Arming system

Claim 2

An arming system for use in an ordnance missile, said system consisting of two parts contained within said missile and electrical wiring connections for transmitting electrical signals therebetween, the first part comprising: an arming rotor, a spring biasing said rotor for rotation to an armed position, means for locking said rotor against rotation to said armed position, said means adapted to unlock said rotor for rotation when said means receives a series of electrical signals of predetermined duration in a predetermined sequence from said electrical wiring connections; the second part comprising: a series of environmental sensing switches each adapted to close in response to a predetermined condition which the missile experiences during proper missile flight, a distributor, contacts adapted to be closed by said distributor in a predetermined sequence and for predetermined time periods, and a source of electrical power connected to said contacts and to said electrical wiring connections so that said series of electrical signals is applied to said electrical wiring connections.

Claim 3

An arming system for use in an ordnance missile, said system consisting of two parts contained within said missile and electrical wiring connections therebetween, one of said parts being a rotor actuating unit and comprising: a rotatable arming rotor, spring means biasing said rotor to an armed position, a series of individual locking members constructed and arranged to unlock said rotor for rotation when each of said locking members is driven in a predetermined sequential order at a predetermined speed and for a predetermined period of time, a plurality of electric motors each communicating with one of said locking members, said motors connected to said wiring connections, gear means connecting each locking member to the output of its motor, the output speed of said motors being the same, said gear means being proportioned so that said individual locking members are driven at predetermined speeds in a predetermined sequence so that each member simultaneously assumes an unlocked position relative to said rotor after said motors have received electrical signals in said predetermined sequential order and for said predetermined period of time; the other part being an environmental sensing unit and comprising: a series of switches corresponding in number to the number of said motors, each of said switches being associated with one of said motors, environmental sensing means operatively connected to said switch and positioned so as to close each switch at some predetermined time in response to a predetermined condition occurring as a result of proper missile flight, a distributor having a rotor disc and a series of pairs of contacts positioned thereon to close sequentially upon rotation of said disc, one contact of each pair being electrically connected to one of said switches and to said electrical connections, and an electrical power source for producing electrical energization signals, the other contact of each pair being connected to said power source and to said electrical connections, proper missile operation causing said energization signals to be applied to said motors through said electrical wiring connections to cause said motors to drive individual locking members to positions where all of said locking members simultaneously unlock said rotor for spring biased rotation, whereupon rotation of said rotor arms said missile.

Claim 4

An arming system for use in an ordnance missile, said system consisting of two parts contained within said missile and electrical wiring connections therebetween, one of said parts being a rotor actuating unit and comprising: a rotatable arming rotor, spring means biasing said rotor to an armed position, a series of individual locking members constructed and arranged to unlock said rotor for rotation when each of said locking members is driven in a predetermined sequential order at a predetermined speed and for a predetermined period of time, a plurality of electric motors each communicating with one of said locking members, said motors connected to said wiring connections, gear means connecting each locking member to the output of its motor, the output speed of said motors being the same, said gear means being proportioned so that said individual locking members are driven at predetermined speeds in a predetermined sequence so that each member simultaneously assumes an unlocked position relative to said rotor after said motors have received electrical signals in said predetermined sequential order and for said predetermined period of time; the other part being an environmental sensing unit and comprising: a series of switches corresponding in number to the number of said motors, each of said switches being associated with one of said motors, environmental sensing means operatively connected to said switch and positioned so as to close each switch at some predetermined time in response to a predetermined condition occurring as a result of proper missile flight, a distributor having a rotor disc and a series of pairs of contacts positioned thereon to close sequentially upon rotation of said disc, one contact of each pair being electrically connected to one of said switches and to said electrical connections, and an electrical power source for producing electrical energization signals, the other contact of each pair being connected to said power source and to said electrical connections, proper missile operation causing said energization signals to be applied to said motors through said electrical wiring connections to cause said motors to drive individual locking members to positions where all of said locking members simultaneously unlock said rotor for spring biased rotation, whereupon rotation of said rotor arms said missile.

Claim 5

The arming system as defined in claim 2, in which said locking members comprise a series of half-shafts, said rotor is provided with a series of hemispherical grooves equispaced around the outer periphery thereof, said half-shafts being rotatable in said grooves from a locking to an unlocking position, and coil spring means are provided connecting each half-shaft to said rotor and positioned to wind upon rotation of said half-shafts from said locking position, said coil spring means urging said half-shafts to return to said locking position upon cessation of half-shaft rotation.

Claim 6

An arming system for use in an ordnance missile consisting of two parts contained within said missile and electrical wiring connections for transmitting electrical signals therebetween, said first part comprising: an arming rotor, a spring biasing said rotor for rotation to an armed position, a plurality of locking members, a series of drive means for sequentially driving said locking members at a predetermined speed and for a predetermined time so that said members rotate to a position where said members simultaneously unlock said rotor and for individually rotating all of said locking members to a position whereby said members simultaneously unlock said rotor in response to a predetermined sequential series of electrical signals of predetermined duration applied to said series of drive means; said second part comprising: a series of switches, environmental sensing means associated with each switch of said series and adapted to close said switches in response to a predetermined environmental condition which occurs as a result of proper missle flight distributor means adapted to sequentially close a series of contacts at and for said predetermined period of time, and a source of electrical power in circuit with said switches and said distributor so as to provide a series of sequential electrical signals at and for said predetermined period of time to said series of drive means in said first part, thereby unlocking said rotor for rotation to said armed position.

Claim 7

An arming system for use in an ordnance missile consisting of two parts contained within said missile and electrical wiring connections for transmitting electrical signals therebetween, said first part comprising: an arming rotor, a spring biasing said rotor for rotation to an armed position, a plurality of locking members, a series of drive means for sequentially driving said locking members at a predetermined speed and for a predetermined time so that said members rotate to a position where said members simultaneously unlock said rotor and for individually rotating all of said locking members to a position whereby said members simultaneously unlock said rotor in response to a predetermined sequential series of electrical signals of predetermined duration applied to said series of drive means; said second part comprising: a series of switches, environmental sensing means associated with each switch of said series and adapted to close said switches in response to a predetermined environmental condition which occurs as a result of proper missle flight distributor means adapted to sequentially close a series of contacts at and for said predetermined period of time, and a source of electrical power in circuit with said switches and said distributor so as to provide a series of sequential electrical signals at and for said predetermined period of time to said series of drive means in said first part, thereby unlocking said rotor for rotation to said armed position.