Apparatus and method for blasting

• US 9,091,519 B2
• Filed: 06/23/2009
• Issued: 07/28/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 02/16/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Orica Explosives Technology Pty Limited (Orica Limited)
• Original Assignee: Orica Explosives Technology Pty Limited (Orica Limited)
• Inventors: Lownds, Charles Michael, Stewart, Ronald F., Bampfield, Howard A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Weber, Jonathan C
• Application Number:
  US12/489,702
• Publication Number:
  US 20090314176A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,226 Days
• Field of Search: 102/301, 102/200, 102/306, 102/215, 361/248, 361/251
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: F41A 17/066 having means for recognizing biometric parameters, e.g. voice control, finger print or palm print control
• CPC Class Codes: F42D 1/045 Arrangements for electric ignition dynamo-electric generators H02K
• CPC Class Codes: F42D 1/05 Electric circuits for blasting

Abstract

Disclosed herein are significant improvements in security and safety of blasting apparatuses intended for use in mining operations. These include the development of an apparatus and method for blasting that involves activation or deactivation of the blasting apparatus in accordance with pre-determined parameters. For example, these parameters may include one or more of: a location of the blast site, a time for the blasting event, a number of previous blasts, a number of previous blasts within a given time period, and identification of detonator identification codes. The activation or deactivation may involve cross-communication between components of the blasting apparatus and/or associated detonators. Such cross-communication may involve electronic or wireless communication means, including for example the use of cell phone technology, or the internet. In this way, preferred apparatuses and methods disclosed herein permit rapid analysis and verification of a geographical location and time for a blasting event, as well as control and logging of the blasting event, all from a remote location.

Claims

1. An apparatus for controlling actuation of at least one detonator for a blasting event at a blast site, said apparatus comprising:

at least one blasting machine for transmitting command signals to said at least one detonator via direct electrical connection or wireless communication;

for each of said at least one detonator, a substantially unique detonator identification code assigned to said detonator,

at least one assessment component that assesses the at least one detonator identification code of said at least one detonator, and thereby, at least one of the parameters of the at least one detonator'"'"'s use at a specific location, at a specific time or within a specific time window, or by a specific blast operator;

at least one approval component that approves the detonator identification code of said at least one detonator by comparing said at least one detonator identification code of said at least one detonator with at least one approved detonator identification code;

each of said at least one detonator being actuatable upon receipt from said at least one blasting machine of at least one command signal to FIRE, and/or said blasting machine being able to transmit a command signal to FIRE to each detonator, only if a detonator identification code for the detonator and any of said at least one approved detonator identification codes correspond, and thereby said at least one parameter is determined by said at least one approval component to correspond to at least one of said designated location, designated time or time window and designated blast operator.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a location assessment component, each detonator identification code being assigned its designated specific location, said blasting apparatus being unable to cause detonator actuation and/or each detonator being unresponsive to said blasting machine if said blasting apparatus or at least one component thereof, or said at least one detonator, is determined by said location assessment component to be in a location other than said designated location.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a time assessment component, each detonator identification code being assigned its designated specific time or time window, said blasting apparatus being unable to cause detonator actuation and/or each detonator being unresponsive to an associated blasting machine if said time or time window is determined by said time assessment component to include a time other than said designated time or time window.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a blast operator assessment component, each detonator identification code being assigned its designated specific blast operator, said blasting apparatus being unable to cause detonator actuation and/or each detonator being unresponsive to an associated blasting machine if a blast operator is determined by said blast operator assessment component to be a blast operator other than said designated blast operator.

5. A method of controlling a blasting event at a blast site with a blasting apparatus according to claim 1, the blast site having positioned therein at least one detonator and associated explosive charges, each detonator being adapted to receive via direct electrical connection or wireless communication command signals transmitted or relayed by at least one associated blasting machine, the method comprising:

providing for each of the at least one detonator a substantially unique detonator identification code assigned to said detonator,

determining via the at least one detonator identification code assessment component an identification code for each detonator, and thereby, at least one of the parameters of the at least one detonator'"'"'s use at a specific location, at a specific time or within a specific time window, or by a specific blast operator; and

determining via the at least one detonator identification code approval component whether the identification code for each detonator matches any of said at least one approved detonator identification codes;

each of said at least one detonator being actuatable upon receipt from said at least one blasting machine of at least one command signal to FIRE, and/or said blasting machine being able to transmit a command signal to FIRE to each detonator, only if a detonator identification code for the detonator and any of said at least one approved detonator identification codes correspond, and thereby said at least one parameter is determined by said at least one approval component to correspond to at least one of said designated location, designated time or time window and designated blast operator.

6. The method of claim 5, the apparatus further comprising a location assessment component, the method comprising the step of:

determining via said location assessment component a location of said apparatus, a component thereof, or said at least one detonator;

each detonator identification code being assigned its designated specific location, said blasting apparatus being unable to cause detonator actuation and/or each detonator being unresponsive to said blasting machine if said blasting apparatus or at least one component thereof, or said at least one detonator, is determined by said location assessment component to be in a location other than a designated location.

7. The method of claim 5, the apparatus further comprising a time assessment component, the method further comprising the step of:

determining via said time assessment component a time or time window for said blasting event;

each detonator identification code being assigned its designated specific time or time window,

said blasting apparatus being unable to cause detonator actuation and/or each detonator being unresponsive to an associated blasting machine if said time or time window is determined by said time assessment component to include a time other than a designated time or time window.

8. The method of claim 5, the apparatus further comprising a blast operator assessment component, the method further comprising the step of:

determining via said blast operator assessment component an identification of a blast operator;

each detonator identification code being assigned its designated specific blast operator, said blasting apparatus being unable to cause detonator actuation and/or each detonator being unresponsive to an associated blasting machine if a blast operator is determined by said blast operator assessment component to be a blast operator other than a designated blast operator.