Initiation fixture and an initiator assembly including the same

Abstract

An initiator assembly ( 38 ) is factory-pre-assembled and comprises an initiation fixture ( 10 ) secured to a triggering device ( 40 ). The initiation fixture ( 10 ) comprises a unitary body, i.e., one without moving parts, and includes a bushing groove ( 18 ) to receive as an accessory an O-ring ( 64 ) to seal the device within the barrel ( 42 ) of the triggering device ( 40 ). A fuse/fixture sub-assembly ( 34 ) includes an initiation charge ( 30 ) disposed at the firing face ( 13 a ) and a signal-transmission fuse ( 22 ). The initiation fixture ( 110 ) may be a “universal” fixture having thereon optional external threads ( 36 ) and being otherwise dimensioned and configured to be received within either an internally threaded barrel ( 42 ) of a triggering device ( 40 ) or the barrel ( 42 ) of a triggering device which utilizes a fuse-holder cap ( 56 ). The initiator assembly ( 38 ) may include a spool ( 66 ) on which the signal-transmission tube ( 22 ) is wound.

1 . An initiator assembly comprising:
 a spool having a signal-transmission fuse wound thereon, the signal-transmission fuse having an input end and an opposite, output end;   a triggering device mounted upon the spool, the triggering device having a barrel comprising an output end, the barrel having disposed therein a firing mechanism;   an initiation fixture comprising: (i) a cylindrical body member being received within the barrel of the triggering device at the output end thereof, (ii) a longitudinal internal passage extending through the body member, and (iii) an initiation charge disposed within the longitudinal internal passage of the body member and exposed to the firing mechanism; and   the input end of the signal-transmission fuse being disposed within and secured to the initiation fixture in signal-transfer relation to the initiation charge.   
   
   
       2 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein the output end of the signal-transmission fuse is received within a detonator. 
   
   
       3 . The assembly of  claim 2  wherein the detonator is positioned within a connector block dimensioned and configured to receive therein one or more receptor signal-transmission lines.