Microelectromechanical safe arm device
| DWPI Title: Micro-electromechanical (MEM) safing and arming apparatus used in energetic components, has main set of actuators that actuates interrupter, and sub set of actuators that actuates latching element |
| Abstract: Microelectromechanical (MEM) apparatus and methods for operating, for preventing unintentional detonation of energetic components comprising pyrotechnic and explosive materials, such as air bag deployment systems, munitions and pyrotechnics. The MEM apparatus comprises an interrupting member that can be moved to block (interrupt) or complete (uninterrupt) an explosive train that is part of an energetic component. One or more latching members are provided that engage and prevent the movement of the interrupting member, until the one or more latching members are disengaged from the interrupting member. The MEM apparatus can be utilized as a safe and arm device (SAD) and electronic safe and arm device (ESAD) in preventing unintentional detonations. Methods for operating the MEM apparatus include independently applying drive signals to the actuators coupled to the latching members, and an actuator coupled to the interrupting member. |
| Use: MEM safing and arming apparatus used in energetic components comprising pyrotechnic and explosive materials. Can also be used in air bag deployment systems, initiators for rocket propellants and boosters, munitions and pyrotechnics. |
| Advantage: An un-intentional operation of an energetic component can be prevented by blocking an explosive train, and an intentional operation of an energetic component can be allowed by completing an explosive train, using MEM device. |
| Novelty: A main set of actuators (201a-201c) actuates an interrupter (202), the main set of actuators operatively connected to a dielectric coated metal/silicon substrate. A sub set of actuators actuates a latching element (208a,208b), the sub set of actuators causes latching element to be in a state selected from a group consisting of engaged and disengaged states. The main set of actuators causes interrupter to be in state selected from group consisting of interrupted and uninterrupted states. The interrupter is prevented from changing state, when latching element is in engaged state. |
| Filed: 12/15/2005 |
| Application Number: US2005305258A |
| Tech ID: SD 7760.0 |
| This invention was made with Government support under Contract No. DE-NA0003525 awarded by the United States Department of Energy/National Nuclear Security Administration. The Government has certain rights in the invention. |
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