Patents by Inventor Ronald M. Dufrane
Ronald M. Dufrane has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20240116834Abstract: A shock tube package system and a method of deploying a shock tube package system is provided. The system includes a covering made from a flexible or elastic material, the covering defining an interior portion. A bundle of shock tubing is disposed within the interior portion, the covering applying a compression fit on the bundle of shock tubing. The bundle of shock tubing having a first end and a second end, the first end being configured to couple with an initiator device, the second end being configured to couple with a detonator.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 4, 2023Publication date: April 11, 2024Inventors: Micah S. Casebier, Ronald M. Dufrane, Scott Crespi
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Patent number: 11845703Abstract: A shock tube package system and a method of deploying a shock tube package system is provided. The system includes a coreless bundle of shock tubing. The system further includes an outer covering disposed about the periphery of the bundle of shock tubing. In an embodiment, the outer covering is made from a flexible or elastic material such as a textile.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2021Date of Patent: December 19, 2023Inventors: Micah S. Casebier, Ronald M. Dufrane, Scott D. Crespi
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Patent number: 11554998Abstract: A shock tube package system and a method of deploying a shock tube package system is provided. The system includes a coreless bundle of shock tubing. The system further includes an outer covering disposed about the periphery of the bundle of shock tubing. The outer covering being made from a flexible or ela In an embodiment, the outer covering is made from a flexible or elastic material such as a textile.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2020Date of Patent: January 17, 2023Assignee: ENSIGN-BICKFORD AEROSPACE & DEFENSE COMPANYInventors: Micah S. Casebier, Ronald M. Dufrane, Scott D. Crespi
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Publication number: 20220213005Abstract: A shock tube package system and a method of deploying a shock tube package system is provided. The system includes a coreless bundle of shock tubing. The system further includes an outer covering disposed about the periphery of the bundle of shock tubing. In an embodiment, the outer covering is made from a flexible or elastic material such as a textile.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2021Publication date: July 7, 2022Inventors: Micah S. Casebier, Ronald M. Dufrane, Scott D. Crespi
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Patent number: 11192832Abstract: A shock tube package system and a method of deploying a shock tube package system is provided. The system includes a coreless bundle of shock tubing. The system further includes an outer covering disposed about the periphery of the bundle of shock tubing. In an embodiment, the outer covering is made from a flexible or elastic material such as a textile.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2020Date of Patent: December 7, 2021Assignee: ENSIGN-BICKFORD AEROSPACE & DEFENSE COMPANYInventors: Micah S. Casebier, Ronald M. Dufrane, Scott D. Crespi
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Publication number: 20210317052Abstract: A shock tube package system and a method of deploying a shock tube package system is provided. The system includes a coreless bundle of shock tubing. The system further includes an outer covering disposed about the periphery of the bundle of shock tubing. The outer covering being made from a flexible or ela In an embodiment, the outer covering is made from a flexible or elastic material such as a textile.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2020Publication date: October 14, 2021Inventors: Micah S. Casebier, Ronald M. Dufrane, Scott D. Crespi
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Publication number: 20210094890Abstract: A shock tube package system and a method of deploying a shock tube package system is provided. The system includes a coreless bundle of shock tubing. The system further includes an outer covering disposed about the periphery of the bundle of shock tubing. In an embodiment, the outer covering is made from a flexible or elastic material such as a textile.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2020Publication date: April 1, 2021Inventors: Micah S. Casebier, Ronald M. Dufrane, Scott D. Crespi
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Patent number: 7490554Abstract: An initiator assembly (38) is factory-pre-assembled and comprises an initiation fixture (10) secured to a triggering device (40). The initiation fixture (10) comprises a unitary body, i.e., one without moving parts, and includes a bushing groove (18) to receive as an accessory an O-ring (64) to seal the device within the barrel (42) of the triggering device (40). A fuse/fixture sub-assembly (34) includes an initiation charge (30) disposed at the firing face (13a) and a signal-transmission fuse (22). The initiation fixture (110) may be a “universal” fixture having thereon optional external threads (36) and being otherwise dimensioned and configured to be received within either an internally threaded barrel (42) of a triggering device (40) or the barrel (42) of a triggering device which utilizes a fuse-holder cap (56). The initiator assembly (38) may include a spool (66) on which the signal-transmission tube (22) is wound.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2007Date of Patent: February 17, 2009Assignee: Ensign-Bickford Aerospace & Defence CompanyInventors: David C. Lynch, Ronald M. Dufrane, Jeffrey M. Kezerian, Jack C. Cotner
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Publication number: 20080282923Abstract: An initiator assembly (38) is factory-pre-assembled and comprises an initiation fixture (10) secured to a triggering device (40). The initiation fixture (10) comprises a unitary body, i.e., one without moving parts, and includes a bushing groove (18) to receive as an accessory an O-ring (64) to seal the device within the barrel (42) of the triggering device (40). A fuse/fixture sub-assembly (34) includes an initiation charge (30) disposed at the firing face (13a) and a signal-transmission fuse (22). The initiation fixture (110) may be a “universal” fixture having thereon optional external threads (36) and being otherwise dimensioned and configured to be received within either an internally threaded barrel (42) of a triggering device (40) or the barrel (42) of a triggering device which utilizes a fuse-holder cap (56). The initiator assembly (38) may include a spool (66) on which the signal-transmission tube (22) is wound.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 16, 2008Publication date: November 20, 2008Applicant: ENSIGN-BICKFORD AEROSPACE & DEFENSE COMPANYInventors: David C. Lynch, Ronald M. Dufrane, Jeffrey M. Kezerian, Jack C. Cotner
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Publication number: 20080245253Abstract: An initiator assembly (38) is factory-pre-assembled and comprises an initiation fixture (10) secured to a triggering device (40). The initiation fixture (10) comprises a unitary body, i.e., one without moving parts, and includes a bushing groove (18) to receive as an accessory an O-ring (64) to seal the device within the barrel (42) of the triggering device (40). A fuse/fixture sub-assembly (34) includes an initiation charge (30) disposed at the firing face (13a) and a signal-transmission fuse (22). The initiation fixture (110) may be a “universal” fixture having thereon optional external threads (36) and being otherwise dimensioned and configured to be received within either an internally threaded barrel (42) of a triggering device (40) or the barrel (42) of a triggering device which utilizes a fuse-holder cap (56). The initiator assembly (38) may include a spool (66) on which the signal-transmission tube (22) is wound.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 16, 2008Publication date: October 9, 2008Applicant: ENSIGN-BICKFORD AEROSPACE & DEFENSE COMPANYInventors: David C. Lynch, Ronald M. Dufrane, Jeffrey M. Kezerian, Jack C. Cotner
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Patent number: 5747722Abstract: A detonator (10) is equipped with an input lead (29) having multiple signal transmission lines (30, 31) which provide redundant initiation signals to the target charge (14) of a detonator (10, 10') thereby increasing the reliability of initiation. The multiple signal transmission lines (30, 31) may be made of shock tube and can be part of a long or short input lead (29, 129) and may be initiated by any suitable means, for example by being disposed in signal transmission relation to a detonating cord (60, 62) to improve the reliability with which a signal is transferred from the detonating cord (60, 62) to the detonator (10, 10').Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 1996Date of Patent: May 5, 1998Assignee: The Ensign-Bickford CompanyInventors: Ernest L. Gladden, Ronald M. Dufrane
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Patent number: 5708228Abstract: A method and apparatus for transferring non-electric blasting initiation signals from detonating cord signal donor lines to signal transmission tube acceptor lines involves disposing the acceptor line in enhanced signal transfer configuration with the donor line. The acceptor line (30) may constitute the input lead (29a) of a detonator (10a). Enhanced signal transfer configuration between the input lead (29a) and the detonating cord (60) can be established by disposing input line (30) in at least partial wrap-around contact with the detonating cord (60) or in multiple abutting contact with the detonating cord (60). Enhanced signal transfer configuration can also be achieved for a detonator having at least two input lines in abutting contact with the detonating cord. A slider (44) is designed to extend contact between a detonator input lead and a detonating cord.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 1996Date of Patent: January 13, 1998Assignee: The Ensign-Bickford CompanyInventors: Daniel P. Sutula, Jr., Ronald M. Dufrane, Thomas F. Lilley, Thomas C. Tseka, Steven L. Renfro, Jeffrey H. Burton, Ernest L. Gladden, Daniel A. Toro
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Patent number: 5703320Abstract: A connector device (10, 214) for transferring a nonelectric blast initiation signal from a donor line (26, 224) to an acceptor line, e.g., an input stub (24, 217) has donor line retaining means (20a, 20b, 229) for disposing a donor line (26, 224) in signal transfer relation to the input stub (24, 217). An anvil member (27, 130, 226) is provided to support input stub (24, 217) at the point where it is in signal transfer relation with the donor line (26), preferably in conforming contact with the donor line (26). In a particular embodiment, the connector device has a body portion (10a) on which is retained a detonator cap (22). Cap (22) detonates upon receipt of a detonation signal from an input stub (24), optionally after a delay period if delay elements are incorporated into the cap 22. The connector device (10) has retainer spring clips (20a, 20b) for retaining the donor line (26) in signal transfer relation to the input stub (24).Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 1996Date of Patent: December 30, 1997Assignee: The Ensign Bickford CompanyInventors: Frank J. Lucca, Daniel P. Sutula, Jr., Ronald M. Dufrane, Ernest L. Gladden
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Patent number: 5661256Abstract: A slider (36) has a base fixture (40) and a shielding tube (42). The slider (36) is used to operably couple a detonator (44) to a detonating cord (62) that passes through a booster device (10), i.e., to prevent the detonating cord (62) from directly initiating or fracturing the booster (10). The base fixture (40) includes input lead-retaining means for disposing the input lead (47) of a detonator (44) in signal transfer relation to the detonating cord (62). Optionally, the slider (36) has a detonator retainer (38) for carrying the detonator (44) on the slider (36). Preferably, the detonator retainer (38) is able to hold detonators of various lengths in proper position to initiate the booster device (10). By disposing the shielding tube (42) on the slider (36) a booster device (10) can be used with various detonating cords (62) and a slider (36) having a shielding tube (42) suitable for the chosen detonating cord (62) can be inserted into the booster device (10).Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 1996Date of Patent: August 26, 1997Assignee: The Ensign-Bickford CompanyInventors: Daniel P. Sutula, Jr., Ronald M. Dufrane, Daniel A. Toro, Lyman G. Bahr, Brendan M. Welch, Ronald D. Thomas
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Patent number: 5031538Abstract: A delay train ignition buffer (45) is positioned between a transmission tube (11) and a delay train (25) in a detonator housing (15) or a signal transmission tube housing. The buffer controls the rate at which the transmission tube temperature/pressure pulse is applied to the delay train pyrotechnic surface, attenuating the effects of the pulse with a resulting improvement in delay timing precision. The buffer also attenuates the effects of sudden depressurization within the detonator resulting from the rupture of the transmission tube or ejection of the tube from the housing, thereby preventing separation of the reacting pyrotechnic which could otherwise cause the reaction to cease at the point of separation, thus causing failure of the delay train to continue combustion of the pyrotechnic through its length.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 1990Date of Patent: July 16, 1991Assignee: The Ensign-Bickford CompanyInventors: Ronald M. Dufrane, Ernest L. Gladden, Robert G. Pallanck