Precision pyrotechnic display system and method having increased safety and timing accuracy

Abstract

A system and method are disclosed for controlling the launch and burst of pyrotechnic projectiles in a pyrotechnic, or “fireworks”, display.

1 . An igniter for a pyrotechnic projectile of the sort comprising a lift charge to be ignited by an electrically operated lift charge ignition device, and a break charge to be ignited by an electrically operated break charge ignition device, said igniter comprising:
 electronic control means for receiving an electronic fire command from an external control device and, in response thereto, (1) activating said electrically operated lift charge ignition device, and (2) a pre-determined time after receiving said electronic fire command, activating said electrically operated break charge ignition device.   
   
   
       2 . An igniter according to  1  wherein said electronic control means further comprise:
 means for preventing transient voltages from unintentionally activating said electrically operated lift charge ignition device and said electrically operated break charge ignition device.   
   
   
       3 . An igniter according to  1  wherein said electronic control means further comprise:
 means for ensuring that the polarity of said electronic control means is matched to the polarity of said external control device.   
   
   
       4 . An igniter according to  1  wherein said electronic control means comprise:
 a first output connecting said igniter to said electrically operated lift charge ignition device;   a second output connecting said igniter to said electrically operated break charge ignition device;   a power supply for selective connection to said first output and said second output for selectively activating said electrically operated lift charge ignition device and said electrically operated break charge ignition device, respectively; and   a timer for determining when said power supply activates said electrically operated break charge ignition device.   
   
   
       5 . An igniter according to  4  wherein said power supply comprises at least one capacitor. 
   
   
       6 . An igniter according to  4  wherein said timer comprises a resistor/capacitor combination. 
   
   
       7 . An igniter according to  4  wherein said timer comprises a crystal. 
   
   
       8 . An igniter according to  4  wherein said timer is accurate to within 0.001 seconds. 
   
   
       9 . An igniter according to  1  wherein said electronic control means further comprise:
 means for monitoring the status of said electrically operated lift charge ignition device and said electrically operated break charge ignition device.   
   
   
       10 . An igniter according to  1  wherein said electronic control means further comprise:
 means for sensing a failure to achieve a proper launch of said pyrotechnic projectile and, upon sensing such a failure, preventing activation of said electrically operated break charge ignition device.   
   
   
       11 . A pyrotechnic projectile comprising:
 a lift charge;   an electrically operated lift charge ignition device for activating said lift charge;   a break charge;   an electrically operated break charge ignition device for activating said break charge; and   an igniter comprising electronic control means for receiving an electronic fire command from an external control device and, in response thereto, (1) activating said electrically operated lift charge ignition device, and (2) a pre-determined time after receiving said electronic fire command, activating said electrically operated break charge ignition device.   
   
   
       12 . A pyrotechnic projectile system comprising:
 a pyrotechnic projectile and an external control device;
 said pyrotechnic projectile comprising:
 a lift charge; 
 an electrically operated lift charge ignition device for activating said lift charge; 
 a break charge; 
 an electrically operated break charge ignition device for activating said break charge; and 
 an igniter comprising electronic control means for receiving an electronic fire command from said external control device and, in response thereto, (1) activating said electrically operated lift charge ignition device, and (2) a pre-determined time after receiving said electronic fire command, activating said electrically operated break charge ignition device. 
 
   
   
   
       13 . A pyrotechnic projectile system according to  12  wherein said external control device comprises:
 means for detecting if said igniter of said pyrotechnic projectile is connected to said external control device.   
   
   
       14 . A pyrotechnic projectile system according to  12  wherein said external control device comprises:
 means for communicating with said igniter.   
   
   
       15 . A pyrotechnic projectile system according to  12  wherein said external control device comprises:
 means for detecting a fault in said igniter and, upon detection of the same, deactivating said igniter.   
   
   
       16 . A pyrotechnic projectile system according to  12  wherein said external control device comprises:
 means for providing a calibration signal to said electronic control means.   
   
   
       17 . A pyrotechnic projectile system according to  12  wherein said external control device comprises:
 means for detecting a fire command from an external user interface and, upon detection of the same, issuing an electronic fire command to said igniter.   
   
   
       18 . A pyrotechnic projectile system according to wherein said external control device comprises:
 means for detecting if said pyrotechnic projectile has properly launched in response to receiving said electronic fire command and, if not, for disabling said pyrotechnic projectile.   
   
   
       19 . A pyrotechnic projectile system according to  12  wherein said external control device comprises:
 an interface module adapted to be connected to a manual control panel.   
   
   
       20 . A pyrotechnic projectile system according to  12  wherein said external control device comprises:
 an interface module adapted to be connected to a computer.   
   
   
       21 . A pyrotechnic projectile system according to  12  wherein:
 said system comprises multiple pyrotechnic projectiles, said system comprises a port, and further wherein multiple pyrotechnic projectiles are connected to said port, each of said pyrotechnic projectiles being separately controllable by said system.   
   
   
       22 . A pyrotechnic projectile system according to  21  wherein said system is adapted to detect when the number of pyrotechnic projectiles connected to said port exceed a predetermined number. 
   
   
       23 . A method for firing a pyrotechnic projectile, said method comprising the steps of:
 sending a “fire” command to said pyrotechnic projectile so as to activate a lift charge;   upon receiving confirmation of a successful launch, electrically timing a delay within said pyrotechnic projectile; and   upon expiration of said delay, detonating a burst charge carried by said pyrotechnic projectile.   
   
   
       24 . A method according to  23  wherein, upon failure to detect said launch confirmation, deactivating said projectile. 
   
   
       25 . A detonator for detonating an explosive charge, said detonator comprising:
 electronic control means for receiving an electronic fire command from an external control device and, a pre-determined time after receiving said electronic fire command, detonating said explosive charge.   
   
   
       26 . A pyrotechnic projectile system according to  12  further comprising:
 a second pyrotechnic projectile comprising:
 a lift charge; 
 an electrically operated lift charge ignition device; 
 a break charge; 
 a fuse for activating said break charge, said fuse being activated by said electrically operated lift charge ignition device. 
   
   
   
       27 . A pyrotechnic projectile system according to  12  wherein said external control device comprises:
 means for detecting a fault in said igniter and, upon detection of the same, providing notification to the system operator.   
   
   
       28 . A pyrotechnic projectile system according to  16  wherein said calibration signal is a time calibration signal. 
   
   
       29 . A pyrotechnic projectile system according to  18  wherein said external control device further comprises:
 means for notifying the system operator if said pyrotechnic projectile is disabled.   
   
   
       30 . A method according to  23  further comprising:
 prior to sending said “fire” command to said pyrotechnic projectile, sending a calibration signal to said pyrotechnic projectile and, upon receiving confirmation of proper calibration, sending said “fire” command to said pyrotechnic projectile.   
   
   
       31 . A method according to  23  further comprising:
 prior to sending said “fire” command to said pyrotechnic projectile, sending an “arm” command to said pyrotechnic projectile and, upon receiving confirmation of the armed status of said pyrotechnic projectile, sending said “fire” command to said pyrotechnic projectile.   
   
   
       32 . A pyrotechnic projectile system according to  12  wherein said pre-determined time is pre-programmed into said igniter. 
   
   
       33 . A pyrotechnic projectile system according to  12  wherein said external control device comprises:
 means for programming said pre-determined time into said igniter.   
   
   
       34 . A method according to  23  wherein the magnitude of said delay is pre-programmed into said pyrotechnic projectile. 
   
   
       35 . A method according to  23  wherein the magnitude of said delay is programmed into said pyrotechnic projectile at the time of use. 
   
   
       36 . A pyrotechnic projectile system according to  26  wherein said system is adapted to detect when the total number of said pyrotechnic projectiles and said second pyrotechnic projectiles connected to said port exceed a predetermined number. 
   
   
       37 . A pyrotechnic projectile system comprising:
 a plurality of pyrotechnic projectiles and an external control device;   each of said pyrotechnic projectiles comprising:
 a lift charge; 
 an electrically operated lift charge ignition device; 
 a break charge; and 
 a fuse for activating said break charge, said fuse being activated by said electrically operated lift charge ignition device; 
   said external control device comprising a port, with said plurality of pyrotechnic projectiles being connected to said port, and said external control device being adapted to detect when the number of said pyrotechnic projectiles connected to said port exceed a predetermined number.