Seismic Detonator Confirmation Time Break Determination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current seismic blasting technologies face inaccuracies in confirming the actual detonation time of seismic detonators, leading to costly acquisition and storage of useless data due to unreliable time break confirmation methods, especially in electric and electronic detonators with potential leakage or shorts, and manual processes for shotpoint reporting.
Innovation Solution
A seismic blasting system that applies a voltage across detonator wires, senses electrical parameters post-firing command, and determines a confirmation time break value for successful detonation, enabling automated and accurate reporting of shotpoint information and detonation status to a data acquisition system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional time break confirmation methods (current surge detection or fixed delay) are used, then the system can signal a time break to the data acquisition system, but the detonator may not actually deploy due to leakage or shorts in bus wires, leading to inaccurate temporal correlation of acoustic sensor data
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors electrical parameters (current, voltage, impedance) during the firing sequence and uses this feedback to determine whether the detonator actually deployed. The monitoring continues for a predetermined time after the firing command to capture the actual detonation event, ensuring that the time break signal is only generated when detonation is confirmed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary monitoring of electrical parameters before and during the firing sequence to detect potential issues (leakage, shorts, damage) that would prevent successful detonation. This preliminary detection prevents inaccurate time break signaling by identifying failed detonations before they occur.
2Ease of operation
If manual radio communication and manual entry of detonator ID or shotpoint are used, then the system can report shotpoint information, but the process is time-consuming and reduces productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic detonator automatically stores shotpoint information in its memory and can self-report this information to the data acquisition system electronically. This eliminates the need for manual entry of shotpoint data, reducing human intervention and increasing operational efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual radio communication and handwritten entry with electronic data transmission. The shotpoint information is automatically transferred from the detonator's memory to the data acquisition system through electronic means, eliminating the mechanical/manual processes that limited productivity.
3Reliability
If acoustic sensors and data acquisition systems operate continuously to ensure no detonation is missed, then complete data coverage is achieved, but operational costs increase due to acquisition and storage of useless data
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses electrical parameter monitoring as feedback to determine whether a detonation actually occurred before triggering the data acquisition system. By confirming detonation through electrical signal analysis, the system avoids acquiring and storing data from failed detonation attempts, reducing unnecessary energy consumption and costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary verification of detonator functionality and actual detonation occurrence before activating the expensive data acquisition and storage processes. This preliminary check ensures that data acquisition resources are only consumed when a valid detonation has occurred.
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
This approach provides reliable and timely confirmation of detonation times, reducing unnecessary data acquisition and improving the efficiency of seismic exploration by ensuring accurate temporal correlation of acoustic sensor data and automated reporting of shotpoint information.
Implementation Method 1
applying a voltage from a blasting machine across a pair of wires connected to a seismic detonator
Implementation Method 2
sensing one or more electrical parameters while maintaining the applied voltage for a non-zero predetermined time after a firing command or firing signal was provided
Data Source
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AI summary
Seismic blasting methods and apparatus are presented in which detonator confirmation time break (CTB) is accurately determined by maintaining an applied voltage across detonator leg wires following initiation of a firing command or signal and sensing one or more electrical parameters such as voltage and/or current, and selectively identifying a CTB representing a time at which the monitored electrical parameter indicates a successful detonation.