US 8,418,617 B2 · Setback and set-forward initiated inertial igniters and activated electrical switches

Abstract

A method of igniting one of a pyrotechnic material and primer during or after an all fire setback acceleration. The method including: positioning a mass element along an inclined surface; biasing the mass element in a direction into the inclined surface such that the mass element traverses the inclined surface upon the all fire setback acceleration against the biasing; drawing the mass element toward one of a pyrotechnic material and primer with the biasing after the mass element traverses the inclined surface. The method can further include delaying the drawing until the mass element experiences a set forward acceleration. The delaying can include drawing the mass element into a delay well after the mass element traverses the inclined surface and drawing the mass element across a delay wedge when the mass element experiences the set forward acceleration.

Claims15

Dependent claims

An inertial igniter comprising:

a body;
a mass element;
a spring element attached at one end to the body and at another end, at least indirectly, to the mass element;
and
an inclined surface upon which the mass element moves from a resting position to an all-fire position, the inclined surface being inclined with respect to a firing setback acceleration;
wherein upon the body experiencing the firing setback acceleration, the mass element travels at least across the inclined surface against a force of the spring element to a portion of the body in which one of a pyrotechnic material and a primer is disposed, the mass being drawn through the portion into the one of the pyrotechnic material and primer with the force of the spring element to ignite the one of the pyrotechnic material and the primer.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Setback and set-forward initiated inertial igniters and activated electrical switches

Life of this patent

Setback and set-forward initiated inertial igniters and activated electrical switches

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims15