Wireless detonator assemblies, and corresponding networks

A top-box, for use in connection with a detonator comprising a base charge and adapted for association with an explosive charge in borehole, the top-box adapted for location above the ground or at least in said borehole adjacent a surface of the ground, the top-box comprising:

• (b) wireless signal receiving means, for receiving at least one wireless signal, each wireless signal transmitted from either a blasting machine or another nearby wireless detonator assembly;
• (c) wireless signal processing means for determining an action required by said wireless detonator assembly in response to each wireless signal received by (b), and whether to relay said wireless signal to another wireless detonator assembly and/or to a blasting machine;
• and
• (d) wireless signal transmitting means for transmitting said at least one wireless signal as required by (c).

A method for timed actuation of a plurality of wireless detonator assemblies each comprising a base charge to be initiated in accordance with a delay time upon receipt of a signal to FIRE from at least one associated blasting machine, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a network of wireless detonator assemblies, each capable of receiving a wireless signal from a blasting machine or another wireless detonator assembly, and performing an action as required by the wireless signal and/or relaying the wireless signal to other wireless detonator assemblies in the network;
• establishing a time zero;
• programming each wireless detonator assembly in the network with a delay time from time zero for initiation of each base charge associated with each wireless detonator assembly;
• calculating for each wireless detonator assembly an amount of time from a receipt of a FIRE signal to cause actuation of each associated base charge, according to equation X:
• amount of time from receipt of a FIRE signal to initiate the base charge=(time zero+programmed delay time specific for each wireless detonator assembly)−total time to process and relay said FIRE signal at each intermediary node in the network between said at least one blasting machine and each wireless detonator assembly;
• (X)
• whereby each clock in each wireless detonator assembly counts down said amount of time from receipt of said FIRE signal to initiate the base charge, thereby to cause timed initiation of each wireless detonator assembly.

A method of blasting at a blast site, which comprises:

• providing explosive charges at a plurality of locations and providing each charge with an operable detonator assembly;
• establishing communication among said detonator assemblies, and communication between at least one of said detonators and a blasting machine;
• communicating at least one signal between said blasting machine and said at least one detonator assembly, said at least one signal containing firing information for said detonators;
• and
• causing said detonator assemblies to disseminate said firing information among all said detonator assemblies, while compensating for signal transmission delays among said detonators, thereby enabling said detonators to detonate said explosive charges in accordance with said firing information.