Integrated detonator delay circuits and firing console

An electronic delay detonator for use with a supply of electrical energy and a firing console for providing commands and a firing delay time, the electronic delay detonator comprising:

• a capacitor;
• an explosive;
• and
• electronic apparatus including:
• means for storing an electrical representation of the firing delay time supplied from the firing console, for transmitting the stored firing delay time representation to the firing console in response to a first command supplied from the firing console, for supplying a first signal in response to a second command from the firing console, and for supplying a second signal as soon as a time interval, commencing on a third command from the firing console, has elapsed, which time interval is substantially equal to the stored firing delay time;
• and
• means for charging the capacitor from the supply in response to occurrence of the first signal and for transferring electrical energy from the capacitor so charged to the explosive thereby to fire the explosive in response to occurrence of the second signal.

A detonation system for use with a supply of electrical energy comprising:

• user operable firing console means for selectably transmitting unit identification information, firing delay time information and selections from a command set including at least first, second and third commands, and for displaying responses to at least one of the commands;
• and
• a plurality of units of apparatus each comprising in physical association:
• an explosure;
• means for storing a code identifying the apparatus as a unit, for storing an electrical representation of the firing delay time information supplied from the firing console, for transmitting the stored firing delay time representation to the firing console in response to the first command supplied from the firing console only when the firing console has previously sent unit identification information matching the stored code, for supplying a first signal in response to the second command from the firing console, and for supplying a second signal as soon as a time interval, commencing on the third command from the console, has elapsed, which time interval is substantially equal to the stored firing delay time;
• and
• means for temporarily storing electrical energy from the supply in response to occurrence of the first signal and for transferring stored electrical energy to the explosive thereby the fire the explosive in response to occurrence of the second signal.