Exploding bridgewire driven multiple flyer detonator

Claim 1

Apparatus for initiating an explosive comprising: (a) a bridgewire; (b) a header assembly means for supporting said bridgewire, said means for supporting said bridgewire having a first surface with a channel in which said bridgewire is disposed; (c) electrically conductive means coupled to each of the respective ends of said bridgewire for applying an initiating electrical current across the channel confined bridgewire to explode said bridgewire, thereby producing channel confined explosive gases and particles; (d) a multiple flyers bridge disc having a first layer of electrical insulator adjacent to said first header assembly, a second layer of metal cladding on said electrical insulator layer and having a bridge comprised of a plurality of flyers aligned with said bridgewire, said bridge being disposed over said bridgewire in a path of said explosive gases and particles, from said bridgewire when exploded, said explosive gases and particles ejecting said plurality of flyers from said multiple flyers bridge disc; and (e) means for directing said ejected plurality of flyers away from said disc and said header assembly, (f) means for directing said ejected flyers to impact an explosive which includes a barrel having a first surface disposed adjacent to said bridge disc having an internal longitudinal slot of gradually increasing cross-section and thereby said slot has a small end and a large end, said slot having the same cross-sectional dimensions as said bridge at the smaller end, said slot being disposed over and aligned with said bridge so that said plurality of flyers are directed toward an explosive which is disposed to have a face aligned with a second surface of said barrel, said slot providing a controlled run distance for said plurality of flyers toward said explosive.