Pyrotechnic ignition apparatus
First Claim
1. Apparatus for igniting each of a plurality of pyrotechnic devices in an array in a sequence comprising:
- means responsive to an input signal for generating a pyrotechnic device ignition command signal;
a processor unit (CPU) responsive to said command signal for generating a device digital address code to select a particular device in the array to be ignited, said CPU generating sequentially an address code corresponding to each device for sequentially addressing each device in the array; and
matrix means responsive to each said address codes for generating an ignition signal corresponding to each address code and sequentially successively applying said generated ignition signal to each said selected particular device in the array.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A plurality of magazines each receive an array of pyrotechnic devices. The magazines are latched to a fire control and support assembly which automatically engages the fire control circuit to each device of each magazine. The circuit ignites all devices of all the magazines in a given serial sequence. The system, under control of an operator, when turned off, may be restarted at the beginning of a selected sequence, at the point where the last device was ignited and continue the sequence or at selected different portions of devices. Different size devices can be ignited by one circuit using different magazines all coupled to one unit. Safety features also include delay ignition after startup and sounding an alarm before any device is ignited. A CPU is enabled by a fire command signal and disabled by internal programmed instructions. The CPU is periodically enabled in a device ignition cycle by external timing signals initiated by the CPU when enabled.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. Apparatus for igniting each of a plurality of pyrotechnic devices in an array in a sequence comprising:
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means responsive to an input signal for generating a pyrotechnic device ignition command signal; a processor unit (CPU) responsive to said command signal for generating a device digital address code to select a particular device in the array to be ignited, said CPU generating sequentially an address code corresponding to each device for sequentially addressing each device in the array; and matrix means responsive to each said address codes for generating an ignition signal corresponding to each address code and sequentially successively applying said generated ignition signal to each said selected particular device in the array. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. Apparatus for igniting each of a plurality of pyrotechnic devices in an array comprising:
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circuit means for generating a device ignition signal; and first switch means having on and off states for selectively applying electrical power to said circuit means; said circuit means including a processor unit (CPU) and computer program means responsive to said electrical power applied thereto for causing said devices in said array to be ignited in a given sequence, successive placement of said switch means in said off state interrupting said ignition of said devices, said program means for continuing the ignition sequence from the last ignited device regardless the interruption of the ignition of said devices. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. Apparatus for igniting each of a plurality of pyrotechnic devices in an array comprising:
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circuit means responsive to applied electrical power for generating a device ignition signal; and first switch means having on and off states for selectively applying electrical power to said circuit means; said circuit means including; a) computer program means including a processor unit (CPU) responsive to said electrical power applied thereto for causing said devices in said array to be ignited in a given sequence having a beginning and an end, each said device being ignited in an ignition cycle, placement of said switch means in said off state interrupting said ignition of said devices in successive ignition cycles, said program means for continuing the ignition sequence with the next ignition cycle in the sequence from the last ignited device in the sequence regardless the interruption of the successive ignition of said devices when the first switch means is in the off state; said computer program means including; i) second switch means for selectively restarting the ignition sequence at the beginning of the sequence after placing the first switch means in the on state; ii) means responsive to an input command signal for causing the CPU to successively generate a device address code for addressing the next to be ignited device in the array in the sequence upon ignition of a device; b) delay means for delaying the application of said electrical power to said circuit means; and c) means for successively enabling and disabling the CPU in each ignition cycle. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification