Special Devices, Incorporated

Power Tool Institute

Vahan Avetisian

Eishi Kajita

Todd Rosin

Abrar A Tirmizi

Robert Nicholas Renz

Andrew G Bonas

Mher Chimayan

Paul Berg

Patrick J Carroll

Gloria Vawter

George Karloff

An igniter with a charge sleeve is provided with a through hole having a cylindrical wall, a bridge wire extending at least partially within the through hole, and a consolidated ignition powder charge retained within the through hole of the charge sleeve such that the bridge wire is at least partially embedded in the ignition powder charge. The cylindrical wall comprises at least one of i) a protrusion embedded into consolidated ignition powder charge, ii) a dimple filled with the consolidated ignition powder charge, and iii) at least 2 cylindrical wall sections that are eccentric to each other. The at least one of the protrusion, dimple and 2 cylindrical wall sections positively interlock with the consolidated ignition and output powder charge to prevent the charge both from moving in a radial direction in relation to the bridge wire and from rotating in relation to the bride wire.

Igniter with a locked consolidated powder charge

A pyrotechnic actuator for a power cutting tool is disclosed. The pyrotechnic actuator comprises a housing defining a cavity therein, a piston positioned at least partially within the cavity, and an insert-molded unitary assembly positioned within the cavity. The unitary assembly comprises a piston engagement member and a base. A sealed void is defined intermediate the piston engagement member and the base. The unitary assembly comprises a breakable member extending intermediate the piston engagement member and the base and a pyrotechnic initiator positioned at least partially within the base. The pyrotechnic initiator, upon application of a current pulse thereto, is configured to generate a pressurized gas in the sealed void that exerts a force on the piston engagement member and breaks the breakable member thereby causing the piston engagement member and the piston to move relative to the base and the housing.

Pyrotechnic actuator and power cutting tool with safety reaction system having such pyrotechnic actuator

A pyrotechnic initiator with an integral, unitary, overmolded insulating body that eliminates the need for separate components to form the body, and the method of molding same.

Overmolded body for pyrotechnic initiator and method of molding same

A quick-loosening mechanical linking device that includes housing, a release cavity having a predetermined height, a bolt, and an actuator. The bolt is disposed within the housing and includes an attachment means projecting out from the housing, a release zone such as an intended failure zone, and a head with a piston face. Upon actuation of the actuator, the bolt deforms and/or fails at the release zone and the attachment means moves farther out from the housing by a distance equal to the height of the release cavity. The release cavity preferably includes an abutment formed at its bottom, and the actuator is preferably an electric initiator having a pyrotechnic charge.

Quick-loosening mechanical linking device

A pyrotechnic initiator having an internal sleeve that facilitates the loading and durable retention of a pyrotechnic charge in place on the header surface within the initiator. The sleeve beneficially retains the charge either in conjunction with the upper interior surface of the charge can, or through the use of a monolithic charge and a narrowed top end of the sleeve.

Initiator with an internal sleeve retaining a pyrotechnic charge and methods of making same

A pyrotechnic initiator having an initiator including a relatively low monolithic ignition charge that is separated from an overlying output charge by an intermediary slip plane. The slip plane may simply be a non-integral junction between monolithic ignition and output charges, or it may be a junction between a monolithic ignition charge and a non-monolithic output charge, or it may be a void or barrier between the ignition and output charges.

Initiator with a slip plane between an ignition charge and an output charge

A pyrotechnic initiator having a bridgewire configured in an enhanced heat-sinking relationship with the adjacent ignition charge and/or header glass surface without the necessity of a consolidation force.

Initiator with a bridgewire configured in an enhanced heat-sinking relationship

A multi-unit pyrotechnic initiation system includes two or more pyrotechnic initiators molded in place into a base. Each initiator preferably includes a body overmolded around an igniter. The retainers of two or more pyrotechnic initiators may be formed together as part of a unitary substructure.

Multi-unit pyrotechnic initiation system

A pyrotechnic initiator has a molded connector with a hollow interior, where the connector includes at least one locking tab extending from the connector wall toward the centerline of the connector, overhanging the hollow interior of the connector. A mating connector can be inserted past the locking tab for a mounting connection and pulled out past the locking tab for disconnecting the pyrotechnic initiator. The molded connector feature preferably is injection molded around a molding assembly which is used to form at least one locking tab. Cavities corresponding to the location of the locking tabs are provided by the intersection of separate pieces of the molding assembly.

Integral pyrotechnic initiator with molded connector

Disclosed is a pyrotechnic initiator header having a center pin with a circumferential notch retention feature that enhances secure and effective disposition of an ignition pyrotechnic charge droplet to the header in the area of the bridgewire.

Pyrotechnic initiator with center pin having a circumferential notch retention feature

A pyrotechnic initiator with a narrowed sleeve attached to a header assembly and retaining a pyrotechnic charge, and methods of making same.

Pyrotechnic initiator with a narrowed sleeve retaining a pyrotechnic charge and methods of making same

A pyrotechnic initiator adapted for insertion into a sealed gas unit includes an igniter over which a nonconductive body is molded. The nonconductive body resists the pressure inside a sealed gas unit and protects the igniter from that pressure. The body provides substantially all of the structural support for the igniter. The body is molded onto a retainer, onto which a cup is attached to form a pressure seal and a hermetic seal against the gases within the sealed gas unit. Because the body carries substantially all of the structural loads exerted by the gas within the sealed gas unit, the cup can be made substantially thinner than previously possible.

Growing community of inventors

Newbury Park, CA, United States of America

Vahan Avetisian