Wireless electronic booster, and methods of blasting

• US 7,778,006 B2
• Filed: 04/27/2007
• Issued: 08/17/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/28/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Orica Explosives Technology Pty Limited (Orica Limited)
• Original Assignee: Orica Explosives Technology Pty Limited (Orica Limited)
• Inventors: McCann, Michael J., Anderson, David Geoffrey, Stewart, Ronald F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Jackson; Stephen W
• Application Number:
  US11/790,849
• Publication Number:
  US 20080156217A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,208 Days
• Field of Search: 361/248
• US Class Current: 361/248
• CPC Class Codes: F42D 1/05 Electric circuits for blasting
• CPC Class Codes: F42D 1/055 specially adapted for firing multiple charges with a time delay
• CPC Class Codes: F42D 3/04 for rock blasting

Abstract

Disclosed herein are boosters that include components sufficient for wireless communications with an associated blasting machine. In selected aspects, there are disclosed wireless electronic boosters that are self-contained and robust. Such boosters are especially suited for underground mining operations, optionally employing automated placement of boosters at a blast site.

Claims

1. A wireless electronic booster for use in connection with a blasting machine and for detonation of an explosive material at a blast site, said blasting machine controlling said electronic booster via at least one wireless command signal, the wireless electronic booster comprising:

an electronic detonator comprising a firing circuit and a base charge;

an explosive charge in operative association with said detonator, such that actuation of said base charge via said firing circuit causes actuation of said explosive charge which causes detonation of said explosive material;

a wireless transceiver for receiving and processing said at least one wireless command signal from said blasting machine, said transceiver in signal communication with said firing circuit such that upon receipt of a command signal to FIRE said firing circuit causes actuation of said base charge and actuation of said explosive charge; and

a protective casing such that at least the detonator, explosive charge and transceiver are contained within the casing to at least partially protect the detonator, explosive charge and transceiver from shock or loading forces imposed thereupon and/or ingress of water or dirt during use.

2. The electronic booster of claim 1, wherein the detonator and the transceiver are connected via wire or crimped connection.

3. The electronic booster of claim 1, wherein the detonator and the transceiver communicate via a wireless link, optionally involving electromagnetic signals.

4. The electronic booster of claim 1, wherein the transceiver comprises:

command signal receiving and processing means for receiving and processing said at least one wireless command signal from said blasting machine;

a charge storage device for storing electrical energy;

at least one power source to power said command signal receiving and processing means, and to charge said charge storage device, each of said at least one power source capable of supplying a maximum voltage or current that is less than a threshold voltage or current to actuate said base charge via said firing circuit;

whereupon receipt by said command signal receiving and processing means of a command signal to FIRE causes said electrical energy stored in said charge storage device to discharge into said firing circuit of said detonator, said base charge actuating if a voltage or current in said firing circuit resulting from discharge of said electrical energy from said charge storage device exceeds said threshold voltage or current.

5. The electronic booster of claim 1, wherein the transceiver or said detonator further comprises a memory for recording a delay time for actuation of said base charge and a clock for counting down said delay time upon receipt by said wireless detonator assembly of a command signal to FIRE.

6. The electronic booster of claim 1, wherein said transceiver comprises an antenna at least for receiving said at least one wireless command signal from said at least one blasting machine.

7. The electronic booster of claim 1, wherein said explosive charge and said detonator are contained within a cup-like booster element, the transceiver being contained within a booster-cap adapted to engage said cup-like booster element, thereby to form said wireless electronic booster.

8. The electronic booster of claim 1, further including a logger communication component for communicating with an associated logger via direct electrical contact with said logger, or via short-range wireless communication.

9. The electronic booster of claim 8, wherein the logger logs at least one parameter of the electronic booster selected from the group consisting of:

an identity of the electronic booster, a delay time, a status of the electronic booster, environmental conditions surrounding the electronic booster, a position of the electronic booster, a signal integrity for communication of the electronic booster with an associated blasting machine, and a status of the electronic booster.

10. The electronic booster of claim 8, wherein the logger inputs data into the electronic booster selected from the group consisting of:

an identification code for the electronic booster, a firing code for the electronic booster, and a delay time.

11. The electronic booster of claim 1, wherein the transceiver is adapted for receiving said at least one wireless command signal through rock.

12. The electronic booster of claim 11, wherein the at least one wireless command signal comprises low-frequency radio signals comprise radio signals preferably having a frequency of from 20-2500 Hz, preferably 100-2000 Hz, more preferably 200-1200 Hz.

13. The electronic booster of claim 1, wherein the transceiver is adapted for transmitting at least one wireless response signal through rock to said at least one blasting machine.

14. The electronic booster of claim 1, wherein said at least one wireless command signal is selected from the group consisting of:

an ARM signal, a FIRE signal, a DISARM signal, a booster activation signal, a booster deactivation signal, a delay time to be stored by one or more components of the electronic booster, a signal to increase an operating voltage of the electronic booster, and a calibration signal to calibrate a clock in the electronic booster.

15. The electronic booster of claim 1, wherein the transceiver is adapted to transmit at least one wireless response signal to said at least one blasting machine, and each of said at least one wireless response signal comprises data selected from the group consisting of:

an identification code for an electronic booster, a delay time programmed into said electronic booster, a status of said electronic booster, environmental conditions in a vicinity of said electronic booster, a position of the electronic booster, and a signal integrity for communication of the electronic booster with an associated blasting machine.

16. Use of an electronic booster of claim 1 in a mining operation.

17. A method of establishing and controlling a blasting apparatus at a blast site, the method comprising the steps of:

providing at least one wireless electronic booster of claim 1, together with at least one blasting machine;

positioning the at least one wireless electronic booster at a blast site each in wireless signal communication with at least one of said at least one blasting machine, each booster being in association with explosive material at the blast site;

transmitting to each booster from said associated blasting machine, at least one wireless command signal, thereby to control the at least one booster, said at least one wireless command signal optionally including at least one wireless command signal to FIRE, thereby causing actuation of the at least one booster and detonation of the associated explosive material.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein before or after the step of positioning, the method further includes a step of:

connecting a logger via direct electrical connection or short-range wireless connection to said at least one wireless booster to transmit data to and/or to receive data from, the at least one booster.

19. The electronic booster of claim 18, wherein the at least one wireless response signal comprises low-frequency radio signals preferably having a frequency of from 20-2500 Hz, preferably 100-2000 Hz, more preferably 200-1200 Hz.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the step of connecting comprises transmitting from a logger to each of said at least one booster data selected from:

a delay time, a booster identification code, a firing code.

21. The method of claim 18, wherein the step of connecting comprises receiving by a logger from each of said at least one booster data selected from:

a booster identification code, a firing code, a delay time, an environment of each booster, a status of each booster, verification of a communication link with an associated blasting machine.

22. The method of claim 18, wherein the step of positioning comprises robotic placement of each of said at least one booster at the blast site via a robotic means, the logger forming an integral part of the robotic means.

23. The method of claim 17, wherein each of said at least one booster is located underground, and each of said at least one blasting machine is located at or above a surface of the ground, the step of transmitting comprising transmission of command signals comprising low-frequency radio signals, preferably having a frequency of 20-2500 Hz, preferably 100-2000 Hz, more preferably 200-1200 Hz.

24. The electronic booster of claim 1, further comprising an antenna for receiving the at least one wireless command signal, the antenna having a configuration to receive the at least one wireless command signal from any direction, the antenna including a cylindrical or tube-like core member, about which are wound wires.

25. The electronic booster of claim 24, wherein the antenna includes three wire windings of which one is wound in a circular manner about the core member, and the other two are wound in an elliptical manner about the core member.

26. The electronic booster of claim 25, wherein each wire winding comprises from 1 to several thousand windings of fine gauge wire.