US3892182A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Squib control circuit
Assignee: CBF Systems Inc
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Filing: 1973-12-10
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Granted: 1975-07-01
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Expires: 1993-12-10
Abstract
Abstract A control and indicating circuit for use with squib operated explosive units. The squib filaments are each connected in series with a relay winding and a small current applied to the circuit. This current operates the relay but does not explode the squib. Relay lamps connected to relay contacts are lighted when the relay is operated, indicating that the circuit and squibs are ready. In order to fire the squibs, an alarm circuit applies the charge on a capacitor to the squib filaments, melting them and exploding the powder surrounding the filaments. After this operation, the circuit applies a pulsed current to the lamps, causing them to light intermittently, thereby indicating the end of the operation. The pulsed current is also applied to the indicating lamps whenever any one of the squib supply lines is opened, as for example, when a line is inadvertently cut.
Inventors
- 👤 George Salvador Covarrubias
- 👤 Ernest Charles Slater
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 02:24
CPC Classifications
F; F42; F42D; F42D1/00; F42D1/04; F42D1/045; F42D1/05
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
131 words
A squib control and indicating means for indicating the condition of a squib filament by means of an indicating lamp before and afTer firing comprising: a. a source of direct current power; b. a source of pulsating current; c. a lamp relay including a winding connected in series between the source of direct current and the squib filament for activating the relay, said relay also including a pair of contacts connected in series between the source of direct current and the indicating lamp for lighting the lamp whenever the relay is actuated; d. means for firing the squib filament; and e. means for indicating when the squib filament has been fired, including a pair of relay contacts on said lamp relay connected between the lamp and said source of pulsating current.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
131 words
A squib control and indicating means for indicating the condition of a squib filament by means of an indicating lamp before and afTer firing comprising: a. a source of direct current power; b. a source of pulsating current; c. a lamp relay including a winding connected in series between the source of direct current and the squib filament for activating the relay, said relay also including a pair of contacts connected in series between the source of direct current and the indicating lamp for lighting the lamp whenever the relay is actuated; d. means for firing the squib filament; and e. means for indicating when the squib filament has been fired, including a pair of relay contacts on said lamp relay connected between the lamp and said source of pulsating current.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
A squib control means as claimed in claim 1 wherein said source of pulsating current includes a free running multivibrator circuit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
A squib control means as claimed in claim 1 wherein said relay contacts include a single pole double throw switching means, the common contact connected directly to one side of the indicating lamp.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
A squib control means as claimed in claim 1 wherein said means for firing the squib filament includes a chargeable capacitor and a firing relay including a pair of contacts connected between the capacitor and the squib filament.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
A squib control means as claimed in claim 1 wherein the source of pulsating current has a frequency of less than ten cycles per second.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
A squib control means as claimed in claim 4 wherein said firing relay includes a winding connected to a source of electric power and a switch.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
A squib control means as claimed in claim 6 wherein said switch is operated automatically by a temperature sensitive means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
A squib control means as claimed in claim 4 wherein said chargeable capacitor is charged by the source of direct current power.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
42 words
A squib control means as claimed in claim 1 wherein a plurality of squib filaments are provided, each squib filament being associated with a lamp relay including a winding connected in series with the source of direct current and the squib filament.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
A squib control means as in claim 9 further including auxiliary circuit means for connecting additional squib filaments to the squib control and indicating means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
49 words
A squib control means as claimed in claim 1 wherein said source of direct current power includes a main source of power derived from alternating current and a standby battery coupled to the control means through a relay which is operated when the main source of power is disconnected.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3750586A
Cited
US3721885A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-06-30 | 1978-12-30 | 1979-07-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-06-30 | 1982-12-30 | 1983-07-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-06-30 | 1986-12-30 | 1987-07-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |