Modular electronic fuze
AssigneeEngel Ballistic Research, Inc.
InventorScott A. Sutcliffe
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A modular fuze assembly is provided for use in multiple types of military ordnance. The fuze comprises a base unit having an initiator for arming the fuze; a timer assembly that includes a programmable clock package; a trigger assembly comprising a line monitoring circuit and a photo-capacitor; and a top cover unit. Each of the individual components are interconnected together to form a single, unitized system. Multiple initiation stages are provided to ensure payload activation.
Claims16
A compact, modular fuze assembly for use in multiple types of military ordinance comprising:
- a. An initiator;
- b. A timer assembly having a detection circuit that distinguishes between a high and a low state condition, said timer assembly also having an circuit responsive to said high or low state, wherein the timer duration is selectively adjusted based upon whether the state condition is high or low;
- c. A trigger circuit having a line monitoring circuit that controls the payload activation by receiving a destruct command from a trigger unit;
- and
- d. A self-destruct circuit having a battery and a photo-capacitor;
- wherein the self-destruct circuit is activated if no trigger signal is received from the timer assembly, wherein said battery continues to charge the self-destruct circuit until said battery is fully discharged, at which point said line monitoring circuit allows said photo-capacitor to discharge across said trigger circuit thereby initiating payload activation.
A modular fuze assembly for use in multiple types of military ordinance comprising:
- a. A base unit having an initiator for arming the fuze;
- b. An timer assembly that includes a programmable clock package;
- c. A trigger assembly comprising a line monitoring circuit and a photo-capacitor;
- and
- d. A top cover unit;
- wherein said top cover unit, said trigger assembly, said timer assembly and said base unit are interconnected together to form a single unitized system.
A method to ensure payload activation of ordnance including the steps of:
- a. providing a power source that provides power to a clock, detonator and trigger circuit, said trigger circuit having a trigger line and a trigger line monitor;
- b. resetting the state of said clock;
- c. checking the state of said trigger line;
- d. defaulting to a safety count for a low trigger line state;
- e. beginning an initial count while monitoring state of said trigger line, defaulting to said safety count for a low trigger line state;
- f. initiating a terminal count and setting said trigger line to active;
- defaulting to said safety count for a high trigger line state;
- and
- g. activating a command on trigger line state condition being low to said trigger line and said detonator to activate the payload.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.