Temperature resistant detonator

Abstract

A detonator is formed with a housing having an insert therein. The insert has an axial bore therethrough containing a primer charge, a donor charge and an output charge. The primer charge is carried in a cup like holder disposed in the insert bore and having flash holes therein providing continuity between the primer charge and the donor charge. The donor charge is separated from the output charge by a flyer plate and a barrel through which the flyer plate is propelled into the output charge upon detonation of the donor charge. An output disc at the end of the insert confines the output charge until it is detonated. The insert has spaced and radially displaced openings in the sidewall thereof in communication with the output charge and the donor charge to permit gas to escape from these charges when the detonator is subjected to elevated temperatures. The inside diameter of the housing is larger than a portion of the outside diameter of the insert to provide communication between the vent openings in the insert and the exterior of the detonator to permit the gasses to escape from the detonator. An open end of the housing is closed by a frangible closure disc having an opening therein which, in turn, is closed by a gas permeable cover disc. The closure disc and the cover disc permit gas to escape from the detonator but prevent contaminants from entering the interior of the detonator. The charges are mixtures of tetramethylammonium perchlorate and potassium perchlorate.