GB2267330A - Laser ignition of gas generators - Google Patents
Laser ignition of gas generators Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2267330A GB2267330A GB9211046A GB9211046A GB2267330A GB 2267330 A GB2267330 A GB 2267330A GB 9211046 A GB9211046 A GB 9211046A GB 9211046 A GB9211046 A GB 9211046A GB 2267330 A GB2267330 A GB 2267330A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- infra
- gas generator
- red absorbent
- red
- absorbent material
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 25
- 239000002250 absorbent Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 21
- 230000002745 absorbent Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 21
- 239000011230 binding agent Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 7
- OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N Carbon Chemical compound [C] OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 6
- 229910052799 carbon Inorganic materials 0.000 claims abstract description 6
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 6
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 claims abstract description 6
- ZOXJGFHDIHLPTG-UHFFFAOYSA-N Boron Chemical compound [B] ZOXJGFHDIHLPTG-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 3
- 229910052796 boron Inorganic materials 0.000 claims abstract description 3
- 229910052802 copper Inorganic materials 0.000 claims abstract description 3
- 229910052742 iron Inorganic materials 0.000 claims abstract description 3
- 229910052748 manganese Inorganic materials 0.000 claims abstract 2
- XEEYBQQBJWHFJM-UHFFFAOYSA-N Iron Chemical compound [Fe] XEEYBQQBJWHFJM-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 4
- -1 polyethylene Polymers 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000010419 fine particle Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N Copper Chemical compound [Cu] RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000004698 Polyethylene Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000004642 Polyimide Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000004743 Polypropylene Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000010949 copper Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 229920000573 polyethylene Polymers 0.000 claims description 2
- 229920001721 polyimide Polymers 0.000 claims description 2
- 229920001155 polypropylene Polymers 0.000 claims description 2
- PWHULOQIROXLJO-UHFFFAOYSA-N Manganese Chemical compound [Mn] PWHULOQIROXLJO-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims 1
- 239000011572 manganese Substances 0.000 claims 1
- 238000002485 combustion reaction Methods 0.000 abstract description 2
- 239000002360 explosive Substances 0.000 description 3
- 239000006096 absorbing agent Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000001939 inductive effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000001035 drying Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000835 fiber Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000004922 lacquer Substances 0.000 description 1
- WPBNNNQJVZRUHP-UHFFFAOYSA-L manganese(2+);methyl n-[[2-(methoxycarbonylcarbamothioylamino)phenyl]carbamothioyl]carbamate;n-[2-(sulfidocarbothioylamino)ethyl]carbamodithioate Chemical compound [Mn+2].[S-]C(=S)NCCNC([S-])=S.COC(=O)NC(=S)NC1=CC=CC=C1NC(=S)NC(=O)OC WPBNNNQJVZRUHP-UHFFFAOYSA-L 0.000 description 1
- 150000002739 metals Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000009527 percussion Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000002028 premature Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000005855 radiation Effects 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F42—AMMUNITION; BLASTING
- F42B—EXPLOSIVE CHARGES, e.g. FOR BLASTING, FIREWORKS, AMMUNITION
- F42B3/00—Blasting cartridges, i.e. case and explosive
- F42B3/10—Initiators therefor
- F42B3/113—Initiators therefor activated by optical means, e.g. laser, flashlight
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C06—EXPLOSIVES; MATCHES
- C06B—EXPLOSIVES OR THERMIC COMPOSITIONS; MANUFACTURE THEREOF; USE OF SINGLE SUBSTANCES AS EXPLOSIVES
- C06B45/00—Compositions or products which are defined by structure or arrangement of component of product
- C06B45/12—Compositions or products which are defined by structure or arrangement of component of product having contiguous layers or zones
Landscapes
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Optics & Photonics (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Crystallography & Structural Chemistry (AREA)
- Organic Chemistry (AREA)
- Feeding, Discharge, Calcimining, Fusing, And Gas-Generation Devices (AREA)
Abstract
A gas generator (10) includes a combustible material (14) having an area over which and in contact with which is a layer (15) of infra-red absorbent material. Combustion is initiated by means of a laser (12). The infra-red absorbent material may be carbon, boron, or a black oxide of Cu, Fe or Mn and may be held together by a plastic binder. <IMAGE>
Description
LASER IGNITION DEVICES
The present invention relates to laser ignition devices for gas generators such as explosive and pyrotechnic devices.
Conventionally in the past one of the most frequently used methods of igniting gas generators is by electrical means, which might be used, for example, to trigger a percussion device or to heat a bridgewire. However, the general radio emission environment is becoming more severe, and there is an increasing danger of radio emissions inducing currents in bridgewire devices or inducing spurious operating signals which may result in premature operation of a generator.
There has, therefore, been a move towards the use of lasers for ignition purposes, a laser being used to heat combustible (explosive or pyrotechnic) material to the point where combustion starts.
Unfortunately lasers which are currently practical for this purpose operate in the infra-red region, and most explosive and pyrotechnic materials do not readily absorb infra-red radiation. Current technology therefore involves the mixing of infra-red absorbers, such as carbon, with the material to be ignited. This involves lengthy and expensive development programmes to determine the optimum amount of infra-red absorbent, to establish adequate compatability of material and absorbent, to establish stability of the mixture and to confirm ignition characteristics.
According to the present invention a gas generator includes a combustible material having a surface area at least a part of which is covered by and in contact with an infra-red absorbent layer.
The infra-red absorbent layer might be formed of fine particles of infr-red absorbent material such as, for example, carbon, held together by a plastic binder. Alternative infra-red absorbers might be, for example, boron or black stable oxides of metals such as copper, iron and manganese, and suitable binders are, for example, polyethylenes, polypropylenes and polyimides. The layer might be applied directly to the surface of the combustible material as a laquer which then dries, or might be cut and shaped from a prefabricated sheet to fit a suitable area of the combustible material.
One embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, of which;
Figure 1 is a side elevation, in section along line I-I of
Figure 2, of a gas generator,
Figure 2 is a end elevation, in section along line II-II of
Figure 1, of the gas generator, and
Figure 3 is a view of a prefabricated infra-red absorbent layer.
A gas generator 10 has a casing 11 containing a laser 12 and power and control unit 13. Also within the casing 11 is a mass of combustible material 14 having an area over which and in contact with which is fitted an infra-red absorbent layer 15, which might consist, for example, of fine particles of carbon (which is an infra-red absorbent material) held together by a plastic binder.
In use the power and control unit 13 is actuated (for example by a switch 16 as shown in Figure 1), power is supplied to the laser 12 and a laser beam 17 (Figure 1) is formed and impinges on the infra-red absorbent layer 15 which is, in consequence heated. When the infra-red absorbent layer 15 reaches the appropriate temperature the combustible material ignites.
The layer 15 may be positioned on the combustible material 14 by application as a lacquer and subsequent drying, or may be cut from a prefabricated sheet 18 (Figure 3), as shown at 19, and then attached to the combustible material 14.
It will be realised that many forms of the invention are possible. For example, the laser beam 17 may be conducted to the infra-red absorbent layer 15 by means of fibre optics.
Many infra-red absorbent materials other than carbon, suitable for use with the invention, will be known by those skilled in the art, as will many suitable plastic binders.
Claims (11)
1. A gas generator including a combustible material having a surface area at least a part of which is covered by and in contact with an infra-red absorbent layer.
2. A gas generator as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the infra-red absorbent layer is formed of fine particles of infra -red absorbent material.
3. A gas generator as claimed in Claim 2 wherein the infra-red absorbent material is carbon.
4. A gas generator as claimed in Claim 2 wherein the infra-red absorbent material is boron.
5. A gas generator as claimed in Claim 2 wherein the infra-red absorbent material is a black stable oxide of a metal.
6. A gas genetator as claimed in Claim 5 wherein the metal is copper, iron or manganese.
7. A gas generator as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 6 wherein the infra-red absorbent material is held together by a plastic binder.
8. A gas generator as claimed in Claim 7 wherein the plastic binder is a polyethylene, a polypropylene or a polyimide.
9. A gas generator as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein the layer is applied directly to the surface of the combustible material as a-iaquer which then dries.
10 A gas generator as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 8 wherein the layer is cut and shaped from a prefabricated sheet to fit a suitable area of the combustible material.
11. A gas generator substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 1 to 3 of the accompanying drawings.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB9211046A GB2267330A (en) | 1992-05-23 | 1992-05-23 | Laser ignition of gas generators |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB9211046A GB2267330A (en) | 1992-05-23 | 1992-05-23 | Laser ignition of gas generators |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB9211046D0 GB9211046D0 (en) | 1992-07-08 |
| GB2267330A true GB2267330A (en) | 1993-12-01 |
Family
ID=10715963
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB9211046A Withdrawn GB2267330A (en) | 1992-05-23 | 1992-05-23 | Laser ignition of gas generators |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (1) | GB2267330A (en) |
Cited By (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO1999062676A1 (en) * | 1998-05-29 | 1999-12-09 | Dynamit Nobel Gmbh Explosivstoff- Und Systemtechnik | Igniting the propellant charge powder in a plastic cartridge, especially for bolt-firing tools |
| WO2000011428A1 (en) * | 1998-08-20 | 2000-03-02 | Dynamit Nobel Gmbh Explosivstoff- Und Systemtechnik | Ignition element with a laser light source |
| WO2001027553A1 (en) * | 1999-10-14 | 2001-04-19 | Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V. | Propellant device for pipe weapons or ballistic projection |
| DE102022000418A1 (en) | 2022-02-03 | 2023-08-03 | TDW Gesellschaft für verteidigungstechnische Wirksysteme mit beschränkter Haftung | Arrangement for initiating an explosive, method for producing an arrangement for initiating an explosive, and method for initiating an explosive |
| US20240247918A1 (en) * | 2021-08-19 | 2024-07-25 | Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V. | Arrangement and method for increasing the functional safety of an opto-pyrotechnic initiator |
Citations (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3812783A (en) * | 1972-08-03 | 1974-05-28 | Nasa | Optically detonated explosive device |
| GB1378789A (en) * | 1971-07-19 | 1974-12-27 | Poudres & Explosifs Ste Nale | Pyrotechnic lacquer |
| GB2056633A (en) * | 1979-08-21 | 1981-03-18 | Sightworth Ltd | Detonation of explosive charges |
| US4892037A (en) * | 1989-01-03 | 1990-01-09 | The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Army | Self consumable initiator |
| US4898095A (en) * | 1986-10-20 | 1990-02-06 | Nippon Oil And Fats Company, Limited And Kajima Corporation | Laser beam-detonatable blasting cap |
-
1992
- 1992-05-23 GB GB9211046A patent/GB2267330A/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB1378789A (en) * | 1971-07-19 | 1974-12-27 | Poudres & Explosifs Ste Nale | Pyrotechnic lacquer |
| US3812783A (en) * | 1972-08-03 | 1974-05-28 | Nasa | Optically detonated explosive device |
| GB2056633A (en) * | 1979-08-21 | 1981-03-18 | Sightworth Ltd | Detonation of explosive charges |
| US4898095A (en) * | 1986-10-20 | 1990-02-06 | Nippon Oil And Fats Company, Limited And Kajima Corporation | Laser beam-detonatable blasting cap |
| US4892037A (en) * | 1989-01-03 | 1990-01-09 | The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Army | Self consumable initiator |
Cited By (7)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO1999062676A1 (en) * | 1998-05-29 | 1999-12-09 | Dynamit Nobel Gmbh Explosivstoff- Und Systemtechnik | Igniting the propellant charge powder in a plastic cartridge, especially for bolt-firing tools |
| WO2000011428A1 (en) * | 1998-08-20 | 2000-03-02 | Dynamit Nobel Gmbh Explosivstoff- Und Systemtechnik | Ignition element with a laser light source |
| WO2001027553A1 (en) * | 1999-10-14 | 2001-04-19 | Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V. | Propellant device for pipe weapons or ballistic projection |
| US6591753B1 (en) | 1999-10-14 | 2003-07-15 | Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V. | Propellant device for pipe weapons or ballistic projection |
| US20240247918A1 (en) * | 2021-08-19 | 2024-07-25 | Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V. | Arrangement and method for increasing the functional safety of an opto-pyrotechnic initiator |
| DE102022000418A1 (en) | 2022-02-03 | 2023-08-03 | TDW Gesellschaft für verteidigungstechnische Wirksysteme mit beschränkter Haftung | Arrangement for initiating an explosive, method for producing an arrangement for initiating an explosive, and method for initiating an explosive |
| DE102022000418B4 (en) * | 2022-02-03 | 2024-12-19 | TDW Gesellschaft für verteidigungstechnische Wirksysteme mit beschränkter Haftung | Arrangement for initiating an explosive, method for producing an arrangement for initiating an explosive, and method for initiating explosives |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB9211046D0 (en) | 1992-07-08 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| WAP | Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1) |