# US 10,480,920 B2 · Methods of igniting devices > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,480,920 B2 - Document ID: US10480920B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/469,142 - Filed: 2017-03-24 - Published: 2018-07-12 - Granted: 2019-11-19 - Earliest claimed: 2010-03-12 - Assignees: Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems, Inc. - Applicants: Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems, Inc. - Inventors: James D. Lucas; Denny L. Kurschner; Thomas E. MacPherson - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10480920B2 ## CPC - F42C 19/12: electric - C06C 5/06: Fuse igniting means; Fuse connectors - F42B 3/10: Initiators therefor (percussion fuzes F42C7/00; percussion caps F42C19/10; electric primers F42C19/12) - F42B 3/12: Bridge initiators {(F42B3/103, F42B3/11, F42B3/195 take precedence; electric ignitors in propellant charges F42C19/12)} - F42B 3/26: Arrangements for mounting initiators; Accessories therefor, e.g. tools - F42C 19/0807: {characterised by the particular configuration of the transmission channels from the priming energy source to the charge to be ignited, e.g. multiple channels, nozzles, diaphragms or filters} - F42D 1/04: Arrangements for ignition {(ignition systems for shaped charge perforators E21B43/1185; ignition devices for seismic energy generators G01V1/06)} - F42D 1/043: {Connectors for detonating cords and ignition tubes, e.g. Nonel tubes (mounting of detonators in blasting cartridges F42B3/26)} - F42D 1/045: Arrangements for electric ignition (dynamo-electric generators H02K) - F42D 1/05: Electric circuits for blasting - F42C: AMMUNITION FUZES (blasting cartridge initiators F42B3/10; chemical aspects C06C); ARMING OR SAFETY MEANS THEREFOR (filling fuzes F42B33/02; fitting or extracting primers in or from fuzes F42B33/04; containers for fuzes F42B39/30) - C06C: DETONATING OR PRIMING DEVICES; FUSES (ammunition fuzes F42C); CHEMICAL LIGHTERS; PYROPHORIC COMPOSITIONS - F42B: EXPLOSIVE CHARGES, e.g. FOR BLASTING, FIREWORKS, AMMUNITION (explosive compositions C06B; fuzes F42C; blasting F42D) - F42D: BLASTING (fuses, e.g. fuse cords, C06C5/00; {for obtaining fluid from wells E21B43/00; for mining or quarrying E21C37/00; for making tunnels or galleries E21D9/006}; cartridges F42B3/00) ## Abstract Initiator modules for munitions control systems include a mounting portion for receiving a portion of an initiation device, a detonator device disposed within the initiator module, a connection portion configured to connect the initiator module with a munitions control system, and an electronics assembly configured to electronically couple with a munitions control system and transmit a signal to the detonator device. Munitions systems may include initiator modules received in a socket of a munitions control system. Methods of igniting explosive devices include coupling a shock tube to an explosive device, connecting an initiator module to a munitions control system, mounting a portion of the shock tube to the initiator module, and igniting the shock tube with a detonator device disposed within the initiator module. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of igniting an explosive device, the method comprising: coupling a shock tube to an explosive device; connecting an initiator module to a munitions control system; nondestructively attaching and detaching a pin connector of an electrical connector of the initiator module to and from a complementary electrical connector of a socket of the munitions control system; mounting a longitudinal portion of the shock tube to a mount disposed on an exterior surface of the initiator module; and igniting the shock tube with a detonator device disposed within the initiator module proximate to the mount with a signal generated by the munitions control system to ignite the explosive device. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein igniting the shock tube comprises at least one of deforming or perforating an exterior portion of the initiator module with a shock wave generated by the detonator device. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein mounting a longitudinal portion of the shock tube to a mount disposed on an exterior surface of the initiator module comprises disposing the longitudinal portion of the shock tube between a rigid element and a biasing element of the mount to retain the longitudinal portion of the shock tube in the mount. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising coupling the initiator module to a receiving portion of the munitions control system. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The method of claim 4, further comprising coupling multiple initiator modules to respective receiving portions of the munitions control system. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein mounting a longitudinal portion of the shock tube to a mount comprises holding the longitudinal portion of the shock tube in a seat on the mount between a rigid element and a biasing element of the mount. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising retaining the longitudinal portion of the shock tube in contact with the exterior surface of the initiator module. ### Claim 8 A method of igniting an explosive device, the method comprising: coupling a shock tube to an explosive device; connecting an initiator module to a munitions control system; mounting a longitudinal portion of the shock tube to a mount disposed on an exterior surface of the initiator module; and igniting the shock tube with a detonator device disposed within the initiator module proximate to the mount with a signal generated by the munitions control system to ignite the explosive device, comprising: directing a voltage greater than 500 volts from the munitions control system to the initiator module to detonate the detonator device comprising a low energy exploding foil initiator; and sending a signal from the initiator module to the munitions control system after detonation of the low energy exploding foil initiator. ### Claim 9 A method of igniting a device, the method comprising: coupling an initiation device to an ignitable external device; coupling a longitudinal portion of the initiation device on a mount on an exterior surface of an initiator module that is connected to a munitions control system; igniting the longitudinal portion of the initiation device with a detonator device disposed within the initiator module proximate to the mount with an electrical signal generated by one or more electronic components of the munitions control system; and igniting the ignitable external device with the initiation device. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein igniting the ignitable external device with the initiation device comprises exploding the ignitable external device. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein coupling a longitudinal portion of the initiation device on a mount comprises disposing the longitudinal portion of the initiation device in a seat defined between two portions of the mount. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, further comprising retaining the longitudinal portion of the initiation device with a biased portion of the mount. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, further comprising deforming a portion of the mount with a shock wave generated by the detonator device. ### Claim 14 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein coupling a longitudinal portion of the initiation device on a mount comprises disposing a longitudinal portion of a shock tube to the mount. ### Claim 15 A method of igniting a device, the method comprising: coupling a combustible device to an ignitable external device; disposing the combustible device on a mount on an exterior surface of an initiator module that is connected to a munitions control system; and igniting the combustible device with a detonator device disposed within an interior of the initiator module proximate to the mount with an electrical signal generated by the munitions control system to ignite the ignitable external device with the combustible device. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, further comprising deforming and perforating an exterior portion of the initiator module with a shock wave generated by the detonator device. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein deforming and perforating an exterior portion of the initiator module comprises perforating a wall of the initiator module having a thickness less than a thickness of an adjacent portion of the initiator module. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein coupling a combustible device to an ignitable external device comprises disposing a longitudinal portion of a shock tube to the mount.