Pyrotechnic Cleaning Cartridge With Movable Detonator Isolation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pyrotechnic cartridges for cleaning installations lack sufficient mechanical strength and safety measures against accidental detonation, particularly during transport and use, posing risks due to sparks or static electricity.

Innovation Solution

A cartridge design with a housing that moves between safe and primed positions, incorporating a detonator with enhanced electrical current resistance and safety features like synthetic encapsulation, and a blocking mechanism to prevent inadvertent priming, along with a casing made of thermoplastic material for reduced risk of contamination and misfires.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If pyrotechnic cartridges are used for cleaning installations, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but safety against accidental detonation deteriorates due to sparks or static electricity during transport and use

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidsafety against accidental detonation
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cartridge is divided into separate compartments: the pyrotechnic mixture in the casing and the detonator in the movable housing. This segmentation allows the explosive material to be transported safely isolated from ignition sources, while enabling controlled initiation when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The pyrotechnic mixture is prepared and sealed in the casing in advance, but the detonator remains isolated in the housing until the moment of use. The movable housing can be positioned to engage with the mixture only when required, preventing accidental detonation during transport and storage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Speed

If the detonator is always in contact with the pyrotechnical mixture for quick initiation, then operational speed is improved, but safety against inadvertent priming deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepriming speedVSAvoidprotection against inadvertent priming
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The housing containing the detonator is designed to be movable between a retracted safe position and an extended primed position. This dynamic configuration allows the system to transition from a safe transport state to an operational state only when intentionally activated, preventing accidental priming while enabling rapid initiation when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The movable housing acts as an intermediary mechanism between the detonator and the pyrotechnic mixture. It controls their interaction by allowing the detonator to engage with the mixture only when deliberately positioned, providing a mechanical safeguard against inadvertent contact and priming.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of manufacture

If traditional materials are used for the casing, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but contamination risk and misfire risk increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidcontamination and misfire risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The casing is made from thermoplastic material, which combines ease of manufacturing through molding with superior properties: reduced static electricity generation, lower contamination risk, and improved safety against misfires. This composite material solution maintains manufacturing simplicity while eliminating the harmful effects associated with traditional materials.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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

Enhances safety by minimizing accidental detonation risks and contamination, allowing controlled priming and deflagration initiation, thus improving operational safety and efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

comprising an electrical detonator for initiating deflagration of the mixture

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical detonation: Electric Spark

Implementation Method 2

electrical detonator for initiating deflagration of the mixture

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDeflagration: Deflagration

Data Source

PatentEP4004484B1Device for and method of cleaning installations
Publication Date: 2025.09.03 CONSERVATOR TYCHE BEHEER BV
  • EP4004484B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP4004484B1 patent drawingFigure 4A~5B

AI summary

The invention relates to a cartridge (1) for cleaning installations, such as incinerators, heat exchangers, flue gas channels, and silos, comprising a casing, e.g. a sleeve (2), containing a pyrotechnical mixture (5) and/or components of a pyrotechnical mixture and comprising an electrical detonator (3) for initiating deflagration of the mixture. The cartridge further comprises a housing (4) which accommodates the detonator (3) and which housing (4) is attached to the casing (3) and movable between a first position, wherein the detonator (3) is isolated from the pyrotechnical mixture (5), and a second position, wherein the detonator (3) extends in the pyrotechnical mixture (5).