Explosive-activated safe-arm device

Abstract

This invention provides a protective safe-arm device ( 10 ) for use with a delayed output component ( 17 ) that can be coupled to an input device ( 16 ) and to an output device ( 14 ) to interpose a delay between the receipt of an initiation signal from the input device ( 16 ) and the issuance of the signal to an output device ( 14 ), which may communicate with, or be part of, an explosively-activated target device, e.g., a rocket motor, warhead, etc. The safe-arm device ( 10 ) is configured so that before the output device ( 14 ) is intended to function, a barrier member ( 24 ) resides between the output device ( 14 ) and the delayed output component ( 17 ) therein. Thus, should the delayed output component ( 17 ) function inadvertently, I will fail to initiate the output device ( 14 ). However, a signal received from the input device ( 16 ) causes the introduction into the housing of an impelling gas which moves the barrier member ( 24 ) away from its protective position, thus permitting the delayed output component ( 17 ) to initiate the output device ( 14 ).

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A safe-arm device comprising: 
 a housing defining at least one inlet aperture, an outlet aperture, and a barrier chamber,    a barrier member in the barrier chamber that is movable therein from a safe position to an armed position in response to impelling gas introduced into the housing; and    a delayed output component in the housing, the delayed output component being responsive to an input signal for generating a delayed initiation signal;    wherein the barrier member, when in the safe position, is situated to inhibit initiation of an output device in the outlet aperture by the delayed output component and, when in the armed position, is situated to permit the delayed output component to initiate such output device.    
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the barrier member, when in the safe position, is situated between the delayed output component and the outlet aperture.  
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1  configured to admit impelling gas from an input device secured in the inlet aperture into the barrier chamber to move the barrier member.  
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising an impelling gas source that is responsive to a signal from an input device.  
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 4  comprising a signal transfer device that comprises first and second signal transfer fixtures joined by a signal line, wherein the first signal transfer fixture is secured in the housing and configured for initiation by an input device in the inlet aperture and wherein the second signal transfer fixture comprises an arming fixture comprising the impelling gas source and is secured in the housing to release gas into the barrier chamber in response to a signal from the first signal transfer fixture.  
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 4  comprising a signal transfer device that comprises first and second signal transfer fixtures joined by a signal line, wherein the first signal transfer fixture comprises an arming fixture comprising the impelling gas source and is secured in the housing to release gas into the barrier chamber in response to a signal from an input fixture, and wherein the second signal transfer fixture is secured in the housing and configured to initiate the delayed output component in response to a signal from the first signal transfer fixture.  
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 ,  claim 5  or  claim 6  in combination with an input device secured in each inlet aperture for initiating the delayed output component and introducing impelling gas into the housing, and further in combination with an output device secured in the outlet aperture for initiation by the delayed output component.  
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7  wherein the housing is sealed against the escape of impelling gas.  
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 7  having a single input device which both initiates the delayed output component and introduces the initiating gas into the housing.  
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 7  having one input device for initiating the delayed output component and a second input device for introducing initiating gas into the housing independently of the first input device.  
     
     
         11 . The device of any one of claims  1 - 6  wherein the barrier chamber comprises a piston chamber portion and an output initiation portion, wherein the barrier member comprises a piston segment in the piston chamber portion, and a middle segment and a shield segment in the output initiation portion of the barrier chamber, wherein the middle segment of the barrier member is configured to substantially isolate the outlet aperture from impelling gas introduced into the piston chamber portion.  
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 7  wherein the barrier chamber comprises a piston chamber portion and an output initiation portion, wherein the barrier member comprises a piston segment in the piston chamber portion, and a middle segment and a shield segment in the output initiation portion of the barrier chamber, wherein the middle segment of the barrier member is configured to substantially isolate the outlet aperture from impelling gas introduced into the piston chamber portion.