EP0076746B1 - Pyrotechnische Zusammensetzung und pyrotechnische Entzündungsgeräte - Google Patents

Pyrotechnische Zusammensetzung und pyrotechnische Entzündungsgeräte Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0076746B1
EP0076746B1 EP19820401776 EP82401776A EP0076746B1 EP 0076746 B1 EP0076746 B1 EP 0076746B1 EP 19820401776 EP19820401776 EP 19820401776 EP 82401776 A EP82401776 A EP 82401776A EP 0076746 B1 EP0076746 B1 EP 0076746B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
pyrotechnic
fact
per
zirconium
support
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired
Application number
EP19820401776
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English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0076746A3 (en
EP0076746A2 (de
Inventor
Victor Marchandise
Henri Marrot
Lucien Barillero
Christian Picard
Joseph Putot
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Direction General pour lArmement DGA
Original Assignee
Direction General pour lArmement DGA
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Application filed by Direction General pour lArmement DGA filed Critical Direction General pour lArmement DGA
Publication of EP0076746A2 publication Critical patent/EP0076746A2/de
Publication of EP0076746A3 publication Critical patent/EP0076746A3/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0076746B1 publication Critical patent/EP0076746B1/de
Expired legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C06—EXPLOSIVES; MATCHES
    • C06C—DETONATING OR PRIMING DEVICES; FUSES; CHEMICAL LIGHTERS; PYROPHORIC COMPOSITIONS
    • C06C9/00—Chemical contact igniters; Chemical lighters
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C06—EXPLOSIVES; MATCHES
    • C06B—EXPLOSIVES OR THERMIC COMPOSITIONS; MANUFACTURE THEREOF; USE OF SINGLE SUBSTANCES AS EXPLOSIVES
    • C06B33/00—Compositions containing particulate metal, alloy, boron, silicon, selenium or tellurium with at least one oxygen supplying material which is either a metal oxide or a salt, organic or inorganic, capable of yielding a metal oxide
    • C06B33/04—Compositions containing particulate metal, alloy, boron, silicon, selenium or tellurium with at least one oxygen supplying material which is either a metal oxide or a salt, organic or inorganic, capable of yielding a metal oxide the material being an inorganic nitrogen-oxygen salt
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F42—AMMUNITION; BLASTING
    • F42B—EXPLOSIVE CHARGES, e.g. FOR BLASTING, FIREWORKS, AMMUNITION
    • F42B3/00—Blasting cartridges, i.e. case and explosive
    • F42B3/10—Initiators therefor
    • F42B3/103—Mounting initiator heads in initiators; Sealing-plugs
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F42—AMMUNITION; BLASTING
    • F42B—EXPLOSIVE CHARGES, e.g. FOR BLASTING, FIREWORKS, AMMUNITION
    • F42B3/00—Blasting cartridges, i.e. case and explosive
    • F42B3/10—Initiators therefor
    • F42B3/12—Bridge initiators
    • F42B3/125—Bridge initiators characterised by the configuration of the bridge initiator case
    • F42B3/127—Bridge initiators characterised by the configuration of the bridge initiator case the case having burst direction defining elements

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a new pyrotechnic composition and the implementation thereof in pyrotechnic igniter devices.
  • the technical sector of the invention is that of the manufacture of pyrotechnic compositions.
  • Pyrotechnic compositions are known which are composed of a mixture of potassium nitrate and boron, which can be ignited electrically and which are used as pyrotechnic charge in pyrotechnic igniters intended to control remotely and / or at a well-defined instant. ignition of a pyrotechnic charge, for example a propellant charge.
  • the firing of a propellant charge at a specific time or at a specific point in the trajectory of a rocket it is very important that the firing be ordered in a very short time. It is therefore necessary that the reaction time, that is to say the time necessary for the charge of the igniter to burn and transmit the flame, be very short, of the order of a few tens of milliseconds.
  • One of the objectives of the present invention is to provide a new ternary pyrotechnic composition which makes it possible to reduce the reaction time.
  • Hot wire pyrotechnic igniters which have one or two filaments which are connected to two electric ignition conductors and a small pyrotechnic charge which is placed in a capsule which ignites on contact with hot wires when circulating an electric current therein which ignites a main pyrotechnic charge, for example a propellant charge.
  • the igniters must meet certain safety and non-operating requirements. When placed in a disturbed electromagnetic environment, for a determined time, they must not ignite the pyrotechnic charge and must not be damaged.
  • medium-energy igniters called 1 ampere-1 watt are used, which must be able to withstand the passage of a current of one ampere for five minutes and be subjected to an electrical energy of one watt for five minutes without has ignited the pyrotechnic charge they contain and which must operate normally after this test.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide pyrotechnic igniters of the type 1A-1W described above, which perfectly meet the tests and qualification tests under an ampere and under a dissipated power of one watt and which have a response time very brief, of the order of 10 milliseconds, between the energization of the hot wires and the ignition of the load.
  • an oxidation-reduction pyrotechnic composition which is composed of a powdery ternary mixture of potassium nitrate, boron and zirconium finely divided, the proportion by weight of zirconium being between 5 and 60%.
  • the invention relates to pyrotechnic igniters comprising a pyrotechnic charge which is placed inside a housing or a capsule which comprises at least one filament connected between two electrical ignition conductors.
  • pyrotechnic igniters in which the pyrotechnic composition is a ternary mixture of potassium nitrate, boron and zirconium, finely divided and in which a ceramic support is provided which is a good thermal conductor and insulator electric, which separates the pyrotechnic charge from the bottom of the box.
  • the proportions by weight of the components are as follows: potassium nitrate 28%, boron 12%, zirconium 60%.
  • the support can be crossed by pairs of pins, the ends of which are flush with the external surface of said support and are connected to each other by a firing filament which is pressed against the external face of said support.
  • Said support is preferably composed of sintered alumina.
  • the igniter comprises an insulating membrane, which is interposed between the firing filaments and the pyrotechnic charge, and this membrane is composed, for example, of a film of polyethylene terephthalate having a thickness of the order of 10 at 30 ⁇ rn.
  • the invention results in new pyrotechnic compositions and new pyrotechnic igniters containing these compositions.
  • zirconium in redox pyrotechnic compositions composed of potassium nitrate and boron, has the effect of improving the rate of propagation of combustion through the composition thanks to the heat conducting properties of zirconium. This results in a much faster reaction time during electric firing. Tests carried out by varying the intensity of the current through the firing filaments have shown that as soon as the intensity exceeds three amps, the firing time is less than 15 ms for a composition containing 60% of zirconium .
  • igniters comprising sintered alumina supports having a thickness of a few millimeters have shown that it is possible to circulate in the filaments a current of one ampere at a power of 1 watt for a duration greater than 5 minutes without that the composition has been ignited and the igniter has not been destroyed. It follows that the igniters according to the invention can pass through, without being damaged, electromagnetically disturbed areas, either natural phenomena, such as thunderstorms, or by an induced action.
  • the igniters according to the invention resist vibrations, accelerations, shocks, vacuum. They can withstand high temperatures up to 200 ° C or low up to - 80 ° C and repeated thermal shocks. They are waterproof. They can be stored for several years without being damaged.
  • FIG. 1 represents a pyrotechnic igniter which comprises an external box 1 which has for example the form of a socket or of a cylindrical capsule of axis xx1.
  • the housing 1 is for example a copper or brass housing, which has a bottom and an opening at the end opposite the bottom.
  • the bottom of the housing 1 contains a support or block of sintered alumina 3 which carries two parallel conductive pins 2a, 2b which are flush with the external surface of the support.
  • the support 3 has an axial thickness of the order of a few millimeters.
  • the pins 2a, 2b pass through the bottom of the case, being isolated from it, so that they can be engaged in two sockets connected to two electrical conductors.
  • FIG. 2 represents a variant in which the two pins 2a, 2b are replaced by two conductors 2'a, 2'b, which extend out of the housing in a wire 4 coated with an insulating sheath which connects the conductors 2'a , 2'b to a source of electric current.
  • the support 3 is a support which is both a good thermal conductor and a good electrical insulator.
  • the sintered alumina can be replaced by any other ceramic having these two properties. The function of this support will be explained below.
  • the pins 2a, 2b or the conductors 2'a, 2'b are fixed to the support by metallization and soldering 5.
  • a resistant filament 6 is welded by an electric weld.
  • the filament 6 is for example a wire made of nickel and chromium alloy having a resistance of one ohm.
  • the diameter of the filament 6 depends on the length and the resistivity of the metal or of the alloy which composes it.
  • the filament 6 is stretched between the ends of the two pins 2a, 2b, so that it is pressed over its entire length against the external surface of the support 3 and in good thermal contact with it.
  • An igniter according to the invention can comprise two pairs of pins or conductors and two filaments 6 which are supplied in parallel for better operational safety.
  • the housing 1 contains an oxidation-reduction pyrotechnic composition 7 which is a ternary mixture of powders of potassium nitrate, boron and zirconium.
  • the components of the mixture are in the finely divided state into particles having dimensions of the order of 10 to 40 ⁇ m.
  • Zirconium and boron act as reducing agents which combine with the oxygen in the nitrate.
  • zirconium is a good thermal conductor which transmits calories through the mixture and which prevents them from accumulating around the filament 6.
  • the products entering into the pyrotechnic composition are dried at a temperature of the order of 100 ° C., then finely ground and sieved, then they are intimately mixed in an agitator.
  • the mass of the pyrotechnic composition contained in an igniter is 250 or 500 mg depending on the igniters.
  • the preferred weight proportions of the components are 28% potassium nitrate, 12% boron and 60% zirconium.
  • the heat of combustion of a gram is 4,280 J (1,024 calories).
  • the measured reaction speed i.e. the time which elapses between the tensioning of the filaments 6 and the transmission of the flame out of the igniter is less than 15 ms for a current flowing in a filament 6 having an intensity greater than 3 amps.
  • reaction time values of a ternary composition according to the invention were well grouped around the average value with a very small difference which is at most of the order of 2 ms.
  • reaction time values of a binary pyrotechnic composition composed of potassium nitrate and boron are for the same firing current intensity, of the order of 100 ms, with deviations from the order of 10 ms.
  • zirconium therefore makes it possible to fix the instant of firing by means of a hot wire igniter in a much more precise manner. If the proportion of zirconium decreases, the reaction rate decreases.
  • the proportion of zirconium must not exceed a maximum value above which the thermal and electrical conductivity of the pyrotechnic composition would become too high.
  • the proportion by weight of zirconium in the composition can be between 40% and 60% and, preferably, of the order of 60%.
  • the pyrotechnic composition 7 is strongly compressed in the housing 1, for example under a pressure of 350 bars in order to ensure good contact of the particles of the composition with each other and with the filaments 6.
  • zirconium in the pyrotechnic composition reduces the resistivity thereof and it is preferable to electrically isolate the igniting filaments 6 of the composition 7 in order to avoid current leaks towards the walls of the case and between the firing circuits.
  • the insulation between circuits and between a conductor and the box must be greater than 100 megohms, at a voltage of 500 volts.
  • a very thin insulating membrane is interposed, preferably, between the filaments 6 and the pyrotechnic composition 7. This membrane must not prevent the transmission of heat between the filament and the pyrotechnic composition so as not to oppose the firing of it. It must be composed of an insulating material which must withstand a temperature of 270 ° C, which is the ignition temperature.
  • the membrane is a polyethylene terephthalate film having a thickness of the order of 10 to 30 4 m. This material melts at 260 ° C.
  • the pyrotechnic composition can be placed in an insulating case 9 which isolates it from the conductive walls of the housing 1.
  • the membrane 8 and the insulating case 9 are only necessary in the case where it is necessary for the igniters to be able to respond to severe isolation conditions, for example 100 MO isolation under a voltage of 500 V.
  • a thin cover 10 which is for example a sheet of tin having a thickness of 50 ⁇ . ⁇ .m which is held by a support washer 11 and the edge of the housing is crimped to hold the washer in place.
  • tin cover 10 melts and the flame is transmitted to a pyrotechnic charge which is placed in contact with the cover 10.
  • Igniters of the type just described must be able to withstand a determined electromagnetic environment without being destroyed.
  • these igniters can withstand, without the charge 7 being ignited, the passage for five minutes, through each igniting filament, of a current of 1 ampere or a power of 1 watt.
  • the application of this energy must not degrade the igniter or modify its operating characteristics.
  • the support 3 in electrically insulating ceramic but good thermal conductor, acts as a thermal reservoir in which the calories released by the Joule effect in the filaments 6 dissipate without the temperature of the filament being able to reach the ignition temperature as long as the he intensity of the current flowing in the filaments does not exceed 1 ampere.
  • composition 3 of zirconium which is a better thermal conductor than nitrate and boron, facilitates the dissipation of calories towards the support 3 during the tests and increases the rapidity of ignition of composition 3.
  • FIG. 3 represents an axial section of another embodiment of a pyrotechnic igniter according to the invention.
  • the homologous parts are represented by the same references.
  • This embodiment differs from that of FIG. 1 in that it does not include an insulating membrane 8 and that the cover 10 is a plastic cover having a thin central part having a thickness of the order of 0 , 1 mm which is surrounded by a peripheral ring crimped in the housing 1.
  • FIG. 4 represents an axial section of another embodiment of an igniter according to the invention.
  • the homologous parts are represented by the same references.
  • This embodiment differs from the previous ones in that the igniter is placed in the cavity of a housing 1a in the form of a threaded plug which is screwed into a threaded orifice intended to receive it.
  • the insulating membrane 8, which covers the filaments 6, is held at its periphery by an insulating washer 12.
  • the cavity located below the ceramic support 3 is filled with an adhesive or an insulating resin 13.
  • a seal 14 seals between the threaded plug and the body in which it is screwed.

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  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Inorganic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Materials Engineering (AREA)
  • Metallurgy (AREA)
  • Air Bags (AREA)

Claims (10)

1. Oxydation-reduzierende pyrotechnische Zusammentsetzung, für den Einsatz in pyrotechnischen Zündern, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß sie aus einer ternären Mischung von fein zermahlenem Kaliumnitrat, Bor und Zirkonium besteht, wobei der Gewichtsanteil an Zirkonium zwischen 5 und 60 % liegt.
2. Pyrotechnische Zusammensetzung nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der Gewichtsanteil an Zirkonium zwischen 40 % und 60 % liegt.
3. Pyrotechnische Zündvorrichtung mit einer pyrotechnischen Ladung (7), die in einem Gehäuse oder einer Kapsel (1) enthalten ist, wobei das Gehäuse oder die Kapsel mit mindestens einem an zwei elektrischen Zündleitern (2a, 2b) angeschlossenen Glühdraht versehen ist, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die erwähnte pyrotechnische Zusammensetzung aus einer ternären Mischung von fein zermahlenem Kaliumnitrat, Bor und Zirkonium besteht, und daß die Vorrichtung ausserdem eine Halterung (3) aus gut wärmeleitender jedoch elektrisch isolierender Keramik enthält, die die pyrotechnische Ladung vom Gehäuseboden trennt.
4. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Gewichtsanteile der Komponenten in der pyrotechnischen Zusammensetzung folgende Verhältnisse aufweisen : Kaliumnitrat 28 %, Bor 12 %, Zirkonium 60 %.
5. Vorrichtung nach einem beliebigen Anspruch oder 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Halterung durch Stiftpaare (2a, 2b) durchgedrungen ist, deren Spitzen bündig in der Oberfläche der erwähnten Halterung (3) eingelassen sind und untereinander mit einem Zünd-Glühdraht (6) verbunden sind, wobei die Glühdrähte auf die äussere Fläche der Halterung (3) aufliegen.
6. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 5, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die erwähnte Halterung aus gesinterter Tonerde besteht.
7. Vorrichtung nach einem beliebigen Anspruch 5 und 6, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß sie ausserdem eine isolierende, zwischen 10 und 30 Mikron dicke Membran (8) aufweist, die zwischen den Glühdrähten (6) und der pyrotechnischen Ladung (7) eingeschoben wird.
8. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 7, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die erwähnte Membran aus einem Aethylänterephthalat-Film mit einer Dicke zwischen 10 und 30 Mikron besteht.
9. Vorrichtung nach einem beliebigen Anspruch 5 und 6, dadurch gekennzeichnet. daß die erwähnte Keramik-Halterung (3) nur eine Dicke von einigen Millimetern aufweist.
10 Vorrichtung nach einem beliebigen Anspruch 4 bis 9, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das erwähnte Gehäuse am Ende, das dem Boden gegenüber liegt, eine Oeffnung aufweist, die mit einem dünnen Hütchen (10) verschlossen ist, wobei das Hütchen vorzugweise aus 50 Mikron dicken Zinn besteht und durch Bördeln angebracht wird.
EP19820401776 1981-10-05 1982-09-30 Pyrotechnische Zusammensetzung und pyrotechnische Entzündungsgeräte Expired EP0076746B1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR8118664 1981-10-05
FR8118664A FR2513990A1 (fr) 1981-10-05 1981-10-05 Composition pyrotechnique et dispositifs inflammateurs pyrotechniques

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0076746A2 EP0076746A2 (de) 1983-04-13
EP0076746A3 EP0076746A3 (en) 1984-03-28
EP0076746B1 true EP0076746B1 (de) 1986-05-28

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EP19820401776 Expired EP0076746B1 (de) 1981-10-05 1982-09-30 Pyrotechnische Zusammensetzung und pyrotechnische Entzündungsgeräte

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EP (1) EP0076746B1 (de)
DE (1) DE3271402D1 (de)
FR (1) FR2513990A1 (de)

Families Citing this family (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2599361B1 (fr) * 1986-05-27 1991-10-04 Survilliers Nle Cartoucherie Composition pyrotechnique pour inflammateur et allumeur electrique de securite, inflammateur et allumeur ainsi obtenus
DE4113319A1 (de) * 1991-04-24 1992-10-29 Dynamit Nobel Ag Bruecken-zuendmittel
CA2230574C (en) * 1997-02-26 2005-12-20 Alliant Techsystems Inc. Through bulkhead initiator
US6941868B2 (en) * 2003-06-26 2005-09-13 Autoliv Asp, Inc. Single increment initiator charge
US6905562B2 (en) * 2003-09-04 2005-06-14 Autoliv Asp, Inc. Low density slurry bridge mix

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE336004C (de) * 1920-01-20 1921-04-20 Geka Werke Offenbach Dr Gottli Verfahren zur Herstellung von rauch- und geruchlosen, spektralreinen Blitzlichtpulvern von hoher Abbrennungsgeschwindigkeit
DE2236380C3 (de) * 1972-07-25 1975-02-13 Thiokol Chemical Corp., Bristol, Pa. (V.St.A.) Gaserzeugungsvorrichtung

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0076746A3 (en) 1984-03-28
FR2513990A1 (fr) 1983-04-08
FR2513990B1 (de) 1983-12-23
EP0076746A2 (de) 1983-04-13
DE3271402D1 (en) 1986-07-03

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