Ammunition and explosives – Igniting devices and systems – Electrical primer or ignitor
Patent
1992-05-28
1994-07-12
Johnson, Stephen M.
Ammunition and explosives
Igniting devices and systems
Electrical primer or ignitor
1022021, 1022028, 257195, F42C 1912
Patent
active
053278348
ABSTRACT:
An integrated field-effect initiator useful for the pyrotechnic initiation or detonation of explosives includes a semiconductor channel of a first conductivity type bounded on opposite ends by semiconductor material of an opposite conductivity type to define two PN junctions in the conduction path. The semiconductor channel is doped to define a conduction path of sufficiently high impedance to prevent unintended initiation. A gate electrode is positioned adjacent the channel and separated therefrom by an insulation layer to affect the conductivity of the channel as a function of a potential applied to the gate. In normal operation, an initiation electrical potential is applied to the opposite ends of the conduction path and a gate potential is applied to the gate to effect field-enhanced conduction in the path sufficient to allow vaporization of the path to cause initiation of an explosive material in contact with the path. In another embodiment, a slapper structure is mounted adjacent the channel and is propelled into the explosive to effect detonation. The initiator can be manufactured by conventional integrated circuit fabrication techniques and provides a normally inhibited device that requires application of a gate potential prior to initiation.
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Johnson Stephen M.
Thiokol Corporation
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