WO1996023195A1 - Explosive firing circuit - Google Patents

Explosive firing circuit Download PDF

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Publication number
WO1996023195A1
WO1996023195A1 PCT/GB1996/000094 GB9600094W WO9623195A1 WO 1996023195 A1 WO1996023195 A1 WO 1996023195A1 GB 9600094 W GB9600094 W GB 9600094W WO 9623195 A1 WO9623195 A1 WO 9623195A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
detonator
circuit
control unit
detonator circuit
circuit according
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB1996/000094
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Peter Christian Shann
Original Assignee
Explosive Developments Limited
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Explosive Developments Limited filed Critical Explosive Developments Limited
Priority to AU43970/96A priority Critical patent/AU4397096A/en
Publication of WO1996023195A1 publication Critical patent/WO1996023195A1/en

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F42—AMMUNITION; BLASTING
    • F42D—BLASTING
    • F42D1/00—Blasting methods or apparatus, e.g. loading or tamping
    • F42D1/04—Arrangements for ignition
    • F42D1/045—Arrangements for electric ignition
    • F42D1/05—Electric circuits for blasting
    • F42D1/055—Electric circuits for blasting specially adapted for firing multiple charges with a time delay

Definitions

  • This invention relates to explosive firing arrangements and, more particularly, to an explosive firing circuit comprising a control unit and a plurality of detonator circuits electrically connected to the control unit.
  • multi-shot detonating arrangement It is well known in the art for a plurality of detonators to be detonated in accordance with a predetermined programme, hereinafter called a "multi-shot" detonating arrangement, and such multi-shot arrangements are commonly used in quarrying, open cast mining, tunnelling and the like rock breaking practises. For a number of reasons, well known and practised in the art, it is usual in multi- shot detonation arrangements for the detonators in the multi-shot arrangement to be detonated in accordance with a predetermined time delay pattern. It has already been proposed that a plurality of detonator control circuits be electrically connected with a control unit via a loop line and, conveniently, the control unit is remote from the explosive materials to allow the control unit to be recovered.
  • control unit may apply the "fire" signal simultaneously to all the detonator circuits of all the detonators to be initiated, each detonator circuit includes a delay element programmed so that the detonator will detonate a predetermined time after the firing signal has been received, and thus the desired delay programme for all the detonators can be relatively accurately obtained.
  • the activated detonator circuits will continue to operate independently and the desired delay programme for the multi-shot arrangement will be obtained.
  • each detonator circuit includes a "timer" for the delay and which timer may conveniently comprise an oscillator, arranged to run for a preset number of pulses between receipt of the firing signal from the control unit and the application of the "fire" signal to the detonator.
  • timer may conveniently comprise an oscillator, arranged to run for a preset number of pulses between receipt of the firing signal from the control unit and the application of the "fire" signal to the detonator.
  • each detonator circuit will include facilities for storing the number of pulses to be made by the oscillator before applying the detonator signal to the detonator, or detonators, associated with the detonator circuit.
  • Each detonator circuit will also include a power unit, arranged to operate the elements of the detonator circuit and eventually to apply an electrical load to the detonator or detonators to cause said detonator or detonators to detonate, when the timer of each detonator circuit has made the preset time delay.
  • the present invention proposes an electrical firing circuit which is more efficacious than prior art electrical firing circuits.
  • an explosive firing circuit comprising a control unit and a plurality of detonator circuits electrically connected to the control unit, said detonation circuits each being identified by a code individual thereto, means for transmitting information from the control unit to an individual detonator circuit by including in said information the identification code for said detonator circuit and means included in each detonator circuit for transmitting information to the control unit, said information transmitted to the control unit by a detonator circuit including the identification code for that detonator circuit.
  • control unit having addressed a detonator circuit, may hold the detonator circuit until the detonator circuit has completed a transmission to the control unit.
  • the detonator circuit is arranged to transmit its identification code to the control unit in any subsequent transmission signal to the control unit.
  • each detonator circuit includes more than one detonator.
  • each detonator circuit is electrically attached to said connecting loop.
  • each detonator circuit is electrically attached to said connecting loop via an electro-magnetic coupling device.
  • each detonator circuit when address by the control unit through an electro-magnetic coupling device, is arranged to transit its response signal back to the control unit via said electro-magnetic coupling device.
  • an addressed detonator circuit may signal back to the control unit via a switch in the detonator circuit.
  • each detonator circuit includes an energy storage device adapted, when charged, to provide sufficient energy to energise the detonator or detonators in the detonator circuit.
  • the energy storage device of each detonator circuit is charged by electrical signals extended to the detonator circuit via the connecting loop and the respective electro-magnetic coupling device.
  • the energy storage device conveniently comprises a capacitor.
  • each detonator circuit includes a timing device, conveniently an oscillator.
  • the explosive firing circuit comprises a control unit, a connecting loop electrically connected to said control unit, a plurality of detonator circuits electrically connected to said connecting loop via electro-magnetic coupling devices, an electrical energy storage device individual to each detonator circuit and chargeable by signals received from said connecting loop through the respective induction coupling device, and a timing device included in each detonator circuit and individual thereto.
  • each electromagnetic coupling device comprises a split ferrite core and each energy storage device comprises a capacitor.
  • each timing device in each detonator circuit comprises an oscillator
  • each detonator circuit includes a memory device within which the number of pulses to be made by the oscillator of the detonator circuit, on receipt of a firing signal from the control unit, can be stored.
  • control unit includes means for transmitting the identification code in respect of any one of the detonator circuit, means for transmitting a request for information to the code-addressed detonator circuit and means for receiving and storing the requested information for each specific detonator circuit.
  • each detonator circuit includes storage means for storing the code identifying that circuit, means for receiving request information with the individual code for the detonator circuit, means for processing the request information, means for generating a response information and means for transmitting the response information with the identification code for the detonator circuit back to the control unit.
  • the request information transmitted by the control unit is the condition of the energy storage device of a specific code-addressed detonator circuit and the detonator circuit includes means for testing the condition of the energy storage device and means for transmitting signals indicative of the condition of said energy storage device to the control unit
  • the request information transmitted by the control unit is in respect of the delay period for which the timer is arranged to operate between receipt of a firing signal from the control unit and detonation of the detonator(s) associated with the detonator circuit, and the code-addressed detonator circuit is arranged transmits a response information, including the actual delay which will be impressed on the detonator circuit by the timer.
  • the response to the request information transmitted by each identified detonator circuit to the control unit is compared with a pre-set desired time delay set for the detonator circuit and the control unit then transmits to each delay circuit a timer correction signal to correct the delay for that detonator circuit.
  • Fig 1 shows, diagrammatically, an explosive firing circuit in accordance with the invention
  • Fig 2 shows, diagrammatically, a block diagram view of a detonator circuit.
  • a control unit 11 is connected to a power supply 12 and a loop line 13, which may comprise a single wire or a double wire, leaves the connection with the control unit at "A" point and returns to the control unit at point"B".
  • a plurality of detonator circuits A,B—N are connected, at spaced apart locations, around the loop line 13 in a manner allowing electrical connection between each detonator circuit A,B—N, and the loop line 13.
  • the electrical connection of each detonator circuit A,B,—N, with the loop line 13 is conveniently a snap-on connection, such as a snap-on electro-magnetic coupling device 13a . .
  • each detonator circuit A,B—N includes an identification code recognition circuitry 14, a request information and response transmitting circuitry 15, a timer device 16, in this example an oscillator, an electrical energy storage device 17, which may comprise a battery but in the preferred example is a capacitor, and a switch 18.
  • the control unit is adapted to receive information from a mobile information unit 20, conveniently the information unit will include connections for electrically attaching the information unit 20 to the control unit 11, and the control unit 11 will include a memory device (not shown) capable of storing information transmitted thereto by the information unit 20.
  • the mobile information unit 20 is first used by a responsible person, such as a shot firing or the like qualified person, who will attend at each detonator location within the multi-shot arrangement.
  • the responsible person will enter into, or onto, the information unit 20 the identification code for the detonator 19, or the detonator circuit A,B—N, when more than one detonator 19 is connected to the detonator circuit A,B—N, and from a pre-arranged plan will enter thereafter the time delay to be applied to the relevant detonator 19 arrangement and entered the information identifying each detonator or detonator circuit A,B, N, and the delay for each detonator or detonator circuit in or on the information unit 20 he will return to the control unit 11, electrically connect the information unit 20 with the control unit 11 and the information in the information unit 20 will be transferred to the memory 11a. within the control unit 11.
  • the information unit 20 has transferred all the information therein to the control unit 11 said information unit 20 can be disconnected from the control unit 11.
  • control unit 11 can transmit, via the loop line 13 to all the detonator circuits A,B—N,.
  • the information transmitted by the control unit 11 at this stage will simply comprise the identification code and the delay for each detonator circuit and, as each detonator circuit identifies its respective code via the information code circuitry 14, the information regarding the delay for that detonator circuit A,B—N, will be stored in the timer device 16.
  • the loop line 13 may have signals imposed thereon from the control unit 11 to cause all the capacitors 17 of all the detonator units A,B—N, to be charged and, when the switch 18 is closed, the capacitor 17 discharges through the detonator 19 to generate a spark or arc across the electrodes 19a, 19b to cause detonation 19, of an detonator and the explosive mass associated therewith.
  • the signals from the control unit 11 to charge all the capacitors 17 of the detonator circuits A,B—N are conveniently at a frequency wave form, strength or are so timed as to by-pass all the identification code circuits 14 of all the detonator circuits A,B,—N, so that said signals simultaneously charge all the capacitors 17.
  • the memory 11a contains each detonator circuit identification code and the delay to be imparted to that detonator circuit and all the detonator circuits in the multi-shot arrangement will have their respective identification code recognition circuit 14 set to receive only the identification code for that circuit.
  • control unit 11 can address any desired detonator circuit A,B,—N, by simply transmitting the identification code of the desired detonator circuit A,B,—N, along the loop line 13, the identification code transmitted by the control unit 11 will be applied to all the detonator circuits A,B,—N, but only the detonator circuit addressed by the identification code will open to receive information signals from the control unit 11.
  • the identification code recognition circuit 14 of that detonator circuit A,B,—N opens to allow request information signals to be received from the control unit 11.
  • the request information received from the control 11 comprises a request for information regarding the state of charge of the capacitor 17
  • the request information passed through the identification code recognition circuitry 14 is transmitted to the request information and response transmitting circuitry 15 and therefrom a signal is transmitted via line 21 to the electrical storage device 17 and the actual state of charge of the electrical storage device 17 is transmitted via a line 22 back through the circuitry 15 to a transmitting circuit 14a .
  • the identification code receiving circuit 14 whereupon the device 14a transmits the identification code for the detonator circuit A,B,—N, back to the control unit 11 and the signals relating to the state of charge of the capacitor 17 are transmitted to the control unit 11 so that the control unit 11 now includes the requested information relating to the state of the electrical storage device 17.
  • the control unit 11 will preferably address all the detonator circuits A,B,—N, successively, until the state of all the electrical storage devices 17 has been received by the control unit 11. The control unit 11 will continue testing the stage of the electrical storage device 17 of each detonator circuit A,B,—N, until all the electrical storage devices 17 have been charges to, or above, the desired level for operation.
  • the request information received by a detonator circuit A,B,—N may comprise a request information regarding the timer 16, as the request information is preceded by the identification code for the detonator circuit A,B,—N, the request information is transmitted through the request information and response transmitting circuitry 15 and transmitting circuit 14a., back to the control unit 11.
  • the request information may comprise a request for a specimen of the output of the oscillator and may comprise a single pulse or a small plurality of pulses.
  • the timer 16 On receipt of the request information the timer 16 transmits, via the line 24, signals indicative of the requested information back through the request information and response transmitting circuitry 15 to the transmitting circuit 14a., whereupon via the loop line 13 the control unit 11 receives the requested information.
  • the processing arrangement lib calculates from the specimen of pulse/pulses received the actual number of pulses to be made by the oscillator to achieve the desired delay time for the examined detonator circuit A,B,—N, .
  • control unit 11 will again communicate with the detonator circuit A,B,—N, identified by its individual code, and will transmit the information regarding the number of pulses to be counted by the oscillator through the circuitry 14, 15 and via line 23 to the timer 16 where the said information is stored.
  • the control unit 11 may set the number of pulses to be counted by the oscillators of the respective oscillators of all the detonator circuits A,B,—N,.
  • the number of oscillations to be made by the oscillator may be pre-set in the control unit 11 and, by communication with the oscillator and back to the control unit 11, the processing arrangement lib of the control unit 11 may alter the frequency of each respective oscillator so that the time taken to generate the pre-set number of pulses equals the delay time desired for that oscillator.
  • control unit 11 may include an accurate timer, such as a crystal control timer, to assist the control unit i: to calculate the delay timing to be communicated to each of the detonator arrangements A,B,—N, and, by this means, a very accurate setting of the time delays for each detonator circuit A,B,—N, can be obtained.
  • an accurate timer such as a crystal control timer
  • control unit 11 transmits signals on the loop line 13 to cause all the capacitors 17 of all the detonator circuits to be charged, and the control unit 11 will not issue a "firing" signal to the detonator circuits A,B,—N, until every detonator circuit has sufficient power in its electrical storage device 17 to positively run the system.
  • the control unit 11 will also transmit to each of the detonator circuits A,B,—N, successively the request information regarding the timer and on receipt of the information from each detonator circuit the control unit 11 will calculate the correct delay time for each circuit, and when the timer is an oscillator may cause the oscillator to be adjusted to run for a specific time, and that information will again be returned to the detonator circuit and stored therein.
  • the shot firer may instigate a firing signal from the fire circuit lie of control unit 11 and the firing signal will be transmitted via the loop line 13 to all the detonator circuits A,B,—N, simultaneously.
  • the timer 16 of each detonator circuit will begin its timing operation and, on the timer 16 reaching the delay period set for each detonator circuit A,B, N, the timer 16 will send a signal via line 25 to cause the electrical storage device 17 to discharge, through the close switch 18, to cause the detonator 19 to detonate and thereby activate the detonation of the mass of explosives M.

Abstract

The invention relates to an explosive firing circuit, comprising a control unit (11) and a plurality of detonator circuits (A,B--N) electrically connected to the control unit (11). Each of the detonator circuits (A,B--N) is identified by a code individual thereto and the control unit (11) includes means for transmitting information to an individual detonator circuit (A,B--N) by including in said information the identification code for said detonator circuit (A,B--N). Each detonator circuit (A,B--N) can also transmit information to the control unit (11) by including the code individual thereto in the information transmitted. The control unit (11) can request information individual to each detonator circuit (A,B--N) and each detonator circuit (A,B--N) can transmit the resource information, for example the condition of the energy storage device (17) or the time delay, in combination with its individual code to the control circuit (11).

Description

EXPLOSIVE FIRING CIRCUIT
This invention relates to explosive firing arrangements and, more particularly, to an explosive firing circuit comprising a control unit and a plurality of detonator circuits electrically connected to the control unit.
It is well known in the art for a plurality of detonators to be detonated in accordance with a predetermined programme, hereinafter called a "multi-shot" detonating arrangement, and such multi-shot arrangements are commonly used in quarrying, open cast mining, tunnelling and the like rock breaking practises. For a number of reasons, well known and practised in the art, it is usual in multi- shot detonation arrangements for the detonators in the multi-shot arrangement to be detonated in accordance with a predetermined time delay pattern. It has already been proposed that a plurality of detonator control circuits be electrically connected with a control unit via a loop line and, conveniently, the control unit is remote from the explosive materials to allow the control unit to be recovered. With such an arrangement the control unit may apply the "fire" signal simultaneously to all the detonator circuits of all the detonators to be initiated, each detonator circuit includes a delay element programmed so that the detonator will detonate a predetermined time after the firing signal has been received, and thus the desired delay programme for all the detonators can be relatively accurately obtained.
In the event that, after transmitting the fire signal to all the detonator circuits the loop line should be broken or disrupted, the activated detonator circuits will continue to operate independently and the desired delay programme for the multi-shot arrangement will be obtained.
In one proposed arrangement for imparting a delay, after a detonator circuit has received the firing signal from the control unit and before the respective detonator is detonated, each detonator circuit includes a "timer" for the delay and which timer may conveniently comprise an oscillator, arranged to run for a preset number of pulses between receipt of the firing signal from the control unit and the application of the "fire" signal to the detonator. In such an arrangement each detonator circuit will include facilities for storing the number of pulses to be made by the oscillator before applying the detonator signal to the detonator, or detonators, associated with the detonator circuit. Each detonator circuit will also include a power unit, arranged to operate the elements of the detonator circuit and eventually to apply an electrical load to the detonator or detonators to cause said detonator or detonators to detonate, when the timer of each detonator circuit has made the preset time delay. The present invention proposes an electrical firing circuit which is more efficacious than prior art electrical firing circuits.
According to the present invention there is provided an explosive firing circuit comprising a control unit and a plurality of detonator circuits electrically connected to the control unit, said detonation circuits each being identified by a code individual thereto, means for transmitting information from the control unit to an individual detonator circuit by including in said information the identification code for said detonator circuit and means included in each detonator circuit for transmitting information to the control unit, said information transmitted to the control unit by a detonator circuit including the identification code for that detonator circuit.
In one embodiment of the invention the control unit, having addressed a detonator circuit, may hold the detonator circuit until the detonator circuit has completed a transmission to the control unit.
In another embodiment, and wherein the control unit is disconnectable from an addressed detonator circuit before the addressed detonator can complete a transmission to the control unit, the detonator circuit is arranged to transmit its identification code to the control unit in any subsequent transmission signal to the control unit.
Preferably each detonator circuit includes more than one detonator.
Preferably a connecting loop is electrically connected to the control unit and each detonator circuit is electrically attached to said connecting loop. In one embodiment each detonator circuit is electrically attached to said connecting loop via an electro-magnetic coupling device.
In a preferred embodiment the electromagnetic core may comprise a solid ferrite core or in an alternative embodiment the electromagnetic core may comprise a split ferrite core
Preferably each detonator circuit, when address by the control unit through an electro-magnetic coupling device, is arranged to transit its response signal back to the control unit via said electro-magnetic coupling device.
In one embodiment an addressed detonator circuit may signal back to the control unit via a switch in the detonator circuit.
Preferably each detonator circuit includes an energy storage device adapted, when charged, to provide sufficient energy to energise the detonator or detonators in the detonator circuit.
In one preferred embodiment the energy storage device of each detonator circuit is charged by electrical signals extended to the detonator circuit via the connecting loop and the respective electro-magnetic coupling device.
In one embodiment the energy storage device conveniently comprises a capacitor.
Preferably each detonator circuit includes a timing device, conveniently an oscillator.
In one preferred embodiment the explosive firing circuit comprises a control unit, a connecting loop electrically connected to said control unit, a plurality of detonator circuits electrically connected to said connecting loop via electro-magnetic coupling devices, an electrical energy storage device individual to each detonator circuit and chargeable by signals received from said connecting loop through the respective induction coupling device, and a timing device included in each detonator circuit and individual thereto.
Preferably each electromagnetic coupling device comprises a split ferrite core and each energy storage device comprises a capacitor.
Preferably each timing device in each detonator circuit comprises an oscillator, and each detonator circuit includes a memory device within which the number of pulses to be made by the oscillator of the detonator circuit, on receipt of a firing signal from the control unit, can be stored.
Preferably the control unit includes means for transmitting the identification code in respect of any one of the detonator circuit, means for transmitting a request for information to the code-addressed detonator circuit and means for receiving and storing the requested information for each specific detonator circuit.
In a preferred embodiment each detonator circuit includes storage means for storing the code identifying that circuit, means for receiving request information with the individual code for the detonator circuit, means for processing the request information, means for generating a response information and means for transmitting the response information with the identification code for the detonator circuit back to the control unit.
Preferably the request information transmitted by the control unit is the condition of the energy storage device of a specific code-addressed detonator circuit and the detonator circuit includes means for testing the condition of the energy storage device and means for transmitting signals indicative of the condition of said energy storage device to the control unit
Preferably the request information transmitted by the control unit is in respect of the delay period for which the timer is arranged to operate between receipt of a firing signal from the control unit and detonation of the detonator(s) associated with the detonator circuit, and the code-addressed detonator circuit is arranged transmits a response information, including the actual delay which will be impressed on the detonator circuit by the timer.
Preferably the response to the request information transmitted by each identified detonator circuit to the control unit is compared with a pre-set desired time delay set for the detonator circuit and the control unit then transmits to each delay circuit a timer correction signal to correct the delay for that detonator circuit.
The invention will now be described further by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Fig 1 shows, diagrammatically, an explosive firing circuit in accordance with the invention and
Fig 2 shows, diagrammatically, a block diagram view of a detonator circuit.
In the embodiment illustrated in Fig 1 a control unit 11 is connected to a power supply 12 and a loop line 13, which may comprise a single wire or a double wire, leaves the connection with the control unit at "A" point and returns to the control unit at point"B". A plurality of detonator circuits A,B—N, are connected, at spaced apart locations, around the loop line 13 in a manner allowing electrical connection between each detonator circuit A,B—N, and the loop line 13. The electrical connection of each detonator circuit A,B,—N, with the loop line 13 is conveniently a snap-on connection, such as a snap-on electro-magnetic coupling device 13a..
See now Fig 2 and wherein each detonator circuit A,B—N, includes an identification code recognition circuitry 14, a request information and response transmitting circuitry 15, a timer device 16, in this example an oscillator, an electrical energy storage device 17, which may comprise a battery but in the preferred example is a capacitor, and a switch 18. The switch, 18, when closed, connects the electrical storage device 17 to a detonator 19 and, when open, isolates the detonator 19 from the electrical storage device 17.
The control unit is adapted to receive information from a mobile information unit 20, conveniently the information unit will include connections for electrically attaching the information unit 20 to the control unit 11, and the control unit 11 will include a memory device (not shown) capable of storing information transmitted thereto by the information unit 20.
The mobile information unit 20 is first used by a responsible person, such as a shot firing or the like qualified person, who will attend at each detonator location within the multi-shot arrangement. The responsible person will enter into, or onto, the information unit 20 the identification code for the detonator 19, or the detonator circuit A,B—N, when more than one detonator 19 is connected to the detonator circuit A,B—N, and from a pre-arranged plan will enter thereafter the time delay to be applied to the relevant detonator 19 arrangement and entered the information identifying each detonator or detonator circuit A,B, N, and the delay for each detonator or detonator circuit in or on the information unit 20 he will return to the control unit 11, electrically connect the information unit 20 with the control unit 11 and the information in the information unit 20 will be transferred to the memory 11a. within the control unit 11. When the information unit 20 has transferred all the information therein to the control unit 11 said information unit 20 can be disconnected from the control unit 11.
Once the control unit 11 has all the information from the information unit 20 stored in the memory 11a. said control unit 11 can transmit, via the loop line 13 to all the detonator circuits A,B—N,. The information transmitted by the control unit 11 at this stage will simply comprise the identification code and the delay for each detonator circuit and, as each detonator circuit identifies its respective code via the information code circuitry 14, the information regarding the delay for that detonator circuit A,B—N, will be stored in the timer device 16. When not sending information to the detonator circuit the loop line 13 may have signals imposed thereon from the control unit 11 to cause all the capacitors 17 of all the detonator units A,B—N, to be charged and, when the switch 18 is closed, the capacitor 17 discharges through the detonator 19 to generate a spark or arc across the electrodes 19a, 19b to cause detonation 19, of an detonator and the explosive mass associated therewith.
The signals from the control unit 11 to charge all the capacitors 17 of the detonator circuits A,B—N, are conveniently at a frequency wave form, strength or are so timed as to by-pass all the identification code circuits 14 of all the detonator circuits A,B,—N, so that said signals simultaneously charge all the capacitors 17. With the information from the mobile information unit 20 conveyed to and stored in the memory 11a. of control unit 14, the memory 11a contains each detonator circuit identification code and the delay to be imparted to that detonator circuit and all the detonator circuits in the multi-shot arrangement will have their respective identification code recognition circuit 14 set to receive only the identification code for that circuit.
Thus, the control unit 11 can address any desired detonator circuit A,B,—N, by simply transmitting the identification code of the desired detonator circuit A,B,—N, along the loop line 13, the identification code transmitted by the control unit 11 will be applied to all the detonator circuits A,B,—N, but only the detonator circuit addressed by the identification code will open to receive information signals from the control unit 11.
When a detonator circuit A,B,—N, receive its identification code from the control unit 11 the identification code recognition circuit 14 of that detonator circuit A,B,—N, opens to allow request information signals to be received from the control unit 11.
When the request information received from the control 11 comprises a request for information regarding the state of charge of the capacitor 17 the request information passed through the identification code recognition circuitry 14 is transmitted to the request information and response transmitting circuitry 15 and therefrom a signal is transmitted via line 21 to the electrical storage device 17 and the actual state of charge of the electrical storage device 17 is transmitted via a line 22 back through the circuitry 15 to a transmitting circuit 14a. in the identification code receiving circuit 14, whereupon the device 14a transmits the identification code for the detonator circuit A,B,—N, back to the control unit 11 and the signals relating to the state of charge of the capacitor 17 are transmitted to the control unit 11 so that the control unit 11 now includes the requested information relating to the state of the electrical storage device 17.
The control unit 11 will preferably address all the detonator circuits A,B,—N, successively, until the state of all the electrical storage devices 17 has been received by the control unit 11. The control unit 11 will continue testing the stage of the electrical storage device 17 of each detonator circuit A,B,—N, until all the electrical storage devices 17 have been charges to, or above, the desired level for operation.
In another method for operating the detonator circuits A,B,—N, the request information received by a detonator circuit A,B,—N, may comprise a request information regarding the timer 16, as the request information is preceded by the identification code for the detonator circuit A,B,—N, the request information is transmitted through the request information and response transmitting circuitry 15 and transmitting circuit 14a., back to the control unit 11.
When, as stated above, the timer device 16 comprises an oscillator, the request information may comprise a request for a specimen of the output of the oscillator and may comprise a single pulse or a small plurality of pulses. On receipt of the request information the timer 16 transmits, via the line 24, signals indicative of the requested information back through the request information and response transmitting circuitry 15 to the transmitting circuit 14a., whereupon via the loop line 13 the control unit 11 receives the requested information. On receipt of the requested information, that is the signal indicative of the length of a pulse or a plurality of pulses by the timer 16, said information is compared with the desired delay for the examined detonator circuitry A,B,—N, stored in the processing arrangement life and the processing arrangement lib calculates from the specimen of pulse/pulses received the actual number of pulses to be made by the oscillator to achieve the desired delay time for the examined detonator circuit A,B,—N, . Once this calculation has been made by the control unit 11, control unit 11 will again communicate with the detonator circuit A,B,—N, identified by its individual code, and will transmit the information regarding the number of pulses to be counted by the oscillator through the circuitry 14, 15 and via line 23 to the timer 16 where the said information is stored. Thus, by sampling all the detonator circuits A,B,—N, the control unit 11 may set the number of pulses to be counted by the oscillators of the respective oscillators of all the detonator circuits A,B,—N,.
In another mode of operation the number of oscillations to be made by the oscillator may be pre-set in the control unit 11 and, by communication with the oscillator and back to the control unit 11, the processing arrangement lib of the control unit 11 may alter the frequency of each respective oscillator so that the time taken to generate the pre-set number of pulses equals the delay time desired for that oscillator.
In a preferred embodiment of the illustrated example the control unit 11 may include an accurate timer, such as a crystal control timer, to assist the control unit i: to calculate the delay timing to be communicated to each of the detonator arrangements A,B,—N, and, by this means, a very accurate setting of the time delays for each detonator circuit A,B,—N, can be obtained. In operation of the embodiment illustrated in the drawings information from the information unit 20 is stored in the control unit 11, the control unit 11 transmits signals on the loop line 13 to cause all the capacitors 17 of all the detonator circuits to be charged, and the control unit 11 will not issue a "firing" signal to the detonator circuits A,B,—N, until every detonator circuit has sufficient power in its electrical storage device 17 to positively run the system. The control unit 11 will also transmit to each of the detonator circuits A,B,—N, successively the request information regarding the timer and on receipt of the information from each detonator circuit the control unit 11 will calculate the correct delay time for each circuit, and when the timer is an oscillator may cause the oscillator to be adjusted to run for a specific time, and that information will again be returned to the detonator circuit and stored therein.
When the timer 16, and electrical storage device 17, of each circuit A,B,—N, has been fully services by the control unit 11 the shot firer may instigate a firing signal from the fire circuit lie of control unit 11 and the firing signal will be transmitted via the loop line 13 to all the detonator circuits A,B,—N, simultaneously. Upon receipt of the "firing" signal the timer 16 of each detonator circuit will begin its timing operation and, on the timer 16 reaching the delay period set for each detonator circuit A,B, N, the timer 16 will send a signal via line 25 to cause the electrical storage device 17 to discharge, through the close switch 18, to cause the detonator 19 to detonate and thereby activate the detonation of the mass of explosives M.

Claims

1. An explosive firing circuit comprising a control unit and a plurality of detonator circuits electrically connected to the control unit, each of the detonator circuits being identified by a code individual thereto, means for transmitting information from the control unit to an individual detonator circuit by including in said information the identification code for said detonator circuit and means included in each detonator circuit for transmitting information to the control unit, said information transmitted to the control unit by a detonator circuit including the identification code for that detonator circuit.
2. An explosive firing circuit according to claim 1 characterised in that each detonator circuit includes at least one detonator.
3. An explosive firing circuit according to claims 1 or 2 characterised in that a conr cting loop is electrically connected to said control un, . and each detonator circuit is electrically attached to said connecting loop.
4. An explosive firing circuit according to claim 3 characterised in that each detonator circuit is electrically attached to said connecting loop via an electro-magnetic coupling device.
5. An explosive firing circuit according to claim 4 characterised in that the electro-magnet coupling device comprises a solid ferrite core.
6. An explosive firing circuit according to claim 4 characterised in that the electro-magnetic coupling device comprises a split ferrite core.
7. An explosive firing circuit according to any of the preceding claims characterised in that each detonator circuit includes an energy storage device adapted, when charged, to provide sufficient energy to energise the detonator or detonators in the detonator circuit.
8. An explosive firing circuit according to 4, 5 or 6, when dependent on claim 7, characterised in that the energy storage device of each detonator circuits is charged by electrical signals extended to each detonator circuit via the connecting loop and the respective electro-magnetic coupling devices.
9. An explosive firing circuit according to claims 7 or 8 characterised in that the energy storage device comprises a capacitor.
10. An explosive firing circuit according to any one of the preceding claims in which each detonator circuit includes a timing device.
11. An explosive firing circuit according to claim 10 characterised in that the timing device for each detonator circuit comprises an oscillator.
12. An explosive firing circuit according to any of the preceding claims comprising a control unit, a connecting loop electrically connected to said control unit, a plurality of detonator circuits electrically connected to said connecting loop via electro-magnetic coupling devices, an electrical energy storage device individual to each detonator circuit and chargeable by signals received from said connecting loop through the respective induction coupling device, and a timing device included in each detonator circuit and individual thereto.
13. An explosive firing circuit according to claim 12 wherein each electromagnetic coupling device comprises a split ferrite core and each energy storage device comprises a capacitor.
14. An explosive firing circuit according to claims 12 or 13 wherein the timing device in each detonator circuit comprises an oscillator, and each detonator circuit includes a memory device within which the number of pulses to be made by the oscillator, on receipt of a firing signal from the control unit, can be stored.
15. An explosive firing circuit according to any one of the preceding claims in which the control unit includes means for transmitting the identification code in respect of any one of the detonator circuit, means for transmitting a request for information to a code-addressed detonator circuit and means for receiving and storing the requested information for each specific detonator circuit.
16. An explosive firing circuit according to any of the preceding claims in which each detonator circuit includes storage means for storing the code identifying that circuit, means for receiving request information with the individual code for the detonator circuit, means for processing the request information, means for generating a response information and means for transmitting the response information with the identification code for the detonator circuit back to the control unit.
17. An explosive firing circuit according to claims 15 or 16 in which the request information transmitted by the control unit is the condition of the energy storage device of a specific code-addressed detonator circuit and the detonator circuit includes means for testing the condition of the energy storage device and means for transmitting to the control unit signals indicative of the condition of said energy storage device.
18. An explosive firing circuit according to claims 16 or 17, in which the request information transmitted by the control unit to a code addressed detonator circuit is in respect of the delay period for which the timer of the addressed detonator circuit is arranged to operate between receipt of a firing signal from the control unit and detonation of the detonator(s) associated with the code addressed detonator circuit and the code-addressed detonator circuit is arranged to transmit a response information, including the actual delay which will be imposed on the detonator circuit by the timer.
19. An explosive firing circuit according to claim 18 in which the response to the request information transmitted by each identified detonator circuit to the control unit is compared with a pre-set desired time delay set for the detonator circuit and the control unit transmits to each delay circuit a timer correction signal to correct the delay for that detonator circuit.
20. An explosive firing circuit according to any one of the preceding claims and wherein the control unit, having addressed a detonator circuit, may hold the detonator circuit until the detonator circuit has completed a transmission to the control unit.
21. An explosive firing circuit according to any one of the preceding claims and wherein the control unit is disconnectable from an addressed detonator circuit before the addressed detonatoi can complete c. transmission to the control unit, and the detonator circuit is arranged to transmit its identification code to the control unit in any subsequent transmission signal to the control unit.
22. An explosive firing circuit according to any one of the preceding claims and wherein an addressed detonator circuit signals back to the control unit via a switch in the detonator circuit.
23. An explosive firing circuit substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings.
PCT/GB1996/000094 1995-01-24 1996-01-19 Explosive firing circuit WO1996023195A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU43970/96A AU4397096A (en) 1995-01-24 1996-01-19 Explosive firing circuit

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9501306.6 1995-01-24
GBGB9501306.6A GB9501306D0 (en) 1995-01-24 1995-01-24 Improvements in or relating to explosive firing arrangements

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1996023195A1 true WO1996023195A1 (en) 1996-08-01

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Family Applications (1)

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PCT/GB1996/000094 WO1996023195A1 (en) 1995-01-24 1996-01-19 Explosive firing circuit

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AU (1) AU4397096A (en)
GB (1) GB9501306D0 (en)
WO (1) WO1996023195A1 (en)
ZA (1) ZA96549B (en)

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US6148263A (en) * 1998-10-27 2000-11-14 Schlumberger Technology Corporation Activation of well tools
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EP1405011A2 (en) * 2001-06-06 2004-04-07 Senex Explosives, Inc. System for the initiation of rounds of individually delayed detonators
EP1405011A4 (en) * 2001-06-06 2010-03-24 Senex Explosives Inc System for the initiation of rounds of individually delayed detonators
CN105444630A (en) * 2015-11-10 2016-03-30 攀钢集团矿业有限公司 Presplit hole explosion device and explosion device

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB9501306D0 (en) 1995-03-15
ZA96549B (en) 1996-08-14
AU4397096A (en) 1996-08-14

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