USA As Represented by Secretary of the Navy

Rex L Smith

Steven E Fowler

Patrick A Yates

Henry F Blazek

D Philip Ankeney

A solid state detonator is made using a silicon chip with appropriate surnding sections to provide the resistance path necessary to detonate a primary explosive. The chip is set on a metal-to-glass-to-metal header to provide uniformity of current and insulation capabilities. A gold mesh is used as a conductor connected to a chromium-silicon resistor film. This provides a uniform annular heating ring for detonation purposes. The silicon chip may be doped for high conductivity and low resistance. This arrangement provides fast function with moderate power pulses while the thermal design permits high no-fire current levels.

Detonator, solid state type I film bridge

A metal-to-glass-to-metal seal that includes a chemical bond between the ss and metal as well as a mechanical seal is obtained by using an oxide layer which joins the glass and metal. A glass tube or glass powder with a coefficient of expansion which approximates the metal's coefficient of expansion is fitted between a pin and sleeve combination. Parts are then heated in a controlled dry hydrogen atmosphere to create a bond between the metal and glass.

Method of making glass-to-metal seal (header)

A delay detonator made from an inner and outer casing combination which rces the number of individual components. The detonator uses reduced volume with increased pressure to permit control of the pyrotechnic delay mix. The amount of free space to start combustion is limited as compared to previous delay detonators. An overlapping lip arrangement of the inner and outer casing and an inner sleeve permit welding at the outer edge to permanently lock the distance between detonator components.

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Ridgecrest, CA, United States of America

Rex L Smith