Voltage monitoring for fireset

摘要

An improved fireset for detonating an explosive includes a voltage monitor arranged to measure a voltage across a quickly dischargeable energy storage device (QDESD), such as a capacitor, and to perform a detonation sequence based at least in part on the voltage measured by the voltage monitor. The fireset employs feedback from the voltage monitor to promote accurate charging of the QDESD and accurate maintenance of charge during an armed state. The voltage monitor also promotes safety by allowing the fireset to indicate when the QDESD is discharged to a safe level, i.e., one which is assured not to result in detonation.

主权项

1. A fireset for detonating an explosive, comprising:
a discharge circuit including a quickly dischargeable energy storage device coupled in series with a LEEFI (Low Energy Exploding Foil Initiator); a high voltage source coupled to the discharge circuit to charge the quickly dischargeable energy storage device; a high voltage switch coupled to the discharge circuit and having a control input; a high voltage monitor coupled to the discharge circuit and having an output arranged to provide a voltage proportional to the voltage across the discharge circuit; and a control circuit having an input coupled to the output of the high voltage monitor and an output coupled to the control input of the high voltage switch, the control circuit constructed and arranged to close the high voltage switch based at least in part on the voltage proportional to the voltage across the discharge circuit exceeding a predetermined threshold, wherein the discharge circuit further includes an inductor coupled in series with the quickly dischargeable energy storage device to limit ringing when the high voltage switch is activated.