Blasting machine

Claim 2

A blasting machine comprising in combination, an oscillator of the character comprising: means for storing electrical energy; means for supplying electrical energy to said energy storage means, said means for supplying electrical energy comprising: a source of electrical energy; a transformer having a primary winding connected to said source and a secondary winding; a first diode means and said electrical energy storage means connected together in series across said secondary winding to store energy generated by the current flowing through said primary winding; a solid state switch oscillator connected to said source and said transformer to periodically interrupt current flow from said source through said primary winding, said oscillator including: a first transistor having collector and emitter terminals in series with said primary winding, said transistor having alternate conductive and nonconductive intervals to periodically interrupt the current flow from said primary winding; a first voltage divider network connected across said first transistor and said primary winding, said first voltage divider network including second diode means connected to the junction between said primary winding and said first transistor to direct current from said winding in a predetermined manner; and a secondary voltage divider network connected across said source of electrical energy, said second voltagE divider network including a second transistor having alternate conductive and nonconductive intervals to respectively control the conductive and nonconductive intervals of said first transistor whereby the flow of current from said source to said primary winding is periodically interrupted causing current to flow in an oscillatory manner through said primary winding; means for producing a plurality of electrical pulses when said energy storage means has reached a predetermined energy level; and switching means being for receiving said pulses, said switching means operable to permit the discharge of said energy storage means only during the presence of said pulses, whereby said energy storage means cannot be discharged below said predetermined energy level.

Claim 3

A blasting machine as recited in claim 1 wherein said first voltage divider network comprises: a diode having a first terminal connected to the junction between said primary winding and said source of electrical energy and a second terminal connected to the base of said second transistor; a first resistor in series with the second terminal of said diode; a second resistor in series with said first resistor; and a third resistor in series with said second resistor and having one terminal connected to the junction between said first transistor and said source of electrical energy.

Claim 4

A blasting machine as recited in claim 1 wherein the means for producing electrical pulses comprises: a first normally nonconductive gaseous conductor which is rendered conductive when a predetermined voltage is applied thereto and a resistor-capacitor circuit in series with said first gaseous conductor so that when said first gaseous conductor is rendered conductive said capacitor lowers the voltage applied to said first gaseous conductor below said predetermined value and said second gaseous conductor is rendered nonconductive.

Claim 5

A blasting machine as recited in claim 2 wherein the means for producing electrical pulses comprises: a first normally nonconductive gaseous conductor which is rendered conductive when a predetermined voltage is applied thereto and a resistor-capacitor circuit in series with said first gaseous conductor so that when said first gaseous conductor is rendered conductive said capacitor lowers the voltage applied to said first gaseous conductor below said predetermined value and said second gaseous conductor is rendered nonconductive.

Claim 6

The combination as recited in claim 3 wherein said switching means includes a second normally nonconductive gaseous conductor in circuit relationship with said pulse means, said second gaseous conductor being rendered conductive upon receiving said pulses whereby when pulses from said pulse means are transmitted to said second gaseous conductor, said second gaseous conductor is rendered conductive to permit said storage means to discharge.

Claim 7

The combination as recited in claim 4 wherein said switching means includes a second normally nonconductive gaseous conductor in circuit relationship with said pulse means, said second gaseous conductor being rendered conductive upon receiving said pulses whereby when pulses from said pulse means are transmitted to said second gaseous conductor, said second gaseous conductor is rendered conductive to permit said storage means to discharge.

Claim 8

A blasting machine comprising: means for storing electrical energy; a low voltage to high voltage dc converter means for supplying electrical energy to said storage means, said means for supplying electrical energy comprising: a source of electrical energy; a transformer having a primary winding connected to said source and a secondary winding; a first diode means and said electrical energy storage means connected together in series across said secondary winding to store energy generated by the current flowing through said primary winding; a solid state switch oscillator connected to said source and said transformer to periodically Interrupt current flow from said source through said primary winding, said oscillator including: a first transistor having collector and emitter terminals in series with said primary winding, said transistor having alternate conductive and nonconductive intervals to periodically interrupt the current flow from said primary winding; a first voltage divider network connected across said first transistor and said primary winding, said first voltage divider network including second diode means connected to the junction between said primary winding and said first transistor to direct current from said winding in a predetermined manner; and a second voltage divider network connected across said source of electrical energy, said second voltage divider network including a second transistor having alternate conductive and nonconductive intervals to respectively control the conductive and nonconductive intervals of said first transistor whereby the flow of current from said source to said primary winding is periodically interrupted causing current to flow in an oscillatory manner through said primary winding; in combination with: means for producing at least one electrical pulse when said energy storage means has reached a predetermined energy level; and means for discharging said energy storage means when said storage means has reached said predetermined energy level, said discharge means including a normally nonconductive circuit for receiving said electrical pulse from said pulse means, said circuit being rendered conductive by the occurrence of said pulse whereby said energy storage means discharges at said predetermined energy level.

Claim 9

A blasting machine comprising: means for storing electrical energy; a low voltage to high voltage dc converter means for supplying electrical energy to said storage means, said means for supplying electrical energy comprising: a source of electrical energy; a transformer having a primary winding connected to said source and a secondary winding; a first diode means and said electrical energy storage means connected together in series across said secondary winding to store energy generated by the current flowing through said primary winding; a solid state switch oscillator connected to said source and said transformer to periodically Interrupt current flow from said source through said primary winding, said oscillator including: a first transistor having collector and emitter terminals in series with said primary winding, said transistor having alternate conductive and nonconductive intervals to periodically interrupt the current flow from said primary winding; a first voltage divider network connected across said first transistor and said primary winding, said first voltage divider network including second diode means connected to the junction between said primary winding and said first transistor to direct current from said winding in a predetermined manner; and a second voltage divider network connected across said source of electrical energy, said second voltage divider network including a second transistor having alternate conductive and nonconductive intervals to respectively control the conductive and nonconductive intervals of said first transistor whereby the flow of current from said source to said primary winding is periodically interrupted causing current to flow in an oscillatory manner through said primary winding; in combination with: means for producing at least one electrical pulse when said energy storage means has reached a predetermined energy level; and means for discharging said energy storage means when said storage means has reached said predetermined energy level, said discharge means including a normally nonconductive circuit for receiving said electrical pulse from said pulse means, said circuit being rendered conductive by the occurrence of said pulse whereby said energy storage means discharges at said predetermined energy level.

Claim 10

A blasting machine as described in claim 7 wherein said first voltage divider network of said means for supplying electrical energy to said storage means comprises: a diode having a first terminal connected to the junction between said primary winding and said source of electrical energy and a second terminal connected to the base of said second transistor; a first resistor in series with the second terminal of said diode; a second resistor in series with said first resistor; and a third resistor in series with said second resistor and having one terminal connected to the junction between said first transistor and said source of electrical energy.

Claim 11

A blasting machine as recited in claim 7 wherein the normally nonconductive circuit of said discharge means including a first normally nonconductive gaseous conductor connected in circuit relationship with said pulse means, said first gaseous conductor operative to be conductive upon receiving said electrical pulse from said pulse means.

Claim 12

A blasting machine as recited in claim 8 wherein the normally nonconductive circuit of said discharge means including a first normally nonconductive gaseous conductor connected in circuit relationship with said pulse means, said first gaseous conductor operative to be conductive upon receiving said electrical pulse from said pulse means.

Claim 13

A blasting machine as recited in claim 7 wherein said pulse means includes a second normally nonconductive gaseous conductor that is rendered conductive when said storage means reaches said predetermined energy level.

Claim 14

A blasting machine as recited in claim 8 wherein said pulse means includes a second normally nonconductive gaseous conductor that is rendered conductive when said storage means reaches said predetermined energy level.

Claim 15

A blasting machine as recited in claim 9 wherein said pulse means includes a second normally nonconductive gaseous conductor that is rendered conductive when said storage means reaches said predetermined energy level.

Claim 16

A blasting machine as recited in claim 10 wherein said pulse means includes a second normally nonconductive gaseous conductor that is rendered conductive when said storage means reaches said predetermined energy level.