Having A Spark Gap Or Conductive Composition Or Charge Patents (Class 102/202.8)
  • Patent number: 6487972
    Abstract: An electric primer for the discharge of ammunition suitable for use with small arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: RA Brands, LLC
    Inventors: Todd D. Cook, Dale R. Danner, Diane Ronkainen, David K. Schluckebier
  • Patent number: 6467415
    Abstract: A linear ignition system for a metal-sheathed linear explosive including in one embodiment the ends of two metal-sheathed linear explosives are connected by a non-electrically conductive sleeve leaving a gap between the ends, and a Pyrofuze® bridge connects the metal-sheath of one end to the metal sheath of the other end. Electrical contacts are made to the two metal sheaths and application of current to the electrical contacts ignites the Pyrofuze® bridge and the linear explosives. Embodiments can also include an explosive mixture in the gap, using a hotwire bridge, or including booster increments for initiating detonating explosives. The linear ignition systems offer robust, easy-to-install linear explosive devices for applications in automotive, commercial or military aircraft safety systems, other military and aerospace applications, and commercial blasting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: McCormick Selph, Inc.
    Inventors: Doug Menzel, Stanley Rodney
  • Patent number: 6446557
    Abstract: The actuation device has nail-shaped contact pins (1), the heads (3) of which project into an ignition chamber (8), with the ends of a resistor wire (6) being attached to the heads (3) of the contact pins (1). The detonator (9) which fills the ignition chamber (8) is a detonator which is free-flowing during the manufacture of the device, which envelopes the heads (3) of the contact pins (1) and the resistor wire (6) and which subsequently solidifies. The contact pins are surrounded by an electrically conductive extension (23) of the housing of the actuation device, so that a spark gap (F) is formed here; to discharge overvoltage, several sparks can flash over this gap simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: Nico-Pyrotechnik Hanns-Juergen Diedrichs GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Willi Lübbers
  • Patent number: 6389975
    Abstract: Disclosed, in a preferred embodiment, is a switching circuit incorporating a Field Effect Transistor (FET), two series dual-tap gas tube surge arrestors, and high-voltage resistors as part of a high voltage switch of a fireset for initiating an exploding foil initiator (EFI). Until energizing the FET via a firing command, an operating voltage of 1000 V is held off by a combination of the surge arrestors and high-voltage resistors. Upon receipt of a firing signal, a 28 V source is used to energize the FET that, in turn, decreases the voltage across the one surge arrestor connected directly to ground and increases the voltage across the other surge arrestor. Upon reaching the breakdown voltage of the ionizable gas within the second surge arrestor, the gas ionizes, becomes electrically conductive, and dumps the second surge arrestor's voltage across the first surge arrestor. This causes the first surge arrestor to also break down. Both surge arrestors are now conducting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Michael D. Haddon, Gabriel H. Soto
  • Patent number: 6363853
    Abstract: An electrically initiated distributed igniter (EIDI) system combines most of the advantages of conventional pyrotechnic igniters with those of ETC planar igniters without the disadvantages of either. The EIDI system lends itself to precise timing control of multiple electric circuits, embedded charge ignition, and other design advantages to be discussed here. The EIDI system utilizes discrete igniter pads which require only a few millijoules of energy each and are quite small in size, about 3 mm in diameter. As a result, the igniters can be used in very large numbers to give good spatial distribution, even for smaller 25 to 40 mm diameter gun charge designs. Energy requirements are so minimal that small disposable firing capacitors and semi-conductor switches can be pre-packaged inside the casing along with the propellant and igniters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: APTI, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul R. Rohr
  • Patent number: 6318267
    Abstract: An integrated circuit configuration, in particular for igniting a restraint device of a motor vehicle, has a capacitor and an ignition element. In this case, a porous region of a semiconductor layer forms a capacitor electrode, which is isolated from a further semiconductor layer by a dielectric layer. The further semiconductor layer being configured as a further capacitor electrode. The further semiconductor layer has a region that is tapered in its cross-section and serves as an ignition element electrically connected to the capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Marten Swart, Hubert Rothleitner
  • Patent number: 6272993
    Abstract: Electric primers for the discharge of ammunition suitable for use with small arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: R.A. Brands, LLC
    Inventors: Todd D. Cook, Dale R. Danner, John M. Dwyer, Jr., Frances G. Lopata, Diane Ronkainen, David K. Schluckebier, Robert B. Shanks, Jeffrey W. Stone, Spencer D. Wildman
  • Patent number: 6260483
    Abstract: In a radio remote blasting system, a radio receiver triggers a blocking oscillator which generates a high voltage output. A rectifier rectifies the high voltage output and charges a capacitor, which is coupled to a plasma arc generator to apply the capacitor voltage to the plasma arc generator and generate a high voltage arc in the arc generator. The end of a shock tube is received in a port in the arc generator and the arc produced in the arc generator will ignite explosive material in the shock tube. The resulting explosion will travel from the point of ignition to an explosive device which will then be detonated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Inventor: Richard N. Snyder
  • Patent number: 6237494
    Abstract: The subject of the invention is an ignition component for a pyrotechnic composition or propellant charge. This component comprises at least two electrodes separated by a cylindrical insulating envelope marking out an inner volume, electrodes connected by a conductive ignition fuse arranged in the inner volume, the component thus forming a plasma torch whose size is such that it generates a plasma when it receives an ignition voltage less than or equal to 600 volts and is supplied with electric energy less than or equal to 5000 joules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: Giat Industries
    Inventors: Luc Brunet, ANdré Espagnacq, Frantz Caillau, Patrick Guerenne
  • Patent number: 6196131
    Abstract: The present invention provides a non-electric initiator tip for use with a non-electric shock tube initiation device. The initiator tip of the present invention comprises an inner electrode, an outer electrode, and a conductive component electrically coupled to the inner and outer electrodes for applying current to the inner and outer electrodes to thereby cause a percussion spark to be generated. When the initiator tip is connected to an initiation device, the conductive component of the initiator tip is electrically coupled to electronics in the initiation device such that, when the initiation device is actuated, the electronics in the initiation device in conjunction with a power supply cause a voltage differential to be generated between the inner and outer electrodes and a percussion spark to be produced. The percussion spark initiates gun powder contained in a shock tube mounted to the initiator tip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Inventors: Ronald A. Yanda, John P. Nodine