# US 8,516,963 B2 · Precision pyrotechnic display system and method having increased safety and timing accuracy

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- Number: US 8,516,963 B2
- Document ID: US8516963B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 13/134,785
- Filed: 2011-06-16
- Published: 2012-06-07
- Granted: 2013-08-27
- Earliest claimed: 1998-03-30
- Assignees: MagicFire, Inc.
- Applicants: George Bossarte; Paul R. McKinley
- Inventors: George Bossarte; Paul R. McKinley
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8516963B2

## CPC

- F42B 4/24: characterised by having plural successively-ignited charges (in aerial display rockets F42B4/14)
- 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
- F41A 19/68: for multibarrel guns {or multibarrel rocket launchers or multicanisters}(F41A19/65 takes precedence)
- F41F 1/06: Mortars (base plates therefor F41A23/54)
- 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 4/02: in cartridge form, i.e. shell, propellant and primer
- 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 11/008: {Power generation in electric fuzes (F42C11/02, F42C11/04 and F42C15/295 take precedence)}
- F42C 15/42: from a remote location, e.g. for controlled mines or mine fields
- F42C 19/0815: {Intermediate ignition capsules, i.e. self-contained primary pyrotechnic module transmitting the initial firing signal to the secondary explosive, e.g. using electric, radio frequency, optical or percussion signals to the secondary explosive (initiators for blasting cartridges or air bags F42B3/10)}
- 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
- F41F: APPARATUS FOR LAUNCHING PROJECTILES OR MISSILES FROM BARRELS, e.g. CANNONS (smallarms F41C); LAUNCHERS FOR ROCKETS OR TORPEDOES; HARPOON GUNS (functional features or details common to both smallarms and ordnance, mountings therefor F41A; projecting missiles without use of explosive or combustible propellant charge F41B)
- 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, said method comprising the steps of:
sending a wireless “fire” command to said pyrotechnic projectile so as to activate a lift charge;
upon receiving confirmation of a successful launch, electrically timing a delay within said pyrotechnic projectile; and
upon expiration of said delay, detonating a burst charge carried by said pyrotechnic projectile.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

A method according to claim 1 wherein said pyrotechnic projectile comprises a lift charge to be ignited by an electrically operated lift charge ignition device, a break charge to be ignited by an electrically operated break charge ignition device, and an ignitor, and further wherein said ignitor comprises an electronic control unit for receiving the wireless “fire” command from an external control device and, in response thereto, (1) activating said electrically operated lift charge ignition device, and (2) a pre-determined time after receiving said electronic fire command, activating said electrically operated break charge ignition device.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

A method according to claim 2 wherein said electronic control unit comprises:
a first output connecting said ignitor to said electrically operated lift charge ingnition device;
a second output connecting said ignitor to said electrically operated break charge ignition device;
a power supply for selective connection to said first output and said second output for selectively activating said electrically operated lift charge ignition device and said electrically operated break charge ignition device, respectively; and
a timer for determining when said power supply activates said electrically operated lift charge ignition device and said electrically operated break charge ignition device.