Abstract: An improved modular igniter package designed for bus communication with a central control module has an internal bridge element that is electrically accessible for factory testing of the bridge element. Temporary electrical interconnects internal to the igniter package electrically couple the bridge element to a pair of external bus communication terminals, enabling direct access to the bridge element by factory test equipment for accurate measurement of electrical parameters such as electrical resistance and thermal capacitance. Following measurement of the electrical parameters, the temporary interconnects are electrically destroyed, isolating the bus communication terminals from the bridge element. The temporary interconnects are preferably in the form of a pair of metal fuse elements, which are electrically destroyed by electrical currents passing through the fuse elements and respective diodes coupling the bridge element to a ground terminal of the igniter package.

Abstract: A pyrotechnic device comprises a body of ignitable material (66). A pair of electrodes (44) and (52) provide electrical energy to heat and ignite the body of pyrotechnic material (66). The electrodes (44) and (52) extend through an electrical insulation housing (78). The electrical insulation housing (78) has surfaces defining a chamber (92) through which the electrodes (44) and (52) pass. A body (94) of a solid electromagnetically lossy, substantially gas impermeable material is positioned within the chamber (92). The lossy material comprises a vitreous ceramic matrix consisting essentially of about 5% to about 50% by weight of a multi-component glass binder and about 50% to about 95% by weight of an electromagnetically lossy ferromagnetic and/or ferroelectric filler. The body (94) of lossy material is fused to the surfaces defining the chamber (92) in the electrical insulation housing (78) and to the electrodes (44) and (52).

Abstract: The electropyrotechnic igniter (1) contains two ignition heads (2, 3), each of which has a body containing a resistive heating element (20) and a pyrotechnic ignition composition (16). These two ignition heads also comprise a means (49) of dialogue and of triggering coded information and a means (46) of storing electrical energy. The igniter comprises external connection means (54 to 56) intended to be connected electrically to an electronic control unit.

Abstract: An initiator assembly for use with a propellant-actuated device located in a vehicle is provided. In one embodiment, the initiator assembly includes circuitry and an integral, one-piece insert member that are injection molded with insulating material to an initiator. The insert member suitably engages an initiator adapter for holding the initiator assembly in place relative to the inflator housing both before and after the initiator assembly is ignited. The circuitry is capable of receiving and processing a signal to determine whether to send an ignition signal to ignite the propellant within the inflator.

Abstract: An ammunition cartridge with electric propellant ignition includes a combustible case having a length dimension, a rearward end closed by a metal case bottom and a front end; a combustible propellant powder contained in the case; and an electrically insulated high-voltage electrode passing through the case bottom into the case. The electrode has an outer end situated externally of the case and is connectable to a current source and an inner end situated within the case. A current distributor is situated within the case and is electrically connected to the inner end of the electrode. At least three conductor wires are electrically connected to the current distributor and extend at least partially parallel to the length dimension within the case through the propellant powder. An electric contact arrangement is situated within the case in the front end thereof and is secured to the case.

Abstract: An ammunition cartridge with electric propellant ignition includes a case having a rearward end closed by a case bottom and a front end; a propellant powder charge contained in the case; a high-voltage electrode disposed at the case bottom and having an end situated within the case; at least three tubes composed of propellant powder and extending from the electrode end toward the front end of the case through the propellant powder charge; an electric conductor extending in each tube and having opposite first and second ends; and an electric contact arrangement situated within the case in the front end thereof. The electric contact arrangement is electrically connected to the second end of the conductors and has externally exposed contact locations connectable to an electrically conducting component externally of the case. The first end of each electric conductor is electrically connected to the electrode.

Abstract: An air bag gas generator, which ensures that a lead wire has a sufficient length when installing the generator in a module, is provided even when a connector in the air bag gas generator has a predetermined length. The air bag gas generator includes: a housing having gas discharge ports and an ignitor storage opening; an ignitor activated by an impact; a gas generant ignited by the ignitor that burns and generates a combustion gas; and a filter that cools the combustion gas and/or collects combustion residues. Also, the ignitor includes an initiator that is activated by an electrical signal, and an enhancer that is ignited by the activation of the initiator and burns. The initiator is positioned and then installed in the housing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a detonator for a pyrotechnical gas generator (3), comprising a squib (9) arranged therein, contact lines (13) for said squib and a high-frequency choke to prevent spurious release, characterized in that the contact lines (13) are extrusion-coated with an electrically non-conducting material (17) or are encapsulated in said material to form a base body, and in that at least one ferromagnetic body (21, 23) and the base body are assembled to form a unit which acts as a high-frequency choke.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of pyrotechnic igniters, especially those intended for motor-vehicle safety. The igniters (1) according to the invention have a thin-film resistive bridge (19) connected via two thin metal areas (17 and 18) to two electrodes (9 and 10). An initiating lacquer (20) covers the resistive bridge (19) and a varistor attached to the said areas protects the igniter from electrostatic discharges. The resistive bridge (19) has a volume resistivity of between 0.5×106 and 2×106 &OHgr;.m and the initiating lacquer is made from a primary explosive. The igniters (1) have a no-fire current of greater than 500 mA and an all-fire current of less than 1200 mA.

Abstract: An electrically actuatable igniter (24) includes a body (60), a pair of electrodes (40) and (42) associated with the body (60), a heating element (44) electrically connected between the electrodes (40) and (42), and an ignition droplet (46) covering and adhering to said heating element (44). The ignition droplet (46) comprises a particulate pyrotechnic material and a particulate polymeric resin binder. The particles (112) of the polymeric resin binder are fused together and form a structure having interconnected open cells (118). The particles (114) of pyrotechnic material are disposed within the interconnected open cells (118) and form a combustible network of pyrotechnic material.

Abstract: An igniter for a gas generator comprises at least two connecting leads and an incandescent means arranged between the connecting leads and surrounded by an igniting substance. Several filaments are used as the incandescent means.

Abstract: An electrically actuatable igniter (24) comprises a body (60), a pair of electrodes (40) and (42) associated with the body (60), a heating element (44) electrically connected between the electrodes (40) and (42), and an ignition droplet (46) covering and adhering to the heating element (44). The ignition droplet (46) comprises a particulate primary pyrotechnic material and a secondary pyrotechnic material. The secondary pyrotechnic material has a melting point below the autoignition temperature of the primary pyrotechnic material. The secondary pyrotechnic material is in the form of a continuous, solid matrix (112) containing and adhering together the particles (114) of the primary pyrotechnic material.

Abstract: A detonator device for tripping a passenger restraint device in a motor vehicle includes a detonator circuit on a holder. Firing pins for receiving a detonator element are an integral component of the holder.

Abstract: A circuit for controlling an electro-explosive device. The circuit includes a heating element, an input circuit and a load control circuit. The load control circuit is responsive to an electrical input provided by the input circuit for energizing the heating element. The heating element selectively causes ignition of the electro-explosive device when its level of energization reaches a firing level. The load control circuit substantially limits current in the heating element when the electrical input is less than a predetermined threshold for maintaining energization of the heating element at a level less than the firing level to prevent the ignition of the electro-explosive device. In contrast, the load control circuit applies substantially all of the electrical input to the heating element when the electrical input signal is greater than the predetermined threshold.

Abstract: In the case of a semiconductor igniter, particularly for the gas generator of a protection system for vehicle occupants, consisting of a semiconductor layer which is arranged on a carrier with the insertion of a thermal insulation layer, is connected at the end side to electric contact areas and during the current passage in the ignition path range heats up in an ignition-triggering manner, while maintaining a high ignition efficiency, a mechanically secure linking of the semiconductor layer to the carrier is achieved in that the thermal insulation layer is limited to the ignition path range of the semiconductor layer and the semiconductor layer is connected directly with the carrier at its end sections kept free of the thermal insulation layer.

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.

Abstract: An electro-explosive device (“EED”) having resistors fabricated on a thermally conductive substrate and interconnected by a central bridge element. The resistance of the bridge element is lower than that of the resistors, which have a larger surface area to volume ratio. The conductive bridge of the EED is overcoated with a composite overcoat comprising a metal and an oxidizer, which produce a chemical explosion upon plasma vaporization of the conductive bridge.

Abstract: A detonator with a base portion including opposing electrical leads; an exploding foil initiator on the base portion, the exploding foil initiator including two conductive lands separated by a bridge portion therebetween; and a connecting barrel of a predetermined thickness on the exploding foil initiator for optimizing the spacing between the exploding foil initiator and an explosive charge and for robustly interconnecting the lands of the exploding foil initiator with the electrical leads of the base portion.

Abstract: An initiator (10) comprises first and second coaxial terminals (70, 80) engageable by an electrical connector (40) to connect the terminals electrically with vehicle circuitry. Electrical insulation (100) electrically insulates between the first and second terminals (70, 80). The initiator (10) also comprises a spring (150) made of an electrically conductive material. The spring (150) has a first portion (156) electrically connected with the first terminal (70). The spring (150) has a first condition, when the first and second terminals (70, 80) are not connected with the electrical connector (40), in which a second portion (160) of the spring is in electrical contact with the second terminal, thereby shorting the initiator (10). The spring (150) has a third portion (162) which is engageable by the electrical connector (40) upon connection of the electrical connector with the first and second terminals (70, 80).