A device responsive to an acceleration pulse event, the device including: a piezoelectric device configured to generate a voltage over a duration responsive to one or more acceleration pulse events; an electrical storage device configured to receive a portion of the generated voltage to accumulate a charge; an energy dissipating device coupled to the electrical storage device and configured to dissipate the accumulated charge following the one or more acceleration pulse events and not to substantially dissipate the accumulated charge during the one or more acceleration pulse events; and a voltage limiting device coupled to the electrical storage device and configured to limit the portion of the generated voltage applied to the electrical storage device to a predetermined limit.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a fuse system (22) for a munitions projectile, the system comprising: a first electro-optic transmitter (24); a first electro-optic receiver (30); the first electro-optic transmitter (24) being arranged to receive electrical power, and to use that received electrical power to transmit an optical signal (28) to the first electro-optic receiver (30); the first electro-optic receiver (30) being arranged to receive the optical signal (28), and to use that received optical signal (28) to transmit electrical power to an element (34) of the fuse system (22) connected to the first electro-optic receiver (30).

A method for storing energy in a device upon acceleration of the device. The method including: permitting a first movable member configured to be movable in one direction relative to a base; biasing the first movable member in a second direction opposed to the first direction; permitting a plurality of second movable members, to be each movable towards an engagement surface of the first movable member when subjected to a predetermined acceleration event in a direction offset from the first direction; and sequentially engaging a portion of the engagement surface, which when pressed causes a movement of the first movable member in the one direction against a biasing force of the first biasing member, upon an increasing acceleration of the base such that energy is stored in the first biasing member.

A piezoelectric generator for generating power upon an acceleration and upon a deceleration of a body. The piezoelectric generator including: first and second masses; first and second springs, the first spring being connected to the body at one end and to the first mass at an other end, the second spring being connected to the body at one end and to the second spring at an other end; and a piezoelectric material connected to the first and second masses such that the piezoelectric material generates power when the body is accelerated or decelerated.

A fuze for a projectile intended to be fired by a cannon by ignition of a propellant charge using an electric igniter. This fuze is allowed to pase from a safety position to an armed position following the fire by releasing at least two different safeties. This fuze includes a capacitor which is intended to be connected to the electric igniter and which charges during the ignition of the propellant charge, and also a computer which detects the charge of the capacitor in order to allow the arming of the fuze when this charge is greater than or equal to a reference value, the charge of the capacitor constituting a first fire safety.

An energy harvesting electronic primer (e-primer) system including smart ammunition with e-primer technology to enhance public safety from the discharge of a firearm by replacing conventional mechanical primers used for the activation of energetic materials with an electronic primer in center fire type ammunitions, grenades, bombs and other explosive devices wherein the ammunition includes an e-primer system having a firing pin, primer cup with a safety switch, antenna, piezo element, diode, capacitor, microcontroller, thermal wire, nanoenergetic and flash hole and radio transmitter circuitry wherein the mechanical force of the firing pin strikes a nanoenergetic material to activate the initial phase of an energetic train unless the e-primer is neutralized by a radio or acoustic signal captured by the antenna mounted within the ammunition where the radio signal includes a deactivation code to neutralize the ammunition. when located in a space specifically designed to receive the radio or acoustic signal.

A detonator installation (10) in which a detonator fire capacitor (36) which is connected in series with an inductor (18) is charged from a low voltage source (16) by repeatedly opening and closing a switch (20) thereby to cause a collapsing magnetic field in the inductor (18) which results in a charging current flow to the capacitor (36).

A device for monitoring the status of a munition fuze is disclosed. The device includes a visible marker; an indicator strip, capable of actuation, from a first state to a second state; and a power source providing power to the munition initiation system, the visible marker and/or the indicator strip. The visible marker and indicator strip are positioned to be visible to an observer when the fuze has been fitted for use on said munition and activation of the power source causes switching of the visible marker from an off state to an on state and actuation of the indicator strip from a first state to a second state, such that the power source's activation is indicated by the actuation of the indicator strip to its second state. The visible marker remains in an on state only if there is sufficient power to operate the initiation system.

The invention relates to the field of munition fuzes and is a device for monitoring the status of a munition fuze, said device comprising; a visible marker capable of being switched between an off state and an on state; an indicator strip, capable of actuation, from a first state to a second state; a power source, capable of activation, wherein the power source provides power to the munition initiation system, the visible marker and/or the indicator strip; wherein said visible marker and indicator strip are positioned to be visible to an observer when the fuze has been fitted for use on said munition; and wherein activation of the power source causes switching of the visible marker from an off state to an on state and actuation of the indicator strip from a first state to a second state, such that the power source's activation is indicated by the actuation of the indicator strip to its second state; and wherein the visible marker remains in an on state only if there is sufficient power to operate the initiation system.

An energy storage device including: a first movable member configured to be movable in one direction relative to a base; a first biasing member configured to bias the first movable member in a second direction opposed to the first direction; a plurality of second movable members, each movable towards an engagement surface of the first movable member when subjected to a predetermined acceleration event in a direction offset from the first direction; and wherein the engagement surface having a portion which when pressed causes a movement of the first movable member in the one direction against a biasing force of the first biasing member; and the plurality of second movable members are configured to sequentially engage the engagement surface upon an increasing acceleration of the base such that energy is stored in the first biasing member.