Methods of controlling components of blasting apparatuses, blasting apparatuses, and components thereof
First Claim
1. A method for wireless communication between at least one blasting machine of a blasting apparatus and at least one blasting component of the blasting apparatus at a blast site for mining, the at least one blasting component comprising or in operative association with an explosive charge, and comprising a clock and a memory for storing a programmed delay time for actuation of the explosive charge, the method comprising the steps of:
- transmitting the at least one wireless command signal from the at least one blasting machine, the at least one wireless command signal comprising low frequency radio waves;
receiving the at least one wireless command signal by the at least one blasting component;
processing and to reduce noise optionally amplifying/filtering the received at least one wireless command signal; and
optionally acting upon the at least one wireless command signal, as required,wherein the at least one blasting machine or another component of the blasting apparatus transmits;
a calibration signal having a carrier frequency of from 20-2500 Hz;
the step of receiving further comprising delineation of the oscillations of the calibration signal, or portions of said oscillations, thereby to allow synchronization of all clocks in the blasting components relative to one another, and establishment of a time zero, such that upon receipt by said at least one blasting component of a command signal to FIRE, said delay times counting down from a synchronized time zero thereby to effect timed actuation of each explosive charge associated with each blasting component, thereby to achieve a desired blasting pattern.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Disclosed herein are methods for communicating wireless signals between components of a blasting apparatus, with the intention of conducting a blasting event. In preferred embodiments, the methods are particularly suited to through -rock transmission of wireless command signals, and optionally wireless calibration or synchronization signals, thereby to achieve timed actuation of explosive charges positioned below ground under the control of one or more blasting machines located at or above a surface of the ground, with a high degree of accuracy. Further disclosed are blasting apparatuses and components thereof suitable for use, for example, in conducting the methods of the invention.
117 Citations
41 Claims
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1. A method for wireless communication between at least one blasting machine of a blasting apparatus and at least one blasting component of the blasting apparatus at a blast site for mining, the at least one blasting component comprising or in operative association with an explosive charge, and comprising a clock and a memory for storing a programmed delay time for actuation of the explosive charge, the method comprising the steps of:
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transmitting the at least one wireless command signal from the at least one blasting machine, the at least one wireless command signal comprising low frequency radio waves; receiving the at least one wireless command signal by the at least one blasting component; processing and to reduce noise optionally amplifying/filtering the received at least one wireless command signal; and optionally acting upon the at least one wireless command signal, as required, wherein the at least one blasting machine or another component of the blasting apparatus transmits; a calibration signal having a carrier frequency of from 20-2500 Hz; the step of receiving further comprising delineation of the oscillations of the calibration signal, or portions of said oscillations, thereby to allow synchronization of all clocks in the blasting components relative to one another, and establishment of a time zero, such that upon receipt by said at least one blasting component of a command signal to FIRE, said delay times counting down from a synchronized time zero thereby to effect timed actuation of each explosive charge associated with each blasting component, thereby to achieve a desired blasting pattern. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 38, 39, 40, 41)
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12. A method for blasting rock using a blasting apparatus comprising at least one blasting machine located on or above a surface of the ground for transmitting at least one wireless command signal, and at least one blasting component located below a surface of the ground for receiving and acting upon said at least one wireless command signal, each blasting component including or in operative association with an explosive charge and comprising a clock and a memory for storing a programmed delay time, the method comprising the steps of:
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transmitting through rock from each blasting machine or another component of the blasting apparatus a calibration signal having a LF radio wave carrier frequency of from 20-2500 Hz; receiving though rock the calibration signal by each blasting component; processing the received calibration signal by; optionally amplifying and/or filtering the calibration signal to reduce LF noise; determining from the calibration signal reference times such as zero-crossing times; and optionally calculating further reference times between the reference times; thereby to establish a synchronized clock count for each blasting component; transmitting through rock at least one command signal having a LF radio wave frequency of from 20-2500 Hz other than the frequency of the calibration signal; receiving through rock the at least one command signal by each blasting component; and processing the received at least one command signal optionally with amplifying and/or filtering to reduce LF noise, and acting upon the at least one command signal as required; whereby, if said at least one command signal includes a signal to FIRE, each clock of each blasting component establishing a synchronized time zero and counting down from said synchronized time zero its own programmed delay time, thereby to effect timed actuation of each explosive charge associated with each blasting component, thereby to achieve a desired blasting pattern. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 36, 37)
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Specification