US3019732A - Electrical primers - Google Patents

Electrical primers Download PDF

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Publication number
US3019732A
US3019732A US768634A US76863458A US3019732A US 3019732 A US3019732 A US 3019732A US 768634 A US768634 A US 768634A US 76863458 A US76863458 A US 76863458A US 3019732 A US3019732 A US 3019732A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
charge
electrodes
sio
sensitive
semi
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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 - Lifetime
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US768634A
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English (en)
Inventor
Kaspaul Alfred
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Brevets Aero Mecaniques SA
Original Assignee
Brevets Aero Mecaniques SA
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Application filed by Brevets Aero Mecaniques SA filed Critical Brevets Aero Mecaniques SA
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Publication of US3019732A publication Critical patent/US3019732A/en
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Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F42—AMMUNITION; BLASTING
    • F42C—AMMUNITION FUZES; ARMING OR SAFETY MEANS THEREFOR
    • F42C19/00—Details of fuzes
    • F42C19/08—Primers; Detonators
    • F42C19/12—Primers; Detonators electric
    • 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
    • F42B3/13—Bridge initiators with semiconductive bridge

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to electrical primers and it is more especially, but not exclusively, concerned with primers for setting oii a propelling charge or bursting charge.
  • the chief object of this invention is to provide a primer device of this le'nd which is better adapted to meet the requirements of practice than those used up to the present time and, in particular, which is easier to be checked up and less sensitive to stray currents.
  • a primer device includes a sensitive charge and two electrodes adapted to be connected with the two terminals respectively of a source of electric voltage and it is characterized by the fact of interposing, between these electrodes and in contact with said charge, a body or" a semi-conductor material, said body being so chosen and dimensioned that the flow of current therethrough produces therein a spark capable of igniting said charge.
  • semi-conductor material is used in the present application to designate a solid body having a crystallized structure, which is an insulator at temperatures close to the absolute zero but which, at higher temperatures, either has an electronic conductivity that can be easily detected or acquires such a conductivity under the effect of a disturbance of its ideal crystallized structure, or again can be made conductive, for instance when it is subjected to an external influence.
  • FIGS. 1 and 2 of this drawing show, in axial section, two electric primer devices made according to diiierent embodiments of the present invention.
  • the primer device shown by the drawing includes a source of electric voltage in the form of a condenser 1 adapted to be charged in advance.
  • the primer device essentially includes two metal electrodes 2 and 3 adapted to be connected respectively to the two terminals of condenser 1 and, interposed between these electrodes, an element t of a semi-conductor material chosen and dimensioned in such manner that the flow of electric current from said condenser l and through said electrodes 2 and 3 produces in element 4 a spark capable of setting off a sensitive charge 5 placed in contact with said element 4.
  • the semiconductor is either a metalloid or an anhydride of a metalloid having a relatively low melting point and preferably a boiling point such that it can be evaporated under vacuum.
  • this element consists of selenium (Se), germanium (Ge), vanadium pentoxide (V or silicon monoxide (SiO).
  • the semi-conductor material is in the form of a thin film or layer 4 at least a small area of which (for instance averaging a fraction of a square millimeter) has one of its faces in contact with one electrode, the other of saidfaces being in contact with the other electrode.
  • the thickness of the layer of semiconductor material thus inserted between the electrodes will be determined experimentally in every case so as to obtain the desired result. In the particular case where the voltage supplied by the source is close to volts (capacity averaging 2 at), satisfactory results have been obtained with a thickness averaging 1 micron.
  • the film 4- of semi-conductor material is advantageously deposited by the known method of evaporation under a high vacuum which makes it possible to obtain a layer of accurate and regular thickness owing to the measurement of the amount of material to be evaporated and to the control of the time of action of the jets of vapour during the evaporation of the semi-conductor material.
  • one of the electrodes (2) is in the form of an axial rod the upper end of which has a very small area (for instance less than 0.2 mm.
  • This electrode is supported by an insulating filler 6 (for instance of a ceramic material or a synthetic resin) suitably chosen so that layer 4 can be deposited in good condition upon its fiat upper surface which is at the same level as the top end of electrode 2.
  • This insulating material is packed in a cylindrical sleeve 3 made of a conductor material which constitutes the second electrode.
  • This sleeve 3 is disposed coaxially with electrode 2. In the particular case above referred to, the inner diameter of sleeve 3 was 8 mm.
  • means must be provided for feeding current from sleeve 3 to the portion of the upper surface of film 4 located opposite the portion of the under surface of said film 4 that is in contact with the top end of electrode 2. Such means must be such that the heat of the spark produced in film 4 between these two surface portions s transmitted directly to the primary charge 5 which Is supposed to b disposed above film t.
  • the whole upper surface of film 4 is covered by a thin conductor layer 7 in electric contact at least over a portion of its edges with the inner surface of sleeve 3, this layer 7 being advantagesously deposited by evaporation under a high vacuum, as above described with reference to film 4.
  • layer 7 is made of a suitable metal capable of being evaporated in a vacuum, preferably at a temperature higher than that of the semiconductor material that has been previously disposed on the insulator 6.
  • Indium is a particularly advantageous metal to constitute layer 7, due to its relatively low melting point (156 C.) and to its high boiling point (above 1,400 C.). Furthermore, it can easily be eva-orated under a vacuum.
  • This metal has, with respect to atmospheric agents, qualities of stability comparable to that of silver, the melting point of which is six times higher.
  • indium is a ductile metal. it deposits, by evaporation, in a granular form but very adhesive to film 4.
  • a ring 8 made of a conductive material which is forced into sleeve 3.
  • This ring which is tightly applied against layer 7, ensures a good electric contact between sleeve 3 and layer 7.
  • the inside of said ring may constitute a housing for the primary charge which is suitably compressed.
  • the thickness of layer 7 may be very small. It will be chosen sufficient to permit the passage therethrough of the "current which is to produce the ignition spark in the semi-conductor material. A layer of indium having a thickness ranging from V2 micron to 1 micron gave good results. i
  • sleeve 3 carries a finger 9 of a conductor material extending radially and the end of which is in contact with the portion of film 4 located above the upper end of electrode 2. Charge 5 is then compressed directly above film 4 and finger 9.
  • the spark that is n electrodes to complete a circuit between the two electrodes to allow an electric charge of said predetermined potential to penetrate therethrough and ignite said sensitive primary charge and to dissipate an electric charge of less than said predetermined potential.
  • An electric primer device adapted to be fired by a flow of electrical current from a source of electrical voltage comprising in combination a sensitive primary charge, two electrodes, one of said two electrodes comprising the outer metal surface of the primer device and parallel to the second of said two electrodes, said second electrode being located axially of said first electrode, a plastic insulating material disposed around said second electrode,
  • both electrodes adapted to be connected to a voltage source, a semi-conductive material, said material being selected from the group consisting of Se, Ge, V 0 SiO,
  • sufiicient potential can penetrate the r semi-conductive material and base material and ignite produced in film '4, between the end of finger 9 and the axial electrode 2, can directly set off the primary charge 5.
  • the primer device above described is very simple to manufacture and it gives very constant results due, in particular, to the possibilities given by the semi-conductor materials of accurately adjusting the sensitiveness thereof.
  • primer devices have an electrical resistance that can be easily measured, which is interesting for checking up purposes.
  • Such a checking up can be effected by passing through the device a current under a voltage lower than the limit voltage which would produce the electric spark.
  • this limit voltage is only volts in the case of an indium layer 1 micron thick and of a layer of SiO-Si0 0.5 micron thick.
  • the initial electrical resistance of the primer device is generally high. But after said charge has been placed and compressed on film 4, the electrical resistance is greatly reduced and becomes easy to measure.
  • primer devices are very little sensitive to stray currents due to static or friction electricity, which currents can be discharged by passing, without producing a spark, through the semi-conductor material.
  • An electric primer adapted to be fired by a flow of electrical current from a source of electrical voltage which comprises in combination, a sensitive primary charge adapted to be exploded by an electrical discharge of predetermined high potential, two electrodes disposed adjacent to said sensitive charge, both electrodes adapted to be connected with a source of electrical energy, a semiconductive material, said material being selected from the group consisting of Se, Ge, V 0 SiO, Si, SiO SiO-SiO CaO-SiO CeO CdS, CdSe, Sb S Al-Sb, Ga-Sb, U0 CdS-CdO, CdSe-CdO, said semi-conductive material abutting said sensitive charge and electrically coupled with said said sensitive charged primary.
  • An electrical primer device adapted to be fired by a flow of electric current from a source of electrical voltage comprising in combination a sensitive primary charge, two electrodes, said electrodes adapted to be connected to a voltage source, the first said electrode forming the outer casing of the primer device, a semi-conductor layer, said material being selected from the group consisting of Se, Ge, V 0 SiO, Si, SiO SiO-SiO CaO-SiO Ce0 CdS, CdSe,' Sb S Al-Sb, Ga-Sb, U0 CdS-CdO, CdSe-CdO, a conductive material supporting said semi-conductor layer, the combination of said semi-conductor and conductive material being attached to the periphery of said first electrode casing and located such that an electric charge of sufficient potential from the second of said two electrodes can penetrate the semi-conductive material and base material and ignite said sensitive charged primary.
  • An electrical primer device adapted to be fired by the flow of electric current from a source of electrical voltage comprising in combination a sensitive primary charge, two electrodes, said electrodes adapted to be attached to an electric voltage of predetermined potential, one of said electrodes forming the outer casing of the primer device, a semi-conductor material, said material being selected from the group consisting of Se, Ge, V 0 SiO, Si, SiO SiO-SiO CaO-SiO 0e0 CdS, CdSe, 812 8 Al-Sb, Ga-Sb, U0 CdS-CdO, CdSe-CdO, said material being attached to said first electrode and located such that an electric charge of sufiicient potential from the second of said two electrodes can penetrate the semiconductive material to ignite said sensitive charged primary, an annular conductance ring, said ring encasing said primary charge and maintaining positive electrical contact between said first electrode and said semi-conductive material.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Thermistors And Varistors (AREA)
  • Spark Plugs (AREA)
US768634A 1957-10-29 1958-10-21 Electrical primers Expired - Lifetime US3019732A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
LU355379X 1957-10-29

Publications (1)

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US3019732A true US3019732A (en) 1962-02-06

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Family Applications (1)

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US768634A Expired - Lifetime US3019732A (en) 1957-10-29 1958-10-21 Electrical primers

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US (1) US3019732A (en))
CH (1) CH355379A (en))
DE (1) DE1115629B (en))
FR (1) FR1213110A (en))
GB (1) GB862987A (en))
LU (1) LU35542A1 (en))

Cited By (25)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3118375A (en) * 1959-05-04 1964-01-21 High-tension or spark-type electric igniter
US3196041A (en) * 1960-11-25 1965-07-20 Gen Lab Associates Inc Method of making a semiconductor gap for an initiator
US3198117A (en) * 1961-10-02 1965-08-03 Bendix Corp Electrically triggered squib with semiconductive dissipater for stray currents
US3211096A (en) * 1962-05-03 1965-10-12 Texaco Experiment Inc Initiator with a p-n peltier thermoelectric effect junction
US3249049A (en) * 1964-07-31 1966-05-03 Zimmerman Theodore Ballistic primer
US3257947A (en) * 1964-12-17 1966-06-28 Ernest E Mallory Shock focusing explosive initiator
US3257946A (en) * 1964-07-16 1966-06-28 Bendix Corp Electrically triggered squib
US3298306A (en) * 1964-05-26 1967-01-17 Bendix Corp Electro-explosive device
US3376817A (en) * 1963-06-18 1968-04-09 Contigea Sa Electric spark detonators
US3557699A (en) * 1968-06-26 1971-01-26 Olin Mathieson Electroexplosive primer ignition assembly
DE2232049A1 (de) * 1972-06-30 1974-01-17 Ferdinand Jakobs Kombinierter zuender fuer elektrische und schlagzuendung. zusatz zu: 2218670
US4170922A (en) * 1977-09-16 1979-10-16 The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy Ignitor
US4206707A (en) * 1977-11-22 1980-06-10 General Dynamics Corportation Electromagnetic hazard suppression techniques
US4213392A (en) * 1972-01-28 1980-07-22 Hubert Usel Electrically ignitable cartridge-less bullet
US4402268A (en) * 1974-10-29 1983-09-06 Hubert Usel Electric primer for caseless propellant charges
US4708060A (en) * 1985-02-19 1987-11-24 The United States Of America As Represented By The United States Department Of Energy Semiconductor bridge (SCB) igniter
FR2599136A1 (fr) * 1986-05-22 1987-11-27 Detonix Close Corp Element de mise a feu de detonateur
US4976199A (en) * 1988-09-01 1990-12-11 Expert Explosives (Proprietary) Limited Blasting system and its method of control
EP0469458A1 (de) * 1990-07-30 1992-02-05 Richard E. Walker Elektrischer Zünder für Sprengkapseln
US5230287A (en) * 1991-04-16 1993-07-27 Thiokol Corporation Low cost hermetically sealed squib
US5262727A (en) * 1992-02-20 1993-11-16 Varian Associates, Inc. NMR probe
US5431101A (en) * 1991-04-16 1995-07-11 Thiokol Corporation Low cost hermetically sealed squib
US5992326A (en) * 1997-01-06 1999-11-30 The Ensign-Bickford Company Voltage-protected semiconductor bridge igniter elements
US6199484B1 (en) 1997-01-06 2001-03-13 The Ensign-Bickford Company Voltage-protected semiconductor bridge igniter elements
US20070071678A1 (en) * 2003-03-04 2007-03-29 Don Thompson Electrical initiation system

Families Citing this family (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
BE620568A (en)) * 1961-10-27
SE434191B (sv) * 1980-05-27 1984-07-09 Bofors Ab Eltenddon, foretredesvis for artilleriammunition
CH663089A5 (de) * 1984-05-21 1987-11-13 Inventa Ag Polkoerper fuer eine elektrische zuendvorrichtung, verfahren zu seiner herstellung und dessen verwendung.
FR2732455B1 (fr) * 1995-03-31 1997-06-13 Davey Bickford Initiateur electropyrotechnique, procede de realisation d'un tel initiateur et systeme de securite pour vehicule

Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US319628A (en) * 1885-06-09 samuel eussell
US319627A (en) * 1885-06-09 Samuel russell
US2021661A (en) * 1932-11-17 1935-11-19 Dispersion Cathodique Sa Electrical heating element of large surface for low temperatures
FR982237A (fr) * 1948-03-04 1951-06-07 Rotax Ltd Sélecteur de fréquence pour sources d'alimentation en courant électrique alternatif
US2676117A (en) * 1949-04-18 1954-04-20 Libbey Owens Ford Glass Co Light transmissive electrically conducting optical article
US2696191A (en) * 1951-10-17 1954-12-07 William E Sheehan Electrically operated primer
US2708877A (en) * 1948-06-23 1955-05-24 Smitsvonk Nv Low tension igniter for explosives
US2754757A (en) * 1951-11-16 1956-07-17 Norman A Macleod Electrical detonator for explosives
US2762302A (en) * 1951-11-16 1956-09-11 Norman A Macleod Electric detonator

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE1036138B (de) 1955-09-14 1958-08-07 Ludger Volpert Funkenzuender
BE556596A (en)) * 1956-04-30

Patent Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US319628A (en) * 1885-06-09 samuel eussell
US319627A (en) * 1885-06-09 Samuel russell
US2021661A (en) * 1932-11-17 1935-11-19 Dispersion Cathodique Sa Electrical heating element of large surface for low temperatures
FR982237A (fr) * 1948-03-04 1951-06-07 Rotax Ltd Sélecteur de fréquence pour sources d'alimentation en courant électrique alternatif
US2708877A (en) * 1948-06-23 1955-05-24 Smitsvonk Nv Low tension igniter for explosives
US2676117A (en) * 1949-04-18 1954-04-20 Libbey Owens Ford Glass Co Light transmissive electrically conducting optical article
US2696191A (en) * 1951-10-17 1954-12-07 William E Sheehan Electrically operated primer
US2754757A (en) * 1951-11-16 1956-07-17 Norman A Macleod Electrical detonator for explosives
US2762302A (en) * 1951-11-16 1956-09-11 Norman A Macleod Electric detonator

Cited By (25)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3118375A (en) * 1959-05-04 1964-01-21 High-tension or spark-type electric igniter
US3196041A (en) * 1960-11-25 1965-07-20 Gen Lab Associates Inc Method of making a semiconductor gap for an initiator
US3198117A (en) * 1961-10-02 1965-08-03 Bendix Corp Electrically triggered squib with semiconductive dissipater for stray currents
US3211096A (en) * 1962-05-03 1965-10-12 Texaco Experiment Inc Initiator with a p-n peltier thermoelectric effect junction
US3376817A (en) * 1963-06-18 1968-04-09 Contigea Sa Electric spark detonators
US3298306A (en) * 1964-05-26 1967-01-17 Bendix Corp Electro-explosive device
US3257946A (en) * 1964-07-16 1966-06-28 Bendix Corp Electrically triggered squib
US3249049A (en) * 1964-07-31 1966-05-03 Zimmerman Theodore Ballistic primer
US3257947A (en) * 1964-12-17 1966-06-28 Ernest E Mallory Shock focusing explosive initiator
US3557699A (en) * 1968-06-26 1971-01-26 Olin Mathieson Electroexplosive primer ignition assembly
US4213392A (en) * 1972-01-28 1980-07-22 Hubert Usel Electrically ignitable cartridge-less bullet
DE2232049A1 (de) * 1972-06-30 1974-01-17 Ferdinand Jakobs Kombinierter zuender fuer elektrische und schlagzuendung. zusatz zu: 2218670
US4402268A (en) * 1974-10-29 1983-09-06 Hubert Usel Electric primer for caseless propellant charges
US4170922A (en) * 1977-09-16 1979-10-16 The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy Ignitor
US4206707A (en) * 1977-11-22 1980-06-10 General Dynamics Corportation Electromagnetic hazard suppression techniques
US4708060A (en) * 1985-02-19 1987-11-24 The United States Of America As Represented By The United States Department Of Energy Semiconductor bridge (SCB) igniter
FR2599136A1 (fr) * 1986-05-22 1987-11-27 Detonix Close Corp Element de mise a feu de detonateur
US4976199A (en) * 1988-09-01 1990-12-11 Expert Explosives (Proprietary) Limited Blasting system and its method of control
EP0469458A1 (de) * 1990-07-30 1992-02-05 Richard E. Walker Elektrischer Zünder für Sprengkapseln
US5230287A (en) * 1991-04-16 1993-07-27 Thiokol Corporation Low cost hermetically sealed squib
US5431101A (en) * 1991-04-16 1995-07-11 Thiokol Corporation Low cost hermetically sealed squib
US5262727A (en) * 1992-02-20 1993-11-16 Varian Associates, Inc. NMR probe
US5992326A (en) * 1997-01-06 1999-11-30 The Ensign-Bickford Company Voltage-protected semiconductor bridge igniter elements
US6199484B1 (en) 1997-01-06 2001-03-13 The Ensign-Bickford Company Voltage-protected semiconductor bridge igniter elements
US20070071678A1 (en) * 2003-03-04 2007-03-29 Don Thompson Electrical initiation system

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB862987A (en) 1961-03-15
CH355379A (fr) 1961-06-30
FR1213110A (fr) 1960-03-29
LU35542A1 (en))
DE1115629B (de) 1961-10-19

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