Wireless Blasting Safety Control With Deactivation Zones
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless blasting systems lack robust engineering controls to ensure that wireless initiation devices operate only at their intended locations, posing safety risks during commercial blasting operations.
Innovation Solution
A safety system comprising wireless transmitter systems with disable antennas, vehicle/personnel presence detectors, RFID scanner systems, and a safety control system to manage wireless devices, enabling deactivation zones and alarms to prevent unintended initiation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wireless initiation devices are used without physical lead wires, then misfire rate is reduced and innovative blast designs are enabled, but safety control becomes more difficult as any device in range can be initiated regardless of location
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the wireless signal transmission into distinct functional zones: scanner zones for detection, detection zones for personnel/vehicle monitoring, and deactivation zones for automatic disabling. This spatial segmentation ensures that wireless devices are only initiated when located in the correct blasthole within the detection zone, while devices outside this zone (even if in wireless range) are automatically deactivated.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary safety control system that acts as a mediator between the wireless transmitter and the initiation devices. This intermediary system uses RFID scanner systems and detection systems to verify device location and personnel presence before allowing initiation, thus preventing unintended initiation while maintaining the wireless system's reliability benefits.
2Reliability
If safety controls are made stricter with multiple detection and deactivation systems, then safety and reliability are enhanced, but device complexity and system cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The wireless transmitter system performs multiple functions: it transmits initiation commands to devices in blastholes, transmits deactivation commands to devices outside detection zones, and coordinates with RFID scanner systems and detection systems. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated safety systems, thereby limiting the increase in overall system complexity while maintaining enhanced safety and reliability.
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
Enhances safety by automatically disabling wireless devices in deactivation zones and generating alarms when personnel or vehicles are detected, ensuring controlled blasting operations.
Implementation Method 1
one or more wireless transmitter systems 102 configured to send command signals wirelessly to wireless devices
Implementation Method 2
one or more RFID scanner systems 106 with reader antennas that defined one or more scanner zones
Data Source
AI summary
The safety systems for commercial blasting operations include wireless transmitter system(s) configured to send command signals wirelessly to wireless devices that are configured for wireless electronic blasting (web). The system also includes disable antenna(s) that define deactivation zone(s): vehicle/personnel presence detector system(s) including detectors that define detection zone(s), and/or RFID scanner system(s) with reader antennas that defined scanner zone(s); and a safety control system in electronic communication with the wireless transmitter system(s), and the vehicle/personnel presence detector systems and/or the RFID scanner systems, wherein the safety control system is configured to control the wireless transmitter systems to send wireless disable command(s) to disable the wireless devices that are within the deactivation zones, and/or to control alarm system(s) to generate alarms, in response to a vehicle/person being detected in the detection zones and/or a wireless device being detected in the scanner zones.