Blast Zone Mapping Using Through-the-Earth Signal Strength
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Solution Overview
Problem
In existing blasting systems, detonator assemblies may be inadvertently placed in boreholes with insufficient signal strength for reliable operation, leading to potential misfires and safety hazards during excavation.
Innovation Solution
A method to define an operative zone using through-the-earth magnetic signal strength measurements, ensuring detonator assemblies are only deployed and tagged within this zone, and transmitting fire command signals above a predetermined threshold to guarantee reliable reception.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If boreholes are drilled and detonator assemblies are deployed before field strength survey, then productivity is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to potential misfires from insufficient signal strength
Solution Approach 1:
The field strength survey is conducted beforehand to map the operative zone before detonator assemblies are deployed. This preliminary action ensures that only boreholes within the reliable signal coverage area are selected for detonator placement, preventing misfires while maintaining efficient deployment
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses field strength survey data to provide feedback on signal coverage at each borehole location. This feedback mechanism allows the blasting system to identify and exclude areas with insufficient signal strength, ensuring reliable detonator operation while optimizing the deployment process
2Reliability
If field strength survey is conducted before borehole drilling, then reliability is improved, but loss of time increases due to sequential processing
Solution Approach 1:
The field strength survey is performed as a preliminary step to establish the operative zone boundaries before borehole drilling begins. This upfront mapping prevents time loss during deployment by pre-identifying suitable locations, making the subsequent drilling and tagging process more efficient
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adapts the drilling and deployment process based on the field strength survey results. Boreholes are strategically positioned within the identified operative zone, allowing the process to flow efficiently without rigid sequential constraints while maintaining reliability
3Ease of operation
If detonator assemblies are deployed without position verification, then ease of operation is improved, but harmful factors increase due to misfire risk
Solution Approach 1:
The tagger automatically verifies the position of each detonator assembly by reading data from the MFSM at the borehole location. This feedback mechanism ensures that only detonators within the operative zone are tagged and deployed, eliminating misfire risks while maintaining operational simplicity through automated verification
Solution Approach 2:
The MFSM and tagger system acts as an intermediary between the operator and the detonator deployment process. This intermediary automatically verifies positions and controls tagging, preventing harmful misfires while keeping the operator interface simple and easy to use
4Measurement precision
If MFSMs are placed at spaced apart locations for comprehensive coverage, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a sufficient number of MFSMs placed at strategic spaced locations to achieve adequate coverage of the operative zone. This partial coverage approach provides sufficient measurement precision for safety without requiring exhaustive measurement at every possible location, balancing accuracy with system simplicity
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Ensures detonator assemblies are reliably activated, reducing the risk of misfires and enhancing safety by ensuring all detonators receive sufficient signal strength for proper operation.
Implementation Method 1
transmitting a through-the-earth magnetic signal of a predetermined signal strength from an antenna which is located at a predetermined position
Implementation Method 2
obtaining a measure of the strength of the through-the-earth magnetic signal as received at the location
Data Source
AI summary
A blasting system (10) wherein a test through-the-earth signal of predetermined strength is sent from a defined position and the strength of the signal, as received at each of a plurality of locations (24) within a blast site, is measured thereby to enable an operative zone (56) to be defined wherein at any location within the operative zone a fire command through-the-earth magnetic signal, of such predetermined strength, transmitted from the defined position, as received at such location, will have a strength above a threshold signal strength.