Today's modern aircraft use hermetically sealed fire extinguishers that are opened, or activated, by direct explosive impingement energy. With reference to Prior Art FIG. 1, the device which provides the explosive energy is typically called a cartridge 120, or squib. The impingement energy is focused on a dome-shaped hermetic burst disc 110 such that the burst disc will rupture as a result of the impingement. The burst disc material used is typically fabricated from corrosion resistant steel.
Typically, the cartridge 120 is retained in a discharge head 130 in such a manner that it directly faces the burst disc 110 assembly. The discharge head 130 is attached to the outlet of the fire extinguisher and is typically used to direct the flow of extinguishing agent to an aircraft interface, such as plumbing or tubing, which directs the agent to the desired location. A filter screen 150 is located within the discharge head to catch any large burst disc fragments created as a result of the explosive impingement energy.