Measuring the functioning time of a semiconductor electroexplosive initiator

Claim 5

Apparatus for nondestructively determining the functioning time of a semiconductor electroexplosive initiator, including in combination: means for applying to said initiator a voltage capable of firing said initiator, means connected to said initiator responsive to the resistance of said initiator reaching a predetermined value bearing a known relation to said functioning time as a result of being heated by the applied voltage, means for automatically terminating said voltage after said resistance reaches said predetermined value and before said initiator arrives at its firing condition, and means for measuring the elapsed time from the moment of applying the voltage to the moment of terminating said voltage.

Claim 6

Apparatus for nondestructively determining the functioning time of a semiconductor electroexplosive initiator, including in combination: means for applying to said initiator a voltage capable of firing said initiator, means connected to said initiator responsive to the resistance of said initiator reaching a predetermined value bearing a known relation to said functioning time as a result of being heated by the applied voltage, means for automatically terminating said voltage after said resistance reaches said predetermined value and before said initiator arrives at its firing condition, and means for measuring the elapsed time from the moment of applying the voltage to the moment of terminating said voltage.

Claim 7

An instrument for nondestructively determining the functioning time of a semiconductor electroexplosive initiator, including in combination: a power supply, having an output and a return, a fast-acting relay having an actuation circuit and a controlled normally open switch having an input contact connected to said power supply output and an output line, said initiator and an adjustable rheostat being connected in series between said output line and said return, two fixed-value resistors in series between said output line aNd said return, rheostat-adjusting means for driving said rheostat toward a value equal to that of said initiator, said rheostat adjustment means being connected between said fixed-value resistors and having a second connection, a high-impedance voltmeter connected to said return line, a diode and a capacitor in series between said output line and said return, deactuating means connected across said output line and said return line responsive to said initiator reaching a predetermined resistance for deactuating said control of said relay and thereby opening its switch, a gang switch having four segments each with successive positions (1), (2), (3) and (4), comprising a first segment having an input open in all except position (2) and then connected to the power supply output, and an output connected to said voltmeter, a second segment with an input connected to the output of said power supply and its output open except in position (3) when it is connected to said output line, a third segment having an input connection between said initiator and said rheostat and an output open in all except position 3 and connected in position (3) to said servoamplifier, and a fourth segment having an output connected to the coil of said fast-action relay and an input open in all positions except position (4) and in position (4) connected to said deactuation means.

Claim 8

An instrument for nondestructively determining the functioning time of a semiconductor electroexplosive initiator, including in combination: a power supply, having an output and a return, a fast-acting relay having an actuation circuit and a controlled normally open switch having an input contact connected to said power supply output and an output line, said initiator and an adjustable rheostat being connected in series between said output line and said return, two fixed-value resistors in series between said output line aNd said return, rheostat-adjusting means for driving said rheostat toward a value equal to that of said initiator, said rheostat adjustment means being connected between said fixed-value resistors and having a second connection, a high-impedance voltmeter connected to said return line, a diode and a capacitor in series between said output line and said return, deactuating means connected across said output line and said return line responsive to said initiator reaching a predetermined resistance for deactuating said control of said relay and thereby opening its switch, a gang switch having four segments each with successive positions (1), (2), (3) and (4), comprising a first segment having an input open in all except position (2) and then connected to the power supply output, and an output connected to said voltmeter, a second segment with an input connected to the output of said power supply and its output open except in position (3) when it is connected to said output line, a third segment having an input connection between said initiator and said rheostat and an output open in all except position 3 and connected in position (3) to said servoamplifier, and a fourth segment having an output connected to the coil of said fast-action relay and an input open in all positions except position (4) and in position (4) connected to said deactuation means.

Claim 9

An instrument for nondestructively determining functioning time of a semiconductor electroexplosive initiator, including in combination a power supply, having an output and a return, a fast-acting relay having an actuation circuit and a controlled normally open switch having an input contact connected to said power supply output and an output line, said initiator and an adjustable rheostat being connected in series between said output line and said return, two fixed-value resistors in series between said output line and said return, in parallel with said initiator and rheostat, a servoamplifier connected between said fixed-value resistors and having a second connection, a motor driven by said servoamplifier and driving said rheostat toward a value equal to that of said initiator, a shaft position indicator for said motor, a high-impedance voltmeter connected to said return line, a diode and a capacitor in series between said output line and said return, a unijunction transistor, in series with resistance means between said output line and said return and connected between said initiator and said rheostat, a silicon-controlled rectifier having a gate connected to said unijunction transistor through said resistance means, an input connected to said return line, and an output, a gang switch having four segments each with four positions, comprising a first segment with an input connected to the output of said power supply and an output open except in position three, when it is connected to said output line, a second segment having an output connected to the control of said fast-action relay and an input open in the first three positions and in its position four connected to the output of said silicon-controlled rectifier, a third segment having an input connection between said initiator and said rheostat and an output open in all except position three and connected in position three to said servoamplifier, and a fourth segment having an input open in all except position two and then connected to the power supply output, and position (4) and then connected to the measuring capacitor and an output connected to said voltmeter.

Claim 10

An instrument for nondestructively determining functioning time of a semiconductor electroexplosive initiator, including in combination a power supply, having an output and a return, a fast-acting relay having an actuation circuit and a controlled normally open switch having an input contact connected to said power supply output and an output line, said initiator and an adjustable rheostat being connected in series between said output line and said return, two fixed-value resistors in series between said output line and said return, in parallel with said initiator and rheostat, a servoamplifier connected between said fixed-value resistors and having a second connection, a motor driven by said servoamplifier and driving said rheostat toward a value equal to that of said initiator, a shaft position indicator for said motor, a high-impedance voltmeter connected to said return line, a diode and a capacitor in series between said output line and said return, a unijunction transistor, in series with resistance means between said output line and said return and connected between said initiator and said rheostat, a silicon-controlled rectifier having a gate connected to said unijunction transistor through said resistance means, an input connected to said return line, and an output, a gang switch having four segments each with four positions, comprising a first segment with an input connected to the output of said power supply and an output open except in position three, when it is connected to said output line, a second segment having an output connected to the control of said fast-action relay and an input open in the first three positions and in its position four connected to the output of said silicon-controlled rectifier, a third segment having an input connection between said initiator and said rheostat and an output open in all except position three and connected in position three to said servoamplifier, and a fourth segment having an input open in all except position two and then connected to the power supply output, and position (4) and then connected to the measuring capacitor and an output connected to said voltmeter.

Claim 11

Apparatus for nondestructively determining the functioning time of a semiconductor electroexplosive initiator, including in combination: means for applying to said initiator a predetermined voltage capable of firing said initiator, thereby causing the resistance of said initiator to increase toward a maximum value, after which time the resistance of said initiator tendS to decrease, means connected to said initiator responsive to the resistance of said initiator reaching a predetermined value slightly lower than said maximum value and bearing a known relation to said functioning time, terminating said voltage immediately after said resistance reaches said predetermined value so that said initiator is kept from arriving at its firing condition, and measuring the time between the point of applying the voltage to the point of terminating the voltage.

Claim 12

Apparatus for nondestructively determining the functioning time of a semiconductor electroexplosive initiator, including in combination: means for applying to said initiator a predetermined voltage capable of firing said initiator, thereby causing the resistance of said initiator to increase toward a maximum value, after which time the resistance of said initiator tendS to decrease, means connected to said initiator responsive to the resistance of said initiator reaching a predetermined value slightly lower than said maximum value and bearing a known relation to said functioning time, terminating said voltage immediately after said resistance reaches said predetermined value so that said initiator is kept from arriving at its firing condition, and measuring the time between the point of applying the voltage to the point of terminating the voltage.