Method of detonator control with electronic ignition module, coded blast controlling unit and ignition module for its implementation

• US 6,173,651 B1
• Filed: 01/19/1999
• Issued: 01/16/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 05/24/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Davey Bickford
• Original Assignee: Davey Bickford
• Inventors: Fivaz, Eric, Pathe, Claude, Trousselle, Raphael, Clot, Philippe
• Primary Examiner(s): Jordan, Charles T.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Semunegus, Lulit
• Application Number:
  US09/194,322
• Time in Patent Office: 728 Days
• Field of Search: 102/206, 102/200, 102/215, 102/218
• US Class Current: 102/218
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 3/122 Programmable electronic delay initiators
• CPC Class Codes: F42D 1/055 specially adapted for firing multiple charges with a time delay

Abstract

A control method for detonators (1) fitted with an electronic ignition module (15). Each module (15) is associated with specific parameters including at least one identification parameter and one explosion delay time, and includes a firing capacitor and a rudimentary internal clock. The modules (15) are capable of establishing a dialogue with a firing control unit (17) fitted with a reference time basis. The identification parameters are stored in the modules using a programming unit (18); the specific parameters are stored in the firing control unit (17); for each successive module, its internal clock is calibrated using the firing control unit and the associated delay time is sent to the module; the modules are ordered to load the firing capacitors; and a firing order is sent to the modules using the firing control unit, triggering off eventual resetting of the internal clocks as well as a firing sequence.

Claims

1. A method of controlling detonators (1) fitted with an electronic ignition module (15), whereas each ignition module (15) is associated with specific parameters comprising at least one identification parameter and one explosion delay time of the related detonator (1), whereas the said ignition module (15) comprises the following elements:

a firing capacitor (29) designed, after loading, to discharge in a cartridge head (13) of the said detonator (1) to generate an ignition,

a battery capacitor (41) ensuring temporary operating autonomy,

a rudimentary internal clock (49) with a local frequency,

a non-volatile identification memory (47) designed for the storage of the identification parameters, whereby the said modules (15) are capable of establishing a dialogue with a firing control unit (17) fitted with a reference time basis, and designed for transmitting, notably, to them an order to load their firing capacitors (29), as well as an order to fire and to receive from the said modules (15) one or several pieces of information relevant to their states, in which;

the specific parameters are stored in at least one information storage medium,

at least one programming unit (18) is caused to enter the identification parameters,

using the programming unit (18), the identification parameters are stored in the modules (15),

the specific parameters are stored using the information storage medium in the firing control unit (17),

the modules (15) are ordered using the firing control unit (17), to load the firing capacitors (29),

a firing order is sent to the modules (15) using the firing control unit (17), triggering off a firing sequence synchronised to the local frequencies wherein, after storing the specific parameters in the firing control unit (17) and before loading the firing capacitors (29), the local frequency of the internal clock (49) of the said module (15) is measured, using the firing control unit (17) and for each successive module (15), using the reference time basis, then this internal clock (49) is calibrated taking this measurement into account, using an algorithmic correction value of the said local frequency and finally, an associated delay time is sent to the said module (15),

wherein after the firing order, the internal clocks (49) of all the modules (15) are reset.

2. A control method according to claim 1, wherein the information storage medium is distinct from the programming unit (18).

3. A control method according to claim 1, wherein after storing the specific parameters in the firing control unit (17) and before measuring the local frequencies, the said modules (15) are tested using the firing control unit (17) while asking simultaneously at least one piece of information from them and while addressing each module (15) individually by its identification parameters in order to collect the said piece of information.

4. A method of controlling detonators (1) fitted with an electronic ignition module (15), whereas each ignition module (15) is associated with specific parameters comprising at least one identification parameter and one explosion delay time of the related detonator (1), whereas the said ignition module (15) comprises the following elements:

a firing capacitor (29) designed, after loading, to discharge in a cartridge head (13) of the said detonator (1) to generate an ignition,

a battery capacitor (41) ensuring temporary operating autonomy,

a rudimentary internal clock (49) with a local frequency.

a non-volatile identification memory (47) designed for the storage of the identification parameters, whereby the said modules (15) are capable of establishing a dialogue with a firing control unit (17) fitted with a reference time basis, and designed for transmitting, notably, to them an order to load their firing capacitors (29), as well as an order to fire and to receive from the said modules (15) one or several pieces of information relevant to their states, in which;

the specific parameters are stored in at least one information storage medium,

at least one programming unit (18) is caused to enter the identification parameters,

using the programming unit (18), the identification parameters are stored in the modules (15),

the specific parameters are stored using the information storage medium in the firing control unit (17),

the modules (15) are ordered using the firing control unit (17), to load the firing capacitors (29),

a firing order is sent to the modules (15) using the firing control unit (17), triggering off a firing sequence synchronised to the local frequencies wherein, after storing the specific parameters in the firing control unit (17) and before loading the firing capacitors (29), the local frequency of the internal clock (49) of the said module (15) is measured, using the firing control unit (17) and for each successive module (15), using the reference time basis, then this internal clock (49) is calibrated taking this measurement into account, using an algorithmic correction value of the said local frequency and finally, an associated delay time is sent to the said module (15),

wherein during calibration of the internal clock (49) of each module (15), a corrected delay time is calculated with the firing control unit (17), whereas the said delay time is sent to the said module (15).

5. A method of controlling detonators (1) fitted with an electronic ignition module (15), whereas each ignition module (15) is associated with specific parameters comprising at least one identification parameter and one explosion delay time of the related detonator (1), whereas the said ignition module (15) comprises the following elements:

a firing capacitor (29) designed, after loading, to discharge in a cartridge head (13) of the said detonator (1) to generate an ignition,

a battery capacitor (41) ensuring temporary operating autonomy,

a rudimentary internal clock (49) with a local frequency,

a non-volatile identification memory (47) designed for the storage of the identification parameters, whereby the said modules (15) are capable of establishing a dialogue with a firing control unit (17) fitted with a reference time basis, and designed for transmitting, notably, to them an order to load their firing capacitors (29), as well as an order to fire and to receive from the said modules (15) one or several pieces of information relevant to their states, in which;

the specific parameters are stored in at least one information storage medium,

at least one programming unit (18) is caused to enter the identification parameters,

using the programming unit (18), the identification parameters are stored in the modules (15),

the specific parameters are stored using the information storage medium in the firing control unit (17),

the modules (15) are ordered using the firing control unit (17), to load the firing capacitors (29),

a firing order is sent to the modules (15) using the firing control unit (17), triggering off a firing sequence synchronised to the local frequencies wherein, after storing the specific parameters in the firing control unit (17) and before loading the firing capacitors (29), the local frequency of the internal clock (49) of the said module (15) is measured, using the firing control unit (17) and for each successive module (15), using the reference time basis, then this internal clock (49) is calibrated taking this measurement into account, using an algorithmic correction value of the said local frequency and finally, an associated delay time is sent to the said module (15),

wherein each module (15) comprising a processing unit (303), when calibrating the internal clock (49) of the module, the algorithmic correction value of the local frequency of its internal clock (49) is sent to the said module (15) using the firing control unit (17), then a corrected delay time is calculated using the processing unit (303) of the said module (15).

6. A method of controlling detonators (1) fitted with an electronic ignition module (15), whereas each ignition module (15) is associated with specific parameters comprising at least one identification parameter and one explosion delay time of the related detonator (1), whereas the said ignition module (15) comprises the following elements:

a firing capacitor (29) designed, after loading, to discharge in a cartridge head (13) of the said detonator (1) to generate an ignition,

a battery capacitor (41) ensuring temporary operating autonomy,

a rudimentary internal clock (49) with a local frequency,

a non-volatile identification memory (47) designed for the storage of the identification parameters, whereby the said modules (15) are capable of establishing a dialogue with a firing control unit (17) fitted with a reference time basis, and designed for transmitting, notably, to them an order to load their firing capacitors (29), as well as an order to fire and to receive from the said modules (15) one or several pieces of information relevant to their states, in which;

the specific parameters are stored in at least one information storage medium,

at least one programming unit (18) is caused to enter the identification parameters,

using the programming unit (18), the identification parameters are stored in the modules (15),

the specific parameters are stored using the information storage medium in the firing control unit (17),

the modules (15) are ordered using the firing control unit (17), to load the firing capacitors (29),

a firing order is sent to the modules (15) using the firing control unit (17), triggering off a firing sequence synchronised to the local frequencies wherein, after storing the specific parameters in the firing control unit (17) and before loading the firing capacitors (29), the local frequency of the internal clock (49) of the said module (15) is measured, using the firing control unit (17) and for each successive module (15), using the reference time basis, then this internal clock (49) is calibrated taking this measurement into account, using an algorithmic correction value of the said local frequency and finally, an associated delay time is sent to the said module (15),

wherein before storing the identification parameters in each module (15), the electronic and pyrotechnic functionalities of the related detonator (1) are tested using the programming unit (18).

7. An encoded firing control assembly comprising detonators (1) fitted with an electronic ignition module (15), whereas each ignition module (15) is associated with specific parameters comprising at least one identification parameter and one explosion delay time of the related detonator (1) during a firing sequence, whereas the said ignition module (15) comprises the following elements:

a firing capacitor (29) designed, after loading, to discharge in a cartridge head (13) of the said detonator (1) to generate an ignition,

a battery capacitor (41) ensuring temporary operating autonomy,

a rudimentary internal clock (49) with a local frequency,

a non-volatile identification memory (47) designed for the storage of the said identification parameters, whereas the encoded assembly also contains;

a programming unit (18) capable of inputting the specific parameters of the modules (15) and of storing the identification parameters in the corresponding modules (15),

a firing control unit (17) fitted with a reference time base and with a memory capable of receiving the specific parameters of the modules (15), whereas the said firing control unit (17) can be linked electrically on line to the said modules (15) and to establish a dialogue with them, especially by sending to the said modules (15) having received their identification parameters from the programming unit (18), the associated delay times, while measuring the local frequencies of their internal clocks (49) using the reference delay time, by calibrating the said internal clocks (49) and by sending to the said modules (15) a firing order triggering off a firing sequence,

wherein the firing control unit (17) and the modules (15) comprise calibration means enabling to calibrate the internal clocks (49) in relation to the reference time basis after storing specific parameters in the firing control unit,

wherein the modules (15) comprise means for resetting their internal clocks (49) further to a firing order sent by the firing control unit (17).

8. An encoded firing control assembly according to claim 7, characterised in that the modules (15) comprise means for resetting their internal clocks (49) further to a firing order sent by the firing control unit (17).

9. An encoded firing control assembly according to claim 7, wherein, the said assembly comprising an electric link between each module (15) and the cartridge head (13) of the associated detonator (1), and the said module (15) being capable of sending to the said cartridge head (13), via the said electric link, a current generating a firing sequence, the cartridge heads (13) possess conducting or semiconducting bridges.

10. An ignition module (15) of a detonator (1) fitted with a pyrotechnic burster comprising a power supply circuit (302) containing notably a battery capacitor (41) ensuring temporary operating autonomy, a communications interface (301), a pyrotechnic burster management circuit (300) comprising, notably a firing capacitor (29) designed for, after loading, discharging into a cartridge head (13) of the detonator (1), as well as a logic unit (303) of the management of the module assembly (15), whereby the said logic unit (303) comprises a non-volatile identification memory (47) designed for receiving at least one identification parameter of the said module (15) and a rudimentary internal clock (49) with a local frequency,

wherein the module (15) contains a calibration memory enabling to receive a calibration value of the internal clock (49) in relation to a reference time basis, originating from a firing control unit (17) capable of sending to the module (15), a firing order, and

further comprising means for resetting the internal clock (49) to a calibrated state and the logic unit (303) comprises a resetting control actuating the resetting means during a firing order.

11. An ignition module (15) of a detonator (1) fitted with a pyrotechnic burster comprising a power supply circuit (302) containing notably a battery capacitor (41) ensuring temporary operating autonomy, a communications interface (301), a pyrotechnic burster management circuit (300) comprising, notably a firing capacitor (29) designed for, after loading, discharging into a cartridge head (13) of the detonator (1), as well as a logic unit (303) of the management of the module assembly (15), whereby the said logic unit (303) comprises a non-volatile identification memory (47) designed for receiving at least one identification parameter of the said module (15) and a rudimentary internal clock (49) with a local frequency, wherein the module (15) contains a calibration memory enabling to receive a calibration value of the internal clock (49) in relation to a reference time basis, originating from a firing control unit (17) capable of sending to the module (15), a firing order said ignition module, and

further comprising a customised ASIC-type integrated circuit, the firing capacitor (29), the battery capacitor (41), a power transformer (56) and a protective device against electrostatic discharges.