Abstract:
A device for preventing an electroexplosive device from inadvertent RF energy or electrostatic energy induced firing, even if that device is exposed to high RF power levels or high RF frequencies or to high electrostatic potentials, includes an impedance element in the firing input line between a source of dc power and a bridgewire which has an impedance that exceeds an impedance between the input leads and ground. When RF energy levels and frequencies exceed certain values, arcing occurs between one input lead and the other or between the input leads and a conductive case to cause energy to flow to the conductive case instead of to the bridgewire. One form of the device includes a Ferrite element in electrical and thermal contact with both of the firing input leads and with the thermally and electrically conductive case. The Ferrite element has a dc resistance in excess of the dc resistance of the bridgewire so short circuiting the firing current does not occur.
Abstract:
An attenuator for dissipating electromagnetic energy and equalizing electrostatic energy is formed of a lossy ferrite material having an electrical resistance in a range of about 3,000 to 50,000 ohms. A conductor passes through the material and thence to a bridgewire to supply a firing charge to heat the bridgewire. In one embodiment of the invention, the attenuator is mounted within an electrically and thermally conductive housing, which will dissipate heat and equalize electromagnetic energy which may be induced in the conductor. A capacitive effect may be imparted by the orientation of the conductor as it passes through the ferrite. The capacitive effect is produced in winding the conductor parallel to the metal housing, and parallel to any other conductor passing through the ferrite. In the preferred form, the conductors are wound through the ferrite in a spiral pattern parallel to the conductor housing.
Abstract:
An electric detonator device including an insulating carrier member carrying an ignition bridge and first and second electrodes connected to the ignition bridge. At least one of the electrodes is provided in the form of a layered conductor path configured to provide a high-frequency filter so as to prevent high-frequency interference signals from passing to the ignition bridge and causing misfiring.
Abstract:
A broad band attenuator having a ferrite material for absorption of stray electromagnetic radiation minimizes the unintentional initiation of electroexplosive devices. In one embodiment, each input lead of a detonator passes through a ferrite choke core in contact with the metallic casing that houses the detonator. A printed circuit tape between the input leads and the casing provides electrostatic protection, and heat generated by the ferrite choke core is removed by radiation from the metal casing.
Abstract:
An igniter is disclosed having a heat generator responsive to an ignition signal for igniting powder. comprises a first connector insulatingly supporting a first pair of electrical conductions having their one ends connected across the heat generator, filter means provided in circuit with one of the first electrical conductors for prohibiting passage of any high frequency signal other than the ignition signal, resilient means electrically connecting the first electrical conductors, the resilient means resiliently contacting at least one of the first electrical conductors, a second connector insulatingly supporting a second pair of electrical conductors having their one ends connected across an ignition signal source, and a second connector adapted to engage the first connector so as to bring the second electrical conductors into electrical connection with the respective first electrical conductors and to take the resilient means out of contact with the first electrical conductor.
Abstract:
THE PLUG PORTION OF A WIRE-BRIDGE DETONATOR IS REPLACED WITH A FILTER OF THE SAME PHYSICAL SHAPE AND SIZE. THE INPUT CONDUCTORS FOR THE BRIDGE WIRE ARE EACH SURROUNDED BY A SERIES OF CLOSELY SPACED FERRITE BEADS. A CONDUCTIVE SHIELD PLATE IS PROVIDED BETWEEN THE CONDUCTORS FROM WHICH THE FERRITE BEADS ARE INSULATED BY A STRIP OF CERAMIC MATERIAL ON EACH SIDE OF THE SHIELD PLATE. THE PLUG IS PROVIDED WITH END SHIELDS OF CONDUCTING MATEIRAL AND AN OUTER SHIELD CASING WHICH MAY BE OF STEEL OR OTHER CONDUCTING MATERIAL. THE FERRITE BEADS AND THE CERAMIC STRIPS PROVIDE THE INDUCTIVE AND CAPACITIVE ELEMENTS OF AN RF FILTER OR ATTENUATOR ON THE INPUT CONDUCTORS WHICH OPERATES TO ABSORB STRAY RADIATED ELECTROMAGNETIC ENERGY THAT MIGHT BE PICKED UP BY THESE CONDUCTORS, AND PREVENTS THIS ENERGY FROM PASSING THROUGH TO THE BRIDGE WIRE WHICH MIGHT THUS BE PREMATURELY FIRED THEREBY.
Abstract:
A radio frequency attenuating switch including a switch having a first input for connection to an electrical power supply and first and second output leads for connecting a device such as a detonator. One or more RF mitigation devices are connected within one or more of the output leads.
Abstract:
An electromagnetically lossy liquid- or gas-tight fusion seal for use as a low pass radio frequency signal filter constructed as a matrix of glass binder and ferromagnetic and/or ferroelectric filler. Metal cased electrical filters are made by reflowing the material to form fused glass-to-metal seals and incorporating electrical thru-conductors therein which may be formed as inductive windings.
Abstract:
An electro-explosive initiator which may be either a coaxial or floating case type, for example, and which is constructed to be immune from the effects of electrostatic discharges. The initiator includes a bridgewire and contact pins for carrying an electric igniting signal to the bridgewire. The initiator has a discrete capacitor connected across the contact pins to shunt out the energy resulting from an electrostatic discharge pulse, and for preventing such energy from reaching the bridgewire.