A thin film device which may be used as a fuze or fuse. The device comprises a pair of conductive layers separated and joined to opposite faces of a thin insulating layer to thereby form a three layer sandwich. One of the conductive layers and the insulating layer have a plurality of pin holes... Show moreA thin film device which may be used as a fuze or fuse. The device comprises a pair of conductive layers separated and joined to opposite faces of a thin insulating layer to thereby form a three layer sandwich. One of the conductive layers and the insulating layer have a plurality of pin holes therein, the sides of each being coated by a bridge element of low density, low specific heat metal so as to short circuit or bridge the conductive layers. Terminal means are connected respectively to the conductive layers to supply electrical energy which passes from one conductive layer to the other conductive layer via the metal bridge elements. When the electrical energy exceeds a predetermined amount, the bridge elements vaporize. The vaporization of the bridge elements can be employed to initiate detonation of an explosive train thereby serving as a fuze. Alternatively, the device may be employed as an electrical fuse wherein the vaporization of the bridge elements caused by electrical energy interrupts the flow of electrical energy in an electrical circuit.
Sponsorship: IIT Research Institute
United States Patent Show less
