This system was custom built for a small explosives systems manufacturer. The manufacturer needed to measure the time from the initiation of a shock tube to the subsequent detonation of a blasting cap at the other end. The shock tube is a 3mm diameter plastic tube lined with explosive powder. The propagation of an explosive signal along this tube is accompanied by a bright flash of light at the leading edge of the shockwave.
A system was designed and built, leveraging on existing fiber-optic technology, to sense the nanosecond pulse of light emitted when the detonation occurs. This pulse of light is used to trigger the timer for the start of the interval measurement. The measurement interval is terminated when the blasting cap at the end of the shock tube detonates severing the breakwire.
Key Benefits
- Leverages existing technology
- Rapid concept to prototype cycle
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