Wireless Initiation Device Group Control via Identification Signals

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless blasting systems face challenges in selectively controlling and firing wireless detonators in predetermined groups without physical connections, which complicates the setup and execution of blasting operations in mining.

Innovation Solution

A method involving wireless command signals with a group identification component that allows each wireless initiation device or booster to determine whether it belongs to a predetermined group, enabling selective execution of operations based on the signal, thereby allowing for the controlled actuation of explosive charges.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If wireless blasting systems are used to avoid physical connections between detonators, then safety and ease of setup are improved, but the ability to selectively control and fire detonators in predetermined groups becomes difficult to achieve

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesafetyVSAvoidselective control capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments wireless initiation devices into predetermined groups using group identification components. Each device receives a command signal that includes group identification data, allowing selective activation of specific groups. This segmentation enables safe wireless blasting while maintaining the ability to control detonators in predetermined groups for staged blasting operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Device complexity

If wireless command signals are transmitted to all wireless initiation devices, then communication simplicity is improved, but the complexity of determining which devices should execute the operation increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal transmission simplicityVSAvoiddevice selection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces group identification components as intermediaries between the command signal and the wireless initiation devices. Each device contains a group identification component that compares the received signal's group identification data with its own stored identification. This intermediary mechanism enables simple universal signal transmission while providing accurate device selection through comparison and determination logic within each device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2391864B1Selective control of wireless initiation devices at a blast site
Publication Date: 2016.07.06 ORICA EXPLOSIVES TECHNOLOGY PTY LTD
  • EP2391864B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2391864B1 patent drawingFigure 2a
  • EP2391864B1 patent drawingFigure 2b

AI summary

Disclosed herein are methods for selective control of groups of wireless initiation devices such as wireless electronic boosters at a blast site. Such methods may be applied to a wide variety of blasting techniques that would benefit from the use of wireless control and initiation of explosive charges at the blast site.