Electronic Detonator Installation With Local Connection Validation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for installing and firing electronic detonators in mines and quarries require data transfer over long distances, which is cumbersome and prone to errors, and lack efficient validation of detonator connections and delay settings before firing.
Innovation Solution
A method where electronic detonators store data about their connection status and delay categories locally, allowing validation at the time of firing without the need for data transfer, using a mobile test device to install and program detonators with a predefined firing plan, and a remote firing device to verify connections and delays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If data is transferred from mobile test device to remote firing device using storage medium or wireless communication, then data can be transferred between devices, but the process becomes cumbersome and error-prone due to long distance transfer requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic detonators store their own identification data and delay values locally in memory. During firing, they automatically transmit this data to the remote firing device when connected, eliminating the need for manual data transfer between devices and reducing operational complexity while maintaining data reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile test device programs the electronic detonators with delay values and stores identification data in the detonators' memory during the installation phase. This preliminary action ensures that all necessary data is already in place at the detonators before the firing phase, eliminating the need for subsequent data transfer operations.
2Manufacturing precision
If mobile test device visits each electronic detonator individually to read and program data, then each detonator can be configured correctly, but the installation process becomes time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
Each electronic detonator stores its own identification data and receives programming commands independently. The parallel connection architecture allows the mobile test device to program multiple detonators simultaneously through their respective delay lines, maintaining configuration accuracy while dramatically improving installation speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system divides the programming task into independent segments, with each electronic detonator being programmed through its own delay line connection. This segmentation allows parallel processing of multiple detonators without interference, achieving both precision and speed.
3Reliability
If validation of detonator connections is performed by comparing data at remote firing device with installed data, then connection correctness can be verified, but data transfer over long distances is required
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic detonators automatically transmit their identification data and stored delay values to the remote firing device during the firing phase. This self-service data transmission eliminates the need for separate data transfer operations and allows validation to be performed using the detonators' own stored information, maintaining validation accuracy without requiring additional data movement.
Solution Approach 2:
All necessary data is pre-stored in the electronic detonators during installation. During firing, this pre-stored data is automatically transmitted for validation, eliminating the need for separate data transfer operations between mobile test device and remote firing device.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for installing a set of electronic detonators into blast holes of a workface comprises the following steps: - connection (S41) of the detonators, loaded into the blast holes, to a mobile test device; - receipt (S42), by the mobile test device, of a message sent by each detonator; - determination (S43), using this message, of a set of values {V} representative of the total number of detonators connected to the mobile test device; - sending (S44), to one or more detonators of the set, a set of data {D} to be stored comprising the set of values {V} representative of the total number of detonators connected to the mobile test device; and - storage (S45) of the set of data {D} in recording means of one or more detonators of the set of electronic detonators. Use for later verifying the connection of the detonators before ignition.