Stable initiator compositions and igniters

• US 7,923,662 B2
• Filed: 01/17/2008
• Issued: 04/12/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/20/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Alexza Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Grupo Ferrer Internacional SA)
• Original Assignee: Alexza Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Grupo Ferrer Internacional SA)
• Inventors: Solas, Dennis W., Pettit, Hilary N., Lei, Mingzu, Song, Soonho, Tom, Curtis, Hale, Ron L.
• Primary Examiner(s): ROBINSON, DANIEL LEON
• Application Number:
  US12/015,893
• Publication Number:
  US 20080110872A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,181 Days
• Field of Search: 219/270, 219261-269, 361247-266, 431258-266
• US Class Current: 219/270
• CPC Class Codes: F23Q 3/006 Details sparking-plugs H01T13/00

Abstract

High sparking initiator compositions with a controlled amount of power are disclosed. The initiator compositions comprise a metal containing oxidizing agent, at least one metal reducing agent, and a non-explosive binder. Low voltage igniters that provide bidirectional plumes upon ignition are also disclosed. These igniters have a electrically resistive element positioned across a hole in a support which directs the plume. These igniters and compositions are useful in the actuation of solid fuel heating unit, in particular, sealed heating units.

Claims

1. A reliable electrical igniter for igniting fuel and forming bidirectional focused plumes comprising:

a) a thermally insulating material support with a hole contained therein, wherein said thermally insulating material is selected from the group consisting of a polyimide film, a fluorcarbon laminate material or FR4 epoxy/fiberglass printed circuit board,

b) at least two conductors in contact with the support,

c) a resistive heating element positioned at least partially across the hole and attached to the conductors, and

d) an initiator composition placed on at least a portion of both sides of the resistive heating element and covering the hole.

2. A reliable electrical igniter for igniting fuel and forming bidirectional focused plumes comprising:

a) a support with a hole contained therein,

b) at least two conductors in contact with the support,

c) a resistive heating element positioned at least partially across the hole and attached to the conductors, the resistive heating element being a Nichrome wire having a diameter of between about 0.0006 inches to about 0.001 inches, and

d) an initiator composition placed on at least a portion of both sides of the resistive heating element and covering the hole.

3. A reliable electrical igniter for igniting fuel and forming bidirectional focused plumes comprising:

a) a support with a hole contained therein,

b) at least two conductors in contact with the support,

c) a resistive heating element positioned at least partially across the hole and attached to the conductors, the resistive heating element being a Nichrome wire having an electrical resistance between the range of about 2Ω

to 4Ω

, and

d) an initiator composition placed on at least a portion of both sides of the resistive heating element and covering the hole.

4. A reliable electrical igniter for igniting fuel and forming bidirectional focused plumes comprising:

a) a support with a hole contained therein,

b) at least two conductors in contact with the support,

c) a resistive heating element positioned at least partially across the hole and attached to the conductors, and

d) an initiator composition placed on at least a portion of both sides of the resistive heating element and covering the hole, wherein said initiator composition comprises by weight of dry solids of between 10 and 20 percent binder, 30 and 40 percent of reducing agent, and 40 to 60 percent of a metal containing oxidizing agent.

5. A reliable electrical igniter for igniting fuel and forming bidirectional focused plumes comprising:

a) a support with a hole contained therein,

b) at least two conductors in contact with the support,

c) a resistive heating element positioned at least partially across the hole and attached to the conductors, and

d) an initiator composition placed on at least a portion of both sides of the resistive heating element and covering the hole, wherein said igniter is characterized by an onset of deflagration of less than 50 milliseconds upon actuation.

6. A reliable electrical igniter for igniting fuel and forming bidirectional focused plumes comprising:

a) a support with a hole contained therein,

b) at least two conductors in contact with the support,

c) a resistive heating element positioned at least partially across the hole and attached to the conductors, and

d) an initiator composition placed on at least a portion of both sides of the resistive heating element and covering the hole, wherein said igniter is characterized by an onset of deflagration of less than 10 milliseconds upon actuation.

7. A reliable electrical igniter for igniting fuel and forming bidirectional focused plumes comprising:

a) a support with a hole contained therein,

b) at least two conductors in contact with the support,

c) a resistive heating element positioned at least partially across the hole and attached to the conductors, and

d) an initiator composition placed on at least a portion of both sides of the resistive heating element and covering the hole, wherein said igniter is characterized by an onset of deflagration of less than 6 milliseconds upon actuation.