Methods for proving the equivalency of detonator performance
- Los Alamos National Laboratory
One of the challenges facing engineers is developing newer, safer detonators that are equivalent to devices currently in use. There is no clear consensus on an exact method for drawing equivalence of detonators. This paper summarizes our current efforts to develop diagnostics addressing various aspects of detonator design to better quantify and prove equivalency. We consider various optical techniques to quantify the output pressure and output wave shape. The development of a unique interpretation of streak camera breakouts, known as the apparent center of initiation, will be discussed as a metric for detonation wave shape. Specific examples apply these techniques to the comparison of a new laser-driven detonator with an existing exploding bridgewire (EBW) detonator. Successes and short-comings of the techniques will be discussed.
- Research Organization:
- Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC52-06NA25396
- OSTI ID:
- 990789
- Report Number(s):
- LA-UR-09-04428; LA-UR-09-4428; TRN: US201020%%600
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 36th International Pyrotechnics seminar ; August 23, 2009 ; Rotterdam, the Netherlands
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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