Micro-electric-pyrotechnic energy-harvesting apparatus for munitions
US10234248B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 12, 2017 |
| Grant date | Mar 19, 2019 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 12, 2037 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH10N30/50
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A micro-electro-pyrotechnic energy-harvesting apparatus to harvest an incidental portion of a propellant energy utilized when a munition is fired freeing a magnet to strike an impact pin that strains a piezoelectric element. The piezoelectric element generates a collected voltage, which triggers a pyrotechnic initiator that, on activation, produces a straining force on a plurality of stacks of piezoelectric elements. The strained piezoelectric elements, in turn, generate a high voltage output sufficient to ignite the munition's explosive material. The apparatus may be quite small, for example, the cross-sectional size of a pen, which is about one centimeter, yet suitable for generating an electrical ignition of the explosive material.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.