Single-capacitor electronic detonator and system for firing such single-capacitor electronic detonators
Patent Information
- Application Number
- EP2023713722
- Authority / Receiving Office
- EP · EP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2022-03-11
- Filing Date
- 2023-03-09
- Publication Date
- 2025-01-15
AI Technical Summary
Single-capacitor electronic detonators pose safety risks due to accidental ignition potential when connected to external energy sources, as the energy storage capacitor charges upon connection, and reliance on specific equipment ensures safety, which may be compromised if used with unauthorized equipment.
Incorporating voltage clipping and regulation means within the detonator, controlled by the electronic control unit, to limit the voltage across the energy storage capacitor to a non-ignition level, ensuring safety regardless of the connected equipment, and a system for remotely controlling these protection mechanisms to manage voltage levels.
The solution effectively prevents accidental ignition by maintaining the voltage below the non-ignition threshold, enhancing safety and independence from external equipment, thereby improving operational safety and reliability of single-capacitor electronic detonators.
Smart Images
Figure 1.1
Abstract
Description
[0001] DESCRIPTION
[0002] TITLE: Single-capacitor electronic detonator and system for firing such single-capacitor electronic detonators.
[0003] The present invention relates to a single-capacitor electronic detonator and a system for firing such single-capacitor electronic detonators.
[0004] The present invention applies generally to the field of mines and quarries and to public works sites using programmable electronic detonators which are fired remotely according to a predetermined firing plan.
[0005] Electronic detonators are used to initiate an explosive. An electronic detonator thus comprises a means for initiating the explosive, formed for example by a primer head, connected to electronic control means. The electronic detonator also comprises means for connection to an external energy source to supply energy to the electronic detonator.
[0006] The electronic control means primarily incorporate a firing delay function. Thus, a time countdown is implemented upon receipt by the electronic detonator of a firing order, the firing of the explosive initiation means being triggered at the end of the time countdown. The electronic control means must be able to operate autonomously, without supplying energy to the electronic detonator, once the firing order has been received.
[0007] For this purpose, an electronic detonator incorporates one or two energy storage capacitors.
[0008] In the embodiments in which the electronic detonator comprises two energy storage capacitors, a first energy storage capacitor is adapted to store the energy necessary to power the electronic control means, in particular for implementing the countdown of a delay, and a second capacitor is adapted to store the energy necessary to ignite the means of initiating the explosive.
[0009] In the embodiments in which the electronic detonator comprises a single energy storage capacitor, the latter is adapted, firstly, to supply energy to the electronic control means and, secondly, to supply the means for initiating the explosive when the electronic detonator is fired.
[0010] The lower cost of a single-capacitor electronic detonator (hereinafter single-capacitor electronic detonator) is an obvious advantage.
[0011] However, electronic detonators with two energy storage capacitors are safer for operators to operate than single-capacitor electronic detonators.
[0012] In fact, in principle, a two-capacitor electronic detonator allows the charging of the first energy storage capacitor dedicated to powering the electronic control means when the electronic detonator is connected to an external energy source, for example by conductive wires.
[0013] The second energy storage capacitor dedicated to the ignition of the explosive initiation means is only charged with energy upon receipt of a charge order, received before the sending and receipt of a ignition order.
[0014] This operation of the electronic detonator with two capacitors is therefore secure, preventing accidental ignition of the explosive initiation means before a shot is launched.
[0015] In a single-capacitor electronic detonator, the single energy storage capacitor charges as soon as the electronic detonator is connected by connection means to an external energy source.
[0016] The energy or part of the energy required to power the explosive initiation means when firing the single-capacitor electronic detonator is therefore charged into the single-capacitor electronic detonator as soon as it is connected to an external energy source. If, by accident, a firing switch located between the explosive initiation means and the energy storage capacitor closes, an accidental firing may occur.
[0017] In order to guarantee a reliable level of safety for operators when handling single-capacitor electronic detonators, the latter are implemented by equipment (programming console, firing console) which are adapted to limit the electrical voltage which can be delivered on the connection lines of the single-capacitor electronic detonators.
[0018] Thus, the external energy source always has an electrical voltage lower than a non-ignition voltage value of the explosive initiation means integrated in each single-capacitor electronic detonator.
[0019] The non-ignition voltage corresponds to a voltage value below which there can absolutely be no ignition of the explosive initiation means.
[0020] By selecting a non-ignition voltage value for the explosive initiation means, it is ensured that the electrical voltage of the external energy source is always sufficiently lower than the ignition voltage, known as the full-fire voltage.
[0021] The voltage of any fire corresponds to the voltage above which there is systematically an ignition of the means of initiating the explosive.
[0022] Such a single-capacitor electronic detonator presents a very good level of safety when implemented with dedicated equipment.
[0023] However, this level of safety may be degraded and lower than that provided by a two-capacitor electronic detonator if the single-capacitor electronic detonator is connected to an electrical voltage source and equipment other than that supplied and recommended by the firing system.
[0024] The present invention aims to solve at least one of the aforementioned drawbacks and to propose a single-capacitor electronic detonator with an improved level of safety. To this end, the present invention relates, according to a first aspect, to a single-capacitor electronic detonator, comprising an explosive initiation means, electronic control means, a single energy storage capacitor adapted to supply energy to said electronic control means and said explosive initiation means upon firing of said single-capacitor electronic detonator, and means for connection to a power source for supplying energy to said single energy storage capacitor.
[0025] According to the invention, the single-capacitor electronic detonator further comprises means for clipping the voltage applied to the terminals of said single energy storage capacitor, said clipping means having a clipping threshold value lower than a non-firing voltage value of said explosive initiation means, said clipping means being controlled by said electronic control means between an activated position, in which said clipping means limit said voltage to a value lower than said clipping threshold value, and a deactivated position, in which said clipping means are inactive.
[0026] Thus, the voltage across the terminals of the single energy storage capacitor can be limited by default to the level of the electronic detonator itself: whatever the voltage applied to the connection means of the electronic detonator, the voltage across the terminals of the energy storage capacitor remains lower than the non-firing voltage value of the explosive initiation means of the electronic detonator.
[0027] The non-accidental ignition of the electronic detonator is provided by the very design of the single-capacitor electronic detonator, and is not dependent on the equipment to which it is connected during its use.
[0028] The present invention also relates, according to a second aspect, to a single-capacitor electronic detonator, comprising an explosive initiation means, electronic control means, a single energy storage capacitor adapted to supply energy to said electronic control means and said explosive initiation means upon firing of said single-capacitor electronic detonator, and means for connection to an energy source for supplying energy to said single energy storage capacitor.
[0029] According to the invention, the single-capacitor electronic detonator further comprises voltage regulating means connected to said means for connecting to a power source, said voltage regulating means being controlled by said electronic control means between at least one high voltage position, in which the output voltage of the voltage regulating means is greater than a non-firing voltage value of said explosive initiation means, and a low voltage position, in which the output voltage of the voltage regulating means is lower than said non-firing voltage value of said explosive initiation means.
[0030] Thus, the voltage across the terminals of the single energy storage capacitor can be limited by default to the level of the electronic detonator itself: whatever the voltage applied to the connection means of the electronic detonator, the voltage across the terminals of the energy storage capacitor remains lower than the non-firing voltage value of the explosive initiation means of the electronic detonator.
[0031] The non-accidental ignition of the electronic detonator is provided by the very design of the single-capacitor electronic detonator, and is not dependent on the equipment to which it is connected during its use.
[0032] According to one embodiment of the invention, the single-capacitor electronic detonator comprises voltage regulation means as described above connected between the means for connection to a power source and clipping means as described above.
[0033] The combination of the voltage regulation means and the clipping means further enhances the safety of the single-capacitor electronic detonator, by design. According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, said clipping means are connected between the means for connection to a power source and said voltage regulation means.
[0034] In a practical embodiment, said electronic control means are configured to control both said clipping means in said activated position and said voltage regulating means in said low voltage position.
[0035] Both means of protection, clipping means and voltage regulation means, are thus active at the same time.
[0036] Advantageously, when the electronic control means are powered up, said electronic control means are configured to control said clipping means in said activated position and / or said voltage regulation means in said low voltage position.
[0037] Regardless of the voltage applied to the bus line or power line to which the single-capacitor electronic detonator is connected, the voltage across the energy storage capacitor is lower than the non-firing voltage value of said explosive initiation means.
[0038] In practice, and in order to further improve the operational safety of the single-capacitor electronic detonator, when said electronic control means detect a power supply interruption to said single-capacitor electronic detonator for a predefined period, said electronic control means are configured to control said clipping means in said activated position and / or said voltage regulation means in said low voltage position.
[0039] According to one embodiment, when said electronic control means receive a dedicated command before firing said single-capacitor electronic detonator, said electronic control means are configured to control said clipping means in said deactivated position and / or said voltage regulating means in said high voltage position. Upon receipt of a dedicated command before firing, the energy storage capacitor may be charged by an energy source to a voltage sufficient to then allow firing of the explosive initiation means.
[0040] In practice, the dedicated command can be a charge command of the energy storage capacitor.
[0041] Alternatively, the dedicated command may be a command to deactivate the protection means, i.e. the clipping means and the voltage regulation means, a command to charge the energy storage capacitor being received subsequently by the single-capacitor electronic detonator.
[0042] The electronic control means can deactivate both protection means, i.e. the clipping means and the voltage regulation means, upon receipt by the single-capacitor electronic detonator of a single dedicated command before firing or of a firing command.
[0043] Alternatively, the electronic control means may deactivate only one of the two protection means, i.e. the clipping means or the voltage regulation means, upon receipt by the single-capacitor electronic detonator of a dedicated command before firing.
[0044] The dedicated command may be a command to charge the energy storage capacitor or a specific command to deactivate one of the two means of protection.
[0045] In practice, the electronic control means may deactivate a first protection means, for example the clipping means, upon receipt of a first deactivation command, then a second protection means, for example the voltage regulation means, upon receipt of a second deactivation command. Of course, the order of deactivation of the two protection means may be reversed.
[0046] The deactivation of the two protection means then requires the successive reception by the single-capacitor electric detonator of two dedicated commands before firing. The invention also relates, according to a third aspect, to a system for firing one or more single-capacitor electronic detonators in accordance with the invention.
[0047] The firing system comprises a firing console adapted to transmit, to said electronic means for controlling one or more single-capacitor electronic detonators, a command to switch said clipping means from said activated position to said deactivated position and / or a command to switch said voltage regulation means from said low voltage position to said high voltage position.
[0048] Advantageously, said firing console is adapted to separately emit said command to switch said clipping means from said activated position to said deactivated position and said command to switch said voltage regulation means from said low voltage position to said high voltage position.
[0049] This separate control of the clipping means and the voltage regulation means makes it possible to increase the level of safety in the event of failure of one or other of the two switching controls.
[0050] Advantageously, said electronic control means are adapted, upon receipt of a first command to switch said clipping means from said activated position to said deactivated position, respectively said voltage regulation means from said low voltage position to said high voltage position, to cancel said first switching command in the absence of receipt within a predetermined time of a second command to switch said voltage regulation means from said low voltage position to said high voltage position, respectively said clipping means from said activated position to said deactivated position.
[0051] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear in the description below.
[0052] In the attached drawings, given as non-limiting examples: - figure 1 represents a schematic diagram of a single-capacitor electronic detonator according to one embodiment of the invention; and
[0053] - Figure 2 represents a schematic diagram of a firing system according to one embodiment of the invention.
[0054] We will first describe with reference to Figure 1 a single-capacitor electronic detonator according to one embodiment of the invention.
[0055] Classically, an electronic detonator used in mines, quarries and public works to initiate explosives.
[0056] Typically, such an electronic detonator can be used in a firing plan with many other electronic detonators. In its general principle, an electronic detonator comprises an explosive initiation means, hereinafter referred to in a non-limiting manner as a primer head, connected to an electronic control circuit. The electronic control circuit of each electronic detonator incorporates a firing delay function, making it possible to trigger the firing of each electronic detonator after a pre-programmed delay countdown. This operation of electronic detonators is known and does not need to be described in detail in this description.
[0057] As schematically illustrated in Figure 1, a single-capacitor electronic detonator 10 comprises a primer head 11 connected to an electronic control circuit supplied with electric current.
[0058] The single-capacitor electronic detonator 10 comprises connection means 13 to a power source 12 for supplying power to the electronic control circuit. The connection means 13 comprise, for example, conductive wires and a connection box (not shown) for connecting the single-capacitor electronic detonator 10 to the power source 12, via an electrical power supply line for example.
[0059] The energy source 12 can be formed from an electric battery for example.
[0060] The single-capacitor electronic detonator 10 comprises at the input of the electronic control circuit means for filtering and rectifying the current 14. These means for filtering and rectifying the current 14 are conventional and allow a direct current supply to the electronic control circuit of the single-capacitor electronic detonator 10.
[0061] Thus, the electronic control circuit can be supplied with direct current by the conductive wires of the connection means 13 to an energy source 12, formed by an external alternating current supply.
[0062] However, the electronic control circuit must be able to operate autonomously, without the supply of electrical energy by the connection means 13 to the energy source 12, in particular when a firing order is received by the single-capacitor electronic detonator 10.
[0063] For this purpose, energy storage means are provided in the single-capacitor electronic detonator 10.
[0064] As illustrated in Figure 1, a single energy storage capacitor 15 is provided in the single-capacitor electronic detonator 10. This energy storage capacitor 15 is adapted to supply energy to the electronic control circuit, and in particular to the electronic control means 16, and to the primer head 11 when the single-capacitor electronic detonator 10 is fired.
[0065] Thus, the energy storage capacitor 15 makes it possible to supply autonomously, initially, the electronic control means 16 during the countdown of the delay associated with the single-capacitor electronic detonator 10, and secondly, the primer head 11 for firing.
[0066] As soon as the single-capacitor electronic detonator 10 is electrically connected to the energy source 12, the energy storage capacitor 15 charges.
[0067] Thus, the energy, or at least part of the energy depending on the amplitude of the voltage applied to the conductive wires of the connection means 13, necessary for firing the primer head 11 is charged and stored in the energy storage capacitor 15 of the single-capacitor electronic detonator 10. The single-capacitor electronic detonator 10 further comprises a firing switch 17 mounted between the energy storage capacitor 15 and the primer head 11. Conventionally, when a firing order sent by a firing console is received by the single-capacitor electronic detonator 10, the electronic control means 16 controls the closing of the firing switch 17 and thus the firing of the primer head 11 powered by the energy storage capacitor 15.
[0068] However, in order to guarantee safety of use, the single-capacitor electronic detonator 10 comprises protection means in order to prevent the energy storage capacitor 15 from being charged with sufficient electrical energy to ignite the primer head 11 until a specific firing command has been addressed and received by the single-capacitor electronic detonator 10.
[0069] In the embodiment of figure 1, the protection means comprise on the one hand clipping means 18 of the voltage at the terminals of the energy storage capacitor 15 and on the other hand, voltage regulation means 19 connected to the connection means 13 to the energy source 12.
[0070] The clipping means 18 have a clipping threshold value Us lower than a non-firing voltage value Ua of the primer head 11.
[0071] The clipping means 18 are controlled by the electronic control means 16 between an activated position, in which the clipping means 18 limit the voltage to a value lower than the clipping threshold value Us, and a deactivated position, in which the clipping means 18 are inactive.
[0072] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the clipping means 18 are mounted in parallel with the energy storage capacitor 15. When the clipping means 18 are activated, the charging voltage of the energy storage capacitor 15 remains lower than the clipping threshold value Us, and therefore lower than the non-firing voltage Ua of the primer head 11.
[0073] In the event of accidental closing of the firing switch 17, the charging voltage of the energy storage capacitor 15 is not sufficient to cause the firing of the primer head 11. The clipping means 18 may be formed in a manner known to those skilled in the art from one or more diodes, and for example from a Zener diode.
[0074] The voltage regulating means 19 are controlled by the electronic control means 16 between a high voltage position, in which the output voltage of the voltage regulating means 19 is greater than the non-firing voltage value Ua of the primer head 11, and a low voltage position, in which the output voltage of the voltage regulating means 19 is lower than the non-firing voltage value Ua of the primer head 11.
[0075] In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1, the voltage regulation means 19 are connected in series with the energy storage capacitor 15. When the voltage regulation means 19 are in the low voltage position, the charging voltage of the energy storage capacitor 15 remains lower than the value of the non-firing voltage Ua of the primer head 11.
[0076] In the event of accidental closure of the firing switch 17, the charging voltage of the energy storage capacitor 15 is not sufficient to cause the firing of the primer head 11.
[0077] The voltage regulating means 19 may be formed in a manner known to those skilled in the art from a circuit of one or more diodes and transistors.
[0078] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the voltage regulation means 19 are connected between the connection means 13 to the energy source 12 and the clipping means 18.
[0079] A resistor 18a is advantageously connected in series between the voltage regulation means 19 and the clipping means 18 in order to limit the current in the circuit of the clipping means 18 when the voltage regulation means 19 are in the high voltage position.
[0080] The voltage regulating means 19 are adapted in the high voltage position, either to deliver the current at a voltage equal to the supply voltage of the single-capacitor electronic detonator 10, or to a regulated voltage, of a value greater than the voltage value of any fire of the primer head 11 of the single-capacitor electronic detonator 10.
[0081] The single-capacitor electronic detonator 10 thus has double protection, aimed at preventing any accidental charging of the energy storage capacitor 15 to a voltage sufficient to ignite the primer head.
[0082] The non-ignition voltage Ua corresponds to the voltage below which there cannot, with certainty, be an ignition of the means of initiating the explosive.
[0083] The voltage of any fire corresponds, on the contrary, to a voltage value above which there is systematically an ignition of the means of initiating the explosive.
[0084] Between these two voltage values, ignition is likely.
[0085] Determining the non-firing voltage and the full-fire voltage depends on the filament technology used, the pyrotechnic compositions, the substrates, and the interfaces between the various elements making up the primer head. The values of these voltages can be determined by statistical test methods during the development and prototyping of single-capacitor electronic detonators, such as the PROBIT statistical method or the BRUCETON test method.
[0086] As a non-limiting example, the value of the non-firing voltage Ua is between 6 and 10 Volts, and for example equal to 8 Volts.
[0087] The voltage value of any fire of the primer head 11 is, by way of non-limiting example, between 15 and 17 Volts.
[0088] In order to ensure this double protection, the electronic control means 16 are configured to control both the clipping means 18 in the activated position and the voltage regulation means 19 in the low voltage position.
[0089] As will be described in more detail below, the control of the clipping means 18 in the activated position and the control of the voltage regulation means 19 in the low voltage position are preferably simultaneous. They can also be addressed one after the other to the single-capacitor electronic detonator 10.
[0090] Of course, the single-capacitor electronic detonator 10 could comprise only one means of protection, and for example only clipping means 18 or only voltage regulation means 19.
[0091] When the single-capacitor electronic detonator 10 is connected to the energy source 12, i.e. when the electronic control means 16 are powered up, the electronic control means 16 are configured to control the clipping means 18 in the activated position and / or the voltage regulation means 19 in the low voltage position.
[0092] Preferably, when the single-capacitor electronic detonator 10 is powered up, the clipping means 18 are controlled in the activated position and the voltage regulation means 19 are controlled in the low voltage position.
[0093] Likewise, as soon as the electronic control means 16 detect a stoppage of the power supply to the single-capacitor electronic detonator 10 for a predefined period, the electronic control means 16 are configured to control the clipping means 18 in the activated position and / or the voltage regulation means 19 in the low voltage position.
[0094] Thus, in the event of a loss of voltage on the power supply line of the single-capacitor electronic detonator 10 for a predefined period, for example a few milliseconds, the configuration of the single-capacitor electronic detonator 10 is reset at the level of the protection means regardless of the progress of the programming of the single-capacitor electronic detonator 10 in the configuration of a shot.
[0095] Preferably, in the event of a loss of power supply to the single-capacitor electronic detonator 10, the clipping means 18 are controlled in the activated position and the voltage regulation means 19 are controlled in the low voltage position. When configuring a shot, the electronic control means 16 receive one or more dedicated commands before firing the single-capacitor electronic detonator 10.
[0096] Upon receipt of one or more dedicated commands, the electronic control means 16 are configured to control the clipping means 18 in the deactivated position and / or the voltage regulation means 19 in the high voltage position.
[0097] The single-capacitor electronic detonator 10 can thus be controlled to allow the charging of the energy storage capacitor 15 to a voltage sufficient to allow the ignition of the primer head 11.
[0098] An example of implementation in a firing system of one or more single-capacitor electronic detonators 10 as described previously will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 2.
[0099] The 10 single-capacitor electronic detonators are intended to be installed each in a mine hole at the working face (called a "face" in Anglo-Saxon terminology).
[0100] Typically, each single-capacitor electronic detonator 10 is placed with a predetermined amount of explosive in a blast hole drilled in a wall.
[0101] All 10 single-capacitor electronic detonators installed at the working face are then intended to be detonated in a single volley.
[0102] In this embodiment, the firing system comprises a mobile test device 20 adapted to be connected to a bus line L1.
[0103] The single-capacitor electronic detonators 10 are also connected to the bus line L1 and thus connected to the mobile test device 20.
[0104] The mobile test device 20 can thus communicate with one or more single-capacitor electronic detonators 10, simultaneously or individually, in order to read information or data stored by the single-capacitor electronic detonators 10, send information or commands to these single-capacitor electronic detonators 10 and test their connection and their operating state. In certain embodiments, the mobile test device 20 is also designed to program the electronic detonators 10, and for example program a firing delay (delay in English terminology).
[0105] The mobile test device 20 conventionally comprises receiving 21 and sending 22 means enabling communication with the electronic detonators 10, simultaneously or individually.
[0106] The receiving 21 and sending 22 means may be formed from a bidirectional transmitter / receiver, known to those skilled in the art in the field of wired network communication.
[0107] Although in the exemplary embodiment illustrated in Figure 2, the single-capacitor electronic detonators 10 and the mobile test device 20 are connected by a wired connection by means of the bus line L1, the invention is not limited to this type of connection.
[0108] In particular, the mobile test device 20 and the single-capacitor electronic detonators 10 could communicate via a wireless link, in particular via a radio link. The receiving 21 and sending 22 means can then be formed from a bidirectional transmitting / receiving antenna, known to those skilled in the art in the field of wireless network communication.
[0109] The mobile test device 20 further comprises a microprocessor 23 making it possible to implement various data processing, calculations and settings useful for the installation of the single-capacitor electronic detonators 10 at the working face.
[0110] The mobile test device 20 also includes a memory 24 of the writable memory type EEPROM (acronym for the English terminology "Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory"). 1 ') and display means formed of a screen 25 for communicating with the user.
[0111] The firing system further comprises a firing console 30, forming a remote firing device, adapted to communicate and transmit commands to the electronic control means 16 of the single-capacitor electronic detonators. The firing console 30 is intended to be connected remotely with the single-capacitor electronic detonators 10.
[0112] As illustrated in Figure 2, the firing console 30 is connected via a firing line L2, itself connected to the bus line L1.
[0113] The firing console 30 is intended to be placed at a long distance from the working face to allow the firing to be triggered safely for the operator controlling the firing from the firing console 30.
[0114] The firing console 30 comprises receiving means 31 and sending means 32 allowing two-way communication between the single-capacitor electronic detonators 10 and the firing console 30, simultaneously or individually.
[0115] The receiving means 31 and sending means 32 are similar to those described previously in connection with the mobile test device 20.
[0116] The firing console 30 further comprises a microprocessor 33 enabling the implementation of various data processing, calculations and settings necessary for firing.
[0117] A programmable memory 34 of the EEPROM memory type is also provided in the firing console 30.
[0118] A display screen 35 may also be provided on the firing console 30 to communicate with the operator.
[0119] Each single-capacitor electronic detonator 10 comprises bidirectional communication means 41 adapted to the communication of the single-capacitor electronic detonator 10 with the mobile test device 20 and / or the firing console 30. The bidirectional communication means 41 of the single-capacitor electronic detonators 10 are similar to the reception means 21 and sending means 22 described previously in connection with the mobile test device 20 or to the reception means 31 and sending means 32 of the firing console 30.
[0120] The role and operation of the mobile test device 20 and the firing console 30 are known in their general principles for programming a firing, the delay time associated with each single-capacitor electronic detonator 10 and the firing itself, only the particularities of communication between the firing console 30 and the single-capacitor electronic detonators 10 being described below in detail.
[0121] The firing console 30 is adapted to send to each single-capacitor electronic detonator 10 connected to the firing line L2 a command to switch the clipping means 18 from the activated position to the deactivated position and / or a command to switch the voltage regulation means 19 from the low voltage position to the high voltage position.
[0122] Thus, the protection means of each single-capacitor electronic detonator 10 can be controlled remotely by the firing console 30.
[0123] With a view to preparing the firing, and therefore charging the energy storage capacitor 15 of each single-capacitor electronic detonator 10 with sufficient energy for firing the primer head 11, the firing console 30 makes it possible to address dedicated commands to the single-capacitor electronic detonators 10 to switch the clipping means 18 and the voltage regulation means 19 into a power supply mode at a so-called full-fire voltage of the primer head 11.
[0124] Preferably, the firing console 30 is adapted to separately transmit the command to switch the clipping means 18 from the activated position to the deactivated position and the command to switch the voltage regulation means 19 from the low voltage position to the high voltage position.
[0125] Two separate dedicated commands are thus addressed to each single-capacitor electronic detonator 10 to control the transition from a low voltage level to a high voltage level of the power supply of the single-capacitor electronic detonator 10. This dual command thus makes it possible to increase the safety of use of the single-capacitor electronic detonators 10.
[0126] In such a configuration, the electronic control means 16 of each single-capacitor electronic detonator 10 are adapted, after having received a first command to switch the clipping means 18 from the activated position to the deactivated position, to cancel this first switching command in the absence of reception, within a predetermined time, of a second command to switch the voltage regulation means 19 from the low voltage position to the high voltage position.
[0127] Similarly, the electronic control means 16 of each single-capacitor electronic detonator 10 are adapted, after having received a first command to switch the voltage regulation means 19 from the low voltage position to the high voltage position, to cancel this first switching command in the absence of reception, within a predetermined time, of a second command to switch the clipping means 18 from the activated position to the deactivated position.
[0128] Thus, beyond the predetermined time for receiving a second switching command, the single-capacitor electronic detonator 10 is reconfigured in the safety position, the protection means both being again adapted to supply the energy storage capacitor 15 at a voltage level lower than the value of the non-firing voltage of the primer head 11.
[0129] In practice, the firing console 30 may have only one control key for sending the first switching command and the second switching command to the single-capacitor electronic detonators 10. This double sending of switching commands thus improves the safety of use of the single-capacitor electronic detonators 10 without complicating the use for the operator of the firing console 30.
[0130] Of course, this mode of operation of the firing console 30 is not limiting. The firing console 30 can also be adapted to simultaneously transmit, in the same dedicated command, the command to switch the clipping means 18 from the activated position to the deactivated position and the command to switch the voltage regulation means 19 from the low voltage position to the high voltage position.
[0131] These dedicated switching commands, addressed by the firing console 30 to deactivate the protection means of each single-capacitor electronic detonator 10, are sent only by the firing console 30, at the very end of the firing programming procedure, and just before sending a firing command for all of the single-capacitor electronic detonators 10.
[0132] Thus, these dedicated switching commands for deactivating the protection means of each single-capacitor electronic detonator 10 cannot be sent by the mobile test device 20.
[0133] On the other hand, the mobile test device 20 or the firing console 30 can address a single dedicated command to activate the protection means of each single-capacitor electronic detonator 10, that is to say to control the clipping means 18 in the activated position and the voltage regulation means 19 in the low voltage position.
[0134] Thus, the single-capacitor electronic detonators 10 incorporate voltage protection means, making it possible to protect the operator when connecting the single-capacitor electronic detonators 10 to the bus line L1 and throughout the programming and testing phase of the single-capacitor electronic detonators 10.
[0135] In particular, the mobile test device 20 can be used safely at the working face, even if the voltage delivered by the mobile test device 20 is higher than the value of the non-firing voltage of the primer head 11 of the single-capacitor electronic detonators 10. Indeed, it is sometimes useful for the mobile test device 20 to deliver a high voltage in order to be able to address networks of numerous single-capacitor electronic detonators 10 connected simultaneously on the same bus line L1.
[0136] Such a single-capacitor electronic detonator 10 thus makes it possible, in comparison with a two-capacitor electronic detonator, to be more economical, thanks to the use of a single energy storage capacitor 15, while guaranteeing a high level of safety of use, which does not depend on the equipment to which it is connected.
[0137] Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. In particular, the clipping means (18) can also be connected between the connection means (13) to the energy source (12) and the voltage regulation means (19).
Claims
DEMANDS 1. A single-capacitor electronic detonator, comprising an explosive initiation means (11), electronic control means (16), a single energy storage capacitor (15) adapted to supply energy to said electronic control means (16) and said explosive initiation means (11) upon ignition of said single-capacitor electronic detonator (10), and connection means (13) to an energy source (12) for supplying energy to said single energy storage capacitor (15), characterized in that it further comprises means for clipping the voltage across said single energy storage capacitor (15), said clipping means (18) having a clipping threshold value (Us) lower than a non-ignition voltage value (Ua) of said explosive initiation means (11), said clipping means (18) being controlled by said electronic control means (16) between an activated position,in which said clipping means (18) limit said voltage to a value lower than said clipping threshold value (Us), and a disabled position, in which said clipping means (18) are inactive.
2. A single-capacitor electronic detonator, comprising an explosive initiation means (11), electronic control means (16), a single energy storage capacitor (15) adapted to supply energy to said electronic control means (16) and said explosive initiation means (11) upon ignition of said single-capacitor electronic detonator (10), and connection means (13) to an energy source (12) for supplying energy to said single energy storage capacitor (15), characterized in that it further comprises voltage regulation means (19) connected to said connection means (13) to an energy source (12), said voltage regulation means (19) being controlled by said electronic control means (6) between at least one high-voltage position, in which the output voltage of the means voltage regulation (19) is greater than a non-ignition voltage value (lia) of said explosive initiation means (11), and a low voltage position, in which the output voltage of the voltage regulation means (19) is less than said non-ignition voltage value (lia) of said explosive initiation means (11).
3. Single-capacitor electronic detonator according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that said voltage regulation means (19) are connected between the connection means (13) to an energy source (12) and said clipping means (18).
4. Single-capacitor electronic detonator according to claim 3, characterized in that said electronic control means (16) are configured to control both said clipping means (18) in said activated position and said voltage regulation means (19) in said low voltage position.
5. Single-capacitor electronic detonator according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that upon energizing the electronic control means (16), said electronic control means (16) are configured to control said clipping means (18) in said activated position and / or said voltage regulation means (19) in said low voltage position.
6. Single-capacitor electronic detonator according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that when said electronic control means (16) detect a power supply interruption of said single-capacitor electronic detonator (10) for a predefined period, said electronic control means (16) are configured to control said clipping means (18) in said activated position and / or said voltage regulation means (19) in said low voltage position.
7. Single-capacitor electronic detonator according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that when said electronic control means (16) receive a dedicated command before firing said single-capacitor electronic detonator (10), said electronic control means (16) are configured to command said clipping means (18) in said deactivated position and / or said voltage regulation means (19) in said high voltage position.
8. Firing system for one or more single-capacitor electronic detonators (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it comprises a firing console (30) adapted to transmit, to said electronic control means (16) of one or more single-capacitor electronic detonators (10), a switching command for said clipping means (18) from said activated position to said deactivated position and / or a switching command for said voltage regulation means (19) from said low voltage position to said high voltage position.
9. Firing system according to claim 8, characterized in that said firing console (30) is adapted to separately issue said switching command for said clipping means (18) from said activated position to said deactivated position and said switching command for said voltage regulation means (19) from said low voltage position to said high voltage position.
10. Firing system according to claim 9, characterized in that said electronic control means (16) are adapted, upon receipt of a first switching command for said clipping means (18) from said activated position to said deactivated position, or for said voltage regulation means (19) from said low voltage position to said high voltage position, to cancel said first switching command if it is not received within a certain time predetermined of a second switching command of said voltage regulation means (19) from said low voltage position to said high voltage position, respectively of said clipping means (18) from said activated position to said deactivated position.