Plunger assembly

Abstract

A plunger assembly includes an outer elongated housing having an open end, an electric match having an electrical initiator and an explosive material, disposed in the housing. A plunger is disposed in and is moveable in the housing. A coupling device is provided for connecting the outer housing open end to a selected plunger receiver which is adapted to actuate a selected event. Application of an electrical charge to the initiator activates the explosive material to produce gas in the outer housing, which drives the plunger through the outer housing and into impact with the plunger receiver to actuate the selected event. In a preferred embodiment, the plunger assembly is a firing pin assembly and the plunger receiver is an explosive primer assembly.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A plunger assembly comprising: 
 an outer elongated housing having an open end;    an electric match, comprising an electrical initiator and an explosive material, disposed in said housing;    a plunger disposed in said housing and moveable in said housing; and    a coupling device for connecting said outer housing open end to a selected plunger receiver adapted to actuate a selected event;    wherein application of an electrical charge to said electric match initiator activates said electric match explosive material to produce gas in said outer housing which drives said plunger through said outer housing and into impact with the plunger receiver to activate the selected event.    
     
     
         2 . The assembly in accordance with  claim 1  and further comprising structure disposed in said outer housing for retaining said electric match.  
     
     
         3 . The assembly in accordance with  claim 2  wherein said retaining structure comprises an inner housing.  
     
     
         4 . The assembly in accordance with  claim 3  and further comprising means for retaining said inner housing in place in said outer housing.  
     
     
         5 . The assembly in accordance with  claim 4  wherein said housings are tubular members and said outer housing is bonded to said inner housing to effect the retaining of said inner housing.  
     
     
         6 . The assembly in accordance with  claim 3  wherein said plunger is disposed at an open end of said inner housing and said plunger is moveable by the gas to drive said plunger from an open end of said inner housing and thereafter through said outer housing and into the impact with the plunger receiver.  
     
     
         7 . The assembly in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said coupling device comprises a nut adapted for interlocking engagement with the open end of said outer housing and the selected plunger receiver, and having a central bore extending therethrough.  
     
     
         8 . The assembly in accordance with  claim 7  and further comprising a removable plug disposed on said nut for closing the central bore therethrough.  
     
     
         9 . The assembly in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the electric match is provided with electrical leads extending therefrom for connection to an electrical power source.  
     
     
         10 . The assembly in accordance with  claim 9  wherein the electrical leads extend through said outer tubular housing and extend outwardly from a second end of said outer tubular housing.  
     
     
         11 . A firing pin assembly comprising: 
 an outer elongated housing having an open end;    an electric match, comprising an electrical initiator and an explosive material, disposed in said housing;    a firing pin disposed in said housing and moveable in said housing; and    a coupling device for connecting said outer housing open end to an explosive primer assembly;    wherein application of an electrical charge to said electric match initiator activates said electric match explosive material to produce gas in said outer housing which drives said firing pin through said outer housing and into impact with the explosive primer assembly.    
     
     
         12 . The assembly in accordance with  claim 11  and further comprising structure disposed in said outer housing for retaining said electric match.  
     
     
         13 . The assembly in accordance with  claim 12  wherein said retaining structure comprises an inner housing.  
     
     
         14 . The assembly in accordance with  claim 13  and further comprising means for retaining said inner housing in said outer housing.  
     
     
         15 . The assembly in accordance with  claim 14  wherein said housings are tubular members and said outer housing is crimped into engagement with said inner housing to effect the retaining of said inner housing.  
     
     
         16 . The assembly in accordance with  claim 14  wherein said firing pin is disposed at an open end of said inner housing and said firing pin is moveable by the gas to drive said firing pin from the open end of said inner housing and thereafter through said outer housing and into the impact with the primer assembly.  
     
     
         17 . The assembly in accordance with  claim 11  wherein said coupling device comprises a nut adapted for interlocking engagement with the open end of said outer housing and with the primer assembly.  
     
     
         18 . The assembly in accordance with  claim 11  wherein the electric match is provided with electrical leads extending therefrom for connection to an electrical power source.  
     
     
         19 . The assembly in accordance with  claim 18  wherein the electrical leads extend through said outer tubular housing and extend outwardly from a second end of said outer tubular housing.