Triggering unit controlled by a microprocessor for initiating pyrotechnical elements

• US 6,785,116 B1
• Filed: 07/08/2002
• Issued: 08/31/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/27/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Orica Explosives Technology Pty Limited (Orica Limited)
• Original Assignee: Orica Explosives Technology Pty Limited (Orica Limited)
• Inventors: Zemla, Andreas, Petzold, Jan, Schäfer, Heinz, Hummel, Dirk, Steiner, Ulrich
• Primary Examiner(s): Reichard, Dean A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ha, Nguyen T.
• Application Number:
  US10/071,000
• Time in Patent Office: 785 Days
• Field of Search: 361/247, 361/249, 361/254, 361/253, 361/256, 361/261, 361/264, 361/266, 361/103, 361/104, 361/154, 361/156, 361/168.1, 361/191, 361/58, 361/119, 361/120, 361/182, 361/280, 363/57, 363/86
• US Class Current: 361/247
• CPC Class Codes: F42D 1/05 Electric circuits for blasting

Abstract

A triggering unit for initiating pyrotechnical elements includes a control component, a rectifier (12), an energy store (15), a voltage regulator (13), a data coupling device (11), a current limiter and a suppressor circuit (10). To enable an up to now unknown variety of variants pertaining to characteristics and functionality without having to change the hard ware or the design of the chip, the control component is a programmable microprocessor (10) with an integrated program memory.

Claims

1. An electronic triggering unit for detonators with a control component, a rectifier (12), an energy store (15), a voltage regulator (13), a data coupler (11), a current limiter and a suppressor circuit (10), characterised in that the control component is a programmable microprocessor (20) with integrated programme memory, which is loaded with a programme corresponding to the current requirements during production of the triggering unit or at least before use thereof, the triggering characteristic of the triggering unit being determined by the programme to be loaded.

2. Triggering unit according to claim 1, characterised in that the microprocessor (20) comprises at least

data inputs (21) and the data outputs (22) and a switching output (24),

an oscillator.

3. Triggering unit according to claim 2, characterised in that the oscillator can be calibrated by software.

4. Method for operating a triggering unit having a control component, a rectifier (12), an energy store (15), a voltage regulator (13), a data coupler (11), a current limiter and a suppressor circuit (10), characterised in that the control component is a programmable microprocessor (20) with integrated programme memory, the method comprising loading the microprocessor with a programme corresponding to the current requirements during production of the triggering unit or at least before use thereof.

5. Method according to claim 4, characterised in that the triggering characteristic of the triggering unit is determined by the programme to be loaded.

6. Method according to claim 4, charactrerised in that the triggering characteristic of the triggering unit is determined according to the type of control.

7. Method according to claim 4, characterised in that the microprocessor (20) can also process internet protocols.

8. Method according to claim 4, characterised in that the operating software is implemented at random instants on an unprogrammed triggering unit or higher order subassembly (such as detonators).

9. Method according to claim 4, characterised in that the programming lines of the microprocessor are used as data inputs and outputs.

10. Method according to claim 4, characterised in that the switching output (24) can be reinforced by discrete components.

11. Method according to claim 4, characterised in that communication between the triggering unit and the ignition device can be uni- or bi-directional in a demand-driven manner.

12. Method according to claim 4, characterised in that the triggering unit and the ignition device can communication using various media, such as metallic conductor (cable), optical fibre, ultrasound or high frequency.

13. Method according to claim 4, further comprising generating a trigger signal by the control component and triggering an ignition element with the trigger signal.

14. An electronic triggering unit for initiating pyrotechnic elements, comprising:

a suppressor circuit;

a programmable microprocessor with integrated program memory, the microprocessor being loaded with a program for generating a trigger signal for triggering an ignition element before use of the triggering unit;

a data coupler for level-adjusting reading of information to the microprocessor and for emitting information generated by the microprocessor;

a rectifier;

a voltage regulator for regulating voltage for the microprocessor;

an energy store for supplying current to ignite an ignition element; and

a switch element for receiving a trigger signal from the microprocessor and for triggering an ignition element.

15. The electronic triggering unit according to claim 14, wherein the energy store comprises a capacitor.

16. The electronic triggering unit according to claim 14, wherein the microprocessor is loaded with a program during production of the triggering unit.

17. The electronic triggering unit according to claim 14, further comprising an ignition element operably connected to the switching element.

18. The electronic triggering unit according to claim 14, wherein the data coupler,the rectifier, the voltage regulator and the energy store are integrated in the microprocessor.