The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 12, 2004
Filed:
Apr. 30, 2001
Robert Woodall, Panama City, FL (US);
Felipe Garcia, Panama City, FL (US);
Chris Doyle, Panama City, FL (US);
The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy, Washington, DC (US);
Abstract
A safety and arming device has first and second portions of an explosive train fixably supported in a housing. A third portion of the explosive train is fixable in a first position such that the first and second portions remain operably separated from one another, and is further movable to a second position such that the first and second portions are operably coupled to one another via the third portion. An integrated water sensor/actuator is coupled to the third portion to provide the motive force that moves the third portion to its second position. The water sensor/actuator is based on a fibrous cellulosic material having anisotropic moisture-absorbing properties such that dried-in strain of the cellulosic material is greatest along one axis thereof. In the invention, a plug of the dry and compressed fibrous cellulosic material has a powder material coated thereon and mixed therewith. The plug is compressed along its axis of greatest dried-in strain and is fitted in a portion of a water-permeable housing adjacent one end thereof. The powder material initiates a chemical reaction when exposed to water to insure the plug's expansion and corresponding movement of the piston which, in turn, moves the third portion to the second position.