first end and a second end. A high-G force firing pin is arranged relatively near to the first end and a low-G force firing pin is arranged relatively near to the second end. A detonator is arranged between the high-G force firing pin and the first end. When a G-force within a first range of magnitudes is applied to the casing along its longitudinal axis, the low-G force firing pin is displaced to strike a portion of the high-G force firing pin, and if a G-force within a second range of magnitudes is applied to the casing along its longitudinal axis, the high-G force firing pin is displaced to strike the detonator. The device may become ARMED in response to a centrifugal force generated by spinning the casing on its longitudinal axis.

Abstract: Lightweight armor protection systems and methods for armoring a soft-skinned shelter can include a plurality of panel assemblies and a plurality of couplers configured to secure the panel assemblies relative to the soft-skinned shelter. Individual panel assemblies include a plurality of panels positioned adjacent to one another along lengthwise panel edges, wherein the panels are composed of a ballistic material, and a plurality of hinges pivotally coupling the panels. Adjacent individual panels pivot relative to one another between a stacked arrangement of the panel assembly and an expanded arrangement of the panel assembly.

Abstract: A SAFE and ARM mechanism is includes an elongated casing having a first end and a second end. A high-G force firing pin is arranged relatively near to the first end and a low-G force firing pin is arranged relatively near to the second end. A detonator is arranged between the high-G force firing pin and the first end. When a G-force within a first range of magnitudes is applied to the casing along its longitudinal axis, the low-G force firing pin is displaced to strike a portion of the high-G force firing pin, and if a G-force within a second range of magnitudes is applied to the casing along its longitudinal axis, the high-G force firing pin is displaced to strike the detonator. The device may become ARMED in response to a centrifugal force generated by spinning the casing on its longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A SAFE and ARM mechanism is includes an elongated casing having a first end and a second end. A high-G force firing pin is arranged relatively near to the first end and a low-G force firing pin is arranged relatively near to the second end. A detonator is arranged between the high-G force firing pin and the first end. When a G-force within a first range of magnitudes is applied to the casing along its longitudinal axis, the low-G force firing pin is displaced to strike a portion of the high-G force firing pin, and if a G-force within a second range of magnitudes is applied to the casing along its longitudinal axis, the high-G force firing pin is displaced to strike the detonator. The device may become ARMED in response to a centrifugal force generated by spinning the casing on its longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A pyrotechnically powered actuator having a bellows that provides a force and stroke upon initiation is disclosed. The actuator includes a housing body with a first end and a second end. The bellows is coupled to the first end of the housing body. A cover is coupled to the second end of the housing body. An initiator is located within the housing body and includes a pyrotechnic material and a bridge element. The housing body, the bellows, and the cover define a hermetically sealed chamber. The bellows is compact, lightweight, and can withstand internal and external pressure at least as high as 3,000 psi. An exemplary embodiment includes a housing body that provides a compartment for adding supplemental pyrotechnic material. Further exemplary embodiments of the actuator include a chip initiator that requires less than 1 amp to function in less than 10 milliseconds.

Abstract: A diverter for changing the trajectory of a projectile includes a release mechanism that extends along a longitudinal axis between first and second ends. A mass is coupled to the first end, and the second end is coupled to the projectile. The release mechanism includes a groove and an explosive charge. The groove is disposed between the first and second ends and cinctures the longitudinal axis. The explosive charge is disposed along the longitudinal axis between the groove and the second end.

Abstract: A pyrotechnically powered actuator having a bellows that provides a force and stroke upon initiation is disclosed. The actuator includes a housing body with a first end and a second end. The bellows is coupled to the first end of the housing body. A cover is coupled to the second end of the housing body. An initiator is located within the housing body and includes a pyrotechnic material and a bridge element. The housing body, the bellows, and the cover define a hermetically sealed chamber. The bellows is compact, lightweight, and can withstand internal and external pressure at least as high as 3,000 psi. An exemplary embodiment includes a housing body that provides a compartment for adding supplemental pyrotechnic material. Further exemplary embodiments of the actuator include a chip initiator that requires less than 1 amp to function in less than 10 milliseconds.

Abstract: A pyrotechnically powered actuator having a bellows that provides a force and stroke upon initiation is disclosed. The actuator includes a housing body with a first end and a second end. The bellows is coupled to the first end of the housing body. A cover is coupled to the second end of the housing body. An initiator is located within the housing body and includes a pyrotechnic material and a bridge element. The housing body, the bellows, and the cover define a hermetically sealed chamber. The bellows is compact, lightweight, and can withstand internal and external pressure at least as high as 3,000 psi. An exemplary embodiment includes a housing body that provides a compartment for adding supplemental pyrotechnic material. Further exemplary embodiments of the actuator include a chip initiator that requires less than 1 amp to function in less than 10 milliseconds.

Abstract: An ARM-FIRE device for a pyrotechnic system includes a first pyrotechnic, a second pyrotechnic, a passage extending between the first and second pyrotechnics, and an actuator/blocking device positioned between the first and second pyrotechnics. The first pyrotechnic is configured to be ignited by a heat source, and the second pyrotechnic is configured to be ignited by the first pyrotechnic in the FIRE arrangement. The actuator/blocking device includes a body configured to move between a first position in the SAFE arrangement and a second position in the FIRE arrangement, an aperture extending through the body, and an actuator. The aperture is offset from the passage in the first position of the body and is aligned with the passage in the second position of the body. The actuator is configured to move the body between the first and second positions. The first pyrotechnic, the second pyrotechnic, and the actuator/blocking device occupy a volume of approximately 3.0 cubic inches or less.

Abstract: A pyrotechnically powered actuator having a bellows that provides a force and stroke upon initiation is disclosed. The actuator includes a housing body with a first end and a second end. The bellows is coupled to the first end of the housing body. A cover is coupled to the second end of the housing body. An initiator is located within the housing body and includes a pyrotechnic material and a bridge element. The housing body, the bellows, and the cover define a hermetically sealed chamber. The bellows is compact, lightweight, and can withstand internal and external pressure at least as high as 3,000 psi. An exemplary embodiment includes a housing body that provides a compartment for adding supplemental pyrotechnic material. Further exemplary embodiments of the actuator include a chip initiator that requires less than 1 amp to function in less than 10 milliseconds.

Abstract: An actuator connected to receive high pressure gas from a pyrotechnic initiator incorporates a primary piston and a secondary piston mounted for limited movement along cylindrical bores in a housing; the pistons are held in a fixed inactive position and are restrained from movement within the housing by a tension screw connected to the primary piston and the housing. The tension screw incorporates a calibrated reduced diameter section that ruptures at a predetermined applied force to permit the pistons to move within the housing. Gaseous products resulting from initiation are trapped and maintained within the housing by an expandable bellows secured internally of the housing at one end of the bellows and secured at the opposite end of the bellows to the interior of the housing. A calibration/test port extends through the housing into the bore externally of the bellows to permit calibration and testing of the actuator without initiating the pyrotechnic device.

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.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus and method for drying and/or restoring books and other materials which have been wet, wherein the wet and/or distorted materials are placed in a vacuum chamber and subjected to vacuum while being gradually and uniformly heated through the use of heat conductive supports. A compressive force is applied to the materials while they are being heated to straighten and restore the distorted materials.

Abstract: A releasable support device comprising a hollow body (A) with a sleeve (B) extending transversely therethrough for receiving the end of a support shank (E). A slider-latch (C), optionally lubricated, extends through side recesses (23) in the sleeve to straddle the shank, respectively, in latched and released positions. The slider-latch is slid from its latched to its unlatched position by a pressure squib (10) whereupon a spring (24) or other pressure means pushes the shank out of the sleeve. At the same time, a follower element (D) is lodged in and closes the hole in the body wall from which the shank was discharged.