US3890901A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Digital electronic safety and arming system
Assignee: United States Department of the Navy
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Filing: 1973-10-29
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Granted: 1975-06-24
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Expires: 1993-10-29
Abstract
Abstract An acceleration signal is integrated over a determinable time period to develop a digital count which is a function of velocity; that signal is then again integrated over an identical time period to produce a digital count as a function of the distance traveled during the acceleration periods. The distance signal is compared to a reference signal to determine whether a missile, for example, undergoing the detected acceleration has traveled a sufficient distance from its launching site, or vehicle such as an aircraft, to be safely armed for detonation. A digital distance signal equal to the reference signal affects arming of the missile by aligning an explosive train, for example, for detonation. First and second interlocks in the system are responsive to a ready-to-launch signal and an initial minimum acceleration signal, respectively, to ready the system for arming. The final step of arming is accomplished by a cam driven into arming position by simultaneously actuated drive members which are pivotably attached to the arming cam. If only one of the two drive members is actuated by a spurious signal, for example, the cam is pivotably displaced and locked into a non-armed position.
Inventors
- 👤 Matthew E Anderson
- 👤 Stephen L Redmond
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 10:54
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01P; G01P15/00; G01P15/02; G01P15/08; G01P15/12; G01P15/121; F; F42; F42C; F42C15/00; F42C15/40; G01P7/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
138 words
A digital electronic safety and arming system for an explosive missile comprising: an arming path operative upon actuation for detonating said missile; means for causing a discontinuity in said arming path; a first interlock engaged with said means for maintaining said discontinuity; a safety release responsive upon actuation for disengaging said first interlock; a second interlock engaged with said means and being responsive to a predetermined minimum acceleration for disengagement; means for producing a digital output signal representative of distance in response to an acceleratioN signal developed during a determinable fixed time period; comparator means for comparing said output signal with a digital reference signal representative of a minimum safe distance, and producing an arming signal when the compared signals are equal; and arming means responsive to said arming signal for eliminating said discontinuity thereby arming said missile.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
138 words
A digital electronic safety and arming system for an explosive missile comprising: an arming path operative upon actuation for detonating said missile; means for causing a discontinuity in said arming path; a first interlock engaged with said means for maintaining said discontinuity; a safety release responsive upon actuation for disengaging said first interlock; a second interlock engaged with said means and being responsive to a predetermined minimum acceleration for disengagement; means for producing a digital output signal representative of distance in response to an acceleratioN signal developed during a determinable fixed time period; comparator means for comparing said output signal with a digital reference signal representative of a minimum safe distance, and producing an arming signal when the compared signals are equal; and arming means responsive to said arming signal for eliminating said discontinuity thereby arming said missile.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
A digital electronic safety and arming system for a missile as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first interlock is operative to maintain said accelerometer in disabled condition and said safety release is operative to enable said accelerometer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
A digital electronic safety and arming system for a missile as claimed in claim 2 wherein said safety release is operative to connect power to the missile electrical system.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
A digital electronic safety and arming system for a missile as claimed in claim 1 including means for retaining said missile in its armed condition.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
A digital electronic safety and arming system for a missile as claimed in claim 4 wherein said means for retaining said missile in its armed condition is said first interlock means in an ancillary interlock position of engagement.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
A digital electronic safety and arming system for a missile as claimed in claim 1 wherein said arming path is an explosive train.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
A digital electronic safety and arming system for a missile as claimed in claim 6 wherein said means for causing a discontinuity in said arming path is a laterally displaced portion of said explosive train.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
54 words
A digital electronic safety and arming system for a missile as claimed in claim 7 wherein said arming means is an arming cam responsive to drive means actuated by said arming signal for returning said laterally displaced portion of said explosive train to a position of alignment restoring the continuity of said arming path.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
44 words
A digital electronic safety and arming system for a missile as claimed in claim 8 wherein said drive means comprise dual drive members pivotally attached to said cam for requiring simultaneous actuation of said dual drive members to effect alignment of said arming path.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
45 words
A digital electronic safety and arming system for a missile as claimed in claim 9 including locking means operative to retain said arming cam in a non-armed position when said cam is pivotally rotated by the actuation of only one of said dual drive members.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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US3028550A
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US3500746A
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-06-23 | 1978-12-23 | 1979-06-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-06-23 | 1982-12-23 | 1983-06-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-06-23 | 1986-12-23 | 1987-06-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |