Methods for increasing the number of countermeasure expendables for dispensing systems
AssigneeBAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.
InventorsDanny L. Plemons, Mark J. Dube, Daniel M. Gilbert
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Various systems and methods for leveraging legacy countermeasure dispensing systems (CMDSs). The legacy CMDSs are leveraged through the expansion of breechplates and magazines in a CMDS by expanding the amount of expendables carried by a CMDS while still maintaining the legacy sequencer and dispenser in a legacy military platform, such as an aircraft. In addition, various circuitry systems are included in a circuit card of the breechplate for duplicating and/or expanding the firing lines provided in a legacy CMDS.
Claims19
A countermeasure dispensing system, comprising:
- a breechplate adapted to be operably engaged with a dispenser, the breechplate having a first set of firing pins and a second set of firing pins electrically connected to a circuit card that is electrically connected to a sequencer adapted to control the first and second sets of firing pins via a set of firing lines;
- and
- a magazine operably engaged with the breechplate, the magazine having a set of passageways to hold a plurality of expendables that are electrically connected to the first and second sets of firing pins;
- wherein the first set of firing pins is defined by a plurality of single firing pins, wherein at least one of the single firing pins is electrically connected to a first single firing line in the set of firing lines;
- and
- wherein the second set of firing pins is defined by a plurality of paired firing pins, wherein at least one of the paired firing pins is electrically connected to a second single firing line in the set of the firing lines.
The dispensing system of clam 4, wherein the FPGA is operably controlled by the sequencer for controlling the states of the logic switches.
A method comprising:
- providing a breechplate operably coupled to a dispenser disposed on a platform;
- providing a magazine for insertion into the dispenser, the magazine operably engaging the breechplate and housing a plurality of expendables;
- initiating a countermeasure dispensing system;
- determining the number of expendables from the plurality of expendables housed inside of the magazine;
- selecting at least one firing pin from a set of firing pins, wherein the at least one firing pin is one of a pair of firing pins electrically connected to a firing line in the set of firing lines;
- sending a first signal, by the sequencer, to the at least one firing pin in the pair of firing lines;
- and
- dispensing a first expendable from the magazine by the at least one firing pin in the pair of firing pins.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.