Low energy blasting initiation system, method and surface connection therefor

A low energy blasting initiation system surface connector block for retaining a low-energy detonator having a crimp formed therein and an explosive end and used to initiate non-directional signal transmission in one or more transmission tubes having respective transmission tube outside diameters, the connector block comprising:

• a housing having a channel formed therein for receiving the detonator, said housing being of a substantial thickness and size for ease of handling;
• a resiliently deformable segment having a first end and an opposite end and being fixed at said first end to said housing, at least a portion of said segment being of a reduced thickness relative to said housing;
• a tube engaging and gripping member fixed to the opposite end of said segment to form a slot between said housing and said member, said slot being of arcuate cross section and dimensioned and configured to receive and retain a plurality of said transmission tubes, said segment deforming in response to force exerted on said member for positioning the transmission tubes in said slot;
• positioning means on said housing for positioning the detonator within said channel with the explosive end of the detonator in juxtaposed energy communicating relationship with the one or more transmission tubes whereby activation of the detonator explosive end initiates non-directional signal transmission within the transmission tubes;
• said block further comprising resiliently deformable tabs formed on said housing within said channel for snap-in retention of the detonator within said channel, and wherein said positioning means comprises positioning cleats formed on said housing within said channel for engagement with the crimp in the detonator.

A method of initiating a plurality of remote blasting signal communicating elements with a low energy blasting initiation system wherein an initiation signal is transmitted in a low-noise, time controlled manner from a signal initiation source to the remote elements, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a plurality of outgoing transmission tubes communicating at one end with the blasting elements and having an environmental seal on an opposing end;
• providing an incoming transmission tube communicating at one end with the signal initiation source and communicating at an opposing end with a low energy detonator having an explosive composition therein located at an explosive end thereof;
• and
• arranging said outgoing transmission tubes in side-by-side relationship with one another and in juxtaposed energy communicating relationship with, and in an arcuate array about, said explosive end of said detonator whereby activation of said detonator explosive composition initiates non-directional signal transmission within said outgoing transmission tubes for transmitting the initiation signal to the remote elements.

A low energy blasting initiation system surface connector block for retaining a low energy detonator having an explosive end and used to initiate non-directional signal transmissions in one or more transmission tubes having respective transmission tube longitudinal axes, the connector block comprising:

• a housing having a channel formed therein, the channel having a longitudinal axis and being dimensioned and configured for receiving a detonator as defined above with the explosive end of the detonator adjacent one end of said channel;
• means on the housing for retention of said one or more transmission tubes thereon, said means comprising a slot of arcuate cross section disposed at said one end of said channel, said arcuate slot being dimensioned and configured to extend perpendicularly and parallel to said channel at said one end thereof and to receive and retain therein said one or more transmission tubes, the longitudinal axes of at least the portions of said tubes disposed within said slot being disposed perpendicularly to respective lines taken parallel to the longitudinal axis of the channel and intersecting respective transmission tube longitudinal axes;
• and
• positioning means on said housing for positioning the detonator within said channel with the explosive end of the detonator in juxtaposed energy communicating relationship with said slot whereby activation of the detonator explosive end initiates non-directional signal transmission within the one or more transmission tubes retained within said slot.

A low energy blasting initiation system surface connector block for retaining a low energy detonator having a crimp formed therein and an explosive end, and used to initiate non-directional signal transmissions in one or more transmission tubes, the connector block comprising:

• a housing having a channel formed therein for receiving a detonator as defined above, said block including resiliently deformable tabs formed on said housing within said channel for snap-in retention of the detonator within said channel;
• means on the housing for retention of the one or more transmission tubes therein, said means comprising a slot of arcuate cross section which is dimensioned and configured to receive and retain therein said one or more transmission tubes;
• and
• positioning means on said housing comprising positioning cleats formed on said housing within said channel for positioning the detonator within said channel for engagement with the crimp in the detonator, the positioning means serving to position the detonator within said channel with the explosive end of the detonator in juxtaposed energy communicating relationship with the one or more transmission tubes received and retained within said slot whereby activation of the detonator explosive end initiates non-directional signal transmission within the one or more transmission tubes so retained.