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:
Aug. 19, 2008
Filed:
Mar. 05, 2004
David J Combes, Malvern, GB;
David O King, Malvern, GB;
David J Combes, Malvern, GB;
David O King, Malvern, GB;
QinetiQ Limited, London, GB;
Abstract
An electronic safety and arming unit comprises a micro electromechanical system (MEMS) shutter device. The shutter () is suspended by thin lightweight arms and hinges, all formed by silicon processing of SOI substrates and includes holding latches for holding the shutter () in the closed position. The holding latches may be released by an electrothermal actuator. The shutter () separates an initiator section from an explosive train () of munitions such as shells, thereby providing safety until the shell is fired and away from its start point. After firing, the shutter () is opened ready for the main explosive to be detonated by the initiator (). The shutter () may be suspended by a compliant displacement multiplier and may include an electrothermal actuator such as an electrically heatable bent beam. Heating of the beam causes movement of a shutter blade from a shut condition covering a firing aperture to an open condition. Alternatively the shutter () may operate by inertial centrifugal forces generated by a spinning munition. The shutter () may include latches for retaining the shutter in its open position.