Abstract: An initiator assembly that includes a housing, a base, an exploding foil initiator and an input charge assembly. The housing defines a cavity. The base coupled to the housing and closes the cavity. The exploding foil initiator is mounted to the base and has a barrel that defines an initiation axis. The input charge assembly is received in the cavity and includes a holder and an input charge. The holder has a first axial end and a second axial end that are spaced apart along the initiation axis. The first axial end is closer to an output of the barrel than the second axial end. A charge aperture is formed through the first axial end of the holder and does not extend through the second axial end of the holder. The input charge is formed of an explosive material and is received into the charge aperture.

Abstract: An initiator assembly that includes a housing, a base, an exploding foil initiator and an input charge assembly. The housing defines a cavity. The base coupled to the housing and closes the cavity. The exploding foil initiator is mounted to the base and has a barrel that defines an initiation axis. The input charge assembly is received in the cavity and includes a holder and an input charge. The holder has a first axial end and a second axial end that are spaced apart along the initiation axis. The first axial end is closer to an output of the barrel than the second axial end. A charge aperture is formed through the first axial end of the holder and does not extend through the second axial end of the holder. The input charge is formed of an explosive material and is received into the charge aperture.

Abstract: An initiator assembly that includes a header body, a frame member, a plurality of terminals, an initiator chip, a plurality of contacts, and a support member. The frame member is coupled to the header body and defines an interior aperture. The terminals are received through the header body and the frame member. The initiator chip is received in the frame member and has a plurality of lands, a conductive bridge and a flyer that is disposed over the conductive bridge. Each of the contacts is soldered to an associated one of the terminals and an associated one of the lands. The support member is formed of plastic and encapsulates the frame member, the plurality of contacts, and a portion of the initiator chip. The support member forms a barrel aperture over the flyer. The input charge is formed of a secondary explosive and is disposed in-line with the barrel aperture.

Abstract: An initiation system that includes an initiator chip having an electrically conductive bridge, a flyer layer coupled to the initiator chip and overlying the bridge, a housing, an energetic material and a lid. The housing is formed of a first plastic material that is overmolded onto the initiator chip such that the initiator chip is at least partly encapsulated into the first plastic material to thereby fixedly couple the initiator chip to the housing. The housing defines a cavity having a first end and a second, open end that is opposite the first end. The initiator chip is disposed proximate the first end of the cavity. The energetic material is disposed in the cavity. The lid is at least partly formed of a second plastic material and is fixedly and sealingly coupled to the housing to close the open end of the cavity.

Abstract: An initiator assembly that includes a housing assembly, an exploding foil initiator, an input charge and an output charge. The housing assembly defines a first cavity, a second cavity, and a bulkhead member between the first and second cavities. The exploding foil initiator is received in the housing assembly and includes a bridge, a flyer and a barrel. The flyer overlies the bridge and is disposed between the barrel and the bridge. The barrel defines a barrel aperture. The input charge, which is formed of a secondary explosive, is received in the housing assembly and is disposed in-line with the barrel aperture. The output charge assembly is received in the housing assembly and is formed of a secondary explosive. Energy released from detonation of the input charge in response to operation of the exploding foil initiator penetrates the bulkhead and initiates detonation of the output charge.

Abstract: An initiation system that includes a housing, an exploding foil initiator and a securing structure. The housing is formed of plastic and defines a cavity with an open end. The exploding foil initiator assembly has an initiator chip, a flyer layer and a barrel. The initiator chip has an electrically conductive bridge and is at least partly encapsulated in the plastic of the housing. The flyer layer has a first side, which faces the bridge, and a second side opposite the first side. The barrel is disposed between the second side of the flyer layer and an end of the cavity opposite the open end. The securing structure is formed of metal and is partly encapsulated in the plastic of the housing. The securing structure is disposed about the cavity and extends away from the housing about a perimeter of the open end of the cavity.

Abstract: An initiator assembly that includes a housing assembly, an exploding foil initiator, an input charge and an output charge. The housing assembly defines a first cavity, a second cavity, and a bulkhead member between the first and second cavities. The exploding foil initiator is received in the housing assembly and includes a bridge, a flyer and a barrel. The flyer overlies the bridge and is disposed between the barrel and the bridge. The barrel defines a barrel aperture. The input charge, which is formed of a secondary explosive, is received in the housing assembly and is disposed in-line with the barrel aperture. The output charge assembly is received in the housing assembly and is formed of a secondary explosive. Energy released from detonation of the input charge in response to operation of the exploding foil initiator penetrates the bulkhead and initiates detonation of the output charge.

Abstract: An initiator assembly that includes a housing assembly, an exploding foil initiator, an input charge and an output charge. The exploding foil initiator is received in the housing assembly and includes a bridge, a flyer and a barrel. The flyer overlies the bridge and is disposed between the barrel and the bridge. The barrel defines a barrel aperture. The input charge, which is formed of a secondary explosive, is received in the housing assembly and is disposed in-line with the barrel aperture. The output charge assembly is received in the housing assembly and is segregated from the input charge.

Abstract: An initiator assembly that includes an exploding foil initiator, an input charge and a detonation detection switch. The exploding foil initiator has a base, a pair of bridge lands, a bridge element, and a plurality of non-metallic material layers. The bridge lands are coupled to the base. The bridge element is disposed between the bridge lands. The non-metallic material layers form a flyer layer and a barrel. The flyer layer is disposed over the bridge element. The barrel defines a barrel aperture and is disposed over the flyer layer such that the barrel aperture is disposed in-line with the bridge element. The input charge is formed of a secondary explosive, the input charge being disposed in-line with the barrel aperture. The detonation detection switch is mounted to the exploding foil initiator within an area defined by an outer perimeter of the base.

Abstract: An initiator assembly that includes a header body, a frame member, a plurality of terminals, an initiator chip, a plurality of contacts, and a support member. The frame member is coupled to the header body and defines an interior aperture. The terminals are received through the header body and the frame member. The initiator chip is received in the frame member and has a plurality of lands, a conductive bridge and a flyer that is disposed over the conductive bridge. Each of the contacts is soldered to an associated one of the terminals and an associated one of the lands. The support member is formed of plastic and encapsulates the frame member, the plurality of contacts, and a portion of the initiator chip. The support member forms a barrel aperture over the flyer. The input charge is formed of a secondary explosive and is disposed in-line with the barrel aperture.

Abstract: An initiator assembly having a base, first and second conductive elements, a first electrically insulating member and an energetic material. The first conductive element, which is configured to receive an electrical input, is coupled to the base and includes a tip. The first electrically insulating member is disposed over the tip. The second conductive element has a bridge that is disposed over the first electrically insulating member. The bridge is configured to vaporize in response to transmission of the electrical input from the tip of the first conductive element to the bridge. The energetic material is disposed over the bridge. Energy produced during vaporization of the bridge is transmitted to the energetic material to initiate at least one of a combustion event, a deflagration event and a detonation event in the energetic material. A method for operating an initiator assembly is also provided.

Abstract: An initiator assembly having a base, first and second conductive elements, a first electrically insulating member and an energetic material. The first conductive element, which is configured to receive an electrical input, is coupled to the base and includes a tip. The first electrically insulating member is disposed over the tip. The second conductive element has a bridge that is disposed over the first electrically insulating member. The bridge is configured to vaporize in response to transmission of the electrical input from the tip of the first conductive element to the bridge. The energetic material is disposed over the bridge. Energy produced during vaporization of the bridge is transmitted to the energetic material to initiate at least one of a combustion event, a deflagration event and a detonation event in the energetic material. A method for operating an initiator assembly is also provided.

Abstract: An initiator assembly that includes an initiator and a containment shell. The initiator has an initiator housing, an initiator device mounted inside the initiator housing, and an input charge that is formed of an energetic material. The initiator device is configured to initiate at least one of a combustion event, a deflagration event and a detonation event in the input charge. The containment shell is coupled to the initiator housing and defines a space into which gas and/or particles are ejected from the initiator housing if the initiator device is not activated and the input charge is cooked off.

Abstract: An initiator assembly that includes an initiator and a containment shell. The initiator has an initiator housing, an initiator device mounted inside the initiator housing, and an input charge that is formed of an energetic material. The initiator device is configured to initiate at least one of a combustion event, a deflagration event and a detonation event in the input charge. The containment shell is coupled to the initiator housing and defines a space into which gas and/or particles are ejected from the initiator housing if the initiator device is not activated and the input charge is cooked off.

Abstract: An initiator assembly that includes a header body, an insulating spacer that is coupled to the header body, an initiator, a plurality of terminals that extend through the header body, a plurality of contacts, an input charge, an output charge and a cover that includes an axially threaded portion into which the output charge is housed. The initiator includes a plurality of electric interfaces and is disposed on a side of the insulating spacer opposite the header body. The contacts electrically couple the electric interfaces to the terminals. The input charge is formed of a secondary explosive and is disposed proximate the initiator so as to be capable of detonating to release energy upon activation of the initiator. The cover is coupled to the header body and cooperates with the header body to house the insulating spacer, the initiator chip, the contacts, the input charge and the output charge.

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: A device for initiating an energetic material through an electrical pulse. The device includes an input charge, an initiator assembly and a switch. The input charge is formed of a secondary explosive. The initiator assembly is configured to initiate a detonation event in the input charge in response to receipt of the electrical pulse to a terminal that is electrically coupled to the initiator assembly. The switch is maintained in a normally open condition but is closed to transmit electrical energy from the pulse that remains on the first terminal after operation of the initiator assembly has been initiated.

Abstract: An initiator assembly that includes a header body, at least one seal member, an insulating spacer, a frame member, an initiator and at least one terminal. The header body has at least one first terminal aperture formed therethrough. The seal member is received in the first terminal aperture. The insulating spacer is received over the header body. The frame member overlies the insulating spacer and defines an interior aperture. The initiator is received in the interior aperture and is abutted against the insulating spacer on a side opposite the header body. The initiator has an exploding foil initiator and includes a plurality of initiator contacts. The terminal is received through the insulating spacer and the at least one seal. The terminal is disposed outwardly of the interior aperture and is electrically coupled to an associated one of the initiator contacts.

Abstract: An apparatus for detonating an initiation charge that is formed of a secondary explosive, such as triaminotrinitrobenzene (TATB). The apparatus includes an exploding foil initiator, which can have a relatively small flyer that is suited to initiate a detonation event in the initiation charge.

Abstract: An energetic material initiation device having a receiver assembly and an initiator assembly that includes an electronic initiator and a pellet assembly with an energetic material. The receiver assembly is configured to be coupled to a firing circuit. When the firing circuit is to be armed, the initiator assembly can be pressed into a socket in the receiver assembly to electrically couple the receiver assembly and the initiator assembly. A method for mounting an energetic material initiation device to a firing circuit is also provided.