Transistorized high-voltage circuit suitable for initiating a detonator
US6389975B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 24, 2000 |
| Grant date | May 21, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 24, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF42C11/008
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Disclosed, in a preferred embodiment, is a switching circuit incorporating a Field Effect Transistor (FET), two series dual-tap gas tube surge arrestors, and high-voltage resistors as part of a high voltage switch of a fireset for initiating an exploding foil initiator (EFI). Until energizing the FET via a firing command, an operating voltage of 1000 V is held off by a combination of the surge arrestors and high-voltage resistors. Upon receipt of a firing signal, a 28 V source is used to energize the FET that, in turn, decreases the voltage across the one surge arrestor connected directly to ground and increases the voltage across the other surge arrestor. Upon reaching the breakdown voltage of the ionizable gas within the second surge arrestor, the gas ionizes, becomes electrically conductive, and dumps the second surge arrestor's voltage across the first surge arrestor. This causes the first surge arrestor to also break down. Both surge arrestors are now conducting. Thus, the 1000 V source is free to energize the remainder of the circuit, discharging a 0.20 &mgr;f capacitor through the EFI. The breakdown of both arrestors occurs in nanoseconds, enabling an almost instantaneous in…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.