EXPLOSIVE SWITCH

• US 3,793,501 A
• Filed: 12/04/1972
• Issued: 02/19/1974
• Est. Priority Date: 12/04/1972
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Donald M. Stonestrom
• Original Assignee: Donald M. Stonestrom
• Inventors: Stonestrom, Donald M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Scott, J. R.
• Application Number:
  US05/311,494
• Time in Patent Office: 442 Days
• Field of Search: 200/61.08,168F
• US Class Current: 200/61.08
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 39/00 Switching devices actuated by an explosion produced within the device and initiated by an electric current

Abstract

An explosive switch capable of opening or closing one or more poles. An explosive charge moves a piston to which are fixed one or more plungers, each plunger acting as part of a separate pole. Each plunger has a wide portion and a narrow portion. Metal contacts are provided which fit over the wide portion, making the pole normally opened, or over the narrow portion, making the pole normally closed. The piston can also disconnect a connection to the bridgewire.

Claims

1. An explosively activated electrical switch comprising:

a. a casing having an insulative base and within said casing a piston in movable engagement therewith, said piston having a pair of electrical contact pins and at least one insulative plunger connected thereto, said plunger having a wide portion and a leading narrow end portion, conductive means disposed on said insulative plunger, said electrical contact pins being in electrical contact through conductive means with at least one pair of firing circUit pins passing through said base;

b. an explosive charge within said casing positioned so that said piston moves when electrical current is passed through said pair of firing circuit pins; and

c. at least one other pair of circuit pins passing through said base positioned in cooperative relationship with said plunger, said plunger conductive means being such that it forms a closed circuit between said other pair of circuit pins either before or after said explosive is initiated to move said piston.

2. An explosively activated electrical switch of claim 1 wherein said plunger conductive means is a metal contact capable of fitting over the wide portion of said plunger, and said other pair of metal circuit pins passing through said base are separated by a distance no greater than the width of said conductive means fitted over said wide portion.

3. An explosively activated switch according to claim 1 wherein said conductive means is positioned in contact with said pair of circuit pins passing through said base and which is capable of extending over the wide portion of said plunger after said explosive charge is initiated to move said piston.

4. An explosively activated electrical switch according to claim 3 wherein said pair of circuit pins passing through said base have an insulating well therebetween such that when said explosive charge is initiated said plunger conductive means is forced into said insulating well out of electrical contact with said circuit pins.

5. An explosive switch according to claim 4 wherein said well is covered with a breakaway barrier.

6. An explosive switch according to claim 1 wherein at least two plungers are in cooperative relationship with at least two pairs of circuit pins passing through said base.

7. An explosive switch according to claim 6 wherein the plunger conductive means of at least one plunger forms a closed circuit with at least one pair of circuit pins before said charge is initiated and at least a second plunger forms a closed circuit with a second pair of circuit pins after said charge is initiated.

8. An explosive switch according to claim 1 wherein said explosive charge is electrically initiated through a bridgewire connected across said pair of electrical contact pins in said piston.