Ammunition and explosives – Igniting devices and systems – Arming devices
Reexamination Certificate
1999-04-06
2001-05-15
Carone, Michael J. (Department: 3641)
Ammunition and explosives
Igniting devices and systems
Arming devices
C102S221000, C102S202500, C102S202700, C102S202140, C102S206000, C102S200000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06230625
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF INVENTION
This invention relates to firing module for detonating explosives, the firing module including a unique insertable and removable detonator which renders the firing module inert for handling, transportation, testing, and demilitarization.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
Firing modules used in military weapon and other systems typically include an electronics assembly secured within a housing and a detonator permanently electrically connected to the electronics assembly and permanently potted within the housing. The firing module is inserted into a bulkhead containing a primary explosive and when the electronics assembly is activated it fires the detonator causing the primary explosive to explode.
Firing modules of the prior art are assembled and once completed they are active due to the presence of the detonator and therefore must be handled and transported with extreme caution. In addition, the only way to test the electronics assembly is to initiate detonation which destroys the firing module. Therefore, in the prior art, only a small percentage of a given lot of firing modules could be tested. Moreover, to demilitarize weapon systems including prior art firing modules, the firing modules must be destroyed using special precautions due to the presence of the detonator. Because the detonator is permanently connected to the electronics assembly, the electronics assembly cannot be scrapped or reworked like other electronic assemblies adding significantly to the cost of the demilitarizing such weapons systems. The high cost of demilitarizing weapons systems is currently a significant factor in the design of new weapons systems.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a firing module with an insertable and removable detonator.
It is a further object of this invention to provide such a firing module which can be easily disarmed and rendered inert for handling and shipping.
It is a further object of this invention to provide such a firing module which can be completely tested in a nondestructive fashion.
It is a further object of this invention to provide such a firing module which can be mass produced, rendered inert for handling, transportation and complete testing and then easily re-assembled for use.
It is a further object of this invention to provide such a firing module which is simple in design, easy to manufacture, and which adds little to the cost of manufacturing the firing module.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a firing module which can be demilitarized in a cost effective manner.
This invention results from the realization that a firing module can be more safely handled, transported and demilitarized, and also fully tested without activating the detonator by constructing a detonator holder for the detonator and by adding fasteners to the detonator electronics assembly which allow the detonator holder to be secured to the electronics assembly but also separated from the electronics assembly and removed from the firing module housing to nondestructively test the electronics assembly and render the firing module inert for handling, shipping, and demilitarization.
This invention features a disarmable firing module comprising a firing module housing with an opening therein; a detonator holder received in the firing module housing via the opening in the firing module housing, the detonator holder including a cavity therein; a detonator disposed in the cavity of the detonator holder; a detonator electronics assembly housed within the firing module housing; and means for removably securing the detonator holder within the housing to separate the detonator from the detonator electronics assembly and thereby disarm the firing module.
The means for removably securing may include a pair of studs upstanding from the electronic assembly and a pair of orifices through the detonator holder for receiving the studs. The detonator holder orifices preferably include a shouldered portion providing a seat for fasteners positioned on the studs. The detonator electronics assembly may include a circuit card having electrical contacts thereon for initiating the detonator, the means for removably securing including at least one fastener on the circuit card which properly positions the detonator on the electrical contacts.
The disarmable firing module of this invention features a firing module housing; a detonator electronics assembly disposed within the firing module housing; a detonator; and means for removably coupling the detonator with respect to the detonator electronics assembly. Such means may include a detonator holder at least partially enclosing the detonator, an opening in the firing module housing for receiving the detonator holder, and at least one fastener securing the detonator holder within the housing and for coupling the detonator to the electronics assembly.
More broadly, the invention comprises a disarmable firing module with a firing module housing; a detonator; an electronics assembly within the housing for activating the detonator; and means for disarming the firing module and rendering it inert.
The means for disarming preferably includes means for separating the detonator from the electronics assembly such as a detonator holder disposed at least partially about the detonator, the detonator holder receivable within the firing module housing, and at least one fastener for removably securing the detonator holder to the electronics assembly.
Another aspect of the disarmable firing module of this invention is that it covers the combination of a firing module housing; an electronics assembly within the housing for activating a detonator; and a detonator electrically coupled to the electronics assembly when the firing module is active and removable from the electronics assembly to render the firing module inert. In this way, the firing module can be completely tested, handled, and transported in the inert condition. To activate the firing module, the detonator is inserted into the housing and electrically coupled to the electronics assembly. At any time, the firing module can be removed from the weapon system, the detonator removed from the housing, and the electronics assembly tested while the firing module is inert to thereby effect periodic non-destructive testing of the module. The detonator can then be re-inserted into the firing module and the filing module put back in service. Later, to demilitarize the firing module, the detonator is once again removed from the electronics assembly which can then be scrapped or reworked the same manner as other military electronic subassemblies.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4291623 (1981-09-01), Robinson et al.
patent: 4938137 (1990-07-01), Guay
patent: 5831203 (1998-11-01), Ewick
patent: 5969286 (1999-10-01), Ward et al.
Adams John T.
Demana T. Andrew
Edwards James C.
Knick Daniel R.
Neyer Barry T.
Carone Michael J.
Iandiorio & Teska
PerkinElmer Inc.
Semunegus Lulit
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