Method and apparatus for disabling a blasting cap
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for disabling an explosive device which contains a detonator comprising a bridgewire of certain resistance, and is initiated by a minimum all-fire threshold current provided by firing circuitry, the apparatus comprising:
- a power source for generating a power sequence waveform having a magnitude and duration;
a power amplifier for achieving a desired power sequence waveform level;
a logic controller for implementing the power sequence waveform appropriate for disabling the detonator in the explosive device, wherein the logic controller varies the magnitude and duration of the power sequence waveform;
a power transmission member for conveying the power sequence waveform to the explosive device to be disabled, such that the power sequence waveform is coupled to the detonator thereby inactivating the detonator and disabling the explosive device; and
a detonator integrity sensing member that polls whether the detonator is in an active status or an inactive status.
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Abstract
A system for disabling or degrading electrically initiated explosive devices includes an apparatus for inducing waveforms of varying power and duration into the leads of a bridgewire based blasting cap, thus raising the resistance to render the blasting cap inoperable without requiring detonation, and for polling or confirming electrical performance and operational status of the blasting cap. An operational methodology for neutralizing an explosive device is included.
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Citations
9 Claims
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1. An apparatus for disabling an explosive device which contains a detonator comprising a bridgewire of certain resistance, and is initiated by a minimum all-fire threshold current provided by firing circuitry, the apparatus comprising:
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a power source for generating a power sequence waveform having a magnitude and duration; a power amplifier for achieving a desired power sequence waveform level; a logic controller for implementing the power sequence waveform appropriate for disabling the detonator in the explosive device, wherein the logic controller varies the magnitude and duration of the power sequence waveform; a power transmission member for conveying the power sequence waveform to the explosive device to be disabled, such that the power sequence waveform is coupled to the detonator thereby inactivating the detonator and disabling the explosive device; and a detonator integrity sensing member that polls whether the detonator is in an active status or an inactive status. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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Specification