US 4,359,926 A · Weapon firing system including weapon interrogation means and stray voltage testing means

Abstract

A weapon firing system including weapon interrogation means is disclosed wherein a weapon control computer (8) provides a signal (at 27) for closing a normally open switch (16) and signals (at 29, 29A, 29B, 29N) for connecting one of a plurality of weapon select relays (18, 18A, 18B, 18N) to the switch. During weapon interrogation, a low level interrogation signal (from 20) is applied through the closed switch and the one relay to a weapon igniter (12, 12A, 12B, 12N) connected to a corresponding weapon (2, 2A, 2B, 2N) to interrogate the availability of the weapon for firing. The igniter provides an impedance indicative of said availability, which is sensed by a sensor (28) for providing a signal (E.sub.L) which is applied to the computer for mission programming and display purposes. During weapon firing, a fire signal (from 32) is applied through the closed switch and one of the relays connected to the switch to fire the weapon connected to the relay in a firing sequence depending on the availability of the weapons. Prior to weapon interrogation, each weapon is tested via a stray voltage detector (32) to detect the presence of positive or negative voltage levels or pulses that may appear on an igniter and be indicative of an unsafe condition. The stray voltage detector is connected to the igniters which are sequentially powered, and provides an output (E.sub.S) to the computer for alerting the operator of the potentially unsafe condition.

Claims13

Dependent claims

A weapon firing system and stray signal testing means, the combination comprising:

a plurality of weapon select means, each of which is connected to a firing means associated with a weapon in a corresponding plurality of weapons;
a signal source for providing a signal at substantially ground level;
normally open switching means;
means operable for connecting the normally open switching means to the signal source;
control means connected to the normally open switching means and to the plurality of weapon select means for independently connecting each of the weapon select means to the normally open switching means, and for closing said switching means to pass the substantially ground level signal therethrough which electrically isolates a corresponding weapon firing means;
and
a stray signal detector connected between the closed switching means and the independently connected weapon select means for detecting stray signals on the corresponding associated weapon firing means.

4 more elements

A weapon firing system including stray voltage testing means and weapon interrogation means, comprising:

a plurality of weapon select means, each of which is connected to a corresponding firing means associated with a weapon in a corresponding plurality of weapons;
a first signal source;
means associated with the first signal source and operable therewith so that the first signal source provides a first signal at a first predetermined level and a second signal at a second predetermined level;
a second signal source for providing a third signal;
normally open switching means;
means operable for independently connecting the normally open switching means to the first and second signal sources;
control means connected to the plurality of weapon select means for independently connecting each of the weapon select means to the normally open switching means, and connected to the normally open switching means for closing said means, with the first and second signals from the first signal source and the third signal from the second signal source being independently applied through the plurality of weapon select means and therefrom to the corresponding weapon firing means;
the first signal from the first signal source being effective for electrically isolating the weapon firing means so that the presence of stray signals on said firing means can be detected;
means connected between the weapon select means and the closed switching means for detecting said stray signals;
the weapon firing means being responsive to the second signal from the second signal source for interrogating a weapon firing means to provide an impedance indicative of a weapon available for firing;
means connected between the weapon select means and the closed switching means for detecting said impedance;
and
the weapon firing means being responsive to the third signal for firing the corresponding weapon upon said weapon being available for firing.

10 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Weapon firing system including weapon interrogation means and stray voltage testing means

Life of this patent

Weapon firing system including weapon interrogation means and stray voltage testing means

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims13