Enabling device for a gas generator of a forced dispersion munitions dispenser

An enabling device 24 for a gas generator 42, said device 24 having a disabled state and an enabled state comprising:

• a housing 58;
• a detonator 70 mounted in said housing 58, said detonator being detonatable by a firing signal;
• a gas generator 42 mounted on said housing 58;
• said device 24 in its disabled state having means forming a first safety passage 64, 60, 82 for permitting products produced when the detonator 70 detonates to flow out of the housing 58, and means forming a second safety passage 46, 47, 76, 77, 74, 75, 60 and 82 for permitting gas produced by the gas generator 42 to flow out of the housing 58;
• said device 24 in its enabled state including means forming a firing train 86, 88, 44 from the detonator 70 to the gas generator 42 for causing the gas generator 42 to begin producing gas when the detonator is detonated;
• and means for closing 62 said safety passages 46, 47, 76, 77, so the gas produced by the gas generator 42 can not flow out of the housing 58 through passages 46, 47, 76, 77;
• means for causing the device 24 to change from its disabled state to its enabled state in response to an enabling signal;
• and
• means for applying a firing signal 22 to the detonator 70.

A forced dispersal munitions dispenser 14 comprising:

• a nose section 12;
• a cylindrical submunitions carrier 14 having an outer envelope 20;
• a tail section 16;
• control means 22;
• and
• an enabling device 24, said enabling device including:
• a housing 58;
• a bore 60, an output lead 88, safety opening 76, 77, and a safety vent 82 formed in the housing 58;
• a piston 62 located in said bore 60, a safety passage 72, a safety aperture 76, 77 and a transfer lead 86 formed in the piston 60, a safety groove 64 formed on the outer surface of the piston 62, said piston 62 having two positions, a disabled position and an enabled position;
• detonator means 70 mounted on said housing 58 for detonating in response to a fire signal being applied thereto by the control unit 22;
• a gas generator 42 containing a pyrotechnic powder grain 84;
• said gas generator 42 having a safety outlet 46, 47 and an inlet lead 44, said gas generator being mounted on said housing 58;
• means forming submunitions storage bays 30, 31, 32, in the submunitions carrier 14 around the gas generator 42, for storing submunitions 26, 27;
• means forming an inflatable gas bag 51, 52, 53 in each storage bay 30, 31, 32, 37 around the gas generator 42;
• means forming a passage 54 in the gas generator 42 to permit gas produced by the gas generator 42 to inflate each gas bag 51, 52, 53;
• the safety groove 64 of the piston 62 and bore 60 providing a path for combustion products produced by detonating the detonator 70 to the ambient environment of housing 58, and the safety passage 72, safety opening 76, 77 safety apertures 74, 75 and the bore 60 providing a path for gas produced by the gas generator 42 to escape to the ambient environment of the housing 58 when the piston 62 is in its disabled postion;
• means for moving 57 the piston 62 from its disabled position to its enabled position;
• the detonator 70, transfer lead 86, outlet lead 88, and input lead 44 forming a firing train for initiating ignition of the pyrotechnic grain 84 of the gas generator 42 to produce gas when the detonator 70 is initiated by a firing signal after the piston 62 is moved to its enabled position;
• and
• said detonator means 70 igniting the pyrotechnic grain 84 when the detonator means 70 is detonated and piston 62 is in its enabled position.