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Title: Ignitor with stable low-energy thermite igniting system

Patent ·
OSTI ID:867691

A stable compact low-energy igniting system in an ignitor utilizes two components, an initiating charge and an output charge. The initiating charge is a thermite in ultra-fine powder form compacted to 50-70% of theoretical maximum density and disposed in a cavity of a header of the ignitor adjacent to an electrical ignition device, or bridgewire, mounted in the header cavity. The initiating charge is ignitable by operation of the ignition device in a hot-wire mode. The output charge is a thermite in high-density consoladated form compacted to 90-99% of theoretical maximum density and disposed adjacent to the initiating charge on an opposite end thereof from the electrical ignition device and ignitable by the initiating charge. A sleeve is provided for mounting the output charge to the ignitor header with the initiating charge confined therebetween in the cavity.

Research Organization:
MONSANTO RESEARCH CORP
DOE Contract Number:
AC04-76DP00053
Assignee:
United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
Patent Number(s):
US 4989515
Application Number:
07/390,853
OSTI ID:
867691
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English