Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A pyrotechnic actuator for a power cutting tool is disclosed. The pyrotechnic actuator comprises a housing defining a cavity therein, a piston positioned at least partially within the cavity, and an insert-molded unitary assembly positioned within the cavity. The unitary assembly comprises a piston engagement member and a base. A sealed void is defined intermediate the piston engagement member and the base. The unitary assembly comprises a breakable member extending intermediate the piston engagement member and the base and a pyrotechnic initiator positioned at least partially within the base. The pyrotechnic initiator, upon application of a current pulse thereto, is configured to generate a pressurized gas in the sealed void that exerts a force on the piston engagement member and breaks the breakable member thereby causing the piston engagement member and the piston to move relative to the base and the housing.

Abstract: A pyrotechnic actuator for a power cutting tool is disclosed. The pyrotechnic actuator comprises a housing defining a cavity therein, a piston positioned at least partially within the cavity, and an insert-molded unitary assembly positioned within the cavity. The unitary assembly comprises a piston engagement member and a base. A sealed void is defined intermediate the piston engagement member and the base. The unitary assembly comprises a breakable member extending intermediate the piston engagement member and the base and a pyrotechnic initiator positioned at least partially within the base. The pyrotechnic initiator, upon application of a current pulse thereto, is configured to generate a pressurized gas in the sealed void that exerts a force on the piston engagement member and breaks the breakable member thereby causing the piston engagement member and the piston to move relative to the base and the housing.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A pyrotechnic initiator with enclosed on-board control circuitry, and a mating connector therefor.

Abstract: A pyrotechnic initiator is provided with an encapsulation material retention feature on the output can, such as a swaged end or anchors.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A pyrotechnic initiator is provided with an encapsulation material retention feature on the output can, such as a swaged end or anchors.

Abstract: A detonator with onboard electronics and an ignition element that are mechanically connected together.

Abstract: A detonator that incorporates certain features of automotive airbag initiators, and methods of making same.

Abstract: A standalone ignition subassembly designed for ready incorporation into pyrotechnic detonators.

Abstract: A pyrotechnic initiator with enclosed on-board control circuitry, and a mating connector therefor.

Abstract: A simple, reliable and inexpensive ultra high pressure transducer includes a basic capacitive transducer, made of two closely spaced insulating plates whose opposed faces contain conductive layers, and one of which plates is a thin and flexible diaphragm of low mechanical hysteresis. In mechanical coupling proximity with this insulating diaphragm is a thick metal diaphragm which is a part of the ultra high pressure coupling component. The flexure of this thick metal diaphragm under ultra high pressures, which are applied only on the side opposite the insulating diaphragm, determines the magnitude of the deflection of both diaphragms, and, corresponding to the resultant output capacitance level, provides a measure of the ultra high pressure level.