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US 8,281,718 B2Granted
Explosive foil initiator and method of making
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
InventorBrett Rice
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An exploding foil initiator is disclosed and is comprised of a substrate having a conductive bridge, a flyer, a barrel adjacent the flyer and an explosive packed sleeve adjacent the barrel. The flyer is comprised of a material which does not become more ductile upon a rise in temperature, for example a silicon dioxide material. The sleeve is comprised of a thermally compliant material, such as a silicone. The bridge is provided with a necked down section having a defined thickness which is less than the remainder of the bridge deposition.
Claims11
An explosive foil initiator (EFI), comprising:
- a substrate having a conductive bridge, the bridge having leads connectable to a firing cable;
- a flyer positioned against the conductive bridge, the flyer being composed of a ceramic material;
- a barrel having an opening therethrough and positioned against the flyer;
- and
- a sleeve including an explosive material positioned therein and positioned against the barrel, with the barrel opening substantially aligned with the explosive material, wherein the sleeve is formed with a radially compliant material adapted to permit radial expansion of the explosive material in a high temperature environment up to 200° C.;
- wherein the bridge comprises a first, second and third section, said first and second sections comprise conductive lands of material opposing and flanking said third section, said third section comprises a necked down section;
- wherein the conductive lands of material are deposited thereon and define progressive reductions in volume of conductive material leading into the necked down section;
- wherein the conductive lands have a thickness in the range of 20-30 microns of deposited copper;
- wherein the necked down section has a thickness in the range of 1-4 microns of deposited copper;
- wherein the flyer is comprised of silica material.
7 more elements
A method of making an explosive foil initiator (EFI), comprising the steps of:
- providing a substrate having a conductive bridge with leads connectable to a firing cable;
- providing a flyer composed of a ceramic material;
- positioning the ceramic flyer against the conductive bridge;
- providing a barrel having an opening therethrough;
- positioning the barrel against the flyer;
- providing a sleeve;
- depositing an explosive material in the sleeve;
- and
- positioning the sleeve against the barrel, with the barrel opening substantially aligned with the explosive material, wherein the sleeve is formed with a radially compliant material adapted to permit radial expansion of the explosive material in a high temperature environment up to 200° C.;
- wherein the bridge comprises conductive lands of material flanking the necked down section;
- wherein the conductive lands of material are deposited thereon and define progressive reductions in volume of conductive material leading into the necked down section;
- wherein the conductive lands have a thickness in the range of 20-30 microns of deposited copper;
- wherein the necked down section has a thickness in the range of 1-4 microns of deposited copper;
- wherein the flyer is provided as a silica material.
11 more elements
A method of using an explosive foil initiator (EFI), comprising the steps of:
- providing a substrate having a conductive bridge with leads connectable to a firing cable;
- providing a flyer;
- positioning the flyer against the conductive bridge;
- providing a barrel having an opening therethrough;
- positioning the barrel adjacent to the flyer;
- positioning a radially expandable sleeve;
- positioning an explosive material within said radially expandable sleeve and adjacent the barrel opening, wherein the sleeve is formed with a radially compliant material adapted to permit radial expansion of the explosive material in a high temperature environment up to 200° C.;
- and
- allowing the explosive material to radially expand upon rising temperature;
- wherein the bridge comprises conductive lands of material flanking the necked down section;
- wherein the conductive lands of material are deposited thereon and define progressive reductions in volume of conductive material leading into the necked down section;
- wherein the conductive lands have a thickness in the range of 20-30 microns of deposited copper;
- wherein the necked down section has a thickness in the range of 1-4 microns of deposited copper;
- wherein the flyer is provided as a silica material.
11 more elements
An explosive foil initiator (EFI), comprising:
- a substrate having a conductive bridge, the bridge having leads connectable to a firing cable, the bridge having conductive lands having a first thickness of conductive material extending towards a center of the substrate, and a necked down section having a second and reduced thickness of material;
- a flyer positioned against the conductive bridge and overlying the necked down section, the flyer being composed of a material that exhibits less than a 10% increase in ductility at 200° C.;
- a barrel having an opening therethrough and positioned against the flyer;
- and
- a sleeve including an explosive material positioned therein and positioned against the barrel, with the barrel opening substantially aligned with the explosive material;
- wherein the sleeve is formed with a radially compliant material adapted to permit radial expansion of the explosive material in a high temperature environment up to 200° C.;
- wherein the conductive lands of material are deposited thereon and define progressive reductions in volume of conductive material leading into the necked down section;
- wherein the conductive lands have a thickness in the range of 20-30 microns of deposited copper;
- wherein the necked down section has a thickness in the range of 1-4 microns of deposited copper;
- wherein the flyer is comprised of silica material.
7 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.