Patent US3721886A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3721886A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Blasting machine with overvoltage and undervoltage protection for the energy storage capacitor
Assignee: Bendix Corp
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Filing: 1971-11-23
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Granted: 1973-03-20
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Expires: 1991-11-23
Abstract
Abstract A blasting machine for firing an explosive bridge wire device or the like. The blasting machine includes a storage capacitor that is charged to an energy level within a predetermined range. The upper limit of the energy range is controlled by a two-electrode spark discharge device which operates as an upper voltage control and the lower limit of the energy range is controlled by a twoelectrode spark device which does not permit the capacitor to be discharged until the second device is conducting, which occurs at the desired lower voltage level whereby the energy discharged from the storage capacitor must be within the energy levels established by the two spark discharge devices.
Inventors
- 👤 E Phinney
- 👤 I Linkroum
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 14:15
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02M; H02M3/00; H02M3/22; H02M3/24; H02M3/28; H02M3/325; H02M3/335; H02M3/338; H02M3/3381; H02H; H02H11/00; H02H11/006; H03; H03K; H03K3/00; H03K3/02; H03K3/53
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 3
Claim 1
Independent Claim
403 words
A blasting machine for initiating electro-explosive devices which comprises: means for storing electrical energy, said storage means Having two output terminals; means for supplying electrical energy to said energy storage means; means for producing a plurality of electrical pulses when said energy storage means has reached a first predetermined energy level, said means for producing electrical pulses including a second normally nonconductive gaseous conductor which is rendered conductive when a predetermined voltage is applied thereto and a resistor-capacitor circuit in series with said second gaseous conductor so that when said second gaseous conductor is rendered conductive, said capacitor lowers the voltage applied to said second gaseous conductor to a voltage below said predetermined value and said second gaseous conductor is rendered nonconductive; switching means for receiving said pulses, said switching means operable to permit the discharge of said energy storage means only during the presence of said pulses, whereby said energy storage means cannot be discharged below said predetermined energy level, said switching means including a first normally nonconductive gaseous conductor having one electrode connected to one output terminal of said energy storage means, a second electrode, and a trigger electrode connected through said switching means to said pulse means, said first gaseous conductor being rendered conductive upon receiving said pulses at said trigger electrode when said switching means is closed whereby when pulses from said pulse means are transmitted to said first gaseous conductor, said first gaseous conductor is rendered conductive to permit said storage means to discharge, and a switch connected between said first gaseous conductor and said pulse means, said switch operable in the ON position to permit the passage of said pulses to said first gaseous conductor whereby said energy storage means is discharged only when said switch is in the ON position and when said pulse means is producing pulses; means for preventing said means for storing electrical energy from exceeding a second predetermined energy level which is above said first predetermined energy level whereby said energy storage means is prevented from reaching energy levels above said second predetermined energy level; and means for connecting the second electrode of said first gaseous conductor and the other output terminal of said storage means to a circuit containing an electro-explosive device whereby said electro-explosive device is exploded upon conduction of said first gaseous conductor and the closing of said switching means which permits the discharge of said energy storage means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
403 words
A blasting machine for initiating electro-explosive devices which comprises: means for storing electrical energy, said storage means Having two output terminals; means for supplying electrical energy to said energy storage means; means for producing a plurality of electrical pulses when said energy storage means has reached a first predetermined energy level, said means for producing electrical pulses including a second normally nonconductive gaseous conductor which is rendered conductive when a predetermined voltage is applied thereto and a resistor-capacitor circuit in series with said second gaseous conductor so that when said second gaseous conductor is rendered conductive, said capacitor lowers the voltage applied to said second gaseous conductor to a voltage below said predetermined value and said second gaseous conductor is rendered nonconductive; switching means for receiving said pulses, said switching means operable to permit the discharge of said energy storage means only during the presence of said pulses, whereby said energy storage means cannot be discharged below said predetermined energy level, said switching means including a first normally nonconductive gaseous conductor having one electrode connected to one output terminal of said energy storage means, a second electrode, and a trigger electrode connected through said switching means to said pulse means, said first gaseous conductor being rendered conductive upon receiving said pulses at said trigger electrode when said switching means is closed whereby when pulses from said pulse means are transmitted to said first gaseous conductor, said first gaseous conductor is rendered conductive to permit said storage means to discharge, and a switch connected between said first gaseous conductor and said pulse means, said switch operable in the ON position to permit the passage of said pulses to said first gaseous conductor whereby said energy storage means is discharged only when said switch is in the ON position and when said pulse means is producing pulses; means for preventing said means for storing electrical energy from exceeding a second predetermined energy level which is above said first predetermined energy level whereby said energy storage means is prevented from reaching energy levels above said second predetermined energy level; and means for connecting the second electrode of said first gaseous conductor and the other output terminal of said storage means to a circuit containing an electro-explosive device whereby said electro-explosive device is exploded upon conduction of said first gaseous conductor and the closing of said switching means which permits the discharge of said energy storage means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
99 words
The blasting machine as described in claim 1 wherein said means for preventing said means for storing electrical energy from exceeding a second predetermined voltage level includes an electrical circuit which comprises: a third gaseous conductor connected in series to a resistor and a capacitor, said capacitor connected in parallel with a second resistor, said electrical circuit connected across said means for storing electrical energy whereby when said means for storing electrical energy reaches said second predetermined energy level said third gaseous conductor conducts to prevent said means for storing electrical energy from exceeding said second predetermined energy level.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-03-19 | 1976-09-18 | 1977-03-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-03-19 | 1980-09-18 | 1981-03-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-03-19 | 1984-09-18 | 1985-03-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |