AU2021106972A4 - Wireless initiating arrangement - Google Patents

Abstract

A wireless initiating arrangement which includes a first housing which contains a receiver and a signal processor, a second housing which contains an explosive, a third housing which contains an initiator which is responsive to the signal 5 processor to ignite the explosive and a fourth housing which contains a power supply to power the signal processor and the initiator.

Description

WIRELESS INITIATING ARRANGEMENT BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to a wireless initiating arrangement.

[0002] An arrangement of the aforementioned kind is, typically, a bulky device. The

arrangement requires a receiver which can receive electromagnetic command signals

which travel, at least partly, through rock. An electrical supply is called for to power the

receiver. Provision must be made for a processor to implement command signals

relating to synchronisation and firing. An initiator, which may be in the form of a suitably

configured detonator, is also required.

o [0003] Certain applications also call for the initiating arrangement to be coupled in an

effective manner to a booster which contains a secondary explosive.

[0004] To address the challenges relating to storage and transport a modular approach

may be required so that hazardous components can be separated from non-hazardous

components. This aspect mitigates against assembly of the initiating arrangement

under factory conditions and, conversely, means that assembly on site by an operator,

at a blast bench, should be readily effected.

[0005] An object of the invention is to address the aforementioned requirement.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The invention provides a wireless initiating arrangement which includes a first

module comprising a first housing in which is mounted a signal processing assembly, a

second module comprising a second housing which is engaged with the first housing

and which contains an explosive material and an initiator which is engaged with at least

the first housing.

[0007] Preferably the initiator extends between the first housing and the second

housing.

[0008] The initiator may include a first end which is located in a first recess in the first

housing and a second end which is located in a second recess in the second housing.

[0009] A power supply may be mounted to the first housing.

[0010] In a variation of the invention the wireless initiating arrangement includes a third

housing which contains a power supply and which is engageable with the first housing

thereby to connect the power supply to the signal processing assembly.

[0011] The signal processing assembly, responsive to a wireless fire command signal

from a blast controller, may cause ignition of the initiator.

[0012] The signal processing assembly, the initiator and the power supply can be in

separate interengageable housings. An explosive (booster) can be in a fourth housing

exposed to the initiator.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] The invention is further described by way of example with reference to the

accompanying drawings in which :

Figure 1, Figure 2 and Figure 3 depict successive stages in the assembly of a wireless

initiating arrangement according to the invention, and

Figure 4 is a block diagram representation showing components of the wireless initiating

arrangement of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0014] Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings depicts a wireless initiating arrangement

10, according to the invention, in a disassembled configuration.

[0015] The arrangement 10 includes a first module 12, a second module 14 and an

initiator 16.

[0016] Referring in addition to Figure 4 the first module 12 comprises a first elongate

tubular housing 20 in which is mounted a signal processing assembly 22. The

assembly 22 includes an electromagnetic communication signal receiver 24 which is

coupled to a receiving antenna 26 and a signal processor 28. The housing 20 has a

first recess 30 at an end 32.

[0017] The second module 14 comprises a second housing 36 which is of elongate

?0 tubular shape. The housing 36 contains a secondary explosive 38.

[0018] The housing 36 has a second recess 40 at an end 42 which faces the first

recess 30.

[0019] An end 44 of the housing 20 which is remote from the recess 30 is coupled to a

third housing 46 which contains a power supply 50.

[0020] The initiator 16 has a first end 16A and an opposed second end 16B.

[0021] The initiator 16 and the second module 14 which houses the explosive 38 are

regarded as hazardous goods. If these components are not connected to the first

module 12 nor to the third housing 46 which contains the power source 50 then the first

module 12 and the power source are not regarded as hazardous goods and can be

transported and stored without taking into account regulations which apply to hazardous

goods.

[0022] In one form of the invention the third housing 46, containing the power source

50, is coupled to the first housing 20 under factory conditions. To achieve this use is

made of a simple screw fitting to fix the third housing 46 to the first housing 12. A

switch, not shown, is provided to prevent the power source from energising the receiver

24 and the processor 28. Prior to installation and use at a blast bench that switch is

turned to an on position so that the power source can energise the receiver and the

processor.

[0023] In a second form of the invention the third housing 46 with the power source 50

?0 is supplied as a separate component which is connected to the first housing 20, only when required, on site. Again use can be made of a switch to disenable the application of electricity to the receiver and processor until required.

[0024] On site the assembly process of the initiating arrangement 10 follows the

sequence shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3.

[0025] The end 16A of the initiator is configured to be inserted precisely into the recess

30 of the housing 20 (See Figure 2). An electrical connection is thereby made between

terminals on the processor 28 and operative electrical components in the initiator 16.

The end 16B of the initiator 16 is configured to be inserted tightly into the recess 40 in

the housing 36. The first housing 20 is then engageable with the second housing 36

with a screw action as is depicted in Figure 3.

[0026] The housing 36, at one end 54, includes one or more formations 58 which can

be used to position the assembled wireless initiating arrangement shown in Figure 3

into a borehole at a desired position.

[0027] In use of the initiating arrangement 10 (see Figure 4) a wireless command signal

sent from a blast controller 60, which is at a remote location relative to the arrangement

10, is detected by the antenna 26 and passed to the receiver 24. The processor 28

implements, in a known manner, any instruction contained in the command signal. As

is known in the art the initiating arrangement is usually first brought into synchronism

with other detonators in a blast arrangement. Thereafter, when a fire command is

?0 received by the receiver 24 the processor 28, after a predetermined timing interval,

transmits a fire signal 62 to the detonator which causes ignition thereof. That in turn

causes ignition of the explosive 38.

[0028] Power for the sequence of operations is derived from the power source 50

which energises the receiver 24 and the processor 28. Energy from the power source

can be stored in one or more capacitors (not shown) in the initiator 16. This enables the

initiator to function independently of the power source 50 once a fire signal has been

received.

[0029] The modular approach of the initiating arrangement 10 carries with it the

significant advantages referred to hereinbefore, namely that assembly of the

arrangement 10 on site at a blast bench is readily effected as the components are easily

connected to each other. These components can only be connected in the manner

shown; any attempt to connect the components to one another in a different manner

would be unsuccessful.

[0030] The initiating arrangement 10 also allows for use to be made of a substantially

standard detonator as the initiator 16. The initiator 16 and the second module 14 are

kept separate from the first module 12 and the power supply 50 until such time as on

site assembly is required. This feature facilitates storage and transport requirements.

Claims (5)

1. A wireless initiating arrangement which includes a first module comprising a first

housing in which is mounted a signal processing assembly, a second module

comprising a second housing which is engaged with the first housing and which

contains an explosive material and an initiator which is engaged with at least the

first housing.

2. A wireless initiating arrangement according to claim 1 wherein the initiator is

engaged with the first housing and the second housing.

3. A wireless initiating arrangement according to claim 2 wherein the initiator

includes a first end which is located in a first recess in the first housing and a

second end which is located in a second recess in the second housing.

4. A wireless initiating arrangement according to claim 1 which includes a third

housing which contains a power supply and which is engageable with the first

housing thereby to connect the power supply to the signal processing assembly.

5. A wireless initiating arrangement which includes a first housing which contains a

receiver and a signal processor, a second housing which contains an explosive, a

third housing which contains an initiator which is responsive to the signal

processor to ignite the explosive and a fourth housing which contains a power

supply to power the signal processor and the initiator.