Networked electronic ordnance system

• US 8,136,448 B2
• Filed: 07/12/2010
• Issued: 03/20/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 09/06/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Pacific Scientific Energetic Materials Company California LLC (Fortive Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Pacific Scientific Energetic Materials Company California LLC (Fortive Corp.)
• Inventors: Nelson, Steven D., Diamond, Michael N.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chambers, Troy
• Application Number:
  US12/834,765
• Publication Number:
  US 20120037027A1
• Time in Patent Office: 617 Days
• Field of Search: 102/202.1, 1022025-2029, 102/202.12, 102/202.14, 102/206, 102/215, 102/217, 89/15.1, 89/15.9, 2807281-7432
• US Class Current: 102/215
• CPC Class Codes: F42C 15/40 wherein the safety or arming action is effected electrically
• CPC Class Codes: F42D 1/05 Electric circuits for blasting

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.

Claims

1. An adaptive connector system for firing electronic ordnance, said system 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; and

an output drive for transmitting said activation energy to said ordnance device, the output drive being configured to preserve resistance-sensing and output stage fault-sensing of the logic device.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said logic device comprises an application specific integrated circuit.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said capacitor bank further comprises an energy reserve capacitor and an emitter follower circuit.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said output drive further comprises an opto-coupler.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein said bus connector further comprises electrostatic discharge protection.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein said output drive further comprises electrostatic discharge protection.

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising a housing.

8. The system of claim 1, further comprising a circuit board for connecting said bus connection, said logic device, said capacitor bank, and said output drive.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein said adaptive connector system communicates with a bus controller to fire electronic ordnance.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein said logic device adapts a firing instruction from said bus controller for said electronic ordnance.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein said output drive further comprises a Zener diode.