A modular initiator assembly comprising a receptacle and connector combination adapted to shunt the electrical contacts of the initiator as a default condition and to only unshunt the electrical contacts coupled to the initiator when the receptacle and connector establish a fully seated connection.

A wireless electronic detonator includes a primary source of energy and at least one functional module. A power switch is disposed between the primary source of energy and the functional module to connect or disconnect the functional module and the primary source of energy. A controller controls the power switch and includes an optical receiver to detect and demodulate a light signal emitted by a control console, The controller generates a control signal according to the demodulated light signal to at least control the power switch. A wireless detonation system includes the wireless electronic detonator and the control console configured to emit a light signal, and method for activating the wireless electronic detonator.

A circuit for controlling the firing of an exploding-foil pyrotechnic component including at least one capacitor and switch means, the capacitor being connected to the pyrotechnic component by an array of at least three diodes connected in series and in a direction that prevents the capacitor from discharging, the sum of the reverse voltages of these diodes being greater than the maximum voltage that can be delivered by the capacitor, the switch means including at least two field-effect transistors associated with the array of diodes.

A circuit for controlling the firing of an exploding-foil pyrotechnic component including at least one capacitor and switch means, the capacitor being connected to the pyrotechnic component by an array of at least three diodes connected in series and in a direction that prevents the capacitor from discharging, the sum of the reverse voltages of these diodes being greater than the maximum voltage that can be delivered by the capacitor, the switch means including at least two field-effect transistors associated with the array of diodes.

According to various implementations, a vehicle pyrotechnic initiator assembly includes an initiator that includes at least one electrode pin and a validation device in electrical communication with the at least one electrode pin. The validation device provides validation information about at least a portion of the initiator assembly and/or a safety device in which the initiator assembly is installed. The validation information may include a date associated with an expiration of the initiator assembly and/or the safety device. The validation information may also or alternatively include a manufacturer identity associated with a manufacturer of the initiator assembly and/or safety device. In some implementations, the validation device includes an electrical circuit and/or memory that stores the validation information. For example, the validation device may include an ASIC chip.

A wireless electronic detonator includes an energy source and functional modules. A first switching switch is provided between the energy source and the functional modules, making it possible to connect or not connect the energy source to the functional modules. A control module for controlling the first switching means includes a module for recovering radio energy configured to receive a radio signal from a control console, to recover the electric energy in the radio signal received, to generate an energy recovery signal (VRF) representative of the level of electric energy recovered, and to generate as output a control signal (VOUT) as a function of the recovered energy, the control signal controlling the first switch.

A wireless initiation device comprises a power source, a processing module, a first housing and an initiation unit. The processing module processes wireless electromagnetic communications signals received by an electromagnetic receiver system associated with the processing module. The wireless electromagnetic communications signals includes a wireless electromagnetic communications signal representative of a FIRE command. The processing module is configured to generate an initiation signal upon receipt of the FIRE command. At least one of the power source and the processing module is disposed in the first housing, and the first housing has a first connector. The initiation unit has a second housing within which is disposed an initiation module that is configured to discharge initiation energy sufficient to initiate an explosive charge associated with the device. The initiation module is connected to, or connectable with, the processing module such that initiation module can receive an initiation signal from the processing module. The initiation unit also has a second connector that is configured to mate with the first connector, thereby connecting the first and second housings. The initiation module is configured to execute a sequence upon receipt of the initiation signal, the sequence resulting in discharge of initiation energy from the initiation unit.

A detonator for use in a detonating system, which detonator includes discriminating and validating arrangements which sense and validate at least one characteristic of at least one parameter produced by at least one of a light, acoustic, vibratory, magnetic or electrical signal event, and an electronic timer which executes a timing interval in response thereto.

Exploding foil initiator apparatus, system, and method that improve the current density in the bridge region by modifying the shape and dimensions of the bridge and related components. The exploding foil initiator reduces burn-back by making areas of the bridge thicker except directly under the flyer. The exploding foil initiator boards are built so the flyer is not connected to the rest of the top cover-lay. This avoids losing energy due to the flyer having to tear away from the solid cover-lay.

The present invention is directed toward an addressable ignition stage which produces an output sufficient to detonate a secondary explosive, generally. The present invention comprises addressability and ignition functions that may be used together or separately to incorporate a high-power resistor with a thermally conductive substrate allowing for operation at high temperatures for ignition. The ignition stage is amendable to high volume production, exhibits a high degree of reliability, robustness and operational dependability for use alone or configurable into existing technology.