Orica Explosives Technology Pty Limited

Orica International Pte Ltd

Dirk Hummel

Michael John McCann

Charles Michael Lownds

Ulrich Steiner

Thomas Boos

Andreas Robert Zemla

Ronald F Stewart

Jan Petzold

Byron Wicks

Heinz Sch&auml;fer

Erich Nicol Meyer

Olaf Cramer

Michael John Mccann

Eric Nicol Meyer

Michael John Mccanns

A wireless initiation device comprises a power source, a processing module, a first housing and an initiation unit. The processing module processes wireless electromagnetic communications signals received by an electromagnetic receiver system associated with the processing module. The wireless electromagnetic communications signals includes a wireless electromagnetic communications signal representative of a FIRE command. The processing module is configured to generate an initiation signal upon receipt of the FIRE command. At least one of the power source and the processing module is disposed in the first housing, and the first housing has a first connector. The initiation unit has a second housing within which is disposed an initiation module that is configured to discharge initiation energy sufficient to initiate an explosive charge associated with the device. The initiation module is connected to, or connectable with, the processing module such that initiation module can receive an initiation signal from the processing module. The initiation unit also has a second connector that is configured to mate with the first connector, thereby connecting the first and second housings. The initiation module is configured to execute a sequence upon receipt of the initiation signal, the sequence resulting in discharge of initiation energy from the initiation unit.

Wireless initiation device

A plurality of detonator assemblies in signal communication with a blasting machine, each detonator assembly consisting of a detonator, a storage compartment for storing programmed delay time and/or oscillation count and a countdown oscillator. A transmitter for transmitting a blast rehearsal stop start and stop signal, said signals being separated by said programmed delay time individually selected for each detonator signal. The oscillator counting the total oscillation count corresponding to said delay time. When a detonator assembly receives a FIRE command, the individual countdown oscillators countdowns the total oscillation count associated with its detonator assembly.

Calibration of detonators

Fire, arm, and disarm signals are typically transmitted to electronic detonators via signal transmission lines. Traditionally, such signal transmission lines include wires wherein one end of each wire is soldered directly to printed circuit boards and/or other signal processing components retained within the shell of a detonator. Other 'modular' blasting apparatuses of the prior art provide means to connect signal transmission lines to detonators in the field. Signal transmission line/detonator contacts are susceptible to disruption, particularly when the signal transmission lines are subject to inadvertent tugging or tensile forces at the blast site. The present application discloses an electrical connector that enables secure connection between a signal transmission line and any detonator adapted to receive and optionally process electrical signals from the signal transmission line. Specifically, the electrical connector can be affixed to the signal input end of a detonator, and includes at least one bridge element to provide electrical contact between a signal transmission line, and internal electrical component(s) of the detonator.

Connector for electronic detonators

In the method for assigning a delay time to an electronic delay detonator. The detonator includes a data register () into which a desired delay time value, supplied by a controller, is written. Subsequently, over a predetermined time period (t) the contents of the data register () is repetitively added to a counter register () in which the contents is accumulated. After a division of the counter register contents through the calibration time, the contents of the counter register () is subsequently counted down using the same oscillator () which has controlled the accumulation process. The invention allows the delay time value supplied by the controller to be exactly adhered with, using an oscillator () of low accuracy and without feedback from the detonator () to the controller.

Method for assigning a delay time to electronic delay detonators

Wireless detonator assemblies (-) in use, form a cross-communicating network of wireless 'detonator assemblies, such that communication of each wireless detonator assembly (-) with an associated blasting machine () can occur either directly, or via relay of signals (-) between other wireless detonator assemblies (-) in the network. Wireless detonator assemblies (-) can disseminate information (such as status information, identity information, firing codes, delay times and environmental conditions) among all of the wireless detonator assemblies in the network, while compensating for signal transmission relay delays at nodes in the network, thereby enabling the wireless detonator assemblies to detonate the explosive charges in accordance with the delay times. Various wireless detonator assemblies and corresponding blasting apparatus are disclosed and claimed. Methods of blasting using the wireless detonator assemblies and blasting apparatus are also disclosed and claimed.

Wireless detonator assemblies, and corresponding networks

Blasting operations for mining frequently involve a large number of detonators for a single blasting event. An important step in the execution of a blast is to perform a roll-call to check that all detonator assemblies placed at the blast site are in communication with a blasting machine, and forming operative components of the blasting apparatus. Disclosed herein are blasting apparatuses and methods of blasting that streamline this roll-call step, thereby reducing time consumed in the blasting process.

Method of communication at a blast site, and corresponding blasting apparatus

An electronic blasting system () comprising a plurality of hardware components (to.n), wherein at least two of components of the plurality of hardware components () are adapted to communicate with each other over short range radio link ()

Data communication in electronic blasting systems

Wireless detonators, and corresponding wireless detonator systems present opportunities for blasting arrangements that avoid the need for physical wire connections between the blasting components. The present application discloses a wireless detonator assembly, a corresponding blasting apparatus, and a method of use thereof. The wireless detonator assembly comprises a charge storage device that is capable of storing charge for discharge into a firing circuit upon receipt of an appropriate wireless command signal to FIRE, from an associated blasting machine. In preferred embodiments, the charge storage device remains or becomes charged, at least for a specific time period, if the wireless detonator assembly receives a suitable 'keep alive' command signal from an associated blasting machine&#x2014;otherwise the charge storage device discharges with little or no effect upon the firing circuit, such that the wireless detonator assembly retain or adopts a safe mode.

Wireless detonator assembly, and methods of blasting

A voltage sensor () for monitoring electronic ignition circuits () which contains a plurality of igniters () connected to an ignition line () and an ignition device () connected to the ignition line () to program the electronic igniters (). The voltage sensor () can be connected separately to the ignition line and contains a voltage measuring device () for measuring the voltage (U) on the ignition line () at the voltage sensor (). The voltage sensor () also contains a communications device () for receiving a start signal from the ignition device () triggering the start of the voltage measurement and for transmitting to the ignition device () a measured value determined during the voltage measurement.

Sensor for monitoring electronic detonation circuits

Blasting apparatuses and methods control actuation of a plurality of detonators, and involve the use of one or more authorization keys each associated with a blasting machine. The authorization key(s) are transferable from the blasting machine(s) to a central command station, each authorization key storing a data package comprising a randomly generated access code generated by its corresponding blasting machine. Transfer of the one or more authorization keys to a central command station allows the data packages (and associated randomly generated access codes) to be transmitted by the central command station for receipt by the blasting machine(s).

Access control for electronic blasting machines

A triggering unit for initiating pyrotechnical elements includes a control component, a rectifier ( ), an energy store ( ), a voltage regulator ( ), a data coupling device ( ), a current limiter and a suppressor circuit ( ). To enable an up to now unknown variety of variants pertaining to characteristics and functionality without having to change the hard ware or the design of the chip, the control component is a programmable microprocessor ( ) with an integrated program memory.

Growing community of inventors

Hennef, Germany

Dirk Hummel