Abstract: An ammunition safety priming device using silicon micro-mechatronic systems technology, having at least two priming safeties intended to be deactivated by as many external independent physical events, includes at least one movable element, along a translation axis, for deactivating at least one of the priming safeties by action on said movable element of one of the physical events. Said movable element is produced in a material other than silicon. The device has applications including ammunition, rocket stage separation devices, and airbags.

Abstract: A micro-machined or micro-engraved safety and arming device for a projectile pyrotechnic train, said device comprising a substrate onto which a shutter is positioned to ensure the blocking of a channel, said shutter being mobile in translation on said substrate, said shutter being held immobile in the safety position by at least one acceleration lock that is released further to the application of the axial acceleration imparted to said projectile during firing, wherein said acceleration lock is constituted by at least one breakable tongue linking said shutter to said substrate, said tongue being oriented and dimensioned such that the axial inertial stresses developed during firing and exerted on said shutter cause said tongue to break.

Abstract: The invention relates to a safety and arming device for projectiles and using micro-electromagnetic technology, such device incorporating a slider made mobile by the effect of the centrifugal acceleration with respect to the body of the device and immobilized in a safety position by at least one inertial lock, such lock incorporating at least one means to ensure its blocking in the unlocked position, wherein the inertial lock incorporates a counterweight having at least one straight groove whose longitudinal axis is parallel to the direction of movement of the lock, groove in which a fixed guiding pin integral with the safety and arming device is positioned, since the groove is of sufficient length to allow the displacement of the counterweight with respect to the pin, the slider in its safety position being made integral with the body of the safety and arming device by means of hooking means integral with the counterweight.

Abstract: A safety and arming apparatus for use with a projectile includes a rotor pivotable between a safe position and an armed position. A biasing element holds a mass engaged with the rotor to restrain the rotor from rotation and is deformable to allow the mass to displace and disengage from the rotor in response to a setback force on the projectile. A second biasing element includes a displaceable end for engaging with the rotor to restrain the rotor from rotation and is deformable to disengage the displaceable end from the rotor in response to projectile spin. A piston actuator can rotate the rotor to the armed position if the mass is disengaged and the displaceable end is disengaged. A detonator on the rotor can be aligned with a detonation cord when the rotor is in the armed position and unaligned when the rotor is in the safe position.

Abstract: A safety and arming device for a spin-stabilized explosive projectile, said device incorporating a screen obstructing a transmission channel linking a detonator and a pyrotechnic relay, said screen comprising two half-screens able to move with respect to one another and transversally with respect to said channel, said two half-screens obstructing said channel when contacting one another, wherein said two half-screens are able to slide in a bore hole carried by a rotor coaxial to said projectile, said rotor is able to pivot on the axis of said projectile and carries said channel, said two half-screens locked into the position obstructing said channel by at least two locks, a first lock or inertial lock which retracts when said projectile is fired and a second lock or centrifugal lock formed by a spiral spring surrounding an external cylindrical surface of said rotor and applied against the ends of said half-screens.

Abstract: An ultra-miniature, electro-mechanical, MEMS type safe and arming (S&A) device for medium- or large-artillery rounds, including, three sequenced S&A interlocks: a setback slider which provides a 1st interlock with respect to an arming slider which moves due to the round's spin; a stop and release mechanism that holds the arming slider until a release command signal is initiated by the fuze circuit, triggering a spot charge which generates an expanding gas wave that flexes the latch arm from contact with the safety catch, unlocking the 2nd interlock, thereby freeing the arming slider to continue its motion into an arming position, unlocking the 3rd interlock, and aligning the parts of the firetrain within the device, such that upon signal from the fuze circuit to an output charge, the device will ignite the acceptor charge within the round.

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.

Abstract: A safety and arming apparatus for use with a projectile includes a rotor pivotable between a safe position and an armed position. A biasing element holds a mass engaged with the rotor to restrain the rotor from rotation and is deformable to allow the mass to displace and disengage from the rotor in response to a setback force on the projectile. A second biasing element includes a displaceable end for engaging with the rotor to restrain the rotor from rotation and is deformable to disengage the displaceable end from the rotor in response to projectile spin. A piston actuator can rotate the rotor to the armed position if the mass is disengaged and the displaceable end is disengaged. A detonator on the rotor can be aligned with a detonation cord when the rotor is in the armed position and unaligned when the rotor is in the safe position.

Abstract: A ultra-miniature, electro-mechanical, MEMS type safe and arming (S&A) device for medium- or large-artillery rounds, including, three sequenced S&A interlocks: a setback slider, which is positioned partially within and partially extending from an arming slider, such that, upon firing acceleration, the setback slider will compress into a channel within the arming slider (unlocking the 1st interlock); freeing the arming slider to move toward its arming position under urging of the round's spin; a stop and release mechanism formed by a flexible latch arm which impacts upon a safety catch located within the frame in which the arming slider is mounted, such that the arming slider is stopped until a release command signal is initiated by the fuze circuit, triggering a spot charge which generates an expanding gas wave that flexes the latch arm from contact with the safety catch (unlocking the 2nd interlock), thereby freeing the arming slider to continue its motion into an arming position (unlocking the 3rd i

Abstract: A micro-machined or micro-engraved safety and arming device for a pyrotechnic train of a projectile to which axial spin is imparted after firing, such device comprising a substrate onto which a shutter to break the pyrotechnic train is positioned, such shutter being mobile in translation on the substrate, device in which the train-breaking shutter is held immobile by at least two locks, a first lock, or axial acceleration lock, which is released further to the application of the acceleration communicated to the projectile during firing, and a second lock, device wherein the second lock is a centrifugal lock that is released further to the projectile being made to spin.

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: An escapement fuze self-destruct mechanism for a projectile includes a drive weight that maintains a biasing member in a compressed state by centrifugal force when a projectile's RPM speed is above a preselected threshold. When the RPM speed falls below the preselected threshold, the biasing member exerts sufficient counter-rotational force to overcome the centrifugal force exerted by the drive weight. The biasing member expands to an uncompressed state and displaces the drive weight into position for mechanically implementing self-destruction of the projectile if a rotor is fully armed or for rendering the projectile “safe” if the rotor is in any position other then fully armed.

Abstract: A representative embodiment of the invention provides a MEMS-based safety and arming (S&A) device having a shuttle movably connected to a frame by one or more bowed springs. The device has an electrical path adapted to electrically connect the frame and a contact pad. In the initial state, the electrical path has an electrical break. If the inertial force acting upon the shuttle (e.g., during launch) reaches or exceeds a first threshold value, then displacement of the shuttle with respect to the frame causes the electrical break to close. If the inertial force reaches or exceeds a second threshold value greater than the first threshold value, then a latching mechanism employed in the S&A device latches to keep the electrical break irreversibly closed thereafter.

Abstract: An inertia igniter including: a housing; and a movable striker supported by first and second stages, the first stage having a first locking element for releasing the second stage upon a first predetermined acceleration of the housing and the second stage having a second locking element for releasing the striker upon a second predetermined acceleration of the housing greater than the first predetermined acceleration. Wherein the first and second locking elements of the first and second stages occupy a common cross-sectional volume along a longitudinal axis of the housing.

Abstract: An inertia igniter including a mechanical delay mechanism having two or more members which are movable under different acceleration conditions to sequentially move a movable member upon sequential movement of the two or more members and an ignition member actuatable by the movable member such that movement of the movable member by the two or more members ignites the ignition member. The movable member can be movable by one of translation and rotation. The inertia igniter can further comprise an impact mass releasably movable in the housing, wherein the impact mass is released and movable by movement of the movable member to impact the ignition member. The inertia igniter can also further comprise a stop member for preventing movement of the impact mass until the movable member has moved a predetermined distance.

Abstract: A micro-machined or micro-engraved safety and arming device for a pyrotechnic train of a projectile to which axial spin is imparted after firing, such device comprising a substrate onto which a shutter to break the pyrotechnic train is positioned, such shutter being mobile in translation on the substrate, device in which the train-breaking shutter is held immobile by at least two locks, a first lock, or axial acceleration lock, which is released further to the application of the acceleration communicated to the projectile during firing, and a second lock, device wherein the second lock is a centrifugal lock that is released further to the projectile being made to spin.

Abstract: Microelectromechanical (MEM) safe-arm devices comprise a substrate upon which a sense mass, that can contain an energetic material, is constrained to move along a pathway defined by a track disposed on the surface of the substrate. The pathway has a first end comprising a “safe” position and a second end comprising an “armed” position, whereat the second end the sense mass can be aligned proximal to energetic materials comprising the explosive train, within an explosive component. The sense mass can be confined in the safe position by a first latch, operable to release the sense mass by an acceleration acting in a direction substantially normal to the surface of the substrate. A second acceleration, acting in a direction substantially parallel to the surface of the substrate, can cause the sense mass to traverse the pathway from the safe position to the armed position.

Abstract: A MEMS apparatus having a substrate layer, a device layer and an intermediate oxide layer joining them. A slider is formed in the device layer and includes an enlarged end portion. A walled chamber having a hollow interior in which is positioned a microdetonator is formed in the substrate layer beneath the enlarged end portion and is secured to it by the oxide layer. A drive is operable to move the slider, and with it, the walled chamber, from an initial position to a final position. When in the final position an initiator is operable to initiate the microdetonator.

Abstract: A two-stage acceleration sensing apparatus is disclosed which has applications for use in a fuze assembly for a projected munition. The apparatus, which can be formed by bulk micromachining or LIGA, can sense acceleration components along two orthogonal directions to enable movement of a shuttle from an “as-fabricated” position to a final position and locking of the shuttle in the final position. With the shuttle moved to the final position, the apparatus can perform one or more functions including completing an explosive train or an electrical switch closure, or allowing a light beam to be transmitted through the device.

Abstract: A microscale firetrain for a safe and arm device having a safe position and an armed position, the firetrain including an input explosive column having a longitudinal axis; a transfer charge having a longitudinal axis and first and second ends and movable from a safe position to an armed position; a receptor charge having a longitudinal axis that is non-collinear with and substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the input explosive column; wherein, in the safe position, the transfer charge is remote from both the input explosive column and the receptor charge; and wherein, in the armed position, the input explosive column is adjacent the first end of the transfer charge to thereby initiate the transfer charge, the longitudinal axis of the input explosive column is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the transfer charge, the second end of the transfer charge is adjacent the receptor charge to thereby initiate the receptor charge and the longitudinal axis of the receptor charge is

Abstract: A two-stage acceleration sensing apparatus is disclosed which has applications for use in a fuze assembly for a projected munition. The apparatus, which can be formed by bulk micromachining or LIGA, can sense acceleration components along two orthogonal directions to enable movement of a shuttle from an “as-fabricated” position to a final position and locking of the shuttle in the final position. With the shuttle moved to the final position, the apparatus can perform one or more functions including completing an explosive train or an electrical switch closure, or allowing a light beam to be transmitted through the device.

Abstract: A MEMS type safety and arming device includes a substrate; a frame disposed on the substrate; a setback slider disposed in the frame, the setback slider moving linearly in response to a setback acceleration; an arming slider disposed in the frame, the arming slider moving linearly in an arming direction perpendicular to the direction of the setback acceleration and in response to spin; a setback lock lever disposed in the frame, the setback lock lever engaging the arming slider to prevent linear motion of the arming slider until the setback slider contacts and moves the setback lock lever; and a command lock rocker disposed in the frame, the command lock rocker engaging the arming slider to prevent full arming motion of the arming slider until after the command lock rocker is actuated.

Abstract: The igniter comprises a disk-shaped element (15) with a central portion (16) and a boundary portion (17) surrounding it for interrupting and/or releasing an ignition chain (13a, 13b) of the igniter. Only the central portion interrupts the chain of ignition and is supported by a holding device (19). A collecting space is provided around the holding device which, seen in the direction of flight of the projectile, is located below the boundary portion (17). The central portion (16) and the boundary portion (17) are connected with each other by means of a rated breaking point (18). Upon the initial acceleration of the projectile the boundary portion (17) is sheared off from the central portion (16) and received in the collecting space (21), whereupon the central portion (16) is also subsequently removed from the ignition chain (13a, 13b) by the twist of the projectile.

Abstract: A device provides for time-controlled self-destruction of a projectile by a batteryless, electronic self-destruct device. Several capacitors charged by a piezo element or a surge generator during firing are used in the flight phase for operational purposes. At least two of the capacitors are connected to the input of a comparator, so that the influence of a constantly modifiable operational voltage and the influence of a discharge of modifiable voltage levels by the piezo element or surge generator does not affect the time function.

Abstract: The igniter comprises a disk-shaped element (15) with a central portion (16) and a boundary portion (17) surrounding it for interrupting and/or releasing an ignition chain (13a, 13b) of the igniter. Only the central portion interrupts the chain of ignition and is supported by a holding device (19). A collecting space is provided around the holding device which, seen in the direction of flight of the projectile, is located below the boundary portion (17). The central portion (16) and the boundary portion (17) are connected with each other by means of a rated breaking point (18). Upon the initial acceleration of the projectile the boundary portion (17) is sheared off from the central portion (16) and received in the collecting space (21), whereupon the central portion (16) is also subsequently removed from the ignition chain (13a, 13b) by the twist of the projectile.

Abstract: A safing and arming device is provided for a warhead or round which is to be launched by a rifled gun and which includes submunitions. A slider is disposed in a housing between a detonator and lead cup and is movable between a first, safe position wherein the slider acts as an interrupter and a second, armed position wherein an opening in the slider is in alignment with the detonator and lead cup. A setback sensor initially locks the slider in the safe position and then, responsive to a setback force produced at gun launch, unlocks the slider. An ejection sensor also initially locks the slider in the safe position and continues to lock the slider against movement to the armed position during a period between gun launch and exiting of the warhead from the gun. Responsive to the ejection force produced at exiting of the warhead from the gun, the ejection sensor unlocks the slider to enable movement thereof to the armed position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for time-controlled self-destruction of a projectile by means of a batteryless, electronic self-destruct device. Several capacitors charged by a piezo element or a surge generator during firing are used in the flight phase for operational purposes. At least two of the capacitors arc connected to the input of a comparator, so that the influence of a constantly modifiable operational voltage and the influence of a discharge of modifiable voltage levels by the piezo element or surge generator does not affect the time function.

Abstract: A MEMS type safe and arm apparatus for a fuze includes a setback slider responsive to a first setback acceleration, the setback slider moving linearly in response to the first setback acceleration; a setforward slider responsive to a first setforward acceleration, the setback slider unlocking the setforward slider, the setforward slider moving linearly in response to the first setforward acceleration; a first rotor responsive to a second setback acceleration, the setforward slider unlocking the first rotor, the first rotor rotating in response to the second setback acceleration; a second rotor responsive to a second setforward acceleration, the first rotor unlocking the second rotor, the second rotor rotating in response to the second setforward acceleration; and an arming slider that moves linearly in response to the rotation of the second rotor to thereby arm the fuze.

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.

Abstract: A self destructing impact fuse including a cylindrical firing pin having a hollow centrifugal chamber for holding a number of spheres and a number of radial openings on its surface for exposing portions of the spheres when the chamber is spun. At one end of the chamber is a spring for exerting compression force along the longitudinal axis of the chamber and at the other end is a self-destructing (SD) firing pin for striking the detonator. A centrifugal lock having a pivot offset from the longitudinal axis holds the chamber in place by mating with a groove on the surface of the centrifugal chamber. The cylindrical firing pin is seated concentrically within a frame and disposed over an escapement assembly featuring the detonator. The detonator is rotated into alignment with the SD firing pin after the projectile, incorporating the fuse, travels the minimum tactical distance. The frame is further coupled with a base, which features a point detonation (PD) firing pin for striking the detonator.

Abstract: A miniature, planar, inertially-damped, inertially-actuated delay slider uator is micromachined on a substrate and consists of a "slider", with zig-zag or stair-step-like patterns on the side edges, interacting with similar vertical-edged zig-zag patterns on "racks" which are positioned across a small gap on each side. The slider has been released from the substrate, and is captured vertically in its track by a non-interfering lattice or cover or other feature that bridges across from the top of one rack to the other. The racks are fixed to the substrate and the slider is forced axially down the "track" by an inertial load in the slider's axial direction. The slider is drawn along the track such that the "teeth" on the right edge of the slider engage with the teeth on the right rack. The slider is forced to move to the left as it slides down the faces on the right rack, until it is thrown clear of the right rack and goes across to engage similarly with the left rack.

Abstract: An impact fuse for a projectile comprises a firing needle and a main detonator carried by a rotor. The rotor is rotatable about an axis, upon launching of the projectile, and is rotated by centrifugal force from a safety position to a firing position in which the firing needle is aligned with the main detonator. Upon target impact, the rotor is displaced axially to cause the firing needle to detonate the main detonator. Acceleration forces occurring upon launching cause a piercing pin to activate a delay detonator. After a pre-selected time delay, the activated delay detonator emits a gas which displaces the rotor axially and produces detonation of the main detonator, in the absence of target impact.

Abstract: An ignition and safety device for a grenade projectile provided with a shaped charge insert and having a bottom-side impact fuse that has a spin-dependent safety element and acceleration-dependent safety element (14, 17), and a self-destruct device. The self-destruct device includes a pyrotechnical delay segment (29) that is axially displaceable into engagement with a firing pin (30) by means of the launch acceleration and acts on a booster charge (8), which is disposed extremely off-center of the projectile axis for the projectile effective charge. Consequently, no shaped charge jet is formed during self-destruction for the projectile.

Abstract: A self-powered fuze apparatus for a projectile containing an explosive charge which comprises a first housing containing a mechanical safety device for releasably preventing undesired movement of a detonator cup holder containing a detonator from an unarmed to an armed position wherein the detonator cup is shielded from the charge to be exploded in the unarmed position and the detonator cup communicates with the charge only in the armed position and the second housing adjacent the first housing containing an electronic safety means for sensing target impact and projectile launch and selectively passing a piezoelectrically generated firing current to the detonator cup only upon sensing a predetermined magnitude target impact only within a predetermined time after sensing the launch acceleration and only when the electronic means is electrically and mechanically connected to the detonator cup in the armed position.

Abstract: Apparatus for e.g. igniting a boost motor of a spinning projectile comprises an inertia wheel (5) which remains stationary within the spinning projectile and a linearly movable member (10) initially decoupled from the inertia wheel but become engaged therewith when a predetermined linear acceleration state of the projectile is attained and which then initiates winding up of a flexible tape coupled to a switch mechanism. When the tape has been fully wound up, i.e. when the missile has spun through a preset number of turns, the switch mechanism is pulled to operate it via the tape. Thus, the switch mechanism is only operated when the predetermined linear acceleration condition and the preset number of rotations (which equates to a preset flight distance) have been attained.

Abstract: A safety and arming mechanism wherein a sliding member is held in an out-of-line position breaking the fuze train. An actuator releases the sliding member and moves the sliding member, which contains a stab detonator, in-line and towards a firing pin completing the fuze train. Arming and detonating occur at the same time when the fuze train is completed and the stab detonator is impaled on the firing pin.

Abstract: An out-of-line fuse for primarily ring-type, multiple point concurrent initiation, projectiles is disclosed. In the unarmed state, the detonator and booster charges are angularly displaced while located at the same radial distance from the projectile axis in adjacent radial planes. When rotation of the projectile is sensed by a plurality of centrifugally actuated fiber optic light switches arranged in a series optical relationship, an electrically activated pyrotechnic thruster is fired to move the detonator charges and the booster charges into alignment arming the projectile; the electrical circuit having been priorly energized by inertia switches sensing the thrust forces during the launching of the projectile. When rotation of the projectile substantially ceases the detonator charges are electrically fired.