The Ensign-bickford Company

Dyno Nobel Inc.

Raymond T Overstrom

Ernest L Gladden

John Childs

Mark R Dorman

Joseph W Twarog, Jr

Thomas A Nadeau

Tyson James Plitt

A gas-impermeable sealer element () for a detonator or other explosive initiation device includes a non-reactive sleeve () having a channel () formed therein. A reactive material strip () is sealed within the channel for transmission of an explosive's initiation signal through the sealer element (), either alone or in cooperation with transfer charges located at the input and/or output end of the non-reactive sleeve (). The reactive material strip () comprises a reactive metal wire or other substrate () having on one or both sides thereof a layer of reactive material (), either reactive metal foils which react exothermically when ignited, or a deposited fuel-oxidizer reactive material. The reactive materials, upon being energized, react exothermically in the absence of atmospheric oxygen or other extraneous oxidizer and so may be encapsulated, sealed or otherwise isolated from the atmosphere in use.

Sealer elements, detonators containing the same, and methods of making

An improved detonator includes a housing having an open end and an opposite, closed end and defining an axially-extending channel of the housing. A cushion element containing at least one aperture is disposed within the channel and is provided with a resilient, pliable and shock absorbent surface for contacting and retaining explosive material at the closed end of the detonator housing. The cushion element has a signal communicating membrane covering its at least one aperture for passage therethrough of an initiating signal to the explosive material. A method for assembling the detonator includes inserting explosive material into the axially extending channel of the detonator housing, inserting a cushion element having a signal communicating membrane into the channel, and pressing the cushion element towards the closed end of the housing for compacting the explosive material between the cushion element and the closed end of the housing.

Cushion element for detonators and the like; apparatus and method of

Growing community of inventors

Glastonbury, CT, United States of America

Raymond T Overstrom