CA1307699C - Detonator system - Google Patents
Detonator systemInfo
- Publication number
- CA1307699C CA1307699C CA000548448A CA548448A CA1307699C CA 1307699 C CA1307699 C CA 1307699C CA 000548448 A CA000548448 A CA 000548448A CA 548448 A CA548448 A CA 548448A CA 1307699 C CA1307699 C CA 1307699C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- detonators
- detonator
- exploder
- connector
- logic element
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
Links
- 238000010304 firing Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 14
- 238000005422 blasting Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 9
- 239000002360 explosive Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 4
- 230000001934 delay Effects 0.000 claims description 9
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 5
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 description 9
- 238000005474 detonation Methods 0.000 description 5
- 239000011435 rock Substances 0.000 description 2
- 240000004543 Vicia ervilia Species 0.000 description 1
- 239000003990 capacitor Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 208000037924 multicystic encephalomalacia Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 239000002674 ointment Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000002265 prevention Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000717 retained effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000012795 verification Methods 0.000 description 1
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- Air Bags (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT
"Detonator System"
An apparatus for blasting comprises a series of electronically programmable detonators and an exploder, connected in series. The exploder communicates to the detonators at least programming and firing signals. The detonators are connected in such a way that programming signals will be received by a given detonator only when the adjacent detonator nearer to the signal output of the exploder has been programmed. This is preferably achieved by use of a connector associated with each detonator, the connector comprising a switching device which is operated by a logic element such that the logic element will operate on the switching device and allow signals to pass only when the detonator associated with that connector has been programmed.
The apparatus permits the versatile and precise use of explosives, especially where large numbers of charges are involved.
"Detonator System"
An apparatus for blasting comprises a series of electronically programmable detonators and an exploder, connected in series. The exploder communicates to the detonators at least programming and firing signals. The detonators are connected in such a way that programming signals will be received by a given detonator only when the adjacent detonator nearer to the signal output of the exploder has been programmed. This is preferably achieved by use of a connector associated with each detonator, the connector comprising a switching device which is operated by a logic element such that the logic element will operate on the switching device and allow signals to pass only when the detonator associated with that connector has been programmed.
The apparatus permits the versatile and precise use of explosives, especially where large numbers of charges are involved.
Description
^'` ICIA 1330 1 3~7699 TON~TOR SYSTEM
This invention relates to the blasting o rock and ore and more particularly to an apparatus for blasting.
Large-scale bla~ting of rock and ore involving a large number of explosive chaxges is a ~killed art in that the size of the charges and the order and timing of their detonation must be precisely controlled. The timing of any given detonation is achieved by a combination of timing of firing signal and the delay built into the de~onator which detonates the charge. In the past, the delays have been pyrotechnic, that is, they comprise a combustible chemical fuse which on receiving a firing signal takes a finite time to burn down and set off the charge. The time scatter inherent in pyrotechnic delays of the same delay time ha~ meant an increase in interest ln electronic detonators where much more precise timing i~ possible~ In : addition, it is possible to make such detonators programmable such that the programming and firing înstructions can be communicated to_the detonator when it is in place. Thi~ has the ma~or advantages : 25 that (a) only a single detonator type need be kept , .
~', . , .
~ - 2 - t 3 0 7 6 9 ~
rather than ~he con~iderable inventory previously neces~ary, and ~b) tha blast pattern can be set or changed at any t~me between loading and detonation.
In spite of the ver~atility intrcduced by programm2ble electronic detonators, thexe remain .problem~ with large-scale bla~t~. One of these i~
the complexity of the wiring required to communicate with all of the detonators. One of the most common ways of comm~nicating firing instructions is by means of a multi-channel ~xploder ~MC~, a device which can trigger a number of detonations at ~pecified delays. However~ when the blast pattern is large, the wiring can become very complex, with MCEs operating other ~C~s, and it is often very difficult or even impossible to achieve the detonation delays and pattern which give the most efficient use of explo~ive.
We have now found that by using a particular combination of element~, the previous dif~iculties of wiring large blast patterns can be substantially o~ercome. We therefore provide, according to the present invention, an apparatus ~or blasting, the apparatus comprising a plurality of detonator~
and an exploder, the individual detonators having delays which are electronically pxogrammable and the exploder communicating to the detonators at least progra ~ing and firing signal~, the detonators being connected such that programming signals will be received ~y a given detonator only when the delay of the ad~acent detonator nearer to the signal output of the exploder has been programmed.
We also provide a method of detonating a plurality of explosive charges in ~ predetermined pattern and at predetenmi~ed tLme in~ervals, the charges bein~ detonated by detonators each of which is individually programmable in respect of delay ~ -~ 3 - 1 3 07 6 q q time and each of which received at least its programmlng and firing ~ignals from ~n exploder device to ~hich all detonators are connected, each detonator being connect~d 8uch ~hat S it will receive prvgramming signal~ only when the delay of the ad~acent d~tonator nearer to the ~ignal output of the exploder has been programmed. The apparatus of our invention permit~ of considerable versatility in the firing of large bla~t patterns.
In contrast to the methods currently used by the art and which employ parallel wiring of great complexity, a ~ingle length of communications wiring will ~erve the entire pattern. The invention permits the versatility of programmable detonators to be fully realised.
The detonators for use in this invention may be any type of detonator known to the ar~ which are suitable for u~e in con~unction with electronic delays. It i8 permissible to include pyrotechnic delays in the system, but the scatter inherent in the delay time~ of such delay appreciably reduce~
the precision made possibly by the use of el~ctronics. We therefore use detonators in which are incorporated programmable delays, or non-delay or fixed delay types to which suitable programmable electronic delay circuitry can be appended. The power to make the detonators functio~ may be provided by any con~enient means known to the art, for example, by batterie~ located within or near the detonators, by solar cell~ at the surface or by power sent fxom the exploder and retained in a capacitor.
The exploder may be any device capable of sending a serie~ of electronic signals. It may ~e, for example, a suitably modified microcomputer~ A
preferred exploder comprise~ a keypad for loading ~ 4 ~ 1 307 6q9 delay times, a display for verification, ~ securi~y mechanism for the prevention of unauthorised use and a means for resetting after an abor~ed flr~ng.
Other features can add considerably to the S versatility of the sy~tem. For example, ~n one e~bodiment the keypad is detachable from the exploder and may b~ directly coupled to the detonator for the input of information. This can be done either prior to or after loading the detonator.
The information is stored on a microprocessor associat~d with the keypad and can ~e passed on to the exploder when the keypad i~ plu~ged back into it. The provision of all of these features is well within ~he skill of the art.
The communications wire which ~oins the detonator~ and the exploder device may ~e any suitable wire known to the art to be suitable for use with electronic detonators. It may be, for example, a three core wire having a power line, a communication line and an earth. Another option i8 a two core wire wherein a ~ingle line carries both communications and power. Individual lengths of communications wire may be used to ~oin the individual detonators, but ~t is much easier and preferable to use a single length of wire (known as a "bus" wire) to which the detonator can readily be attached. ~n essential feature of the in~ention is the connection of the detonators or groups of detonators such that any given detonator will not receive delay programmin~ instructions until the detonator precedin~ it in the series connection, that i~, the one n~arer to ~he signal output of the exploder, has receive~ and s~ored its programming instructionsO Thi~ is achieved by electrical means which may be ~uilt into or appendable to a detonator, but which preferably is incorporated into ~ connector -- 5 ~ 1 3 07 6qq which ~akes the connection bet~een t~e det~nator and the ad~ac~nt detonators or the ad~acent detonator and the exploder. A typ$cal format will compr~se a swi~ching device, ~uch aR a relay, which is acted upon by a logic element, the series connection runn~ng through the ~witchinq device. Only when a delay t~me h~s been received and stored will the logic element act to close the switch and permut the programming signals to reach the next detonator in line.
The invention will now be further described by reference to the drawings which depict a preferred embodiment.
Figure 1 depicts a schematic layout of an 1~ apparatus for blasting according to the invention.
Figure 2 d~picts schemat~cally a connector by which a detonator i8 linked to an exploder and which permits the passage of programming signals when a detonator associated therewith has been programmed.
An exploder 1 has two terminals, 2 and 4, which are ~oined by a continuous bus wire 3. To this bus wire are attached detonators 6 b~ means of connectors 5. ~ connector can service a single detonator or a qroup of detonators, these being connected to the connector S and therefore to the bus wire by connectors 7.
The circuitry of tha connector S is shown in more detail in Figure 2. The bus wire 3 comprises two lines, an e~rth wire 8 and a power/communications 30 wire 9. The power/communications wire i~
di~continuous, ~eing broken at the connector and rerouted through a circuit 10 which comprises a relay-operated switch 11 and a logic element 12.
Prior to signal receipt the switch is in the ~off"
position; any signals coming along the power/communiration~ wire will thus stop at this -' - ::
' - 6 _ l ~(37~qq point. The logic element 12 is connected to the power/communications wire on that side of the switch which receives the incoming signal. It is also connected to the earth wire, to the detonator by wire 13, and to the switch such that it can change the state of the relay and close the switch.
In operation, programming signals arrive from the exploder via the power/communications wire 9 and are prevented from going further b~ the switch 11. The signals are then passed on to the programmable delay element in the detonator and when these have been received, stored and verified, the logic element 12 actuates the relay, closing the switch and permitting programming signals to pass to the next detonator. When all programming ignals for all detonators have been sent, the exploder sends a final signal which should be received at terminal 4.
If no such signal arrives at 4, or if the exploder receives a signal out of sequence, an error condition is lndicated and firing is disabled. If the final signal is received, firing is enabled and is brought about by the issuing of "arm" and "fire"
signals. The hardware used in the performance of this invention i~ ei~her readily available to the ~5 person ~killed in the art, or could be easily constructed. The connector 5 may be fabricated with quick-acting, insulation-piercing components which allow its easy attachment to bus wire~. Other variations will be obvious to the skilled person. For example, the detonator may have a fixed delay and a variable delay may be incorporated into the logic element of the connector.
The invention permits the use of detonators with degrees of precision, safety and ease of installation and use not previously attainable in commercial blaRting.
~- .
This invention relates to the blasting o rock and ore and more particularly to an apparatus for blasting.
Large-scale bla~ting of rock and ore involving a large number of explosive chaxges is a ~killed art in that the size of the charges and the order and timing of their detonation must be precisely controlled. The timing of any given detonation is achieved by a combination of timing of firing signal and the delay built into the de~onator which detonates the charge. In the past, the delays have been pyrotechnic, that is, they comprise a combustible chemical fuse which on receiving a firing signal takes a finite time to burn down and set off the charge. The time scatter inherent in pyrotechnic delays of the same delay time ha~ meant an increase in interest ln electronic detonators where much more precise timing i~ possible~ In : addition, it is possible to make such detonators programmable such that the programming and firing înstructions can be communicated to_the detonator when it is in place. Thi~ has the ma~or advantages : 25 that (a) only a single detonator type need be kept , .
~', . , .
~ - 2 - t 3 0 7 6 9 ~
rather than ~he con~iderable inventory previously neces~ary, and ~b) tha blast pattern can be set or changed at any t~me between loading and detonation.
In spite of the ver~atility intrcduced by programm2ble electronic detonators, thexe remain .problem~ with large-scale bla~t~. One of these i~
the complexity of the wiring required to communicate with all of the detonators. One of the most common ways of comm~nicating firing instructions is by means of a multi-channel ~xploder ~MC~, a device which can trigger a number of detonations at ~pecified delays. However~ when the blast pattern is large, the wiring can become very complex, with MCEs operating other ~C~s, and it is often very difficult or even impossible to achieve the detonation delays and pattern which give the most efficient use of explo~ive.
We have now found that by using a particular combination of element~, the previous dif~iculties of wiring large blast patterns can be substantially o~ercome. We therefore provide, according to the present invention, an apparatus ~or blasting, the apparatus comprising a plurality of detonator~
and an exploder, the individual detonators having delays which are electronically pxogrammable and the exploder communicating to the detonators at least progra ~ing and firing signal~, the detonators being connected such that programming signals will be received ~y a given detonator only when the delay of the ad~acent detonator nearer to the signal output of the exploder has been programmed.
We also provide a method of detonating a plurality of explosive charges in ~ predetermined pattern and at predetenmi~ed tLme in~ervals, the charges bein~ detonated by detonators each of which is individually programmable in respect of delay ~ -~ 3 - 1 3 07 6 q q time and each of which received at least its programmlng and firing ~ignals from ~n exploder device to ~hich all detonators are connected, each detonator being connect~d 8uch ~hat S it will receive prvgramming signal~ only when the delay of the ad~acent d~tonator nearer to the ~ignal output of the exploder has been programmed. The apparatus of our invention permit~ of considerable versatility in the firing of large bla~t patterns.
In contrast to the methods currently used by the art and which employ parallel wiring of great complexity, a ~ingle length of communications wiring will ~erve the entire pattern. The invention permits the versatility of programmable detonators to be fully realised.
The detonators for use in this invention may be any type of detonator known to the ar~ which are suitable for u~e in con~unction with electronic delays. It i8 permissible to include pyrotechnic delays in the system, but the scatter inherent in the delay time~ of such delay appreciably reduce~
the precision made possibly by the use of el~ctronics. We therefore use detonators in which are incorporated programmable delays, or non-delay or fixed delay types to which suitable programmable electronic delay circuitry can be appended. The power to make the detonators functio~ may be provided by any con~enient means known to the art, for example, by batterie~ located within or near the detonators, by solar cell~ at the surface or by power sent fxom the exploder and retained in a capacitor.
The exploder may be any device capable of sending a serie~ of electronic signals. It may ~e, for example, a suitably modified microcomputer~ A
preferred exploder comprise~ a keypad for loading ~ 4 ~ 1 307 6q9 delay times, a display for verification, ~ securi~y mechanism for the prevention of unauthorised use and a means for resetting after an abor~ed flr~ng.
Other features can add considerably to the S versatility of the sy~tem. For example, ~n one e~bodiment the keypad is detachable from the exploder and may b~ directly coupled to the detonator for the input of information. This can be done either prior to or after loading the detonator.
The information is stored on a microprocessor associat~d with the keypad and can ~e passed on to the exploder when the keypad i~ plu~ged back into it. The provision of all of these features is well within ~he skill of the art.
The communications wire which ~oins the detonator~ and the exploder device may ~e any suitable wire known to the art to be suitable for use with electronic detonators. It may be, for example, a three core wire having a power line, a communication line and an earth. Another option i8 a two core wire wherein a ~ingle line carries both communications and power. Individual lengths of communications wire may be used to ~oin the individual detonators, but ~t is much easier and preferable to use a single length of wire (known as a "bus" wire) to which the detonator can readily be attached. ~n essential feature of the in~ention is the connection of the detonators or groups of detonators such that any given detonator will not receive delay programmin~ instructions until the detonator precedin~ it in the series connection, that i~, the one n~arer to ~he signal output of the exploder, has receive~ and s~ored its programming instructionsO Thi~ is achieved by electrical means which may be ~uilt into or appendable to a detonator, but which preferably is incorporated into ~ connector -- 5 ~ 1 3 07 6qq which ~akes the connection bet~een t~e det~nator and the ad~ac~nt detonators or the ad~acent detonator and the exploder. A typ$cal format will compr~se a swi~ching device, ~uch aR a relay, which is acted upon by a logic element, the series connection runn~ng through the ~witchinq device. Only when a delay t~me h~s been received and stored will the logic element act to close the switch and permut the programming signals to reach the next detonator in line.
The invention will now be further described by reference to the drawings which depict a preferred embodiment.
Figure 1 depicts a schematic layout of an 1~ apparatus for blasting according to the invention.
Figure 2 d~picts schemat~cally a connector by which a detonator i8 linked to an exploder and which permits the passage of programming signals when a detonator associated therewith has been programmed.
An exploder 1 has two terminals, 2 and 4, which are ~oined by a continuous bus wire 3. To this bus wire are attached detonators 6 b~ means of connectors 5. ~ connector can service a single detonator or a qroup of detonators, these being connected to the connector S and therefore to the bus wire by connectors 7.
The circuitry of tha connector S is shown in more detail in Figure 2. The bus wire 3 comprises two lines, an e~rth wire 8 and a power/communications 30 wire 9. The power/communications wire i~
di~continuous, ~eing broken at the connector and rerouted through a circuit 10 which comprises a relay-operated switch 11 and a logic element 12.
Prior to signal receipt the switch is in the ~off"
position; any signals coming along the power/communiration~ wire will thus stop at this -' - ::
' - 6 _ l ~(37~qq point. The logic element 12 is connected to the power/communications wire on that side of the switch which receives the incoming signal. It is also connected to the earth wire, to the detonator by wire 13, and to the switch such that it can change the state of the relay and close the switch.
In operation, programming signals arrive from the exploder via the power/communications wire 9 and are prevented from going further b~ the switch 11. The signals are then passed on to the programmable delay element in the detonator and when these have been received, stored and verified, the logic element 12 actuates the relay, closing the switch and permitting programming signals to pass to the next detonator. When all programming ignals for all detonators have been sent, the exploder sends a final signal which should be received at terminal 4.
If no such signal arrives at 4, or if the exploder receives a signal out of sequence, an error condition is lndicated and firing is disabled. If the final signal is received, firing is enabled and is brought about by the issuing of "arm" and "fire"
signals. The hardware used in the performance of this invention i~ ei~her readily available to the ~5 person ~killed in the art, or could be easily constructed. The connector 5 may be fabricated with quick-acting, insulation-piercing components which allow its easy attachment to bus wire~. Other variations will be obvious to the skilled person. For example, the detonator may have a fixed delay and a variable delay may be incorporated into the logic element of the connector.
The invention permits the use of detonators with degrees of precision, safety and ease of installation and use not previously attainable in commercial blaRting.
~- .
Claims (7)
1. A method of detonating a plurality of explosive charges in a predetermined pattern and at predetermined time intervals, the charges being detonated by detonators each of which is individually programmable in respect to delay time and each of which received at least its programming and firing signals from an exploder device to which all detonators are connected, each detonator being connected such that it will receive programming signals only when the delay of the adjacent detonator nearer to the signal output of the exploder has been programmed but such that the firing signal is given simultaneously to the thus programmed detonators.
2. A method according to Claim 1, wherein the detonators and the exploder are connected by means of a single continuous bus wire.
3. A method according to Claim 1, wherein the connection of the detonators and exploder is effected by means of connectors each of which comprises a switching device which is operated by a logic element such that the logic element will cause the switching device to operate only when the detonator associated with the connector has received and stored its delay information.
4. An apparatus for blasting, the apparatus comprising a plurality of detonators and an exploder, the individual detonators having delays which are electronically programmable and the exploder communicating to the detonators at least programming and firing signals, the detonators being connected such that programming signals will be received by a given detonator only when the delay of the adjacent detonator nearer to the signal output of the exploder has been programmed and means for simultaneously providing all of the detonators with a firing signal so that the detonators function as programmed.
5. An apparatus for blasting according to Claim 4, wherein the detonators and the exploder are connected by means of a single continuous bus wire.
6. An apparatus for blasting according to Claim 4, wherein the connection of the detonators and exploder is effected by means of connectors each of which comprises a switching device which is operated by a logic element such that the logic element will cause the switching device to operate only when the detonator associated with the connector has received and stored its delay information.
7. A connector for use in association with an electronically programmable detonator in an apparatus for blasting according to Claim 4, the connector comprising a logic element and a switching device, the logic element acting on the switching device so as to permit the passage of signals to a neighbouring connector to which it is attached in series only when the detonator associated with the first-mentioned connector has been programmed.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000548448A CA1307699C (en) | 1987-10-02 | 1987-10-02 | Detonator system |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000548448A CA1307699C (en) | 1987-10-02 | 1987-10-02 | Detonator system |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1307699C true CA1307699C (en) | 1992-09-22 |
Family
ID=4136567
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000548448A Expired - Lifetime CA1307699C (en) | 1987-10-02 | 1987-10-02 | Detonator system |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1307699C (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US7810430B2 (en) | 2004-11-02 | 2010-10-12 | Orica Explosives Technology Pty Ltd | Wireless detonator assemblies, corresponding blasting apparatuses, and methods of blasting |
-
1987
- 1987-10-02 CA CA000548448A patent/CA1307699C/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US7810430B2 (en) | 2004-11-02 | 2010-10-12 | Orica Explosives Technology Pty Ltd | Wireless detonator assemblies, corresponding blasting apparatuses, and methods of blasting |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |