US 4,541,341 AGranted

Self-checking arming and firing controller

AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy

InventorsSteven E. Fowler, George N. Hennings, James V. McVay

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Abstract

A munition fuze electronic arming and firing controller includes a micropessor and logic network which verify controller operation and provide an enabling signal necessary to arm the fuze. A signal of predetermined duration is twice produced by the microprocessor and is utilized with a clock signal continuously produced in the logic network to cause a counter to count during two separate periods. The resulting counter count is checked by verifying logic which outputs a signal only if the count is a predetermined count after each counting period. If the counter output is twice verified and an energy storage component external to the controller is charged to less than a predetermined minimum the logic network outputs an enabling signal which triggers the microprocessor to produce drive signals utilized to arm the fuze by charging the energy storage device. User selected inputs and firing sensor initiated inputs initiate munition detonation at a predetermined time and under predetermined conditions.

Claims11

Dependent claims

An electronic arming and firing controller for use in a munition fuze, where said fuze includes an electrically fired warhead detonator and a chargeable electrical energy storage device, and where a firing sensor external to said fuze provides a signal to initiate the detonation of said munition, comprising:

timed signal generating means, the mode of operation and timing of operation of said signal generating means predetermined by inputs selected by the user of said munition prior to employment of said munition, for monitoring the state of electrical charge of said energy storage device and for producing a first, a second and a third signal, said first signal being a high voltage enabling signal, said high voltage enabling signal being a first prerequisite before said energy storage device can be charged, said second signal being a drive signal, said drive signal being a second prerequisite before said energy storage device can be charged, and, said third signal being a firing signal, said firing signal produced in response to input from said firing sensor;
and
self-checking logic means, electrically connected to said timed signal generating means and including a pulse producing clock operating at a predetermined frequency, for providing verification of the proper operation of said controller, said self-checking logic means originating said high voltage enabling signal and routing said high voltage enabling signal to said timed signal generating means.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.