USA As Represented by Secretary of the Navy

Lawrence C Fan

Daniel Louis Jean

Gabriel L Smith

Gerald R Laib

David Olson

Ezra Chen

John E Hendershot

Michael Beggans

Donald R Garvick

Ralph E Balestrieri

Robert Lavin Wood

Bruce R Kuester

Gregory R Birk

Howard R Last

A MEMS fuze having a moveable slider with a microdetonator at an end for positioning adjacent an initiator. A setback activated lock and a spin activated lock prevent movement of the slider until respective axial and centrifugal acceleration levels have been achieved. Once these acceleration levels are achieved, the slider is moved by a V-beam shaped actuator arrangement to position the microdetonator relative to a secondary lead to start an explosive train in a munitions round.

MEMS fuze assembly

The invention comprises a micromechanical shock sensor that is formed on the surface of a micro-substrate. A moveable proof mass is formed on the surface with at least one spring connected to the proof mass and the surface. The spring allows the proof mass to move a predetermined distance. Latching means are formed on the surface the predetermined distance from the proof mass. When the sensor is subjected to a sufficient shock, the proof mass moves and contacts the latching means. An indicator means is provided to allow this contact to be readily known by the user.

Micromechanical shock sensor

A micromechanical device that takes a vertical force to a micro substrate that results into a vertical motion and translates that vertical motion into horizontal motion. A pit is etched onto a micro substrate where the walls of the pit meet the floor of the pit at less than a 90&deg; angle. A vertical force is applied to a structure to push it along the angled wall of the pit and as the structure reaches the bottom of the pit the vertical motion is translated into horizontal motion. By attaching a spring or similar mechanism to the structure, one can store the horizontal momentum for later use by latching the structure in some way before the spring can pull the structure back into its original position.

Mems vertical to horizontal motion translation device

An EFI (exploding foil initiator) or slapper detonator, including a explodable foil (or bridge), a flyer plate and a barrel plate having a movable barrier to close a barrel in a safety mode and for opening the barrel in an arming mode, wherein the movable barrier slides from a closed (safety) position to an open (armed) position under the control of a MEMS (microelectromechanical system) energetic actuator. The slidable barrier is maintained in the closed position by one or more locking devices of the MEMS energetic actuator until predetermined stimuli are detected to cause the locking device(s) to release the slidable barrier, thereby arming the EFI or slapper detonator.

MEMS emergetic actuator with integrated safety and arming system for a slapper/EFI detonator

An improved hydrostat constructed on a silicon wafer by microfabrication methods similar to those used for integrated circuits and other devices. A thin section of the wafer acts as a diaphragm, responsive to pressure of ambient water. A lever arm is affixed at its first end to one point on the surface of the wafer and extends over the diaphragm, so arranged that the lever arm will be forced away from the wafer when pressure is applied to the diaphragm. The second end of the lever arm is moved by the diaphragm so that it moves further from the wafer, by a factor of the mechanical advantage of the lever. When the second end moves away from the wafer, it mechanically releases a lock, allowing an ordnance device to which the hydrostat is attached to arm.

Miniature hydrostat fabricated using multiple microelectromechanical

Growing community of inventors

Vienna, VA, United States of America

Lawrence C Fan