Bei Electronics LLC

US Government as Represented by the Secretary of the Army

Nelson D Foley

William S Marks

Holland O Tyler

Alvin R Hof

Gerald A Mills

Garrard Mountjoy

The ammunition firing system is especially advantageous for electrically firing military rockets from a multiple tube rocket launcher. The system provides an electrical signal indicating the presence or absence of a rocket ready to be fired in each launching tube. The signal is derived from the firing wire or lead which is also used to fire the rocket. In each rocket, an igniter of low electrical resistance is connected between the firing lead and a common ground. Initially, the firing lead is connected by switching means to a signal source which supplies a signal current of a low energy, insufficient to cause the igniter to fire the ammunition. The system includes indicating means for indicating the presence or absence of the signal current through the igniter, so as thereby to indicate the presence or absence of the rocket in the launching tube. The signal source may include a signal voltage supply and a current limiting resistance to limit the signal current so that it will be incapable of firing the rocket. With this electrical indication from each firing circuit, it is possible to take an inventory electrically of the presence or absence of rockets in the launching tubes of the multiple rocket launcher. When a rocket is to be fired, the switching means may be operated to connect the firing lead of the rocket to a firing voltage source which provides ample energy to the igniter to fire the rocket.

Ammunition firing system having means for electrically signaling

The system for electrically identifying and firing ammunition is especially advantageous for firing military rockets from a multiple tube rocket launcher. The system provides an electrical signal for initially identifying the type of rocket or other ammunition loaded and ready to fire in each launching tube. The identifying signal is derived from the firing wire or lead which is also used to fire the rocket. In each rocket an igniter and a diode rectifier are connected in series in the firing circuit which usually extends between the firing lead and a common ground. The diode rectifier is polarized to conduct the firing current while being nonconductive as to the signal current which is oppositely polarized. Each rocket includes an identification impedance having a nature to identify the type of rocket. The different types of rockets have measurably different identification impedances.

Ammunition identification and firing system having electrical

An electronic time opener and opener system is utilized for initiating the pening of a plurality of munition cannisters at an accurate settable time after ejection from a high speed aircraft. Analogue circuitry is used in the opener setter to measure the capacitance of an RC circuit of the electronic time opener, immediately prior to cannister ejection. Upon the basis of this pre-ejection measurement a proper voltage charge is generated to obtain sufficient energy to actuate a detonator in the munition at the proper time. The combined opener and opener setter system permit accurate tuning while using wide tolerance capacitance components in the electronic time opener.

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Little Rock, AR, United States of America

Nelson D Foley