US4325304A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pyrotechnic devices and systems and firing circuits therefor
Assignee: Lockheed Martin UK Ltd
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Filing: 1980-01-29
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Granted: 1982-04-20
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Expires: 2000-01-29
Abstract
Abstract A pyrotechnic system comprises a plurality of pyrotechnic charges or devices 20 arranged in a matrix of recesses 14 formed in a block 12 of a synthetic resin material. In one embodiment, each device 20 contains a fast-burning pyrotechnic composition 42 arranged to be fired by an electrical primer 50, for producing a flash and/or a bang, and a slow-burning pyrotechnic composition 40 separated from the composition 42 and arranged to be ignited by the firing of the composition 42. Embedded in the composition 40 is a fine wire loop 48 which is ruptured by the burning of the composition 40. The primers 50 of the devices 20 are connected in parallel between two input terminals 52, 54, and each loop 48 is connected to short-circuit the primer 50 of the next device 20 in the firing sequence. The pyrotechnic system is thus self-sequencing. In another embodiment, respective rupturable conductors 98 are formed on blast-removable portions 96 of a printed circuit which is secured to the top of the block 12 with the blast-removable portions disposed over the mouths of the recesses 14.
Inventors
- 👤 Peter T. Ormiston
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 00:03
CPC Classifications
F; F42; F42D; F42D1/00; F42D1/04; F42D1/045; F42D1/05; F42D1/055; F41; F41A; F41A33/00; F41A33/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
177 words
A pyrotechnic system comprising: a plurality of pyrotechnic charges each including a principal, relatively fast-burning, pyrotechnic material, an electrically-operable primer for firing said principal pyrotechnic material and an auxiliary, relatively slow-burning, pyrotechnic material arranged to be ignited by the firing of said principal material; and electric circuit means for applying electric firing signals to the primers; wherein said electric circuit means comprises at least two input terminals for receiving said firing signals; the primers are connected in parallel circuit paths between said input terminals; the charges are arranged in a predetermined firing sequence in respective chambers in a common housing member; and each charge is associated with a respective rupturable conductor which is connected effectively to substantially short-circuit the primer of the next charge in the firing sequence and which is arranged to be ruptured by the burning of the auxilary pyrotechnic material only after said principal pyrotechnic material has been fired; whereby the firing of each of the second and subsequent charges in the firing sequence is enabled only after the preceding charge has been fired.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
177 words
A pyrotechnic system comprising: a plurality of pyrotechnic charges each including a principal, relatively fast-burning, pyrotechnic material, an electrically-operable primer for firing said principal pyrotechnic material and an auxiliary, relatively slow-burning, pyrotechnic material arranged to be ignited by the firing of said principal material; and electric circuit means for applying electric firing signals to the primers; wherein said electric circuit means comprises at least two input terminals for receiving said firing signals; the primers are connected in parallel circuit paths between said input terminals; the charges are arranged in a predetermined firing sequence in respective chambers in a common housing member; and each charge is associated with a respective rupturable conductor which is connected effectively to substantially short-circuit the primer of the next charge in the firing sequence and which is arranged to be ruptured by the burning of the auxilary pyrotechnic material only after said principal pyrotechnic material has been fired; whereby the firing of each of the second and subsequent charges in the firing sequence is enabled only after the preceding charge has been fired.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
A pyrotechnic system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the principal and auxiliary pyrotechnic materials are disposed in a common chamber but separated from each other by a partition, a fuse extending from the principal material to the auxiliary material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
160 words
A pyrotechnic system comprising: a plurality of pyrotechnic charges each having a respective electrically-operable primer for firing it; and electric circuit means for applying electric firing signals to the primers; wherein said electric circuit means comprises at least two input terminals for receiving said firing signals; the primers are connected in parallel circuit paths between said input terminals; the charges are arranged in a predetermined firing sequence in respective chambers in a common housing member; each charge is associated with a respective rupturable conductor which is disposed adjacent the mouth of the chamber of the charge associated with the conductor and arranged so as to be ruptured by the blast produced by firing the charge; and each rupturable conductor is connected effectively to substantially short-circuit the primer of the next charge in the firing sequence; whereby the firing of each of the second and subsequent charges in the firing sequence is enabled only after the preceding charge has been fired.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
160 words
A pyrotechnic system comprising: a plurality of pyrotechnic charges each having a respective electrically-operable primer for firing it; and electric circuit means for applying electric firing signals to the primers; wherein said electric circuit means comprises at least two input terminals for receiving said firing signals; the primers are connected in parallel circuit paths between said input terminals; the charges are arranged in a predetermined firing sequence in respective chambers in a common housing member; each charge is associated with a respective rupturable conductor which is disposed adjacent the mouth of the chamber of the charge associated with the conductor and arranged so as to be ruptured by the blast produced by firing the charge; and each rupturable conductor is connected effectively to substantially short-circuit the primer of the next charge in the firing sequence; whereby the firing of each of the second and subsequent charges in the firing sequence is enabled only after the preceding charge has been fired.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
A pyrotechnic system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the rupturable conductors are formed as printed circuit conductors on a common insulating support.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
60 words
A pyrotechnic system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the insulating support covers the mouths of the chambers, and has weakened portions each aligned with the mouth of a respective chamber, each weakened portion having one of said rupturable conductors thereon and being weakened such that, in operation, it is removed by the blast produced by firing its associated charge.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
A pyrotechnic system as claimed in claim 5, wherein said weakened portions are formed by perforating said insulating support therearound.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
48 words
A pyrotechnic system as claimed in claim 4, wherein at least a part of the electric circuit means is formed as a printed circuit on said insulating support, and wherein the primers are electrically connected to said printed circuit and project into their respective chambers from said support.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
A pyrotechnic system as claimed in claim 1 or 3, wherein each primer is connected in series with a respective resistance between said first and second terminals.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
A pyrotechnic system as claimed in claim 8, wherein a common capacitance is connected in series with one of said terminals, up-circuit of the primers.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
A pyrotechnic system as claimed in claim 8, wherein a respective capacitance is connected in series with each primer.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
A pyrotechnic system as claimed in claim 1 or 3, wherein the common housing member is moulded in a synthetic resin material.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
A pyrotechnic system as claimed in claim 1 or 3, wherein the common housing member is moulded in a plastics material.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
A pyrotechnic system as claimed in claim 1 or 3, wherein each said chamber is cylindrical.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
A pyrotechnic system as claimed in claim 13, wherein each said chamber has a metal reinforcing lining.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1985-04-19 | 1985-10-19 | 1986-04-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-04-19 | 1989-10-19 | 1990-04-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-04-19 | 1993-10-19 | 1994-04-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |