Networked electronic ordnance system
First Claim
1. A networked electronic ordnance system for controlling a variety of pyrotechnic devices at different energy levels, said system comprising:
- a plurality of pyrotechnic devices connected by a network, said plurality of pyrotechnic devices comprising at least one pyrotechnic device operating at a first energy level and at least one pyrotechnic device operating at a second energy level, said second energy level being higher than said first energy level;
a bus controller connected to said plurality of pyrotechnic devices through said network, said bus controller being operative to transmit commands onto the network at the first energy level; and
a smart connector interconnecting at least one pyrotechnic device operating at said second energy level to the network for control by said bus controller, said smart connector being responsive to control commands issued by said bus controller at said first energy level to store an activation energy at said second energy level and transmit said activation energy to said interconnected pyrotechnic device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A networked electronic ordnance system and method for controlling a variety of pyrotechnic devices at different energy levels include a bus controller controlling at least one pyrotechnic device operating at a first energy level and a smart connector adapting at least one pyrotechnic device operating at a second energy level to control by the bus controller. The smart connector may also include a plurality of capacitors for firing the pyrotechnic device(s). In an embodiment, at least one pyrotechnic device operating at a first energy level and at least one pyrotechnic device operating at a second level include a logic device have a unique identifier. The smart connector may also include an energy reserve capacitor and an emitter follower circuit electrically connected to a logic device. Additionally, the smart connector may be connected to an initiator for firing at least one pyrotechnic device at the second energy level.
56 Citations
32 Claims
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1. A networked electronic ordnance system for controlling a variety of pyrotechnic devices at different energy levels, said system comprising:
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a plurality of pyrotechnic devices connected by a network, said plurality of pyrotechnic devices comprising at least one pyrotechnic device operating at a first energy level and at least one pyrotechnic device operating at a second energy level, said second energy level being higher than said first energy level; a bus controller connected to said plurality of pyrotechnic devices through said network, said bus controller being operative to transmit commands onto the network at the first energy level; and a smart connector interconnecting at least one pyrotechnic device operating at said second energy level to the network for control by said bus controller, said smart connector being responsive to control commands issued by said bus controller at said first energy level to store an activation energy at said second energy level and transmit said activation energy to said interconnected pyrotechnic device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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3. (canceled)
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8-20. -20. (canceled)
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25. A networked electronic ordnance system for controlling a variety of pyrotechnic devices at different energy levels, said system comprising:
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a plurality of pyrotechnic devices connected by a network, said plurality of pyrotechnic devices comprising at least one pyrotechnic device operating at a first energy level and at least one pyrotechnic device operating at a second energy level, said second energy level being higher than said first energy level; a bus controller connected to said plurality of pyrotechnic devices through said network, said bus controller being operative to transmit commands onto the network at the first energy level; and a smart connector interconnecting at least one pyrotechnic device operating at a second energy level to said network for control by said bus controller, said smart connector comprising a bus connection allowing transfer of data with an ordnance network, a logic device for interpreting data received from said ordnance network via said bus connection, a capacitor bank for storing activation energy for an ordnance device at said second energy level, and an output drive for transmitting said activation energy to said ordnance device. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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Specification