Abstract: A safe-and-arm device with a series connection formed through a switch which is activated through triggering criteria and which is connected ahead of a detonator for a secondary explosive, especially for utilization with a submunition projectile. Hereby, a switching element of a first switch is arranged on a first carrier or support for the switching element which is slidable from its blocked secured or safe position through the intermediary of a power element which is initiated by a releasing criterium into armed position, and a switching element of a second switch is arranged on a support for this switching element which is coupled with the support of the first switching element and displaceable by the latter from its safe position across an interim position into its armed position in the presence of a further releasing criterium.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a safe and arm device for spinning munitions that takes advantage of the conservation of momentum law to impart a differential angular velocity to a ball rotating in a race within the device. The rotating ball is used to established discrete time intervals that can be integrated with an electronic counter to determine a safe arm distance, which distance can be programmed to be well beyond the 400-800 caliber arming distance achievable with conventional arming devices.

Abstract: A safe-arm or quick arm system for a perforating gun includes a body containing a detonator and an adapter head containing an electrical plug and a detonating cord shell, the body and associated detonator being rotatable relative to the adapter head and associated detonating cord shell. Upon rotation of the body relative to the adapter head, the detonator moves from a start position to a transport position. In this position, the plug is not electrically connected to the detonator and the leads connected to the detonator are short circuited. The detonator is not adapted to receive electrical power. Upon further rotation of the body relative to the adapter head, the detonator moves from the transport position to an electrical contact position. In this position, the plug is electrically connected to the detonator but the detonator is not aligned with the detonating cord shell.

Abstract: Arming of a detonator carried within a tube-launched projectile is delayed n accordance with an operational program of a safety-arming system initiated by simultaneous and independent detection of projectile propulsion involving pressure generated by an activated projectile propelling motor and inertial forces accompanying acceleration of the projectile during launch. Operating energy necessary to complete the operational program, terminated after the projectile is launched, is stored within the projectile during launch in response to said generation of pressure by the activated propelling motor.

Abstract: A method of effecting the in-flight departure of an astronaut from a shuttle craft, and apparatus therefor. A plurality of rocket assemblies with a lanyard for each are provided, although only one rocket assembly is used for one escape. The astronaut is carried in a parachute harness which is selectively connectible by the astronaut to one of the lanyards. A safety lever is moved when the astronaut pulls the lanyard. An ignition system is subsequently actuated when the lanyard is pulled further by the astronaut. Two rods push their corresponding rocket out through the side hatch of the shuttle craft. When the lanyard grows taut, one means fires the rocket. Subsequently, other means pull the parachute ripcord.

Abstract: The device, in a first embodiment, has utility for operation on a dual pulse missile including a booster segment for launching and includes several main components, as follows: an inertial mass, a shaft with a zig zag channel, a gearless electric motor, a switch deck and blocking rotor, another blocking rotor, and a spring which provides a restoring force which acts against the inertia of the inertial mass. In a second embodiment, the device has utility for operation on a triple pulse missile including a booster segment for launching and includes several main components, as follows: two inertial masses, a shaft with a unique zig zag channel, two gearless electric motors, two switch decks with blocking rotors, two springs which provide restorative forces which act against the inertia of the inertia masses.

Abstract: The invention relates to a safe and arm mechanism for an exploding projectile to be fired from a rifled gun. The projectile first experiences axial and angular acceleration which moves a setback ball to initially arm the mechanism. A third projectile parameter, angular velocity, functions to lock the ball in the armed position. During projectile flight, a spin actuated escapement mechanism moves toward a fully armed position, but may be precluded from reaching that fully armed position by a command arm arrangement. The projectile is then fully armed when a command arm signal releases the arrangement and the escapement mechanism is allowed to complete its motion to the fully armed position. When the projectile strikes a target, it experiences axial deceleration which moves a contact ball partway to a detonating position. After the projectile passes through the target surface and into a void, e.g.

Abstract: A safe and arm device is responsive to electrical signals by way of two solenoids that push and pull, respectively, an arm to rotate, in turn, each of a series of three cogwheels by steps. When each of the cogwheels has been rotated a given number of steps prescribed by a secret code, slots or cutouts in each of the cogwheels are aligned to permit passage therethrough of an elongated bar or rack that can then operate or enable a switch or other mechanism to fire a rocket motor, etc.

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 device for use in the detonation of explosives, mines etc. Explosives are commonly detonated by a two stage operation, an explosive pellet is moved from a safe to an active position and then a hammer or electrical charge is fired to detonate the pellet. Failure of the second stage operation leaves the explosive in an unsafe condition, since the hammer or charge might fall as the fault is being investigated. The invention provides movement of the pellet from one safe position to another continuously and through an active position. If the hammer fails to fall as the pellet passes through the active position the device will assume a safe condition.

Abstract: A running web which contains moisture is caused to travel through the nip of two squeezing rollers one of which is deformable in that it comprises a stationary carrier and a cylindrical shell which surrounds the carrier and also surrounds a first set of inflatable cushions adjacent the nip and a second set of inflatable cushions opposite the first set. Sensors monitor the moisture content of selected longitudinally extending portions of the web, and the signals which are generated by such sensors are processed by an evaluating circuit and are transmitted to valves which regulate the pressure of pneumatic fluid in the cushions. Each cushion of the second set registers with a cushion of the first set, and the registering cushions can receive fluid from associated sets of valves including a pressure regulating valve which can increase or reduce the pressure of fluid in the respective cushions and a second valve which can shift the admission of fluid from one into the other of the registering valves.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detonating an explosive in response to the dettion of a remote explosive without damaging any components positioned intermediate the two explosives. An impact switch having contact elements that permanently interlock when activated is positioned adjacent to one of the explosives. A power supply is connected to the impact switch, and the output from the power supply is connected to the detonator for the second explosive. When the first explosive is detonated, the contact elements of the impact switch close, permanently interlocking. This completes and activates an electrical circuit with the power supply that sends current to the detonator of the second explosive to initiate detonation of the second explosive.

Abstract: A shock-damped and electronically passive mechanical switch system is precisely responsive to unguided ballistic missile peak reentry drag levels and respective near surface drag levels. The system includes a single cylindrical case containing a first and a second switching piston independently biased by respective springs, and a third switching piston housed in the second piston and controlled by metering fluid. The third (arming) piston begins displacing upon sensing a calibrated low threshold missile reentry drag value and shortly thereafter opens a port which enables the first and second pistons to begin displacing in response to the missile's drag, these two pistons coming to rest upon sensing the missile's peak drag. The second (programming) piston retains its peak drag sensing position to thus program the near surface drag value as the first piston retracts in response to the missile's reducing post peak drag.

Abstract: The conditions for detonating a follow-up charge in a dual stage weapon are etected for detonating the follow-up charge either instantaneously or after a time delay. An instantaneous detonation is caused when the dual stage weapon should not penetrate sufficiently through a target surface or when the weapon rebounds. A delayed detonation is intended when the dual stage weapon has penetrated a target. The delayed detonation shall be responsive, preferably randomly, to an approach to the weapon. This type of control of the weapon detonation in response to different detonating conditions is accomplished by using two, preferably three acceleration or vibration sensors producing signals which are evaluated for determining the respective detonating condition.

Abstract: A unique signal, safe and arming device for preventing the inadvertent detonation of an ordnance, having an initiator barrier disk and an ignitor barrier disk situated adjacent respective opposite open ends of at least one transfer tube containing an initiator therein. The barrier disks are interconnected to move in synchronism with each other from a first position blocking the ends of the transfer tube to a second position unblocking the ends of the transfer tube. A maze-like slot is located within the ignitor barrier disk and a peg operably engages the maze-like slot. While the ignitor barrier disk moves from its first position to its second position under the control of preselected signals, the peg moves radially within the slot also under the control of preselected signals. This arrangement requires the proper input signals for the appropriate movement of both the peg and ignitor barrier disk in order to permit activation of the initiator to take place.

Abstract: A short circuit spring for an electrical connector, such as a plug-in connector, has a flat leaf spring section and a curved leaf spring section. A first hole in the flat section fits snugly in a contact making manner around an electrical terminal while a second hole in the flat section is large enough to permit a second terminal to pass through without contact. The curved section forms a tongue bent back to contact the second terminal with a tongue edge when the connector is not plugged together with a second connector to maintain a short circuit and to interrupt the short circuit when the connectors are plugged together.

Abstract: The mechanism consists of a one coil spring disposed a spaced distance about the inner circumference of a cylindrical housing; and a lever pivotally attached to said housing. When the device is subjected to centrifugal forces the coil is forced outward towards the inner wall of the cylindrical housing causing the two ends of the coil to be separated. Once separated, the lever may pivot causing one end to contact the inner wall of the cylindrical housing and the second end to pivot away from the inner wall of the cylindrical housing and contact a activating device.

Abstract: A pyrotechnic or explosive device comprises a pyrotechnic or explosive charge and an electrical firing circuit therefor. The firing circuit includes a source of electrical energy, an electrical firing element to ignite the charge, and an electric switch connected between the energy source and the firing element. The switch includes biasing means and manually engageable means for holding the switch open against the biasing means. Delay means, either pyrotechnic or electrical, are preferably included.

Abstract: An accelerometer assembly is provided for use in activating a switch in response to multiple acceleration pulses in series. The accelerometer includes a housing forming a chamber. An inertial mass or piston is slidably disposed in the chamber and spring biased toward a first or reset position. A damping system is also provided to damp piston movement in response to first and subsequent acceleration pulses. Additionally, a cam, including a Z-shaped slot, and cooperating follower pin slidably received therein are mounted to the piston and the housing. The middle or cross-over leg of the Z-shaped slot cooperates with the follower pin to block or limit piston movement and prevent switch activation in response to a lone acceleration pulse. The switch of the assembly is only activated after two or more separate acceleration pulses are sensed and the piston reaches the end of the chamber opposite the reset position.

Abstract: The impact fuze is as light as possible and protects a time-delay device against preliminary destruction at impact of the projectile in or at the target in order that the projectile can penetrate as deeply as possible into or through a hard target, for instance a concrete wall, before the projectile is detonated. A steel housing is introduced into the interior of a light metal housing of the impact fuze in order to fulfill both of these requirements.

Abstract: A perforating gun having a plurality of shaped charges to be detonated by a primacord positioned adjacent thereto, which primacord is to be actuated by a detonator positioned in detonating proximity to the primacord. The gun of the present invention mounts the primacord and/or detonator within the gun in a manner affording the relative movement therebetween to a position where the primacord and the detonator are non-aligned so as to safe-arm the gun. The relative movement between the primacord and the detonator can be accomplished through the gun carrier so as to simplify the detonation system and minimize any lengthening of the gun required to accomplish the safe-arming.

Abstract: A test operable electro-mechanical safe and arming mechanism for hardened rget penetrating, and other, ordnance, not relying on stored energy, incorporating two mechanical interlocks and providing an electro-mechanical elapsed time reference and mechanical logic to check external control apparatus operation comprises a body having a reversible motor which drives a rotatable shaft having ends threaded in opposite directions. The shaft penetrates the threaded holes of three members which move axially depending on the direction of shaft rotation. The middle member is an initially misaligned explosive train component configured to engage one threaded shaft end to advance into the aligned or armed position. A ball interlock maintains this component misaligned until ordnance delivery is sensed at which time motor energization occurs in a first direction to cause shaft rotation and to preposition the mechanism for arming.

Abstract: An arming firing relock device includes a resiliently biased handle lock, a rive shaft, an output shaft or keyed member and a pivot block which may be attached to the exterior surface of a rocket motor. The output shaft may be connected to drive a rocket motor arming firing device. The handle lock moves between a safe position and an armed position via a free position in which the handle lock, drive shaft and output shaft or keyed member may be rotated to control the arming firing device. The pivot block, output shaft or keyed member, drive shaft and handle lock all cooperate to positively lock the arming firing device in the safe or the armed positions respectively, yet enable changing positions without the need for tools.

Abstract: A centrifugal rotor operates under the influence of the spin of the fuze to close a switch for a fraction of a fuze revolution. The switch closure controls a counter which counts the cycles of a relatively high frequency oscillator for the fraction of a revolution. This fractional count is multiplied by a constant to attain a required total number of revolutions. A second counter counts the cycles of the oscillator from the time the oscillator is turned on until the total revolution count is attained, at which time the fuze is armed.

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.

Abstract: An improved arming-firing device that provides handling safety in a rocket otor. The arming-firing device provides pyrotechnic (out-of-line) and electrical (open and shortened initiator circuits) safety features wherein the arming-firing device is armed by rotating an assemblage of a mechanical rotor switch assembly, and solenoid wherein the solenoid aligns multiple cavities of the mechanical rotor with multiple prongs of a kinetic energy barrier assembly ad this action simultaneously electrically arms (closes circuits and removes shots) and mechanically enables the initiator whereupon receiving a firing signal fires and in turn ignites the ignitor of the rocket motor. The mating of the kinetic energy poppet-sleeve squib assembly's barrier prongs with the rotor cavities obviates rebounding, thus affording proper ignition. The mechanical barrier and a solenoid return spring prevents inadvertent firing from any cause.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to an improved integrating acceleration switch of the type having a mass suspended within a fluid filled chamber, with the motion of the mass initially opposed by a spring and subsequently not so opposed.

Abstract: An electrical switch includes a body having one open end exposed for adaptation of a pyrotechnic cartridge and the other end sealed by the base of a pin type connector assembly having short conductive pins and elongated conductive pins with relief areas containing insulative material. The pins are inserted into the body cavity. A conductive grounding plate or plates have tabs which bite into the pins and connect selected pins in a first operational state. A plunger having fracturable bosses is located adjacent the contact plate. Upon activation of a pyrotechnic cartridge, pressure is applied to the plunger, causing fracture of the bosses and resulting in the displacement of the plunger to move the contact plate to a different position thereby changing the number of closed circuits.

Abstract: 1. A decoder mechanism comprising a code wheel assembly includinga first wheel element and a second wheel element,a main code post means normally positioned for locking the first and second wheel elements in driving relation,selectively operable means for actuating the main code post means in a predetermined sense for unlocking the first and second wheel elements,auxiliary code post means effective upon the first and second wheel elements being in an unlocked relation,said auxiliary code post means being operable by said selectively operable means in one sense for locking said first and second wheel elements and in another sense to retain said first and second wheel elements in said unlocked relation,and means actuated by one of the wheel elements for performing a control function upon the first element being retained in said unlocked relation with the second element.

Abstract: An acceleration actuated switch is disclosed which is capable of distinguishing between random and brief acceleration forces on the one hand and sustained acceleration forces on the other hand. The device comprises a stationary electrical contact and a movable contact held in position by biasing means. Sustained acceleration forces in a particular direction will drive the movable contact along a fixed path to a position whereat the biasing means may bring the movable contact into proximity with the stationary contact thereby closing the switch. If the acceleration force is not in the proper direction or is not applied to the switch for a sufficient length of time, the biasing means will return the movable contact to its original position thereby maintaining the switch in an open condition.

Abstract: An arming-firing device that provides handling safety in a rocket motor. arming-firing device provides pyrotechnic (out-of-line) and electrical (open circuit) safety features wherein the arming-firing device is armed by rotating a mechanical rotor by a solenoid that aligns multiple prongs of the barrier with multiple cavities of the rotor and this action simultaneously electrically arms (closes circuits) and mechanically enables the igniter whereupon receiving a firing signal starts the rocket motor. The mating of the barrier prongs with the rotor cavities obviates rebounding, thus affording proper ignition. The mechanical barrier and a solenoid return spring prevents inadvertent firing from any cause.

Abstract: A safety and arming device for a directed missile warhead using a rotor hng a plurality of explosive paths therethrough. A central shaft guides axial and rotary movement of said rotor. Missile launch is sensed and unlatches the rotor. Missile launch acceleration causes the rotor to move axially. Receipt of a second signal causes the rotor to rotate, thereby arming the device by aligning the explosive paths and the detonators. Circuit breakers may also be included on the housing and rotor to produce a continuous electrical path for the firing circuits only when the device is armed.

Abstract: The system of the present invention basically consists of a detector unit unted in each bomb or airborne weapon and operable upon interception of a signal emitted by an aircraft-mounted source. The required signal for arming is present only in a well defined zone below the aircraft and only in response to pilot command during weapon release. The signal consists of mechanically modulated beam of high-energy photons (gamma rays) emitted by a radioisotope source on the aircraft. The weapon must fall well below the aircraft to see the signal. Geiger-Mueller tubes are used for radiation detectors and the resulting signal is processed to initiate the arming or fuzing sequence. Power for the operation of the detector and associated electronics is transferred through the metallic covering of the weapon by means of a split-core transformer at the time of release.

Abstract: A safe and arming device used with electrically operated fuses of a missile nd including a housing with an acceleration responsive device rotatably mounted therein between safe and arming positions and biased into the safe position by a spring and actuatable to the arming position when accelerated at a predetermined rate, latching means which latches the acceleration device in the armed position and reset means which releases the latching means to allow the device to be reset into the safe position.

Abstract: A conductor plated on a frangible substrate. The unit is potted in a silicon base compound, placed in a header, and attached to a printed circuit board. This assembly is then encased in a housing using epoxy resin potting compound. The circuit is protected from breakage due to mechanical shock by the epoxy resin but is immediately broken by an explosive shock wave which fractures the substrate and the conductor and opens the circuit.

Abstract: An inertial impact switch is provided having a housing which comprises two onductive sections electrically insulated from each other and a movable contact member engaging one section and held out of contact with the second section by means of a concentric insulating member. Interior radial "fingers" of the insulator bend in response to the spin forces of the projectile containing the switch. To provide for this sensitivity, the fingers of the insulator may have varying stiffness to provide deflection under differing spin conditions. The body of the switch may also be provided with a single grove bellows that is compressible under applied stress prior to use, moving the first section of the housing closer to the second section of the housing, thus reducing the gap between terminals.

Abstract: There is disclosed a safe and arming device for ordnance fuzes including an nterrupter. The interrupter includes a cylindrical body adapted for rotational or axial movement in a housing when subjected to acceleration or other mechanical force in a bomb, missile, or other projectile for which designed. The cylindrical body is provided with a plurality of radially extending orthogonal openings containing detonators, whereby, upon movement of the cylindrical body, the detonators are brought into facing explosive communication with explosive leads for arming the fuze.