JP2003526074A - Electronic detonator system - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) Abstract: A method for igniting an electronic detonator in an electronic detonator system, wherein the detonator is connected to a control unit via a bus. An ignition or test ignition command is sent from the control unit to the primer, and the primer starts counting down the delay time stored in each primer at a synchronization point delayed with respect to the command. When the countdown ends, the primer is detonated in the case of an ignition command, and a response is given at the point where the ignition was initiated if the ignition command was issued in the case of a test ignition command. The delay synchronization allows for checking and controlling the primer after the command has been received. The present invention also includes a similar method in a system including a plurality of sub-control units connected to a plurality of primers and a main control unit, and controlled by a command from the main control unit.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an electronic detonator system, and more particularly to ignition of an electronic detonator included in the detonator system.

BACKGROUND ART A detonator in which a delay time, an activation signal and the like are electronically controlled is generally included in the category of an electron detonator. Electron detonators have several important advantages over conventional pyrotechnical detonators. The advantages include, among other things, the ability to change or "reprogram" the delay time of the detonator and a more accurate delay time as compared to conventional pyrotechnic detonators. In some systems with electronic detonators,
Signaling between the detonator and the control unit is also possible.

However, prior art electron detonators and detonator systems have certain limitations and problems.

In the conventional detonator system, the ignition of the detonator is started by the ignition command transmitted from the control unit. When an ignition command is received at the detonator, an uninterruptible countdown of the delay time stored in the detonator is initiated, after which the detonator is detonated. The problem with this method is that it prevents "detonation", that is, the situation where the detonator does not detonate even when an ignition command is given from the control unit, and at the same time, an unexpected detonation, that is, an ignition command is not given from the control unit. It is necessary to prevent the detonation. Given an ignition command from the control unit, it is desired that all detonators function and recognize the ignition command.

In order to prevent misfires, the ignition command can be implemented in such a way that the detonator easily recognizes the ignition command, which may cause other commands to be interpreted as ignition commands. , The possibility of unexpected ignition cannot be wiped out.

Also, in an electronic detonator system in which the communication between the control unit and some of the electronic detonators is electrically performed, it is most likely that the signal voltage does not have a level that could result in an accidental ignition of the detonator. is important. However, a low signal voltage limits the number of detonators that can be connected to the same control unit. The reason why the number of detonators is limited is that there is always a loss in signal transmission, that is, the signal voltage decreases as the distance from the control unit increases, so the number of detonators that can be connected to the control unit is limited. Can be mentioned.

Nevertheless, certain initiation operations require the use of a large number of detonators for the same blast.

Therefore, there is a need for new electron detonator ignition methods and systems that minimize the risk of misfire, eliminate the risk of accidental ignition, and allow the use of a large number of detonators in the same blast. ing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an electronic detonator system, and method in such a system, which provides reliability and flexibility that substantially obviates the above-mentioned problems with prior art detonator systems. .

A more specific object of the present invention is to provide a detonator system and a method in the system, which enable functional test and control of the detonator when the detonator is in a state corresponding to the state immediately before the detonation. It is to be. Here, this state is called a ready state.

Another specific object of the invention is to provide a detonator system and a method in the system, which allows the use of a large number of electron detonators in the same blast operation.

[0012]   The above objective is accomplished by the features recited in the appended claims.

Viewed from one aspect, the invention relates to a method of igniting one or more detonators, the method being able to control and check the detonator even after the detonator receives an ignition command. An advantage of the present invention is that it allows the ignition command to take the form of being clearly distinguished from all other commands sent to the detonator, thus avoiding the risk of misinterpreting the other commands as ignition commands. It's essentially a removal. At the same time, even after the detonators have received the ignition command, it is possible to confirm that all the detonators have received the ignition command because communication with the detonators is possible.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, digital data packets are used to communicate to the detonator. Since the digital data packet contains some overhead, it will always contain at least one binary 1 and at least one binary 0. Verifying that the ignition command consists of a string of identical data bits, preferably binary zeros, gives an ignition command that is significantly different from the digital data packet. Further, the digital data packet is advantageously configured to include as many binary 1's as possible if the ignition command comprises binary 0's,
It further emphasizes the specific state of the ignition command. The number of data bits in the ignition command is preferably the same as the number of data bits in the digital data packet.

Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to control and check the detonator even after the detonator receives the ignition command, and in particular, it is possible to communicate with the detonator even after the detonator receives the ignition command. It is then possible to confirm that all detonators have received the ignition command. This is advantageously achieved by an ignition command that sets the detonator to the ready state, which is the state of the detonator just before detonation, without initiating a final uninterruptible countdown of the delay time stored in each detonator. It Instead, an uninterruptible countdown of delay time is initiated at a later sync point common to detonators. The possibility of communication between the control unit and the detonator, up to the synchronization point, enables these controls and checks. The sync point is indicated by a sync signal that can be easily recognized by the detonator. Thus, the present invention makes it possible to carry out ignition of an electronic detonator, thereby substantially eliminating the risk of misfire and accidental detonation of the detonator, while at the same time the detonator receives an ignition command and is in a ready state, That is, the detonator can be checked when it is ready to explode and when fully charged.

The signal that the detonator should interpret as a synchronization signal can either be pre-programmed in the system or indicated by an ignition command.

An additional advantage of the ignition method is that the detonator is in an improperly ready state, or the detonator may, for example, not recognize an already given ignition command and become unexploded. The point is that the blast can be stopped if it is discovered to bring it.

Depending on the application, it may be beneficial to use the time between the ignition command being sent from the control unit and the synchronization signal being sent to send the additional ignition command. In this way, the detonator should recognize at least one of these ignition commands, so that the risk of unexploded ordnance is substantially reduced to zero. However, caution is required before performing this type of function in the system, as multiple ignition commands may cause the detonator to detonate at an inappropriate time for the stored delay time.
Since the electronic detonator system according to the invention is strictly configured to prevent misfires, the additional ignition command mentioned above will probably not be necessary. However, in some countries, the regulations and ordinances require that such ignition commands be repeated.

Viewed from another aspect, the invention comprises a plurality of sub-control units connected to the main control unit, together with a corresponding detonator, from which the main control unit can perform the main control of the system. . Each sub-control unit causes the detonator connected thereto to function according to a command given by the main control unit.

In that case, the detonator is controlled by a main control unit from which commands and interrogations are issued to the detonator. According to the basic principle of the invention, several sub-control units can be connected to the main control unit. Each of these sub-control units controls an assembly of electron detonators based on a command from the main control unit.

Thus, according to the invention, the delayed ignition of the detonator enables a detonator system with a plurality of detonators, ie a coordinated assembly of detonators with a bus for each unique detonator. . I can give an ignition command to all detonators,
Each blasting device then checks whether the detonator associated with the blasting device is ready for ignition. When all explosive devices indicate that each detonator assembly is ready for ignition, they simultaneously issue activation commands to all explosive devices. Then, in response to the activation command, a synchronism signal is simultaneously transmitted, resulting in an uninterruptible countdown of the detonator delay time at a common sync point for all detonators, thereby causing all explosive devices to detonate. Starts the final synchronization countdown. If the detonator indicates that the detonator is in an improperly ready state, or for some other reason is not ready for ignition, then according to the present invention the ignition process is stopped even after the ignition command is given. Will be possible. Alternatively, the ignition process may continue if the identified fault in the detonator is not of a dangerous type.
It is then possible to choose whether to proceed with the ignition process as if nothing had happened or to proceed with the ignition process according to an alternative procedure after making appropriate process modifications to the ignition process. is there. It is also possible to use multiple detonators to synchronize the detonator detonation while maintaining flexibility and reliability.

Therefore, it is preferable to give one of the blasting devices a primary role to function as a primary blasting device and the remaining blasting devices to have a secondary role and to function as a secondary blasting device. The main blasting device then manages the entire integrated system, while each secondary blasting device manages the configuration of its associated detonator based on control commands from the main blasting device. With such a configuration, it is possible to limit the number of detonators per bus, so even if the signal voltage is not increased to a level that jeopardizes the safety of the system, a large number of detonators from the same blast device, that is, the main blast device, will It will be possible to control the detonator. At the same time, the ignition according to the invention ensures that all secondary detonators are synchronized so that the detonators are detonated according to the plan already set, even though the detonators are connected to different detonators. Is possible.

Communication between the main blasting device and the secondary blasting device is preferably carried out by wireless communication or by a bus in physical form. It is also possible to use different types of communication between the main blast device and the sub-blast device, such as different types of microwave communication, acoustic communication, or optical communication using lasers or the like. The communication method between the main blasting device and the secondary blasting device is selected according to the user's demand for flexibility and reliability and the cost. It is also possible that each national or regional ordinance may specify a particular type of communication.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a detonator examines all steps leading to detonation, apart from charging an ignition power storage means such as an ignition capacitor and the actual ignition of an explosive charge. Test ignition of is possible. The detonators report the results of the test ignition to their control unit, allowing a further kind of assessment of the function of the detonators. Whether the detonator recognizes the correct delay time by the test ignition,
Whether the digital data packet works reliably, whether the synchronization works as intended, whether the delay time countdown is done at the expected rate, and the overall function of the detonator is satisfactory It is possible to check if

As used herein, the term “control unit” should be considered as a general term for units that send messages to and receive responses from detonators. An example of the control unit is a log unit when the detonator is connected to the bus and is used to identify each detonator, and a detonator is used when the detonator connected to the bus is arranged and ignited. .

The terms log unit and blasting device are described in detail in conjunction with the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention.

For a further description of the features of an example of a general type of system of interest, see Swedish Patent Application No. 9904461-2 referenced herein. This Swedish patent application is incorporated herein by reference.

[0028]   Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Description of the Preferred Embodiments Referring to FIG. 1, some units included in an electronic detonator system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention are shown.

The electronic detonator system 1 includes a plurality of electronic detonators 10 connected to control units 11 and 12 via a bus 13. The bus 13 includes the control units 11 and 12 and the detonator 1.
It transmits a signal to and from 0, that is, enables communication between them and serves to supply power to the detonator 10. The control unit may consist of the log unit 11 or the blasting device 12. The detonator system 1 according to the present invention may also include a portable message receiver 14 configured to be carried by a person connecting the detonator 10 to the bus 13. Via the mobile message receiver 14,
Among other things, information is provided as to when the system 1 is ready to be connected to further detonators and the like. Further, the system 1 preferably includes a computer 15 for use in creating a blast plan. The blast plan created by the computer 15 is stored in the control unit (the log unit 11 and / or the blasting device 12) to
Forward to one. Alternatively, a blast plan may be provided to the blasting device 12 for final preparation of the detonator 10 after transfer to the computer 15 for further processing of information collected by the log unit 11, such as the address of the electron detonator 10. It is possible to transfer.

For reference, a preferred embodiment of the detonator ignition according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

A bus 13 connects several detonators 10 to a control unit 12 (blasting device). The control unit 12 is configured to send the digital data packet 22 to the detonator 10. These data packets 22 convey instructions and / or questions regarding the condition of the detonator 10. The control unit 12 further includes the detonator 1
It is configured to receive a response 24 from 0. In the preferred embodiment, the digital data packet 22 consists of 64 bits. In this preferred embodiment, the response is provided by the detonator 10 via bus 13 in the form of analog response pulses 24. The detonator 10 preferably provides the response pulse 24 in the form of a short load pulse detectable by the control unit 12. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the load pulse consists of a primary load modulation on the detonator, ie the power consumption of the detonator is primarily modulated. However, it will be appreciated that any effect on the bus that can be detected by the control unit is suitable for this purpose.

As a starting point for the following description of the method according to the invention, several detonators 10
It is assumed that they are identified and connected to the bus 13 and the corresponding addresses are stored in the blasting device 12.

As mentioned above, “blasting device” is a term for the control unit used to prepare and ignite the detonator 10. To identify the detonator 10 described above, the detonator 10 must
This can be done by the log unit 11 which records an address and the like when connecting to No. 3.

As shown in FIGS. 3 a and 3 b, each detonator 10 has several “flags”.
, A state register 31 containing an assumed information state in one of two possible values, said flag indicating the respective information state in the detonator 10. Moreover, the detonator 10 advantageously has a unique identity that is used to forward messages by address to them. The digital data packet 22 transmitted by the blasting device 12 via the bus 13 can be globally addressed to all detonators, or to one or several detonators. The digital data packet 22 may include a question regarding the state of a particular flag of the detonator 10 (if a response from the detonator is expected), or may include a command to the detonator 10 (response from the detonator). If not expected). The detonator 10 provides a response in the manner described above utilizing the effect on the bus detectable by the blasting device 12, preferably a short load pulse 24.

In a preferred embodiment, the response pulse 24 is given only with a positive response (acknowledgement) (FIG. 3a) and a negative response (negative response) appears in the absence of the response pulse (FIG. 3a). 3b), which is illustrated at 26 in the figure. Furthermore, the appearance of the response 24 from each detonator 10 is the same as the appearance of the response from any other detonator.
A response pulse received at the control unit 11, 12 for an already transmitted interrogation (ie a digital data packet 22 comprising interrogation regarding one or more flags or status bits in one or more detonators 10). Twenty-four interpretations are made. For each status bit, two questions are asked, a first question asking whether the status bit has a first of two possible values and a status bit of the two of the two possible values. A second question is asked asking if it has a value of 2. By selecting the appropriate question, the expected number of response pulses 24 (ie the number of detonators that provide a response pulse in response to the question) can be minimized, which facilitates interpretation of the response in the control units 11, 12. .

Next, the function of the electronic detonator system 1 according to the present invention will be briefly described with reference to FIG.

An ignition command is given from the blast device 12 (400). When an ignition command is received by the detonator 10, a flag indicating that an ignition command has been received is set on each detonator, and these detonators are set to a predetermined data bit (for example, an ignition) of a predetermined data packet following the ignition command. The reception of the first data bit of the fifteenth data packet counting from the command will be considered as the synchronization signal (410). In response to the sync signal (410), a countdown (411) of the delay times stored in each detonator is initiated. The data packet following the ignition command is used to check if the detonator 10 is ready for detonation (402), (404), (406), (4).
08).

First, it is checked whether all the detonators have recognized the ignition command (40
1) is preferable. This is (digital data packet 22 from detonator 12).
Question (in the form of), which is conveniently implemented by asking whether there is a detonator 10 that does not recognize the ignition command. If no response is received to this question, it is assumed that all detonators 10 have recognized the ignition command. A detonator 1
If 0 indicates that the ignition command is not yet recognized, the system is reset (420) or its power is turned off and the entire ignition process is repeated from a new starting point of the system.

Once it is determined that all detonators 10 have received and recognized the ignition command, some questions (402), () regarding the state of a particular flag (ie, the state bit of detonator state register 31). It is preferable that 404), (406), and (408) follow. The blasting device 12 determines, based on the received response, whether to continue the ignition process. If a blast impact and / or a safety hazard is detected, the ignition process is discontinued (430). If the detonator 10 is considered to be in the proper ready state, the blasting device 12 sends the synchronization signal (4
10). In the preferred embodiment, the sync signal consists of the first data bit of the fifteenth data packet counting from the ignition command.

Each detonator starts the countdown of the corresponding delay time in response to the synchronization signal (411). When the delay time countdown is started, it becomes impossible to stop the ignition process. When the countdown in each detonator 10 reaches "zero", the detonator 10 is detonated (440).

[0042]   Next, the ignition process will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 5a and 5b.

Two collections of delay time information are stored in the blasting device 12. This information includes the delay time for each connected detonator 10. When the system starts (500
), The two aggregates are checked against each other (510) to ensure that the correct delay time is stored (511). At this stage, if inconsistent information is found regarding the delay time, the process is stopped and a new assembly with the delay time is transferred to the blasting device (515). If no error is found in the delay time information, the delay time is transferred to each detonator by an individual address message in the form of digital data packet 22 (520).

Preferably, as an additional precaution, transfer the delay time twice to each detonator,
If both transfers do not recognize the same delay time, set an error flag on the detonator (
522). If the detonators continue to receive the same delay time, set a flag indicating that the delay time has been received.

Once all the delay times have been transferred to their respective detonators, the blasting device appropriately checks for the presence of each detonator that has not received the delay times (not shown).
. This is done, for example, by sending a globally addressed question asking if the detonator has not set a flag indicating that a delay time has been received. At this stage it is also possible to check if there is no detonator with an error flag set.

It should be emphasized that the detonator sets an error flag if the delay time is transferred a third time and does not include the same delay time as before. Thus, the previously transferred delay time change involves two transfers with an intermediate reset of the error flag. In this way, the delay time can be changed any number of times.

Now, preferably, in order to minimize the risk of misfire, it is checked (530) whether ignition capacitors and fuse heads are available in each detonator. This is preferably done by checking some flags that indicate when a certain voltage level has been reached in the ignition capacitor of the detonator 10. If the ignition capacitor and / or the fuse head is missing in one or several detonators 10 and this is assessed as a serious error based on previously set criteria, the ignition process is stopped (550). ).

If all goes well, it is time to start charging the ignition capacitors of each detonator. This is performed by transmitting a blast preparation command from the blast device 12 (532). The blast preparation command is addressed globally, that is to say for all detonators 10, so that the charging of the ignition capacitors by the voltage of the bus 13 is started. However, since the voltage of the bus 13 is still low, the voltage of the entire ignition capacitor is maintained at a value at which there is no risk of ignition of the detonator 10. Before the charging of the ignition capacitor is started and the voltage of the bus 13 is increased to the level of reaching the full ignition voltage, it is properly checked that the ignition capacitor has not yet indicated that the ignition voltage has been reached (5
34). The instructions indicate an error in the detonator 10 and assess whether the detonation process should be aborted (550).

When continuing the detonation process, the blasting device increases the voltage of the bus 13 (53
6). Then, the charging of the ignition capacitor is started to reach the full ignition voltage. The flag of each detonator indicates when the full ignition voltage is reached at the ignition capacitor. While the ignition capacitor is being charged, the blasting device will appropriately issue a global question in the form of a digital data packet 22 asking if the detonator 10 has an ignition capacitor that has reached full ignition voltage. Send. If the first detonator answers this question affirmatively (affirmatively), the blasting device 12 asks the opposite question, ie whether the detonator has an ignition capacitor that has not reached full ignition voltage. Ask. If no response (acknowledgement) to this latter question is received, it is assumed that all detonator ignition capacitors have reached full ignition voltage (560).
. In this way, the charging of the ignition capacitor is verified in the shortest possible time.

The blast preparation and the charging of the ignition capacitors associated therewith are performed by the blast device 12
This is preferably done by the operator physically depressing the blast ready button, which must always be held in order to achieve charging of the ignition capacitor. Ignition is suitably initiated by the operator physically depressing a second button, the ignition button, while simultaneously holding down the blast ready button. The explosive device is preferably provided (562) with a (audio or visual) signal that indicates when all ignition capacitors have been charged to full ignition voltage, i.e. when the ignition button can be depressed.

When the ignition button is pressed (564), an ignition command is transmitted from the blast device 12 via the bus 13 (566). In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the ignition command is different from all other digital data packets 22 transmitted by the blasting device 12. This is to prevent the risk of a digital data packet being mistakenly interpreted as an ignition command. In fact, the ignition command consists of a digital data packet 22 consisting only of a string of binary zeros. The condition for the digital data packet 22 to be interpreted as an ignition command is that it contains at least a certain number of binary zeros. The counting of the number of 0s is preferably performed by a plurality of independent counters in the detonator 10 to determine by a majority vote whether an ignition command has been received. If the majority of counters show a minimum number of zeros for an ignition command, then that command is interpreted as an ignition command.

According to the present invention, the countdown of the delay time stored in each detonator is not started immediately after the ignition command is received by the detonator. In a preferred embodiment, instead,
Additional detonators in the detonator before the final uninterruptible countdown begins,
For example, it is necessary to receive 14 supplementary data packets. This is a final check (570), which confirms that each detonator 10 is in the proper condition to complete the desired detonation process, as communicated from the blasting device 12 utilizing these additional data packets. 572) and (574) are enabled. Note that the content of these data packets is not important, it is the number of data packets that is important to start the countdown. Therefore, these data packets have arbitrary content, contain interrogations or commands, and may even consist of repetitive firing commands.

If an error is found at this stage, the entire ignition process may be aborted by having to receive said 14 additional data packets before the final countdown is started. There is a nature. This cancellation may be accomplished, for example, by sending a global reset command from the control unit or by detonator 10 of data packet 22.
Can be achieved by stopping transmission to the detonator 10 so that it does not receive, for example, 14 data packets and thus does not start the final countdown. If the ignition is to be stopped, it is preferable to combine these stop functions, i.e.
By first sending a reset command and then stopping sending data packets, the danger of continuing the ignition process is substantially eliminated. If the ignition is stopped,
A discharge resistor, a so-called bleeder resistor, configured in the detonator 10 automatically and gradually discharges the ignition capacitor. In this example, the number of data packets to be transmitted after the ignition command in order to start the countdown of the delay time was set to 14 at random.

Therefore, the synchronization point (58) common to all detonators is delayed with respect to the ignition command.
At 0) the final non-interruptible countdown of the delay time is started. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, this detonation point occurs in each detonator when it receives a given data bit of a given data packet and follows the ignition command.
In the above example, the synchronization point occurs when the predetermined data bit of the 15th data packet counted from the ignition command is received. However, it is understood that other types of delay synchronization that allow communication with the detonator 10 even after the detonator 10 has received the ignition command and is ready are also within the scope of the present invention.

After the synchronization point, communication with the detonator becomes impossible. After the synchronization signal, the detonator does not need a voltage supply from the blasting device 12 via the bus 13 and obtains the required voltage supply from the supply capacitor in each detonator 10. In other words, this is a natural consequence of the fact that detonation is initiated, as detonation in the detonator can cause loss of contact with the blasting device 12 at any time.

However, according to the present invention, since the detonator can be checked when the detonator is in the ready state, the risk of improper function after the synchronization point is minimized.

When the countdown (585) of the delay time in each detonator reaches “zero”,
The ignition capacitor is immediately discharged through the fuse head, resulting in a substantially instantaneous ignition of the explosive charge (590).

The process described above is very well carried out in a system with a main blasting device 62 and several auxiliary blasting devices 64, which is illustrated schematically in FIG. Then
The main control of the system 1 performs a process similar to that described above, except that the main blasting device 62 operates. By sending a signal from the main blasting device 62 to the sub-blasting device 64, the detonator 10 is instructed to be ready for blasting, charging, preparing, checking, and igniting. Next, the auxiliary blast devices 64 are connected to the respective auxiliary blast devices 64 and the detonators 1
For 0, verify that the commanded function is performed. If possible, the secondary blast device 64 reports the result of the function to the primary blast device 62, and the primary blast device 62 does not need to communicate directly with all the detonators 10 and the entire system 1 It becomes possible to perform comprehensive control of.

Next, a preferable method in the system including the main blast device and the auxiliary blast device described above will be described.

A table of delay times for each detonator 64 for the detonator 10 is loaded into the main detonator 62 and the delay times are verified as described above (510).
). Each table is transferred to the corresponding secondary blast device 64, and then the secondary blast device 64
It is confirmed that the delay time is transferred to the detonator 10 as in the above method (520).
If an error is found in one of the detonators 10, the secondary detonator 64 of the detonator in question
This is reported to the main blast device 62. The main blasting device will then make a decision whether to discontinue the process. However, the secondary blast device 64 can be configured to make certain decisions that need not be delivered to the primary blast device 62. For example, in each secondary blast device 64, it is possible to build a rule for the condition to stop the entire ignition, in which case the condition, if present, is communicated to the primary blast device and then the primary blast device. Make sure the explosive device stops ignition.

When all secondary blast devices 64 report to the primary blast device 62 that the delay time has been transferred to the detonator 10 and that there is no other problem, the system 1 is ready for blast. Is shown in the main blasting device 62. The operator then presses the blast preparation button (532), similar to the method described above, and if there is no problem (5
62), push down the ignition button (564). The main blasting device 62 is configured to prepare and ignite the detonators associated with the respective sub-blasting devices, respectively.
Instruct 4. Each secondary detonator 64 indicates that the corresponding detonator 10 is ready for detonation (ie, an ignition command has been received, an ignition capacitor has been charged, a fuse head is available, etc.). Report, the main blasting device 6
An activation command is transmitted from 2 to all the sub-blasting devices 64 at the same time, and the sub-blasting devices respond to the activation command and simultaneously give a synchronization signal via the respective buses 13 (508). Therefore, although the detonators are connected to different sub-blasting devices 64, synchronization of all detonators is achieved.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, before the detonator is blast prepared and ignited:
A test ignition is performed, which is outlined in the flow chart of FIG. The test ignition will be described below.

It can be said that it is desirable to perform test ignition before starting the above ignition process. The purpose of the test ignition is whether the detonator 10 recognizes the correct delay time, whether the reception of the digital data packet 62 is satisfactory, the synchronization (410).
), (580) function as intended, delay time countdown (4
It can be checked whether 11), (585) are performed at the expected speed and whether the overall function of the detonator is satisfactory.

For test ignition, the blasting device 12 sends a test ignition command via the bus 13 (
710). After the test ignition command is received at each detonator, a synchronization (72
0) is performed. In the case of sudden ignition, etc., prior to this, the specific flags in the detonator 10 are arbitrarily checked (712) and (713). If necessary, it is possible to check whether the test ignition command is recognized by all the detonators 10 (711), optionally reset the system 1 (714), and send another test ignition command. At the sync point, a countdown (730) of the delay time stored in each detonator is initiated, similar to the method described above. When the delay time countdown at each detonator reaches "zero", the detonator provides an analog response pulse 26 via bus 13 (740). This is the same type of analog response pulse 26 that was provided in the aforementioned communication between the blasting device 12 and the detonator 10. The blasting device 12 detects these response pulses 26 (750) and thus obtains information about when each detonator will detonate (ie, how long it will take from sync point) in the next rapid ignition, Allows evaluation of test ignition.

It should be noted that detonator blast preparation does not precede test ignition. Therefore, since no voltage is applied to the ignition capacitor in the detonator, there is no risk of accidental ignition of the detonator.

If the response provided by the detonator in response to the test ignition command does not match the expected delay time, the entire ignition process is first stopped and an automatic decision is made as to whether to repeat again. However, if the difference from the expected delay time is small, the operator may decide to continue the ignition process, in which case the blast preparation and rapid ignition described above may be initiated.

Furthermore, the test ignition can advantageously have a scaling function that multiplies the stored delay times by a scale factor. In a preferred embodiment, the scale factor is 1, 2, 4, 8 or 16. The larger the scale factor selected and used, the longer it takes to perform a test ignition. The scaling function is a very useful tool for high resolution checking and testing of stored delay times, as well as detonator synchronization, especially when using multiple blasting devices.

As described above, the test ignition causes the detonator to provide an analog response pulse through the bus. In this case, the analog response pulse is about 2 ms, which means that it is impossible to distinguish two response pulses whose difference is less than 2 to 3 ms without using the scaling function. To do. In the control unit, there is a risk that these response pulses may be detected as being lowered to an unacceptably low level, so it is desirable that the response pulses be 2 ms or more.
At the same time, however, it is possible to bring the two detonation instants very close together, the difference being less than the 2 ms. By using a scaling function, a high resolution test ignition can be performed, which gives a resolution of much higher than 2 ms.

It will be appreciated that a more isolated test ignition (ie, a test ignition with a larger scale factor) will take longer than a less isolated test ignition. For example, a test ignition with a scale factor of 8 takes twice as long as a test ignition with a scale factor of 4, so whether a high degree of isolation is actually needed or a faster ignition process is prioritized. You should consider whether to do it.

In accordance with the above description of the ignition process, the test ignition can be performed even in the system including the main blast device and the sub blast device. Each secondary blast device reports the time distribution of the response from the detonator to the primary blast device, which then evaluates the results of the test ignition. In fact, especially when using a system with a secondary blasting device, the system determines whether all secondary blasting devices and the synchronization of the detonators connected to them work as intended. Test ignition is highly desirable as it can be checked via. At the same time, the main blasting device receives information about whether the detonators have accurate delay times stored and whether the countdown rates for these delay times are accurate.

The present invention has been described above based on the preferred embodiments. However, the description herein is not meant to limit the scope of the invention in any way. It will be understood that modifications can be made within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

[Brief description of drawings]

[Figure 1]   It is a general view of some units contained in an electronic detonator system.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a control unit to which a bus and an electronic detonator are connected, and is a diagram illustrating how communication with the detonator is completed.

FIG. 3a is a schematic illustration of how a question is asked about a given status bit in a given detonator.

FIG. 3b is a schematic illustration of how a question is asked about a given status bit in a given detonator.

[Figure 4]   It is a flowchart of a general ignition process according to the present invention.

FIG. 5a   3 is a more detailed flowchart of the ignition method according to the present invention.

FIG. 5b   3 is a more detailed flowchart of the ignition method according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically illustrating a detonator system including a main blast device and a plurality of sub blast devices according to the present invention.

[Figure 7]   3 is a flowchart of a general test ignition method according to the present invention.

[Procedure for Amendment] Submission for translation of Article 34 Amendment of Patent Cooperation Treaty

[Submission date] April 8, 2002 (2002.4.8)

[Procedure Amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Name of item to be amended] Claims

[Correction method] Change

[Contents of correction]

[Claims]

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (81) Designated countries EP (AT, BE, CH, CY, DE, DK, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, IE, I T, LU, MC, NL, PT, SE, TR), OA (BF , BJ, CF, CG, CI, CM, GA, GN, GW, ML, MR, NE, SN, TD, TG), AP (GH, G M, KE, LS, MW, MZ, SD, SL, SZ, TZ , UG, ZW), EA (AM, AZ, BY, KG, KZ, MD, RU, TJ, TM), AE, AG, AL, AM, AT, AU, AZ, BA, BB, BG, BR, BY, B Z, CA, CH, CN, CO, CR, CU, CZ, DE , DK, DM, DZ, EE, ES, FI, GB, GD, GE, GH, GM, HR, HU, ID, IL, IN, I S, JP, KE, KG, KP, KR, KZ, LC, LK , LR, LS, LT, LU, LV, MA, MD, MG, MK, MN, MW, MX, MZ, NO, NZ, PL, P T, RO, RU, SD, SE, SG, SI, SK, SL , TJ, TM, TR, TT, TZ, UA, UG, US, UZ, VN, YU, ZA, ZW (72) Inventor Yongseon, Elov             Sweden, S-713 / 33 / Nora,             Stensete Glen 4

Claims (33)

[Claims] 1. A method of igniting an electronic detonator included in an electronic detonator system, said detonator system comprising a control unit and a bus, said electronic detonator being connected to said control unit via said bus. Communication between the control unit and the electronic detonator via the bus, transmitting an ignition command from the control unit via the bus, and receiving the ignition command in the electronic detonator A step of setting the electronic detonator in a ready state in response to the received ignition command, and a step of waiting for a synchronization signal, the synchronization signal being delayed with respect to the ignition command, A signal that is transmitted from the control unit and indicates a synchronization point common to the detonator, and the synchronization point is preferably a time point when the synchronization signal is received. Yes, further, a step of transmitting a synchronization signal from the control unit via the bus, a step of starting a countdown of a stored delay time in each electron detonator at the synchronization point, and, in response to the end of the countdown. Detonating each detonator. 2. Communication from the control unit to the electron detonator is performed by digital data packets, and communication from the electron detonator to the control unit is preferably an action on the bus detectable by the control unit. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that it is carried out, in particular by means of analog load pulses. 3. The step of waiting for the delayed sync signal is the step of receiving a predetermined number of digital data packets at a detonator, so that the detonator is ready to receive the sync signal. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the synchronization signal is preferably a subsequent digital data packet. 4. The synchronization point is a time point at which each detonator receives a predetermined data bit of a predetermined data packet transmitted from the control unit after the ignition command is transmitted. The method according to any one of 1. 5. The control unit transmits a predetermined number of data packets after the ignition command and before the synchronization point, so that the detonator receives the ignition command and the preparation is completed. 5. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, which enables communication with the detonator and control and checking of the detonator after a condition has been reached. 6. The method according to claim 1, wherein, before transmitting the synchronization signal via the bus, it is checked whether each detonator has received the ignition command. 7. The method according to claim 1, wherein, before transmitting the synchronization signal via the bus, a check is made for the presence of detonators with error indications. 8. At least one of the data packets not used to communicate with the detonator.
Method according to any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein one comprises a further ignition command. 9. The method according to claim 1, wherein all data bits of the ignition command, including overhead bits, if present, are the same and are preferably composed of binary zeros. The method described. 10. A method of igniting an electronic detonator included in an electronic detonator system, the detonator system comprising a main control unit, at least one sub-control unit, and a bus, wherein the electronic detonator includes the bus. The sub control unit is connected to the sub control unit via the bus, communication between the sub control unit and the electronic detonator is performed via the bus, and the sub control unit transmits the ignition command via the bus by the main control unit. Commanding a control unit, receiving the ignition command in the electronic detonator, setting the electronic detonator in a ready state in response to the received ignition command, and waiting for a synchronization signal The synchronization signal is delayed from the ignition command, transmitted from the sub-control unit, and common to the detonator. A signal indicating a synchronization point, the synchronization point is preferably a time point at which the synchronization signal is received, further, a step of transmitting a synchronization signal from the sub-control unit via the bus, at the synchronization point, A method comprising: starting a countdown of stored delay times in each detonator; and detonating each detonator in response to the end of said countdown. 11. The method according to claim 10, wherein a plurality of sub control units can simultaneously transmit a synchronization signal by the transmission of the synchronization signal by the sub control unit at the command of the main control unit. . 12. Communication from the control unit to the detonator is by digital data packets, and communication from the detonator to the sub-control unit is preferably on the bus detectable by the sub-control unit. 12. The method according to claim 10 or 11, which is carried out by means of the action of, in particular analog load pulses. 13. The step of waiting for the delayed sync signal is the step of receiving a predetermined number of digital data packets at a detonator, so that the detonator is ready to receive the sync signal. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the synchronization signal is preferably a subsequent digital data packet. 14. The synchronization point is a time point at which each detonator receives a predetermined data bit of a predetermined data packet transmitted from the sub control unit after the ignition command is transmitted. 14. The method according to any one of 13. 15. The sub control unit transmits a predetermined number of data packets after the ignition command and before the synchronization point, so that the detonator receives the ignition command and performs the preparation. 15. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 14, which enables communication with the detonator, as well as control and checking of the detonator after a completion state has been reached. 16. Communication between the main control unit and the sub-control unit comprises:
The method according to any one of claims 10 to 15, which is performed by wireless communication. 17. Communication between the main control unit and the sub-control unit comprises:
16. Method according to any one of claims 10 to 15, which is carried out via a bus in the form of a physical cable. 18. The method according to claim 10, wherein, before transmitting the synchronization signal via the bus, it is checked whether each detonator has received the ignition command. 19. The method according to claim 10, further comprising, before transmitting the synchronization signal via the bus, checking for the presence of a detonator having an error indication. 20. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 19, wherein at least one of the data packets not used for communication with the detonator comprises a further ignition command. 21. Any one of claims 10 to 20 wherein all data bits of said ignition command, including overhead bits, if present, are identical and preferably consist of binary zeros. The method described. 22. A method of igniting an electronic detonator included in an electronic detonator system, said detonator system comprising a control unit and a bus, said electronic detonator comprising:
Connecting to the control unit via the bus, communicating between the control unit and the detonator via the bus, and transmitting a test ignition command from the control unit via the bus A step of receiving the test ignition command in the electronic detonator, and a step of waiting for a synchronization signal, the synchronization signal being delayed with respect to the test ignition command and transmitted from the control unit, A signal indicating a synchronization point common to the detonator, the synchronization point is preferably a time point at which the synchronization signal is received, and further, transmitting the synchronization signal from the control unit via the bus, At the synchronization point, starting the countdown of the stored delay time in each electron detonator, and Method comprising the steps of providing a response from each detonator, receiving said response in the control unit, the response, in particular based on the time distribution, and performing the evaluation of the electronic detonator system. 23. Communication from the control unit to the electronic detonator is performed by digital data packets, and communication from the electronic detonator to the control unit includes:
23. The method according to claim 22, preferably performed by means of an action on the bus detectable by the control unit, in particular an analog load pulse. 24. The step of waiting for the delayed sync signal is a step of receiving a predetermined number of digital data packets at a detonator, so that the detonator is ready to receive the sync signal. 24. The method according to claim 22 or 23, wherein the synchronization signal is preferably a subsequent digital data packet. 25. The method according to claim 22, wherein the synchronization point is a time point at which each detonator receives a predetermined data bit of a predetermined data packet transmitted from the control unit after the test ignition command is transmitted. 25. The method according to any one of 24. 26. The test ignition command indicates a scaling factor by which a delay time stored in each detonator is multiplied before the countdown is started,
26. A method according to any one of claims 22 to 25, which provides a high degree of test ignition. 27. A method of igniting an electronic detonator included in an electronic detonator system, said detonator system comprising a main control unit, at least one sub-control unit, and a bus, said electronic detonator comprising said bus. Via the bus, communication between the sub control unit and the electronic detonator is performed, and the main control unit transmits a test ignition command via the bus. Commanding the sub-control unit, receiving the test ignition command in the electronic detonator, and waiting for a synchronization signal, the synchronization signal being delayed with respect to the test ignition command, A signal that is transmitted from the sub-control unit and indicates a synchronization point common to the detonator, and the synchronization point preferably receives the synchronization signal. And a step of transmitting a synchronization signal from the sub-control unit via the bus; a step of starting a countdown of the stored delay time in each electron detonator at the synchronization point; A method comprising: giving a response from each detonator in response to termination; receiving the response at the sub-control unit; and evaluating an electronic detonator system based on the response, particularly its time distribution. . 28. The method of claim 27, wherein a plurality of sub control units can simultaneously provide a synchronization signal by the transmission of the synchronization signal by the sub control unit at the command of the main control unit. . 29. Communication from the sub-control unit to the electron detonator is carried out by means of digital data packets, and communication from the electron detonator to the sub-control unit is preferably detectable by the sub-control unit. 29. The method according to claim 27 or 28, which is carried out utilizing the above effects, in particular analog load pulses. 30. The step of waiting for the delayed sync signal is a step of receiving a predetermined number of digital data packets at a detonator, so that the detonator is ready to receive the sync signal. 30. The method according to any one of claims 27 to 29, wherein the synchronization signal is preferably a subsequent digital data packet. 31. The synchronization point is a time point at which each detonator receives a predetermined data bit of a predetermined data packet transmitted from the sub control unit after the ignition command is transmitted. The method according to any one of 30. 32. The test ignition command provides a high degree of test ignition by indicating a scaling factor that multiplies the delay time stored in each detonator prior to initiating the countdown. The method according to any one of 1. 33. A control unit, a plurality of electronic detonators, and a bus connecting the detonator to the control unit, wherein the detonator is transmitted from the control unit via the bus and transmitted from the control unit. An electronic detonator system in which a delay time set for each detonator can be controlled and checked by a digital data packet configured to detonate in response to an ignition command that is set when a detonation time common to all detonators elapses. The synchronization point occurs after the ignition command is received by the detonator, and the control unit is, in any case, until the synchronization point after the detonator receives the ignition command. An electronic detonator system configured to communicate with the detonator.