Smart semiconductor bridge (SCB) igniter for explosives
We have developed a silicon semiconductor bridge (SCB) igniter which, when driven with a low-energy current pulse, produces a plasma discharge that ignites explosive materials pressed against the bridge. Our experiments have demonstrated that SCB explosive devices function in a few tens of microseconds at one-tenth the input energy of hot-wire devices. Despite the low input energies for ignition, tests have revealed SCB devices to be explosively safe, passing electrostatic discharge (ESD) requirements and no-fire current levels. In fact, SCB devices have better no-fire characteristics than hot-wire devices, because of the intimate bridge contact with the underlying thermally conductive substrate. We have tested several different prototype explosive devices including pyrotechnic actuators, secondary explosive deflagration-to-detonation detonators and a primary explosive detonator. In addition, we have tested SCB actuators with breadboarded ''smart'' firing sets that will fire the SCB actuators only after transmission of a digital code, after a preset delay, or in a preprogrammed sequence. We have also tested an optical system that requires only a single fiber optic cable connecting the SCB device to a low power laser that both energizes the firing set and transmits a coded firing signal. 9 refs., 19 figs.
- Research Organization:
- Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC04-76DP00789
- OSTI ID:
- 6841533
- Report Number(s):
- SAND-88-1438C; CONF-880986-1; ON: DE88012669
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 3. Canadian symposium on mining automation, Montreal, Canada, 14 Sep 1988; Other Information: Paper copy only, copy does not permit microfiche production
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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