Initiating device for use with telemetry systems
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
InventorSteven J. Meyer
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A substitute solid state device for safely initiating a sustainer motor is provided. The substitute device replaces a mechanism that is integral to a warhead. The substitute device interfaces to a telemetry package and is suitable for insertion into small housings. A specific embodiment is a substitute interface to a telemetry system incorporating a circuit for firing a sustainer motor of a small missile or rocket. The substitute interface replaces the interface and firing circuit associated with the warhead in a missile of 2.75-inch diameter, such as the STINGER missile.
Claims32
An action enabling apparatus, comprising:
- a device, having inputs and outputs, for timing activities and for activating signals based on the occurrence of a pre-determined sequence of events;
- a programmable logic device (PLD), incorporating timers and a first switch, and having inputs and outputs;
- a clock, having inputs and outputs, operably connected to said PLD;
- a first set of signal paths from said device to a first system, incorporating a sensor and having access to a power source, said first set of signal paths operably connected to said inputs of said PLD, said first set of signal paths comprising,
- a first signal path, operably connecting said clock and said PLD, for carrying a signal from said clock,
- a second signal path, operably connecting said PLD and said first system, for carrying a signal representative of event status as measured with said sensor,
- a third signal path incorporating a reset circuit, operably connecting said PLD and said power source associated with said first system, for carrying a reset signal;
- and
- a fourth signal path, operably connecting said PLD and said power source, for powering said PLD by said power source;
- a second set of signal paths from said first system to a second system, said second system incorporating an initiator;
- a third set of signal paths from said device to said initiator;
- a second switch,
- a thermal relay operably connected to said PLD through said second switch;
- and
- a third switch operably connecting said PLD to said second system,
- wherein said action enabling apparatus initiates an action in said second system only upon a proper occurrence of said pre-determined sequence of events, and
- wherein said PLD has the outputs of said PLD set to a pre-determined value at receipt of said reset signal, initiated upon power up of said first system by said power source.
A substitute initiating device to be deployed with a telemetry system incorporating a power source and a power distribution board interfacing to a sustainer motor in cooperation with said device, said sustainer motor incorporating an initiator having an input and an output, comprising:
- a programmable logic device (PLD), incorporating a first switch and timers, said PLD having inputs and outputs;
- a clock, for providing a timing reference, operably connected to said PLD;
- a signal conditioning circuit, for conveying an input from a sensor, operably provided between the power distribution board and said PLD;
- a shorting circuit incorporating a thermal relay, for establishing an electrical path to ground across an electromagnetically activated initiator, said shorting circuit operably connected to said initiator, said PLD through a second switch, and the power distribution board;
- an enabling circuit, operably connected to said initiator, the power distribution board, and said PLD through a third switch, for enabling said initiator;
- a reset circuit for enabling said outputs of said PLD to be set to a pre-determined level upon power up of said telemetry system, said outputs set to said pre-determined level by said reset circuit upon power up of the telemetry system;
- a power circuit for providing power to said PLD from said telemetry system;
- and
- signal paths provided for communication of status, said signal paths operable between said PLD and the power distribution board,
- wherein said substitute initiating device fires said sustainer motor only upon the proper occurrence of a pre-determined sequence.
A method for insuring safe and reliable initiation of a device, comprising:
- detecting a sequence of events;
- determining a proper order of occurrence of said sequence of events;
- and
- initiating the device upon determination of said proper order of occurrence,
- wherein said device is initiated within a few tenths of seconds after initiation of said sequence of events,
- wherein inadvertent initiation of the device is prevented via an electrical path to an electrical ground across an initiator provided through a thermal relay operably connected to a second switch, and
- wherein at a pre-determined event within said sequence of events, said second switch is closed permitting energy to flow from a power source through said thermal relay and interrupt said electrical path to said electrical ground across said initiator.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.