Apparatus for remote activation of equipment and demolition charges

• US 6,546,873 B1
• Filed: 04/03/2000
• Issued: 04/15/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/03/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: The United States of America As Represented By The Secretary of Agriculture
• Original Assignee: The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Army
• Inventors: Hopkins, John, Fraser, William, Brann, Herbert, Chopack, James, Tobin, Ronald, Andrejkovics, Richard
• Primary Examiner(s): Carone, Michael J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Chambers, Troy
• Application Number:
  US09/541,837
• Time in Patent Office: 1,107 Days
• Field of Search: 102/200, 102/214, 102/302, 102/202.5, 102/215, 102/217, 102/221
• US Class Current: 102/200
• CPC Class Codes: F42D 1/045 Arrangements for electric ignition dynamo-electric generators H02K

Abstract

An apparatus for the activation of a remote device having a transmitter to generate and transmit user-set special coded signals. The transmitter has a function selector switch to select modes of operation for the transmitter. Included is also a receiver to receive the user-set special coded signals, and the receiver also has a function selector switch to select modes of operation for the receiver. The function selector switch selects the following modes of operation for the transmitter: (a) a “transmit/fire” mode that enables a fire signal to be transmitted to the receiver; (b) a “wake-up” mode that enables a set-up receiver mode for immediate firing; (c) a program mode for low power transmission of programmed codes; and (d) a “test” and operational mode that enables an operational test of the apparatus with no firing output. The function selector switch on the receiver selects the following modes of operation for the receiver: (a) receive a “wake-up” of “fire” signal; (b) actuate either an electrical excitation output or an electromechanical solenoid output; (c) provide a continuity test for a blasting cap; (d) program the receiver for receiving programmed codes; and (e) conduct operational tests of the receiver.

Claims

1. A system for the activation of a remote device, comprising:

a plurality of transmitters, each transmitter having a means for generating and transmitting via an antenna a user-set special coded signal, the special coded signal selected from one of a first group of common coded signals for the plurality of transmitters or a second group of unique coded signals for each transmitter, each transmitter having a function selector switch to select modes of operation for the transmitters, wherein a signal representing the selected mode of operation is transmitted in association with the user-set special coded signal;

a power source for each of the transmitters;

a plurality of receivers, each receiver having a means to receive the user-set special coded signals from the transmitters, wherein each receiver is programmed to receive either one of the common coded signals from the plurality of transmitters or a unique coded signal from one of the transmitters, and each receiver having a function selector switch to select modes of operation for the receiver for producing a receiver output signal to activate a remote device upon receipt of a special coded signal; and

a power source for the receiver.

2. An apparatus for the activation of remote device, comprising:

a transmitter having a means for generating and transmitting via an antenna user-set special coded signals, the special coded signals selected from a first group of common coded signals and a second group of unique coded signals for the transmitter, the transmitter having a function selector switch to select modes of operation for the transmitter, wherein a signal representing the selected mode of operation is transmitted in association with a special coded signal;

a power source for each of the transmitters;

a plurality of receivers, each receiver having a means to receive a user-set special coded signal from the transmitter, wherein each receiver is programmed to receive one of either the common coded signals from the transmitter or a unique coded signal from the transmitter, and each receiver having a function selector switch to select modes of operation for the receiver for producing a receiver output signal to activate a remote device upon receipt of a programmed special coded signal from the transmitter, so that the transmitter can selectively produce an output signal to activate the receivers with the common coded signals or sequentially activate one or more of the receivers with the unique coded signals; and

a power source for the receiver.

3. An apparatus for the activation of a remote device, comprising:

a transmitter for generating and transmitting a user-set special coded signals, the special coded signals set by a code selector switch, and the transmitter having a function selector switch to select modes of operation for the transmitter;

wherein said function selector switch selects the following modes of operation for said transmitter;

(a) a transmit/fire mode that enables a fire signal to be transmitted;

(b) a wake-up mode that enables a set-up mode for immediate firing;

(c) a program mode for transmission of programmed codes; and

(d) a test and operation mode that enables an operational test of the apparatus with no firing output;

a power source for the said transmitter

a receiver with means to receive said user-set special coded signals, said receiver having an output means, and said receiver having a function selector switch to select modes of operation for said receiver, wherein said function selector switch selects the one of the following modes of operation for said receiver;

(a) receive a wake-up and fire signal;

(b) actuate said output means;

(c) provide a continuity test for a blasting cap;

(d) program said receiver for receiving programmed codes; and

(e) conduct operational tests of said receiver.; and

a power source for said receiver.

4.The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said output means of said receiver comprises an electrical excitation output.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said output means of said receiver comprises an electromechanical solenoid output.

5. An apparatus for the activation of remote device, comprising:

a transmitter having a means for generating and transmitting via an antenna user-set special coded signals, the special coded signals selected from a first group of common coded signals and a second group of unique coded signals for the transmitter, the transmitter having a function selector switch to select modes of operation for the transmitter, wherein a signal representing the selected mode of operation is transmitted in association with a special coded signal, and the transmitter further having an input means for receiving an electrical signal and for transmitting a signal representative of a selected mode of operation;

a power source for each of the transmitters;

a receiver having a means to receive a user-set special coded signal from the transmitter, wherein the receiver is programmed to receive one of either the common coded signal from the transmitter or a unique coded signal from the transmitter, and the receiver having a function selector switch to select modes of operation for the receiver for producing a receiver output signal to activate a remote device upon receipt of a programmed special coded signal from the transmitter, and the receiver further having an output means for producing an electrical output signal and for conveying the electrical output signal to the input means of a transmitter for causing the transmitter to transmit a signal representative of a selected mode of operation of the transmitter; and

a power source for the receiver.