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AssigneeExpert Explosives (Proprietary) Limited
InventorsPeter J Duniam, Peter J McCallum, William H Birney, Rudy W Spiessens, Vernon West, Vivian E Patz
Estimating the term…
A method of and apparatus for use in establishing a blasting arrangement by loading at least one detonator (14) into each of a plurality of blast holes (30), placing explosive material in each blast hole, connecting to a trunk line (10) a control unit (32) that has a power source (52) incapable of firing the detonators, sequentially connecting the detonators, by means of respective branch lines (12), to the trunk line and leaving each detonator connected to the trunk line. In addition the apparatus includes means (46, 50) for receiving and storing in memory means (34, 44) identity data from each detonator, means (46, 50) for generating a signal to test the integrity of the detonator/trunk line connection and the functionality of the detonator, and means (46, 50) for assigning a predetermined time delay to each detonator to be stored in the memory means. The invention also extends to the control unit (32).
A method of establishing a blasting arrangement which includes the steps of loading a plurality of individually identifiable detonators into a plurality of blast holes with at least one detonator being located in each respective blast hole, placing explosive material in each blast hole, connecting a control unit that has a power source that is incapable of firing the detonators to a trunk line, sequentially connecting the detonators, by means of respective branch lines, to the trunk line and, once each detonator has been so connected to the trunk line, leaving the detonator connected to the trunk line, recording identity data pertaining to each detonator in the control unit at the time the respective detonator is connected to the trunk line, and utilising the control unit to assign a respective time delay period for each detonator.
A control unit for use in a blasting system which includes a plurality of individually identifiable detonators, the control unit having a power source that is incapable of firing the detonators and further including memory means for storing at least one time interval, means for adjusting the time interval, means for displaying a time delay period, means for varying the displayed time delay period at least by steps with each step corresponding to the stored time interval, thereby to achieve a desired time delay period, and means for associating the desired time delay period with a selected detonator wherein the control unit is capable of receiving identity data from each detonator and of storing the identity data and the respective time delay period associated with each of the plurality of detonators in the memory means for subsequent transfer to the detonators.
Apparatus for use in establishing a blasting arrangement which includes a trunk line, a plurality of branch lines connected to the trunk line at spaced intervals, and a plurality of individually identifiable detonators which are respectively connected to the branch lines with at least one detonator per branch line, the apparatus including a control unit having memory means, a power source that is incapable of firing the detonators, means for receiving identity data from each detonator as the detonator is connected to the trunk line and for storing the identity data in the memory means, means for generating a signal to test the integrity of the connection of the detonator to the trunk line and the functionality of the detonator, and means for assigning a predetermined time delay to each detonator, the assigned time delay being stored in the memory means together with the identity data of the respective detonator.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.