Fuse for a projectile
AssigneeHoneywell Inc.
InventorHeinz Hau
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A programmable fuse for a projectile is supplied with voltage during the programming phase by rectifying the inductively transmitted program information. The program information is laid down via a microprocessor (U3) within a non-volatile memory (U4). With the created supply voltage a capacitor C1 is charged. This capacitor is discharged by means of a resistor (R3) and a gate (U2A) into an input (PAO) of the microprocessor (U3). The program information of the non-volatile memory (U4) only can be read only in the event where at launching of the fuse and at activating of a battery (U.sub.B), the predetermined input (PAO) of the microprocessor (U3) shows a predetermined potential ("0").
Claims8
A fuse for a projectile, comprising:
- an ignition circuit including a microprocessor and a circuit arrangement for inductively transmitting information to the fuse during a programming phase, the ignition circuit being supplied with energy during the programming phase by rectifying inductively transmitted information;
- a battery actuable only at the launching of the projectile;
- energy storage means connected to the microprocessor, said energy storage means being charged during the programming phase;
- and
- non-volatile memory connected to the microprocessor, the non-volatile memory storing said program information, said non-volatile memory being inhibited from a read-out operation in an event where the energy storage means is discharged through a discharge circuit.
A method for arming a Fuse for a projectile, the fuse having an ignition circuit connected to a battery, the ignition circuit including a microprocessor, a non-volatile memory, a storing means, a discharge circuit and a programming circuit for programming of the fuse during a programming phase using a programming signal to convey program information, comprising the steps of:
- actuating the battery at the launching of the projectile;
- energizing the ignition circuit during the programming phase with energy supplied by rectifying the programming signal;
- storing said program information in a non-volatile memory
- charging the storing means during the programming phase;
- inhibiting readout of the non-volatile memory if said storing means is discharged;
- and
- causing readout of the non-volatile memory to the microprocessor otherwise, via the discharge circuit.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.