US4559875A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
High energy switching circuit for initiator means or the like and method therefor
Assignee: Quantic Industries Inc
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Filing: 1984-03-19
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Granted: 1985-12-24
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Expires: 2004-03-19
Abstract
Abstract A high energy switching circuit for an initiator, for example, an exploding bridgewire (EBW) or slapper-type detonator, includes a charged capacitor which is placed across a pair of series diodes connected in a reverse standoff voltage mode with respect to the capacitive voltage in series with an EBW initiator circuit. A switching field effect transistor is connected in shunt across the lower diode. In the armed condition, the pair of diodes clamp the high energy capacitor voltage at their reverse avalanche voltage. Upon the activation of the switching transistor, the capacitor voltage is impressed across the upper diode and a high reverse current flows through the upper diode placing it in destructive conduction which immediately also forces the other diode into destructive conduction to complete the series circuit from the capacitor to the EBW or slapper detonator. The circuit comprises low cost components and features very good firing simultaneity between similar firing circuits.
Inventors
- 👤 William F. Marshall
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 01:33
CPC Classifications
F; F42; F42C; F42C11/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
218 words
A high energy switching circuit for initiator means or the like comprising: a high voltage storage capacitor; a plurality of series connected junction diodes all connected in a reverse direction across said capacitor and said initiator means to form a series circuit, each of said diodes having a reverse standoff voltage such that a greater voltage will result in irreversible damage thereto and destructive conduction with such diodes forming a low resistance current path; a transistor switch having a control input and a pair of terminals which may be switched by said control input to off and on conditions, one of such terminals being connected to said initiator means and the other terminal to a midpoint between two of said diodes; means for charging said capacitor to a voltage substantially equal to the sum of said reverse standoff voltages; means for applying a signal to said control input to turn on said transistor and shunt one or more of said diodes so that said capacitor voltage is impressed upon the remaining diodes which is much greater than said standoff voltages to thereby place them in destructive conduction which in turn places the shunted diodes in destructive conduction to complete said series circuit with said capacitor and initiator means whereby a surge of current passes through said initiator means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
218 words
A high energy switching circuit for initiator means or the like comprising: a high voltage storage capacitor; a plurality of series connected junction diodes all connected in a reverse direction across said capacitor and said initiator means to form a series circuit, each of said diodes having a reverse standoff voltage such that a greater voltage will result in irreversible damage thereto and destructive conduction with such diodes forming a low resistance current path; a transistor switch having a control input and a pair of terminals which may be switched by said control input to off and on conditions, one of such terminals being connected to said initiator means and the other terminal to a midpoint between two of said diodes; means for charging said capacitor to a voltage substantially equal to the sum of said reverse standoff voltages; means for applying a signal to said control input to turn on said transistor and shunt one or more of said diodes so that said capacitor voltage is impressed upon the remaining diodes which is much greater than said standoff voltages to thereby place them in destructive conduction which in turn places the shunted diodes in destructive conduction to complete said series circuit with said capacitor and initiator means whereby a surge of current passes through said initiator means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
A circuit as in claim 1 where said initiator means is an exploding bridgewire (EBW).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
A circuit as in claim 1 where said initiator means is a slapper type.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
A circuit as in claim 1 where said transistor switch is a power type MOS field effect transistor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
A circuit as in claim 1 where said junction diodes are of the double heat sink type where the leads are fused directly to the semiconductor materials of the diodes.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
A circuit as in claim 1 where said control input includes transformer means for coupling such input to a control signal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
53 words
A circuit as in claim 1 where said diodes consist of first and second diodes, said first diode having one terminal connected to said capacitor and another terminal to said second diode and to a terminal of said transistor switch, the other terminal of said second diode being connected to said initiator means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
A circuit as in claim 1 where said diodes are plug mounted to the remainder of such circuit whereby such remainder can be easily tested.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
A circuit as in claim 1 where said capacitor is of the strip-line type having low inductance.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
229 words
A method of actuating initiator means with a high energy switching circuit with time precision which includes a high voltage storage capacitor; a plurality of series connected junction diodes all connected in a reverse direction across said capacitor and connected to one side of said initiator means to form a series circuit, each of said diodes having a reverse standoff voltage such that a greater voltage will result in irreversible damage thereto and destructive conduction with such diodes forming a low resistance current path; a transistor switch having a control input and a pair of terminals which may be switched by said control input to off and on conditions, one of such terminals being connected to said initiator means and the other terminal to a midpoint between two of said diodes; including the steps of: charging said capacitor to a voltage substantially equal to the sum of said reverse standoff voltages; and applying a signal to said control input to turn on said transistor and shunt one or more of said diodes so that said capacitor voltage is impressed upon the remaining diodes which is much greater than said standoff voltages to thereby place them in destructive conduction which in turn places the shunted diodes in destructive conduction to complete said series circuit with said capacitor and initiator means whereby a surge of current passes through said initiator means.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
229 words
A method of actuating initiator means with a high energy switching circuit with time precision which includes a high voltage storage capacitor; a plurality of series connected junction diodes all connected in a reverse direction across said capacitor and connected to one side of said initiator means to form a series circuit, each of said diodes having a reverse standoff voltage such that a greater voltage will result in irreversible damage thereto and destructive conduction with such diodes forming a low resistance current path; a transistor switch having a control input and a pair of terminals which may be switched by said control input to off and on conditions, one of such terminals being connected to said initiator means and the other terminal to a midpoint between two of said diodes; including the steps of: charging said capacitor to a voltage substantially equal to the sum of said reverse standoff voltages; and applying a signal to said control input to turn on said transistor and shunt one or more of said diodes so that said capacitor voltage is impressed upon the remaining diodes which is much greater than said standoff voltages to thereby place them in destructive conduction which in turn places the shunted diodes in destructive conduction to complete said series circuit with said capacitor and initiator means whereby a surge of current passes through said initiator means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as in claim 10 including the step of testing said circuit by applying said signal to destroy said diodes and then replacing only said destroyed diodes.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as in claim 10 where said signal to said control input is applied only momentarily.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-12-23 | 1989-06-24 | 1989-12-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-12-23 | 1993-06-24 | 1993-12-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-12-23 | 1997-06-24 | 1997-12-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |