Patent ID: 7829830

Claim:
A method of controlling access through a slot on a projectile, the method comprising: providing a slot cover; using a fastener to position the slot cover at an installation position on the projectile, the slot cover covering the slot on the projectile when the slot cover resides at the installation position; and using an actuator to release the slot cover from the installation position on the projectile, the slot on the projectile being uncovered when the slot cover is released from the installation position on the projectile; wherein the fastener is a screw; wherein the actuator is a squib device; wherein using the fastener to position the slot cover at the installation position on the projectile includes pivotally tucking an elongated hinged lip of the slot cover within a corresponding elongated recess of the projectile and threading the screw into the projectile to hold the slot cover at the installation position; and wherein using the actuator to release the slot cover from the installation position on the projectile includes providing an activation signal to the squib device, the squib device being arranged to provide, in response to the activation signal, an explosive force which propels the slot cover and the screw in a direction away from the projectile to remove the slot cover and the fastener from the vicinity of the projectile.