Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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INT~ODUC~nON A~lD BACKGRO~ND
THIS ir~vention relates to e.~plesive firing arrangemen2s ar~d more
particularly to an exptos~ve firin4 system comprising a plurality of el~c~(onic
detonators and a controller therefor, the CG~ ~troller, in use, causing the
5 detonators to initiate their a~soci~te~ exrlQsive charges according to a
programme in a m~lti-shot bi~st.
' ', '
hring systems including a controller which is connectable by elec~rical
wires to a plurality of identical detonators and wherein each detonator is
10 ~ssoci-ted with an identification code individ~al thereto, aro known. In
use, the de~onators with their ~5soeiat~d charges are located in pr~planned
positions and the electrical connection is made. Pre-computed delay t~me
data associoted with each detonator is transmitted together with the
identificauon codes on the wires to the detonators and the delay time data
1 !j assoc;ated with each detona~or is stored in a memory arrangem~nt of that
detonator. Upon receipt of a common fire signal, the detonators time out
the relevant delay times and then in-~iate their assori~ted charges, to cause
thc multi-shot blast
20 A disadvantage of the above system is that the exact physical location of
the detonators in use and the relevant delay times rnust t)e planned and
worked out in ad~/ance. The aforementioned system ttlUs lacks flexibility
and does no~ provide an optirnum match wi~h sophisticated blast controllers
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and comput~rized con~ol sy-t~ ~ which are adapted also to utilize data
regarding geological structure and formations as an input for c~'~l ~ting
delay times and which may thus allow for s~ ~hse~ nt chanç~es or
madlfications to a delay time pro~ am, to optimize the pro~ ,ir~t~
OB~EC~ OF THE I~T INVENTION -
Accordingly it is an object of the present invention to provide a method and
system with which the appllcant belleves the aforementioned shortcomings
may at least be alleviated
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the invention there is provided a m~hod of causing a multi-
shot blast including the steps of
- selecting a plurality of spaced posibons for locating electronic
d-tonators in a blast site;
- a~ each position, determining position related data for that
detonator position;
- utllizin~ the posieion rela~ed data to establish a blast
programme
- providing si~nals to detonators at the detonator positions, to
- cause th-m to detonate ~ccordino to th- proy~J~ e
. ~ '.
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.
It will be appreciated t~at ~he me~hod accor~i"~ to the ;nvent;on provides
more f~exib;lity in Shat once the detonators are positioned, their p~sition
data and other data, such as ~eolo~lc~l data, may be utilized to compute
delay time data ~or each detonator position, to cause a desired firin~
5 sequence and hence blast front.
Further according to ths invention the method may includ~ the s~ep of
determining identification'code data of each of the detonators before
estat~lishing the blast programme. The identitica~-on code data may be
10 determined by reading the data electronically from a memory arrangem~nt
in the detonator. However, the step of determining detonator identification
code data preferably ;ncludes deterrnining the data passively. In this
specification the term "determinin~ the data passively' will me~n that the
data is determined witho~t electrically ener~izing the detonator. For
15 example, the data may be determined passively by readins identification
code data provided on the dstonator In the ~orm of a bar code pattern, by
means of a bar code reader.
The position related data may be dete~mined by absolute posib-on
20 monitoring, allernatively by distance-related monitorin~ by determ;ning
distances between the detonator posiiioQs. The position related data may
~e deterrnined automaticaily u~ilizing any suitable measuring means such as
a radio device, an acoustic device,''an optl'cal device, a laser operated
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device. In a preferred forrn of the invention, absolute pasition related data
is d~terrnined by dete~nining position coordinate data for ea~ h detonator
pos~tion. The position coo~dinate data is preferably determined u~lizing a
global posiU~ning system (GPS) includin~ a GPS receiver and at least one
~i earth orbiffng satellite.
-~ .
In the method accordirlg to the invention the position related data and
iden~ficabon code data may be captuted at the detonator positions in a
data reading, storing and downloadin~a device.
The captured data may then be downloade~l into a remote central controller
for establishing the blast programme upon inputtin~ of the data into the
controller.
15 The step of providing signals to the detonators may include the step of
transmitting to each of the d~tonators, utilizing its respective identifica.ion
code data as an address, delay item data relatin~ to a dclay time from a
common fire signal for each detonator to datonate.
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20 Further according to the invent;on and before the delay time data is
~ransmitted to the detonators, the detonators may be energized by
ra.~s~ittin~ an ener~ signal to the detonators.
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The detonators may be energized via electr~cal wiring extending between
the controlle~ and tJ~e detonators. In an alternatJYe embodilT~nt the
detonators may be energized by transmittin~ a wireless e-.er~ .g si~nal,
such as a radio frequcr cy (RF) energizing sign~l to the detonators.
The delay time data may a~so be transmitted on the electrlcal wiring
connecting the de~onators to the central conuoller. In the altema~ive
embodi~ .t the data may be transmitted by wi~eless L~ans..~ission.
10 The common fire si~nal may also be transm;tted on the wiring, ai~ernatively
in the form of a wireless signal.
Also included within the scope of the ;nvention is a method of timing a
multi-shot blast including the steps of:
16 - locabng a detonator arrangement including a detonator having
a preprogranl-,.ed identification code; and an associated
explos;ve char~e, in each of a plurality of spaced detonator
positions;
- at each position, determin;ng respective detonstor
identification code data relating to the detonator at that
position and respectiv- position related data for that detonator
- position;
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- trans~erring th~ respective deton~tor identifica~ion code data
and res~ective pos;~ion related data to a c~tral contrulier;
- computing for each de~onato- position, data relating to a
respective deJay time from reception of a common fire si~nal
after which the det~nator at that detonator posit;on must
~ ~ cause its associated charge to explode;
- utiliang the respective detonator identification code data aru~
a--s~,-itting the respective delay time data to each detonator
at said detonator positions; and
- - - t-~-.5mitting a common fire signal to each detonator, tO cause
its associated charge to eYpl~le after the resrec~ive delay ~ime
. computed for that deton~tor position.
Yet further included w;thin the scope of the present invention is a meth~d
15 of preparing a blast sste, the me~hod including the steps of:
- seiecting a plurality of sp~ced positions for locating electronic
detonators;
- at each position, determining position related data for that
detonator position; and
- transferring the position related data to a central controller.
. ~ ,
Still further included within the scope of the present invention is a method
of causing a multi-shot blastin~ operation of a serles of explosive charges
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sr~c~ apart from eac~ o~er at a blast s;te, said rnetltod including the
ste~s of:
- automatically deterrnlning position related data at each chars~e
locatian;
- dete-- ,inins from the posltional data a requir~d firing sequence;
and ~
- applying ~ fiAn~ sequenc~ to ~e series o~ charges.
- ~
The automatic determinatio n of position related data at each charge
10 location may be ob~ained using one of: a radio device; an acoustic device;
an optical device; a la~-r operated d-vlce; or a global positionir~3 system
receiver.
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The posi~on related data may be determ;ned by absolute position
15 monitoring. Alternativaly, the position related data may be determined by
distance-related monitoring.
, .,
The requir~d firing sequence may be de2ermined from the positiona1 data by
manual or automa~ic inputting of the data to a dala store.
The data store may be connec~d to, or incorporated in a remote controller
which is operative to send sequential firing signals to the individual charses
accord;na ~o ~he required firin~ sequence. Alternatively, the data store may
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supply rest ecti~e finrtg seq1lence data to individual local con~rollars
associa~ed one with each char9e, 2nd upon issue of a common firing signal
to ~he local controllers, sequential firing of the char~es takes place
accordiny to the required firing sequence.
Accordin~ to another aspect of the invention There is provide~ an e~Yrlcsive
firing system incll~ding:
- a plurality of detonators,
- ~ a central con~roller for controHing operation of the detona~ors;
- position deter~ g means for determinin~3 position relate~
data for each of a plura!ity of suitable positions for the
- detonators in a blast area;
- - the central controllor being arranged to utilize said position
related data TO compute a blast pro~.a."",e;
- rneans for transferring signals relating to the blast proyra~ le
To the detonators to cause them to detonate in accordance
with the blast pro~ramme.
The cont-Jller, in computing the blast progfL...",e, may compute for each
20 position, delay time data relatin~ to a delay time from reception of a
common fire siSanal after which a déTonator at that position must cause an
assoc;ated charge To eYplo~ie
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The system may further incl~de means for inp~tting identiflcation code data
~ssoc;-ted wi~h each detonator. The means for inputting the iden~ficati~n
code data may include a bar code reader for readin~ a ba- cod2 ~d~La~l~
~ppl~ed on each d~tcndto-. In another embodiment the identificabon code
5 data may be read electrcnicz~lly from a memory arrangement formin~3 part of
the detonator.
.
The positic~n d~ ..i,.ing means is preferably automatic position data
deter".inin~ means and may includ~ a global positioning system (GPS)
10 incl~ding a GPS receiver cooperating with at least one earth orbiting
satellite. In oth~r embodiments the position determining means may
include a radio device, an acoustic device, an optical device or a laser
oper2ted device.
15 The position determining means may be mo~nted on a boring machine for
drilling holes wherein the detonators and asSociaTed e~tplQsive char~es are
to be positioned. ~Iternativ~ly, it may be mounted on a vehicle
transportin~3 the e~-rlcsive charges and detonators. Further alternatively, it
may be carried in a carrie- or harness mountable on the body of a person
20 preparing the blast site.
The system may further include a data capturin~ dev;ce for receiving
position related data and identification code data at the detonator positions
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and wh~ch device is connectable to the central controller for downloading
said data Into the central controller. The central controller is preferably
adaptad automaticaJly to determine ~he blast programme by inputting the
posibon-related data there into. -
~ :
The means for transfemn~ the delay time data and/or an cnergizing signal
and/or the fire signal or signals may include a wired or f;~er cammunication
path, alternatively it may c~mprise a wireloss, more particularly ra~io
frequency (RF3 communication system.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DIAGRAMS
The invention will now further be described, by way of example only, with
reference to the accompanying diagrams wherein:
fi~ure 1 is a diagrammatic plan view of an open-pit mine showing a
plurality of holes drilled therein to receive explosive charges
and with an imaginary grid superirnposed thereon, to indica~e
the position of each hole;
fiyure 2 is a block dia~ta,~- of a first embodiment of a firins system
~ according to the inven~ion;
~0 figure 3 is a block diagram of a detonator forming parl of the system;
and
figure 4 is a block diagram of an alternative embodiment of the system
according to the invention.
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D~SCRIPTION OF A I ,~..~RED EIUBQDIN~ENT OF THE INVElYT~
An ope~pit mine is generally designated by the reference numeral 10 in
figur~ 1. - -
Multi-shot blastinsl tschniques are used not only to break up earth layers to
a level close to a reef or the like to be mined, but also to move the broken-
up ground away from the reef, to exp~se the reef. To accomplish this,
positionin~3 of holes for receiving the explosives and Inter-hole delay times,
10 that is d~lay times between shots in the blast, nesd careful plannin~.
In the method according to the inven~ion, positions for the holes 12.1 to
12 8 are selected in situ. The holes a-e then drilled by a su;table ~oring
machine to a required depth. The d~pth of the holes may differ from ono
15 ano~her depending on th~ geo!ogicaJ structure of the earth below the
sur~ace.
Detonators 14.1 to t4.8 Ishown in figure 2~ are then inserted into holes
12.1 to 12.8 respectively and the holes are stemmed with expJosive
20 charges. The detonators are iden~ical, except that each is associatcd with
a prepro6rammed identification code ~DET #1 to DET $8) individual
thereto.
1 1
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In an abs~lute position monito~ng step pas~ion related data, more
pa~ticuiarly data r~6Li-,~ to pos~tion co-ord~ tes of the holes (~,;y~) etc, are
det~r"..ned automatic~l~y in known manner, Ltili2in~, for example, a Global
Position;ng System (GPS) comprising a GPS receiver 19 (shown in fi~ure 2)
5 and a network of earth orbitin~ satellites. The GPS receiver may be
mounted on the boring machine or a vehicle carrying the ~Ypl~sive charges
and detonators or fn a suitable carrier or harness for the ~eceiver mou~ntable
on the back of a person prepa~;ng the holes. In oth~r embodiments, the
posi~ion related data may be deterrnined by tistance related monitorfng,
10 more partfcularly by deter-,.i.~ing inter-hole d;stance-rela~ed data, by
utilizing, for example, one of a radio device, an acoustic devlce, an optical
device or a laser operated device.
In a further s~ep, the identification numbers of the detonators 141 to 14.8
fn each of the holes 1 2.1 to 12.8 are determined, for example by
electronically reading it or preferably by reading it passively, for example by
reading by means of a bar code reader 36, 8 bar code pattern 34 on the
body or a connector (not shown) of ~lie detonator. The identlty number of
the detonator, the GPS data of the hole, d. ta regarding tlie depth of the
20 relevant hole, data regardin~ the type and mass of explosive in the hole
and data re~J. cli~ eclo~ic~l - structure are captured in a porta~le data
capturing device 18. The device 18 is connectable to the bar code reader
36 to receive the idenbty number, to GPS receiver 19 to receive the
12
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positlon data and als o to c~ l contr~lbr 16, to downJoa<i the
aforementioned data,
As stated hereinbefore, the detonators are identical except for their
5 iden~ficabon numbers. Accordin~ly, only detonator 14.1 will be described
hereinafter with reference to figure 3. Detonator 14.1 comprises a read
only memory arrangement (ROM) 22 -tonng the preproS,- dn .n~ed
identification code (DET #1) indivWual thereto, a local timer 24 for timing
out a delay time, data regardin~ which is loaded and stored in the
1 O detonatar as will hereinafter be describ~d, a capacitor 26 for storing
electrical charge and a switching arrangement 28 which, when activated
by a local controller 30, ca~ ~ses charge stored on the capacitor to bc
dumped into a fusehead 32, such as ;!~semiconductor bridge (SCB). The
local controller comprises random access memory (RAM) for storing the
15 aforenlentioned delay time data associated with detonator 14.1.
In the embodiment shown in fi~ure 2, ~he controller 16 is connected by
electrical wires 20 to the detonators 14.1 to 14.8.
', :
20 As stated hereinbefore, ~he data cap~uring device ~ 8 is connectable to
controller 16. The GPS data, ID code data and the other da~a referred to
hereinbefore stored in t~he data-capturing device 18 are downlo?~ into the
con~roller 16. The controller 16 then utilizes the GPS data, the ll~ code
13
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data and the da~a reg~ cliny the type of e~plo~;ve us~d, the mass of
oYrlosive per hole, depth of tho hole and ~eological data to compute
d~ay time pro~r..i....le, compnsing del-y times, preferably from a common
fire signal, for each of the hole positions.
An enery~ ~ signal is ~_n..~,-ilLed on the line 20 to charge the capacitor 26
of each detonator. Thereafter, data regarding the delay times is
.
t(~sl.,itted on line 20 to the respective detonators at the relevant holes,
utilizing the relevant idenbfic~tion codes of the detonators at the hotes as
10 addresses The delay time data is stored in the RAM of each local
contraller 30.
The next step io to ~(allsltlil a common fire signal on line 20 to all the
detonators simultaneously. The local bmers 24 in each o~ the detonators
15 then time out the delay umes stored in the RAM and associated with the
detonator, before the local controller 30 c~l~ses the switch 28 to close, to
cause the charge in the capacitor 26 to be dumped in the fuse, to activate
the detonator, to cause the associated eYrlesive charge to explode as part
of th- rnulti-shot blast.
In the embodiment shown in figure 4, the electrical communication line 20
is rerl~ce~l by a radio frequency (RF) liAk. The controller 116 comprises a
RF tra,.s.,.itter (not shown) and antenna 38 and each detonator 114 1 to
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114.8 camprises a RF receiv~r (n~t shown) and an antenna 40.1 to 40.8
resl~ectively. In tl~is ernbod~ment thc bar code reader 8nd data capturing
device may be incorporated in a sinS}le portable unit 36. The unrt 36 is
connectable to the controller 116 and the GPS receiver 19 is connectable to
5 the unit 36, to download the GPS data.
In this e---L.GJi.,.ent the ~.-er~;~ing signal, the delay time data and ~he
common fire signal are t.ans!";Lled via ~he RF link.
10 In another embodiment of the method, the posi~ion related data is inputted
manually or automatically into a central controller. Upon such inputting of
the data, the controller automatically determines the firing se~luence and
delay times. The delay times are then timed out by the controller ~which
prefera~7ly is remote from the de~on~tors and associated charges) and fire
15 signals are transmitted sequentially by the controlle- to Ihe dstonators in
accordance with the desired firing sequence.
It will be appreciated that there are many variations in detail on the
eYplQsive firing system and method according to the invention without
20 departin~ from the spirit of the appended claims.
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