US 5,435,248 AGranted

Extended range digital delay detonator

AssigneeThe Ensign-Bickford Company

InventorsKenneth A. Rode, Robert G. Pallanck

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Abstract

An extended delay detonator (blasting cap) provides a preselected, electronically controlled delay between an incoming non-electric impulse input signal from, e.g., a shock tube or other input transmission line, and detonation of the output charge of the detonator. The delay detonator has a housing closed at one end and open at the other end for coupling to the input transmission line, the signal from which may be amplified by a booster charge mounted within the housing. A piezoelectric generator converts the optionally amplified impulse input signal to electrical output energy. A battery-powered programmable electric delay circuit is activated by the electrical output from the transducer, counts the preselected delay period, and at the end thereof ignites an electrically operable output charge. A method for interposing a preselected delay between the application of a non-electric impulse input signal and the detonation of the output charge is also provided.

Claims18

Dependent claims

An electrical delay detonator for use in blasting initiation systems energized by a nonelectric impulse signal comprises a housing means having one end thereof dimensioned and configured to be coupled to an input transmission line capable of transmitting a non-electric impulse input signal to within the housing, the housing enclosing:

(i) a signal conversion means disposed in signal-communicating relationship to the transmission line for receiving an impulse signal from the transmission line and converting the impulse signal to an electrical output signal;
(ii) an electric circuit including delay means for counting a selected time interval in response to receiving the electrical output signal, a battery means to supply the electric circuit with power for counting the selected time interval independently of the output signal, and an output conductor means, the electric circuit being connected to the signal conversion means to receive therefrom the electrical output signal and thereupon to start counting a selected time interval and, upon lapse of the time interval, to transmit the electrical output signal to the output conductor means;
(iii) an electrically operable igniter means connected to the output conductor means of the electric circuit and to an output charge;
the igniter means being energized to detonate the output charge upon receipt of the electrical output signal from the electric circuit, the electric circuit being connected to the signal conversion means to receive therefrom the electrical output signal and thereupon start counting a selected time interval and, upon lapse of the time interval, to transmit the electrical output signal to the igniter element, whereby the igniter element is energized to detonate the output charge.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 07/994,676Filed 22 Dec 1992 · continuation in part
Priority: 9 Jul 1991
Granted: 25 Jul 1995
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification9 codes

F42B 3/16
Initiators therefor: pyrotechnic delay initiators
F42B 3/122
Initiators with incorporated integrated circuit: programmable electronic delay initiators
F42C 11/02
Electric fuzes: with piezo-crystal
F42C 15/31
Operated by flow of fluent material, e.g. shot, fluids: generated by the combustion of a pyrotechnic or explosive charge within the fuze

Family

Serial730,275Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 9 Jul 1991
US 5,173,569 AParent of this continuation-in-part · filed 9 Jul 1991
Serial949,466Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 22 Sep 1992
US 5,377,592 AParent of this continuation-in-part
US 5,435,248 AThis patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.