Method and apparatus for confirmation time break (CTB) determination and shotpoint in-situ recording in seismic electronic detonators

A seismic blasting machine, comprising:

• at least one processor and an associated memory;
• a power supply, under the control of the at least one processor, operative to apply a voltage across a pair of wires connected to a seismic detonator;
• a firing apparatus coupled with the pair of wires and, under the control of the at least one processor, operative to selectively provide a firing command from the seismic blasting machine to the seismic detonator;
• and
• a sensing circuit coupled with the pair of wires and operative to sense at least one electrical parameter while the at least one processor maintains the applied voltage from the power supply across the pair of wires for a non-zero predetermined time after provision of the firing command;
• wherein the at least one processor is programmed to:
• determine whether the sensed electrical parameter indicates a successful detonation of an explosive charge associated with the seismic detonator, and
• if the sensed electrical parameter indicates a successful detonation, to selectively identify a confirmation time break value representing a time when the sensed electrical parameter indicates a successful detonation of the explosive charge;
• and
• wherein the sensed electrical parameter is a reflected electrical signal generated by reflection from an impedance of the seismic detonator of an electrical signal provided by the seismic blasting machine, and wherein determining whether the sensed electrical parameter indicates a successful detonation comprises determining whether the reflected electrical signal ceases to be received by the seismic blasting machine within the non-zero predetermined time after provision of the firing command.

A method for data reporting in a seismic blasting system, the method comprising:

• using a seismic blasting machine, electronically obtaining detonator data including at least one of a serial ID and a shot point from a connected seismic detonator;
• using the seismic blasting machine, determining whether the seismic detonator has been successfully detonated according to a reflected electrical signal generated by reflection from an impedance of the seismic detonator of an electrical signal provided by the seismic blasting machine, and wherein determining whether the sensed electrical parameter indicates a successful detonation comprises determining whether the reflected electrical signal ceases to be received by the seismic blasting machine within the non-zero predetermined time after provision of the firing command;
• if the seismic detonator has been successfully detonated, selectively identifying a confirmation time break value associated with the detonation;
• if the seismic detonator has not been successfully detonated, electronically reporting an unsuccessful detonation including transmission of the detonator data from the seismic blasting machine to an external system;
• and
• if the seismic detonator has been successfully detonated, electronically reporting a successful detonation including transmission of the detonator data from the seismic blasting machine to the external system.