Abstract: A striker mechanism including: a housing having a first surface; a slider movable in the housing, the slider having a projection or concavity, the slider having a second surface, the first and second surfaces defining an opening for a lanyard; a striker mass movably disposed relative to the housing, the striker mass having another of the projection and the concavity, the striker mass having a striker tip for engaging a primer; and a spring for biasing the striker tip relative to the housing. When the lanyard moves the slider within a first range of motion, the projection engages with the concavity to bias the striker mass towards the primer. When the lanyard moves the slider within a second range of motion, greater than the first range of motion, the projection disengages from the concavity allowing the striker mass to move towards the primer by a biasing force of the spring.

Abstract: Provided is a detonation interrupt device. The detonation interrupt device, in one aspect, includes a first detonation train member positioned within a housing, and a mechanical member positioned proximate the first detonation train member. In this aspect, the mechanical member is movable between a first position physically separating the first detonation train member from a second detonation train member and thereby preventing the first detonation train member from detonating the second detonation train member, and a second position not physically separating the first detonation train member from the second detonation train member and thereby allowing the first detonation train member to detonate the second detonation train member, wherein the mechanical member is configured to automatically move from the first position to the second position as the housing and the second detonation train member move linearly with respect to each other.

Abstract: An alignment sub may include a first sub body part rotatably coupled to a second sub body part. The first sub body part and second sub body part may be respectively non-rotatably coupled to a first wellbore tool and a second wellbore tool. A lock screw switchable between an unlocked state and a locked state may fix an angular position of the first sub body part relative to an angular position of the second sub body part when the lock screw is in the locked state.

Abstract: A wireless electronic detonator includes an energy source and functional modules. A first switching switch is provided between the energy source and the functional modules, making it possible to connect or not connect the energy source to the functional modules. A control module for controlling the first switching means includes a module for recovering radio energy configured to receive a radio signal from a control console, to recover the electric energy in the radio signal received, to generate an energy recovery signal (VRF) representative of the level of electric energy recovered, and to generate as output a control signal (VOUT) as a function of the recovered energy, the control signal controlling the first switch.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments include a perforating gun assembly. The perforating gun assembly includes a housing and at least one perforating charge disposed within the housing. Additionally, the perforating gun assembly includes a detonating cord disposed within the housing and ballistically coupled to the at least one perforating charge. Also included in the perforating gun assembly is a detonator assembly disposed in line or adjacent to the detonating cord. The detonator assembly includes a detonator, a ballistic interrupt, an actuator to remove the ballistic interrupt from a line of fire of the detonator, and a detonator control board to control the actuator and firing of the detonator.

Abstract: According to an aspect a deformable member is provided, wherein the deformable member is configured for use in a ballistic transfer module. The ballistic transfer module includes the deformable member, a booster holder, a booster and a detonating cord. A method of initiating one or more percussion initiators of a perforating gun assembly using the ballistic transfer module and deforming the deformable member is also provided.

Abstract: An arming and safety device for a pyrotechnic chain, the device including a housing presenting an inlet zone for a pyrotechnic stream and an outlet zone for the pyrotechnic stream, an arming element housed in the housing between the inlet and outlet zones and adapted to move between a disarmed position in which it blocks the passage of the pyrotechnic stream and an armed position in which it allows the pyrotechnic stream to pass, and an electric motor for driving the arming element. The stator of the electric motor is situated outside the housing, and the rotor is contained entirely inside the housing.

Abstract: The present invention describes an electronic fuze (200) operable to complement a mechanical point impact fuze (101). The electronic fuze (200) includes a voltage generator circuit (210), micro-controller (220), a piezo-electric sensor (262), a firing circuit (280) and a safety lockout circuit (290). When a projectile (50) strikes a target at an optimum angle, the mechanical point impact fuze (101) is activated; when the strike angle is oblique, the mechanical point impact fuze may be ineffective but the piezo-electric sensor (262) is operable to trigger the firing circuit (280). The safety lockout circuit (290) ensures the firing circuit (280) is operative only after a predetermined delay time when an n-channel FET (292) is turned OFF. The micro-controller (220) also generates a TIME-OUT signal, which provides for self-destruction of a projectile that has failed to explode.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved apparatus for safely igniting a pyrotechnic device such as a flare which is suspended by a parachute following deployment from an air craft. More specifically, the present invention relates to a two stage ignition train mechanism for use with parachute suspended illumination flares with an in-line firing pin and physical safety mechanism which blocks movement of the firing pin until the parachute is deployed. The present invention also discloses an embodiment of a two stage ignition train mechanism for use with parachute suspended illumination flares with out-of-line firing pin and physical safety mechanism which blocks the firing pin from striking the primer until the parachute is deployed.

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 Safe-and-Arm system for the prevention of unintentional operation of an explosive device by interrupting a detonation train, the system employing an interruptive transfer assembly made of silicon and suitable for implementing in a MEMS device, the assembly including a silicon based transfer charge carrier on a porous explosive passageway made by etching, the passageway extending between at least two ports on the circumference of the transfer assembly, and a drive means that can mechanically bring about at least one armed state of a detonation train.

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: The invention relates to a safety device (1) for a block of explosive material, forming a missile decoy, that is introduced into an explosive material container (2) with a sabot (4) and an ignition transmission charge (5). The safety device (1) is characterized by a prestressed tube sensor/slide (6) that is connected between the sabot (4), the ignition transmission charge (5) and the explosive material container (2) such that it can release or re-close an ignition channel (13) disposed between the ignition transmission charge (5) and the explosive material.

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 multi-stage inertial switch including: a housing having a first electrical contact; two or more members disposed in the housing, at least one end of each of the two or more members being sequentially movable upon a different level of acceleration of the housing; and a movable member movable within the housing by the sequential movement of the two or more members, the movable member having a second electrical contact capable of engagement with the first electrical contact to one of open or close an electrical circuit between the first and second electrical contacts upon an occurrence of a predetermined magnitude and/or duration acceleration event.

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: Microelectromechanical (MEM) apparatus and methods for operating, for preventing unintentional detonation of energetic components comprising pyrotechnic and explosive materials, such as air bag deployment systems, munitions and pyrotechnics. The MEM apparatus comprises an interrupting member that can be moved to block (interrupt) or complete (uninterrupt) an explosive train that is part of an energetic component. One or more latching members are provided that engage and prevent the movement of the interrupting member, until the one or more latching members are disengaged from the interrupting member. The MEM apparatus can be utilized as a safe and arm device (SAD) and electronic safe and arm device (ESAD) in preventing unintentional detonations. Methods for operating the MEM apparatus include independently applying drive signals to the actuators coupled to the latching members, and an actuator coupled to the interrupting member.

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 safety and arming unit for a fuze of a projectile has a rotor for interruption of a firing chain. The rotor can rotate from a safe position to an armed position. In order to allow the safety and arming unit to be designed to be physically compact and such that it can be assembled easily, it is proposed that it has a first and a second rotor safety device which each engage in the rotor in order to block rotor rotation to the armed position, wherein the first rotor safety device is designed to carry out a release movement by virtue of its inertia during a launch acceleration of the projectile, and the second rotor safety device has a pyrotechnic charge for producing a release movement.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a safety lighter intended to initiate the combustion of a pyrotechnic device, the lighter including a lighter body (10) having a cylindrical void (12) of axis XX?, and a pyrotechnic slide-in module (14) including pyrotechnic means (70, 74, 30) of initiating the combustion of the pyrotechnic device, the pyrotechnic slide-in module (14) being able to be displaced in the cylindrical void, from a so-called safety position (Ps), providing isolation between the pyrotechnic means of the slide-in module and the pyrotechnic device to be initiated, to a so-called initiation position (Pi), intended to provoke the combustion of the pyrotechnic device.

Abstract: A fuze mechanism for a submuntion includes an activation mechanism having a container filled with an activation fluid and an ampoule breaker to break the container upon deployment of the munition, a delay mechanism including a spring-loaded self-destruct firing pin to initiate a secondary detonator in close proximity to a primary detonator, and an interlock unit supported by the ampoule breaker that locks the self-destruct firing pin away from the secondary detonator. The ampoule breaker includes a piston and a timing ball, which accesses the activation liquid. The action of the activation liquid on the timing ball over time causes the timing ball to erode until it is forced into the container by the spring-loaded piston. The movement of the piston frees the interlock unit, allowing the spring-loaded self-destruct firing pin to move under force and impact or initiate the secondary detonator.

Abstract: An ammunition firing device incorporating a firing pin intended to impact a pyrotechnic composition to activate its ignition, wherein said firing pin incorporates a rod that slides when said ammunition is fired through the effect of the firing acceleration from a starting position to a deployed position, able to be locked in said deployed position, said rod being integral with a percussion tip occupying a fixed position in contact with said pyrotechnic composition, said rod being located fully inside said tip in said starting position and protruding from said tip in its deployed position, said device further incorporating a hammer to strike said rod during the impact of said ammunition on a target to cause the ignition of said composition.

Abstract: A re-locking device for a rocker arm detonator (1) of an armament, such as a hand grenade, irritation body etc., is formed by a security mechanism (3), which facilitates a repeat locking after activation of the armament. The re-locking device includes at least one profile part (4, 4?), which is pivotably arranged and able to engage with the armament by means of an expedient (9), especially with the ignition head (5, 5?) and the rocker arm (2).

Abstract: A safe and arm (S&A) device is disclosed. The device utilizes a no-fire separation distance and a mechanical configuration of primary explosive/booster explosive and secondary explosive to establish a safe mode. While in safe mode, the device would allow no more than 1 in 1 million detonation transfers to occur from primary to secondary. In armed mode, the no-fire separation distance is taken away, allowing reliable detonation transfer. Two arming environments, which occur after launch and safe separation, are used to move the S&A device to armed mode. The first environment is the release event of the projectiles from their packed state in a dispenser. The second environment is a target sense mechanism. If either arming environment returns to its original state, the mechanism returns to safe mode. The S&A device will not allow inadvertent packing into the dispenser of explosive devices in the armed state.

Abstract: A fuze for a projectile having a firing chain has an interrupter for interruption of the firing chain. The interruptor is configured to snap from a safe position to an armed position when unlocked. A locking device is disposed to lock the interrupter in the safe position and to unlock the interrupter by way of an unlocking movement. The fuze is rendered compact and reliable in that the unlocking movement of the locking device is an axial movement.

Abstract: A safety system in which each functional device (such as a payload suspended from a pylon of a combat aircraft or an escape chute of a civil aircraft) includes at least one removable barrier making it possible to arm and disarm the functional device depending on whether the aircraft is in flight or on the ground. The removable barrier is electrically operated and the system also includes a control mechanism placed inside the aircraft in order to electrically switch the barrier between its armed and disarmed positions.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) igniter which is an ignition safety device (ISD) in a small, low-cost, low-power, and highly reliable design. The MEMS igniter provides both out-of-line safety and an ignition mechanism for a rocket motor. The igniter is initially held in a safe, out-of-line position with respect to a propellant. Upon receiving appropriate arm and fire commands and sensing the correct environment, MEMS mechanisms move an ignition component into alignment and the device can function.

Abstract: A MEMS fuze having a moveable slider with a microdetonator at an end for positioning adjacent an initiator. A setback activated lock and a spin activated lock prevent movement of the slider until respective axial and centrifugal acceleration levels have been achieved. Once these acceleration levels are achieved, the slider is moved by a V-beam shaped actuator arrangement to position the microdetonator relative to a secondary lead to start an explosive train in a munitions round.

Abstract: A warhead fuse mechanism is used to prevent an accidental explosive event of a warhead by positioning a booster lead carrier, having a booster lead segment, positioned between the warhead detonator and warhead explosive. In a safe position the booster lead segment is off-set from alignment with the warhead detonator and warhead explosive. The warhead fuse is armed by rotating either the warhead detonator or booster lead carrier to align the warhead detonator and booster lead segment to form a detonation chain between the warhead detonator and warhead explosive.

Abstract: A safe and arm device includes a booster base assembly having a booster base housing and a barrier. The booster base housing includes a shaft port extending substantially in line with a longitudinal axis, at least three initiator ports disposed about the axis, and a matching number of explosive transfer paths in respective communication with the at least three initiator ports. The barrier includes a matching number of fire-train transfer ports and a drive shaft. The drive shaft of the barrier is coupled within the shaft port of the booster base housing allowing the barrier to be selectively rotationally positioned about the axis into at least one of a safe position and an arm and fire position, allowing the fire-train transfer ports to be substantially aligned with the explosive transfer paths when the barrier is positioned in the arm and fire position. A booster basket assembly is also provided.

Abstract: A safety and arming unit for a fuze of a projectile has a rotor for interruption of a firing chain. The rotor can rotate from a safe position to an armed position. In order to allow the safety and arming unit to be designed to be physically compact and such that it can be assembled easily, it is proposed that it has a first and a second rotor safety device which each engage in the rotor in order to block rotor rotation to the armed position, wherein the first rotor safety device is designed to carry out a release movement by virtue of its inertia during a launch acceleration of the projectile, and the second rotor safety device has a pyrotechnic charge for producing a release movement.

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: A command to arm apparatus includes a housing having a hollow interior. A pivotally-mounted rotor is disposed in the hollow interior. The rotor has a first, safe position of rotational adjustment that prevents detonation of an explosive and a second, armed position of rotational adjustment that enables detonation of an explosive. A locking cam is pivotally mounted to the rotor and has a rotor-locking position of repose. The rotor is free to rotate from its safe position to its armed position when the locking cam is rotated out of the rotor-locking position by a piston that extends from a piston actuator. The rotor abuts a flat formed in a sidewall of the housing and can rotate no further when the device is in the armed configuration.

Abstract: A parachute flare igniter assembly includes a novel safety for arresting the motion of a slider when subjected to external forces, but allows slider motion when subjected to intended cable actuation forces. The igniter safety includes a housing, a slider, a cable and a sleeve. The slider, connected to the cable, is slidably received within the housing. The cable moves the slider by applying a cable force conventionally obtained by actuation of a parachute associated with the flare and connected to an end of the cable opposite an end connected to the slider. The sleeve is connected to the cable and is disposed between the housing and the slider, so that the sleeve will arrest the slider with respect to the housing when the cable force is not present. A flare and a method of providing a safety in an igniter assembly is also provided.

Abstract: A detonator for a hand grenade fuze comprises a detonator case; a slider that is transversely reciprocable in the detonator case from an unarmed position to an armed position, the slider including a longitudinal through-hole filled with a primary explosive; a spring that biases the slider to the unarmed position; an arming mechanism attached to the slider, the arming mechanism comprising a shape memory alloy; an explosive lead disposed below the slider; and a booster charge disposed below the explosive lead.

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).

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a safety lighter intended to initiate the combustion of a pyrotechnic device, the lighter including a lighter body (10) having a cylindrical void (12) of axis XX?, and a pyrotechnic slide-in module (14) including pyrotechnic means (70, 74, 30) of initiating the combustion of the pyrotechnic device, the pyrotechnic slide-in module (14) being able to be displaced in the cylindrical void, from a so-called safety position (Ps), providing isolation between the pyrotechnic means of the slide-in module and the pyrotechnic device to be initiated, to a so-called initiation position (Pi), intended to provoke the combustion of the pyrotechnic device.

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 MEMS fuze having a moveable slider with a microdetonator at an end for positioning adjacent an initiator. A setback activated lock and a spin activated lock prevent movement of the slider until respective axial and centrifugal acceleration levels have been achieved. Once these acceleration levels are achieved, the slider is moved by a V-beam shaped actuator arrangement to position the microdetonator relative to a secondary lead to start an explosive train in a munitions round.

Abstract: An exemplary self-destruct fuze delay for a submunition includes a container filled with an activation fluid, a spring-loaded ampoule breaker to break the container upon deployment of the munition, a spring-loaded self-destruct firing pin to initiate a secondary detonator in close proximity to a primary detonator, and an interlock ball supported by the ampoule breaker that locks the self-destruct firing pin away from the secondary detonator. The ampoule breaker includes a piston and a timing ball, which accesses the activation liquid. The action of the activation liquid on the timing ball over time causes the timing ball to erode until it is forced into the container by the spring-loaded piston. The movement of the piston frees the interlock ball, allowing the spring-loaded self-destruct firing pin to move under force and impact or initiate the secondary detonator.

Abstract: A safe and arm device includes a booster base assembly having a booster base housing and a rotatable barrier. The booster base housing includes a shaft port extending substantially inline with a longitudinal axis, at least three initiator ports disposed about the axis, and a matching number of explosive transfer paths in respective communication with the at least three initiator ports. The barrier includes a matching number of fire-train transfer ports and a drive shaft. The drive shaft of the barrier is coupled within the shaft port of the booster base housing allowing the barrier to be selectively rotationally positioned about the axis into at least one of a safe position and an arm and fire position, allowing the fire-train transfer ports to be substantially aligned with the explosive transfer paths when the barrier is positioned in the arm and fire position. A booster basket assembly is also provided.

Abstract: A method of making a thin film explosive detonator includes forming a substrate layer; depositing a metal layer in situ on the substrate layer; and reacting the metal layer to form a primary explosive layer. The method and apparatus formed thereby integrates fabrication of a micro-detonator in a monolithic MEMS structure using “in-situ” production of the explosive material within the apparatus, in sizes with linear dimensions below about 1 mm. The method is applicable to high-volume low-cost manufacturing of MEMS safety-and-arming devices. The apparatus can be initiated either electrically or mechanically at either a single point or multiple points, using energies of less than about 1 mJ.

Abstract: The invention relates to a firing safety device for a pyrotechnic device which incorporates a barrier blocking a transmission channel connecting an igniter and a pyrotechnic charge wherein the barrier comprises at least two elements able to move with respect to one another by the action of motor means between a safety position in which they cooperate to block the transmission channel and an armed position in which they free at least partially one part of the transmission channel, each barrier element alone being unable to block the channel.

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.

Abstract: The invention relates to a firing safety device for a pyrotechnic device, such device incorporating at least one barrier to block a transmission channel connecting an igniter and a pyrotechnic charge, wherein the barrier is made in the form of at least one micro-machined or micro-engraved element, applied to or made on at least one substrate board, the board being integrated on its edge such that it is substantially parallel to the transmission channel which thus opens out opposite the barrier at its thick part, the pyrotechnic charge and igniter thus lying on either side of the barrier and opposite the thickness of the barrier.

Abstract: An electronic safety and arming unit comprises a micro electromechanical system (MEMS) shutter device. The shutter (18) is suspended by thin lightweight arms and hinges, all formed by silicon processing of SOI substrates and includes holding latches for holding the shutter (18) in the closed position. The holding latches may be released by an electrothermal actuator. The shutter (18) separates an initiator section from an explosive train (6) of munitions such as shells, thereby providing safety until the shell is fired and away from its start point. After firing, the shutter (18) is opened ready for the main explosive to be detonated by the initiator (3). The shutter (18) may be suspended by a compliant displacement multiplier and may include an electrothermal actuator such as an electrically heatable bent beam. Heating of the beam causes movement of a shutter blade from a shut condition covering a firing aperture to an open condition.

Abstract: A small arms projectile for a small arms weapon, which projectile comprises a warhead having an explosive charge, an initiator, and a firing pin. The initiator has safe and armed conditions and is capable of detonating the explosive charge of the warhead when the initiator is in the armed condition and impacted with sufficient force by the firing pin. The projectile further comprises a shielding device positioned between the initiator and the explosive charge of the warhead, which shielding device is slidable from a safety position in which the shielding device shields the explosive charge of the warhead from the initiator, to an armed position in which the initiator is capable of detonating the explosive charge of the warhead. The shielding device is slidable from the safe to the armed position in response to the initiator moving from the safe to the armed condition.

Abstract: A safe and arm (S&A) device is disclosed. The device utilizes a no-fire separation distance and a mechanical configuration of primary explosive/booster explosive and secondary explosive to establish a safe mode. While in safe mode, the device would allow no more than 1 in 1 million detonation transfers to occur from primary to secondary. In armed mode, the no-fire separation distance is taken away, allowing reliable detonation transfer. Two arming environments, which occur after launch and safe separation, are used to move the S&A device to armed mode. The first environment is the release event of the projectiles from their packed state in a dispenser. The second environment is a target sense mechanism. If either arming environment returns to its original state, the mechanism returns to safe mode. The S&A device will not allow inadvertent packing into the dispenser of explosive devices in the armed state.

Abstract: A method of making a thin film explosive detonator includes forming a substrate layer; depositing a metal layer in situ on the substrate layer; and reacting the metal layer to form a primary explosive layer. The method and apparatus formed thereby integrates fabrication of a micro-detonator in a monolithic MEMS structure using “in-situ” production of the explosive material within the apparatus, in sizes with linear dimensions below about 1 mm. The method is applicable to high-volume low-cost manufacturing of MEMS safety-and-arming devices. The apparatus can be initiated either electrically or mechanically at either a single point or multiple points, using energies of less than about 1 mJ.