Precision pyrotechnic display system and method having increased safety and timing accuracy
AssigneeMagic Fire, Inc.
InventorsGeorge Bossarte, Glenn W. Dillon, Paul R. McKinley, Wayne C. Haase, Larry G. Nelson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system and method are disclosed for controlling the launch and burst of pyrotechnic projectiles in a pyrotechnic, or “fireworks”, display.
Claims37
An ignitor for a pyrotechnic projectile of the sort comprising a lift charge to be ignited by an electrically operated lift charge ignition device, and a break charge to be ignited by an electrically operated break charge ignition device, said ignitor comprising:
- electronic control means for receiving an electronic fire command from an external control device and, in response thereto, (1) activating said electrically operated lift charge ignition device, and (2) a pre-determined time after receiving said electronic fire command, activating said electrically operated break charge ignition device.
A pyrotechnic projectile comprising:
- a lift charge;
- an electrically operated lift charge ignition device for activating said lift charge;
- a break charge;
- an electrically operated break charge ignition device for activating said break charge;
- and
- an ignitor comprising electronic control means for receiving an electronic fire command from an external control device and, in response thereto, (1) activating said electrically operated lift charge ignition device, and (2) a pre-determined time after receiving said electronic fire command, activating said electrically operated break charge ignition device.
A pyrotechnic projectile system comprising:
- a pyrotechnic projectile and an external control device;
- said pyrotechnic projectile comprising:
- a lift charge;
- an electrically operated lift charge ignition device for activating said lift charge;
- a break charge;
- an electrically operated break charge ignition device for activating said break charge;
- and
- an ignitor comprising electronic control means for receiving an electronic fire command from said external control device and, in response thereto, (1) activating said electrically operated lift charge ignition device, and (2) a pre-determined time after receiving said electronic fire command, activating said electrically operated break charge ignition device.
A method for firing a pyrotechnic projectile, said method comprising the steps of:
- sending a “fire” command to said pyrotechnic projectile so as to activate a lift charge;
- upon receiving confirmation of a successful launch, electrically timing a delay within said pyrotechnic projectile;
- and
- upon expiration of said delay, detonating a burst charge carried by said pyrotechnic projectile.
A detonator for detonating an explosive charge, said detonator comprising:
- electronic control means for receiving an electronic fire command from an external control device and, a pre-determined time after receiving said electronic fire command, detonating said explosive charge.
A pyrotechnic projectile system comprising:
- a plurality of pyrotechnic projectiles and an external control device;
- each of said pyrotechnic projectiles comprising:
- a lift charge;
- an electrically operated lift charge ignition device;
- a break charge;
- and
- a fuse for activating said break charge, said fuse being activated by said electrically operated lift charge ignition device;
- said external control device comprising a port, with said plurality of pyrotechnic projectiles being connected to said port, and said external control device being adapted to detect when the number of said pyrotechnic projectiles connected to said port exceed a predetermined number.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.