Abstract: A device for igniting an article, such as safety fuse is disclosed having a body portion, (14) a chamber block (43) received in said body portion, said chamber block being movable relative to said body portion, said chamber block having a chamber (48) for receiving an igniter, and said device having an aperture (72) for receiving the article therein or adjacent to which the article can be located, said chamber block being movable from one position in which the igniter can be loaded into the chamber to a second position in which the igniter can be fired, the chamber and aperture being in communication at least when the chamber block is in the second position, a spring biased striker (26, 28) for firing said igniter to thereby ignite said article. The device also has a jaw (70) leading to the aperture to hold the article and a cleaning and ejector tool in said device which may be removed to clean the chamber block and eject spent igniters from the block.

Abstract: A standard launcher module for various missiles, in particular flares, comprises a flat wall forming a base, provided with male engagement members. In the position engaged on the support incorporated in the aircraft, a connector is active. Provided in a central groove is a series of electrical initiators connected selectively to the connector and located opposite counterpart relay channels which lead respectively to the useful charges. A sliding bar located in the groove has orifices, located according to the working geometry of the initiators. Finally, a motor connected to the connector allows the movement of the bar between a safety position and an armed position.

Abstract: A positive fire indicator well perforating system is disclosed. Predetermined time delay is introduced in a downhole series sequentially fired string of well perforating guns. Surface transducers detect vibratory energy from the downhole guns and record it as a function of time.

Abstract: A monolithic multi-point initiator for a warhead wherein a single detonator s connected by multiple interconnected conduits packed monolithically with an initiator compound that delivers detonating waves to a series of multi-point explosive charges or pellets located at or near either end of the warhead.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a bidirectional slapper detonator. One embodiment utilizes a single bridge circuit to detonate a pair of opposing initiating pellets. A line generator embodiment uses a plurality of bridges in electrical series to generate opposing cylindrical wavefronts.

Abstract: An adaptor housing is configured to hold a sub-diameter fuze mechanism on a onventional projectile.

Abstract: The invention relates to improved systems and methods for selectively firing perforating guns in well bores and is concerned primarily with the production of a positive confirmation to the effect that each actuation at the operator control station intended to cause a firing of a particular shaped charge did or did not in fact result in the firing of that shaped charge. Such positive confirmation is accomplished by methods which involve the passage of measuring current from a constant current source through certain conductive loops to develop signals that are a function of the conductive loop resistance, the storage and comparison of said signals, and the display of resultant information. Due to certain phenomena, satisfactory measurement results will not be achieved unless a measuring current of substantial magnitude is used. The various parameters involved are treated.

Abstract: A flame arrestor device capable of checking flashback when incorporated in a system utilizing one or more detonatable gases under pressure for controlled energy release purposes, the device being generally installed in series having one or more gas sources upstream while gas conducting means and ignition means are arranged downstream of a membrane barrier mounted and secured to a supporting means which is, in turn, mounted within an arrestor housing with provision for gaps of limited size on the upstream and downstream side of the membrane barrier to permit gas flow. The invention includes built in or separate ignition means downstream of the membrane barrier.

Abstract: A fuse triggering device for air to air missiles incorporates a readily rvable housing consisting of a threaded member mounted on a standard nut as a base and a hermetically sealed cover. The electronic components are wafered on a silicon substrate disc using a field effect transistor circuit to interrupt a transducer generated pulse as a gate for a silicon controlled rectifier which passes a triggering pulse.

Abstract: An arming fuze for ordnance type munitions having but one movable part comprising a solvent desensitized liquid explosive contained in a ported (ventilated) cavity that is normally sealed by a sleeve. Upon movement of the sleeve and exposure of the liquid explosive within the cavity to the air, the liquid explosive loses a volatile solvent, the desenistizing agent, and becomes progressively more sensitive. A first embodiment is that of an inertia armed nose fuze for a projectile wherein the desensitized liquid explosive is enclosed in the cavity in a porous solid matrix. Upon rapid acceleration, as when the projectile is fired, the sleeve undergoes set-back thereby exposing the porous matrix to a violent slip stream of air and to a strong desiccating action. The liquid explosive rapidly loses solvent to the air, rapidly becoming more sensitive whereby it is impact sensitive by the time impact on the target occurs.

Abstract: A primer assembly is provided for use in vertical boreholes wherein the primer charge is initiated by means of electric blasting caps, the electric caps, in turn, being initiated electromagnetically. A covered, cup-shaped primer assembly contains a toroid transformer element and connected electric blasting cap in detonating relationship with a primer explosive charge. The assembly is arranged to receive therethrough a looped wire conductor which conductor passes freely through the toroid transformer. When an energy source is coupled to the looped conductor, a magnetic flux is induced in the toroid transformer which sets off the cap and primer charge. The assembly may be passed freely or slid along the looped conductor to any location in the borehole. The assembly permits the use of electric time-delay, deck-charge blasting without the usual hazards associated with normal electric cap blasting.

Abstract: Separate electrical timing and load activation devices are provided for each of plural electrical loads and each device is connected to receive reference timing signals from a central unit. Each of the separate timing and load activation devices measures a reference time interval accurately defined by the reference timing signals and subsequently activates its associated electrical load after a respectively corresponding predetermined time delay which is determined as a function of the locally measured reference time interval.

Abstract: An arming fuze for ordnance type munitions having but one movable part comprising a solvent desensitized liquid explosive contained in a ported (ventillated) cavity that is normally sealed by a sleeve. Upon movement of the sleeve and exposure of the liquid explosive within the cavity to the air, the liquid explosive loses a volatile solvent, the desensitizing agent, and becomes progressively more sensitive. A first embodiment is that of an inertia armed nose fuze for a projectile wherein the desensitized liquid explosive is enclosed in the cavity in a porous solid matrix. Upon rapid acceleration, as when the projectile is fired, the sleeve undergoes set-back thereby exposing the porous matrix to a violent slip stream of air and to a strong desiccating action. The liquid explosive rapidly loses solvent to the air, rapidly becoming more sensitive whereby it is impact sensitive by the time impact on the target occurs.

Abstract: The invention relates to a multichannel connection and to a method for transmitting pyrotechnic orders.This connection is constituted by a detonating cuttng cord incorporated into a support provided with the same number of openings as there are transmission channels which, on the basis of a single pyrotechnic signal performs a plurality of terminal functions, the connection making it possible to eliminate a certain number of components for distributing and receiving pyrotechnic orders in a logic having a plurality of pyrotechnic chains.The invention is particularly applicable to the separation and removal of the cover or cone of a ballistic missile.

Abstract: An electronic delay blasting cap (10) receives an input signal over leg wires (12, 14). The input signal is passed through a rectifier (16) to produce a D.C. signal on output lines (26, 28). The D.C. signal charges a storage capacitor (32). When the input signal is removed or the wires (12, 14) are opened or shorted, the charge storage capacitor (32) discharges through a resistor (36) to produce a voltage which charges a timing capacitor (38). When the voltage on capacitor (38) reaches the threshold voltage of a zener diode (48) the diode is rendered conductive which in turn activates an SCR (46). A resistive ignition element (44) is connected in series with the SCR (46) and the charge storage capacitor (32) and is ignited when the SCR (46) is turned on. The charge stored in capacitor (32) causes ignition of the ignition element (44).

Abstract: A hand-held shot tube detonator including a primer and shot tube holder removably mounted on a firing pin body having a flash guard movable between extended and retracted positions. The flash guard is retracted to permit mounting of the holder on the body and is then extended to surround the holder to channel the flash and explosive gases away from the operator when the detonator is fired.

Abstract: A moisture actuated trigger device comprising a housing; a moisture absorbing swelling body in said housing, one end of said body engaging a stationary wall of said housing and the opposite end engaging an end wall of a sleeve slidable within said housing upon expansion of the swelling body; an elongated plunger member in said housing movable between a first, stand-by position and a second, released position; latch means detachably engaging said plunger member for holding in its first, stand-by position; a spring means biasing said plunger member in a direction towards its released position, cam means on said sleeve for disengaging the latch means from the plunger member thereby enabling the latter to rapidly move from its first, stand-by position to its released position; and a shock wave initiating means located in the path of said plunger member and adapted to initiate a shock wave when struck by the plunger member.

Abstract: A contact head for a projectile which is capable of being fired from an electrically actuable launcher comprises a solid metal core formed on one side with a recess for constituting a propellent charge chamber in which are located a propellent charge and a primer capsule. The recess is closed by a base plate having breakage points for the egress of gases generated by ignition of the charge. The part of the core surrounding the recess is formed with first and second sets of bores spaced equiangularly about the axis of the core for receiving connecting screws for connecting the, contact head to a projectile and for receiving fixing screws for fixing the base plate to the core, respectively. An elastic protective member coaxially surrounds the head and is preferably subdivided into three rings, e.g. of rubber, which carry two metallic contact rings connected to the primer capsule by firing circuit wires.

Abstract: A pyrotechnic system comprises a plurality of pyrotechnic charges or devices 20 arranged in a matrix of recesses 14 formed in a block 12 of a synthetic resin material.In one embodiment, each device 20 contains a fast-burning pyrotechnic composition 42 arranged to be fired by an electrical primer 50, for producing a flash and/or a bang, and a slow-burning pyrotechnic composition 40 separated from the composition 42 and arranged to be ignited by the firing of the composition 42. Embedded in the composition 40 is a fine wire loop 48 which is ruptured by the burning of the composition 40. The primers 50 of the devices 20 are connected in parallel between two input terminals 52, 54, and each loop 48 is connected to short-circuit the primer 50 of the next device 20 in the firing sequence. The pyrotechnic system is thus self-sequencing.

Abstract: A piezoelectric element unit and sheet metal mount therefor has a window opening for readily mounting the unit therein without the necessity for using tools and for stably holding it despite repetitive beating by the hammer of the actuation mechanism. The unit is formed as a cylinder with a pair of opposite grooves axially extending in or on the circumferential surface of the unit so as to engage the side edges of said window. When the grooves are cut directly in the circumferential wall of the unit, a second window formed to be interconnected with the aforementioned window for mounting the actuation mechanism is designed to have a width longer than the diameter of the unit so that the unit is first located in the second window and then slid into the first window.

Abstract: A device actuated electrically for triggering a mechanical percussion detonator, comprising a tubular container wherein is housed a striker with a percussion pin, an explosive cap actuated electrically and held secure by a cover and a detonator holder containing a mechanical percussion detonator that can be installed or moved afterwards opposite the striker in order to avoid any untimely explosion of the detonator.

Abstract: An igniter unit for igniting of propellant charges comprises an igniter element operatively associated with a booster charge. The igniter element is arranged within an external housing and the booster charge is provided in an internal housing arranged within the external housing. The internal housing has a closed, lateral wall and a closed base at one end which withstands the ignition pressure generated upon ignition of the igniter element and the booster charge. The internal housing is provided with means for defining openings for causing the cloud of gas produced by ignition to flow from the booster charge and the igniter element to one end, that is the front end, of the internal housing to effect the ignition of the propellant charge.

Abstract: A device for simulating the firing of an automatic weapon by firing bullets oth singularly and in bursts. A timing source provides electrical impulses which are randomly spaced in time and also provides pulses which are closely spaced to represent bursts. The bullets are fired by primers which are programmed by the timing source.

Abstract: A time delay firing device used for initiating explosives or pyrotechnics ter a preset delay. The unique design allows the device to be used directly in combination with explosives or pyrotechnics or with a variety of accessories. It can be used in conjunction with a standard safety and arming device or with a special blasting adapter for initiating electric caps, or in conjunction with a training adapter for initiating standard pyrotechnics. When used in conjunction with a blasting or training adapter, the device can be refurbished and reset by the user in the field. Furthermore, a self test feature is provided. Time delays in eleven discrete settings from 15 minutes to 72 hours are achieved through the use of a highly stable oscillator coupled to a shift register counting circuit.

Abstract: A method and device for the initiating of a number of electrical detonators by a blasting machine of the type in which a capacitor is charged, the level of the charge being measured by level-sensing units and detonators are initiating by the electrical energy stored in the capacitor by firing after the charge level has reached a given level. The charge level of the capacitor is limited to a range which takes into account the variations of the load between different initiation moments such that the current impulse provided to each detonator assumes a value between a minimum and maximum limit. The limits for each individual load within the operating range of the apparatus is regulated in accordance with the electrical and physical characteristics of the detonators so that safe initiation and a disburance-free firing process are obtained.

Abstract: The sensor includes a linearly movable mass including two sections and spring means urging one of the sections into operative engagement with means including an actuating element. The sensor also includes means releasably securing the two sections together and means releasing the securing means when the two sections have moved a predetermined distance against the urging of the spring. The two sections may be rollers of a rolamite unit. A flexible band extends around a portion of the two rollers. One example of a use for such a sensor is in an air bag safety restraint system.

Abstract: A mechanical stop for precluding the rotation of a setting ring beyond predetermined limits of a plurality of turns in the clockwise and counter-clockwise directions. The setting ring is adapted to drive the tape of a tape reader in the range setting mechanism of an electronic fuze for ordnance.