IP Library Granted Patent US 10,480,920
Granted Patent B2
US 10,480,920 · App. 15/469,142 · Granted Nov 19, 2019

Methods of igniting devices

Inventors: James D. Lucas (Chanhassen, MN); Denny L. Kurschner (Minnetonka, MN); Thomas E. MacPherson (Robbinsdale, MN)
Assignee: Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems, Inc
F42C19/12C06C5/06F42B3/10F42B3/12F42B3/26F42C19/0807F42D1/04F42D1/043F42D1/045F42D1/05
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,480,920
App. No.
15/469,142
Granted
Nov 19, 2019
Kind
B2
Abstract

Initiator modules for munitions control systems include a mounting portion for receiving a portion of an initiation device, a detonator device disposed within the initiator module, a connection portion configured to connect the initiator module with a munitions control system, and an electronics assembly configured to electronically couple with a munitions control system and transmit a signal to the detonator device. Munitions systems may include initiator modules received in a socket of a munitions control system. Methods of igniting explosive devices include coupling a shock tube to an explosive device, connecting an initiator module to a munitions control system, mounting a portion of the shock tube to the initiator module, and igniting the shock tube with a detonator device disposed within the initiator module.

Claims (36)

1. A method of igniting an explosive device, the method comprising:

coupling a shock tube to an explosive device;

connecting an initiator module to a munitions control system;

nondestructively attaching and detaching a pin connector of an electrical connector of the initiator module to and from a complementary electrical connector of a socket of the munitions control system;

mounting a longitudinal portion of the shock tube to a mount disposed on an exterior surface of the initiator module; and

igniting the shock tube with a detonator device disposed within the initiator module proximate to the mount with a signal generated by the munitions control system to ignite the explosive device.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein igniting the shock tube comprises at least one of deforming or perforating an exterior portion of the initiator module with a shock wave generated by the detonator device.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein mounting a longitudinal portion of the shock tube to a mount disposed on an exterior surface of the initiator module comprises disposing the longitudinal portion of the shock tube between a rigid element and a biasing element of the mount to retain the longitudinal portion of the shock tube in the mount.

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising coupling the initiator module to a receiving portion of the munitions control system.

5. The method of claim 4 , further comprising coupling multiple initiator modules to respective receiving portions of the munitions control system.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein mounting a longitudinal portion of the shock tube to a mount comprises holding the longitudinal portion of the shock tube in a seat on the mount between a rigid element and a biasing element of the mount.

7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising retaining the longitudinal portion of the shock tube in contact with the exterior surface of the initiator module.

8. A method of igniting an explosive device, the method comprising:

coupling a shock tube to an explosive device;

connecting an initiator module to a munitions control system;

mounting a longitudinal portion of the shock tube to a mount disposed on an exterior surface of the initiator module; and

igniting the shock tube with a detonator device disposed within the initiator module proximate to the mount with a signal generated by the munitions control system to ignite the explosive device, comprising:

directing a voltage greater than 500 volts from the munitions control system to the initiator module to detonate the detonator device comprising a low energy exploding foil initiator; and

sending a signal from the initiator module to the munitions control system after detonation of the low energy exploding foil initiator.

9. A method of igniting a device, the method comprising:

coupling an initiation device to an ignitable external device;

coupling a longitudinal portion of the initiation device on a mount on an exterior surface of an initiator module that is connected to a munitions control system;

igniting the longitudinal portion of the initiation device with a detonator device disposed within the initiator module proximate to the mount with an electrical signal generated by one or more electronic components of the munitions control system; and

igniting the ignitable external device with the initiation device.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein igniting the ignitable external device with the initiation device comprises exploding the ignitable external device.

11. The method of claim 9 , wherein coupling a longitudinal portion of the initiation device on a mount comprises disposing the longitudinal portion of the initiation device in a seat defined between two portions of the mount.

12. The method of claim 11 , further comprising retaining the longitudinal portion of the initiation device with a biased portion of the mount.

13. The method of claim 9 , further comprising deforming a portion of the mount with a shock wave generated by the detonator device.

14. The method of claim 9 , wherein coupling a longitudinal portion of the initiation device on a mount comprises disposing a longitudinal portion of a shock tube to the mount.

15. A method of igniting a device, the method comprising:

coupling a combustible device to an ignitable external device;

disposing the combustible device on a mount on an exterior surface of an initiator module that is connected to a munitions control system; and

igniting the combustible device with a detonator device disposed within an interior of the initiator module proximate to the mount with an electrical signal generated by the munitions control system to ignite the ignitable external device with the combustible device.

16. The method of claim 15 , further comprising deforming and perforating an exterior portion of the initiator module with a shock wave generated by the detonator device.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein deforming and perforating an exterior portion of the initiator module comprises perforating a wall of the initiator module having a thickness less than a thickness of an adjacent portion of the initiator module.

18. The method of claim 15 , wherein coupling a combustible device to an ignitable external device comprises disposing a longitudinal portion of a shock tube to the mount.

Assignments (3)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 8, 2021
From: NORTHROP GRUMMAN INNOVATION SYSTEMS LLC
To: NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 055256/0892 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Feb 4, 2021
From: NORTHROP GRUMMAN INNOVATION SYSTEMS, INC.
To: NORTHROP GRUMMAN INNOVATION SYSTEMS LLC
Reel/Frame 055223/0425 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Nov 1, 2018
From: ORBITAL ATK, INC.
To: NORTHROP GRUMMAN INNOVATION SYSTEMS, INC.
Reel/Frame 047400/0381 →
Continuity (3)
Division 13854632 · Apr 1, 2013
Division 12723446 · Mar 12, 2010
Related Publication 20180195846A1 · Jul 12, 2018
Cited By (2)
US 12,203,350 US 12,287,182