Dual mode initiator system
AssigneeReynolds Systems, Inc.
InventorsNicholas Christopher Nance, Richard K. Reynolds
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An initiator system with a first initiator device, which has a first initiator and a first charge, and a second initiator device that has a second initiator and a second charge. At least a portion of the second charge is isolated from the first initiator device such that operation of the first initiator will not cause the isolated portion of the second charge to detonate, deflagrate or combust.
Claims17
An initiator system comprising:
- a housing having a first charge holder, the first charge holder defining first and second bores;
- an initiator assembly received in the housing, the initiator assembly comprising a first initiator device and a second initiator device, the first initiator device comprising a first initiator and a first charge, the second initiator device comprising a second initiator and a second charge, the first bore holding at least a portion of the first charge, the second bore holding at least a portion of the second charge, wherein the portion of the second charge in the second bore is isolated from the portion of the first charge in the first bore;
- a first set of initiator terminals received through the housing and electrically coupled to the first initiator;
- and
- a second set of initiator terminals received through the housing and electrically coupled to the second initiator;
- wherein at least one of the first and second charges is formed of a secondary explosive.
A method for operating an initiator system, the initiator system having a housing and an initiator assembly that is received in the housing, the housing having a first charge holder that defines first and second bores that are segregated from one another, the initiator assembly having a first initiator device and a second initiator device, the first initiator device comprising a first initiator and a first charge, at least a portion of the first charge being disposed in the first bore, the second initiator device comprising a second initiator and a second charge, at least a portion of the second charge being disposed in the second bore, the method comprising:
- activating the second initiator to initiate at least one of detonation, combustion and deflagration in the at least the portion of the second charge;
- and
- activating the first initiator to initiate detonation of the at least the portion of the first charge;
- wherein the first initiator comprises a first exploding foil initiator that has a first bridge and the at least the portion of the first charge is formed of a secondary explosive.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.