Patents Assigned to Special Devices, Inc.
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Patent number: 10816310Abstract: An igniter with a charge sleeve is provided with a through hole having a cylindrical wall, a bridge wire extending at least partially within the through hole, and a consolidated ignition powder charge retained within the through hole of the charge sleeve such that the bridge wire is at least partially embedded in the ignition powder charge. The cylindrical wall comprises at least one of i) a protrusion embedded into consolidated ignition powder charge, ii) a dimple filled with the consolidated ignition powder charge, and iii) at least 2 cylindrical wall sections that are eccentric to each other. The at least one of the protrusion, dimple and 2 cylindrical wall sections positively interlock with the consolidated ignition and output powder charge to prevent the charge both from moving in a radial direction in relation to the bridge wire and from rotating in relation to the bride wire.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2015Date of Patent: October 27, 2020Assignee: Special Devices, Inc.Inventors: Abrar A. Tirmizi, Vahan Avetisian, Gloria Vawter
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Publication number: 20150323295Abstract: An igniter with a charge sleeve is provided with a through hole having a cylindrical wall, a bridge wire extending at least partially within the through hole, and a consolidated ignition powder charge retained within the through hole of the charge sleeve such that the bridge wire is at least partially embedded in the ignition powder charge. The cylindrical wall comprises at least one of i) a protrusion embedded into consolidated ignition powder charge, ii) a dimple filled with the consolidated ignition powder charge, and iii) at least 2 cylindrical wall sections that are eccentric to each other. The at least one of the protrusion, dimple and 2 cylindrical wall sections positively interlock with the consolidated ignition and output powder charge to prevent the charge both from moving in a radial direction in relation to the bridge wire and from rotating in relation to the bride wire.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 20, 2015Publication date: November 12, 2015Applicant: SPECIAL DEVICES, INC.Inventors: Abrar A. Tirmizi, Vahan Avetisian, Gloria Vawter
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Publication number: 20120234193Abstract: An igniter is described comprising a defined space filled with at least an ignition charge; a bridge wire that is at least partially in heat transmitting contact with the ignition charge; and a means for locking the ignition charge into place with respect to the bridge wire such that any substantial relative motion between the ignition charge and the bridge wire is prevented. This prevents movement of an ignition charge within an igniter, particularly movement of an ignition charge relative to a bridge wire in order to protect the bridge wire from failure such as detaching or breaking.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 17, 2011Publication date: September 20, 2012Applicant: SPECIAL DEVICES, INC.Inventors: Abrar A. Tirmizi, Vahan Avetisian, Gloria Vawter
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Publication number: 20120234162Abstract: A pyrotechnic actuator and a method of actuating the same are described. The actuator comprises a pressure chamber and a piston having such an outer diameter that it is snugly fitted into the pressure chamber. A gas generating ignition and output charge generates gas that pressurizes the pressure chamber and the piston when ignited. The piston is designed such that at least part of its outer diameter expands under the pressure in the pressure chamber such that at least a part of the external piston surface is forced into a press fit against the internal wall of the pressure chamber and therefore seals the pressure chamber. This prevents exhaust gas and flames from escaping from the device in an uncontrolled manner.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2011Publication date: September 20, 2012Applicant: SPECIAL DEVICES, INC.Inventor: Abrar A. Tirmizi
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Patent number: 7617775Abstract: A multiple slave logging device, or “logger” for use in a system such as an electronic blasting system. The logger is able to communicate with multiple slave devices connected to it, and preferably also is able to communicate with a slave device connected individually. The logger preferably utilizes current modulation-based talkback from the slave devices, and optionally may also be adapted to detect the presence of inappropriate slave devices connected to the system.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2006Date of Patent: November 17, 2009Assignee: Special Devices, Inc.Inventor: Gimtong Teowee
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Patent number: 7577756Abstract: A method of dynamically- and continuously-variable rate asynchronous data transfer, such as for use in an electronic blasting system, may employ a device that transmits data including synchronization bits and bits conveying other information, and a device that ascertains the rate of transmission of the synchronization bits and receives the bits conveying the other information at the ascertained rate of transmission.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2003Date of Patent: August 18, 2009Assignee: Special Devices, Inc.Inventors: Gimtong Teowee, Alex A. Kouznetsov
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Patent number: 7533613Abstract: A slave device for use in a system such as an electronic blasting system wherein a command is issued by a master device to all slave devices connected to the system, causing all slave devices that have not been identified to the master device to respond with identifying information and optionally other information.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2007Date of Patent: May 19, 2009Assignee: Special Devices, Inc.Inventor: Alex A. Kouznetsov
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Patent number: 7464647Abstract: Dynamic baselining of current modulation-based talkback from a slave device to a master device in a system such as an electronic blasting system, wherein the dynamic baselining enhances communication integrity under conditions of environmental noise and the like. With a data packet of appreciable length, the dynamic baselining is preferably performed repeatedly on the bytes or words within the packet.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2006Date of Patent: December 16, 2008Assignee: Special Devices, Inc.Inventors: Gimtong Teowee, David T. Jennings, III
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Patent number: 7464648Abstract: A hybrid electronic and electromechanical arm-fire device comprising a moving mechanical element having a safe position and an armed position, one or more pyrotechnic detonators each having an output mounted on the moving mechanical element, a pickup adjacent to the detonator output(s) that is in alignment therewith when the moving mechanical element is in the armed position but is not so aligned when the moving mechanical element is in the safe position, and electronic circuitry including a logic core having an electronic switch. The electronic circuitry may also include an electronic sensor such as a photointerruptor.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2006Date of Patent: December 16, 2008Assignee: Special Devices, Inc.Inventors: Gimtong Teowee, John A. Sudick, Russ E. Rukavina
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Patent number: 7347145Abstract: Dynamic baselining of current modulation-based talkback from a slave device to a master device in a system such as an electronic blasting system, wherein the dynamic baselining enhances communication integrity under conditions of environmental noise and the like. With a data packet of appreciable length, the dynamic baselining is preferably performed repeatedly on the bytes or words within the packet.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2005Date of Patent: March 25, 2008Assignee: Special Devices, Inc.Inventors: Gimtong Teowee, David T. Jennings, III
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Patent number: 7322293Abstract: A system such as an electronic blasting system, and a slave device for use in the system, in which a command is issued by a master device to all slave devices connected to the system, causing all slave devices that have not been identified to the master device to respond with identifying information and optionally other information pertaining to the slave device.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2006Date of Patent: January 29, 2008Assignee: Special Devices, Inc.Inventor: Alex A. Kouznetsov
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Patent number: 7239225Abstract: A circuit breaker including a pyrotechnic element configured to ablate, tear, or cut a portion of the circuit. The portion of the circuit to be broken may be formed to be readily broken and/or may be a current load-based fuse. Also, the circuit breaker may be configured to ensure predictable progressive lateral tearing of the portion of the circuit to be broken; the circuit breaker may optionally be configured so that substantially all of the pyrotechnic element's output is focused on breaking the circuit; and the circuit breaker may optionally include a positive displacement mechanism that, after actuation of the pyrotechnic igniter, prevents the circuit breaker from inadvertently re-closing.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2004Date of Patent: July 3, 2007Assignee: Special Devices, Inc.Inventor: Abrar A. Tirmizi
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Patent number: 7124688Abstract: A pyrotechnic initiator with an integral, unitary, overmolded insulating body that eliminates the need for separate components to form the body, and the method of molding same.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2000Date of Patent: October 24, 2006Assignee: Special Devices, Inc.Inventors: Vahan Avetisian, Paul Berg, Robert Renz, George Karloff
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Patent number: 7123124Abstract: A circuit breaker including a pyrotechnic element configured to ablate or cut a portion of the circuit so as to break the circuit, thereby breaking the circuit. The portion of the circuit to be broken may be specially formed to be readily ablated or cut, and/or may be a current load-based fuse.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2003Date of Patent: October 17, 2006Assignee: Special Devices, Inc.Inventors: Keith W. Caruso, Andrew G. Bonas, Abrar A. Tirmizi
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Patent number: 7114427Abstract: A quick-loosening mechanical linking device that includes housing, a release cavity having a predetermined height, a bolt, and an actuator. The bolt is disposed within the housing and includes an attachment means projecting out from the housing, a release zone such as an intended failure zone, and a head with a piston face. Upon actuation of the actuator, the bolt deforms and/or fails at the release zone and the attachment means moves farther out from the housing by a distance equal to the height of the release cavity. The release cavity preferably includes an abutment formed at its bottom, and the actuator is preferably an electric initiator having a pyrotechnic charge.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2005Date of Patent: October 3, 2006Assignee: Special Devices, Inc.Inventors: Vahan Avetisian, Eishi Kajita
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Patent number: 7107908Abstract: Firing-readiness diagnostics in an electronic pyrotechnic device such as an electronic detonator or an electronic blasting system thereof. The diagnostics may include a check for any incompatible attached devices, a resistance or continuity check of an ignition element, and/or a capacitance check of a firing capacitor.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2003Date of Patent: September 19, 2006Assignee: Special Devices, Inc.Inventors: David M. Forman, David T. Jennings, III, Gimtong Teowee
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Patent number: 7086334Abstract: Selective, staggered charging of individual slave devices in a system at different times, such as electronic detonators in an electronic blasting system, so as to prevent excessive voltage drop on the bus. The staggered charging may be obtained through a clock-driven charging timing process or other suitable means.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2003Date of Patent: August 8, 2006Assignee: Special Devices, Inc.Inventor: David T. Jennings, III
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Patent number: 7082877Abstract: Current modulation-based talkback in a system in which the background noise in the level of current draw is minimized such that the talkback is effected with a desirably high signal-to-noise ratio, such as by the master device holding the system voltage low such that the slave devices will not be performing tasks that would cause the current draw on the system to have an undesirable level of background noise, or, in an electronic blasting system, by preventing all other detonators from performing tasks that would create an undesirable background current draw when a particular detonator is talking back.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2005Date of Patent: August 1, 2006Assignee: Special Devices, Inc.Inventor: David T. Jennings, III
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Patent number: 7054131Abstract: An electronic detonator such as is used in electronic blasting systems, utilizing a pre-fire countdown, during which time other commands may be issued such as to conduct diagnostic tests or other measures to ensure more reliable and/or safer firing.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2003Date of Patent: May 30, 2006Assignee: Special Devices, Inc.Inventors: Shashi Kanth, Alex A. Kouznetsov
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Patent number: 7047884Abstract: A pyrotechnic initiator is provided with an encapsulation material retention feature on the output can rather than on the header assembly. For example, the bottom of the output can of the pyrotechnic initiator may be swaged over the bottom of the header assembly and/or it may be stamped with anchors.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2005Date of Patent: May 23, 2006Assignee: Special Devices, Inc.Inventor: Abrar A. Tirmizi