Self-powered delayed ordnance

Abstract

An input electrical pulse as from an input mechanism is rectified and converted to a direct voltage, which may be regulated in magnitude. The regulated direct voltage may be introduced to a timing circuit which produces a signal after an adjustable and pre-selected delay. This signal causes a circuit to produce a triggering signal. The circuit is biased by a capacitor charged by the direct voltage so that it produces the triggering signal only after the timing circuit has provided the pre-selected delay. The triggering signal closes a switch (e.g. makes a transistor conductive) which provides a low impedance to a firing device such as a squib. The direct voltage then activates the firing device and the firing device actuates an output mechanism. The input mechanism may be coupled to a housing at one position in the housing. When actuated, the input mechanism introduces the input pulse to the circuitry described above, such circuitry being disposed in the housing. The firing device then actuates the output mechanism, which is coupled to the housing at a second position in the housing, such second position preferably being oppositely disposed from the first position. The housing may be constructed to prevent radio frequency signals external to the housing from interfering with the operation of the circuitry in the housing.