Voltage Monitoring for Fireset Detonation Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional firesets lack the ability to confirm if the capacitor voltage has reached a high enough level for detonation or is low enough to prevent detonation, and they do not provide a safe way to abort a detonation sequence once initiated.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a voltage monitor to measure the voltage across a quickly dischargeable energy storage device and a control circuit to manage the detonation sequence based on the measured voltage, including a high voltage switch and a high voltage source, allowing for controlled charging, arming, and aborting of the detonation process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If conventional firesets are designed as single-use items with one-way activation path, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of manufacture is improved, but the ability to confirm capacitor voltage status and safely abort detonation sequence is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a voltage monitor that continuously monitors the capacitor voltage and provides feedback to the control circuit. This feedback mechanism enables the system to determine when the capacitor has reached the minimum arming voltage and when it has been discharged to a safe level, allowing for reliable voltage confirmation and safe abort capability without significantly increasing overall device complexity.
2Reliability
If a voltage monitor and control circuit are added to monitor capacitor voltage, then the ability to confirm voltage status and abort detonation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control circuit is designed to perform multiple functions: it controls the high-voltage switch for capacitor charging, monitors voltage status through the voltage monitor, determines arming state, and executes abort sequences. By making the control circuit multi-functional, the patent achieves reliable voltage confirmation and abort capability without adding separate dedicated circuits for each function, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the voltage monitoring, control logic, and switch actuation functions into an integrated control system. The control circuit receives voltage information from the voltage monitor and directly controls the high-voltage switch, merging multiple functions into a unified system that reduces the number of separate components and interconnections needed.
3Reliability
If the capacitor is charged to high voltage for detonation, then the detonation capability is ensured, but the safety risk during handling increases
Solution Approach 1:
The voltage monitor acts as an intermediary between the high-voltage capacitor and the control circuit. It provides a safe means of monitoring capacitor voltage without requiring direct access to the high-voltage nodes, thereby enabling detonation capability while minimizing safety risks during handling by keeping the control and monitoring circuits isolated from direct high-voltage exposure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses voltage monitor feedback to determine when the capacitor has been discharged to a safe level below the minimum arming voltage. This feedback mechanism provides real-time information about the capacitor's charge state, allowing operators to know when it is safe to handle the fireset, thereby reducing safety risks while maintaining full detonation capability when needed.
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
Ensures accurate and safe detonation by confirming the capacitor voltage has reached the necessary threshold for detonation and provides a controlled abort mechanism to prevent unintended explosions, enhancing the safety and reliability of the fireset.
Implementation Method 1
a quickly dischargeable energy storage device coupled in series with a LEEFI... a high voltage source coupled to the discharge circuit to charge the quickly dischargeable energy storage device
Implementation Method 2
The high current causes the bridge wire within the LEEFI to vaporize. The vaporized bridge wire forms a rapidly expanding plasma
Implementation Method 3
a high voltage monitor coupled to the discharge circuit and having an output arranged to provide a voltage proportional to the voltage across the discharge circuit
Data Source
AI summary
An improved fireset for detonating an explosive includes a voltage monitor arranged to measure a voltage across a quickly dischargeable energy storage device (QDESD), such as a capacitor, and to perform a detonation sequence based at least in part on the voltage measured by the voltage monitor. The fireset employs feedback from the voltage monitor to promote accurate charging of the QDESD and accurate maintenance of charge during an armed state. The voltage monitor also promotes safety by allowing the fireset to indicate when the QDESD is discharged to a safe level, i.e., one which is assured not to result in detonation.