Detonator system having linear actuator

• US 7,814,833 B1
• Filed: 02/04/2008
• Issued: 10/19/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/14/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Vertex Aerospace, LLC
• Original Assignee: Raytheon Company (Rtx Corporation)
• Inventors: Land, David G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chambers; Troy
• Application Number:
  US12/025,212
• Publication Number:
  US 20100251917A1
• Time in Patent Office: 988 Days
• Field of Search: 102/202.5, 102/275.6, 102/275.11, 102/220, 102/218, 102/322
• US Class Current: 102/275.6
• CPC Class Codes: F42D 1/04 Arrangements for ignition ignition systems for shaped charge perforators E21B43/1185; ignition devices for seismic energy generators G01V1/06
• CPC Class Codes: F42D 1/043 Connectors for detonating cords and ignition tubes, e.g. Nonel tubes mounting of detonators in blasting cartridges F42B3/26
• CPC Class Codes: F42D 1/045 Arrangements for electric ignition dynamo-electric generators H02K

Abstract

Disclosed is a detonation initiator that can form part of a demolition assembly. The detonation initiator can include a linear actuator assembly having a core with a permanent magnet disposed with respect to a coil, and a firing pin coupled to the core and disposed along a longitudinal axis of the linear actuator assembly. A capacitor can be used to store electrical energy derived from an electrical pulse received by the detonation initiator. An electrical circuit can be used to monitor the charge on the capacitor and to discharge the capacitor through the coil of the linear actuator assembly to propel the core along the longitudinal axis of the linear actuator assembly when the charge on the capacitor reaches a charge threshold.

Claims

1. A detonation initiator, comprising:

a moveable core having a permanent magnetic inner component connected to a concentric outer component to define an annular gap between the inner component and the outer component;

a coil disposed in the annular gap and adjacent the permanent magnetic inner component so that when a current is passed through the coil, the moveable core is propelled along a longitudinal axis of the moveable core; and

a firing pin coupled to the moveable core to move with the moveable core.

2. The detonation initiator according to claim 1, further comprising:

a capacitor for storing electrical energy derived from an electrical pulse received by the detonation initiator; and

an electrical circuit for monitoring charge on the capacitor and discharging the capacitor through the coil to propel the core along the longitudinal axis of the moveable core when the charge on the capacitor reaches a charge threshold.

3. The detonation initiator according to claim 2, wherein all operational power for the electrical circuit is derived from the electrical pulse.

4. The detonation initiator according to claim 1, further comprising a stanchion to support the coil in the annular gap.

5. The detonation initiator according to claim 4, wherein the stanchion is aluminum.

6. The detonation initiator according to claim 1, further comprising a bearing guide in which the moveable core is disposed, the bearing guide retaining linear bearings adjacent an exterior surface of the moveable core to guide the moveable core as the moveable core moves along the longitudinal axis.

7. The detonation initiator according to claim 1, wherein the firing pin is retained to the moveable core with a firing pin retainer.

8. The detonation initiator according to claim 7, further comprising a rolling flex seal that conforms to an upper surface of the firing pin retainer as the moveable core moves.

9. The detonation initiator according to claim 1, wherein the inner component is a magnet.

10. The detonation initiator according to claim 1, wherein the inner component includes a magnet contained in a housing.

11. The detonation initiator according to claim 10, wherein the housing is steel.

12. The detonation initiator according to claim 1, further comprising at least one spring to urge the moveable core to a starting position after propulsion of the moveable core.

13. The detonation initiator according to claim 12, further comprising a retraction rod that is coupled to the moveable core and wherein the at least one spring is connected to the retraction rod so that retraction force from the at least one spring is applied to the moveable core through the retraction rod.

14. A detonation initiator, comprising:

a moveable core that is moveable along a longitudinal axis of the moveable core;

a firing pin coupled to the moveable core to move with the moveable core; and

a bearing guide in which the moveable core is disposed, wherein the bearing guide retains one or more linear bearings adjacent an exterior surface of the moveable core to guide the moveable core as the moveable core moves along the longitudinal axis.

15. The detonation initiator according to claim 14, wherein each linear bearing is retained by a corresponding through slot of the bearing guide.

16. The detonation initiator according to claim 14, wherein each linear bearing is secured to an interior surface of the bearing guide.

17. The detonation initiator according to claim 14, wherein each linear bearing is secured in a corresponding recess of the bearing guide.

18. The detonation initiator according to claim 14, wherein the linear bearings extend beyond an interior surface of the bearing guide to engage the exterior surface of the moveable core.

19. The detonation initiator according to claim 14, wherein the linear bearings are made from PFTE plastic.

20. The detonation initiator according to claim 14, further comprising at least one spring to urge the moveable core to a starting position after propulsion of the moveable core, and wherein each spring is disposed in a corresponding slot of the bearing guide.

21. The detonation initiator according to claim 14, wherein the bearing guide further includes an aperture for air to flow in and out of the bearing guide as a result of movement of the moveable core.

22. A detonation initiator, comprising:

a moveable core that is moveable along a longitudinal axis of the moveable core;

a firing pin;

a firing pin retainer that retains the firing pin to the moveable core so that the firing pin is moveable with the moveable core; and

a rolling flex seal that conforms to the upper surface of the firing pin retainer as the moveable core moves.