Detonator utilizing features of automotive airbag initiators

Abstract

A detonator that incorporates certain features of automotive airbag initiators, and methods of making same.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A detonator comprising: 
 a) a cylindrical shell having a detonator end and an input end, said detonator end being closed and packed with a charge;    b) an ignition element within said shell and located adjacent to said charge, said ignition element including one or more of the following: 
 i) a header including a sealed feedthrough,  
 ii) a metallic charge can,  
 iii) an electrically insulating cup,  
 iv) a zirconium potassium perchlorate ignition charge,  
 v) a low-energy igniter wire; and,  
   c) trigger means extending from said input end of said shell to said ignition element, for causing said ignition element to ignite in response to the receipt of a selected signal by said trigger means.    
     
     
         2 . The detonator of  claim 1 , wherein said trigger means includes two electrical input leads at said input end of said shell.  
     
     
         3 . The detonator of  claim 1 , wherein said trigger means includes a delay means for delaying the ignition of said ignition means for a predetermined period of time after receipt of said selected signal by said trigger means.  
     
     
         4 . The detonator of  claim 3 , wherein said delay means is an electronic delay means.  
     
     
         5 . The detonator of  claim 1 , wherein said shell has a thickness of 0.5 mm, and an outer diameter of between 6 mm and 8 mm.  
     
     
         6 . A detonator comprising: 
 a) a cylindrical shell having a detonator end and an input end, said detonator end being closed and packed with a charge;    b) an ignition element within said shell and located adjacent to said charge, said ignition element including a header with a sealed feedthrough; and,    c) a trigger means extending from said input end of said shell to said ignition element, for causing said ignition element to ignite in response to the receipt of a selected signal by said trigger means.    
     
     
         7 . The detonator of  claim 6 , wherein said ignition element includes an ignition charge, a can surrounding said ignition charge and connected to said header, and an insulating cup surrounding said can.  
     
     
         8 . The detonator of  claim 6 , wherein said ignition element includes an ignition charge that includes zirconium potassium perchlorate.  
     
     
         9 . The detonator of  claim 6 , wherein said ignition element includes a low-energy igniter wire having two ends that are electrically connected to said feedthrough.  
     
     
         10 . The detonator of  claim 9 , wherein the diameter of said igniter wire is less than 20 microns.  
     
     
         11 . The detonator of  claim 6 , wherein said header includes a glass-to-metal seal.  
     
     
         12 . The detonator of  claim 11 , wherein said header is an all-glass header.  
     
     
         13 . The detonator of  claim 6 , wherein said shell has a thickness of 0.5 mm, and an outer diameter of between 6 mm and 8 mm.  
     
     
         14 . The detonator of  claim 6 , wherein said trigger means includes two electrical input leads at said input end of said shell.  
     
     
         15 . The detonator of  claim 6 , wherein said trigger means includes a delay means for delaying the ignition of said ignition means for a predetermined period of time after receipt of said selected signal by said trigger means.  
     
     
         16 . The detonator of  claim 15 , wherein said delay means is an electronic delay means.  
     
     
         17 . A method of making a detonator comprising the following steps: 
 a) providing a cylindrical shell having a detonator end and an input end, said detonator end being closed;    b) packing said detonator end of said shell with a suitable charge;    c) providing an ignition element including a header with a sealed feedthrough within said shell and adjacent to said charge;    d) providing a trigger means extending from said input end o f said shell to said ignition element, said trigger means for causing said ignition element to ignite in response to the receipt of a selected signal by said trigger means; and,    e) securing said ignition element and trigger means within said shell.    
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising the step of loading an ignition charge of zirconium potassium perchlorate within said ignition element.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising the steps of: 
 providing a metallic can and loading it with an ignition charge, securing said can to said header, and securing an insulating cup around said can.    
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said trigger means includes a delay means for delaying the ignition of said ignition means for a predetermined period of time after receipt of said selected signal by said trigger means.