Low-voltage-insensitive electro-pyrotechnic device

Abstract

A low-voltage-insensitive electro-pyrotechnic device comprising electrical input terminals, a bridge element connected to the electrical input terminals, and a transient voltage suppressor connected between the bridge element and one of the electrical input terminals. The device may utilize one bidirectional TVS on one side of the bridge element or two unidirectional TVSs on opposite sides of the bridge element, and may also include one or more resistors and/or an RF filter between the input terminals and bridge element.

1 . A low-voltage-insensitive electro-pyrotechnic device, comprising:
 a) first and second electrical input terminals;   b) a bridge element connected to said electrical input terminals; and   c) a first transient voltage suppressor connected in series between said bridge element and said first electrical input terminal.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device is a detonator. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device is a detonator for use in mining and blasting. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said bridge element is a hotwire initiator. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said transient voltage suppressor is bidirectional. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a second transient voltage suppressor connected between said bridge element and said second electrical input terminal, wherein said first and second transient voltage suppressors are unidirectional. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a resistor connected between said electrical input terminals and said bridge element. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising two or more resistors connected between said electrical input terminals and said bridge element. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more resistors connected between said electrical input terminals and said bridge element, and further comprising a second transient voltage suppressor connected between said bridge element and said second electrical input terminal, wherein said first and second transient voltage suppressors are unidirectional. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device is a detonator for use in mining and blasting and further comprises at least one resistor connected between said electrical input terminals and said bridge element. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein said transient voltage suppressor has a clamping voltage of at least 100V. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein said transient voltage suppressor has a clamping voltage greater than 100V and less than 450V. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein said transient voltage suppressor is a p4sma200ca. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein said resistor is connected in parallel between said input terminals and said bridge element and has a resistance greater than 1 kOhm and less than 100 kOhm. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein said resistor has a resistance greater than 25 kOhm and less than 75 kOhm. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 14 , further comprising an RF filter. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising an RF filter. 
     
     
         18 . A low-voltage-insensitive electro-pyrotechnic device, comprising:
 a) first and second electrical input terminals;   b) a bridge element connected to said electrical input terminals; and   c) an upwardly voltage shifting means connected in series between said bridge element and said first electrical input terminal.   
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein said upwardly voltage shifting means comprises at least one transient voltage suppressor. 
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 18 , further comprising an RF filter.