US 9,618,309 B2Granted

Apparatus and electric primer output data testing method

AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy

InventorsFrederick L. Barthold, Gregory Deckard, Terry J. Coy, Thomas Raley

Life of this patent

Estimating the term…

Loading patent…

Abstract

Exemplary methods and apparatus for testing an electrically fired item, e.g., a primer-only cartridge or all-up round (AUR) cartridge, in a variety of modes are provided. For example, a test system may provide a method of testing a primer-only cartridge and an apparatus to execute such method. Various parameters associated with operation of the electrically fired item, such as a primer or initiator, may be varied and measured using an embodiment including programmable selection of a pulse duration for firing control signals, a voltage of the firing control signals, and a number of pulses associated with the firing control signals. An inline resistance of the path of the control signals may also be adjusted. Test data including temperature, pressure, voltage, and/or current associated with operation of the electrically fired item may be measured during tests and displayed on a display device.

Claims27

Dependent claims

A system comprising:

at least one processor;
a first section including a testing apparatus adapted to hold and initiate an electrically initiated gas generator initiator;
a second section coupled to said testing apparatus and operable to generate and selectively control an electrical firing signal to said initiator based on a plurality of firing signal input parameters, wherein said plurality of firing signal input parameters comprise a voltage of the electrical firing signal and at least one of a pulse duration of the electrical firing signal and a number of pulses of the electrical firing signal;
a third section comprising an input/output section including a user interface, said user interface including a display adapted to display a graphical user interface;
a fourth section comprising a test fixture and an electrical characteristic measurement section operable to measure a plurality of parameters including voltage and current associated with said electrical firing signal, wherein said test fixture comprises a housing adapted to couple to said testing apparatus, wherein said fourth section further includes at least one of a pressure sensor and a temperature sensor coupled to said test fixture, wherein said test fixture includes at least one internal port for receiving said at least one of the pressure sensor and the temperature sensor, said electrically initiated gas generator initiator being positioned in the housing of the test fixture;
and
a machine instruction storage section comprising a plurality of machine readable instructions that when executed by the at least one processor cause the at least one processor to:
generate a test selection prompt requesting a user to select one of a first test and a second test and configure at least said second section based upon a user selection of said first test;
obtain said plurality of firing signal input parameters and configure at least said second section for said first test based on said plurality of firing signal input parameters;
and
execute said first test by generating a first user control trigger prompt, initiating sending a first firing activation signal to said second section in response to a user selection of said first user control trigger prompt, and collecting said plurality of parameters from said fourth section generated during said first test, displaying a graphical interface section on said display comprising electrically initiated gas generator initiator data, said electrically initiated gas generator initiator data including temperature and pressure generated during said first test.

8 more elements

A test system comprising:

at least one processor;
a first section comprising a holder adapted to hold an electrically activated gas generator initiator positioned within a gas generator charge housing, said initiator being activated by application of at least one firing control signal;
a second section comprising a power supply, a function generator, and a switch operable to selectively generate said at least one firing control signal based on a plurality of firing signal input parameters;
a third section comprising test instrumentation operable to measure at least one of a pressure output and a temperature output from said gas generator initiator and to measure at least one of current data and voltage data during a test;
a fourth section including an input/output section operable to receive user inputs and to output a plurality of outputs;
and
a fifth section comprising a machine readable storage section adapted to store a plurality of machine readable instructions operable for controlling said test system, wherein said plurality of machine readable instructions when executed by the at least one processor cause the at least one processor to:
receive a plurality of user inputs including user selection of a type of test and said plurality of firing signal input parameters, and perform an initial configuration of at least said second section based on said plurality of firing signal input parameters;
execute said test by operating said second section to generate said at least one firing control signal so as to activate said initiator and by operating said third section to collect said at least one of the pressure output and the temperature output and the at least one of current data and voltage data during activation of said initiator;
and
provide graphical user interface data to said fourth section for displaying said at least one of the pressure output and the temperature output and the at least one of current data and voltage data generated during said test.

8 more elements

A method of testing comprising:

providing a first section comprising a holder adapted to hold an electrically activated gas generator initiator positioned within a gas generator charge housing, said initiator being configured to activate by application of at least one firing control signal comprising an electrical signal;
providing a second section comprising a power supply, a function generator, and a switch operable to selectively generate said at least one firing control signal based on a plurality of firing signal input parameters;
providing a third section comprising a test instrumentation operable to measure at least one of a pressure output and a temperature output from said gas generator initiator and to measure at least one of current data and voltage data during a test;
providing a fourth section including an input/output section operable to receive user inputs and output a plurality of outputs;
receiving a plurality of user inputs including user selection of a type of test and said plurality of firing signal input parameters and performing an initial configuration of at least said second section based on said plurality of firing signal input parameters;
executing said test by operating said second section to generate said at least one firing control signal so as to activate said initiator;
operating said third section to collect said at least one of the pressure output and the temperature output and the at least one of current data and voltage data during activation of said initiator;
and
generating graphical user interface data for display on said fourth section comprising said at least one of the pressure output and the temperature output and the at least one of current data and voltage data generated during said test.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 14/698,738Filed 28 Apr 2015 · us provisional application
Priority: 28 Apr 2014
Published: US 2016/0252337 A11 Sep 2016
Granted: 11 Apr 2017
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification10 codes

F42C 21/00
Checking fuzes
F42C 19/12
Primers ; Detonators: electric
F41A 19/57
Firing or trigger mechanisms; Cocking mechanisms: firing mechanisms operating with primer cartridge
F41A 19/58
Firing or trigger mechanisms; Cocking mechanisms: electric firing mechanisms