Electronic safe/arm system and methods of use thereof
AssigneeOrbital Sciences Corporation
InventorsCurtis Havran, Jackie Wayne Spears, Karina Ogilvie, Robert John Keller, David Phillips
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An ordnance firing system is disclosed that includes a reusable electronics module and an ordnance module, each enclosed in a separate, sealed housing. The electronics module housing encloses firing electronics for electrically triggering initiation of a detonator in the ordnance module. The electronics module detachably connects to the ordnance modules via a connector which extends away from the electronics module housing. The housing of the ordnance module is constructed to be blast-resistant to prevent detonation of the detonator from rendering the electronics module inoperable.
Claims15
An ordnance firing system comprising:
- an electronics module including:
- a first housing enclosing firing electronics for electrically triggering initiation of a detonator;
- an electronics module connector extending away from the first housing for detachably mechanically and electrically connecting the electronics module to an ordnance module;
- an ordnance module including:
- a second housing enclosing a detonator, wherein the second housing is blast-resistant;
- and
- an ordnance module connector extending from the proximal end of the second housing for mating with the electronics module connector;
- wherein the second housing is sufficiently blast-resistant to prevent detonation of the detonator from damaging the electronics module to a degree that would prevent the electronics module from connecting to a second ordinance module and initiating a detonator enclosed in such second ordinance module.
An ordnance module configured for coupling to a separately housed electronics module that includes electronics for triggering initiation of a detonator enclosed in the ordnance module, the ordnance module comprising:
- the detonator;
- a blast-resistant housing;
- and
- a connector for mechanically and electrically connecting the ordnance module to the electronics module;
- wherein the blast-resistant housing is sufficiently blast-resistant to prevent detonation of the detonator from damaging the electronics module to a degree that would prevent the electronics module from connecting to a second ordnance module and initiating a detonator enclosed in such second ordnance module.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.