Electronic Detonator Memory for Installation Validation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for installing and firing electronic detonators at a mining face involve cumbersome data transfer between a movable test device and a remote firing device, which is inefficient and prone to errors due to the need for physical movement of data over long distances.
Innovation Solution
A method where electronic detonators store data about their connection status and delay categories directly in memory, allowing validation of installation and firing without the need for data transfer between devices, using a movable test device to program and store this data locally in each detonator.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If data is transferred from movable test device to remote firing device using physical media or wireless communication, then installation data can be validated remotely, but the process becomes complex and prone to errors due to data transfer over long distances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the data storage function directly into the electronic detonators themselves. Each detonator contains memory means that stores installation data (connection status, delay category, unique identifier) locally, eliminating the need for separate data transfer between test device and firing device. This combining of storage and functional elements resolves the contradiction by making the system simpler while maintaining data reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The electronic detonators perform self-service by storing their own installation data and connection status information in their internal memory. This eliminates the need for external data transfer systems, as each detonator independently maintains its own data, thereby reducing system complexity while ensuring data integrity for remote validation.
2Reliability
If data is transferred between movable test device and remote firing device, then installation validation can be performed, but time is lost due to the need to move data over long distances
Solution Approach 1:
The installation data, connection status, and delay category information are stored in the electronic detonators' memory during the installation phase itself, before any remote validation is needed. This preliminary storage action eliminates the need for subsequent data transfer operations, thereby saving time while maintaining validation accuracy when the remote firing device reads the data directly from the detonators.
3Manufacturing precision
If individual programming of each electronic detonator is performed, then precise control over firing delays is achieved, but the programming process becomes lengthy and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces delay categories as a parameter grouping mechanism. Instead of programming each detonator individually with specific delay values, the system assigns delay categories (first category, second category, etc.) that represent groups of detonators with similar timing requirements. This parameter change from individual values to categorical groups enables simultaneous or batch programming while maintaining the precision needed for controlled firing sequences.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for installing a set of electronic detonators in blast holes of a mining face includes the following steps: connecting detonators, charged into the blast holes, to a movable test device; receiving, by the movable test device, a message sent by each detonator; determining, from that message, a set of values, representing the total number of detonators connected to the movable test device; sending, to one or more detonators of the set, a data set to store including the set of values representing the total number of detonators connected to the movable test device; and storing the data set in the memory of one or more detonators of the set of electronic detonators. Use for later verification of the connection of the detonators before firing.