EP0269475A1 - Schutz einer elektropyrotechnischen Vorrichtung gegen elektrostatische Entladungen - Google Patents

Schutz einer elektropyrotechnischen Vorrichtung gegen elektrostatische Entladungen Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0269475A1
EP0269475A1 EP87402337A EP87402337A EP0269475A1 EP 0269475 A1 EP0269475 A1 EP 0269475A1 EP 87402337 A EP87402337 A EP 87402337A EP 87402337 A EP87402337 A EP 87402337A EP 0269475 A1 EP0269475 A1 EP 0269475A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
conductive
spark gap
substrate
layer
insulating
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP87402337A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0269475B1 (de
Inventor
Jean-Marie Gramond
André Lissilour
René Goutti
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Societe Europeenne de Propulsion SEP SA
Original Assignee
Societe Europeenne de Propulsion SEP SA
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Societe Europeenne de Propulsion SEP SA filed Critical Societe Europeenne de Propulsion SEP SA
Publication of EP0269475A1 publication Critical patent/EP0269475A1/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0269475B1 publication Critical patent/EP0269475B1/de
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F42—AMMUNITION; BLASTING
    • F42B—EXPLOSIVE CHARGES, e.g. FOR BLASTING, FIREWORKS, AMMUNITION
    • F42B3/00—Blasting cartridges, i.e. case and explosive
    • F42B3/10—Initiators therefor
    • F42B3/18—Safety initiators resistant to premature firing by static electricity or stray currents

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to the protection of electro-pyrotechnic devices against electrostatic discharges.
  • the ignition of the pyrotechnic composition is produced by the heat given off by the Joule effect by an initiation circuit comprising at least one resistant element placed in contact with the pyrotechnic composition and supplied with electric current by connection pins.
  • the invention more particularly relates to the protection of electro-pyrotechnic devices with respect to electrostatic discharges between isolated points.
  • the object of the present invention is to provide a means of protection which can be easily integrated into electro-pyrotechnic devices and allows, at a relatively low cost, to obtain a constant and invariable breakdown voltage.
  • spark gap protection device providing a breakdown zone at least between each connection pin and the ground
  • protection device in which, according to the invention, the spark gap comprises a substrate of which at least the surface layer is conductive and is connected to ground, an insulating layer in one or more parts formed on the substrate by depositing a thin layer of insulating material, and conductive layers connected respectively to the connection pins and formed in different zones on the insulating layer to arrange said breakdown zones through the insulating layer between the substrate and, respectively, each of the conductive layers.
  • An important characteristic of the invention consists in the production of the insulating layer by a deposition process.
  • Any known deposition process can be used, in particular the processes for forming thin or thick layers in the field of manufacturing semiconductors and integrated circuits.
  • the insulating layer may be produced by evaporation, spraying, ion bombardment, chemical or other deposition.
  • the delimitation of the insulating layer or its possible machining are likewise carried out by any known method, for example by masking or by chemical or ionic etching.
  • the formation of the insulating layer by deposition in a thin layer provides several advantages.
  • the breakdown voltage is easily adjustable on demand by adjusting the thickness of the deposit of the insulating layer.
  • spark gap is easily adaptable to all electro-pyrotechnic devices regardless of the arrangements and the number of isolated points to be protected.
  • FIG. 1 shows an electro-pyrotechnic device which, in a manner known per se, comprises a resistant element 10 in contact with a pyrotechnic composition 12 housed in a cylindrical envelope 14.
  • Connection pins 16, 18 allow the electrical supply of the resistive element 10 for causing the pyrotechnic composition to ignite by the heat released by the Joule effect.
  • connection pins 16, 18 pass through an insulating piece 20 to which they are sealed.
  • the pins 16, 18 are connected to the resistant element 10 on the side of the insulating piece 20 in contact with the pyrotechnic composition 12 and protrude from the opposite side of the piece 20 to be connected to a socket (not shown) allowing connection with a source of electrical energy.
  • the pyrotechnic composition 12 is housed in the cylindrical body 22 of the electro-pyrotechnic device by means of an antistatic skirt 24 which supports the casing 14 and which is itself held inside the body 22.
  • the maintenance of the insulating part 20 is provided by a centering ring 26 also housed in the body 22.
  • the rest of the electro-pyrotechnic device, in particular the lower part of the body 22 which may contain specific ignition or detonation compositions, is not shown .
  • the protection of the device described above against electrostatic discharges between isolated points is provided by a thin layer spark gap.
  • the spark gap 30 comprises a conductive metallic substrate 32 which is placed on the insulating piece 20 on the side thereof opposite the pyrotechnic composition 10.
  • the substrate 32 is of annular shape and is carried by an internal shoulder 28 of the body 22 to which it is fixed, for example by welding, which ensures the connection of the substrate 32 to the mechanical and electrical mass of the electro-pyrotechnic device.
  • the body 22 is formed in several parts: an upper part carrying the spark gap, an intermediate part carrying the skirt 24 and the ring 26 and a lower part containing the rest of the device, these different parts being assembled end to end by welding.
  • the annular substrate 32 is crossed by the pins 16, 18 and sufficient clearance is provided between the pins 16, 18 and the wall of the central passage of the substrate 32 so that the intervals between these parts cannot constitute preferential arc paths. electrostatic discharge.
  • these preferential paths consist of breakdown zones 40, 42 arranged on the substrate 32 to provide protection against electrostatic attacks between the ground and, respectively, the pins 16, 18.
  • Each breakdown zone is located within an insulating layer formed by a thin layer deposition of an insulating material on the conductive substrate 32.
  • the insulating layer may be in a single part common to the two breakdown zones or, as in the example illustrated, in two parts 44, 46 formed in different zones of the surface of the substrate 32 (see in particular FIG. 3).
  • Conductive layers, or electrodes 48, 50 are formed on the insulating layer or layers 44, 46 also by depositing a thin layer of a conductive material.
  • the electrical connections between the electrodes 48, 50 and, respectively, the pins 16, 18 are provided by conductive filaments 52, 54 welded at one end to the electrodes 48, 50, respectively, and at the other end on elastic conductive rings 56, 58 enclosing the pins 16, 18, respectively.
  • the insulating layers 44, 46 are deposited by any known method of deposition in a thin or thick layer used in the technology for manufacturing semiconductors and integrated circuits, for example by evaporation, sputtering, ion bombardment or chemical deposition. Likewise, the design of the insulating layer or layers is obtained by any known method of masking or etching. The formation of the conductive layers 48, 50 on the insulating layers 44, 46 is also carried out by any known method of depositing thin or thick conductive layers.
  • the production of the insulating layer or layers 44, 46 by a thin layer deposition technique makes it possible to precisely adjust the breakdown voltage by adjusting the thickness of the deposited insulating layer.
  • layers of silicon dioxide with a thickness equal to 2.5 microns made it possible to obtain breakdown voltages of approximately 800 V.
  • the protection device according to the invention has other advantages. It is first of all quite apparent that its integration into the electro-pyrotechnic device is easy to carry out. In addition, not only can a precise breakdown voltage be obtained, but this breakdown voltage retains its value after several series of electrostatic discharges and despite modifications to the environment of the device (in particular pressure and nature of the surrounding medium).
  • the breakdown zones can be formed on any face of the substrate 32.
  • an insulating substrate for example the insulating part 20 itself, on which a connected conductive metallic layer is deposited. to the mechanical and electrical mass of the electro-pyrotechnic device.
  • the insulating layer (s) and the conductive electrodes defining the breakdown zones are then formed on this surface metal layer.
  • FIG. 4 Another alternative embodiment of the spark gap is illustrated by Figures 4 and 5.
  • the elements common with the device of Figures 1 to 3 have the same references.
  • each breakdown zone is arranged on the face of the substrate 32 facing the insulating part 20.
  • Each breakdown zone for example 40 ⁇ , is formed by a thin insulating layer 44 ⁇ deposited on the conductive substrate 32 and a conductive layer or 48 ⁇ electrode deposited on layer 44 ⁇ .
  • the electrical connection between the electrode 48 ⁇ and the pin 16 is produced by a metallic coating 52 ⁇ deposited on the insulating part 20 and forming a conductive path between the zone of the part 20 which comes into contact with the electrode 46 ⁇ and a metallization 56 'of the hole 16 formed in the insulating part 20 for the passage of the spindle 16.
  • 52' coating may be formed in a recess of the insulating part 20. the surface 52' coating is polished at the same time as that of the part 20 so as to be in the same plane and not have any roughness liable to damage the insulating layer 44 ⁇ .
  • the electrical contact between the pin 16 and the metallization 56 ⁇ is ensured by the sealing of the pin in the hole 16a.
  • the electrical contact between the electrode 48 ⁇ and the coating 52 ⁇ is ensured by the pressure exerted on mounting the device between the skirt 24, which is supported by its lower edge on the underside of the envelope 14 of the pyrotechnic composition 12, and the shoulder 28 which rests on the upper face of the substrate 32.
  • the permanence of this pressure contact can be ensured by elastic means, for example an elastomer layer 28 a interposed between the shoulder 28 and the substrate 32.
  • electro-pyrotechnic device comprising a single resistant element.
  • the invention is likewise applicable to electro-pyrotechnic devices comprising, for reasons of redundancy, two resistive elements aunts. Such a device with two resistant elements is illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 8.
  • each resistant element 110, 111 is located in contact with a pyrotechnic composition 112 housed in a cylindrical envelope 114.
  • Connection pins 116, 118 are provided for the electrical supply of the resistive element 110, as well as pins 117, 119 for supplying the resistive element 111.
  • the electrical energy is supplied by means of a connector 101 fixed laterally to the upper part of the body 122 of the electro-pyrotechnic device.
  • the circuits 116-110-118 and 117-111-119 are connected in parallel on the terminals 102 and 103 on connector 101, the connections between the pins 116 to 119 and the terminals 102, 103 being produced by flexible conductors 104 to 107
  • the pins 116 to 119 pass through an insulating part 120 to which they are sealed and which is placed in contact with the pyrotechnic composition 112. Maintaining this composition 112 and the insulating part 120 in the body 122 of the electro-pyrotechnic device is provided by means of an antistatic skirt 124 and a ring 126, as in the embodiment of FIG. 1.
  • the protection of the device described above against electrostatic discharges is ensured by means of a thin layer spark gap.
  • the spark gap 130 provides six breakdown zones between the connection pins and the mass of the device, as well as between connection pins connected to different resistant elements. It should be noted that three breakdown zones could be sufficient due to the parallel connection of the connection pins. The choice of six different breakdown zones is dictated here for the sake of redundancy.
  • the spark gap 130 shown in FIGS. 6 to 8 comprises a metallic annular substrate 132 placed on the insulating part 120 and crossed by the pins 116 to 119.
  • the conductive substrate 132 is fixed by welding to an internal shoulder 128 of the body 122, this which ensures its connection to the mechanical and electrical ground of the device.
  • Breakdown zones 140, 141, 142, 143 between the mass and, respectively, the pins 116, 117, 118 and 119 are formed on the substrate 132.
  • the latter is coated with an insulating layer 144 formed by a thin layer deposition of an insulating material.
  • Conductive layers or electrodes 148, 149, 150, 151 are formed by depositing a thin layer of a conductive material on the insulating layer 144 in different zones distributed around the periphery of the spark gap (see in particular FIG. 8).
  • Conductive filaments 152, 153, 154, 155 connect the electrodes 148 to 151 respectively to elastic conductive rings 156, 157, 158, 159 enclosing the pins 116 to 119.
  • the insulating layer 144 may be formed in several separate parts each carrying a particular electrode.
  • Two additional breakdown zones 240 and 242 are formed on the spark gap 130 for the protection of electrostatic attacks respectively between the connection pins 116 and 117 and between the connection pins 118 and 119, that is to say between connected pins to different resistant elements.
  • the breakdown zones 240, 242 are arranged by forming insulating layers 244, 246 by depositing a thin layer of insulating material on the electrodes 148, 150 connected to the pins 116, 118.
  • Conductive layers, or electrodes, 249, 251 are formed on the insulating layers 244, 246 by depositing a thin layer of a conductive material.
  • the electrodes 249, 251 are electrically connected to the pins 117, 119.
  • Another solution consists, as in the example illustrated, in extending the conductive layers 249, 251 until at least partially covering the electrodes 149, 151.
  • the conductive filaments 153 and 155 which make the connection with the pins 118 and 120 can then be welded on the electrodes 249, 251.
  • the additional breakdown zones between connection pins can be formed on the electrodes 149, 151 instead of being formed on the electrodes 148, 150.
  • FIG. 9 finally illustrates another assembly of a protection device according to the invention for an electro-pyrotechnic device with two insulating elements.
  • the device of FIG. 9 differs from that of FIGS. 6 to 8 essentially in that the spark gap 130 ⁇ constitutes a cover closing the body 122 at its upper end.
  • the metallic substrate 132 ⁇ is connected to the mechanical and electrical ground, for example by screwing onto the body 122, while the breakdown zones are arranged on the underside of the substrate 132 ⁇ .
  • the spark gap is identical to that described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 8.
  • spark gap in the electro-pyrotechnic device could be adopted insofar as they contribute to providing breakdown zones remote from the pyrotechnic composition.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Air Bags (AREA)
EP19870402337 1986-10-27 1987-10-20 Schutz einer elektropyrotechnischen Vorrichtung gegen elektrostatische Entladungen Expired - Lifetime EP0269475B1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR8614923 1986-10-27
FR8614923A FR2605827B1 (fr) 1986-10-27 1986-10-27 Protection d'un dispositif electro-pyrotechnique vis-a-vis des decharges electrostatiques

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0269475A1 true EP0269475A1 (de) 1988-06-01
EP0269475B1 EP0269475B1 (de) 1991-03-27

Family

ID=9340233

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP19870402337 Expired - Lifetime EP0269475B1 (de) 1986-10-27 1987-10-20 Schutz einer elektropyrotechnischen Vorrichtung gegen elektrostatische Entladungen

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0269475B1 (de)
DE (1) DE3768918D1 (de)
FR (1) FR2605827B1 (de)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2281608A (en) * 1993-08-25 1995-03-08 Ems Patvag Ag Igniting device for a gas generator
US5639986A (en) * 1993-11-18 1997-06-17 Ici Americas Inc. Airbag igniter and method of manufacture
WO1999036293A1 (de) * 1998-01-19 1999-07-22 Autoliv Development Ab Zündvorrichtung für einen gasgenerator
US6601514B1 (en) * 1998-08-11 2003-08-05 Dynamit Nobel Gmbh Explosivstoff-Und Systemtechnik Externally controlled ignition unit with integrated electronic system for triggering a restraint system

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3333538A (en) * 1966-06-09 1967-08-01 Hercules Inc Electric initiator structure
US4061088A (en) * 1975-11-13 1977-12-06 Toyota Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Electric detonating fuse assembly
EP0029671A1 (de) * 1979-11-20 1981-06-03 Ici Americas Inc. Elektrostatisches Sicherheitselement für einen elektrischen Initialzünder
DE3415625A1 (de) * 1984-04-26 1985-10-31 Dynamit Nobel Ag, 5210 Troisdorf Elektrisches zuendelement mit soll-funkenstrecke

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3333538A (en) * 1966-06-09 1967-08-01 Hercules Inc Electric initiator structure
US4061088A (en) * 1975-11-13 1977-12-06 Toyota Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Electric detonating fuse assembly
EP0029671A1 (de) * 1979-11-20 1981-06-03 Ici Americas Inc. Elektrostatisches Sicherheitselement für einen elektrischen Initialzünder
DE3415625A1 (de) * 1984-04-26 1985-10-31 Dynamit Nobel Ag, 5210 Troisdorf Elektrisches zuendelement mit soll-funkenstrecke

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2281608A (en) * 1993-08-25 1995-03-08 Ems Patvag Ag Igniting device for a gas generator
US5596163A (en) * 1993-08-25 1997-01-21 Ems-Patvag Ag Gas generator igniting capsule
US5639986A (en) * 1993-11-18 1997-06-17 Ici Americas Inc. Airbag igniter and method of manufacture
WO1999036293A1 (de) * 1998-01-19 1999-07-22 Autoliv Development Ab Zündvorrichtung für einen gasgenerator
US6601514B1 (en) * 1998-08-11 2003-08-05 Dynamit Nobel Gmbh Explosivstoff-Und Systemtechnik Externally controlled ignition unit with integrated electronic system for triggering a restraint system

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR2605827A1 (fr) 1988-04-29
FR2605827B1 (fr) 1989-07-07
DE3768918D1 (de) 1991-05-02
EP0269475B1 (de) 1991-03-27

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