Cast Booster Canister Detonator Retention Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cast booster explosives face issues with the cap being dislodged from the cap well during lowering into a borehole, causing potential malfunction due to stress on the fuse, and existing solutions complicate the assembly process with multiple separate parts.
Innovation Solution
A canister assembly with an integral fuse tunnel and cap well mounting fixture, featuring a locking member to securely retain the detonator, is designed with a separate cap well that is injection-molded and mounted within the canister body, using a locking member that is part of the mounting fixture to prevent dislodgement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate locking member is inserted into the cap well to retain the detonator, then the detonator is secured against dislodgement, but the assembly process becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The locking member is integrally formed with the cap well as a single molded piece, eliminating the need for separate insertion steps. The cap well includes a molded locking member that engages the detonator during the molding process itself, combining the cap well and locking mechanism into one component.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking member is pre-formed as part of the cap well molding, so the detonator is locked in place during the casting process before the explosive material is added. This preliminary locking action prevents dislodgement during subsequent handling and lowering operations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate parts are used for the canister assembly, then each part can be optimized for its specific function, but the manufacturing and assembly process becomes more complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The cap well and locking member are merged into a single molded component, reducing the number of parts from multiple separate pieces to one integrated unit. This maintains the functional optimization of each component while dramatically simplifying manufacturing and assembly.
3Reliability
If the cap well is securely locked to prevent detonator dislodgement, then reliability during lowering is improved, but the design complexity of the canister assembly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is integrated directly into the cap well structure as a molded feature, eliminating the need for separate locking components. This integration maintains reliable detonator retention while avoiding the design complexity of multiple interacting parts.
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
The solution securely retains the detonator within the cap well, reducing the risk of malfunction during handling and lowering, and simplifies the assembly process by integrating the cap well and fuse tunnel into a single, injection-molded piece, ensuring reliable operation and ease of manufacturing.
Implementation Method 1
a method of making the canister assembly by separate injection molding of the canister and its cap well
Implementation Method 2
a locking member to secure in place a detonator inserted into the cap well
Implementation Method 3
The flowable explosive is caused or allowed to harden or set within the canister to provide the cast booster explosive
Data Source
AI summary
A booster explosive (10) is comprised of assembled components comprising a canister body (12, 112) having a fuse tunnel (22) formed integrally therewith and a separate cap well (14, 114) mounted within the canister body (12, 112) which is filled with a solid cast explosive (34). The connector end (14c, 114c, 214c) of cap well (14, 114) is configured to engage cap well mounting fixture (28, 128) disposed within the canister body (12, 112). Cap well mounting fixture (28, 128) has a flexible and resilient crown-shaped locking member (28a, 128a) formed integrally therewith and is otherwise configured to positively retain a detonator (16, 116) within the cap well (14, 114). More than one cap well (214a, 214b, 214a′, 214b′) and more than one fuse tunnel (222a, 222b, 222a′, 222b′) may be provided in the canister body (212, 212′).