EP0174891B1 - Electric switch triggered by immersion, and pyrotechnical device making use of such a switch - Google Patents
Electric switch triggered by immersion, and pyrotechnical device making use of such a switch Download PDFInfo
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- EP0174891B1 EP0174891B1 EP19850401640 EP85401640A EP0174891B1 EP 0174891 B1 EP0174891 B1 EP 0174891B1 EP 19850401640 EP19850401640 EP 19850401640 EP 85401640 A EP85401640 A EP 85401640A EP 0174891 B1 EP0174891 B1 EP 0174891B1
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- electric switch
- electrodes
- filter
- switch according
- casing
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H35/00—Switches operated by change of a physical condition
- H01H35/42—Switches operated by change of humidity
Definitions
- the invention relates on the one hand to an electrical contactor, the closure of which is directly ensured by the aqueous medium in which the contactor is immersed, and on the other hand to a pyrotechnic device, in particular a gas generating device actuating a pyrotechnic system, of which the ignition uses such a contactor.
- the contactor comprises at least two electrodes placed inside a housing which can be electrically connected by the aqueous medium, these electrodes being connected to an electronic circuit, preferably comprising at least one thyristor, the tripping threshold of which is reached when the aqueous medium connects the two electrodes, and, the pyrotechnic device triggered by immersion comprises such a contactor interposed between an electrical supply and the internal electrical resistance to the sensitive ignition composition of a pyrotechnic system.
- FR-A-2025679 and FR-A-2025680 describe contactors which are used to trigger a pyrotechnic system for automatically inflating lifejackets.
- the contactor does not form an independent element but is integrated in the pyrotechnic device whose internal surface of the casing constitutes one of the terminals of the contactor, this casing being pierced with free orifices allowing the penetration and the flow of the aqueous medium of immersion.
- the other electrical terminal of the contactor is a cylindrical ferrule arranged inside the casing but at a sufficient distance so that humidity and water drops cannot establish a direct contactor between the two terminals.
- the electronic circuit of such a contactor must have a high trigger threshold, but the conductance of a film of salt water may be higher than the conductance of a body of fresh water partially filling the interior of the housing, and it is practically impossible to adjust the threshold release to present a correct operating reliability in saline atmosphere and in fresh water, moreover the partial filling of the inside of the casing can occur in the case of a heavy rain or worse of a simple wave crest entering contact with the pyrotechnic device, especially if it is not strictly maintained in the vertical position.
- the object of the present invention is to obtain the tripping of the contactor only by a total immersion of a few seconds under a few decimetres of water, and this whatever the orientation of the pyrotechnic device and whatever the nature and the conductance of the immersion aqeux medium, any untimely triggering by projection or runoff of fresh or sea water being impossible.
- the present invention is characterized in that, on the one hand, the housing of the electrical contactor comprises at least one opening closed by a filter of very low porosity which can only be crossed by the aqueous medium when the latter is in continuous overpressure, the simple contact of the aqueous medium with the filter does not allow this medium to pass through this filter, and in that, on the other hand, the two electrodes are located near the inner surface of the filter.
- the porosity to be adopted depends on the material or materials constituting the filter as well as on the structure of this filter which can in particular be made of sintered material or of fibrous material. Filter suppliers do not always have the data to select the filters that may be suitable in the context of the present invention, and this selection itself depends on the permissible overpressure so that the aqueous medium passes through the fluid within the required time, the selection is all the more rigorous as this overpressure is low. Only very low porosity filters can be used, but when the aqueous medium must pass through the filter with an overpressure of less than 10,000 Pa (0.1 bar) in less than 10 seconds, it is desirable to carry out a double permeability test of the filter.
- the first test consists in placing the filter horizontally under a shower head, located 2 meters above, and the size of the holes and the flow rate correspond to a heavy rainstorm; under these most unfavorable conditions, water must not pass through the filter, even after half an hour of artificial rain.
- the second test much simpler and much more repetitive, consists in immersing a transparent container at a given depth in the aqueous medium, the only opening of which is closed by the filter, and to note the time after which the droplets appear on the internal face. of the filter, the detection of this appearance can be facilitated by a very slight partial deposition on this internal face of a color-changing reagent in the presence of water.
- the filter has a porosity of a few micrometers and can only be crossed by the aqueous medium when the latter is at a pressure whose value is at least 1000 Pa (0.01 bar) greater than the pressure value which prevails in the internal chamber of the contactor, this filter comprising at least one layer of sintered material or one layer of fibrous material, in particular polymer fibers, the mixed filters being very suitable.
- the electrodes are substantially parallel to the interior surface of the filter and the distance between the electrodes is less than 2 millimeters so that a single drop can establish contact, the distance between the electrodes and this surface internal being itself less than 3 or 4 millimeters, the contact being able to be thus established while the drops of the aqueous medium are not yet completely formed on this internal surface and still adhere to this surface.
- the two electrodes are branched and nested parallel to each other, so that contact can be established in any zone of appearance of drops of the aqueous medium on the interior surface of the filter, and on the other hand the distance between the electrodes and this interior surface is adjustable, in particular by screwing.
- a particularly advantageous embodiment consists in that the electrodes belong to the same printed circuit, each electrode can be constituted by a peripheral element in a semicircle, a substantially radial element and a bundle of substantially parallel branches.
- the electronic circuit can then be directly placed on the face of the printed circuit opposite to the face carrying the electrodes, in particular when this circuit is reduced to a thyristor and a capacitor.
- the contactor housing is dimensioned so that the ratio (V / S) between the volume of the internal chamber of the contactor and the total opening surface of the housing is less than 6, a wide opening facilitating the penetration of the aqueous immersion medium, which is limited by the back pressure prevailing in the internal chamber since the internal air compresses when the contactor is immersed in an aqueous medium.
- a small volume of the internal chamber is sufficient, and a volume of less than 10 cm 3 makes it possible to obtain practically all the triggering pressures between a thousand and a few hundred thousand Pascal (0.01 bar and a few bars), by choosing a thicker and lower porosity filter for the highest pressures, and adapting the distance between the electrodes and the internal face of the filter for the lowest pressures.
- the present invention also relates to a pyrotechnic device triggered by immersion, which comprises an electrical supply and a pyrotechnic system, in particular a pyrotechnic mechanism or a gas generator assembly, the sensitive composition of which is ignited by means of an internal electrical resistance, and which is characterized in that the electrical switch triggered by immersion has the technical characteristics mentioned above.
- the contactor housing on the one hand constitutes the housing of an electric cell, and on the other hand comprises a bore in which the pyrotechnic charge is positioned, this bore extending through an exhaust orifice combustion gases from the pyrotechnic charge to the pyrotechnic system.
- the contactor housing consists of two cylindrical elements mounted one inside the other and the electric cell is fixed in the interior element of the housing by an overmolding of insulating material which simultaneously allows the setting and the necessary sealing.
- the contactor has substantially the same tripping characteristics whatever the nature of the aqueous medium, fresh water or sea water, since it is the continuous overpressure of this aqueous medium which will allow triggering, such a feature being advantageous in particular for the life jackets of aviators or parachutists whose pyrotechnic inflation devices must be able to be actuated whatever the nature of the aqueous medium.
- the electrical contactor does not trigger the inflation of the life jacket if the paratrooper only lands in a shallow water area, hence the advantage of the invention which only allows tripping if a continuous overpressure equivalent to 50 cm or 1 m of water is reached.
- the condition for applying a continuous overpressure is particularly advantageous, since it makes it possible, for example, either to prevent the life jacket of a sailor from being automatically inflated as soon as a wave crest hits it, or when a device triggered by immersion is activated by heavy rain, regardless of the orientation of the detector and the device.
- the contactor according to the invention therefore avoids any untimely tripping while allowing the main tripping conditions which are the value of the excess pressure of the aqueous triggering medium and the duration of application of this excess pressure to be adjusted.
- FIG. 1 which corresponds to the preferred application of the electrical contactor according to the invention, represents a particular device making it possible to perforate the cover of a reserve of pressurized gas, which is not shown, but which is screwed into the thread (15) of the receiver system (12b) shown in broken lines.
- the assembly of this FIG. 1 represents a pyrotechnic perforator triggerable by immersion particularly suitable for use with a life jacket which is inflatable automatically in the event of sufficient immersion.
- the housing (3) is constituted by a first internal cylindrical element (3a) fitted into a second cylindrical element (3b), these two elements fixed to each other providing an internal chamber (6) which extends transversely under the cover (3c) of the housing.
- This cover which is glued or welded by friction to the internal element (3a) encloses the filter (5) which comprises two discs of porous material, the external disc being a stainless steel membrane with an average porosity of 15 micrometers, and the inner disc being a felt of compacted polytetrafluoroethylene fibers.
- the inner element (3a) of the housing is closed by a disc-shaped printed circuit (7) which adheres to the two-component filling resin (8).
- This resin immobilizes and fixes on the one hand the electronic circuit (4) mounted on the internal face of this printed circuit and on the other hand a cylindrical battery (11) Iithium / Mn02 delivering a voltage of approximately 3.3 V, the wiring between all these active elements being defined in FIG. 3, and the two connection conductors (9a) and (9b) leaving the filling resin (8).
- These two conductors are connected to an igniter 12a) constituted by an igniter whose pearl of sensitive composition coats the igniting filament (13 - fig. 4), and by gas-generating powder contained in a metallic envelope.
- the igniter (12a) is housed in the axial bore of the two cylindrical elements (3a) and (3b) of the housing, the three constituent parts of this housing being made of polyamide filled with fiberglass, and the external element ( 3b) of the housing is screwed into the receiving mechanism (12b) which is metallic and which is provided with an exhaust orifice (10) for combustion gases, temporarily closed by a cover.
- the distance between the upper surface of the printed circuit (7) on which the electrodes are arranged, and the lower surface of the fibrous layer of the filter (5) is 2 mm, and the two components fixed on the lower face of this printed circuit are a thyristor (4a) and a capacitor (4b).
- the thyristor (4a) behaves like a power switch which can be triggered when a positive voltage is applied to its trigger, even with a very small trigger power, the ignition currents according to the thyristors being of the order of 0.2 to 0.5 mA.
- the capacitor (4b) has a capacity of 1 nanofarad and the electrodes (1) and (2) of the printed circuit are branched and nested parallel to each other, the resistor (13) corresponding to the internal filament of the pyrotechnic composition sensitive.
- each of these electrodes being constituted by a peripheral element in a semicircle (1a, 2a) a substantially radial element (1b, 2b) and a beam ( 1c, 2c) of parallel branches which are spaced 1 mm apart.
- the opening of the casing (3) of the pyrotechnic perforator is advantageously protected by a cover (not shown), the porosity of the filter being an important operating condition which implies the cleanliness of this filter.
- the perforator In the operational position, the perforator is in the state shown in Figure 1, its orientation can be absolutely arbitrary.
- the very low porosity of the filter which is in the example 15 to 30 [tm, for a total thickness of 2 mm, prevents any penetration of water through this filter.
- the water penetrates only partially and very slowly into the filter and no triggering of the perforator occurs within ten minutes.
- the perforator is triggered within 5 to 10 seconds which corresponds to the time necessary for at least one drop of water forms partially on the internal surface of the filter and touches two contiguous ramifications of the electrodes, this very low conductance contact being sufficient to trigger the thyristor (4a) which then connects the battery (11) to the setting filament (13) fire.
- the combustion gases from the igniter (12a) then break the cover of the exhaust orifice (10) and propel the beveled axis (16), the tip of which tears open the cover of the reserve of compressed gas secured to the perforator by means of the thread (15), this compressed gas escaping through a network of pipes to a device for use such as an inflatable life jacket.
- FIG. 2 is specific to an electrical contactor not integrated in a pyrotechnic device, this independent contactor being very easily adjustable, on the one hand by varying the distance between the internal surface of the filter (25) and the network of electrodes of the circuit printed (27), and on the other hand by means of a set of filters having different porosities staggered between 3 and 50 micrometers.
- the internal chamber (26) could be of variable volume, which would allow an additional adjustment of the depth and of the immersion time to close the electrical contactor, this variable chamber being able to be produced by means of a housing (23) in two parts which would be screwed into each other and which would be provided with an O-ring as waterproofing.
- the housing (23) of the contactor is integral and metallic and comprises, on the one hand a high internal thread in which is mounted the filter support (25), and on the other hand in the lower part an insulating shutter which molds the two pins (30a) and (30b) for connecting the contactor.
- the electrodes have the same arrangement as that described previously with reference to FIG. 4, but the printed circuit (27) has a cup shape in which the thyristor (4a), the capacitor (4b) and the cables take place.
- the electrical diagram corresponds to that of FIG. 3, the pins (30a) and (30b) being located on either side of the assembly constituted by the electrical supply (11) and by the user elements (13).
Description
L'invention concerne d'une part un contacteur électrique, dont la fermeture est directement assurée par le milieu aqueux dans lequel est immergé le contacteur, et d'autre part un dispositif pyrotechnique, notamment un dispositif générateur de gaz actionnant un système pyrotechnique, dont la mise à feu utilise un tel contacteur. Le contacteur comprend au moins deux électrodes placées à l'interieur d'un boîtier qui peuvent être électriquement reliées par le milieu aqueux, ces électrodes étant connectées à un circuit électronique, comprenant de préférence au moins un thyristor, dont le seuil de déclenchement est atteint quand le milieu aqueux relie les deux électrodes, et, le dispositif pyrotechnique déclenché par immersion comporte un tel contacteur interposé entre une alimentation électrique et la résistance électrique interne à la composition sensible de mise à feu d'une système pyrotechnique.The invention relates on the one hand to an electrical contactor, the closure of which is directly ensured by the aqueous medium in which the contactor is immersed, and on the other hand to a pyrotechnic device, in particular a gas generating device actuating a pyrotechnic system, of which the ignition uses such a contactor. The contactor comprises at least two electrodes placed inside a housing which can be electrically connected by the aqueous medium, these electrodes being connected to an electronic circuit, preferably comprising at least one thyristor, the tripping threshold of which is reached when the aqueous medium connects the two electrodes, and, the pyrotechnic device triggered by immersion comprises such a contactor interposed between an electrical supply and the internal electrical resistance to the sensitive ignition composition of a pyrotechnic system.
Les contacteurs électriques déclenchables par immersion sont connus, et par exemple le brevet US-A- 3739673 décrit un contactuer qui est utilisé au déclenchement d'un coupe-câble pyrotechnique, ce contacteur étant plus particulièrement représenté aux figures 3 et 4. Le contacteur décrit comprend notamment une coupelle rigide qui peut se déplacer axialement par rapport au corps du contacteur sous l'effet de la pression et qui comporte la lame mobile de contact qui est initialement maintenue à distance de la lame fixe au moyen d'une entretoise partiellement destructible. De tels contacteurs donnent toute satisfaction dans un domaine de pression élevée, notamment les pressions engendrées par une explosion sous- marine, mais même en supprimant l'entretoise, ils ne permettent pas un déclenchement sous faible pression notamment à cause du frottement du joint d'étenchéité placé entre la coupelle rigide et le corps du contacteur.Electrical contactors that can be triggered by immersion are known, and for example US-A-3739673 describes a contactor which is used when a pyrotechnic cable cutter is triggered, this contactor being more particularly represented in FIGS. 3 and 4. The contactor described comprises in particular a rigid cup which can move axially relative to the body of the contactor under the effect of pressure and which comprises the movable contact blade which is initially kept away from the fixed blade by means of a partially destructible spacer. Such contactors give full satisfaction in a high pressure range, in particular the pressures generated by an underwater explosion, but even by removing the spacer, they do not allow tripping under low pressure, in particular because of the friction of the seal. sealing placed between the rigid cup and the body of the contactor.
D'autres contacteurs électriques déclenchables par immersion sont également connus, et par exemple les brevets FR-A-2025679 et FR-A-2025680 décrivent des contacteurs qui sont utilisés au déclenchement d'un système pyrotechnique de gonflage automatique de gilets de sauvetage. Le contacteur ne form pas un élément indépendant mais est intégré dans le dispositif pyrotechnique dont la surface intérieure du carter constitue l'une des bornes du contacteur, ce carter étant percé d'orifices libres permettant la pénétration et l'écoulement du milieu aqueux d'immersion. L'autre borne électrique du contacteur est une virole cylindrique disposée à l'intérieur du carter mais à une distance suffisante afin que l'humidité et les gouttes d'eau ne puissent établir un contacteur direct entre les deux bornes. Par contrer, par condensation d'un air humide salin ou par exposition à des embruns, il se formera un film relativement très conducteur entre les deux bornes électriques, et pour éviter tout déclenchement intempestif, le circuit électronique d'un tel contacteur doit présenter un seuil de déclenchement élevé, mais la conductance d'un film d'eau salé peut être supérieure à la conductance d'une masse d'eau douce remplissant partiellement l'intérieur du carter, et il n'est pratiquement pas possible de régler le seuil de déclenchement pour présenter une fiabilité de fonctionnement correcte en atmosphère saline et en eau douce, de plus le remplissage partiel de l'intérieur du carter peut se produire dans le cas d'une forte pluie ou pire d'une simple crête de vague entrant en contact avec le dispositif pyrotechnique, surtout si celui ce n'est pas maintenu rigoureusement en position verticale.Other electrical contactors that can be triggered by immersion are also known, and for example the patents FR-A-2025679 and FR-A-2025680 describe contactors which are used to trigger a pyrotechnic system for automatically inflating lifejackets. The contactor does not form an independent element but is integrated in the pyrotechnic device whose internal surface of the casing constitutes one of the terminals of the contactor, this casing being pierced with free orifices allowing the penetration and the flow of the aqueous medium of immersion. The other electrical terminal of the contactor is a cylindrical ferrule arranged inside the casing but at a sufficient distance so that humidity and water drops cannot establish a direct contactor between the two terminals. To counter, by condensation of a salty humid air or by exposure to sea spray, a relatively very conductive film will form between the two electrical terminals, and to avoid any untimely tripping, the electronic circuit of such a contactor must have a high trigger threshold, but the conductance of a film of salt water may be higher than the conductance of a body of fresh water partially filling the interior of the housing, and it is practically impossible to adjust the threshold release to present a correct operating reliability in saline atmosphere and in fresh water, moreover the partial filling of the inside of the casing can occur in the case of a heavy rain or worse of a simple wave crest entering contact with the pyrotechnic device, especially if it is not strictly maintained in the vertical position.
La présente invention a pour but de n'obtenir le déclenchement du contacteur qu'uniquement par une immersion totale de quelques secondes sous quelques décimètres d'eau, et cela quelle que soit l'orientation du dispositif pyrotechnique et quelle que soit la nature et la conductance du milieu aqeux d'immersion, tout déclenchement intempestif par projection ou ruissellement d'eau douce ou d'eau de mer étant impossible.The object of the present invention is to obtain the tripping of the contactor only by a total immersion of a few seconds under a few decimetres of water, and this whatever the orientation of the pyrotechnic device and whatever the nature and the conductance of the immersion aqeux medium, any untimely triggering by projection or runoff of fresh or sea water being impossible.
La présente invention se caractérise en ce que d'une part le boîtier du contacteur électrique comporte au moins une ouverture obturée par un filtre de très faible porosité qui ne peut être traversé par le milieu aqueux que lorsque celui-ci est en surpression continue, le simple contact du milieu acqueux avec le filtre ne permettant pas à ce milieu de traverser ce filtre, et en ce que d'autre part les deux électrodes sont situées à proximité de la surface intérieure du filtre.The present invention is characterized in that, on the one hand, the housing of the electrical contactor comprises at least one opening closed by a filter of very low porosity which can only be crossed by the aqueous medium when the latter is in continuous overpressure, the simple contact of the aqueous medium with the filter does not allow this medium to pass through this filter, and in that, on the other hand, the two electrodes are located near the inner surface of the filter.
La porosité à adopter dépend du matériau ou des matériaux constitutifs du filtre ainsi que de la structure de ce filtre qui peut être notamment en matériau fritté ou en matériau fibreux. Les fournisseurs de filtres ne disposent pas toujours des données permettant de sélectionner les filtres pouvant convenir dans le cadre de la présente invention, et cette sélection dépend elle-même de la surpression admissible pour que le milieu aqueux traverse le fluide dans les délais nécessaires, la sélection étant d'autant plus rigoureuse que cette surpression est faible. Seuls les filtres à très faible porosité peuvent être utilisés, mais lorsque le milieu aqueux doit traverser le filtre avec une surpression inférieure à 10000 Pa (0,1 bar) en moins de 10 secondes, il est souhaitable d'effectuer un double test de perméabilité du filtre. Le premier test consiste à placer horizontalement le filtre sous un pommeau de douche, situé à 2 mètres au dessus, et dont le calibrage des trous et le débit correspondent à une forte pluie d'orage; dans ces conditions les plus défavorables, l'eau ne doit pas traverser le filtre, même après une demi- heure de pluie artificielle. Le second test beaucoup plus simple et beaucoup plus répétitif consiste à immerger à une profondeur donnée dans le milieu aqueux un récipient transparent dont la seule ouverture est obturée par le filtre, et à constater la durée au bout de laquelle les gouttelettes apparaissent sur la face interne du filtre, la détection de cette apparition pouvant être facilitée par un très léger dépôt partiel sur cette face interne d'une réactif virant de couleur en présence d'eau.The porosity to be adopted depends on the material or materials constituting the filter as well as on the structure of this filter which can in particular be made of sintered material or of fibrous material. Filter suppliers do not always have the data to select the filters that may be suitable in the context of the present invention, and this selection itself depends on the permissible overpressure so that the aqueous medium passes through the fluid within the required time, the selection is all the more rigorous as this overpressure is low. Only very low porosity filters can be used, but when the aqueous medium must pass through the filter with an overpressure of less than 10,000 Pa (0.1 bar) in less than 10 seconds, it is desirable to carry out a double permeability test of the filter. The first test consists in placing the filter horizontally under a shower head, located 2 meters above, and the size of the holes and the flow rate correspond to a heavy rainstorm; under these most unfavorable conditions, water must not pass through the filter, even after half an hour of artificial rain. The second test, much simpler and much more repetitive, consists in immersing a transparent container at a given depth in the aqueous medium, the only opening of which is closed by the filter, and to note the time after which the droplets appear on the internal face. of the filter, the detection of this appearance can be facilitated by a very slight partial deposition on this internal face of a color-changing reagent in the presence of water.
Préférentiellement le filtre présente une porosité de quelques micromètres et ne peut être traversé par le milieu aqueux que lorsque celui-ci est à une pression dont la valeur est supérieure d'au moins 1000 Pa (0,01 bar) à la valeur de la pression qui règne dans la chambre interne du contactuer, ce filtre comportant au moins une couche de matériau fritté ou une couche de matériau, fibreux, notamment des fibres de polymères, les filtres mixtes pouvant très bien convenir.Preferably the filter has a porosity of a few micrometers and can only be crossed by the aqueous medium when the latter is at a pressure whose value is at least 1000 Pa (0.01 bar) greater than the pressure value which prevails in the internal chamber of the contactor, this filter comprising at least one layer of sintered material or one layer of fibrous material, in particular polymer fibers, the mixed filters being very suitable.
Afin d'améliorer la fiabilité du détecteur, les électrodes sont sensiblement parallèles à la surface intérieure du filtre et la distance entre les électrodes est inférieure à 2 millimètres afin qu'une simple goutte puisse établir le contact, la distance entre les électrodes et cette surface intérieure étant elle-même inférieure à 3 ou 4 millimètres, le contact pouvant êtres ainsi établi alors que les gouttes du milieu aqueux ne sont pas encore totalement formées sur cette surface intérieure et adhérent encore à cette surface.In order to improve the reliability of the detector, the electrodes are substantially parallel to the interior surface of the filter and the distance between the electrodes is less than 2 millimeters so that a single drop can establish contact, the distance between the electrodes and this surface internal being itself less than 3 or 4 millimeters, the contact being able to be thus established while the drops of the aqueous medium are not yet completely formed on this internal surface and still adhere to this surface.
Avantageusement, d'une part les deux électrodes sont ramifiées et imbriquées parallèlement l'une à l'autre, afin que le contact puisse être établi en n'importe quelle zone d'apparition des gouttes du milieu aqueux sur la surface intérieure du filtre, et d'autre part la distance entre les électrodes et cette surface intérieure est réglable, notamment par vissage.Advantageously, on the one hand the two electrodes are branched and nested parallel to each other, so that contact can be established in any zone of appearance of drops of the aqueous medium on the interior surface of the filter, and on the other hand the distance between the electrodes and this interior surface is adjustable, in particular by screwing.
Une forme de réalisation particulièrement avantageuse consiste en ce que les électrodes appartiennent à un même circuit imprimé, chaque electrode pouvant être constituée par un élément périphérique en demi-cercle, un élément sensiblement radial et un faisceau de ramifications sensiblement parallèles. Le circuit électronique peut alors directement être disposé sur la face du circuit imprimé opposée à la face portant les électrodes, notamment lorsque ce circuit est réduit à un thyristor et un condensateur.A particularly advantageous embodiment consists in that the electrodes belong to the same printed circuit, each electrode can be constituted by a peripheral element in a semicircle, a substantially radial element and a bundle of substantially parallel branches. The electronic circuit can then be directly placed on the face of the printed circuit opposite to the face carrying the electrodes, in particular when this circuit is reduced to a thyristor and a capacitor.
Plus particulièrement le boîtier du contacteur est dimensionné de manière à ce que le rapport (V/S) entre le volume de la chambre interne du contacteur et la surface totale d'ouverture du boîtier soit inférieur à 6, une large ouverture facilitant la pénétration du milieu aqueux d'immersion, qui est limitée par la contrepression qui règne dans la chambre interne puisque l'air interne se comprime lorsque le contactuer est plongé dans un milieu aqueux.More particularly, the contactor housing is dimensioned so that the ratio (V / S) between the volume of the internal chamber of the contactor and the total opening surface of the housing is less than 6, a wide opening facilitating the penetration of the aqueous immersion medium, which is limited by the back pressure prevailing in the internal chamber since the internal air compresses when the contactor is immersed in an aqueous medium.
Un faible volume de la chambre interne est suffisant, et un volume inférieur à 10 cm3 permet pratiquement d'obtenir toutes les pressions de déclenchement entre mille et quelques centaines de milliers de Pascal (0,01 bar et quelques bars), en choissisant un filtre plus épais et de plus faible porosité pour les pressions les plus élevées, et en adaptant la distance entre les électrodes et la face interne du filtre pour les pressions les plus basses.A small volume of the internal chamber is sufficient, and a volume of less than 10 cm 3 makes it possible to obtain practically all the triggering pressures between a thousand and a few hundred thousand Pascal (0.01 bar and a few bars), by choosing a thicker and lower porosity filter for the highest pressures, and adapting the distance between the electrodes and the internal face of the filter for the lowest pressures.
La présente invention concerne également un dispositif pyrotechnique déclenché par immersion, qui comporte une alimentation électrique et un système pyrotechnique, notamment un mécanisme pyrotechnique ou un ensemble générateur de gaz, dont la composition sensible est mise à feu au moyen d'une résistance électrique interne, et qui se caractérise en ce que le contacteur électrique déclenchable par immersion présente les caractéristique techniques mentionnées ci- dessus.The present invention also relates to a pyrotechnic device triggered by immersion, which comprises an electrical supply and a pyrotechnic system, in particular a pyrotechnic mechanism or a gas generator assembly, the sensitive composition of which is ignited by means of an internal electrical resistance, and which is characterized in that the electrical switch triggered by immersion has the technical characteristics mentioned above.
Préférentiellement pour cette application particulière, le boîtier du contacteur, d'une part constitue le logement d'une pile électrique, et d'autre part comporte un alésage dans lequel est positionnée la charge pyrotechnique, cet alésage se prolongeant par un orifice d'échappement des gaz de combustion de la charge pyrotechnique vers le système pyrotechnique.Preferably for this particular application, the contactor housing, on the one hand constitutes the housing of an electric cell, and on the other hand comprises a bore in which the pyrotechnic charge is positioned, this bore extending through an exhaust orifice combustion gases from the pyrotechnic charge to the pyrotechnic system.
Avantageusement le boîtier du contacteur est constitué par deux éléments cylindriques montés l'un dans l'autre et la pile électrique est fixée dans l'élément intérieur du boîtier par un surmoulage de matière isolante qui permet simultanément le calage et l'étanchéite nécessaire.Advantageously, the contactor housing consists of two cylindrical elements mounted one inside the other and the electric cell is fixed in the interior element of the housing by an overmolding of insulating material which simultaneously allows the setting and the necessary sealing.
Les avantages obtenus grâce à cette invention consistent essentiellement en ce que le contacteur présente sensiblement les mêmes caractéristiques de déclenchement quelle que soit la nature du milieu aqueux, eau douce ou eau de mer, puisque c'est la surpression continue de ce milieu aqueux qui permettra le déclenchement, une telle particularité étant avantageuse notamment pour les gilets de sauvetage des aviateurs ou des parachutistes dont les dispositifs pyrotechniques de gonflage doivent pouvoir être actionnés quelle que soit la nature du milieu aqueux. Dans cette application il est également particulièrement avantageux que le contacteur électrique ne déclenche pas le gonflage du gilet de sauvetage si le parachutiste ne fait qu'atterrir dans une zone d'eau de faible profondeur, d'où l'intérêt de l'invention qui ne permet un déclenchement que si une surpression continue équivalente à 50 cm ou 1 m d'eau est atteinte. La condition d'application d'une surpression continue, même si elle n'est que de 5 ou 10 secondes est particulièrement avantageuse, puisqu'elle permet par exemple, soit d'éviter que le gilet de sauvetage d'un marin ne soit automatiquement gonflé dès qu'une crête de vague le percute, ou qu'un dispositif déclenchable par immersion ne soit actionné par une pluie violente, et cela quelle que soit l'orientation du détecteur et du dispositif.The advantages obtained thanks to this invention consist essentially in that the contactor has substantially the same tripping characteristics whatever the nature of the aqueous medium, fresh water or sea water, since it is the continuous overpressure of this aqueous medium which will allow triggering, such a feature being advantageous in particular for the life jackets of aviators or parachutists whose pyrotechnic inflation devices must be able to be actuated whatever the nature of the aqueous medium. In this application it is also particularly advantageous that the electrical contactor does not trigger the inflation of the life jacket if the paratrooper only lands in a shallow water area, hence the advantage of the invention which only allows tripping if a continuous overpressure equivalent to 50 cm or 1 m of water is reached. The condition for applying a continuous overpressure, even if it is only 5 or 10 seconds, is particularly advantageous, since it makes it possible, for example, either to prevent the life jacket of a sailor from being automatically inflated as soon as a wave crest hits it, or when a device triggered by immersion is activated by heavy rain, regardless of the orientation of the detector and the device.
Le contacteur selon l'invention évite donc tout déclenchement intempestif tout en permettant de régler les principales conditions de déclenchement qui sont la valeur de la surpression du milieu aqueux de déclenchement et la durée d'application de cette surpression.The contactor according to the invention therefore avoids any untimely tripping while allowing the main tripping conditions which are the value of the excess pressure of the aqueous triggering medium and the duration of application of this excess pressure to be adjusted.
Dans ce qui suit, l'invention est exposée plus en détail à l'aide d'un dessin représentant deux modes particuliers d'exécution, pour lesquels:
- - la figure 1 est une vue en coupe longitudinale d'un perforateur pyrotechnique équipé d'un contacteur électrique déclenchable par immersion,
- - la figure 2 est une vue en coupe axiale d'un contacteur électrique indépendant déclenchable par immersion,
- - la figure 3 correspond au schéma électrique du perforateur pyrotechnique représenté à la figure 1,
- - la figure 4 est une vue de face partielle du circuit imprimé formant les électrodes des contacteurs représentés aux figures 1 et 2.
- FIG. 1 is a view in longitudinal section of a pyrotechnic perforator equipped with an electrical contactor triggerable by immersion,
- FIG. 2 is a view in axial section of an independent electrical contactor triggered by immersion,
- FIG. 3 corresponds to the electrical diagram of the pyrotechnic perforator shown in FIG. 1,
- FIG. 4 is a partial front view of the printed circuit forming the electrodes of the contactors shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.
La figure 1, qui correspond à l'application préférentielle du contacteur électrique selon l'invention, représente un dispositif particulier permettant de perforer l'opercule d'une réserve de gaz pressurisé, qui n'est pas représentée, mais qui est vissée dans le filetage (15) du système récepteur (12b) représenté en traits interrompus. L'ensemble de cette figure 1 représente un perforateur pyrotechnique déclenchable par immersion particulièrement adapté pour être utilisé avec un gilet de sauvetage gonflable automatiquement en cas d'immersion suffisante.FIG. 1, which corresponds to the preferred application of the electrical contactor according to the invention, represents a particular device making it possible to perforate the cover of a reserve of pressurized gas, which is not shown, but which is screwed into the thread (15) of the receiver system (12b) shown in broken lines. The assembly of this FIG. 1 represents a pyrotechnic perforator triggerable by immersion particularly suitable for use with a life jacket which is inflatable automatically in the event of sufficient immersion.
Le boîtier (3) est constitué par un premier élément cylindrique intérieur (3a) emmanché dans un second élément cylindrique (3b), ces deux éléments fixés l'un à l'autre ménageant une chambre interne (6) qui s'étend transversalement sous le couvercle (3c) du boîtier. Ce couvercle qui est collé ou soudé par friction sur l'élément intérieur (3a) enserre le filtre (5) qui comporte deux disques de matériau poreux, le disque extérieur étant une membrane en acier inoxydable dont la porosité moyenne est de 15 micromètres, et le disques intérieur étant un feutre de fibres de polytétrafluo- roéthylène compactées. L'élément intérieur (3a) du boîtier est obturé par un circuit imprimé (7) en forme de disque qui adhère à la résine bi-composant de remplissage (8). Cette résine immobilise et fixe d'une part le circuit électronique (4) monté sur la face interne de ce circuit imprimé et d'autre part une pile cylindrique (11) Iithium/Mn02 délivrant une tension d'environ 3,3 V, le câblage entre tous ces éléments actifs étant défini à la figure 3, et les deux conducteurs (9a) et (9b) de raccordement sortant de la résine de remplissage (8). Ces deux conducteurs sont raccordés à un allumeur 12a) constitué par un inflammateur dont la perle de composition sensible enrobe le filament (13 - fig. 4) de mise à feu, et par de la poudre génératrice de gaz contenue dans une enveloppe métallique. L'allumeur (12a) est logé dans l'alésage axial des deux éléments cylindriques (3a) et (3b) du boîtier, les trois pièces constitutives de ce boîtier étant réalisées en polyamide chargée en fibre de verre, et l'élément extérieur (3b) du boîtier est vissé dans le mécanisme récepteur (12b) qui est métallique et qui est pourvu d'un orifice d'échappement (10) des gaz de combustion, temporairement obturé par un opercule. La distance entre la surface supérieure du circuit imprimé (7) sur laquelle sont disposées les électrodes, et la surface inférieure de la couche fibreuse du filtre (5) est de 2 mm, et les deux composants fixés sur la face inférieure de ce circuit imprimé sont un thyristor (4a) et en condensateur (4b).The housing (3) is constituted by a first internal cylindrical element (3a) fitted into a second cylindrical element (3b), these two elements fixed to each other providing an internal chamber (6) which extends transversely under the cover (3c) of the housing. This cover which is glued or welded by friction to the internal element (3a) encloses the filter (5) which comprises two discs of porous material, the external disc being a stainless steel membrane with an average porosity of 15 micrometers, and the inner disc being a felt of compacted polytetrafluoroethylene fibers. The inner element (3a) of the housing is closed by a disc-shaped printed circuit (7) which adheres to the two-component filling resin (8). This resin immobilizes and fixes on the one hand the electronic circuit (4) mounted on the internal face of this printed circuit and on the other hand a cylindrical battery (11) Iithium / Mn02 delivering a voltage of approximately 3.3 V, the wiring between all these active elements being defined in FIG. 3, and the two connection conductors (9a) and (9b) leaving the filling resin (8). These two conductors are connected to an
En se reportant à la figure 3, le thyristor (4a) se comporte comme un interrupteur de puissance qui peut être déclenché quand on applique une tension positive à sa gachette, même avec une très petite puissance de gachette, les courants d'amorgage selon les thyristors étant de l'ordre de 0,2 à 0,5 mA. Le condensateur (4b) présente une capacité de 1 nanofarad et les électrodes (1) et (2) du circuit imprimé sont ramifiées et imbriquées parallèlement l'une à l'autre, la résistance (13) correspondant au filament interne à la composition pyrotechnique sensible. La figure 4 précise la disposition particulière des électrodes ménagées sur le circuit imprimé (7) chacune de ces électrodes étant constituée par un élément périphérique en demi-cercle (1 a, 2a) un élément sensiblement radial (1b, 2b) et un faisceau (1c, 2c) de ramifications parallèles qui sont espacées de 1 mm.Referring to FIG. 3, the thyristor (4a) behaves like a power switch which can be triggered when a positive voltage is applied to its trigger, even with a very small trigger power, the ignition currents according to the thyristors being of the order of 0.2 to 0.5 mA. The capacitor (4b) has a capacity of 1 nanofarad and the electrodes (1) and (2) of the printed circuit are branched and nested parallel to each other, the resistor (13) corresponding to the internal filament of the pyrotechnic composition sensitive. FIG. 4 specifies the particular arrangement of the electrodes formed on the printed circuit (7) each of these electrodes being constituted by a peripheral element in a semicircle (1a, 2a) a substantially radial element (1b, 2b) and a beam ( 1c, 2c) of parallel branches which are spaced 1 mm apart.
En période de non utilisation l'ouverture du boîtier (3) du perforateur pyrotechnique est avantageusement protégée par un couvercle (non représenté), la porosité du filtre étant une condition de fonctionnement importante qui implique la propreté de ce filtre. En position opérationnelle, le perforateur est dans l'état représenté à la figure 1, son orientation pouvant être absolument quelconque. En cas de pluie, même violente, la très faible porosité du filtre qui est dans l'exemple de 15 à 30 [tm, pour une épaisseur totale de 2 mm, empêche toute pénétration de l'eau au travers de ce filtre. En cas d'immersion à une profondeur de 10 cm, l'eau ne pénètre que partiellement et très lentement dans le filtre et aucun déclenchement du perforateur ne se produit dans les dix minutes qui suivent. Par contre, en cas d'immersion à plus de 30 cm le déclenchement se produit, et à 60 cm de profondeur, le perforateur se déclenche dans un délai de 5 à 10 secondes qui correspond au temps nécessaire pour qu'au moins une goutte d'eau se forme partiellement à la surface interne du filtre et touche deux ramifications contiguës des électrodes, ce contact de très faible conductance étant suffisant pour déclencher le thyristor (4a) qui relie alors la pile (11) au filament (13) de mise à feu. Les gaz de combustion de l'allumeur (12a) rompent alors l'opercule de l'orifice d'échappement (10) et propulsent l'axe biseauté (16) dont la pointe déchire l'opercule de la réserve de gaz comprimé solidarisée au perforateur au moyen du filetage (15), ce gaz comprimé s'échappant par un réseau de tubulures vers in dispositif d'utilisation tel qu'un gilet de sauvetage gonflable.During periods of non-use, the opening of the casing (3) of the pyrotechnic perforator is advantageously protected by a cover (not shown), the porosity of the filter being an important operating condition which implies the cleanliness of this filter. In the operational position, the perforator is in the state shown in Figure 1, its orientation can be absolutely arbitrary. In the event of rain, even heavy, the very low porosity of the filter which is in the example 15 to 30 [tm, for a total thickness of 2 mm, prevents any penetration of water through this filter. In the event of immersion at a depth of 10 cm, the water penetrates only partially and very slowly into the filter and no triggering of the perforator occurs within ten minutes. On the other hand, in the event of immersion at more than 30 cm the triggering occurs, and at a depth of 60 cm, the perforator is triggered within 5 to 10 seconds which corresponds to the time necessary for at least one drop of water forms partially on the internal surface of the filter and touches two contiguous ramifications of the electrodes, this very low conductance contact being sufficient to trigger the thyristor (4a) which then connects the battery (11) to the setting filament (13) fire. The combustion gases from the igniter (12a) then break the cover of the exhaust orifice (10) and propel the beveled axis (16), the tip of which tears open the cover of the reserve of compressed gas secured to the perforator by means of the thread (15), this compressed gas escaping through a network of pipes to a device for use such as an inflatable life jacket.
La figure 2 est spécifique à un contacteur électrique non intégré dans un dispositif pyrotechnique, ce contacteur indépendant étant très facilement réglable, d'une part en faisant varier la distance entre la surface interne du filtre (25) et le réseau d'électrodes du circuit imprimé (27), et d'autre part au moyen d'un jeu de filtres présentant différentes porosités échelonnées entre 3 et 50 micromètres. Selon une variante de réalisation, la chambre interne (26) pourrait être à volume variable, ce qui permettrait un réglage supplémentaire de la profondeur et du temps d'immersion pour fermer le contacteur électrique, cette chambre variable pouvant être réalisée au moyen d'un boîtier (23) en deux parties qui se visseraient l'une dans l'autre et qui seraient munies d'un joint torique d'étanchéité. Selon l'exemple de la figure 2, le boîtier (23) du contacteur est monobloc et métallique et comporte, d'une part un partie haute un filetage interne dans lequel est monté le support du filtre (25), et d'autre part en partie basse un obturateur isolant qui surmoule les deux broches (30a) et (30b) de connexion du contacteur. Les électrodes présentent la même disposition que celle décrite prédécemment en référence à la figure 4, mais le circuit imprimé (27) présente une forme de coupelle dans laquelle prennent place le thyristor (4a) le condensateur (4b) et les câblages. Le schéma électrique correspond à celui de la figure 3, les broches (30a) et (30b) se situant de part et d'autre de l'ensemble constitué par l'alimentation électrique (11) et par les éléments utilisateurs (13).FIG. 2 is specific to an electrical contactor not integrated in a pyrotechnic device, this independent contactor being very easily adjustable, on the one hand by varying the distance between the internal surface of the filter (25) and the network of electrodes of the circuit printed (27), and on the other hand by means of a set of filters having different porosities staggered between 3 and 50 micrometers. According to an alternative embodiment, the internal chamber (26) could be of variable volume, which would allow an additional adjustment of the depth and of the immersion time to close the electrical contactor, this variable chamber being able to be produced by means of a housing (23) in two parts which would be screwed into each other and which would be provided with an O-ring as waterproofing. According to the example of Figure 2, the housing (23) of the contactor is integral and metallic and comprises, on the one hand a high internal thread in which is mounted the filter support (25), and on the other hand in the lower part an insulating shutter which molds the two pins (30a) and (30b) for connecting the contactor. The electrodes have the same arrangement as that described previously with reference to FIG. 4, but the printed circuit (27) has a cup shape in which the thyristor (4a), the capacitor (4b) and the cables take place. The electrical diagram corresponds to that of FIG. 3, the pins (30a) and (30b) being located on either side of the assembly constituted by the electrical supply (11) and by the user elements (13).
Claims (20)
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| FR8412780A FR2569305B1 (en) | 1984-08-14 | 1984-08-14 | ELECTRICAL SWITCHABLE CONTACTOR AND PYROTECHNIC DEVICE USING SUCH A CONTACTOR |
| FR8412780 | 1984-08-14 |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| EP0174891A1 EP0174891A1 (en) | 1986-03-19 |
| EP0174891B1 true EP0174891B1 (en) | 1989-02-08 |
Family
ID=9307023
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| EP19850401640 Expired EP0174891B1 (en) | 1984-08-14 | 1985-08-13 | Electric switch triggered by immersion, and pyrotechnical device making use of such a switch |
Country Status (3)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP0174891B1 (en) |
| DE (1) | DE3568235D1 (en) |
| FR (1) | FR2569305B1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE8705445U1 (en) * | 1987-04-11 | 1988-08-11 | Robert Krups Stiftung & Co Kg, 5650 Solingen, De | |
| FR2731554B1 (en) * | 1995-03-10 | 1997-05-30 | Roger Anfosso | LOW PRESSURE ELECTRO-PRESSIOSTATIC CONTACTOR |
Family Cites Families (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CH459827A (en) * | 1967-06-30 | 1968-07-15 | Haeny & Cie | Safety switching device |
| SE327924B (en) * | 1968-12-09 | 1970-08-31 | Saab Ab | |
| CH532395A (en) * | 1972-03-21 | 1973-01-15 | Dolder Willy | Monitor for bed wetting |
-
1984
- 1984-08-14 FR FR8412780A patent/FR2569305B1/en not_active Expired
-
1985
- 1985-08-13 EP EP19850401640 patent/EP0174891B1/en not_active Expired
- 1985-08-13 DE DE8585401640T patent/DE3568235D1/en not_active Expired
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| EP0174891A1 (en) | 1986-03-19 |
| FR2569305A1 (en) | 1986-02-21 |
| FR2569305B1 (en) | 1986-12-19 |
| DE3568235D1 (en) | 1989-03-16 |
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