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AssigneeDelta Caps International DCI
InventorsThierry Bernard, Rene Roine, Guy Mausy
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An electronic module for a detonator, the module comprising an electronic circuit (4, 5, 6) encapsulated in a mass of hardened resin (7) in which there terminates at least one inlet conductor (8) and from which there extend two outlet conductors forming a detonator ignitor line (9), the mass of resin (7) being received in a tubular housing (1) which extends beyond the mass of resin (7) adjacent to the ignitor line (9) to define a cavity (11), the outlet conductors of length greater than the depth of the cavity forming an ignitor line (9) short circuited outside the mass of resin inside the cavity (11), which cavity is provided with a removable end cap (12).
1/ An electronic module for a detonator, the module comprising an electronic circuit (4, 5, 6) encapsulated in a mass of hardened resin (7) in which there terminates at least one inlet conductor (8) and from which there extend two outlet conductors forming a detonator ignitor line (9), the mass of resin (7) being received in a tubular housing(l) which extends beyond the mass of resin (7) adjacent to the ignitor line (9) to define a cavity (11), the module being characterized in that the outlet conductors are longer than the depth of the cavity and form a short-circuited ignitor line (9) outside the mass of resin inside the cavity (11), which cavity is provided with a removable end cap (12).
2/ A module according to claim 1, characterized in that the cap (12) is made in the form of a plug of elastically deformable material having a central orifice (14) for receiving the end of a detonator (15) as a force-fit.
3/ A module according to claim 2, characterized in that the cap (12) has a head portion (13) with at least one outside transverse dimension greater than the corresponding inside transverse dimension of the cavity in the tubular housing (1).
4/ A module according to claim 2 or claim 3, characterized in that the cap (12) has at least one groove (12a) in its peripheral surface forming a vent when the cap is put into place in the cavity (11) of the tubular housing.
5/ A module according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the plug has two tubular walls (23, 24) with radial partitions (22).
6/ A method of making an electronic delay detonator, the method consisting in assembling a standard detonator to a module according to any preceding claim, the method being characterized in that it consists in separating the housing (1) from the cap (12), in engaging the detonator (15) in the cap (12) via its end provided with its ignitor conductors (16), in braking the short circuit of the ignitor line (9), in connecting the conductors (16) of the detonator to the outlet conductors (9a, 9b) of the electronic circuit (4, 5, 6), and in replacing the plug (12) fitted with the detonator (15) in the cavity (11).
7/ Tooling for implementing the method of claim 6 on the module of claim 3, the tooling being characterized in that it comprises handling means possessing a bell (18) suitable for receiving with friction the detonator (15) fitted to the cap (12) and forming a pusher for engaging the cap in the cavity.
8/ Tooling according to claim 7, characterized in that the bell comprises a rigid enclosure (21) having a side wall between two ends, one of which ends has an end wall (22) pierced in its center with a detonator-receiving orifice and shaped around said orifice to be complementary in shape with the head portion (13) of the cap (12), and with its other end possessing an opening (28) of section substantially equal to the section of the bell, the bell being filled with a cellular material (24).
9/ Tooling according to claim 8, characterized in that the cellular filler material (24) comprises two blocks (24a, 24b) that are adjacent inside the enclosure along a contact surface (27) lying off the axis of the detonator (15).