Spacecraft ordnance system and method for self-test
US7055435B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | May 20, 2003 |
| Grant date | Jun 6, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 23, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF42C21/00
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An improved spacecraft ordnance system includes a plurality of squibs each connected with a resistor having a squib unique resistance value and a driver unit including built-in test circuitry. Ordnance harness cables connect the squibs with the driver unit. The resistors enable squib identification. The built-in test circuitry enables unambiguous verification of correct connection of each squib with the driver unit. The built-in test circuitry includes a low-impedance multiplexer for selecting a driver line for monitoring, a precision current source for providing a relatively low current to a selected output of the driver unit producing a voltage proportional to the total resistance from signal to ground, and a analog/digital converter for digitizing the voltage and reporting the result to a computer for comparison to predicted values using a telemetry interface and therefore identifying the selected squib. An EMI-tight adapter housing the squib-specific resistor may be attached to the squib.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.