Modular initiator with integrated optical diagnostic
| DWPI Title: Slapper detonator for explosive material, has optical waveguide, positioned proximate to and in optical contact with explosive material in casing cup, which is passed with evanescent waves of light |
| Abstract: A slapper detonator which integrally incorporates an optical wavequide structure for determining whether there has been degradation of the explosive in the explosive device that is to be initiated by the detonator. Embodiments of this invention take advantage of the barrel-like character of a typical slapper detonator design. The barrel assembly, being in direct contact with the energetic material, incorporates an optical diagnostic device into the barrel assembly whereby one can monitor the state of the explosive material. Such monitoring can be beneficial because the chemical degradation of the explosive plays an important in achieving proper functioning of a detonator/initiator device. |
| Use: Slapper detonator for explosive material, such as insensitive high explosive e.g. hexanitrostilbene, which reacts with diethylenetriamine. |
| Advantage: The barrel-type design of the slapper detonator allows it to be incorporated with an optical diagnostic device for beneficially monitoring the state of the explosive material and or surface of the slapper. The optical waveguide and probe light can be selected to permit sampling a wide range of wavelengths or to allow use of relatively narrow wavelength range when a relatively narrow absorption region is to be monitored. Combining the waveguide with a waveguide substrate allows sampling a relatively wide energy region, which increases the ability to spot multiple contamination sources. |
| Novelty: A slapper detonator has a casing cup (10) containing the explosive material (20), and an optical waveguide (31) mounted on a waveguide substrate (30) in a manner proximate to and in optical contact with the explosive material. Evanescent waves of light are passed into and out of the optical waveguide by hollow waveguides (32,38). An aperture (40) is provided on the optical waveguide to permit passage of a flyer plate into the explosive material. The substrate is made from silicon coated with zinc sulfide. |
| Filed: 3/4/2009 |
| Application Number: US2009397705A |
| Tech ID: SD 10964.1 |
| This invention was made with Government support under Contract No. DE-NA0003525 awarded by the United States Department of Energy/National Nuclear Security Administration. The Government has certain rights in the invention. |
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