US5022324A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Piezoelectric crystal powered ignition device
Assignee: Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems LLC
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Filing: 1989-06-06
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Granted: 1991-06-11
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Expires: 2009-06-06
Abstract
Abstract A device for ignition of a pyrotechnic material, comprising: (a) piezoelectric means for providing a high voltage electrical pulse in response to mechanical energy; (b) means for emitting a flash of light in response to the high voltage pulse; and (c) a solid state laser capable of emitting a light beam sufficient to ignite a pyrotechnic material in response to said flash of light; and a process of igniting a pyrotechnic device using the same, are disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 John H. Rice, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 16:17
CPC Classifications
F; F42; F42B; F42B3/00; F42B3/10; F42B3/113; F02; F02P; F02P23/00; F02P23/04; H; H01; H01S; H01S3/00; H01S3/09; H01S3/091; H01S3/0915; H01S3/092
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
71 words
A device for ignition of a pyrotechnic material, comprising: (a) piezoelectric means for providing a high voltage electrical pulse in response to mechanical energy; (b) a pyro flash lamp having a spark gap for emitting a flash of light in response to the high voltage pulse; and (c) a solid state laser capable of emitting a light beam sufficient to ignite a pyrotechnic material in response to said flash of light.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
71 words
A device for ignition of a pyrotechnic material, comprising: (a) piezoelectric means for providing a high voltage electrical pulse in response to mechanical energy; (b) a pyro flash lamp having a spark gap for emitting a flash of light in response to the high voltage pulse; and (c) a solid state laser capable of emitting a light beam sufficient to ignite a pyrotechnic material in response to said flash of light.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device of claim 1, wherein the laser is a ruby, neodymium glass or neodymium YAG laser.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
85 words
The device of claim 1, wherein the pyro flash lamp has an outer glass envelope surrounding a shred or foil of zirconium and compressed oxygen, has pins coated with a pyrotechnic mixture which pass through the glass envelope and form a spark gap within the glass envelope, flashes in response to a high voltage pulse on the order of 10,000 or more volts, and has a light output of not less than 3800 Lumin-Seconds with peak light occurring in less than 10 milliseconds after ignition.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device of claim 1, further comprising means for focusing the light beam onto a pyrotechnic material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device of claim 4, wherein the means for focusing the light beam onto a pyrotechnic material is an optical lens.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device of claim 1, wherein the piezoelectric means comprises crystals selected from the group consisting of crystals of tourmaline, Rochelle salt and lead-zirconate titanate.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device of claim 1, further comprising mechanical-energy producing means for providing mechanical energy to the piezoelectric means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device of claim 6, further comprising mechanical-energy producing means for providing mechanical energy to the piezoelectric means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device of claim 1, further comprising optical fibers for transmitting the light beam to a pyrotechnic material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device of claim 1, further comprising safety means to prevent undesired ignition of a pyrotechnic material.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
The device of claim 10, wherein the safety means is selected from the group consisting of a shutter, a rotating shaft having a hole permitting transmission of the light beam and a shorting switch.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
64 words
The device of claim 1, further comprising mechanical-energy producing means which provides mechanical energy to the piezoelectric means upon firing of a rocket motor containing the ignition device; a capacitor having a capacitance of 0.1 to 1.0 microfarad for storing the electricity created when the piezoelectric means emits a high voltage electrical pulse; and a time delay switch which closes upon negative acceleration force.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
A process of igniting a pyrotechnic material using the device of claim 3 comprising applying mechanical energy to the piezoelectric means.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
140 words
A device for ignition of a pyrotechnic material, comprising: (a) piezoelectric means for providing a high voltage electrical pulse in response to mechanical energy; (b) a pyro flash lamp which has an outer glass envelope surrounding a shred or foil of zirconium and compressed oxygen, has pins coated with a pyrotechnic mixture which pass through the glass envelope and form a spark gap within the glass envelope, emits a flash of light in response to a high voltage pulse on the order of 10,000 or more volts, and has a light output of not less than 3800 Lumin-Seconds with peak light occurring in less than 10 milliseconds after ignition; and (c) a ruby, neodymium glass or neodymium YAG solid state laser capable of emitting a light beam sufficient to ignite a pyrotechnic material, in response to said flash of light.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
140 words
A device for ignition of a pyrotechnic material, comprising: (a) piezoelectric means for providing a high voltage electrical pulse in response to mechanical energy; (b) a pyro flash lamp which has an outer glass envelope surrounding a shred or foil of zirconium and compressed oxygen, has pins coated with a pyrotechnic mixture which pass through the glass envelope and form a spark gap within the glass envelope, emits a flash of light in response to a high voltage pulse on the order of 10,000 or more volts, and has a light output of not less than 3800 Lumin-Seconds with peak light occurring in less than 10 milliseconds after ignition; and (c) a ruby, neodymium glass or neodymium YAG solid state laser capable of emitting a light beam sufficient to ignite a pyrotechnic material, in response to said flash of light.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device of claim 14, wherein the piezoelectric means comprises crystals selected from the group consisting of crystals of tourmaline, Rochelle salt and lead-zirconate titanate.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device of claim 15, further comprising mechanical-energy producing means for providing mechanical energy to the piezoelectric means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device of claim 15, further comprising optical fibers for transmitting the light beam to a pyrotechnic material.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
33 words
The device of claim 15, further comprising safety means selected from the group consisting of a shutter, a rotating shaft having a hole permitting transmission of the light beam and a shorting switch.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device of claim 15, having three of more flash lamps surrounding the laser.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device of claim 15, further comprising an optical lens for focusing the light beam onto the pyrotechnic material.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
21 words
A process of igniting a pyrotechnic material using the device of claim 1 comprising applying mechanical energy to the piezoelectric means.
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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) | 1994-06-10 | 1994-12-10 | 1995-06-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-06-10 | 1998-12-10 | 1999-06-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-06-10 | 2002-12-10 | 2003-06-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |