Two-Wire Detonator Bus Using Frequency Modulation for Addressing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing detonator systems using a daisy chain configuration require multiple wires, increasing costs and reliability issues due to increased connections, and existing two-wire systems face complexity and intelligence requirements in actuators, leading to inefficiencies in blast timing and connectivity.
Innovation Solution
A detonator system utilizing a two-wire bus with a circuit that generates distinct signals through different modulation processes, allowing for efficient connection and addressing of detonators without fixed time intervals, and a connector with a sensor and switch that responds to these signals to manage wire connections, reducing complexity and cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a daisy chain system uses three or four wires to connect detonators, then the wiring order can be established and each detonator can be distinguished, but the cost per detonator increases and reliability decreases due to more connections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the wire routing function from the physical connection structure. Instead of using multiple wires to establish wiring order, the system uses a single wire pair combined with temporal sequencing and address identification. The connector identifies which detonator should receive the signal next based on stored address information, eliminating the need for multiple wires while maintaining reliable one-to-one communication.
Solution Approach 2:
The single wire pair serves multiple functions: power transmission, address identification, and sequential signal routing. The connector integrates address storage, signal routing control, and timing functions into a single component, allowing the same physical infrastructure to support complex communication protocols without requiring additional wiring.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a daisy chain system uses three or four wires to connect detonators, then the wiring order can be established, but the cost per detonator increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the expensive multi-wire infrastructure and replaces it with a single wire pair system. The complex wiring order establishment is extracted from the physical layer and implemented through software/address identification in the connector, significantly reducing material costs while maintaining system functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using multiple physical wires to encode wiring order information, the system creates a logical copy of the connection sequence through address identification. The connector stores address information and uses this digital copy to determine signal routing, replacing expensive physical infrastructure with inexpensive digital identification.
3Ease of operation
If an actuator is positioned between each adjacent pair of detonators with intelligence to identify and respond to command signals, then the detonators can be controlled, but the complexity and cost of the actuator increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the intelligence function from the actuator and relocates it to the connector. Instead of each actuator needing to identify and respond to specific command signals, the connector performs address identification and signal routing. This simplifies the actuator to a passive component while maintaining intelligent control capability at the connector level.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector serves as an intermediary between the control signal source and the detonators. It receives command signals, identifies the target detonator based on address information, and routes the signal appropriately. This mediator function eliminates the need for intelligent actuators while maintaining precise control capability.
4Measurement precision
If a connector includes a timer to initiate a timing interval for connection, then detonators can be enumerated, but the connection speed decreases due to fixed time intervals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the static, fixed-time interval connection method with a dynamic address-based identification system. Instead of waiting for predetermined time intervals, the connector uses stored address information to immediately identify and connect to the correct detonator, significantly increasing connection speed while maintaining accurate enumeration.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector pre-stores address identification information about connected detonators before communication is needed. This preliminary action allows the system to immediately identify and connect to the correct detonator without waiting for time-based enumeration, enabling faster connection speeds while maintaining precise detonator identification.
Data Source
AI summary
A detonator which, in response to a command, uses a first modulation process to generate a first signal and, in response to an event, uses a second modulation process to generate a second signal.