Wireless Detonator Network Relay Signal Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional wired blasting systems for mining and quarrying are labor-intensive, prone to connection failures, and pose safety risks due to the need for physical connections, which can be hazardous and inefficient, especially in open-cast operations where detonators are spread over large irregular terrains.
Innovation Solution
A wireless detonator system that uses a network of wireless detonator assemblies with wireless communication to receive, process, and relay signals for timed actuation of explosive charges, eliminating the need for physical connections and enabling remote control and automation of blasting operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wired blasting systems are used to ensure reliable communication between detonators and blasting machines, then connection reliability is improved, but labor intensity and setup time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical wiring system with a wireless communication system. Detonators and blasting machines communicate via radio frequency signals, eliminating the need for physical wire connections. This substitution maintains communication reliability while dramatically reducing setup time and labor intensity, as operators can configure and trigger blasts remotely without physically connecting wires to each detonator.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces wireless signal transmission as an intermediary medium between the blasting machine and detonators. Instead of direct physical wire connections, electromagnetic waves serve as the communication channel, allowing information and control signals to be transmitted through the air, thus eliminating the need for manual wire routing and connection while maintaining reliable communication.
2Reliability
If physical wire connections are used to connect detonators to blasting machines, then communication reliability is improved, but safety risks increase due to exposure to hazardous materials and connection failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical wire connection system with wireless electromagnetic communication. This eliminates the need for operators to handle wires in hazardous environments, reducing exposure to explosive materials and potential injury from wire-related failures. The wireless system transmits control signals through radio waves, keeping operators at a safe distance from the blast site during setup and triggering.
3Ease of operation
If wireless detonator systems are used to improve safety and reduce labor, then ease of operation is improved, but signal transmission reliability may worsen over irregular terrains
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the wireless communication system into multiple relay nodes distributed across the blast site. Instead of relying on a single direct line of sight between the blasting machine and all detonators, the system divides the communication path into smaller segments through intermediate relay detonators that forward signals, ensuring reliable transmission even over irregular terrains and long distances.
Data Source
AI summary
Wireless detonator assemblies (51-59) in use, form a cross-communicating network of wireless “detonator assemblies, such that communication of each wireless detonator assembly (57-59) with an associated blasting machine (50) can occur either directly, or via relay of signals (61-69) between other wireless detonator assemblies (51-56) in the network. Wireless detonator assemblies (51-59) can disseminate information (such as status information, identity information, firing codes, delay times and environmental conditions) among all of the wireless detonator assemblies in the network, while compensating for signal transmission relay delays at nodes in the network, thereby enabling the wireless detonator assemblies to detonate the explosive charges in accordance with the delay times. Various wireless detonator assemblies and corresponding blasting apparatus are disclosed and claimed. Methods of blasting using the wireless detonator assemblies and blasting apparatus are also disclosed and claimed.