IP Library Granted Patent US 11,332,254
Granted Patent B2
US 11,332,254 · App. 16/715,475 · Granted May 17, 2022

Pyrotechnic energy conversion system for ejection assembly

Inventors: Jean C. Rodriguez (Vallejo, CA); Jerry A. Lambert (Dixon, CA)
Assignee: Goodrich Corporation
B64D25/10F42B3/10H05K1/0201
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,332,254
App. No.
16/715,475
Granted
May 17, 2022
Kind
B2
Abstract

An energy conversion system may comprise a substrate including a first conductive trace and a second conductive trace electrically isolated from the first conductive trace. A housing may be coupled to the substrate. An ignition compound may be located in the housing. A solder may be thermally coupled to the ignition compound such that ignition of the ignition compound melts the solder. The housing may be configured to output the solder onto the first conductive trace and the second conductive trace.

Claims (40)

1. An energy conversion system, comprising:

a substrate including a first conductive trace and a second conductive trace electrically isolated from the first conductive trace;

a housing coupled to the substrate;

an ignition compound located in the housing; and

a solder located in the housing.

2. The energy conversion system of claim 1 , wherein the ignition compound comprises a thermite.

3. The energy conversion system of claim 2 , wherein the solder is thermally coupled to the ignition compound such that ignition of the ignition compound melts the solder, and wherein the housing is configured to output the solder onto the first conductive trace and the second conductive trace.

4. The energy conversion system of claim 3 , wherein an orifice in the housing is oriented toward the first conductive trace and the second conductive trace.

5. The energy conversion system of claim 4 , further comprising:

a first conductive pad electrically coupled to the first conductive trace; and

a second conductive pad electrically coupled to the second conductive trace, wherein the orifice in the housing is oriented toward the first conductive pad and the second conductive pad.

6. The energy conversion system of claim 2 , further comprising a power supply electrically coupled to the first conductive trace.

7. The energy conversion system of claim 6 , wherein the power supply is thermally coupled to the ignition compound.

8. An assembly, comprising:

a pyrotechnic input configured to undergo an exothermic chemical reaction; and

an energy conversion system operationally coupled to the pyrotechnic input, the energy conversion system comprising:

a substrate including a first conductive trace and a second conductive trace electrically isolated from the first conductive trace;

a housing coupled to the substrate and the pyrotechnic input;

an ignition compound located in the housing and operationally coupled to the pyrotechnic input such that a combustion product of the exothermic chemical reaction of the pyrotechnic input ignites the ignition compound; and

a solder thermally coupled to the ignition compound.

9. The assembly of claim 8 , wherein the ignition compound comprises a thermite.

10. The assembly of claim 9 , wherein the solder is thermally coupled to the ignition compound such that ignition of the ignition compound melts the solder, and wherein the housing is configured to output the solder onto the first conductive trace and the second conductive trace.

11. The assembly of claim 10 , further comprising an actuator configured to initiate the exothermic chemical reaction of the pyrotechnic input.

12. The assembly of claim 8 , further comprising a power supply electrically coupled to the first conductive trace.

13. The assembly of claim 12 , wherein the power supply is thermally coupled to the ignition compound.

14. The assembly of claim 12 , further comprising a controller electrically coupled to the second conductive trace, wherein the controller is configured to receive a first electrical signal from the second conductive trace and output a second electrical signal a predetermined time delay after receiving the first electrical signal.

15. An ejection assembly, comprising:

an ejection seat;

an ejection handle configured to initiate an ejection sequence for the ejection seat in response to an actuation of the ejection handle;

a pyrotechnic input operationally coupled to the ejection handle, wherein the actuation of the ejection handle is configured initiate an exothermic chemical reaction within the pyrotechnic input; and

an energy conversion system operationally coupled to the pyrotechnic input, the energy conversion system comprising:

a substrate including a first conductive trace and a second conductive trace electrically isolated from the first conductive trace;

a housing coupled to the substrate and the pyrotechnic input;

an ignition compound located in the housing and operationally coupled to the pyrotechnic input such that a combustion product of the exothermic chemical reaction of the pyrotechnic input ignites the ignition compound; and

a solder thermally coupled to the ignition compound.

16. The ejection assembly of claim 15 , wherein the ignition compound comprises a thermite.

17. The ejection assembly of claim 16 , wherein the housing is configured to output the solder onto the first conductive trace and the second conductive trace.

18. The ejection assembly of claim 17 , further comprising a power supply electrically coupled to the first conductive trace.

19. The ejection assembly of claim 18 , further comprising a controller electrically coupled to the second conductive trace, wherein the controller is configured to receive a first electrical signal from the second conductive trace and output a second electrical signal a predetermined time delay after receiving the first electrical signal.

20. The ejection assembly of claim 19 , further comprising a catapult driver configured to ignite a propulsion system of the ejection seat, wherein the second electrical signal is configured to deploy the catapult driver.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 16, 2019
From: RODRIGUEZ, JEAN C.; LAMBERT, JERRY A.
To: GOODRICH CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 051294/0347 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20210179280A1 · Jun 17, 2021