Blasting system and method of controlling a blasting operation

• US 20060027121A1
• Filed: 01/05/2005
• Published: 02/09/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/21/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Detnet South Africa (Pty) Ltd
• Original Assignee: Detnet International Limited (AECI Limited)
• Inventors: Schlenter, Craig Charles, Koekemoer, Andre
• Granted Patent: US 7,594,471 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 102/301
• CPC Class Codes: F42D 1/05 Electric circuits for blasting

Abstract

A method and apparatus for controlling a blasting operation using blast control equipment to initiate a plurality of detonators at a blast site. According to the method, the full use of the blast control equipment is inhibited, a validation process on information is conducted, and, if the information is validated, at least partial use of the blast control equipment is enabled. The blasting system includes at least one installation of blast control equipment and a plurality of detonators that are configured to be initiated by the blast control equipment, a control facility, and a transmitter for transmitting an enabling signal to at least one selected installation which allows the blast control equipment at the selected installation to initiate the plurality of detonators.

Claims

1. A method of controlling a blasting operation wherein blast control equipment is used to initiate a plurality of detonators at a blast site, the method including the steps of inhibiting full use of the blast control equipment, conducting a validation process on information and, if the information is validated, enabling at least partial use of the blast control equipment.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the validation process is conducted on information selected from the following:

the identity of a user of the blast control equipment,

the identity of each user, if more than one user is required to make use of the blast control equipment,

the location of the blast control equipment,

the number of detonators which are to be initiated,

the type of detonators which are to be initiated,

the identity of the blast control equipment,

the identity of software or firmware embodied or employed in the blast control equipment,

details of the configuration of the detonators,

information relating to programming of the detonators,

a time or date during which blasting will be allowed, and

a unique identifier.

3. A method according to claim 1 wherein the validation process is conducted on information transmitted to the blast site.

4. A method according to claim 1 wherein the validation process is conducted on information extracted from a request signal.

5. A method according to claim 4 wherein the request signal is transmitted to a control facility.

6. A method according to claim 5 wherein the validation process is conducted at the control facility.

7. A method according to claim 4 wherein the request signal is transmitted from the blast site.

8. A method according to claim 4 wherein the request signal is originated by a person who is setting up, or who intends to initiate, a blasting operation.

9. A method according to claim 4 wherein the request signal is transmitted using a technique selected from the following:

wirelessly, through the use of fixed connections by making use of a network, by physically transporting the blast control equipment or a component thereof to the control facility, by generating the request signal at an intermediate facility from which the request signal is transmitted.

10. A method according to claim 1 wherein the blast control equipment is inhibited using software which depends on at least one of the following:

an encryption/decryption technique, an algorithm, and a decoding key.

11. A method according to claim 10 wherein the blast control equipment is inhibited by removing information, required for blasting, from the blast control equipment, and enabling the blast control equipment by transmitting this information to the blast control equipment after the validation process.

12. A method according to claim 1 wherein the blast control equipment, while disabled, is permitted to carry out operations selected from:

the testing of detonators, the programming of detonators, and the arming of detonators.

13. A method according to claim 1 wherein the blast control equipment is enabled to initiate the plurality of detonators.

14. A method according to claim 1 wherein the blast control equipment is enabled so that it can receive at least one of the following:

an available firmware or software upgrade, information on the status of all or part of the blast control equipment, information relating to a permitted user of the blast control equipment, and diagnostic information.

15. A method according to claim 1 wherein the information is generated at least partly by at least one of the following:

by accessing a memory in which data is stored;

by a user inputting information;

by means of a biometric device; and

by inputting data from a portable device.

16. A method according to claim 4 wherein the request signal is transmitted by a transmitter which is linked to the blast control equipment.

17. A method according to claim 4 which includes the step of logging information relating to at least one of the following:

the extent of usage of the blast control equipment;

the number of detonators which are fired;

the types of detonators;

the times of usage of the blast control equipment;

the identity of each user of the blast control equipment;

the area or areas in which the blast control equipment is employed; and

the software included in the blast control equipment.

18. A method according to claim 17 wherein the logged information is included in the request signal.

19. A method according to claim 1 which includes the steps, at a control facility which is remote from the blast control equipment, of initiating diagnostic or maintenance routines on the blast control equipment.

20. A method according to claim 1 wherein the blast control equipment, when enabled, is allowed to initiate detonators:

of a specific number or type;

during a specific time period;

for a specific mine or area;

for a number of blasting processes;

for a specific blast;

for a defined region;

or

under the control or supervision of one or more authorised persons.

21. A method according to claim 4 wherein the request message is transmitted via a communications link to a control facility at which the validation process is conducted.

22. A method according to claim 21 wherein the communications link is a cellular network.

23. A method according to claim 22 wherein the request message is transmitted using voice recognition or digital input techniques under the control of a program which is run at the control facility.

24. A method according to claim 1 wherein the blast control equipment is enabled by means of a signal sent from a control facility.

25. A method according to claim 24 wherein the blast control equipment is selected from a plurality of separate installations of blast control equipment, and wherein each installation can be selectively enabled by means of a respective signal from the control facility.

26. A method according to claim 4 wherein a request signal is sent from a control facility and the validation process is conducted at the blast site.

27. A blasting system which includes at least one installation of blast control equipment and a plurality of detonators which are configured to be initiated by the blast control equipment, a control facility and a transmitter for transmitting an enabling signal to at least one selected installation which allows the blast control equipment at the selected installation to initiate the plurality of detonators.

28. A blasting system according to claim 27 wherein at each installation the blast control equipment includes or is associated with a global positioning system.

29. A blasting system according to claim 27 which includes, at each installation, an authentication module which ensures that the blast control equipment is used only upon the occurrence of at least one of the following:

the authentication of the identity of a person by biometric means;

the use of a smart card;

the entering of a password; and

the use of a mechanical key.

30. A blasting system according to claim 27 wherein, at each installation, the blast control equipment includes a request signal transmitter, and the control facility includes a processor for validating information extracted from the request signal, and a signal generator for generating the enabling signal if the information is validated.

31. A blasting system according to claim 30 wherein the request signal is transmitted by at least one of the following:

by wireless means;

through the use of conductors or connections;

by physically conveying the information from a source to a destination.

32. A blasting system according to claim 30 wherein the processor validates the information using a set of predetermined rules.

33. A blasting system according to claim 30 wherein the processor logs information extracted from the request signal.

34. A blasting system according to claim 30 wherein the control facility generates a usage charge in response, at least, to the request signal.