Optimised method for filling a pyrotechnic charge and system implementing such a method
Inventors
AURIEL, Christophe • Monnier, Stéphane • CAVILLON, Michel • RESSOUCHE, Maxime
Interested in licensing this patent?
MTEC can help explore whether this patent might be available for licensing for your application.
Assignees
Member
CrossjectCrossject is a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on drug-device combination products for emergency medicine. Leveraging a proprietary needle-free auto-injection platform, the company develops and manufactures fast-acting treatments for life-threatening situations such as epilepsy, adrenal crisis, and anaphylaxis. Crossject conducts advanced regulatory development, clinical validation, and large-scale industrialization to deliver innovative therapies for global markets, with an emphasis on simplicity, reliability, and patient usability.
Crossject is a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on drug-device combination products for emergency medicine. Leveraging a proprietary needle-free auto-injection platform, the company develops and manufactures fast-acting treatments for life-threatening situations such as epilepsy, adrenal crisis, and anaphylaxis. Crossject conducts advanced regulatory development, clinical validation, and large-scale industrialization to deliver innovative therapies for global markets, with an emphasis on simplicity, reliability, and patient usability.
Publication Number
US-12043423-B2
Publication Date
2024-07-23
Expiration Date
Abstract
A method for filling a container with a pyrotechnic charge using a filling system, said method including, when the powder is conveyed, a step of regulating the powder flow rate in which at least one powder conveyor device is brought to vibrate according to a vibration frequency control sequence, the vibration frequency being inversely proportional to the filling ratio of the container of the pyrotechnic charge.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a filling method and a filling system for filling a container of a pyrotechnic charge with pyrotechnic powder, using a filling system comprising a reservoir, a measuring device, and a powder conveyor device that conveys pyrotechnic powder from the reservoir to a basin of the measuring device. During powder conveying, the method regulates the powder flow rate by setting the powder conveyor device in vibration according to a vibration frequency control sequence.
In the method, the vibration frequency is inversely proportional to the filling ratio of the container of the pyrotechnic charge. The description further relates to optimized filling by using a vibration frequency control sequence with multiple phases for different filling ratios, and by adjusting and stopping vibration as the filling progresses to control the powder flow during conveying.
The document also describes grain-size distribution calibration using an upstream sieve to reduce dosing uncertainty associated with lag time. It further describes production-line use, with basins and funnel/selection mechanisms that route correctly dosed powder to the container while collecting mis-dosed powder for recovery, and architecture variants that include parallel filling paths and measures directed to electrostatic retention, such as an equipotential filling system and neutral reference frame/ground mechanical isolation of the measuring device from vibrations.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims cover two aspects: a filling method using a vibration frequency control sequence that inversely matches the container filling ratio, and a filling system that includes a vibrational actuator and a controller implementing the same inverse frequency relationship. Across the dependent claims, the coverage adds multi-phase frequency control, selection-device measuring and position checking with specific components, funnel coupling and collection arrangements, electrostatic mitigation using an equipotential filling system, and a parallel arrangement using two measuring devices.
Inverse vibration frequency control tied to container filling ratio
A filling method regulating powder flow rate during conveying by setting the powder conveyor device in vibration according to a vibration frequency control sequence, wherein the vibration frequency is inversely proportional to the filling ratio of the container.
Vibration-controlled filling system with actuator and controller implementing inverse proportionality
A filling system comprising a vibrational actuator coupled to the powder conveyor device and a controller configured to implement a vibration frequency control sequence, wherein the vibration frequency is inversely proportional to the filling ratio of the container.
Multi-phase vibration frequency control over filling ratios
A vibration frequency control sequence using a first vibration frequency for a first filling ratio phase and then a second, lower vibration frequency for a second filling ratio phase.
Selection-device measuring and position-checking relative to lower funnel
A selection device using a collector vat and a lower funnel to measure a desired amount and check the selection device position so that the measuring basin faces the lower funnel for filling the container.
Equipotential filling system to prevent electrostatic retention
A filling method in which the filling system is equipotential to prevent electrostatic retention of grains of the pyrotechnic powder.
Parallel dispensing to two measuring devices with respective conveyors
A filling method dispensing pyrotechnic powder from a reservoir through two measuring devices and regulating the powder flow rate during conveying by one or both conveyor devices.
Selection device with collector vat and lower funnel positionable relative to basin
A filling system including a selection device with a collector vat and a lower funnel that can be positioned so that either the collector vat or the lower funnel faces the basin.
Second lower funnel coupled to a pre-conveyed container
A filling system with a first lower funnel and a second lower funnel, where the second lower funnel collects powder poured into the first lower funnel and is configured to couple to a pre-conveyed pyrotechnic charge container.
Two parallel measuring/conveying paths to corresponding basins
A filling system connected to two powder measuring devices, each with a powder conveyor conveying powder from the reservoir to a basin of the corresponding measuring device.
Filling set with two filling systems for different pyrotechnic powder types
A filling set comprising two filling systems, where the first system fills the container with a first type of pyrotechnic powder and the second system fills the same container with a second type of pyrotechnic powder.
Across the independent claims, the main inventive concept is regulating powder flow by vibrating a powder conveyor using a vibration frequency control sequence whose frequency is inversely proportional to the container filling ratio, implemented either as a method or as a system with a vibrational actuator and a controller. Dependent claim coverage further refines the control structure, adds selection-device and funnel-related measuring and coupling arrangements, provides an equipotential filling system to prevent electrostatic retention, and expands architecture to parallel or dual-system filling for multiple powder types.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
Interested in licensing this patent?