A connector for a detonator

Abstract

The invention relates to a connector for a detonator, the connector including a receiver and a switch which is in a closed position, at least during a tagging process, thereby to connect the receiver to the detonator, wherein the receiver is configured to supply to the detonator energy harvested from a signal transmitted by a tagger, and the detonator is enabled, using said harvested energy, to modulate the signal, from the tagger, thereby to transfer to the tagger data relating to the detonator and to a corresponding blasting system and method of using said connector to tag a detonator in the blasting system.

Description

INT1619 / MAJR / WS1A CONNECTOR FOR A DETONATORBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to a connector for a detonator, and to a method of tagging the connector with a tagger thereby to transfer data relating to the detonator to the tagger.

[0002] One form of a wired blasting system includes a blasting machine, a bus line extending from the blasting machine, a plurality of detonators, each detonator being situated within an explosive composition in a respective borehole, and a plurality of connectors which are connected to the bus line and to the respective detonators via downhole lines.

[0003] Typically in this kind of setup, prior to the blasting machine affecting blasting of the detonators, each detonator must be tagged by a mobile tagger to transfer data relating to the detonator to or from the tagger.

[0004] Tagging of a detonator can take place by opening a connector to expose an end of a downhole wire and physically and electrically engaging the end to the tagger. It is possible to determine an electrical status of the detonator by using such a contact tagging approach. There is however a risk that, during tagging, debris and other contaminants can enter a housing of the connector which could influence the reliability of signal transfer between the blasting machine and the detonator.

[0005] In another approach, each connector has a respective non-contact tag or code such as a QR code or a bar code which can be tagged or scanned in a wireless manner by theINT1619 / MAJR / WS2 tagger. Each tag or code is associated with a respective detonator but is not in signal communication with the detonator. It is therefore possible that mismatching of the data stored on the tag and the data which relates to the detonator can occur. Another disadvantage of such a non-contact approach is that it is not possible to obtain an electrical status of the detonator.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to address at least to some extent the aforementioned situation.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The invention provides a method of tagging a detonator in a blasting system which includes at least one connector which is connected to the detonator and which includes a receiver, and a tagger with a transmitter, the method including the steps of operating the tagger to transmit a signal from the transmitter to the receiver, and of using the detonator to modulate the signal from the tagger, thereby to transfer data relating to the detonator to the tagger.

[0008] The detonator may modulate the signal from the tagger by changing a characteristic of the receiver e.g. by changing an impedance, or a value of an impedance, which is connected to the receiver.

[0009] The data may include an identity of the detonator, an electrical status of the detonator, or the like. The invention is not limited in this respect. It falls within the scope of the invention that practically any type of data which is transferred to a tagger in a conventional tagging operation could be transferred using this technique.INT1619 / MAJR / WS3

[0010] The detonator, in one form of the invention, modulates the signal from the tagger in response to a request signal which is transmitted from the transmitter to the receiver and which is received by the detonator.

[0011] In another form of the invention the detonator modulates the signal from the tagger when power is applied to the detonator when the tagger is operated.

[0012] In one form of the invention, the transmitter includes a primary coil winding, and the receiver includes a secondary coil winding which, in response to operation of the tagger, is magnetically coupled to the primary coil winding.

[0013] Preferably, the detonator is used to modulate the signal from the tagger to include the data relating to the detonator, by changing a characteristic of the secondary coil winding e.g. an impedance value associated with the secondary coil winding which, due to the primary coil winding and the secondary coil winding being magnetically coupled, causes a change in a characteristic of the primary coil winding e.g. a change in an impedance value which is dependent on the change of the characteristic of the secondary coil winding and which is reflected in the primary coil winding.

[0014] The tagger may be used to detect the change in a characteristic of the primary coil winding thereby to effect the transfer of data, relating to the detonator, to the tagger.

[0015] The blasting system preferably includes a blasting machine and a bus line which extends from the blasting machine, wherein the at least one connector is connectable to theINT1619 / MAJR / WS4 bus line thereby to enable signal communication between the blasting machine and the detonator.

[0016] The connector preferably includes a switch which is in an open position such that the receiver does not interfere with the signal communication between the blasting machine and the detonator when the connector is connected to the bus line, and which is placed in a closed position upon detecting transmission of the signal from the transmitter to the receiver, i.e. during tagging, thereby allowing signal communication between the receiver and the detonator.

[0017] The connector may include a changeover switch which is configured to disconnect the detonator from the bus line and connect the detonator to the receiver in response to detecting transmission of the signal thereby allowing signal communication between the receiver and the detonator.

[0018] The switch may be activated in response to a magnetic field generated by a signal from the transmitter.

[0019] Alternatively the switch may be controlled by a magnetic field generated by a permanent magnet or by an electromagnet in the tagger. An example of this embodiment is a reed switch in the connector controlled by the close proximity of a permanent magnet in the tagger relative to the reed switch.

[0020] The detonator preferably receives energy which is harvested by the receiver from the signal transmitted by the transmitter, and which the detonator uses to modulate the signal from the tagger.INT1619 / MAJR / WS5

[0021] The transmitter to receiver signal transfer path is preferably optimised to maximize energy transfer to the connector by considering known magnetic and power transfer maximization techniques such as the choice of suitable resonant frequencies, antenna coil Q factors, impedance matching, antenna area and orientation choices, the use of appropriate (ferro) magnetic materials and the like.

[0022] It is possible to monitor a value of power output by the transmitter to obtain an estimate of an amount of current which is consumed by the detonator thereby to determine whether current leakage is occurring at the detonator.

[0023] The invention further extends to a connector for a detonator, the connector including a receiver and a switch which is in a closed position, at least during a tagging process, thereby to connect the receiver to the detonator, wherein the receiver is configured to supply to the detonator energy harvested from a signal transmitted by a tagger, and the detonator is enabled, using said harvested energy, to modulate the signal, from the tagger, thereby to transfer to the tagger data relating to the detonator.

[0024] The data may include an identity of the detonator, an electrical status of the detonator, or the like.

[0025] The data from the detonator to the tagger may be transferred in response to a request signal which is transmitted by the tagger to the receiver or, less preferably, automatically upon power up i.e. receipt of the signal from the tagger.1NT1619 / MAJR / WS6

[0026] The connector may include terminals for connecting to the detonator and for connecting to a bus line from a blasting machine or a similar device thereby to allow signal transfer between the blasting machine and the detonator.

[0027] The switch may be operated in any suitable manner, e.g. magnetically. This may be in response to a magnetic field which is generated by a signal from the tagger.

[0028] The switch may be in an open position in the absence of a magnetic field i.e. in the absence of a signal from the tagger. This ensures that the receiver does not interfere with signal transmission between the blasting machine and the detonator when the connector is connected to both the detonator and the bus line.

[0029] The bus line may be open circuited during tagging i.e. the switch may be placed in an open position in response to the signal from the tagger such that the bus line is isolated from signals received by the receiver of the connector.

[0030] The signal is preferably modulated by changing a characteristic of the receiver e.g. an impedance value which is associated with the receiver thereby to cause a characteristic change in the tagger which allows the tagger to read the data relating to the detonator.

[0031] The frequency of the signal from the tagger is preferably chosen to match an impedance value of the receiver thereby to maximize energy transfer to the connector.

[0032] The invention also provides a connector for use with a detonator in a blasting system, the connector including a housing which comprises a first housing component which includesINT1619 / MAJR / WS7 a receiver, first terminals for connection to a bus line in the blasting system, second terminals for connecting to the detonator, a switch operable to connect the receiver to the second terminals and thus to the detonator, and a second housing component which is engageable with the first housing component thereby to enclose the receiver, the switch, and the first and second terminals, in the housing.

[0033] The switch may be magnetically operable e.g. the switch may be placed in a closed position in response to a magnetic field which is produced by a signal received by the receiver from a tagger.

[0034] The switch may comprise a changeover switch which is configured to disconnect the receiver from the first terminals, and thus the bus line, and to connect the receiver to the second terminals and thus to the detonator, in response to detecting a magnetic field which is produced by transmission of the signal.

[0035] The receiver preferably comprises a coil and a capacitor which is placed in parallel with the coil and which is chosen such that the receiver has a predetermined resonant frequency. A frequency of a signal which is received by the receiver from the tagger may be chosen to match the resonant frequency thereby to maximize power transfer to the receiver.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] The invention is further described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:INT1619 / MAJR / WS8Figure 1 schematically illustrates a blasting system which includes a plurality of connectors, each according to the invention;Figure 2 is a diagram of a circuit which is formed between a tagger and a connector which is encircled in dotted outline marked ‘2’ in Figure 1 , when signal communication occurs; and Figure 3 shows in plan the connector of Figure 2 in an open configuration.DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0037] Figure 1 schematically illustrates a blasting system 10 which includes a blasting machine 12, a bus line 14 extending from the blasting machine 12, a plurality of connectors 16 which are connected to the bus line 14, and which connect the bus line 14 to respective detonators 18, and a mobile tagger 20 under the control of an operator (not shown) which is selectively movable into signal communication with a receiver 26 (in Figure 2) of any one of the connectors 16. The connectors 16 are substantially identical in construction and function to one another.

[0038] Each detonator 18 is located in a respective borehole 22, and the connectors 16 are connected to the detonators 18 via respective downhole lines 24. The blasting machine 12 is enabled to transmit communication signals to the detonators 18 and to receive response signals from the detonators 18 in a conventional manner when the connectors 16 are connected to the bus line 14 and to the respective downhole lines 24 in a manner as shown in Figure 1 .

[0039] Figure 2 is a circuit diagram of a circuit 50 which is formed between the tagger 20 and the connector 16 which is encircled in dotted outline marked ‘2’ in Figure 1 , when the taggerINT1619 / MAJR / WS920 is in signal communication with the receiver 26. The tagger 20 includes a transmitter 28 which is configured to transmit a signal 30 (in Figure 1 ) to the respective receiver 26 of each connector 16 upon operation of the tagger 20.

[0040] In Figure 2, the tagger 20 is depicted by a box drawn in dotted outline and the connector 16 is depicted by a box drawn in dotted outline.

[0041] The transmitter 28 comprises a primary coil winding 52. The receiver 26 comprises a secondary coil winding 54 which in response to operation of the tagger 20 is magnetically coupled to the winding 52.

[0042] The connector 16 includes terminals 56 to which the bus line 14 and the downhole line 24 are connected in such a manner as to allow signal communication between the blasting machine 12 and the detonator 18, and to allow signal communication between the receiver 26 and the detonator 18, as described hereinafter.

[0043] The receiver 26 further includes a capacitor 58 which is parallel to the secondary coil winding 54 to form a resonant circuit 60. The connector 16 includes a switching arrangement 62, which is responsive to a magnetic field, which comprises a first switch 64 and a second switch 66. The first switch 64 has an open position and a closed position, not shown. The switching arrangement 62 is responsive to the signal 30 which is transmitted from the primary coil winding 52 during a tagging process. The arrangement is such that upon reception of the signal 30 a magnetic field is established which causes closure of the first switch 64 to allow signal transmission of the signal 30 from the receiver 26 to the detonator 18.INT1619 / MAJR / WS10

[0044] The first switch 64 is by default in the open position i.e. when no tagging is taking place. The receiver 26 thus does not interfere with the signal communication between the blasting machine 12 and the detonator 18 when tagging is not taking place e.g. due to an incident signal received by the receiver 26.

[0045] In contrast, the second switch 66 by default is in a closed position so that signal communication can take place between the blasting machine 12 and the detonator 18. The switching arrangement 62 is configured to disconnect the detonator 18 from the bus line 14, by moving the second switch 66 from the closed position to an open position, in response to detecting transmission of the signal 30 from the transmitter 28 to the receiver 26 i.e. during a tagging process which establishes an activating magnetic field. This ensures, while the tagger 20 is being operated, that the tagging process does not interfere with other detonators 18 which are connected to the bus line 14.

[0046] As noted the switching arrangement 62 is activated in response to a sufficiently large magnetic field which is generated during tagging. In a wired blasting system incident signals are generally not capable of generating a sufficiently large magnetic field which would activate the switching arrangement 62.

[0047] Figure 3 shows in plan the connector 16 which is being tagged. The connector 16 includes a housing 100 which comprises a first housing component 102 in which the receiver 26, the terminals 56, and the switching arrangement 62 are situated. The connector 16 further includes a second housing component 104 which is pivotally moveable, relative to the first housing component 102 about an axis 106, between a first position in which the bus line 14INT1619 / MAJR / WS11 and downhole line 24 can be attached to the terminals 56, and a second position in which the first housing component 102 and the second housing component 104 are engaged with each other in a sealing manner, thereby enclosing the mentioned components.

[0048] The terminals 56 comprise a first set of terminals 108 which are connected to the bus line 14 and a second set of terminals 110 which are connected to the down hole line 24 and thus to the detonator 18.

[0049] The switching arrangement 62 is configured to disconnect the receiver 26 from the first set of terminals 108 and thus the bus line 14 and connect the receiver 26 to the second set of terminals 110 and thus to the detonator 18 in response to detecting a magnetic field which is produced by transmission of the signal 30 i.e. during a tagging process.

[0050] When tagging takes place an operator, not shown, traverses a blast site (not shown) at which the blasting system 10 is set up, tagging the connectors 16 with the tagger 20. At each connector 16, the tagger 20 is brought into signal transmission range of the connector 16 and the tagger is operated to transmit the signal 30 from the transmitter 28 to the respective receiver 26. The secondary coil winding 54 is then magnetically coupled to the primary coil winding 52. The magnetic field produced causes activation of the switching arrangement 62 such that the receiver 26 is disconnected from the first set of terminals 108 and connected to the second set of terminals 110. Thus when tagging takes place, signal communication is enabled between the receiver 26 and the detonator 18, and signal communication is disabled between the receiver 26 and the bus line 14.INT1619 / MAJR / WS12

[0051] The detonator 18 receives energy which is harvested by the receiver 26 from the signal 30, and the detonator uses this energy to modulate the signal 30. In one form of the invention which is preferred, the detonator 18 modulates the signal 30 in response to a request signal 30A which is transmitted from the transmitter 28 to the receiver 26 upon receipt thereof by the detonator 18. In another form of the invention the detonator 18 modulates the signal 30 when power is applied to the detonator 18 i.e. when the detonator 18 receives the harvested energy or when energy is received from the blasting machine 12. The frequency of the signal 30 is chosen to match an impedance value of the receiver 26 thereby to maximize energy transfer to the connector 16.

[0052] The detonator 18 modulates the signal 30 to include data relating to the detonator 18 by changing an impedance value associated with the secondary coil winding 54 in a dependent manner. This impedance change, due to the primary coil winding 52 and the secondary coil winding 54 being magnetically coupled, is reflected in the primary coil winding 52 and causes a change in an impedance value, which is dependent on the change in the secondary coil winding 54 reflected onto the primary coil winding 52. The change in the impedance value in the primary coil winding 52 is detected in the tagger 20 to thereby to effect the transfer of data relating to the detonator 18 to the tagger 20. The data which is transferred includes an identity of the detonator 18, and an electrical status of the detonator 18.

[0053] It is also possible to use the tagger 20 to monitor a value of power output by the transmitter 28 to obtain an estimate of current which is consumed by the detonator 18 and of using this estimate to determine whether current leakage is occurring at the detonator 18.INT1619 / MAJR / WS13

[0054] By employing the principles of the invention, it is possible for an operator to tag a connector 16 with the tagger 20, in a non-contact manner, thereby to transfer data relating to the detonator 18 which is connected to the connector 16 to the tagger 20. As the tagger 20 is in signal communication with the detonator 18 the possibility of obtaining a mismatch between the data transferred from the connector 16 to the tagger 20 and the data relating to the detonator 18 is eliminated. It is also possible to obtain an electrical status of the detonator 18 during such a tagging process.

[0055] Electrical testing and tagging of the detonator 18 can be done without having to open the housing 100 of the connector 16 to expose an end of the downhole line 24 so that the exposed end can be physically and electrically coupled to the tagger 20. Each housing 100 of the respective connector 16 thus, only has to be opened once when engaging the terminals 56 with the bus line 14 and the respective downhole line 24. Tagging can take place after the installation of the blasting system 10 without having to reopen the housing 100. The likelihood of contaminants at the blast site entering into the housing 100 and then inhibiting signal transfer between the blasting machine 12 and the detonator 18 is reduced.

Claims

INT1619 / MAJR / WS14CLAIMS1. A method of tagging a detonator in a blasting system which includes at least one connector which is connected to the detonator and which includes a receiver, and a tagger with a transmitter, the method including the steps of operating the tagger to transmit a signal from the transmitter to the receiver, and of using the detonator to modulate the signal from the tagger, thereby to transfer data relating to the detonator to the tagger.

2. The method of tagging a detonator according to claim 1 wherein the detonator modulates the signal from the tagger by changing a characteristic of the receiver.

3. The method of tagging a detonator according to claim 1 wherein the data includes an identity of the detonator or an electrical status of the detonator.

4. The method of tagging a detonator according to claim 1 which includes the step of operating the tagger to transmit a request signal from the transmitter to the detonator via the receiver which causes the detonator to modulate the signal from the tagger.

5. The method of tagging a detonator according to claim 1 which includes the step of operating the tagger to apply power to the detonator which causes the detonator to modulate the signal from the tagger.

6. The method of tagging a detonator according to claim 1 wherein the transmitter includes a primary coil winding, and the receiver includes a secondary coil winding and whichINT1619 / MAJR / WS15 includes the step of magnetically coupling the primary coil winding and the secondary coil winding in response to the operation of the tagger.

7. The method of tagging a detonator according to claim 1 wherein the blasting system includes a blasting machine, and a bus line which extends from the blasting machine, and which includes the step of connecting the at least one connector to the bus line, prior to operating the tagger, thereby to enable signal communication between the blasting machine and the detonator.

8. The method of tagging a detonator according to claim 7 wherein the connector includes a switch which is in an open position such that the receiver does not interfere with the signal communication between the blasting machine and the detonator when the connector is connected to the bus line, and which includes the step of placing the switch in a closed position upon detecting transmission of the signal from the transmitter to the receiver thereby allowing signal communication between the receiver and the detonator.

9. The method of tagging a detonator according to claim 7 wherein the connector includes a changeover switch and which includes the step of activating the changeover switch to disconnect the detonator from the bus line and connect the detonator to the receiver in response to detecting transmission of the signal thereby allowing signal communication between the receiver and the detonator.

10. The method of tagging a detonator according to claim 8 or claim 9 wherein the switch is activated in response to a magnetic field generated by a signal from the transmitter.INT1619 / MAJR / WS1611 . The method of tagging a detonator according to claim 8 or claim 9 wherein the switch is controlled by a magnetic field generated by a permanent magnet or by an electromagnet in the tagger.

12. The method of tagging a detonator according to claim 1 which includes the steps of using the receiver to harvest energy from the signal transmitted by the transmitter, and providing the energy to the detonator which uses the energy to modulate the signal from the tagger.

13. The method of tagging a detonator according to claim 1 wherein a transmitter to receiver signal transfer path is optimised to maximize energy transfer to the connector.

14. The method of tagging a detonator according to claim 1 which includes the steps of monitoring a value of power output by the transmitter to obtain an estimate of an amount of current which is consumed by the detonator and determining whether current leakage is occurring at the detonator based on the monitored value.

15. A connector for a detonator, the connector including a receiver and a switch which is in a closed position, at least during a tagging process, thereby to connect the receiver to the detonator, wherein the receiver is configured to supply to the detonator energy harvested from a signal transmitted by a tagger, and the detonator is enabled, using said harvested energy, to modulate the signal, from the tagger, thereby to transfer to the tagger data relating to the detonator.INT1619 / MAJR / WS1716. The connector for a detonator according to claim 15 wherein the data includes an identity of the detonator and / or an electrical status of the detonator.

17. The connector for a detonator according to claim 15 wherein the data from the detonator to the tagger is transferred in response to a request signal which is transmitted by the tagger to the receiver or automatically upon power up.

18. The connector for a detonator according to claim 15 which includes terminals for connecting to the detonator and for connecting to a bus line from a blasting machine thereby to allow signal transfer between the blasting machine and the detonator.

19. The connector for a detonator according to claim 15 wherein the switch is operated magnetically in response to a magnetic field which is generated by a signal from the tagger.

20. The connector for a detonator according to claim 19 wherein the switch is in an open position in the absence of a magnetic field.

21. The connector for a detonator according to claim 18 wherein the bus line is open circuited during tagging by placing the switch in an open position in response to the signal from the tagger such that the bus line is isolated from signals received by the receiver of the connector.

22. The connector for a detonator according to claim 15 wherein the signal is modulated by changing a characteristic of the receiver thereby to cause a characteristic change in the tagger which allows the tagger to read the data relating to the detonator.INT1619 / MAJR / WS1823. The connector for a detonator according to claim 15 wherein the frequency of the signal from the tagger is chosen to match an impedance value of the receiver thereby to maximize energy transfer to the connector.

24. A connector for use with a detonator in a blasting system, the connector including a housing which comprises a first housing component which includes a receiver, first terminals for connection to a bus line in the blasting system, second terminals for connecting to the detonator, a switch operable to connect the receiver to the second terminals and thus to the detonator, and a second housing component which is engageable with the first housing component thereby to enclose the receiver, the switch, and the first and second terminals, in the housing.

25. The connector for use with a detonator in a blasting system according to claim 24 wherein the switch is magnetically operable to place the switch in a closed position in response to a magnetic field which is produced by a signal received by the receiver from a tagger.

26. The connector for use with a detonator in a blasting system according to claim 24 wherein the switch is a changeover switch which is configured to disconnect the receiver from the first terminals, and thus the bus line, and to connect the receiver to the second terminals and thus to the detonator, in response to detecting a magnetic field which is produced by transmission of the signal.

27. The connector for use with a detonator in a blasting system according to claim 24 wherein the receiver comprises a coil and a capacitor which is placed in parallel with the coil and which is chosen such that the receiver has a predetermined resonant frequency.

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