# US 7,617,777 B2 · Precision pyrotechnic display system and method having increased safety and timing accuracy

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- Number: US 7,617,777 B2
- Document ID: US7617777B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 11/725,152
- Filed: 2007-03-16
- Published: 2007-12-27
- Granted: 2009-11-17
- Earliest claimed: 1998-03-30
- Assignees: MagicFire, Inc.
- Inventors: George Bossarte; Glenn W. Dillon; Paul R. McKinley; Wayne C. Haase; Larry G. Nelson
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7617777B2

## CPC

- F42B 4/02: in cartridge form, i.e. shell, propellant and primer
- F41A 19/58: Electric firing mechanisms (F41A17/10, F41A17/12 take precedence)
- F41A 19/65: for giving ripple fire, i.e. using electric sequencer switches for timed multiple-charge launching, e.g. for rocket launchers
- F42B 4/00: Fireworks, i.e. pyrotechnic devices for amusement, display, illumination or signal purposes (signalling by explosives G08B; advertising by fireworks G09F13/46; {signalling by pyrotechnics in railway systems B61L5/20})
- F42B 4/06: Aerial display rockets (rockets in general F42B15/00)
- F42B 30/10: Mortar projectiles
- F42C 11/00: Electric fuzes ({in combination with other fuzes F42C9/14}; proximity fuzes F42C13/00; {safety or arming effected by electric means F42C15/40; electric contact parts for fuzes F42C19/06}; electric igniters F42C19/12, {F42B3/12 - F42B3/18; optical initiators F42B3/113})
- F42C 11/001: {Electric circuits for fuzes characterised by the ammunition class or type (F42C11/02 - F42C11/06 take precedence; mechanical fuzes having electric igniters for hand grenades or marine warheads F42C14/025, F42C14/045)}
- F42C 11/008: {Power generation in electric fuzes (F42C11/02, F42C11/04 and F42C15/295 take precedence)}
- F42D 1/05: Electric circuits for blasting
- F42D 1/055: specially adapted for firing multiple charges with a time delay
- F42B: EXPLOSIVE CHARGES, e.g. FOR BLASTING, FIREWORKS, AMMUNITION (explosive compositions C06B; fuzes F42C; blasting F42D)
- F41A: FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS COMMON TO BOTH SMALLARMS AND ORDNANCE, e.g. CANNONS; MOUNTINGS FOR SMALLARMS OR ORDNANCE
- F42C: AMMUNITION FUZES (blasting cartridge initiators F42B3/10; chemical aspects C06C); ARMING OR SAFETY MEANS THEREFOR (filling fuzes F42B33/02; fitting or extracting primers in or from fuzes F42B33/04; containers for fuzes F42B39/30)
- F42D: BLASTING (fuses, e.g. fuse cords, C06C5/00; {for obtaining fluid from wells E21B43/00; for mining or quarrying E21C37/00; for making tunnels or galleries E21D9/006}; cartridges F42B3/00)

## Abstract

A system and method are disclosed for controlling the launch and burst of pyrotechnic projectiles in a pyrotechnic, or “fireworks”, display.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method for firing a pyrotechnic projectile, the method comprising the steps of:
providing an ignitor for the pyrotechnic projectile, the projectile comprising a lift charge to be ignited by an electrically operated lift charge ignition device to launch the pyrotechnic projectile, and a break charge to be ignited by an electrically operated break charge ignition device to burst the pyrotechnic projectile, the igniter comprising electronic control circuitry adapted to be carried by the pyrotechnic projectile and for receiving an electronic fire command from an external control device and, in response thereto, (1) activating the electronically operated lift charge ignition device so as to launch the pyrotechnic projectile and the igniter, and (2) a pre-determined time after receiving the electronic fire command, activating the electronically operated break charge ignition device so as to burst the pyrotechnic projectile;
sending a “fire” command to the pyrotechnic projectile so as to activate the lift charge;
upon receiving confirmation of a successful launch, electrically timing the predetermined time within the pyrotechnic projectile; and
upon expiration of the predetermined time, detonating the break charge carried by the pyrotechnic projectile.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

A method according to claim 1 wherein, upon failure to detect the launch confirmation, deactivating the projectile.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

A method according to claim 1 further comprising:
prior to sending the “fire” command to the pyrotechnic projectile, sending a calibration signal to the pyrotechnic projectile and, upon receiving confirmation of proper calibration, sending the “fire” command to the pyrotechnic projectile.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

A method according to claim 1 further comprising:
prior to sending the “fire” command to the pyrotechnic projectile, sending an “arm” command to the pyrotechnic projectile and, upon receiving confirmation of the armed status of the pyrotechnic projectile, sending the “fire” command to the pyrotechnic projectile.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

A method according to claim 1 wherein the magnitude of the predetermined time is pre-programmed into the pyrotechnic projectile.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

A method according to claim 1 wherein the magnitude of the predetermined time is programmed into the pyrotechnic projectile at a time of use.