WIRELESS DETONATOR

• US 20180328702A1
• Filed: 08/04/2016
• Published: 11/15/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 11/09/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Detnet South Africa (Pty) Ltd
• Original Assignee: Detnet South Africa (Pty) Ltd
• Inventors: Venter, Francois, Muller, Elmar Lennox
• Granted Patent: US 10,466,025 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 3/121 Initiators with incorporated integrated circuit
• CPC Class Codes: F42C 11/00 Electric fuzes in combination with other fuzes F42C9/14; proximity fuzes F42C13/00; safety or arming effected by electric means F42C15/40; electric contact parts for fuzes F42C19/06; electric igniters F42C19/12, F42B3/12 - F42B3/18; optical initiators F42B3/113
• CPC Class Codes: F42C 11/06 with time delay by electric circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: F42C 13/04 operated by radio waves
• CPC Class Codes: F42D 1/05 Electric circuits for blasting

Abstract

A wireless detonator which includes a control unit, an ignition element, an energy source which is configured to fire the ignition element in response to a signal from the control unit, a communication module, and an energy harvesting unit which harvests energy from an external electromagnetic field which is used to power, at least, the communication module.

Claims

1. A wireless detonator which includes a control unit, an ignition element, an energy source which is configured to fire the ignition element in response to a signal from the control unit, a communication module, and an energy harvesting unit which harvests energy from an external electromagnetic field which is used to power, at least, the communication module.

2. A wireless detonator according to claim 1 wherein the harvested energy is also used to power, at least in part, the control unit.

3. A wireless detonator according to claim 1 which includes a sensor which inhibits firing of the ignition element by the energy source and which only allows firing of the ignition element by the energy source if the sensor detects that the sensor is in proximity to a bulk explosive.

4. A wireless detonator according to claim 3 wherein the sensor is responsive to the presence of the molecule NH4 or the presence of the molecule NO3.

5. A wireless detonator according to claim 1 which includes a fuse connected in a current path between the energy source and the ignition element and a switch which is operable in response to a signal from the control unit to discharge the energy source at least partly and to open-circuit the fuse.

6. A wireless detonator according to claim 5 wherein the signal is generated by the control unit if the firing of the ignition element has not occurred despite reception of a fire command by the communication module.

7. A wireless detonator according to claim 1 which includes a sensor which inhibits firing of the ignition element by the energy source and which only allows firing of the ignition element by the energy source if the sensor detects that the sensor is in proximity to a bulk explosive.

8. A wireless detonator according to claim 7 wherein the sensor is responsive to the presence of the molecule NH4 or the presence of the molecule NO3.