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WO2021033068A1 - Test ou programmation en toute sécurité de détonateurs dans un système de dynamitage électronique - Google Patents

Test ou programmation en toute sécurité de détonateurs dans un système de dynamitage électronique Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2021033068A1
WO2021033068A1 PCT/IB2020/057485 IB2020057485W WO2021033068A1 WO 2021033068 A1 WO2021033068 A1 WO 2021033068A1 IB 2020057485 W IB2020057485 W IB 2020057485W WO 2021033068 A1 WO2021033068 A1 WO 2021033068A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
detonator
firing
voltage
logic circuit
testing
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/IB2020/057485
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Andries Willem Posthumus
Anthony John Rorke
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Omnia Group Pty Ltd
Original Assignee
Omnia Group Pty Ltd
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 Omnia Group Pty Ltd filed Critical Omnia Group Pty Ltd
Priority to CA3151315A priority Critical patent/CA3151315A1/fr
Priority to AU2020332088A priority patent/AU2020332088A1/en
Publication of WO2021033068A1 publication Critical patent/WO2021033068A1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Priority to ZA2022/02745A priority patent/ZA202202745B/en
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F42—AMMUNITION; BLASTING
    • F42B—EXPLOSIVE CHARGES, e.g. FOR BLASTING, FIREWORKS, AMMUNITION
    • F42B3/00—Blasting cartridges, i.e. case and explosive
    • F42B3/10—Initiators therefor
    • F42B3/12—Bridge initiators
    • F42B3/121—Initiators with incorporated integrated circuit
    • F42B3/122—Programmable electronic delay initiators
    • 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

Definitions

  • the invention relates to an electronic blasting system and to a method of safely applying a firing voltage to a detonator, for testing purposes, in an electronic blasting system.
  • the invention also relates to a detonator for use in such a system and/or method.
  • Detonators are employed in the blasting of rock for the extraction of minerals or other valuable components, the quarrying of rock and in civil engineering projects that require rock blasting. Blasting is generally done by drilling a pattern of boreholes, priming each borehole with a detonator and a booster and filling the hole, in accordance with the design, with commercial explosives. Types of detonators used include those attached to a pyrotechnic fuse (fuse head), electric detonators, shock-tube initiated detonators and, in the last 20 years or so, electronic detonators.
  • Wired electronic blasting depends on electrical leads from a blaster unit (usually near the blast) to every hole that has been supplied with an electronic detonator.
  • the surface wiring system may comprise a lead-in line which connects to lines running along each row of holes.
  • Connectors usually insulation displacement connectors (IDCs), are used to connect the lead-in line or trunk line electrically to the row lines. Similar connectors may be used to connect the detonator leg wires to the row lines.
  • Each detonator typically comprises a metal tube containing a sealing plug, a crimp, an electronic module, a fuse head connected to the electronic module and an explosive charge.
  • the electronic module of modern detonators typically comprises a microprocessor, a power supply to supply regulated power to the microprocessor, a firing capacitor and a bleed resistor which acts as a shunt and drains the firing capacitor to safe voltage levels after a period of time.
  • a detonator is/are placed in each hole.
  • the detonators are then logged, during which the operator applies a hand-held device, commonly referred to as a “logger” to the detonator to generate an association between the detonator’s unique electronic identity and the borehole into which it is deployed.
  • Logging commonly also includes programming the detonator by writing a firing time for the hole in question into the detonator’s memory, testing the detonator for its readiness to fire, and recording all relevant details of the detonator in the memory of the logger.
  • the detonator in these systems may include two capacitors: a logic capacitor, which powers up sufficiently to allow the detonator to communicate with the logger, but which is too small to fire the detonator, and a firing capacitor, which carries enough energy to fire the detonator.
  • a logic capacitor which powers up sufficiently to allow the detonator to communicate with the logger, but which is too small to fire the detonator
  • a firing capacitor which carries enough energy to fire the detonator.
  • the logic capacitor is charged, and not the firing capacitor.
  • Embodiments of the present invention aim to address or alleviate the issues identified above, at least to some extent.
  • a detonator for use in an electronic blasting system, the detonator comprising an electronic module including: a logic circuit which includes a processor and a logic capacitor, the logic circuit being responsive to logging and testing at a range of voltages ranging from a lower, non-firing voltage to a higher, firing voltage, wherein the logic circuit is configured to respond in a limited operational mode when a supply voltage is in a lower range and in a fully operational mode when the supply voltage is in a higher range; and a firing circuit which includes a firing capacitor configured to fire a fuse head of the detonator, wherein the supply of energy to the firing circuit is controlled by the logic circuit such that the firing capacitor cannot be charged during logging or testing of the detonator despite the voltage applied to the detonator being above the non-firing voltage or substantially equal to the firing voltage.
  • the firing circuit is separated from the logic circuit by a firing capacitor charging switch controllable by the logic circuit such that the firing capacitor cannot be charged during logging or testing of the detonator despite the voltage applied to the detonator being above the non-firing voltage or substantially equal to the firing voltage.
  • the logic circuit only allows the firing capacitor to be charged in response to receiving an arm command from an external unit.
  • the external unit may be a blaster unit, a control unit and/or a portable logging device.
  • the firing capacitor charging switch may be closed by the logic circuit in response to receiving the arm command.
  • the logic circuit and the firing circuit may thus be separate circuits.
  • the lower voltage may be below about 10 V, preferably around 9V, and the higher voltage may be above about 18 V, preferably around 24V.
  • the lower voltage may be referred to as an inherently safe voltage as it is lower than what is required to charge the firing capacitor for the purposes of firing the fuse head of the detonator.
  • the logic circuit may be housed within an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) which is capable of safely receiving a wide range of voltage and which controls the power supply to the logic circuit.
  • ASIC application specific integrated circuit
  • the detonator may include a low-voltage power supply configured to supply power to the ASIC at a level which is insufficient to fire the fuse head.
  • the logic circuit may be configured to respond to a supply voltage range of from about 5 V to about 26 V without requiring input from an external device connected to the detonator to select specific, narrower voltage ranges.
  • the logic circuit may either respond in the fully operational mode, or in the limited operational mode, based on digital logic designed into the ASIC.
  • the logic circuit may be configured to respond in the limited operational mode when the supply voltage is in the range of about 5 V to about 10 V (the lower range), in which mode it ignores any commands received from an external device connected to the detonator to calibrate, charge and/or fire the detonator.
  • the ASIC is thus able to select functionality based on the voltage or voltage range applied to it.
  • the logic circuit may be configured to respond in the fully operational mode to a supply voltage ranging from about 18 V to about 26 V (the higher range). In the fully operational mode, the logic circuit may respond to commands from an external device connected to the detonator to calibrate, charge and/or fire the detonator.
  • an electronic blasting system comprising: at least one blaster unit; a plurality of detonators substantially as described above, connected or connectable to the at least one blaster unit via a wire network and positioned or positionable according to a blast design; a control unit configured to communicate with the at least one blaster unit for controlling the calibration, charging, arming and/or firing processes of the detonators; and a portable logging device configured to log and test each detonator at the lower, non firing voltage and only to permit testing to be conducted at the higher, firing voltage once safe functioning of the logic circuit has been established.
  • the portable logging device is also referred to as a “logger” in this specification.
  • the detonators may form a multiple detonator circuit, in use.
  • a method of safely applying a firing voltage to a detonator for testing purposes in an electronic blasting system comprising, prior to testing the detonator at a firing voltage, testing the detonator at a lower, non-firing voltage to establish safe functioning of a logic circuit or processor of the detonator, wherein the testing is conducted prior to operations being halted for blasting.
  • the detonator may be the detonator as defined above and may form part of an electronic blasting system as defined above.
  • the testing may be carried out to test for leakage in wires connecting the detonator to a blaster unit, which leakage may be apparent at the higher, firing voltage, but not at an inherently safe, lower, non-firing voltage.
  • Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an electronic blasting system according to the invention
  • Figure 2 is a schematic drawing of a detonator of the electronic blasting system
  • Figure 3 is a schematic drawing of a logger connected a detonator of the electronic blasting system
  • Figure 4 is a schematic drawing of a logger connected to a number of detonators of the electronic blasting system
  • Figure 5 is a block diagram illustrating parts of an embodiment of a detonator according to the invention, including an ASIC thereof;
  • Figure 6 is a flow diagram depicting exemplary steps in a method/process for testing at firing voltage.
  • the system (10) comprises multiple detonators (12) connected via connectors (14) to a surface harness wire network (16) and to a blasting machine, also known as a blaster unit (18) or (19).
  • Multiple blaster units (18, 19) are connected wirelessly, via suitably configured modems and antennas (21 ), to a control unit (20) that controls the detonators (12) through their powering, programming, calibration, arming and firing processes.
  • blaster units (18, 19) may be connected to each other via a two-wire cable (22) as shown in Figure 1 , e.g. for signal integrity and synchronization between units.
  • a pattern of boreholes is drilled according to a blast design, where the parameters of each hole, including its position and firing time, are pre-assigned.
  • Each borehole is then primed with one or more detonators (12).
  • the detonator (12) may be inserted into a booster (not shown) to create a primer that initiates the explosive charge, alternatively the detonator (12) may directly initiate certain explosives itself.
  • the detonator (12) is then lowered into the borehole and the hole is filled with a predetermined quantity of explosives.
  • Each detonator (12) in the network is connected to the surface harness wire (16) via a two- core cable (24) and a connector (14).
  • each detonator (12) comprises a sealing plug (26), a crimp (28), an electronic module (30), a fuse head (32) and an explosives charge (34) which are contained inside a metal shell (36).
  • each electronic module (30) comprises electrostatic discharge and over-voltage barriers (38), a low-voltage power supply (40) to supply regulated power to an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) (42) (containing non-volatile memory and a firing switch).
  • ASIC application specific integrated circuit
  • the electronic module (30) further includes a bleed resistor (44) and a firing capacitor (46), which is separated from the low-voltage power supply (40) and the ASIC (42) by a firing capacitor charging switch (70) (shown in Figure 5) located inside the ASIC (42).
  • the bleed resistor (44) acts as a shunt to drain the firing capacitor to safe voltage levels after a period of time.
  • the ASIC (42) has non-volatile memory that allows data to be written to and read from it during manufacturing, during programming, during testing and during the initiation of the detonator.
  • detonators are programmed by writing a firing time and relative position into the detonator’s non-volatile memory by means of a portable logger (60) connected to the detonator, either via the connector (14) which connects to the logger’s connector port (62) or directly from the cable (24) to the cable ports (64) (not depicted).
  • the logger (60) registers each detonator’s unique identity/identifier (ID), and other details already stored in the detonator’s ASIC (42), and programs a firing time into the detonator (12), based on the detonator’s position in the blast design.
  • detonator has been positively tested at low (non-firing) voltage
  • detonator position may also be recorded on the detonator’s (12) non-volatile memory.
  • the logger (60) also tests each detonator for current consumption, and confirmation that it has been successfully programmed, and may request further information from the detonator, including environmental measurements.
  • the harness wire (16) that connects all the detonators, is connected to the logger (60) at the cable ports (64) to verify that all logged detonators are present and functioning. This test may also involve searching for detonators that have accidentally not been logged.
  • the voltage received by the firing capacitor (46) of the detonator (12) is regulated and controlled by an ASIC-managed firing capacitor charging switch (70) which allows or prevents charging of the firing capacitor (46). None of the energy supplied to the logic circuit, which comprises a logic capacitor (72) and a processor in the form of a digital core (76), reaches the firing capacitor (46), unless the switch (70) is closed.
  • the digital core (76) is configured to control the functionality of the switch (70), and is thus able to prevent charging of the firing capacitor (46) to allow for safe high voltage testing.
  • the line to the firing capacitor (46) is only activated when the “arm” command is issued from a blasting unit (18/19), and the switch (70) is closed, otherwise no energy is provided to the firing capacitor (46) and the detonator (12) is inert.
  • the driver of the charging switch (70) is grounded during power-up, testing, programming and calibration phases.
  • the switch (70) is then powered at the last moment before the charging phase, for security reasons, ensuring the gate of the charge switch (70) is well grounded.
  • the charge/storage management can only be activated when a correct command(s) sequence is received from the system (10).
  • the logic circuit will respond to a supply voltage range of from 5 V to 26 V without requiring input from an external device connected to the detonator to select specific narrower voltage ranges (the external device being a blaster unit, control unit or logger).
  • the logic circuit will either respond in a fully operational mode, or in a limited operational mode based on the digital logic designed into the ASIC (42).
  • the ASIC (42) thus has built-in logic allowing it to carry out mode selection based on the voltage applied to the detonator (12).
  • the logic circuit may respond in a limited operational mode when the supply voltage is in the range of 5 V to 10 V, in which mode it will ignore any commands received from an external device connected to the detonator (12) to calibrate, charge and/or fire the detonator (12). In such cases, the logic circuit may then respond in a fully operational mode to a supply voltage ranging from 18 V to 26 V. In fully operational mode, the logic circuit responds to commands from an external device to calibrate, charge and/or fire the detonator (12).
  • Embodiments of the invention provide a method of safely applying a firing voltage to a detonator (12) for the purposes of testing for leakage in the wires (16) connecting the detonator to a blaster unit (18/19), which leakage may be apparent at firing voltage, but not at an inherently safe low non-firing voltage.
  • this method comprises the steps of testing the detonator (12) at an inherently safe non-firing voltage to establish its safe functionality/functioning, before testing at firing voltage (such testing being conducted before operations are halted for blasting).
  • the logger (60) is configured to log and test each detonator (12) at the inherently safe non-firing voltage. Only once the detonator (12) has been successfully tested as having a functioning microprocessor (ASIC (42)) circuit, will the logger (12) allow a firing voltage test to be undertaken.
  • Each logger (60) has voltage and current limiting components and will only communicate with the logic circuit (logic capacitor (72) and digital core (76)) of the detonator (12) at a low, safe non-firing voltage and current that will not allow the fuse head (32) to fire, even if the logger (60) accidentally connects directly to the fuse head (32) (see stage (80)). In this example, this test voltage for communication purposes is less than 10 V, e.g. 9 V.
  • the logger (60) Once the logger (60) has connected to the detonator (12) at the safe voltage, it proceeds to read a previous test and/or logging result from the detonator’s memory (stage (82)). If the detonator (12) was previously tested as being functional at low safe non-firing voltage, the logger (60) will bypass the voltage limiting functionality and test the detonator circuit at the higher firing voltage, e.g., of more than 9 Volts (stage (84)). In this condition, leakage on the lines (16) and (24) at high firing voltage may be detected by failure in communication.
  • the logger (60) If the logger (60) does not read any previous test result from the detonator (12) it indicates that there was no previous test (or some failure occurred). Then, the logger (60) proceeds to test and program the detonator (12) at the low voltage (stage (90)) and then records either a negative test result at stage (92) or a positive test result at stage (94) in the detonator memory. Again, if there is a negative test result in the detonator memory, only low voltage testing will be allowed in future (stage (96)). On the other hand, at stage (98), if a positive test result is recorded, the ASIC (42) is in the fully operational/functional condition described above and future testing at high voltage is allowed.
  • the invention therefore provides a novel apparatus and method for safely testing and/or programming detonators whilst addressing the impact of higher leakage problems at firing voltages.
  • the configuration of the detonator not only provides a split in the design of electronic components, e.g. logic capacitor and firing capacitor, but also provides an intelligent ASIC capable of carrying out a selection process internally to the ASIC which selects the operational mode according to the voltage level the detonator is supplied with at the time of testing or programming.
  • Embodiments of the invention may reduce or obviate the need to delay a blast because leakage has only been discovered at firing time. This may lead to cost savings and/or greater efficiency in mining or other blasting operations.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Computer Hardware Design (AREA)
  • Microelectronics & Electronic Packaging (AREA)
  • Tests Of Electronic Circuits (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un détonateur destiné à être utilisé dans un système de dynamitage électronique comprenant un module électronique doté d'un circuit logique et d'un circuit de mise à feu distinct. Le circuit logique comprend un processeur et un condensateur logique et est sensible à la journalisation et au test dans une plage de tensions allant d'une tension de non-mise à feu plus basse à une tension de mise à feu plus élevée. Le circuit logique est conçu pour sélectionner un mode de fonctionnement sur la base de la tension appliquée au détonateur. Le circuit de mise à feu comprend un condensateur de mise à feu conçu pour mettre à feu une tête fusible du détonateur. L'alimentation en énergie du circuit de mise à feu est commandée par le circuit logique. Lors de l'utilisation, avant de tester le détonateur à la tension de mise à feu, le détonateur est d'abord testé là a tension de non-mise à feu pour établir un fonctionnement sûr du circuit logique.
PCT/IB2020/057485 2019-08-16 2020-08-07 Test ou programmation en toute sécurité de détonateurs dans un système de dynamitage électronique Ceased WO2021033068A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA3151315A CA3151315A1 (fr) 2019-08-16 2020-08-07 Test ou programmation en toute securite de detonateurs dans un systeme de dynamitage electronique
AU2020332088A AU2020332088A1 (en) 2019-08-16 2020-08-07 Safely testing or programming detonators in an electronic blasting system
ZA2022/02745A ZA202202745B (en) 2019-08-16 2022-03-07 Safely testing or programming detonators in an electronic blasting system

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ZA2019/05420 2019-08-16
ZA201905420 2019-08-16

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2021033068A1 true WO2021033068A1 (fr) 2021-02-25

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PCT/IB2020/057485 Ceased WO2021033068A1 (fr) 2019-08-16 2020-08-07 Test ou programmation en toute sécurité de détonateurs dans un système de dynamitage électronique

Country Status (4)

Country Link
AU (1) AU2020332088A1 (fr)
CA (1) CA3151315A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2021033068A1 (fr)
ZA (1) ZA202202745B (fr)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN114812306A (zh) * 2022-04-28 2022-07-29 上海芯飏科技有限公司 电子雷管系统及其使用方法
CN116182653A (zh) * 2023-02-28 2023-05-30 无锡盛景微电子股份有限公司 一种电子雷管的发火元件与引火药剂的匹配性的测试方法

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1996003614A1 (fr) * 1994-07-28 1996-02-08 Asahi Kasei Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Allumeur electronique a retard et detonateur electrique
US6789483B1 (en) * 2003-07-15 2004-09-14 Special Devices, Inc. Detonator utilizing selection of logger mode or blaster mode based on sensed voltages

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1996003614A1 (fr) * 1994-07-28 1996-02-08 Asahi Kasei Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Allumeur electronique a retard et detonateur electrique
US6789483B1 (en) * 2003-07-15 2004-09-14 Special Devices, Inc. Detonator utilizing selection of logger mode or blaster mode based on sensed voltages

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN114812306A (zh) * 2022-04-28 2022-07-29 上海芯飏科技有限公司 电子雷管系统及其使用方法
CN116182653A (zh) * 2023-02-28 2023-05-30 无锡盛景微电子股份有限公司 一种电子雷管的发火元件与引火药剂的匹配性的测试方法

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CA3151315A1 (fr) 2021-02-25
ZA202202745B (en) 2023-10-25
AU2020332088A1 (en) 2022-03-10

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