EP0136919A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrical sequential firing module and system and power source therefor
Assignee: JOHANNESBURG CONSTRUCTION CORP Pty Ltd
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Filing: 1984-10-04
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2004-10-04
Abstract
Abstract This invention relates to sequential blasting utilising electronic circuitry to steer detonating pulses to successive detonators. Modules are provided which contain a two- terminal element that has the characteristic that in its first normal state it has a high resistance in at least one direction and it may be changed into a second state in which it has a low resistance in both directions by a suitable pulse. Further, a detonating signal does not flow from one power line to the other through the particular module that is being addressed, but from one side of one module through a connecting link and then through the other module. Thus, each module has an input steering terminal and an output steering terminal, with the output steering terminal of each module connected to the input steering terminal of the next module. Then in use, current flows from one power line to a power terminal of one module, through its output steering terminal to the input terminal of the next module, through that module and to the other power line. Thus, with each detonating pulse, a detonator is fused and one of the elements passes into its second conducting state. As the detonator goes into a non-conducting configuration the next pulse is steered via the element that is now conducting to the next module.
Inventors
- 👤 Immo Eurich Bock
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 16:49
CPC Classifications
F; F42; F42D; F42D1/00; F42D1/04; F42D1/045; F42D1/05; F42D1/055
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 34
Claim 1
Independent Claim
251 words
An electrically operable sequential activation module for supplying an activation signal to a device which has a low resistance prior to being activated and a high resistance thereafter, the module being connectable in a series with other similar modules to sequentially activate a number of the devices, the module including a first convertible element which has two terminals and in its normal first state has a high resistance in at least one direction from its first terminal to its second terminal and which changes to a second state in which it has a low resistance in both directions when a first signal having a predetermined characteristic is applied across the element, the element thereafter having the low resistance value in both directions when the first signal is removed; a first and a second power terminal by means of which the module is connectable to an electrical power source for supplying the first signal and an activating signal; a first and a second device terminal by means of which the device is connectable to the module; an input steering terminal, and; an output steering terminal which is connectable to- the input steering terminal of a preceeding module in a series thereof; with the first device terminal connected to the input steering terminal; the second device terminal connected to the output steering terminal; the second device terminal also being connected to the second terminal of the first element; and the first terminal of the first element being connected to the second power terminal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
251 words
An electrically operable sequential activation module for supplying an activation signal to a device which has a low resistance prior to being activated and a high resistance thereafter, the module being connectable in a series with other similar modules to sequentially activate a number of the devices, the module including a first convertible element which has two terminals and in its normal first state has a high resistance in at least one direction from its first terminal to its second terminal and which changes to a second state in which it has a low resistance in both directions when a first signal having a predetermined characteristic is applied across the element, the element thereafter having the low resistance value in both directions when the first signal is removed; a first and a second power terminal by means of which the module is connectable to an electrical power source for supplying the first signal and an activating signal; a first and a second device terminal by means of which the device is connectable to the module; an input steering terminal, and; an output steering terminal which is connectable to- the input steering terminal of a preceeding module in a series thereof; with the first device terminal connected to the input steering terminal; the second device terminal connected to the output steering terminal; the second device terminal also being connected to the second terminal of the first element; and the first terminal of the first element being connected to the second power terminal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The module as claimed in Claim 1, which includes a signal blocking means which is connected between the second device terminal and the output steering terminal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The module as claimed in Claim 1, which includes a signal blocking means which is connected between the input steering terminal and the first device terminal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The module as claimed in any one of the preceeding claims, in which the first element is of a semiconductor material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The module as claimed in Claim 4, in which the first element has a single junction.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The module as claimed in Claim 4, in which the first element has two junctions.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The module as claimed in Claim 6, in which the first element is a bi-polar transistor, its collector and emitter comprising its terminals.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
The module as claimed in Claim 7, in which the emitter of the transistor is connected to the second device terminal and the collector of the transistor is connected to the second power terminal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
The module as claimed in Claim 2, in which the signal blocking means is a diode, which has its anode connected to the second device terminal and its cathode connected to the output steering terminal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
The module as claimed in Claim 3, in which the signal blocking means is a diode, which has its anode connected to the input steering terminal and its cathode connected to the first device terminal.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
35 words
The module as claimed in Claim 1, in which the first element is a bi-polar transistor that has its emitter connected to the second power terminal and its collector connected to the second device terminal.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
165 words
The module as claimed in Claim 1, which includes a second convertible element which has two terminals and in its normal first state has a high resistance in at least one direction from its first terminal to its second terminal and which changes to a second state in which it has a low resistance in both directions when a second signal having a predetermined characteristic is applied across the element, the element thereafter having the low resistance value in both directions when the second signal is removed, the first terminal of the second element being connected to the first power terminal and the second terminal of the second element being connected to the output steering terminal, with the first element further being such that it changes into a third state when it is in its low resistance second state and a third signal having a predetermined characteristic is applied across the first element, in which third state it has a high resistance in both directions.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
165 words
The module as claimed in Claim 1, which includes a second convertible element which has two terminals and in its normal first state has a high resistance in at least one direction from its first terminal to its second terminal and which changes to a second state in which it has a low resistance in both directions when a second signal having a predetermined characteristic is applied across the element, the element thereafter having the low resistance value in both directions when the second signal is removed, the first terminal of the second element being connected to the first power terminal and the second terminal of the second element being connected to the second device terminal, with the first element further being such that it changes into a third state when it is in its low resistance second state and a third signal having a predetermined characteristic is applied across the first element, in which third state it has a high resistance in both directions.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
The module as claimed in Claim 12 or 13, in which the first element is a bi-polar transistor, the emitter and collector of which comprise its terminals.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
33 words
The module as claimed in Claim 14, in which the emitter of the first element is connected to the second device terminal and the collector thereof is connected to the second power terminal.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
46 words
The module as claimed in Claim 14, in which the second ele- men is also a bi-polar transistor, the collector of which is connected to the first power terminal and the emitter of which is connected to the second device terminal or the output steering terminal.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
28 words
The module as claimed in Claim 12 or 13, which includes a signal blocking means which is connected between the second device terminal and the output steering terminal.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
28 words
The module as claimed in Claim 12 or 13, which includes a signal blocking means which is connected between the input steering terminal and the first device terminal.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
27 words
The module as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 12, in which the first element is connected to the second device terminal via a signal blocking means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
61 words
An electrically operable sequential activation system, which includes a plurality of modules as olaimed in any one of the preceeding claims arranged in a series with the input steering terminal of each module other than the first module being connected to the output steering terminal of the preceeding module, and the first and second power terminals of the modules being interconnected.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
78 words
An electrically operable sequential activation system, which includes a plurality of modules as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 10 arranged in a series with the input steering terminal of each module other than the first module being connected to the output steering terminal of the preceeding module, and the modules alternating with the first and second power terminals of each module being connected to the second and first power terminals, respectively of an adjacent module.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
109 words
An electrically operable sequential activation system, which includes a first group of modules as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 10 and a second group of modules as claimed in Claim 11 arranged in a series, with the input steering terminal of each module other than the first module being connected to the output steering terminal of the preceeding module, and the modules of the first group alternating with the modules of the second group, with the first and second power terminals of each module of the first group being connected to the second and first power terminals, respectively, of an adjacent module of the second group.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
76 words
An electrically operable sequential activation system, which includes a plurality of modules as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 17 or 19 arranged in a series with the input steering terminal of each module other than the first module being connected to the output steering terminal of the preceeding module, and the first and second power terminals of each module being connected to the first and second power terminals, respectively of an adjacent module.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
109 words
An electrically operable sequential activation system, which includes a first group of modules as claimed in Claim 18 and a second group of modules as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 11 arranged in a series, with the input steering terminal of each module other than the first module being connected to the output steering terminal of the preceeding module, and the modules of the first group alternating with the modules of the second group, with the first and second power terminals of each module of the first group being connected to the second and first power terminals, respectively, of an adjacent module of the second group.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
33 words
The system as claimed in any one of Claims 20 to 24, which includes a plurality of devices, there being a device connected to the first and second device terminals of each module.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
52 words
26 . The system as claimed in Claim 20, which includes an electrical power source connected to the first and second power terminals of a last module in the series, the power source being such that it supplies a series of first signals and activating signals that are pulses of alternating polarity.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
51 words
The system as claimed in Claim 21, which includes an electrical power source connected to the first and second power terminals of a last module in the series, the power source being such that it supplies a series of first signals and activating signals that are pulses of the same polarity.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
51 words
The system as claimed in Claim 21, which includes an electrical power source connected to the first and second power terminals of a last module in the series, the power source being such that it supplies a series of first signals and activating signals that are of a constant DC value.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
73 words
The system as claimed in Claim 23, which includes an electrical power source connected to the first and second power terminals of a last module in the series, the power source being such that it repeatedly supplies a first signal, an activating signal, a second signal, and a third signal, the first and activating signals being pulses of a predetermined polarity and the second and third signals being pulses of the opposite polarity.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
31 words
30 . The system as claimed in Claim 29, in which the power source supplies second signals that have a magnitude that is less than the magnitude of the third signals.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system as claimed in Claim 25, in which the devices are detonators.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
57 words
A power source for an electrically operable sequential activation system, which supplies a repeating group of pulses, a first pulse in each group being of a predetermined polarity and a second pulse in each group being of the opposite polarity and which supplies second pulses that have an initial predetermined magnitude and thereafter have a greater magnitude.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
57 words
A power source for an electrically operable sequential activation system, which supplies a repeating group of pulses, a first pulse in each group being of a predetermined polarity and a second pulse in each group being of the opposite polarity and which supplies second pulses that have an initial predetermined magnitude and thereafter have a greater magnitude.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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