Precision pyrotechnic display system and method having increased safety and timing accuracy

• US 8,516,963 B2
• Filed: 06/16/2011
• Issued: 08/27/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/30/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Magicfire, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Magicfire, Inc.
• Inventors: Bossarte, George, McKinley, Paul R.
• Primary Examiner(s): BERGIN, JAMES S
• Application Number:
  US13/134,785
• Publication Number:
  US 20120137915A1
• Time in Patent Office: 803 Days
• Field of Search: 102/206, 102/215, 102/217, 102/218, 102/200, 102/221, 102/202.1, 102/202.2, 102/202.4, 102/342, 102/351, 102/357, 102/361
• US Class Current: 102/342
• CPC Class Codes: F41A 19/58 Electric firing mechanisms F41A17/10, F41A17/12 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F41A 19/65 for giving ripple fire, i.e. using electric sequencer switches for timed multiple-charge launching, e.g. for rocket launchers
• CPC Class Codes: F41A 19/68 for multibarrel guns or multibarrel rocket launchers or multicanistersF41A19/65 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F41F 1/06 Mortars base plates therefor F41A23/54
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 30/10 Mortar projectiles
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 4/00 Fireworks, i.e. pyrotechnic devices for amusement, display, illumination or signal purposes signalling by explosives G08B; advertising by fireworks G09F13/46; signalling by pyrotechnics in railway systems B61L5/20
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 4/02 in cartridge form, i.e. shell, propellant and primer
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 4/24 characterised by having plural successively-ignited charges in aerial display rockets F42B4/14
• CPC Class Codes: F42C 11/00 Electric fuzes in combination with other fuzes F42C9/14; proximity fuzes F42C13/00; safety or arming effected by electric means F42C15/40; electric contact parts for fuzes F42C19/06; electric igniters F42C19/12, F42B3/12 - F42B3/18; optical initiators F42B3/113
• CPC Class Codes: F42C 11/008 Power generation in electric fuzes F42C11/02, F42C11/04 and F42C15/295 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F42C 15/42 from a remote location, e.g. for controlled mines or mine fields
• CPC Class Codes: F42C 19/0815 Intermediate ignition capsules, i.e. self-contained primary pyrotechnic module transmitting the initial firing signal to the secondary explosive, e.g. using electric, radio frequency, optical or percussion signals to the secondary explosive initiators for blasting cartridges or air bags F42B3/10
• CPC Class Codes: F42D 1/05 Electric circuits for blasting
• CPC Class Codes: F42D 1/055 specially adapted for firing multiple charges with a time delay

Abstract

A system and method are disclosed for controlling the launch and burst of pyrotechnic projectiles in a pyrotechnic, or “fireworks”, display.

Claims

1. A method for firing a pyrotechnic projectile, said method comprising the steps of:

sending a wireless “

fire”

command to said pyrotechnic projectile so as to activate a lift charge;

upon receiving confirmation of a successful launch, electrically timing a delay within said pyrotechnic projectile; and

upon expiration of said delay, detonating a burst charge carried by said pyrotechnic projectile.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein said pyrotechnic projectile comprises a lift charge to be ignited by an electrically operated lift charge ignition device, a break charge to be ignited by an electrically operated break charge ignition device, and an ignitor, and further wherein said ignitor comprises an electronic control unit for receiving the wireless “

fire”

command from an external control device and, in response thereto, (1) activating said electrically operated lift charge ignition device, and (2) a pre-determined time after receiving said electronic fire command, activating said electrically operated break charge ignition device.

3. A method according to claim 2 wherein said electronic control unit comprises:

a first output connecting said ignitor to said electrically operated lift charge ingnition device;

a second output connecting said ignitor to said electrically operated break charge ignition device;

a power supply for selective connection to said first output and said second output for selectively activating said electrically operated lift charge ignition device and said electrically operated break charge ignition device, respectively; and

a timer for determining when said power supply activates said electrically operated lift charge ignition device and said electrically operated break charge ignition device.