Wireless Detonation Monitoring via Electromagnetic Emissions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for measuring detonation of explosives in blasting operations are limited by the need for wired sensors, which are prone to destruction and restrict the ability to monitor multiple blast holes simultaneously, leading to potential misfires and safety risks.
Innovation Solution
A wireless system using an antenna to detect electromagnetic emissions from detonations, coupled with a high-speed data logger and comparison arrangement to record and verify detonation timing against a scheduled sequence, allowing for non-invasive monitoring of multiple blast holes without equipment destruction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wired accelerometers are used to measure detonation, then measurement capability is achieved, but the cabling is destroyed by adjacent detonations and the system is limited to measuring only a few holes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/wired accelerometer system with a wireless electromagnetic detection system. The antenna detects electromagnetic emissions from detonations without physical contact, eliminating the cabling destruction problem while enabling monitoring of multiple blast holes simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces electromagnetic waves as an intermediary to transmit detonation information from the explosive charges to the detection antenna. This intermediary allows remote, non-contact measurement that is not susceptible to physical destruction by the detonations themselves.
2Measurement precision
If wired sensors are placed in explosive charges, then detonation measurement is possible, but the complexity of wiring and vulnerability to damage limits practical application
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the complex wired sensor system with a simple wireless electromagnetic detection system. The antenna and data logger require no physical connection to the explosive charges, dramatically reducing system complexity while maintaining measurement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the detection function from the explosive charge environment by using remote electromagnetic sensing. The antenna detects detonations from a distance without being placed inside the explosive charges or requiring wiring through the blast holes.
3Reliability
If accelerometers bound to surrounding rock mass are used, then detonation vibrations can be recorded, but the complexity of recorded measurements confines use mainly to experimental work
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the complex accelerometer-based vibration measurement system with a simpler electromagnetic detection system. The antenna directly detects electromagnetic emissions from detonations, providing reliable detection without the complexity of vibration analysis and signal processing required by accelerometer systems.
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
Enables accurate and simultaneous monitoring of detonation timing across multiple blast holes, reducing misfire risks and providing reliable data for detonation performance analysis, including velocity of detonation calculations.
Implementation Method 1
an antenna for detecting electromagnetic emissions caused by detonation of the explosives and providing an electromagnetic signal representative of the electromagnetic emissions
Data Source
AI summary
A system (10) for wireless measurement of detonation of explosives (3) for detonation according to a timed sequence, the system comprising: an antenna (15, 16) for detecting electromagnetic emissions caused by detonation of the explosives and providing an electromagnetic signal representative of the electromagnetic emissions; a data logger (12) operatively connected to the antenna for logging the electromagnetic signal; a trigger for setting the data logger for logging the electromagnetic signal upon detonation of the explosives to produce a recorded blast record; and a comparison arrangement for comparing the timed sequence with the recorded blast record.