Detonator primer capsule

Abstract

A detonator for detonation of explosives which provides protection of a primer charge from sympathetic initiation and provides efficient detonation of a base charge. The detonator is comprised of, a hollow detonator shell having first and second ends, said detonator shell has inserted therein a delay element and a primer capsule. Said delay element is positioned within the first end of the shell and has a core running therethrough. The primer capsule has a protective frustrum top having an opening centrally located therein and a tubular bottom. The primer capsule is inserted into the second end of the shell such that the core of the delay element is in contact with the opening in the frustrum top. The primer capsule top contains a primer charge and the bottom contains primer charge and a small amount of base charge material. The top is constructed with heavy walls such that the primer charge is protected. Further, the top is constructed such that upon initiation of the primer charge by the delay element the output of the primer charge is focused toward the base charge material which when initiated initiates an external base charge. The primer capsule construction provides a system wherein the primer charge reaches full velocity and shock by the time it reaches the small amount of base charge material and thus provides more efficient initiation.