Method of detonator control with electronic ignition module, coded blast controlling unit and ignition module for its implementation

A method of controlling detonators (1) fitted with an electronic ignition module (15), whereas each ignition module (15) is associated with specific parameters comprising at least one identification parameter and one explosion delay time of the related detonator (1), whereas the said ignition module (15) comprises the following elements:

• a firing capacitor (29) designed, after loading, to discharge in a cartridge head (13) of the said detonator (1) to generate an ignition,
• a battery capacitor (41) ensuring temporary operating autonomy,
• a rudimentary internal clock (49) with a local frequency.
• a non-volatile identification memory (47) designed for the storage of the identification parameters, whereby the said modules (15) are capable of establishing a dialogue with a firing control unit (17) fitted with a reference time basis, and designed for transmitting, notably, to them an order to load their firing capacitors (29), as well as an order to fire and to receive from the said modules (15) one or several pieces of information relevant to their states, in which:
• the specific parameters are stored in at least one information storage medium,
• at least one programming unit (18) is caused to enter the identification parameters,
• using the programming unit (18), the identification parameters are stored in the modules (15),
• the specific parameters are stored using the information storage medium in the firing control unit (17),
• the modules (15) are ordered using the firing control unit (17), to load the firing capacitors (29),
• a firing order is sent to the modules (15) using the firing control unit (17), triggering off a firing sequence synchronised to the local frequencies wherein, after storing the specific parameters in the firing control unit (17) and before loading the firing capacitors (29), the local frequency of the internal clock (49) of the said module (15) is measured, using the firing control unit (17) and for each successive module (15), using the reference time basis, then this internal clock (49) is calibrated taking this measurement into account, using an algorithmic correction value of the said local frequency and finally, an associated delay time is sent to the said module (15),
• wherein during calibration of the internal clock (49) of each module (15), a corrected delay time is calculated with the firing control unit (17), whereas the said delay time is sent to the said module (15).

A method of controlling detonators (1) fitted with an electronic ignition module (15), whereas each ignition module (15) is associated with specific parameters comprising at least one identification parameter and one explosion delay time of the related detonator (1), whereas the said ignition module (15) comprises the following elements:

• a firing capacitor (29) designed, after loading, to discharge in a cartridge head (13) of the said detonator (1) to generate an ignition,
• a battery capacitor (41) ensuring temporary operating autonomy,
• a rudimentary internal clock (49) with a local frequency,
• a non-volatile identification memory (47) designed for the storage of the identification parameters, whereby the said modules (15) are capable of establishing a dialogue with a firing control unit (17) fitted with a reference time basis, and designed for transmitting, notably, to them an order to load their firing capacitors (29), as well as an order to fire and to receive from the said modules (15) one or several pieces of information relevant to their states, in which:
• the specific parameters are stored in at least one information storage medium,
• at least one programming unit (18) is caused to enter the identification parameters,
• using the programming unit (18), the identification parameters are stored in the modules (15),
• the specific parameters are stored using the information storage medium in the firing control unit (17),
• the modules (15) are ordered using the firing control unit (17), to load the firing capacitors (29),
• a firing order is sent to the modules (15) using the firing control unit (17), triggering off a firing sequence synchronised to the local frequencies wherein, after storing the specific parameters in the firing control unit (17) and before loading the firing capacitors (29), the local frequency of the internal clock (49) of the said module (15) is measured, using the firing control unit (17) and for each successive module (15), using the reference time basis, then this internal clock (49) is calibrated taking this measurement into account, using an algorithmic correction value of the said local frequency and finally, an associated delay time is sent to the said module (15),
• wherein each module (15) comprising a processing unit (303), when calibrating the internal clock (49) of the module, the algorithmic correction value of the local frequency of its internal clock (49) is sent to the said module (15) using the firing control unit (17), then a corrected delay time is calculated using the processing unit (303) of the said module (15).

A method of controlling detonators (1) fitted with an electronic ignition module (15), whereas each ignition module (15) is associated with specific parameters comprising at least one identification parameter and one explosion delay time of the related detonator (1), whereas the said ignition module (15) comprises the following elements:

• a firing capacitor (29) designed, after loading, to discharge in a cartridge head (13) of the said detonator (1) to generate an ignition,
• a battery capacitor (41) ensuring temporary operating autonomy,
• a rudimentary internal clock (49) with a local frequency,
• a non-volatile identification memory (47) designed for the storage of the identification parameters, whereby the said modules (15) are capable of establishing a dialogue with a firing control unit (17) fitted with a reference time basis, and designed for transmitting, notably, to them an order to load their firing capacitors (29), as well as an order to fire and to receive from the said modules (15) one or several pieces of information relevant to their states, in which:
• the specific parameters are stored in at least one information storage medium,
• at least one programming unit (18) is caused to enter the identification parameters,
• using the programming unit (18), the identification parameters are stored in the modules (15),
• the specific parameters are stored using the information storage medium in the firing control unit (17),
• the modules (15) are ordered using the firing control unit (17), to load the firing capacitors (29),
• a firing order is sent to the modules (15) using the firing control unit (17), triggering off a firing sequence synchronised to the local frequencies wherein, after storing the specific parameters in the firing control unit (17) and before loading the firing capacitors (29), the local frequency of the internal clock (49) of the said module (15) is measured, using the firing control unit (17) and for each successive module (15), using the reference time basis, then this internal clock (49) is calibrated taking this measurement into account, using an algorithmic correction value of the said local frequency and finally, an associated delay time is sent to the said module (15),
• wherein before storing the identification parameters in each module (15), the electronic and pyrotechnic functionalities of the related detonator (1) are tested using the programming unit (18).

An encoded firing control assembly comprising detonators (1) fitted with an electronic ignition module (15), whereas each ignition module (15) is associated with specific parameters comprising at least one identification parameter and one explosion delay time of the related detonator (1) during a firing sequence, whereas the said ignition module (15) comprises the following elements:

• a firing capacitor (29) designed, after loading, to discharge in a cartridge head (13) of the said detonator (1) to generate an ignition,
• a battery capacitor (41) ensuring temporary operating autonomy,
• a rudimentary internal clock (49) with a local frequency,
• a non-volatile identification memory (47) designed for the storage of the said identification parameters, whereas the encoded assembly also contains:
• a programming unit (18) capable of inputting the specific parameters of the modules (15) and of storing the identification parameters in the corresponding modules (15),
• a firing control unit (17) fitted with a reference time base and with a memory capable of receiving the specific parameters of the modules (15), whereas the said firing control unit (17) can be linked electrically on line to the said modules (15) and to establish a dialogue with them, especially by sending to the said modules (15) having received their identification parameters from the programming unit (18), the associated delay times, while measuring the local frequencies of their internal clocks (49) using the reference delay time, by calibrating the said internal clocks (49) and by sending to the said modules (15) a firing order triggering off a firing sequence,
• wherein the firing control unit (17) and the modules (15) comprise calibration means enabling to calibrate the internal clocks (49) in relation to the reference time basis after storing specific parameters in the firing control unit,
• wherein the modules (15) comprise means for resetting their internal clocks (49) further to a firing order sent by the firing control unit (17).