ARMING UNIT

Abstract

An arming unit is used on an aircraft to control the arming of a store (20) containing explosive on its release from the aircraft so that the store is not armed until after its release and after it has travelled a predetermined distance away from the aircraft. Such an arming unit comprises a pivoted hook (12) for engaging and retaining the ring or loop (26) on the end of an arming wire attached to an arming pin on the store (20), the hook being biased into closed position, an inter-connection (16) between the hook (12) and a spring loaded plunger (4) having an extending portion constituting a sensor for engaging the upper surface of a store (20) to be released, the inter-connection (16) serving to open the hook (12) as a result of downward movement of the plunger (4) on release of the store (20), and a lock (22, 46) for holding the hook (12) in its closed position and thus preventing operation of the inter-connection (16). When a safe release is required, the lock (22, 46) is not operated and the interconnection (16) opens the hook to release the ring or loop (12) without restraint. On the other hand, if armed release is required, the lock (22, 46) is operated and prevents the inter-connection (16) from opening the hook (12) so that the ring or loop (26) is not released and the store (20) is armed by the arming wire after it has fallen a predetermined distance away from the aircraft.

Source: Google Patents

35 USC §181 Secrecy Order

Inventor

• 1FRANCIS R. GORDON

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