Microelectromechanical (MEM) apparatus and methods for operating, for preventing unintentional detonation of energetic components comprising pyrotechnic and explosive materials, such as air bag deployment systems, munitions and pyrotechnics. The MEM apparatus comprises an interrupting member that ca
Microelectromechanical (MEM) apparatus and methods for operating, for preventing unintentional detonation of energetic components comprising pyrotechnic and explosive materials, such as air bag deployment systems, munitions and pyrotechnics. The MEM apparatus comprises an interrupting member that can be moved to block (interrupt) or complete (uninterrupt) an explosive train that is part of an energetic component. One or more latching members are provided that engage and prevent the movement of the interrupting member, until the one or more latching members are disengaged from the interrupting member. The MEM apparatus can be utilized as a safe and arm device (SAD) and electronic safe and arm device (ESAD) in preventing unintentional detonations. Methods for operating the MEM apparatus include independently applying drive signals to the actuators coupled to the latching members, and an actuator coupled to the interrupting member.
대표청구항▼
1. A microelectromechanical (MEM) apparatus comprising: a substrate;an interrupting member slideably connected to the substrate, the interrupting member having an interrupted state and an uninterrupted state, wherein said interrupting member defining an aperture, wherein said interrupting member com
1. A microelectromechanical (MEM) apparatus comprising: a substrate;an interrupting member slideably connected to the substrate, the interrupting member having an interrupted state and an uninterrupted state, wherein said interrupting member defining an aperture, wherein said interrupting member comprises an explosive train that includes an energetic material, a detonator, and an initiator;at least one latching member slideably connected to the substrate, the at least one latching member having an engaged state and a disengaged state and, operatively arranged to engage the interrupting member in the engaged state, and disengage the interrupting member in the disengaged state; and,a first set of actuators for actuating the interrupting member and a second set of actuators for actuating the at least one latching member, said first set of actuators operatively connected to the substrate, whereby said second set of actuators causes the at least one latching member to be in the state selected from the group consisting of the engaged state and the disengaged state, and said first set of actuators causes the interrupting member to be in the state selected from the group consisting of the interrupted state, and the uninterrupted state, whereby the interrupting member is prevented from changing state, when the at least one latching member is in the engaged state. 2. The MEM apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first set of actuators is integral with the interrupting member and the at least one latching member. 3. The MEM apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first set of actuators comprises at least one actuator selected from the group consisting of an electrostatic actuator, an electromagnetic actuator, a piezoelectric actuator, a magnetostrictive actuator, and a thermal actuator. 4. The MEM apparatus of claim 3 wherein said at least one actuator comprises: one or more solenoid actuators operatively connected to the at least one latching member; and,a variable reluctance actuator operatively connected to the interrupting member. 5. The MEM apparatus of claim 4 wherein the variable reluctance actuator comprises at least three phases. 6. The MEM apparatus of claim 1 further comprising at least one spring operatively connected to the at least one latching member. 7. The MEM apparatus of claim 6 wherein the at least one spring operates to cause a latching member in the at least one latching member to be in the engaged state or the disengaged state. 8. The MEM apparatus of claim 1 wherein the energetic material comprises one or more selected from the group consisting of silver azide, lead azide, copper azide, and lead styphnate. 9. The MEM apparatus of claim 1 wherein the initiator comprises one or more selected from the group consisting of a bridgewire, a slapper, a chip slapper, a reactive bridge, and a silicon bridgewire (SCB). 10. The MEM apparatus of claim 1 wherein the aperture is at least partially filled with the energetic material. 11. The MEM apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least one element of the explosive train is operatively arranged to be inline with another element within the explosive train, when the interrupting member is in the uninterrupted state. 12. The MEM apparatus of claim 1 wherein the substrate comprises one or more selected from the group consisting of a ceramic substrate, a glass filled ceramic substrate, a low temperature co-fired ceramic, a printed wiring board, a silicon wafer, a metal substrate, a dielectric coated metal substrate, and a dielectric coated silicon substrate. 13. A microelectromechanical (MEM) apparatus comprising: an interrupting member having an interrupted state and an uninterrupted state;a substrate to which the interrupting member is slideably connected, wherein the substrate comprises an element of an explosive train selected from the group consisting of a detonator, an initiator, and an aperture, wherein the element is disposed on a surface of the substrate and the element is substantially aligned to an aperture in the interrupting member, when the interrupting member is in the uninterrupted state;at least one latching member slideably connected to the substrate, the at least one latching member having an engaged state and a disengaged state and, operatively arranged to engage the interrupting member in the engaged state, and disengage the interrupting member in the disengaged state; and,a first set of actuators for actuating the interrupting member and a second set of actuators for actuating the at least one latching member, said first set of actuators operatively connected to the substrate, whereby said second set of actuators causes the at least one latching member to be in the state selected from the group consisting of the engaged state and the disengaged state, and said first set of actuators causes the interrupting member to be in the state selected from the group consisting of the interrupted state, and the uninterrupted state, whereby the interrupting member is prevented from changing state, when at least one of the at least one latching member is in the engaged state. 14. The MEM apparatus of claim 13 wherein the first set of actuators is integral with the interrupting member and the at least one latching member. 15. The MEM apparatus of claim 13 wherein said first set of actuators comprises at least one actuator selected from the group consisting of an electrostatic actuator, an electromagnetic actuator, a piezoelectric actuator, a magnetostrictive actuator, and a thermal actuator. 16. The MEM apparatus of claim 15 wherein said at least one actuator comprises: one or more solenoid actuators operatively connected to the at least one latching member; and,a variable reluctance actuator operatively connected to the interrupting member. 17. The MEM apparatus of claim 13 further comprising at least one spring operatively connected to the at least one latching member. 18. The MEM apparatus of claim 17 wherein the at least one spring operates to cause a latching member in the at least one latching member to be in the engaged state or the disengaged state. 19. The MEM apparatus of claim 13 wherein said interrupting member comprises one or more elements of an explosive train, selected from the group consisting of an energetic material, a detonator, an initiator, and an aperture. 20. The MEM apparatus of claim 19 wherein when the energetic material is selected, the energetic material comprises one or more selected from the group consisting of silver azide, lead azide, copper azide, and lead styphnate. 21. The MEM apparatus of claim 19 wherein when the initiator is selected, the initiator comprises one or more selected from the group consisting of a bridgewire, a slapper, a chip slapper, a reactive bridge, and a silicon bridgewire (SCB). 22. The MEM apparatus of claim 19 wherein when the aperture is selected, the aperture is at least partially filled with the energetic material. 23. The MEM apparatus of claim 19 wherein at least one element of the explosive train is operatively arranged to be inline with another element within the explosive train, when the interrupting member is in the uninterrupted state. 24. The MEM apparatus of claim 13 wherein the substrate comprises one or more selected from the group consisting of a ceramic substrate, a glass filled ceramic substrate, a low temperature co-fired ceramic, a printed wiring board, a silicon wafer, a metal substrate, a dielectric coated metal substrate, and a dielectric coated silicon substrate.
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이 특허에 인용된 특허 (10)
Kane ; III James P., Electronic safe arm and fire device.
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