Electropyrotechnic Initiator Zone of Weakness Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electropyrotechnic initiators in gas generators face integrity issues when the zone of weakness ruptures, leading to potential damage and expulsion of particles, especially when the flame exits axially, which can compromise the structure and safety of the device.
Innovation Solution
The initiator features a cylindrical cap with a zone of weakness extending along a non-closed trace on the peripheral side wall, preventing complete rupture and maintaining structural integrity, with the weakened area designed to open locally without detaching from the rest of the cap, allowing controlled release of flame and gas while acting as a deflector.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the zone of weakness is created in the end wall to allow axial flame exit, then the flame can exit axially, but the integrity of the initiator is affected and particles may be expelled
Solution Approach 1:
The zone of weakness is localized to a specific area on the side wall rather than being distributed throughout the end wall. This localized weakening allows controlled flame exit at a specific location while maintaining the structural integrity of the rest of the initiator, preventing complete disintegration and particle expulsion.
Solution Approach 2:
The zone of weakness is segmented into discrete zones rather than a continuous rupture. This segmentation allows the flame to exit through controlled openings while leaving portions of the cap wall intact, maintaining initiator integrity and preventing complete structural failure.
2Ease of operation
If the zone of weakness extends along a closed trace around the side wall, then radial flame exit is achieved, but the initiator ruptures into separate pieces affecting integrity
Solution Approach 1:
The zone of weakness is segmented into discrete zones rather than a continuous circumferential line. This segmentation prevents the initiator from rupturing into separate pieces while still allowing radial flame exit through the controlled openings in the side wall.
Solution Approach 2:
The zone of weakness is localized to specific areas on the side wall rather than forming a complete circumferential line. This allows radial flame exit through the localized zones while maintaining the structural integrity of the initiator by leaving portions of the cap wall intact.
3Ease of operation
If the zone of weakness is created to allow flame exit, then the flame can escape, but complete rupture allows particles to escape to the outside
Solution Approach 1:
The zone of weakness is localized to specific areas on the side wall rather than being a complete rupture. This allows controlled flame release through the localized zones while maintaining the structural integrity of the initiator and preventing particle expulsion to the outside.
Solution Approach 2:
The intact portions of the cap wall act as intermediaries that contain and direct the flame and gas flow through the zone of weakness while preventing the expulsion of particles. The remaining structural material serves as a mediator between the internal pressure and external environment, controlling the release process.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration ensures the initiator's integrity is preserved, preventing particle expulsion and allowing controlled flame and gas direction, enhancing the safety and operational efficiency of gas generators without significant changes to the existing architecture.
Implementation Method 1
a fragmentable cap containing at least one electropyrotechnic composition... the cap opens in its weakest zone, thereby releasing a flame and hot gases which, in turn, initiate an electropyrotechnic material present in the generator
Implementation Method 2
at least one explosive composition suitable for being initiated by the ignition support and for producing a flame and gas that are directed to the outside
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an electropyrotechnic initiator comprising: an ignition support (10); an electrical initiation system (11) connecting the ignition support (10) to a source of electricity; and a cap (2) containing at least one explosive composition, the cap being of generally cylindrical shape presenting an open first end (20) connected to the ignition support (10), an opposite second end that is closed by an end wall (21), and a peripheral side wall (22) which presents at least one zone of weakness (3). This initiator is essentially remarkable in that at least one of the zones of weakness extends along a non-closed trace and over a portion only of the side wall (22), i.e. without reaching its opposite ends.