US 5,377,592 A · Impulse signal delay unit

Abstract

A digital delay unit for use in blasting operations and the like provides a selected delay between an input impulse signal and an output impulse signal. The delay unit may have a fixed, preset electronically controlled delay period or, optionally, is programmable to enable user-selected changes in an electronically controlled delay lay period. The delay unit has a housing which serves to connect the input and output transmission lines and house the other components, which includes a piezoelectric transducer which converts the input impulse energy, or the energy released by detonation of a booster charge by the input impulse energy, to electrical energy which is used to generate a first electric signal and a second electric signal. An electronic circuit is responsive to the first electric signal to start counting a preprogrammed delay period, after which a second electric signal is emitted to detonate an output charge which ignites one or more output transmission lines, e.g., shock tubes.

Claims29

Dependent claims

A delay unit comprising a housing having (i) input line retainer means for retaining an input transmission line capable of transmitting a non-electric input impulse signal;

(ii) coupling means for coupling the input transmission line to signal conversion means for converting a non-electric input impulse signal from the input transmission line to electrical energy and releasing the electrical energy as a first electric signal and a subsequent second electric signal;
(iii) first conductor means connecting the signal conversion means to a delay circuit for transmitting thereto the first electric signal to activate the delay circuit to start counting a selected time interval;
(iv) second conductor means connecting the signal conversion means via the delay circuit to an electrically detonatable output charge for transmitting, upon lapse of the selected time interval, the second electric signal to detonate the output charge;
and (v) one or more output line retainer means for retaining one or more output transmission lines in proximity to the output charge whereby detonation of the output charge ignites the one or more output transmission lines.

1 more element

A delay unit comprising a housing having (i) input line retainer means for retaining an input transmission line capable of transmitting a non-electric input impulse signal;

(ii) coupling means for coupling the input transmission line to signal conversion means for converting a non-electric input impulse signal from the input transmission line to electrical energy and releasing the electrical energy as a first electric signal and a subsequent second electric signal;
(iii) first conductor means connecting the signal conversion means to a delay circuit for transmitting thereto the first electric signal to activate the delay circuit to start counting a selected time interval, the delay circuit comprising a battery means to supply power to the delay circuit upon the activation thereof;
(iv) second conductor means connecting the signal conversion means via the delay circuit to an electrically detonatable output charge for transmitting, upon lapse of the selected time interval, the second electric signal to detonate the output charge;
and (v) one or more output line retainer means for retaining one or more output transmission lines in proximity to the output charge whereby detonation of the output charge ignites the one or more output transmission lines.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Impulse signal delay unit

Life of this patent

Impulse signal delay unit

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims29