Pyrotechnic bridgewire circuit
US6220165A · kind A · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 18, 1998 |
| Grant date | Apr 24, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 18, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF42B3/122
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A circuit for controlling an electro-explosive device. The circuit includes a heating element, an input circuit and a load control circuit. The load control circuit is responsive to an electrical input provided by the input circuit for energizing the heating element. The heating element selectively causes ignition of the electro-explosive device when its level of energization reaches a firing level. The load control circuit substantially limits current in the heating element when the electrical input is less than a predetermined threshold for maintaining energization of the heating element at a level less than the firing level to prevent the ignition of the electro-explosive device. In contrast, the load control circuit applies substantially all of the electrical input to the heating element when the electrical input signal is greater than the predetermined threshold. This maintains energization of the heating element at a level greater than the firing level to cause the ignition of the electro-explosive device.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.