US 4,150,266 A · Miniature pyrotechnic squib switch, single pole, normally open

Abstract

A piston, backed by a resilient disc, both slidable within a cylindrical case, is provided, on its leading end, with a penetrable conductor pellet, sheathed within an insulator cap. Upon firing of an explosive charge of disc form, arranged behind the piston with a polyethylene disc interposed between the charge and the piston, the latter will be driven forwardly against a pair of piercing points on the ends of a pair of conductor wires mounted in an insulator header in the leading end of the case, the driving force of the explosion being sufficient to cause the conductor wire points to pierce entirely through the insulator cap and to become embedded in the conductor pellet, thus closing a circuit across the conductor wires. A fusible bridge wire, embedded in the explosive charge, is fused by application of an electric current to a pair of conductors extending through an insulator header in the rear end of the case, the forward ends of these conductors being embedded in the explosive charge, and the fusible bridge wire being attached to these forward ends within the explosive charge, in bridging relation to the ends of these conductors.

Claims6

Dependent claims

A pyrotechnic squib-switch comprising:

a tubular case;
a header closing the rear end of said case;
a pair of lead wires extending through and sealed in said header;
a fusible bridge wire attached to and bridging between the inner ends of said lead wires;
a disc of plastic material having a cylindrical periphery fitted to the internal wall of said case, said disc being spaced forwardly of said header to provide a space in which said wire ends and bridge wire are disposed;
an explosive charge in which said wire ends and bridge wire are embedded, said charge filling said space;
a piston assembly including a cup of electrical insulating material and a conductor pellet enclosed therein;
a header closing the forward end of said case;
and a pair of open-circuit wires extending through said forward end header and having, at their inward ends, penetrating points pointed toward said cup of insulating material and adapted, upon forward propulsion of the piston and conductor-pellet assembly by firing of said explosive charge in response to fusing of said bridge wire by application of an electric current to said lead wires, to penetrate through the bottom of said cup of insulating material and into said conductor pellet;
whereby a circuit through said open-circuit wires is closed.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Miniature pyrotechnic squib switch, single pole, normally open

Life of this patent

Miniature pyrotechnic squib switch, single pole, normally open

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims6