Automatic Logger for Electronic Detonator Data Acquisition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electronic detonator logging processes are time-consuming and costly in terms of manpower, requiring operators to manually connect and program each detonator, and lack efficient methods for data verification and programming, especially in large-scale blasting operations.
Innovation Solution
The development of automatic logging and programming modes in logger devices that allow continuous read requests and data transfer without user interaction, enabling rapid connection and programming of detonators, with features like audible and vibratory notifications for successful logging and automatic detection of multiple detonators to prevent cross-talk.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional manual logging methods are used to read detonator data, then data can be obtained from each detonator, but the process is extremely time-consuming requiring multiple keystrokes per detonator
Solution Approach 1:
The logger automatically initiates read requests and processes detonator data without requiring operator intervention for each detonator. The system serves itself by continuously attempting to read data from connected detonators, eliminating the need for manual keystrokes and significantly reducing logging time while maintaining data accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The logger operates in continuous automatic mode, constantly issuing read requests to connected detonators without interruption or manual intervention. This continuous operation allows multiple detonators to be logged in rapid succession, transforming the discontinuous manual process into an efficient continuous automated workflow
2Reliability
If delay times are programmed at each detonator during logging, then blasting sequence control is achieved, but the logging process takes even longer due to additional programming steps
Solution Approach 1:
Delay times are downloaded to the logger's memory in advance based on the blasting plan before actual logging begins. During the logging process, the logger automatically retrieves pre-programmed delay values from its memory and transfers them to detonators without requiring real-time programming, thus maintaining reliable sequence control while dramatically reducing on-site programming time
Solution Approach 2:
The programming process is divided into two separate phases: (1) preliminary download of delay times to logger memory based on blasting plan, and (2) automatic transfer of pre-programmed delays to individual detonators during logging. This segmentation allows complex programming to be done offline while keeping the actual logging process simple and rapid
3Productivity
If optical scanning of tags is used to identify detonators, then logging speed increases, but there is no electrical interface to verify detonator presence or check electrical functionality
Solution Approach 1:
The logger serves multiple functions simultaneously: it optically scans detonator tags for identification, establishes electrical connection for data reading, and performs electrical functionality verification all through a single integrated device. This multi-functionality combines the speed of optical scanning with the reliability of electrical verification, eliminating the trade-off between the two methods
4Productivity
If multiple loggers are used to speed up the logging process, then more detonators can be logged simultaneously, but the overall time reduction is limited and coordination becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The logger's operational parameters are changed from manual step-by-step operation to fully automatic continuous operation. By transforming the single logger into a high-speed automatic device, the system achieves greater throughput than multiple coordinated manual loggers without the complexity of inter-logger coordination, as one automated logger can process detonators faster than multiple manual loggers working in parallel
Data Source
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AI summary
Logging apparatus, methods and systems are presented for logging data from electronic detonators one at a time, in which a logger is placed into an automatic logging mode and begins transmitting read request messages in repetitive fashion until a response is received from a single connected electronic detonator, whereupon the logger obtains serial ID number and potentially other data such as a delay from the electronic detonator, after which the logger automatically proceeds without further user button presses to again initiate read request messages, by which a user can sequentially connect and disconnect a number of electronic detonators one at a time for quick expeditious logging. Also presented are automatic electronic detonator programming apparatus and processes in which a logger is placed into an automatic programming mode and the user connects electronic detonators one at a time for automatic or semi-automatic programming of delay times from internal memory.