Optically Doped Energetic Igniter Charge Using Metal Powder
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing energetic igniter charges for optical detonators and initiators face challenges with low power laser sources, especially in extreme climatic conditions, as they require high power densities and are sensitive to friction and electrostatic discharges, leading to unreliable ignition and safety concerns.
Innovation Solution
A mixture of secondary explosives with metal powders, such as aluminum, is used as an energetic igniter charge, which absorbs infrared light and transfers heat efficiently, allowing ignition with low power laser sources and reducing sensitivity to mechanical and electrostatic stresses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If soot powder is used as optical doping material in the energetic igniter charge, then the required heat energy for ignition of secondary explosive can be transferred, but the effectiveness decreases strongly in extreme climatic conditions after temperature variation stress
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from soot powder to metal powder (aluminum, copper, or gold), which fundamentally alters the optical absorption characteristics. The metal powder maintains stable optical absorption properties across temperature variations, solving the reliability degradation issue in extreme climatic conditions while maintaining effective heat transfer for ignition.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite energetic igniter charge consisting of secondary explosive mixed with metal powder particles. This composite structure combines the explosive material with optical absorption material, achieving both ignition functionality and environmental stability through the synergistic properties of the composite components.
2Reliability
If pyrotechnic redox mixture is used to absorb infrared light and initiate redox reaction, then heat energy for ignition can be released, but the mixture is very sensitive to friction and electrostatic discharges
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the pyrotechnic redox chemical system with a physical optical absorption system using metal powder. Instead of relying on chemical reactions that are sensitive to mechanical stress and electrostatic discharge, the metal powder absorbs infrared light directly and transfers heat through conduction, eliminating the sensitivity to friction and electrostatic discharges while maintaining ignition capability.
3Power
If laser diode with low power output is used, then space saving and economical operation is achieved, but the power density is too low for direct initiation of secondary explosive detonation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces metal powder as an intermediary substance between the low-power laser source and the secondary explosive. The metal powder absorbs the infrared radiation from the low-power laser diode and converts it to thermal energy through heat conduction, acting as a thermal bridge that enables ignition of the secondary explosive despite the low input power density.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the optical absorption parameter by introducing metal powder with high infrared absorption cross-section. This parameter change enables efficient conversion of low-power laser radiation into effective heat transfer, allowing ignition with laser diodes of 1 W or less while maintaining reliable ignition capability.
4Device complexity
If secondary explosive is used without optical doping material, then the mixture is simple, but the laser source cannot be absorbed and heat energy cannot be transferred for ignition
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite material system combining secondary explosive with metal powder particles. This composite structure maintains relative simplicity while adding the essential optical absorption and heat transfer functionality, achieving both compositional simplicity and effective heat energy transfer for reliable ignition.
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
The solution enables reliable ignition with low power laser sources, even under temperature variation stress, and reduces the risk of accidental ignition during handling, ensuring consistent and safe operation across various applications.
Implementation Method 1
the metal serves as optical doping material (absorbs the radiation emitted by the laser sources and transfers the required heat energy for the achievement of the critical temperature of the secondary explosive)
Implementation Method 2
transfers the required heat energy for the achievement of the critical temperature of the secondary explosive
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an energetic igniter charge consisting of a mixture of at least one secondary explosive and an optical doping material in powder form. In accordance with the invention, the optical doping material is a metal. The energetic igniter charge can be used in a detonator as well as in an igniter.