Firing devices and processes

Claim 1

Electrical timing and control apparatus for sequentially activating a plurality of electrical load circuits at predetermined and controllable successive timing intervals after the occurrence of a first starting signal wherein the activation sequence is automatically halted whenever any one of the electrical load circuits fails to be successfully activated, said apparatus comprising: first timing means connected to receive said first starting signal and to produce a first timed output signal which defines a first preselected timing interval, first activation means connected to activate a first electrical load circuit at a first time corresponding to the time occurrence of saidi first starting signal, first feedback means connected to detect the successful activation of said first electrical load circuit and to produce a first feedback signal in response thereto, first logic means connected to receive both said first timed output signal and said first feedback signal and to produce a second starting signal occurring at a time interval subsequent to said first starting signal as determined by said first preselected timing interval, said second starting signal only being produced if both said first feedback signal and said first timed output signal are received by said first logic means, and second activation means connected to activate a second electrical load circuit at a second time corresponding to the time occurrence of said second starting signal.