Universal isolation member and non-electric detonator cap including the same

An isolation member for positioning the signal-emitting end of a non-electric signal transmission line within the shell of a detonator cap comprises:

• a substantially cylindrical body dimensioned and configured to be received within the shell of the detonator cap and having an input end, an output end and an interior passageway extending through the body for transmission therethrough of an initiation signal from the input end to the output end of the body, the interior passageway defining a positioning region at the input end of the body and a discharge port at .the output end of the body;
• wherein the positioning region comprises an entry mouth and a plurality of axially spaced-apart interior shoulders located between the entry mouth and the discharge port, each interior shoulder being of lesser diameter than the preceding interior shoulder as sensed moving from the input end towards the output end of the body, so that the interior shoulders are respectively capable of receiving and seating thereon, at different axial spacings from the discharge port, signal transmission lines of different outside diameters;
• and
• having interior shoulders comprising a first interior shoulder dimensioned and configured to seat therein a signal transmission line having an outside diameter of from about 0.080 to 0.090 inch (about 2.032 to 2.286 mm) and a second interior shoulder dimensioned and configured to seat therein a signal transmission line having an outside diameter of from about 0.112 to 0.124 inch (about 2.845 to 3.150 mm).

A detonator cap connected to a length of non-electric signal transmission line terminating in a signal-emitting end, the signal transmission line having an outside diameter dimensioned to be seated upon one of a plurality of shoulders defined below and the detonator cap comprising:

• an elongated shell having an open end for receiving the non-electric signal transmission line and an opposite, closed end;
• a retainer bushing positioned in the open end of the shell and having a bore extending therethrough for receiving therein a segment of the length of signal transmission line to connect the same to the elongated shell with the signal-emitting end of the transmission line enclosed within the shell;
• a receptor charge positioned within the elongated shell and disposed between the bushing and the closed end of the shell and axially spaced from the bushing;
• and
• an isolation member is disposed within the elongated shell between the bushing and the receptor charge, the isolation member comprising a substantially cylindrical body dimensioned and configured to be received within the shell of the detonator cap and having an input end, an output end and an interior passageway extending through the body for transmission therethrough of an initiation signal from the input end to the output end of the body, the interior passageway defining a positioning region at the input end of the body and a discharge port at the output end of the body;
• wherein the positioning region comprises an entry mouth and a plurality of axially spaced-apart interior shoulders located between the entry mouth and the discharge port including two stepped interior shoulders, each interior shoulder being of lesser diameter than the preceding interior shoulder as sensed moving from the input end towards the output end of the body, so that the interior shoulders are respectively capable of receiving and seating thereon, at different axial spacings from the discharge port, signal transmission lines of different outside diameters;
• and
• wherein the signal-emitting end of the signal transmission line is seated upon a shoulder of the isolation member.

A detonator cap connected to a length of non-electric signal transmission line terminating in a signal-emitting end, the signal transmission line having an outside diameter dimensioned to be seated upon one of a plurality of shoulders defined below and the detonator cap comprising:

• an elongated shell having an open end for receiving the non-electric signal transmission line and an opposite, closed end;
• a retainer bushing positioned in the open end of the shell and having a bore extending therethrough for receiving therein a segment of the length of signal transmission line to connect the same to the elongated shell with the signal-emitting end of the transmission line enclosed within the shell;
• a receptor charge positioned within the elongated shell and disposed between the bushing and the closed end of the shell and axially spaced from the bushing;
• and
• an isolation member is disposed within the elongated shell between the bushing and the receptor charge, the isolation member comprising a substantially cylindrical body dimensioned and configured to be received within the shell of the detonator cap and having an input end, an output end and an interior passageway extending through the body for transmission therethrough of an initiation signal from the input end to the output end of the body, the interior passageway defining a positioning region at the input end of the body and a discharge port at the output end of the body;
• wherein the positioning region comprises an entry mouth and a plurality of axially spaced-apart interior shoulders located between the entry mouth and the discharge port, each interior shoulder being of lesser diameter than the preceding interior shoulder as sensed moving from the input end towards the output end of the body, so that the interior shoulders are respectively capable of receiving and seating thereon, at different axial spacings from the discharge port, signal transmission lines of different outside diameters;
• and
• wherein the signal-emitting end of the signal transmission line is seated upon a shoulder of the isolation member;
• wherein the isolation member has interior shoulders comprising a first interior shoulder dimensioned and configured to seat therein a signal transmission line having an outside diameter of from about 0.080 to 0.090 inch (about 2.032 to 2.286 mm) and a second interior shoulder dimensioned and configured to seat therein a signal transmission line having an outside diameter of from about 0.112 to 0.124 inch (about 2.845 to 3.150 mm).