VENT AND DESTRUCT SYSTEM

• US 3,734,019 A
• Filed: 09/29/1971
• Issued: 05/22/1973
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/1971
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Albert W. Rentz, Lloyd J. Jackson, Robert C. Willard, Vernon D. Burklund
• Original Assignee: Albert W. Rentz, Lloyd J. Jackson, Robert C. Willard, Vernon D. Burklund
• Inventors: Jackson, Lloyd J., Willard, Robert C., Rentz, Albert W., Burklund, Vernon D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pendegrass, Verlin R.
• Application Number:
  US05/184,966
• Time in Patent Office: 601 Days
• Field of Search: 102/27,70
• US Class Current: 102/275.6
• CPC Class Codes: B64B 1/64 Gas valve operating mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: F42D 3/00 Particular applications of blasting techniques explosive welding B23K20/08; explosive bolts or actuators F42B3/006; explosive valves F16K13/06; cutting devices actuated by explosion B23D15/145; pyrotechnical actuators F15B15/19; switching devices actuated by explosion H01H39/00

Abstract

A vent and destruct system for balloons and the like which utilizes pyrotechnic strands covered with tubes of braided copper wire to perform the functions of venting and destructing. The braided copper wire covering on the pyrotechnic strands provides a safety means by preventing static electricity from accidentally igniting the pyrotechnic strands when the system is being attached to a balloon or the like. When the system is activated the tubes of braided copper wire are destroyed by the heat produced by the pyrotechnic strands.

Claims

1. A vent and destruct system for balloons comprising:

a. a firing mechanism;

b. slow burning fuse means affixed to the firing mechanism in a manner whereby said slow burning fuse means will be ignited by said firing mechanism when the mechanism is fired;

c. a venting pyrotechnic strand affixed to the system at a point intermediate between the ends of the slow burning fuse means in a manner whereby it will be ignited as the slow burning fuse means burns by;

d. a destruct pyrotechnic strand affixed to the slow burning fuse means at the end of said means most remote from the firing mechanism in a manner whereby it will be ignited by said means as said means finishes burning; and

e. tubes of braided copper wire completely covering all exposed parts of said slow burning fuse means and said pyrotechnic strands.

2. A venT and destruct mechanism according to claim 1 wherein said slow burning fuse means consists of two lengths of slow burning fuse, the second length of which is ignited by the first length as the first finishes burning and wherein the venting pyrotechnic strand is attached to the system in a manner whereby it is ignited at the time when the first length of slow burning fuse finishes burning.

3. A vent and destruct system according to claim 2 wherein the ends of said second length of slow burning fuse and said venting pyrotechnic strand are affixed in close proximity with the end of said first length of slow burning fuse by means of a crimped on flared copper tube.