Detonator Securement Device for Accidental Ignition Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing detonator arrangements lack sufficient safety measures during handling, transportation, and storage, as they can unintentionally ignite and cause detonation, leading to potential hazards and increased costs due to classification requirements.

Innovation Solution

A detonator arrangement with a movable securement device that can be positioned to prevent or allow the transfer of the initiation charge's detonation to the base charge, featuring an insulating layer and a housing design that controls deflagration to detonation transition, ensuring the detonator remains unfired in secure mode and fires only when intentionally activated.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a safety distance between primary charge and main charge is used (DE2900067), then some security degree is reached, but the detonator will still fire once the ignition of the delay charge is achieved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety degreeVSAvoidunintentional firing
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The initiation charge is divided into two separate components: a connector containing the initiation charge and a body containing the base charge. These components are kept physically separated by a securement device until activation, preventing any unintended interaction while allowing controlled detonation when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The securement device acts as an intermediary barrier between the initiation charge and the base charge. It physically prevents the transfer of detonation from the initiation charge to the base charge during storage and handling, but can be removed or actuated to allow controlled detonation when intended use is required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the detonator is designed with higher safety measures, then accidental detonation is prevented, but packaging density increases and costs increase due to hazard classification requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety degreeVSAvoidpackaging density
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The securement device is designed to be movable relative to the detonator components. It can be in a secured position during storage and transport to prevent firing, and then moved or actuated during intended use to allow controlled detonation. This dynamic capability enables dense packaging while maintaining safety during storage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If the securement device is positioned to prevent detonation transfer, then safety is improved, but the detonator cannot be activated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety degreeVSAvoidactivation capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The securement device is pre-positioned in a secured state during storage, transport, and handling to prevent any accidental detonation. The detonator is designed to be ready for use but held in check by the securement device, which can be quickly removed or actuated when intended use is required, enabling both safety during storage and ease of activation when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 enhanced safety design prevents accidental detonation, allowing for denser packaging and reduced costs by meeting lower hazard classification standards, while ensuring the detonator can be safely handled, transported, and stored without risk of unintentional ignition.

Implementation Method 1

the securement device when in said second position is disposed to ensure a transition from deflagration to detonation of said initiation charge

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDeflagration to detonation transition (DDT): Deflagration

Implementation Method 2

the ignition of the initiation charge will be strong enough to initiate the base charge, whereby detonation of the base charge is avoided

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDetonation: Detonation

Implementation Method 3

an insulating layer is disposed between the initiation charge and the base charge

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentEP3359911B1Detonator provided with a securement device
Publication Date: 2021.03.03 LIFE TIME ENG
  • EP3359911B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~2B
  • EP3359911B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~4B

AI summary

A detonator arrangement (10) comprising a detonator (1) having an initiation charge (2) and a base charge (3), which initiation charge (2) is arranged to initiate a detonation of said base charge (3), characterized in that the said detonator arrangement (10) comprises a securement device (5, 72, 64) movable in relation to the detonator (1), which securement device (5, 72, 64) can be disposed in a first position arranged to prevent a transfer of the detonation of the initiation charge (2) to the base charge (3), whereby the detonation of the base charge is avoided, and in a second position arranged to allow the transfer of the detonation of the initiation charge (2) to the base charge (3), whereby the detonation of the base charge is obtained.