William Cline Hoffman III
Engineering at Misty Ln, Friendswood, TX
License number
Louisiana PE.0025246
Issued Date
Feb 2, 1993
Expiration Date
Mar 31, 2017
Category
Civil Engineer
Type
Mechanical Engineer
Address
Address
505 Misty Ln, Friendswood, TX 77546
Professional information
Four-Terminal Connector For Measuring Resistance Of A Pyrotechnic Initiator
US Patent:
4829235, May 9, 1989
Filed:
Apr 1, 1987
Appl. No.:
7/032685
Inventors:
Robert L. Robinson - Pearland TX
Thomas J. Graves - Houston TX
William C. Hoffman - Friendswood TX
Thomas J. Graves - Houston TX
William C. Hoffman - Friendswood TX
Assignee:
The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the
National Aeronautics and Space Administration - Washington DC
National Aeronautics and Space Administration - Washington DC
International Classification:
G01R 2708, G01R 3100
US Classification:
324 64
Abstract:
A four-terminal electrical connector device (40) for testing and measuring unknown resistances of initiators (11) used for starting pyrotechnic events aboard a Space Transportation System. The testing device minimizes contact resistance degradation effects and so improves the reliability of resistance measurement taken with the device. Separate and independent voltage sensing (19) and current supply (20) circuits each includes a pair of socket contacts (13-16) for mating engagement with the pins (17,18) of the initiator. The unknown resistance that is measured by the device is the resistance of the bridgewire (23) of the initiator which is required to be between 0. 95 and 1. 15 ohms.