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. 09, 2007
Filed:
Apr. 05, 2005
Craig J. Boucher, Simsbury, CT (US);
Paul N. Marshall, Avon, CT (US);
David B. Novotney, Agawam, MA (US);
Craig J. Boucher, Simsbury, CT (US);
Paul N. Marshall, Avon, CT (US);
David B. Novotney, Agawam, MA (US);
Ensign-Bickford Aerospace and Defense Co., Simsbury, CT (US);
Abstract
An ordnance system of the present invention may include or feature any one or more of: a control unit, one or more effectors (detonators, initiators, shaped charges and the like), and a two-, three- or four-wire communication bus between the control unit and the effectors; an addressable system in which all the effectors can be connected to the same communication bus and the control unit can issue coded signals on the bus addressed to a specific effector; inductive coupling between the effectors and the communication bus; and a multi-voltage level communication system in which communication signals are carried at a first voltage and arming signals are provided at a second, higher voltage. Other features may include two-way communication between effectors and the control unit and the de-centralization of firing control so that the control unit does not have exclusive control over whether the effectors function. As a result, the individual effectors possess decision-making ability and, for purposes of this invention, may be referred to as 'intelligent' effectors. To participate in the decision-making process, effectors of this invention may be equipped with sensors or other diagnostic circuitry whose condition is checked for satisfactory output before functioning is permitted to occur.