Safety and arming system for tube launched projectile
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
InventorSteve N. Chan
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An inertia element within a projectile is displaced to a retracted position y acceleration of the projectile during launch to unblock displacement of a slider to an armed position in response to subsequent pressurization of a projectile flight motor. Safe separation timers are thereby enabled in response to proper launch to delay pressurization of the flight motor and powering of an explosive firing circuit through switches actuated by said displacement of the slider from a safe position to the armed position. The slider is held in its safe position by an electrically grounded shear wire that is ruptured in response to slider displacement thereby removing a power disabling shunt connection to the firing circuit.
Claims24
In combination with a projectile having a firing circuit and motor means responsive to activation thereof for propulsion of the projectile, a safety and arming system comprising:
- an actuator displaceable between safe and armed positions, acceleration controlled means for blocking inadvertent displacement of the actuator to the armed position, protective means for holding the actuator in the safe position during launching of the projectile while maintaining the firing circuit deactivated and control means responsive to displacement of the actuator to the armed position by said activation of the motor means for delayed activation of the firing circuit.
In a safety and arming system for a projectile adapted to be launched toward a target, an actuator, fluid pressure operated means for displacement of the actuator within the projectile between safe and armed positions, safe separation means for enabling delayed operation of the fluid pressure operated means during launching of the projectile, protective means for holding the actuator in the safe position thereof during said launching of the projectile and acceleration controlled means for blocking inadvertent displacement of the actuator to the armed position thereof, the acceleration controlled means including inertia means mounted in the projectile for displacement relative thereto from a blocking position preventing said inadvertent displacement of the actuator to the armed position, and latching switch means closed in response to said displacement of the inertia means to a retracted position for triggering operation of the safe separation means upon proper acceleration of the projectile during said launching thereof.
In a safety and arming system for a projectile adapted to be launched in a predetermined direction, having a firing circuit and an actuator displaceable with the projectile transverse to said predetermined direction between safe and armed positions and protective means for holding the actuator in the safe position thereof including:
- an electrical grounding element, means operatively connecting the grounding element to the firing circuit for disabling operation thereof and holding means mounted by the actuator through which the grounding element extends for enabling rupture thereof in response to displacement of the actuator from the safe position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.