Ignition system for a parachute flare

Claim 1

A flare ignition system for igniting an aircraft launched parachute suspended illuminating flare, said ignition system comprising, a first housing, a bellcrank disposed in said first housing for rotation around a pivot pin, a lanyard having one end attached to said bellcrank and the other end fixedly attached to said bellcrank and the other end fixedly attached to the parachute support cable, a firing pin disposed in said first housing for vertical movement therethrough means on the lower end of said firing pin for engaging said bellcrank to produce initial downward movement of said firing pin in response to the pulling of said lanyard, a compression spring positioned around said firing pin for urging said firing pin upward, said compression spring being loaded by the downward movement of said firing pin, said bellcrank being arranged to release said firing pin after full downward travel to permit said compression spring to drive said firing pin upward, a second housing disposed in the flare causing for containing said first housing and the elements therein, a primer positioned in said second housing above and in axial alignment with said firing pin flammable pelletized material disposed in said second housing immediately above said primer for ignition therefrom, a wafer of polymer type ignition propellant juxtaposed said pelletized material for ignition from the output thereof, plastic foam means for protecting said ignition propellant from shock positioned therearound, and flare illuminant positioned near said ignition propellant to receive the heat and flame output therefrom, thereby igniting the flare in response to the parachute shock opening force applied to said lanyard attached to the parachute support cable.