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EP0208480A2
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EP
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Detonator actuator
Assignee: Deeley Stephanie Tamsin
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Filing: 1986-06-26
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2006-06-26
Abstract
Abstract An actuator for use in conjunction with a detonator for blasting comprises electronic circuitry which on receiving input signals generates an output arm signal to arm a detonator, and then after a predetermined delay an output actuate signal to fire the detonator and an associated explosive charge. The delay is capable of being remotely and precisely set. The actuator is preferably used in conjunction with a control device which has a microcomputer whose memory contains arm and actuate codes and which has both arm and actuate keys. This microcomputer is such that the actuate key must be operated within a predetermined period after operation of the arm key, otherwise an actuate signal is not transmitted to the actuator.
Inventors
- 👤 David Michael Abouav
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 06:29
CPC Classifications
F; F42; F42B; F42B3/00; F42B3/10; F42B3/12; F42B3/121; F42B3/122; F42C; F42C15/00; F42C15/40; F42D; F42D1/00; F42D1/04; F42D1/045; F42D1/05; F42D1/055
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
95 words
An actuator for a detonator, characterized in that the actuator comprises control circuitry (106,118) which is responsive to input signals from a control device (14) applied to inputs thereof, said control circuitry being operable, on receipt of at least one predetermined input signal, to (i) generate an output arm signal which is applied in use to the detonator and render it capable of being actuated and (ii) generate an output actuate signal which is applied to the detonator after a predetermined delay relative to said predetermined input signals to cause explosive actuation of the detonator.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
95 words
An actuator for a detonator, characterized in that the actuator comprises control circuitry (106,118) which is responsive to input signals from a control device (14) applied to inputs thereof, said control circuitry being operable, on receipt of at least one predetermined input signal, to (i) generate an output arm signal which is applied in use to the detonator and render it capable of being actuated and (ii) generate an output actuate signal which is applied to the detonator after a predetermined delay relative to said predetermined input signals to cause explosive actuation of the detonator.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
61 words
An actuator according to claim 1, characterized in that the circuitry of the actuator comprises a microcomputer (206,436) with a memory which stores at least both an arm code and an actuate code, the microcomputer analysing input signals and causing to be generated to the detonator corresponding output arm and actuate signals when it receives a predetermined signal or predetermined signals.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
An actuator according to claim 2, characterized in that the length of the delay is programmable when the detonator is in place in the blasthole via the means (14,10,20) used to transmit signals to the actuator.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
An actuator according to claim 2, characterized in that the microcomputer(206,436), on receipt of a predetermined signal, generates, by reference to the stored arm and actuate codes and a nredetermined delay, an output arm signal followed after the predetermined delay by an output actuate signal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
151 words
A detonator actuating system comprising: (a) an actuator (24) according to any one of claims 1-4; and (b) a control device (14) for controlling by means of signals to the actuator the operation of the detonator; the system being further characterized in that the control device (14) comprises a microcomputer (342) having a memory which stores at least an arm code and an actuate code, and wherein the microcomputer has an arm key (S1,S2) which upon actuation by a user causes generation and emission to the actuator of an arm signal derived from the arm code, and an actuate key (S3) which upon actuation by a user causes generation and emission of an actuate signal derived from the actuate code, the microcomputer being such that the actuate key must be actuated within a predetermined period after actuation of the arm key otherwise the actuate signal is not transmitted to the actuator.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
67 words
A detonator actuating system according to claim 5, characterized in that the memory of the control device microcomputer (342) holds a reset code and, on failure to actuate the actuate key within the predetermined period of the actuation of the arm key, generates an output reset signal, rendering the detonators incapable of being explosively actuated until a predetermined sequence of output arm and actuate signals is received.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
104 words
A detonator actuating system according to claim 5 or claim 6, characterized in that the actuator is responsive to calibrate signals and the microcomputer of the control device is arranged to generate an output calibrate signal in response to actuation of a calibrate key or a programmed instruction whereupon timing means (210) in the control circuitry of the actuator unit is actuated for a period terminated by a control signal from the control device (14), the output.of the timing means being stored in the control circuitry whereby a delay period stored therein can be calibrated on a time basis relative to the control device.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
79 words
A detonator actuating system according to claim 7, characterized in that there is present in the system a transducer unit (26), which is couplable to the actuator (24) such that all the appropriate electrical connections are made by the coupling, the transducer being responsive to a preselected physical parameter and being able to generate condition signals related to said parameter so as to permit variation of the calibration of the actuator, the variation being communicated to the control device.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
124 words
A control device for use in a blasting system according to claim 5, characterized in that the control device (14) has a microcomputer (342) having a memory which stores at least an arm code and an actuate code, and wherein the microcomputer has an arm key (Sl,S2) which upon actuation by a user causes generation and emission to the actuator of an arm signal derived from the arm code, and an actuate key (S3) which upon actuation by a user causes generation and emission of an actuate signal derived from the actuate code, the microcomputer being such that the actuate key must be actuated within a predetermined period after actuation of the arm key otherwise the actuate signal is not transmitted to said actuator.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
64 words
A control device according to claim 9, characterized in that the memory of the microcomputer holds a reset code, and, on failure to actuate the actuate key (S3) within the predetermined period of the actuation of the arm key, generates an output reset signal, rendering the detonators incapable of being explosively actuated until a predetermined sequence of output arm and actuate signals is received.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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