US3757696A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electronic squib firing sequencer
Assignee: United States Department of the Army
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Filing: 1971-04-05
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Granted: 1973-09-11
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Expires: 1991-04-05
Abstract
Abstract In a projectile carrying a plurality of payloads which are to be sequentially ejected, an electronic circuit for selectively firing ejection charges, which comprises a series of interlocked switches that are held in one position by the presence of the projectile backplate. Upon release of the backplate the switches assume a second position and thereby permit the application of voltage to an R-C network in which the capacitors charge up to a voltage sufficient to overcome a zener diode that in turn activates a silicon controlled rectifier via its conrol electrode. The rectifier is connected in series with an electrical energy source, ground interlock switches and a squib so as to fire the same sequentially after some selected period set by each of the R-C networks. The ground interlocks being connected so as to effectively short circuit the squibs prior to release of the backplate.
Inventors
- 👤 J Derk
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 03:13
CPC Classifications
F; F42; F42B; F42B12/00; F42B12/02; F42B12/36; F42B12/56; F42B12/58; F42B12/62
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
227 words
A missile electronic firing system for sequentially activating a plurality of squibs for sequential ejections of payloads from the missile, which missile is provided with a mechanism for releasing the backplate thereof at some time after launch, said firing system comprising: a plurality of squib firing circuits, one for each squib, and each circuit having included therein, an asymmetrical electrical conducting means having a control element whereby when a specific voltage is applied thereto said conducting means will conduct between its input and output. a source of electrical energy having a positive and a ground terminal, an independently variable time delay means connected to said control element, a first bias switch connected intermediate said source and said delay means and disposed in abutting relation to said backplate and activated by the release thereof to apply said source to said delay means, a pair of terminals, one of said terminals connected to the output of said conducting means and the other terminal connected to said ground terminal of said source, a main source of electrical energy connected across the input of each of said conducting means and said ground terminal of said source, whereby when a squib is connected across each of said pairs of terminals the squibs will be activated at different times after said backplate is released which will cause said payloads to be ejected sequentially.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
227 words
A missile electronic firing system for sequentially activating a plurality of squibs for sequential ejections of payloads from the missile, which missile is provided with a mechanism for releasing the backplate thereof at some time after launch, said firing system comprising: a plurality of squib firing circuits, one for each squib, and each circuit having included therein, an asymmetrical electrical conducting means having a control element whereby when a specific voltage is applied thereto said conducting means will conduct between its input and output. a source of electrical energy having a positive and a ground terminal, an independently variable time delay means connected to said control element, a first bias switch connected intermediate said source and said delay means and disposed in abutting relation to said backplate and activated by the release thereof to apply said source to said delay means, a pair of terminals, one of said terminals connected to the output of said conducting means and the other terminal connected to said ground terminal of said source, a main source of electrical energy connected across the input of each of said conducting means and said ground terminal of said source, whereby when a squib is connected across each of said pairs of terminals the squibs will be activated at different times after said backplate is released which will cause said payloads to be ejected sequentially.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system according to claim 1 wherein said delay means includes a series R-C connected resisTor and capacitor and a Zener diode and a second resistor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system according to claim 2 wherein said conducting means is a silicon controlled rectifier.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
76 words
The system according to claim 3 wherein said first bias switch includes a pair of stationary contacts and a movable pole biased to contact one of said contacts and physically deflectable to contact the other of said stationary contacts when in abutting relation to said backplate, said one contact connected to said ground terminal of said source and said other contact connected to said positive terminal of said source, said pole connected to said R-C junction.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
45 words
The system according to claim 4 further including for each firing circuit a single pole-single throw bias switch in abutting relation to said backplate for connecting said ground terminal to said output of said silicon rectifier and removing the same when said backplate is released.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system according to claim 5 further including another single pole-single throw bias switch connected intermediate said main source and the anode input of said silicon rectifier.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system according to claim 6 wherein all of said bias switches are microswitches.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3513355A
Cited
US3618525A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-09-10 | 1977-03-12 | 1977-09-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-09-10 | 1981-03-12 | 1981-09-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-09-10 | 1985-03-12 | 1985-09-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |