Triggering systems for cartridge activated devices

Abstract

A triggering system includes a source lead, a ground lead, primary and secondary actuation circuits, and a serializing switch. Both the primary and second actuation circuits are connected to the source lead and the serializing switch has first and second positions. In a first position, the serializing switch connects the primary and secondary actuation circuit in parallel for actuating primary and secondary cartridge activated devices. In a second position, the serializing switch connects the secondary actuation circuit in series with the primary actuation circuit for verifying that the actuation circuits can reliably actuate both cartridge activated devices.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A circuit comprising:
 first and second electrical components; and   a serializing switch with actuate and test switch positions operably arranged between the first electrical component and the second electrical component, wherein the serializing switch connects the first and second electrical components in parallel with one another in the actuate position, wherein the serializing switch connects the first and second electrical components in series with one another in the test position.   
     
     
         2 . The circuit of  claim 1 , wherein the first electrical component comprises a primary actuation circuit for a cartridge activated device. 
     
     
         3 . The circuit of  claim 1 , wherein the second electrical component comprises a secondary actuation circuit for a cartridge activated device. 
     
     
         4 . The circuit of  claim 1 , further comprising a source lead, wherein the serializing switch connects the second electrical component with the source lead in the actuate position. 
     
     
         5 . The circuit of  claim 4 , wherein the serializing switch is a first serializing switch;
 further comprising a second serializing switch with actuate and test positions, wherein the second serializing switch connects the first electrical component to a ground lead in the actuate position.   
     
     
         6 . The circuit of  claim 5 , further comprising a relay operably associated with the first and second serializing switches to move the switches in tandem between the switch actuate and test positions. 
     
     
         7 . The circuit of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second electrical components each include an input lead and a return lead; and
 wherein the serializing switch connects the first electrical component return lead with the second electrical component input lead in the test position.   
     
     
         8 . The circuit of  claim 7 , wherein the serializing switch is a first serializing switch and further including a second serializing switch;
 wherein the second serializing switch has actuate and test positions; and   wherein the second serializing switch connects the first electrical component return lead with the first serializing switch in the test position.   
     
     
         9 . The circuit of  claim 8 , further comprising a ground a third serializing switch with test and actuate positions, wherein the third serializing switch connects the second electrical component return lead with a ground lead in both the test and actuate switch positions. 
     
     
         10 . The circuit of  claim 1 , further comprising a fire relay connected between a source lead and the first and second electrical components. 
     
     
         11 . A method of testing a circuit, the method comprising:
 connecting first and second electrical components in series using a serializing switch;   disconnecting the first and second electrical components from one another using the serializing switch; and   re-connecting the first and second electrical components in parallel with one another using the serializing switch.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein at least one of the first and second electrical components includes an activation circuit for a cartridge activated device;
 the method further comprising flowing current through the activation circuit.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising connecting the first and second electrical components to a voltage source while arranged in series with one another. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising connecting the first and second electrical components to a voltage source while arranged in parallel with one another.