Abstract An explosive switch includes a thin metallic tube having a collapsed portion encircled by an electrically conductive band. The collapsed portion has an oblong transverse cross section and diametrically opposed ridges extending in the direction of the axis of the tube. An explosive material is located in the tube to pressurize the interior of the tube and cause the tube to assume an inflated cylindrical shape. A first pair of contacts respectively engage the band adjacent the ridges when the tube is in its normal uninflated condition. A second pair of contacts, which are normally spaced from the band, are adapted to respectively engage the lateral sides of the band upon inflation of the tube by the explosive material. Inflation of the tube produces a radially inward movement of the band to electrically disconnect the first pair of contacts. When the tube is in the inflated condition, the band functions to electrically interconnect the second pair of contacts.
Inventors
👤 Alan N Green
Bibliographic Details
Application Number—
JurisdictionUS
Data Sourcegoogle_patents
Last Synchronized2026-11-04 23:20
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H39/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
131 words
A switch comprising: a housing having a cavity therein; a tube mounted in the housing so as to be positioned within the cavity, the tube having a collapsed portion in the cavity with an oblong transverse cross section and diametrically opposed ridges extending in the direction of the tube''s axis; at least one band, made of an electrically conductive material, at least partially encircling the collapsed portion of the tube transverse to the tube''s axis; a pair of diametrically opposed electrical contact members mounted in the housing so as to protrude into the cavity in respective contact with the band adjacent the ridges; and means to inflate the tube for causing the collapsed portion to assume a cylindrical shape, whereby the band will radially withdraw from and disconnect the contact members.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
131 words
A switch comprising: a housing having a cavity therein; a tube mounted in the housing so as to be positioned within the cavity, the tube having a collapsed portion in the cavity with an oblong transverse cross section and diametrically opposed ridges extending in the direction of the tube''s axis; at least one band, made of an electrically conductive material, at least partially encircling the collapsed portion of the tube transverse to the tube''s axis; a pair of diametrically opposed electrical contact members mounted in the housing so as to protrude into the cavity in respective contact with the band adjacent the ridges; and means to inflate the tube for causing the collapsed portion to assume a cylindrical shape, whereby the band will radially withdraw from and disconnect the contact members.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
100 words
The switch of claim 1, further including: another pair of diametrically opposed electrical contact members mounted in the housing so as to protrude into the cavity in spaced relationship to the band such that the pairs of contact members generally define the points of a rhombus in the cavity when viewed along the axis of the tube, the spacing between the first mentioned pair of contact members being greater than the spacing between the second mentioned pair of contact members such that inflation of the tube causes the band to engage and connect the second mentioned pair of contact members.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The switch of claim 2, wherein the inflating means comprises: a pyrotechnic charge mounted in the tube.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The switch of claim 3, wherein each electrical contact member comprises: a flat wire.