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Nobel Energetics Limited

An Energetics Division Company, Chemring Group

Pyrotechnic Devices

Electro Explosive Devices

Metron Actuators

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METRON(TM) Actuators

Technical Information

METRON(TM) Actuators are designed to produce a high mechanical work output through rapid movement of a piston.

They are electrically actuated and will operate within milliseconds of receiving the appropriate impulse; a rate which is almost impossible to achieve with a mechanical source of energy.

Their compact size, high reliability and good environmental resistance make METRON(TM) Actuators ideal for use in Fire Protection, Security, Safety and Aerospace applications.

METRON(TM) DR2000 Series Drawings

Four drawings of the METRON(TM) DR 2000 series actuators are available from the menu above. Each drawing will give you a profile of the device and a graphical representation of its performance.

DR2003/C1       DR2005/C1       DR2006/C1       DR2014/C1

METRON(TM) Actuators - Product Information

OUTPUT

The METRON(TM) Actuator range incorporates protractors with work outputs from 0.69 to 70 Joules and peak thrusts from 500 to greater than 10000 Newtons.

FUNCTION TIME

Depends on load and electrical current applied, but is typically 5 to 15mS.

CABLE FINISH

METRON(TM) Actuators are available with a variety of cable finishes identified by a 'C' number. Other cable finishes may be available which utilise round end caps or crimp terminals. Consult our representative for advice. Links below are a selection of typical cable finishes.
Note: Hexagonal end caps are not designed to withstand torquing forces greater than fingertight.Dimensions are in millimetres.

C1 Hexagonal End Cap, Fly leads,PFTE Sleeves
C2 Hexagonal End Cap, Multistrand Leads
C3 Hexagonal End Cap, Plastic Overmould, Multistrand Leads (red)
C6 Hexagonal End Cap, Plastic Overmould, White Heat Resistant Cable
C35 Round End Cap, 'ATUM' sleeving, Screened Cable
C63 Plastic Overmould 1/4 Blade (0.8 mm thick) Terminals

PISTON STROKE

Piston strokes ranging from 3mm to 20mm are offered as standard. Some models incorporate a pointed piston or profiled piston for opening small gas bottles.

HAZARDOUS ATMOSPHERES

  1. Incendivity tests in 9% methane/air mixtures have been carried out in accordance with the M and Q Testing Memorandum No.13 published by the U.K. Health and Safety Executive. The tests gave no ignitions in 200 firings.

  2. METRON(TM) Actuators have been fired in an explosive gas mixture. The test mixture was 40% hydrogen, 20% oxygen, and 40% nitrogen, as described in Appendix 1, of BASEEFA. Certification Standard SFA3007: 1981. The tests (conducted in the gas mixture giving the most severe conditions specified in accepted standards for apparatus intended to be used in hydrogen/air mixtures) gave no ignitions in 200 firings.

ENVIRONMENTAL

Working Temperature -40'C to + 100'C (for up to 20 hours provided any temperature greater than + 70'C occurs immediately prior to firing). Storage Temperature -30'C to + 70'C.

SHELF / STORAGE LIFE

Store in dry, temperate storage areas. The life of these products does not exceed 10 years from date of manufacture.

CLASSIFICATION

Excluded from UN Class 1 - Non Explosive.

RELIABILITY

0.999 at 95% confidence level.

TRANSPORT

Normal parcel post.

 
ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Typical values are shown below but METRON(TM) Actuators may be supplied with different electrical sensitivities. When power supplies are limited, high sensitivity may be required whereas a low sensitivity may be preferred under circumstances where spurious electrical currents can be induced.

Nominal Energy 6 millijoules
Resistance Range (ohms) 0.9 - 1.6
Maximum No Fire Current
30 sec. Pulse
0.050 sec. Pulse 		 
0.15 A
0.3 A
Minimum single firing current
D.C.
10 ms. Pulse 		 
0.6A
0.9A
Recommended Single Firing Current 1.0 A
Recommended Series Firing Current 3.0 A
Maximum Monitoring Current 0.01 A

NOTES
  1. The completed device resistance depends on cable type.
  2. The fusehead may be desensitised at currents in between the maximum monitoring current and the maximum no fire current. The device is not guaranteed to function in such circumstances.
  3. The series firing current should be applied for a minimum of 10mS.
  4. lgnition of the fusehead composition does not necessarily result in the bridgewire being broken and it is possible that after operation METRON(TM) Actuators may register a resistance.

MANUFACTURE

METRON(TM) Actuators are manufactured in accordance with BS EN ISO 9001.

APPROVALS

METRON(TM) Actuators are approved by the LPCB and are UL recognized components.

SAFETY

A Product Safety Data Sheet is normally supplied with the first consignment. Refer to this for advice on handling and disposal.

MATERIAL

Piston machined stainless steel, case brass, threaded over part of its length. Environmental resistance is achieved by the use of a soldered glass/metal seal header and an integral brass septum.

CHARACTERISTICS

Some typical values given are not necessarily minimum values. When designing applications, users should ensure that adequate safety margins on thrust etc. are applied as normal engineering practice.

INSULATION

Before firing, an insulation of not less than 100 megohms at 100 V DC exists between the shunted leads and the body of the device.

ELECTROSTATIC SENSITIVITY

METRON(TM) Actuators will withstand a discharge of 300 pf at 5kV minimum between the shunted leads and the body of the device.

PRODUCT SAFETY DATA SHEET

The Product Safety Data Sheet for METRON(TM) Actuators is available from the menu above.