Abstract: A priming device for a projectile incorporating a safety and arming device as well as an electrically initiated detonator that is activated by an electronic firing module, wherein the priming device incorporates a second detonator integral with a rotor or flap of the safety and arming device, the second detonator being activated by a mobile firing pin, such firing pin being arranged opposite a first detonator so as to be projected by the gases resulting from the ignition of the latter.

Abstract: A cost-effective solution is proposed to improve explosive transfer between booster and warhead that is compatible with the existing base of general purpose warheads and flexible to work with new warhead configurations. A booster lens is placed in the fuze well that concentrates the pressure wave to penetrate the fuze well with a peak pressure that exceeds the detonation threshold and detonate the warhead explosive. The booster lens can be configured to control the direction of the concentrated lobe to penetrate the fuze well where the barriers are low.

Abstract: A pyrotechnically powered actuator having a bellows that provides a force and stroke upon initiation is disclosed. The actuator includes a housing body with a first end and a second end. The bellows is coupled to the first end of the housing body. A cover is coupled to the second end of the housing body. An initiator is located within the housing body and includes a pyrotechnic material and a bridge element. The housing body, the bellows, and the cover define a hermetically sealed chamber. The bellows is compact, lightweight, and can withstand internal and external pressure at least as high as 3,000 psi. An exemplary embodiment includes a housing body that provides a compartment for adding supplemental pyrotechnic material. Further exemplary embodiments of the actuator include a chip initiator that requires less than 1 amp to function in less than 10 milliseconds.

Abstract: The invention relates to a primer element, in particular for ammunition or similar, comprising at least one primer composition that has at least one sleeve acting as the housing for the primer element, at least one contact pin and a mass contact. Multiple wires, (at least two) are used, one end of said wires being connected to the contact pin and the other end of said wires to the mass contact. The multiple wires are embedded in the primer composition(s).

Abstract: A detonating device includes a high explosive portion comprising high explosive; a low explosive portion comprising low explosive; and a transition portion between the high explosive portion and the low explosive portion, wherein the transition portion comprises a mixture of high explosive and low explosive.

Abstract: A squib includes an SCB chip connected to electrode pins so as to ignite by externally applied electric current, and a capacitor electrically connected to the electrode pins in parallel with a thin film resistor on the SCB chip. The capacitor is arranged above the header, and the SCB chip is directly mounted on the capacitor so that the thin film resistor on the SCB chip and the capacitor are electrically connected through electrodes provided on a substrate of the SCB chip, while the size of the SCB chip is smaller than that of the capacitor. In this way, the invention provides the squib which effectively eliminates surface unevenness when the capacitor is located, and enables the connection of the SCB chip and the capacitor to the electrode pins only by one reflow process, and further makes it possible to use an even smaller chip than those used in the prior art.

Abstract: A warhead including a case, a main explosive being received within the case, an initiator having at least a portion embedded within a main explosive charge, and a releasable coupling intermediate the main explosive charge and the initiator.

Abstract: A gas generator has an igniter and a compressed gas container which contains a first filling gas and has an outflow opening that is closed by a first bursting diaphragm. Upon activation of the gas generator the igniter produces a shock wave which runs at least in part through the compressed gas container before destroying the first bursting diaphragm. The compressed gas container is filled with a mixture of the first filling gas and at least one second substance having a molar mass higher than that of helium, the proportion of the second substance being between 1 and 13 mole percent of the total filling quantity or reaching, at maximum, the total mass of the first filling gas, and the first filling gas being helium, hydrogen, or a mixture of the two gases.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of in the electrical ignition of a propellent charge (1) provided with an electrically conductive surface coating (5) and comprising one or more propellant components (3), ensuring that ignition and progressive combustion of the propellent charge take place. The method is characterized in that said electrically conductive surface coating, when ignition of the propellent charge is desired, is connected to an electrical high-voltage source (6), in that said high-voltage source is made to generate at least one high electrical pulse to said connected electrically conductive surface coating, and in that said at least one high electrical pulse produces an instantaneous flashover ignition of the electrically conductive surface coating of the propellent charge and of all its propellant components, simultaneously. The invention also relates to a propellent charge and to an ammunition shot comprising the propellent charge.

Abstract: A thruster stack assembly and method for manufacturing the same is provided. The thruster stack assembly includes a plurality of grain elements having a common core region (e.g., a channel or passageway), where each grain element comprises a volume of electrically ignitable propellant. The thruster stack assembly further includes electrodes associated with the plurality of grain elements, the electrodes adapted for selectively igniting the plurality of grain elements. In one example, one or more of the grain elements may be ignited and combusted without igniting or damaging adjacent grain elements of the stack. The core region serves to channel combustion gases and exhaust from the thruster stack. Multiple stacks may be assembled together to form three-dimensional thruster arrays.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for neutralizing explosives and electronics utilizing a high voltage electrical discharge.

Abstract: An actuator assembly that includes, in one example embodiment, a substrate with a bridge coupled between a first electrode and a second electrode on the substrate. A lithographically disposed flyer is positioned in proximity to the bridge. In a more specific embodiment, the actuator assembly further includes a lithographically disposed barrel that partially surrounds the flyer. A fireset is coupled to pins that extend through the substrate to the first electrode and the second electrode. The flyer further includes a three-dimensional surface adapted to flatten during flight. The flyer may be concave, convex, or may star shaped, may have perforations therein, or may exhibit another shape or other features.

Abstract: This invention relates to a detonating cord (10) having a core (12) of reactive material and a composite jacket around the core, and the method of its manufacture. The composite jacket includes an interior jacket (14) in contact with the core and a sacrificial jacket (20) disposed over the interior jacket. The sacrificial jacket prevents the cord from being cut off by the detonation of another detonating cord of like core load disposed adjacent thereto. The sacrificial jacket is separable from the interior jacket beneath it under the force of the adjacent detonating cord, thus absorbing energy and allowing the first detonating cord to remain intact. The detonating cord may have a core load of not more than 3.2 grams/meter (15 grains/ft) or, optionally, less than 1.25 g/m (6 grains/ft). The interior jacket may be free of metal jacket layers. Optionally, the outer cross-sectional diameter of the cord may be not more than about 3.8 mm (0.15 inch) so that it can be inserted into a standard detonator.

Abstract: An initiator that includes a header body, an insulating spacer, an initiator chip, a plurality of terminals and a plurality of contacts. The insulating spacer is coupled to the header body. The initiator chip that forms at least a portion of an exploding foil initiator and includes a plurality of electric interfaces. The initiator chip is secured to a side of the insulating spacer opposite the header body. The terminals extend through the header body. The contacts electrically couple the electric interfaces to the terminals. The cover is coupled to the header body and cooperates with the header body to house the insulating spacer, the initiator chip and the contacts. A method for forming an initiator is also provided.

Abstract: The pyrotechnic cup is designed such that it may be used as part of an airbag initiator. In some embodiments, the cup comprises a cylindrical portion and a dome that is attached to a first end of the cylindrical portion. A cruciform is also added to the cup. The cruciform is positioned at the apex of the dome. In some embodiments, the cruciform comprises one or more petals. Other embodiments may be designed in which deployment of the initiator causes gas to be directed out of the pyrotechnic cup via the apex of the dome.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for controlling the launch and burst of pyrotechnic projectiles in a pyrotechnic, or “fireworks”, display.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for firing a cartridge for firearms or a method and an apparatus for securing the firing of a cartridge for firearms. The present invention provides a cartridge comprising a securing mechanism. In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the firearm reads an identity from the cartridge and calculates a cartridge password from said identity together with further data. Said cartridge password is transmitted to the cartridge. The cartridge itself decides whether it fires or not. Thus, the present invention provides apparatuses and methods with which a securing of a firearm against accidental and/or unauthorized use is provided. Furthermore, the apparatus and method according to the present invention not only allow a securing of the firearm, but also a securing of the cartridge against accidental, improper and/or unauthorized firing.

Abstract: A pyrotechnically powered actuator having a bellows that provides a force and stroke upon initiation is disclosed. The actuator includes a housing body with a first end and a second end. The bellows is coupled to the first end of the housing body. A cover is coupled to the second end of the housing body. An initiator is located within the housing body and includes a pyrotechnic material and a bridge element. The housing body, the bellows, and the cover define a hermetically sealed chamber. The bellows is compact, lightweight, and can withstand internal and external pressure at least as high as 3,000 psi. An exemplary embodiment includes a housing body that provides a compartment for adding supplemental pyrotechnic material. Further exemplary embodiments of the actuator include a chip initiator that requires less than 1 amp to function in less than 10 milliseconds.

Abstract: A gas generator usable in a vehicle occupant protection system. The gas generator includes an initiator holder and an initiator secured in the initiator holder. The initiator includes a housing enclosing an initiator charge. A metallic bore seal is secured to the initiator holder, and a casing is adhesively secured to the bore seal along an exterior surface of the bore seal. A gas generant is positioned within the casing so as to enable fluid communication between the gas generant and combustion products formed by combustion of the initiator charge, thereby enabling ignition of the gas generant.

Abstract: There is provided a semiconductor bridge device wherein a reaction time for generating sparks is short and a spark generating amount is large. This semiconductor bridge device comprises a substrate, a pair of land portions, a bridge portion electrically connecting between the pair of the land portions, and an electrode pad arranged on each upper surface in the pair of the land portions and emitting sparks at the bridge portion through an electric current passed between the electrode pads, in which the pair of the land portions and the bridge portion consist of a laminate formed by alternately laminating a metal layer and a metal oxide layer plural times, and an outermost layer in the laminate is a metal layer, and a metal oxide having a decomposition temperature of higher than 1500° C. is used in the metal oxide layer.

Abstract: An initiator device, comprising an explosive foil initiator; an initiator shaped charge that is activated by the explosive foil initiator; the initiator shaped charge comprising an outer casing having an opening therein defining a volume, an explosive located inside the opening, the explosive defining a concave cavity therein; a metal liner lining the concave cavity; and a detonation cord that is activated by the initiator shaped charge.

Abstract: A conductive element suitable for the transmission of an electrical operating signal to a detonator, which conductive element comprises a conductive filler homogeneously dispersed in a polymer matrix.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an explosive device comprising an explosive material, and at least one igniting stimulus configured to ignite the explosive material when activated. The explosive device further comprises a sheet of material provided with at least one hole at least partially filled with the explosive material, each hole forms an opening in a first side of said sheet material and said at least one igniting stimuli is arranged on said first side. The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing an explosive device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electropyrotechnic initiator comprising: an ignition support (10); an electrical initiation system (11) connecting the ignition support (10) to a source of electricity; and a cap (2) containing at least one explosive composition, the cap being of generally cylindrical shape presenting an open first end (20) connected to the ignition support (10), an opposite second end that is closed by an end wall (21), and a peripheral side wall (22) which presents at least one zone of weakness (3). This initiator is essentially remarkable in that at least one of the zones of weakness extends along a non-closed trace and over a portion only of the side wall (22), i.e. without reaching its opposite ends.

Abstract: A gas generator usable in a vehicle occupant protection system. The gas generator includes an initiator holder and an initiator secured within the holder, the initiator including a housing enclosing an initiator charge. A bore seal is molded into the initiator holder, and a casing is attached to the bore seal along an exterior surface of the bore seal. A gas generant material is positioned within the casing so as to enable fluid communication between the gas generant and combustion products formed by combustion of the initiator charge, thereby enabling ignition of the gas generant. In one embodiment, an edge portion of the casing is pre-formed so as to snap-fit over a shoulder formed along the bore seal. In another embodiment, an edge portion of the casing is crimped onto outer surfaces of the bore seal. In yet another embodiment, the casing is welded to the bore seal.

Abstract: A bore seal includes a polymeric interface portion adapted for coupling so an initiator activation signal transmission medium, and an initiator-receiving portion adapted for receiving an initiator therein. The bore seal generally houses a pyrotechnic initiator or igniter therein, for incorporation into a gas generating system or other system having a pyrotechnically actuatable element.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for controlling the launch and burst of pyrotechnic projectiles in a pyrotechnic, or “fireworks”, display.

Abstract: An ignition charge for an initiator provided with an igniting mechanism for setting aflame an ignition charge by the heat generated by an exothermic element connected via a pair of current conducting pins in response to an electric signal is a slurry ignition charge which is formed mainly of a mixture consisting of zirconium as a fuel component and potassium perchlorate as an oxidizing agent component. The ignition charge for the initiator contains nitrocellulose as a binder component in an extrapolated compounding ratio of 0.1% by weight or more and 0.5% by weight or less based on the total amount of zirconium and potassium perchlorate and isoamyl acetate as a solvent in an extrapolated compounding ratio of 12.5% by weight or more and 14.0% by weight or less based on the total amount of zirconium and potassium perchlorate. The ignition charge is spread on the exothermic element and dried. The ignition charge is for the initiator of a gas generator, particularly an electric gas generator.

Abstract: A header assembly includes a header holding a plurality of electrode pins to be insulated from one another, an ignition element mounting capacitor having at the center of its outer circumferential surfaces external terminal electrodes for electrically connecting to an ignition element mounted on the capacitor, an IC having first, second, and third electrode pads to be electrically connected to end electrodes of the ignition element mounting capacitor and the external terminal electrodes and further having connection electrodes to be electrically connected to the electrode pins of the header for communication with the external. The IC is located on the header, and the ignition element mounting capacitor is located on the IC and electrically connected to the electrode pins through the connection electrodes provided on the IC.

Abstract: An igniter assembly that includes a housing, a secondary explosive input charge, a pyrotechnic output charge and a barrier system that is disposed between the input charge and the pyrotechnic output charge. The barrier system shields the pyrotechnic output charge from energy released by the input charge to prevent the output charge from being cooked-off or initiated unless the input charge is detonated.

Abstract: The networked electronic ordnance system connects a number of pyrotechnic devices to a bus controller using lighter and less voluminous cabling, in a more efficient network architecture, than previously possible. Each pyrotechnic device contains an initiator, which includes a pyrotechnic assembly and an electronics assembly. One or more pyrotechnic devices each contain a logic device having a unique identifier. The pyrotechnic devices are individually controlled by the bus controller by addressing the unique identifier of each logic device. Each pyrotechnic device preferably includes an energy reserve capacitor which stores firing energy upon arming. Both digital and analog fire control conditions are provided before an armed pyrotechnic device can be fired. A plurality of initiators and/or other components of the system may be packaged together on a single substrate and networked together via that substrate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a primer element, in particular for ammunition or similar, comprising at least one primer composition that has at least one sleeve acting as the housing for the primer element, at least one contact pin and a mass contact. Multiple wires, (at least two) are used, one end of said wires being connected to the contact pin and the other end of said wires to the mass contact. The multiple wires are embedded in the primer composition(s).

Abstract: A flat electric match includes a substrate having a surface. A first electrical lead and a second electrical lead each having an end, are carried by the substrate on the surface. The ends of the electrical leads are spaced apart on the surface. A bridge wire is coupled between the ends of the electrical leads and carried by the substrate on the surface. A pyrotechnic material is carried by the substrate on the surface, with at least a portion of the pyrotechnic material contacting the bridge wire.

Abstract: A method of making a thin film explosive detonator includes forming a substrate layer; depositing a metal layer in situ on the substrate layer; and reacting the metal layer to form a primary explosive layer. The method and apparatus formed thereby integrates fabrication of a micro-detonator in a monolithic MEMS structure using “in-situ” production of the explosive material within the apparatus, in sizes with linear dimensions below about 1 mm. The method is applicable to high-volume low-cost manufacturing of MEMS safety-and-arming devices. The apparatus can be initiated either electrically or mechanically at either a single point or multiple points, using energies of less than about 1 mJ.

Abstract: The invention relates to a microsystem and a method for fabricating a microsystem. The pyrotechnic microsystem (7, 1?) comprises a substrate having at least two separate electrical initiation zones, each of which provides separate electrical initiation of a pyrotechnic material deposited on the substrate. This microsystem (7, 1?) is characterized in that the same pyrotechnic material deposit (721, 721?, 13) covers both initiation zones, said deposit (721, 721?, 13) produced on the substrate having a thickness sufficiently small for the initiation of the pyrotechnic material in the initiation zone to remain localized and not propagate to the other initiation zone, but sufficient to generate a specific gas quantity.

Abstract: An initiator for initiating detonation in a detonation cord of a perforating system, where the initiator comprises a modular electronic igniter that quick connects into a portion of high explosive. The high explosive is disposed in a housing having an end of detonation cord crimped therein. The electronic igniter may be shipped to the field and/or stored separate from the high explosive then the two may be assembled just prior to deploying the perforating gun assembly in a wellbore. Various methods of quick connecting the electronic igniter to the high explosive may be used.

Abstract: An initiator that includes a substrate, an exploding foil initiator and a first switch. The exploding foil initiator coupled to the substrate and includes a bridge and a first bridge contact. The first switch has a first contact and a first insulator. The first contact is coupled to the substrate and spaced apart from the first bridge contact by a gap. The first insulator is disposed in the gap. The first switch is operable in an actuated mode in which electrical energy transmitted between the first contact and the first bridge contact is transmitted through the first insulator.

Abstract: A method for controlling the initiation of an electronic detonator when located in surrounding ground, the method comprising the steps of: measuring the actual spatial position of the said detonator in relation to one or more adjacent detonators; and calculating the time of initiation of the said detonator based upon its actual spatial position.

Abstract: An initiator that includes a header body, an insulating spacer, an initiator chip, a plurality of terminals and a plurality of contacts. The insulating spacer is coupled to the header body. The initiator chip that forms at least a portion of an exploding foil initiator and includes a plurality of electric interfaces. The initiator chip is secured to a side of the insulating spacer opposite the header body. The terminals extend through the header body. The contacts electrically couple the electric interfaces to the terminals. The cover is coupled to the header body and cooperates with the header body to house the insulating spacer, the initiator chip and the contacts. A method for forming an initiator is also provided.

Abstract: A power source is provided for a resistive heating element that heats a catalyst bed of a reactor that receives a monopropellant fuel and reacts the fuel in the presence of the catalyst bed to provide hot gas driving a turbine. The power source is a capacitor that discharges its charge across the resistive heating element so that its temperature is elevated to a point where the reaction of the monopropellant fuel occurs. The power source may be used in airborne applications, such as emergency power systems for aircraft, where it is desirable to minimize the weight of the unit and to allow the unit to use safer monopropellant fuels.

Abstract: An assembly is disclosed for exothermic welding comprising a mold which is formed of a material which withstands exothermic welding temperatures and includes a weld cavity therein for positioning at least two members which are to be exothermically welded together, and an ignition cavity communicating with the weld cavity. The mold is capable of accommodating any one of several exothermic welding procedures which may involve either a flint igniter or the use of an electrical igniter which is readily accommodated by the mold in the performance of several of the procedures. The electrical igniter is formed of a pair of flat, longitudinally extending conductor strips with a sheet of insulation laminated therebetween, a filament adjacent one end of the strips, and one or more positioning tabs adjacent one end of the strips. A cartridge is also provided which contains the weld metal and the electrical igniter and which may be positioned in the ignition cavity of the mold.

Abstract: A device having an initiator and an integrated planar switch. The initiator has a base, an initiating element that is coupled to the base, a first element pad, which is electrically coupled to a first side of the initiating element, and a second element pad, which is electrically coupled to a second side of the initiating element opposite the first element pad. The integrated planar switch has a source pad and a return pad. The source pad is coupled to the base and is spaced apart from the first element pad by a first gap distance to define a first gap therebetween. The return pad is coupled to the base and is spaced apart from the second element pad by a second gap distance to define a second gap therebetween.

Abstract: A detonator assembly according to one arrangement includes a capacitor discharge unit having a capacitor and a resistor formed on a surface of the capacitor. At least one side of the resistor is electrically connected to one electrode of the capacitor. In another arrangement, another type of energy source besides the capacitor is used.

Abstract: A switch device having a base, a first electrically conductive pad coupled to the base, a second electrically conductive pad coupled to the base, a first electrically conductive projection and a second electrically conductive projection. The second electrically conductive pad is spaced apart from the first electrically conductive pad by a first predetermined distance. The first electrically conductive projection is coupled to the first electrically conductive pad and extends into the first gap. The second electrically conductive projection is coupled to the second electrically conductive pad and extends into the first gap. The second electrically conductive projection is spaced apart from the first electrically conductive projection by a second predetermined distance. The first and second electrically conductive projections form an electrical interface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cartridge of a metallic expansion cell for a rock destruction which includes a pressure tube that is installed at an inner wall of the casing in the section of the explosion wire and is formed of a certain material having a strong strength capable of enduring against a certain level pressure so that it is possible to prevent an earlier destruction of the casing of the portion near the explosion wire by a high temperature heat and impact wave energy when a large current is applied to the explosion wire, and a plasma channel formed by the explosion wire is guided in the direction of the casing.

Abstract: An igniter assembly that includes a housing, a secondary explosive input charge, a pyrotechnic output charge and a barrier system that is disposed between the input charge and the pyrotechnic output charge. The barrier system shields the pyrotechnic output charge from energy released by the input charge to prevent the output charge from being cooked-off or initiated unless the input charge is detonated.

Abstract: A MEMS apparatus having a substrate layer, a device layer and an intermediate oxide layer joining them. A slider is formed in the device layer and includes an enlarged end portion. A walled chamber having a hollow interior in which is positioned a microdetonator is formed in the substrate layer beneath the enlarged end portion and is secured to it by the oxide layer. A drive is operable to move the slider, and with it, the walled chamber, from an initial position to a final position. When in the final position an initiator is operable to initiate the microdetonator.

Abstract: A microcavity structure. In an illustrative embodiment, the microcavity structure includes a first substrate, which has a region of interest. A second substrate with a perforation therein is bonded to the first substrate. The perforation coincides with the region of interest. In a specific embodiment, the first substrate is implemented via a Printed Circuit Board (PCB). The region of interest includes one or more circuit components, including an actuator, such as a bridgewire, thereon or therein. A smoothing layer is included between the PCB and the actuator. A bonding gasket adheres the first substrate to the second substrate. The perforation accommodates energetic material that is selectively ignited via the actuator.

Abstract: An igniter assembly with a housing, an initiator, an input charge, a first barrier, a second barrier, and an output charge. The input charge is formed of a secondary explosive and disposed adjacent the initiator. The first barrier cooperates with the housing to form a chamber into which the input charge is received. The second barrier is disposed on a side of the first barrier opposite the input charge and combusts in response to energy released during detonation of the input charge. The output charge is formed of a pyrotechnic material and disposed on a side of the second barrier opposite the first barrier. The output charge can combust in response to energy released during combustion of the second barrier. The housing and the first barrier cooperate to isolate the output charge from heat and pressure generated by the input charge if the input charge is cooked-off.

Abstract: A method for controlling the initiation of an electronic detonator when located in surrounding ground, the method comprising the steps of: measuring the actual spatial position of the said detonator in relation to one or more adjacent detonators; and calculating the time of initiation of the said detonator based upon its actual spatial position.