Rocket ignition assembly and means and methods for making and using same
AssigneeAerotech, Inc.
InventorsPaul C. Hans, Daniel H. Meyer, Gary C. Rosenfield
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A novel and unique rocket ignition system comprising a novel igniter having copper foil laminated plastic substrate having a electro-conductive pyrotechnic coating disposed on one end thereof and ignitable by means of a special power-supplied igniter clip having offset positive and negative terminals for engaging the igniter and transmitting an electrical current therethrough to initiate combustion of the pyrotechnic coating which in turn ignites a rocket propellant disposed in close proximity thereto. Special means are provided to selectively position and secure the rocket ignition system to a rocket motor.
Claims18
A rocket ignition assembly comprising a housing, an igniter disposed within said housing, said igniter having an elongated electrically non-conductive body portion having an upper and a lower surface interconnected by a distal and a proximal end;
- a first laminate of copper foil disposed upon said upper surface of said body portion, a second laminate of copper foil disposed upon said lower surface ;and an electrically conductive pyrotechnic coating disposed upon said body portion on and adjacent to said distal end to electrically connect said first laminate and said second laminate and adapted to combustively respond to the flow of electrical current thereto;
- an igniter clip operatively disposed in physical and electrical contact with said igniter;
- and a selectively actuable power supply, said igniter clip when said power supply is activated delivering a flow of electrical current from said power supply to said igniter to initiate combustion of said pyrotechnic coating;
- and means for venting combustion gases from said combustion out of said housing.
For use in a rocket having a motor tube and motor nozzle, a rocket ignition assembly comprising an elongated igniter disposed axially along said motor tube and extending radially outwardly thereof to provide a tall, said igniter having an elongated electrically non-conductive body portion having an upper and a lower surface inter-connected by a distal and a proximal end;
- a first laminate of copper foil disposed upon said upper surface of said body portion, a second laminate of copper foil disposed upon said lower surface ;and an electrically conductive pyrotechnic coating disposed upon said body member on and adjacent to said distal end to electrically connect said first laminate and said second laminate and adapted to combustively respond to the flow of electrical current thereto, a cylindrical nozzle cap having a central aperture defined therein and telescopically engaged with said motor tube for venting combustion gases therefrom and to position and secure said igniter therebetween;
- and means connectable to said tall to transmit a flow of electrical current to said igniter.
For use in a rocket having a motor tube and motor nozzle;
- a rocket ignition assembly comprising an elongated igniter disposed axially along said motor tube and extending radially outwardly therefrom to provide a tall, a cylindrical nozzle cap having a central aperture defined therein and telescopically engaged with said motor nozzle to position and secure said igniter therebetween;
- an igniter clip connectable to said tall to transmit electric current to said igniter;
- said igniter clip comprising first handle means, second handle means and a web member operatively interposed between said first and second handle means to provide a fulcrum therebetween and a jaw portion, said jaw portion having a positive terminal mounted in said first handle means and a negative terminal mounted in said handle means, said negative terminal being disposed in offset relationship to said positive terminal, said first and second handle means being actuable to open and close said jaw portion about said tall and disengage and engage said terminals in electrical contact therewith, said terminals being selectively connectable to an electrical power supply and adapted to receive a flow of electrical current therefrom.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.