Compact and low-volume mechanical igniter and ignition systems with safing arm and arming pin for thermal batteries and the like

An inertial igniter comprising:

• a body;
• a housing element hermetically sealed to a surface of the body to seal an entirety of an interior of the body from an outside environment;
• a mass movable in the body towards one of a pyrotechnic material or primer when an all-fire acceleration profile is experienced;
• a mechanism for restraining the movable mass from contacting the one of the pyrotechnic material or primer when an acceleration profile less than the all-fire acceleration profile is experienced;
• and
• a blocking member associated with the housing element for at least indirectly blocking the movable mass from movement towards the one of the pyrotechnic material or primer when an acceleration profile equal to or greater than the all-fire acceleration profile is experienced, a first portion of the blocking member being internal to the housing element and a second portion of the blocking member being external to the housing element such that the first portion is movable relative to the second portion;
• wherein the second portion of the blocking member external to the housing element is movable relative to the first portion internal to the housing element such that when the second portion is moved the movable mass can move towards and contact the one of the pyrotechnic material or primer when the all-fire acceleration profile is experienced to actuate the inertial igniter.

A thermal battery apparatus comprising:

• an inertial igniter comprising:
• a body;
• a mass movable in the body towards one of a pyrotechnic material or primer when an all-fire acceleration profile is experienced;
• a mechanism for restraining the movable mass from contacting the one of the pyrotechnic material or primer when an acceleration profile less than the all-fire acceleration profile is experienced;
• and
• a blocking member associated with a housing element for at least indirectly blocking the movable mass from movement towards the one of the pyrotechnic material or primer when an acceleration profile equal to or greater than the all-fire acceleration profile is experienced, a first portion of the blocking member being internal to the housing element and a second portion of the blocking member being external to the housing element such that the first portion is movable relative to the second portion;
• wherein the second portion of the blocking member external to the housing element is movable relative to the first portion internal to the housing element such that when the second portion is moved the movable mass can move towards and contact the one of the pyrotechnic material or primer when the all-fire acceleration profile is experienced to actuate the inertial igniter;
• a thermal battery operatively connected to the body such that actuation of the inertial igniter produces sparks that are directed into the thermal battery to activate the thermal battery;
• and
• the housing element is hermetically sealed to one of a surface of the inertial igniter or a surface of the thermal battery to seal an entirety of an interior of the body from an outside environment.