METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ELECTROMAGNETICALLY INITIATING ORDNANCE

• US 3,601,054 A
• Filed: 03/17/1969
• Issued: 08/24/1971
• Est. Priority Date: 03/17/1969
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: William O. Christianson
• Original Assignee: William O. Christianson
• Inventors: Christianson, William O.
• Primary Examiner(s): Stahl, Robert F.
• Application Number:
  US04/807,727
• Time in Patent Office: 890 Days
• Field of Search: 89/135,28 42/84 102/46,70.2
• US Class Current: 102/200
• CPC Class Codes: F41A 19/63 having means for contactless transmission of electric energy, e.g. by induction, by sparking gap
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 5/08 modified for electric ignition
• CPC Class Codes: F42C 19/12 electric

Abstract

In order to obviate the necessity for using firing pins or electrical probes for initiating ammunition, a cluster of conductors are enclosed within a mass of pyroignition material, and means are provided to subject the cluster of conductors to control electromagnetic radiation such that they are heated into an incandescent state to ignite the pyroignition material.

Claims

1. Apparatus for igniting pyroignition material comprising:

A. a cluster of electrical conductors disposed in heatconducting relationship with the pyroignition material;

B. a source of electromagnetic energy;

C. means for exposing said cluster of conductors to said electromagnetic energy;

D. said electrical conductors are of predetermined substantially equal lengths; and

E. said electromagnetic energy has a frequency such that the predetermined lengths of said conductors is substantially onehalf wavelength.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 which further includes means for selectively activating said course of electromagnetic energy.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 in which the pyroignition material is contained within a housing, said housing including a first side composed of a material exhibiting the properties of an electromAgnetic window.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 in which said housing further includes a second side disposed opposite said first side, said second side comprising a paraboloid of electromagnetically reflective material whereby the electromagnetic energy is focused on said cluster of conductors.