Sep 23, 2025

US12422229 - Initiator assembly having an initiator cartridge and method for constructing an initiator assembly

An initiator assembly having an initiator cartridge. The initiator cartridge has a cartridge housing, an initiation package and an input charge. The cartridge housing is formed of a plastic material and defines an outer circumferential surface, a recess, and a plurality of orientation features. The recess is formed into a first axial end of the cartridge housing. The orientation features are disposed through the first axial end of the cartridge housing and are disposed inwardly of the outer circumferential surface. The initiation package has an exploding foil initiator and a plurality of cartridge terminals. The exploding foil initiator has a bridge. The cartridge terminals are electrically coupled to the bridge. The initiation package is partly encapsulated in the plastic material that forms the cartridge housing. The input charge is at least partly formed of a secondary explosive and is received in the recess in the cartridge housing.

Assignee: Reynolds Systems, Inc.
Inventors: Christopher J. Nance, Michael A. Amendola, John P. Segal
Filing date: 2024-02-19

The patent describes an initiator assembly featuring a cartridge housing made of plastic that contains an initiation package with an exploding foil initiator and an input charge, which is partially composed of a secondary explosive. The design includes orientation features and a void space to enhance functionality and safety in the assembly’s operation.

Claim 1

An initiator assembly comprising: an initiator cartridge having a cartridge housing, an initiation package and an input charge, the cartridge housing being formed of a plastic material and defining an outer circumferential surface, a recess, and a plurality of orientation features, the recess being formed into a first axial end of the cartridge housing, the orientation features being disposed through the first axial end of the cartridge housing and being disposed inwardly of the outer circumferential surface, the initiation package having an exploding foil initiator and a plurality of cartridge terminals, the exploding foil initiator having a bridge, the cartridge terminals being electrically coupled to the bridge, the initiation package being at least partly encapsulated in the plastic material that forms the cartridge housing, the input charge being at least partly formed of a secondary explosive and being received in the recess in the cartridge housing, wherein a void space is formed in the first axial end of the cartridge housing, the void space being disposed outwardly of the recess and inwardly of the outer circumferential surface. an initiator cartridge having a cartridge housing, an initiation package and an input charge, the cartridge housing being formed of a plastic material and defining an outer circumferential surface, a recess, and a plurality of orientation features, the recess being formed into a first axial end of the cartridge housing, the orientation features being disposed through the first axial end of the cartridge housing and being disposed inwardly of the outer circumferential surface, the initiation package having an exploding foil initiator and a plurality of cartridge terminals, the exploding foil initiator having a bridge, the cartridge terminals being electrically coupled to the bridge, the initiation package being at least partly encapsulated in the plastic material that forms the cartridge housing, the input charge being at least partly formed of a secondary explosive and being received in the recess in the cartridge housing, wherein a void space is formed in the first axial end of the cartridge housing, the void space being disposed outwardly of the recess and inwardly of the outer circumferential surface.

Google Patents

https://patents.google.com/patent/US12422229

USPTO PDF

https://image-ppubs.uspto.gov/dirsearch-public/print/downloadPdf/12422229