This article presents and explains the pyrotechnic cable cutter test setup developed by ALTER Optoelectronics and New Technologies laboratory. The design and development of the test setup has taken into consideration all the requirements of samples. In this case, we followed a reference document, MIL-STD-202, to be applicable in space usage.
So, we had to test whether all samples detonated in a different test condition; the most critical test was firing the samples at -100ºC.
Test setup, procedures, and results
At first, was necessary to design software to control our oscilloscope, and a precision source meter and we need to use a cryogenic chamber. And we were ready to test the samples.
Then, all samples were serialized and characterized at room temperature and at -100ºC, after that the samples were distributed in different groups in accordance with the test requirements which can observe in the following graph.
Figure 1: Pyrotechnic cable cutter non activated
Figure 2: Pyrotechnic cable cutter activated
Figure 3: Precision Source Meter
Figure 4: Climatic Chamber
Figure 5: Oscilloscope
Figure 6: Vi Software Capture
We preselected the samples for a different detonation test because we had four types of tests, detonation and non-detonation in 2 different temperatures with the same electrical test conditions.
Most samples passed all the tests, but three samples showed problems because the cables don’t resist a very low temperature.
A problem with these tests was some cables; at -100ºC, we could not bend or manipulate a cable because it could wreck the cover.
Figure 7: Short pulse detonation
Figure 8: Short pulse sequence
Figures 9: -100ºC cable issues
Figure 10: -100º cable issues
Conclusions
Finally, all samples were successfully tested by ALTER Optoelectronics and New Technologies laboratory, obtaining a good result in each type of test.
The problems with the cables were solved for electrical characterization, and we could test all samples.
The setup developed in ALTER Optoelectronics laboratory fulfills all the requirements and specified test conditions.
