Exploding foil initiator chip with non-planar switching capabilities
AssigneeReynolds Systems, Inc.
InventorsGeorge N. Hennings, Edwin J. Wild, Bradley L. Hanna, Christopher J. Nance, Richard K. Reynolds
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An initiator that includes a substrate, an exploding foil initiator and a first switch. The exploding foil initiator coupled to the substrate and includes a bridge and a first bridge contact. The first switch has a first contact and a first insulator. The first contact is coupled to the substrate and spaced apart from the first bridge contact by a gap. The first insulator is disposed in the gap. The first switch is operable in an actuated mode in which electrical energy transmitted between the first contact and the first bridge contact is transmitted through the first insulator.
Claims20
An initiator comprising:
- a substrate having a surface;
- an exploding foil initiator coupled to the substrate, the exploding foil initiator including a conductive bridge and a first bridge contact;
- and
- a first switch having a first terminal and a first insulator, the first terminal coupled to the substrate and being spaced apart from the first bridge contact by a gap, the first insulator being disposed in the gap and being coupled to the first terminal and the bridge contact;
- wherein the first switch is operable in an actuated mode in which electrical energy transmitted between the first terminal and the first bridge contact is transmitted through the first insulator.
A method comprising:
- providing an initiator having an exploding foil initiator and a first switch, the exploding foil initiator including a substrate and a bridge, the bridge being coupled to the substrate and including a first bridge contact, the switch including a first terminal, which is spaced apart from the first bridge contact by a predetermined distance, and a first insulator that is received in the first gap, the first insulator being coupled to the substrate between the first bridge contact and the first terminal;
- applying electrical energy to the first terminal;
- and
- directing electrical energy from the first terminal through the first insulator to the first bridge contact to thereby actuate the exploding foil initiator.
An initiator comprising:
- an exploding foil initiator having a bridge and a first bridge contact that are disposed in a first layer;
- a first switch terminal disposed in a second layer that is parallel to the first layer;
- and
- an insulating material that is disposed between the first and second layers;
- wherein at least a portion of the first switch terminal overlies the first bridge contact.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.