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An attenuator for dissipating electromagnetic energy and equalizing electrostatic energy is formed of a lossy ferrite material having an electrical resistance in a range of about 3,000 to 50,000 ohms. A conductor passes through the material and thence to a bridgewire to supply a firing charge to hea

An attenuator for dissipating electromagnetic energy and equalizing electrostatic energy is formed of a lossy ferrite material having an electrical resistance in a range of about 3,000 to 50,000 ohms. A conductor passes through the material and thence to a bridgewire to supply a firing charge to heat the bridgewire. In one embodiment of the invention, the attenuator is mounted within an electrically and thermally conductive housing, which will dissipate heat and equalize electromagnetic energy which may be induced in the conductor. A capacitive effect may be imparted by the orientation of the conductor as it passes through the ferrite. The capacitive effect is produced in winding the conductor parallel to the metal housing, and parallel to any other conductor passing through the ferrite. In the preferred form, the conductors are wound through the ferrite in a spiral pattern parallel to the conductor housing.

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1. A broad band attenuator for attenuating electromagnetic energy and equalizing electrostatic energy induced in a conductor, the attenuator being formed of a lossy ferrite material having a Curie temperature greater than about 150° C. such that electromagnetic energy induced in a conductive pathway

1. A broad band attenuator for attenuating electromagnetic energy and equalizing electrostatic energy induced in a conductor, the attenuator being formed of a lossy ferrite material having a Curie temperature greater than about 150° C. such that electromagnetic energy induced in a conductive pathway through said attenuator will be dissipated as heat in said ferrite, said ferrite material having an electrical conductivity great enough that electrostatic energy induced in a conductive pathway through said attenuator will be shunted through said ferrite to a ground electrically connected to the ferrite, said ferrite material having an electrical resistance great enough to prevent a substantial portion of an electrical firing signal in said conductive pathway from being shunted to ground. 2. The attenuator of claim 1, wherein said ferrite material has an electrical resistance in a range of about 3,000 to 50,000 ohms. 3. The attenuator of claim 2, wherein said ferrite material has an electrical resistance in a range of about 3,000 to 10,000 ohms. 4. The attenuator of claim 3, wherein said ferrite material has an electrical resistance of about 3,800 ohms. 5. In combination: at least two electrical conductor means for carrying an electrical firing signal from an electrical source to a firing means; said conductor means passing through an attenuator means for attenuating electromagnetic energy and equalizing electrostatic energy; said attenuator means being mounted within at least a portion of an electrically and thermally conductive housing, and in contact therewith so as to dissipate heat and electrostatic charges to said housing; said attenuator means being formed of a lossy ferrite material having a Curie temperature greater than about 150° C., such that electromagnetic energy induced in said conductor means will be dissipated as heat in said ferrite material, said ferrite material having an electrical conductivity great enough that electrostatic energy induced in said electrical conductor means will be shunted through said ferrite to a ground electrically connected to the ferrite, said ferrite material having an electrical resistance great enough to prevent a substantial portion of an electrical firing signal in said conductor means from being shunted to ground; said housing being formed of a material which will prevent the passage of electromagnetic energy therethrough; a firing means having an input end electrically connected to said conductor means which is responsive to said firing signal; said housing enclosing said attenuator means and extending to the input end of said firing means, to shield said conductor means from said attenuator to said firing means; whereby electromagnetic and electrostatic energy is dissipated by said attenuator, but an electrical firing signal is allowed to pass along said conductor means; and whereby potential of electromagnetic and electrostatic induced energy levels are equalized by said attenuator means. 6. The attenuator of claim 5, wherein said ferrite material has an electrical resistance in a range of about 3,000 to 50,000 ohms. 7. The attenuator of claim 6, wherein said ferrite material has an electrical resistance in a range of about 3,000 to 10,000 ohms. 8. The attenuator of claim 7, wherein said ferrite material has an electrical resistance of about 3,800 ohms. 9. In combination: at least one electrical conductor means for carrying an electrical firing signal from an electrical source to a firing means; said conductor means passing through an attenuator means for attenuating electromagnetic energy and equalizing electrostatic energy; said attenuator means being mounted within at least a portion of a generally cylindrical housing having a top and bottom, said attenuator means being in contact with said housing so as to dissipate thermal energy; said attenuator means being formed of a lossy ferrite material having a Curie temperature greater than about 150° C., such that electromagnetic energy induced in said conductor means will be dissipated as heat in said ferrite material, said ferrite material having an electrical conductivity great enough that electrostatic energy induced in said electrical conductor means will be shunted through said ferrite to a ground electrically connected to the ferrite, said ferrite material having an electrical resistance great enough to prevent a substantial portion of an electrical firing signal in said conductor means from being shunted to ground; said housing being formed of a material which will prevent the passage of electromagnetic energy therethrough; a firing means having an input end electrically connected to said conductor means which is responsive to said electrical firing signal; said housing enclosing said attenuator means and extending to the input end of said firing means, to shield said conductor means from said attenuator to said firing means; and said conductor means being formed in spiral form within said attenuator and within said housing, said conductor means formed in a three-dimensional curving path from top to bottom in said attenuator, the conductor located a generally constant distance from the longitudinal axis of said housing, so as to provide a capacitative effect between said housing and said conductor means. 10. The combination of claim 9, wherein each rotation of the conductor's curving path around the longitudinal axis of said housing constitutes one wind, and wherein said conductor is of a length to form at least two winds within said attenuator, the paths of each wind being parallel to produce a capacitative effect. 11. In combination: first and second electrical conductor means for carrying an electrical firing signal from an electrical source to a firing means; said conductor means passing through an attenuator means for attenuating electromagnetic energy and equalizing electrostatic energy; said attenuator means being mounted within at least a portion of an electrically and thermally conductive housing having a top and a bottom, said attenuator means being in contact with said housing so as to dissipate thermal energy; said attenuator means being formed of a lossy ferrite material having a Curie temperature greater than about 150° C., such that said attenuator will dissipate electromagnetic energy induced in said conductor; said housing being formed of a material which will prevent the passage of electromagnetic energy therethrough; a firing means having an input end electrically connected to said conductor means which is responsive to said electrical firing signal; said housing enclosing said attenuator means and extending to the input end of said firing means, to shield said conductor means from said attenuator to said firing means; and said first conductor means being formed in a spiral form within said attenuator and within said housing, said conductor means formed in a three-dimensional curving path from top to bottom in said attenuator; said second conductor means passing through said attenuator means and formed in a three dimensional spiral concentric to the first conductor means, such that said first and second conductors produce a capacitative effect between themselves. 12. In combination: at least one electrical conductor means for carrying an electrical firing signal from an electrical source to a firing means; said conductor means passing through an attenuator means for attenuating electromagnetic energy and equalizing electrostatic energy; said attenuator means being mounted within at least a portion of a generally cylindrical housing having a top and bottom, said attenuator means being in contact with said housing so as to dissipate thermal energy; said attenuator means being formed of a lossy ferrite material having a Curie temperature greater than about 150° C., such that electromagnetic energy induced in said conductor means will be dissipated as heat in said ferrite material, said ferrite material having an electrical conductivity great enough that electrostatic energy induced in said conductor means will be shunted through said ferrite to a ground electrically connected to the ferrite, said ferrite material having an electrical resistance great enough to prevent a substantial portion of an electrical firing signal in said conductor means from being shunted to ground; said housing being formed of a material which will prevent the passage of electromagnetic energy therethrough; a firing means having an input end electrically connected to said conductor means which is responsive to said electrical firing signal; said housing enclosing said attenuator means and extending to the input end of said firing means, to shield said conductor means from said attenuator to said firing means; and said conductor means being formed within said attenuator and within said housing with a plurality of portions parallel to one another so as to provide a capacitative effect in said conductor means between said parallel portions. 13. The combination of claim 12, wherein said parallel portions are oriented generally transversely to the longitudinal axis of said attenuator means. 14. The combination of claim 12, further comprising a second conductor passing through said attenuator means and formed with a plurality of portions parallel to one another and parallel to said parallel portions at said first conductor, so as to provide a capacitative effect in said conductor means between said parallel portions of said first and second conductors. 15. A squib, comprising: a pyrotechnic charge; electrical means for igniting said pyrotechnic charge, said electrical means including a pair of conductors extending between an electrical source and said pyrotechnic charge; attenuator means for dissipating electromagnetic energy and equalizing electrostatic energy induced in said conductors, comprising lossy ferrite material within an electrically and thermally conductive housing, said housing surrounding said attenuator and extending to said pyrotechnic charge; said housing being formed of a material which will prevent the passage of electromagnetic energy therethrough; said conductors passing through said ferrite material and terminating in said pyrotechnic charge; an ignitor means electrically connected between said conductors to ignite said pyrotechnic charge upon passage of a firing signal therethrough; and said ferrite material having a Curie temperature greater than about 150° C. and having an electrical resistance of about 3,000 to 50,000 ohms, whereby electromagnetic energy induced in said conductors is dissipated in said ferrite material, and whereby electrostatic energy induced in said conductors is shunted through said ferrite material to said casing. 16. A broad band attenuator for attenuating electromagnetic energy and equalizing electrostatic energy, the attenuator including a conductive means and a ground element and being formed of a lossy ferrite material in electrical and heat transfering contact with said ground element and with said conductive means and having heat transfer properties such that electromagnetic energy induced in said conductive means will be transferred to said ground element and dissipated as heat, said ferrite material having an electrical conductivity great enough that electrostatic energy induced in said conductive means will be shunted through said ferrite material to said ground element, said ferrite material having an electrical resistance great enough to prevent a substantial portion of an electrical firing signal in said conductive means from being shunted to said ground element. 17. A broad band attenuator for attenuating electromagnetic energy and equalizing electrostatic energy comprising: an electrical ground element; an electrically conductive means having an electrical resistance; an electrically conductive ferrite material in electrical contact with said ground element and in electrical contact with said electrically conductive means, said ferrite material further having an electrical conductivity great enough that electrostatic energy induced in said electrically conductive means will be shunted through said ferrite material to said ground element, said ferrite material also having an electrical resistance greater than said electrical conductive means electrical resistance to prevent an electrical firing signal in said electrically conductive means from being shunted to said ground element through said ferrite material. 18. In combination: at least two electrical conductor means for carrying an electrical firing signal from an electrical source to a firing means; said conductor means passing through an attenuator means for attenuating electromagnetic energy and equalizing electrostatic energy; said attenuator means being mounted within at least a portion of an electrically and thermally conductive housing, and in contact therewith so as to dissipate heat and electrostatic charges to said housing; said attenuator means including an electrical ground element and being formed of an electrically conductive ferrite material in electrical contact with said ground element, said electrical conductor means being in electrical contact with said ferrite material, said ferrite material further having an electrical conductivity great enough that electrostatic energy induced in said electrical conductor means will be shunted through said ferrite material to said ground element, said ferrite material also having an electrical resistance great enough to prevent an electrical firing signal in said conductor means from being shunted to said ground element through said ferrite material; said housing being formed of a material which will prevent the passage of electromagnetic energy therethrough; a firing means having an input end electrically connected to said conductor means which is responsive to said firing signal; said housing enclosing said attenuator means and extending to the input end of said firing means, to shield said conductor means from said attenuator to said firing means; whereby electromagnetic and electrostatic energy are dissipated by said attenuator, but an electrical firing signal is allowed to pass along said conductor means; and whereby potential of electromagnetic and electrostatic induced energy levels are equalized by said attenuator means. 19. In combination: at least one electrical conductor means for carrying an electrical firing signal from an electrical source to a firing means; said conductor means passing through an attenuator means for attenuating electromagnetic energy and equalizing electrostatic energy; said attenuator means being mounted within at least a portion of a generally cylindrical housing having a top and bottom, said attenuator means being in contact with said housing so as to dissipate thermal energy; said attenuator means including an electrical ground element and being formed of an electrically conductive ferrite material in electrical contact with said ground element, said conductor means being in electrical contact with said ferrite material, said ferrite material further having an electrical conductivity great enough that electrostatic energy induced in said electrical conductor means will be shunted through said ferrite material to said ground element, said ferrite material also having an electrical resistance great enough to prevent an electrical firing signal in said conductor means from being shunted to said ground element through said ferrite material; said housing being formed of a material which will prevent the passage of electromagnetic energy therethrough; a firing means having an input end electrically connected to said conductor means which is responsive to said electrical firing signal; said housing enclosing said attenuator means and extending to the input end of said firing means, to shield said conductor means from said attenuator to said firing means; and said conductor means being formed in a spiral form within said attenuator and within said housing, said conductor means formed in a three-dimensional curving path from top to bottom in said attenuator, the conductor located a generally constant distance from the longitudinal axis of said housing, so as to provide a capacitative effect between said housing and said conductor means. 20. The combination of claim 19, wherein each rotation of the conductor's curving path around the longitudinal axis of said housing constitutes one wind, and wherein said conductor is of a length to form at least two winds within said attenuator, the paths of each wind being parallel to produce a capacitative effect. 21. In combination: first and second electrical conductor means for carrying an electrical firing signal from an electrical source to a firing means; said conductor means passing through an attenuator means for attenuating electromagnetic energy and equalizing electrostatic energy; said attenuator means being mounted within at least a portion of an electrically and thermally conductive housing having a top and a bottom, said attenuator means being in contact with said housing so as to dissipate thermal energy; said attenuator means including an electrical ground element and being formed of an electrically conductive ferrite material in electrical contact with said ground element, said electrical conductor means being in electrical contact with said ferrite material, said ferrite material further having an electrical conductivity great enough that electrostatic energy induced in said electrical conductor means will be shunted through said ferrite material to said ground element, said ferrite material also having an electrical resistance great enough to prevent an electrical firing signal in said conductor means from being shunted to said ground element through said ferrite material; said housing being formed of a material which will prevent the passage of electromagnetic energy therethrough; a firing means having an input end electrically connected to said conductor means which is responsive to said electrical firing signal; said housing enclosing said attenuator means and extending to the input end of said firing means, to shield said conductor means from said attenuator to said firing means; and said first conductor means being formed in spiral form within said attenuator and within said housing, said first conductor means formed in a three-dimensional curving path from top to bottom in said attenuator; said second conductor means passing through said attenuator means and formed in a three dimensional spiral concentric to the first conductor means, such that said first and second conductors produce a capacitative effect between themselves. 22. In combination: at least one electrical conductor means for carrying an electrical firing signal from an electrical source to a firing means; said conductor means passing through an attenuator means for attenuating electromagnetic energy and equalizing electrostatic energy; said attenuator means being mounted within at least a portion of a generally cylindrical housing having a top and bottom, said attenuator means being in contact with said housing so as to dissipate thermal energy; said attenuator means including an electrical ground element and being formed of an electrically conductive ferrite material in electrical contact with said ground element, said electrical conductor means being in electrical contact with said ferrite material, said ferrite material further having an electrical conductivity great enough that electrostatic energy induced in said electrical conductor means will be shunted through said ferrite material to said ground element, said ferrite material also having an electrical resistance great enough to prevent an electrical firing signal in said conductor means from being shunted to said ground element through said ferrite material; said housing being formed of a material which will prevent the passage of electromagnetic energy therethrough; a firing means having an input end electrically connected to said conductor means which is responsive to said electrical firing signal; said housing enclosing said attenuator means and extending to the input end of said firing means, to shield said conductor means from said attenuator to said firing means; and said conductor means being formed within said attenuator and within said housing with a plurality of portions parallel to one another so as to provide a capacitative effect in said conductor means between said parallel portions. 23. The combination of claim 22, wherein said parallel portions are oriented generally transversely to the longitudinal axis of said attenuator means. 24. The combination of claim 22, further comprising a second conductor passing through said attenuator means and formed with a plurality of portions parallel to one another and parallel to said parallel portions at said first conductor, so as to provide a capacitative effect in said conductor means between said parallel portions of said first and second condutors. 25. A squib, comprising: a pyrotechnic charge; electrical means for igniting said pyrotechnic charge, said electrical means including conductor means extending between and electrical source and said pyrotechnic charge; attenuator means for dissipating electromagnetic energy and equalizing electrostatic energy induced in said conductor means, said attenuator means including an electrical ground element and being formed of an electrically conductive ferrite material in electrical contact with said ground element, said electrical conductor means being in electrical contact with said ferrite material, said ferrite material further having an electrical conductivity great enough that electrostatic energy induced in said electrical conductor means will be shunted through said ferrite material to said ground element, said ferrite material also having an electrical resistance great enough to prevent an electrical firing signal in said conductor means from being shunted to said ground element through said ferrite material; a housing surrounding said attenuator and extending to said pyrotechnic charge; said housing being formed of a material which will prevent passage of electromagnetic energy therethrough; said conductor means passing through said ferrite material and terminating in said pyrotechnic charge; an igniter means electrically connected between said conductor means to ignite said pyrotechnic charge upon passage of a firing signal therethrough.