Detonator Wireless Confirmation Signals for Misfire Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing blasting systems struggle to reliably confirm whether each detonator has been fired, as techniques like electromagnetic pulses, audio signals, and visual surveys are ineffective in distinguishing simultaneous detonations and are hindered by environmental factors.
Innovation Solution
A detonator assembly with a control circuit and transmitter that sends a wireless signal upon initiation, using unique identifiers and modulation techniques to distinguish detonator confirmations, enabling reliable blast confirmation through multiplexing and identification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electromagnetic pulse or audio signal detection techniques are used to confirm detonator firing, then blast confirmation capability is provided, but the ability to differentiate between simultaneous detonators is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent assigns a unique identifier to each detonator and uses individual transmitters for each detonator to send confirmation signals. This segmentation allows the central control system to receive and differentiate confirmation signals from multiple detonators even when they fire simultaneously, resolving the contradiction between providing blast confirmation capability and maintaining differentiation precision.
2Reliability
If visual survey techniques with cameras are used to monitor blast site, then blast confirmation is achieved, but vision is obscured by dust, smoke and debris
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces visual survey techniques (mechanical/optical system) with an electronic communication system where each detonator has a transmitter that sends wireless confirmation signals to a central control system. This substitution eliminates the problem of vision obscuration by dust, smoke and debris while maintaining reliable blast confirmation capability.
3Ease of operation
If wired electronic detonator initiation systems are used, then detonator control is achieved, but signal transmission capability after fire command is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces wireless transmitters as intermediary devices that enable bidirectional communication between detonators and the central control system. Each detonator's transmitter sends confirmation signals back to the central system, providing status information transmission capability that was limited in traditional wired electronic detonator initiation systems.
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
Enables accurate and efficient identification of misfired detonators, reducing safety risks and operational costs by ensuring precise detonator initiation confirmation.
Implementation Method 1
a transmitter for transmitting a wireless signal, and wherein the operation of the transmitter is dependent, at least, upon initiation of the detonator
Data Source
AI summary
A communication module which is linked to a detonator which is initiated in response to a fire command signal, and wherein the communication module includes a transmitter which transmits a wireless signal which is dependent upon initiation of the detonator and which contains or conveys an identifier which uniquely identifies the detonator.