US4729315A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Thin film bridge initiator and method therefor
Assignee: LifeSparc Inc
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Filing: 1986-12-17
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Granted: 1988-03-08
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Expires: 2006-12-17
Abstract
Abstract A thin film bridge initiator is mounted on a header for use in a detonator where a primer is activated by heat from the thin film. The initiator includes a substrate which carries a pair of metallic beam-type leads connected by a thin film bridge which activates the adjacent primer. The beam-type leads are affixed (welded) to a pair of electrical pins which are on adjacent sides of a slot in the header. The entire structure is very cost effective, reliable and provides fast functioning and safety. In addition, a process of manufacturing several bridge initiators at one time on a single wafer is provided.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert L. Proffit
- 👤 John L. Wells
- 👤 Alan L. Lause
- 👤 John C. Cole
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 11:16
CPC Classifications
F; F42; F42B; F42B3/00; F42B3/10; F42B3/12; F42B3/13
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
111 words
A method of making a detonator utilizing an explosive containing shell having a bridge initiator for activating an adjacent primer and having a header with a pair of electrical pins comprising the following steps: providing a header having a slot with adjacent said pins having flat ends; fabricating a bridge initiator with a substrate carrying a pair of metallic beam-type leads connected by a thin film bridge; placing said initiator in said slot of said header and permanently affixing said beam leads to said flat ends of said pins; and completing fabrication of said detonator, including applying said primer to said initiator and placing said header in said explosive containing shell.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
111 words
A method of making a detonator utilizing an explosive containing shell having a bridge initiator for activating an adjacent primer and having a header with a pair of electrical pins comprising the following steps: providing a header having a slot with adjacent said pins having flat ends; fabricating a bridge initiator with a substrate carrying a pair of metallic beam-type leads connected by a thin film bridge; placing said initiator in said slot of said header and permanently affixing said beam leads to said flat ends of said pins; and completing fabrication of said detonator, including applying said primer to said initiator and placing said header in said explosive containing shell.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as in claim 1 including the step of making said flat ends of said pins coplanar with a portion of said header.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as in claim 1 including the step of testing said fabricated initiator before placing said initiator in said slot of said header.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as in claim 1 where in said step of fabricating said initiator a plurality of initiators are fabricated on a common wafer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as in claim 1 where said beam leads have a thickness to provide structural strength for said affixing step.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
75 words
A thin film bridge initiator mounted on a header for use in a detonator where an adjacent primer is activated by heat from said thin film bridge comprising: a substrate carrying a pair of metallic beam-type leads connected by a thin film bridge; a slot in said header for receiving said substrate, said header including a pair of electrical pins adjacent said slot and having flat ends permanently affixed to said pair of beam leads.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
75 words
A thin film bridge initiator mounted on a header for use in a detonator where an adjacent primer is activated by heat from said thin film bridge comprising: a substrate carrying a pair of metallic beam-type leads connected by a thin film bridge; a slot in said header for receiving said substrate, said header including a pair of electrical pins adjacent said slot and having flat ends permanently affixed to said pair of beam leads.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
An initiator as in claim 6 where the depth of said slot in said header is substantially equal to the thickness of said substrate.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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US3426682A
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US3420174A
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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) | 1991-03-08 | 1991-09-07 | 1992-03-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-03-08 | 1995-09-07 | 1996-03-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-03-08 | 1999-09-07 | 2000-03-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |