Remotely controlled blasting machine

Claim 2

In the combination of a blasting machine for detonating blasting caps, said blasting machine comprising: a first assembly which comprises: means for storing electrical energy; means for discharging said energy storage means through said blasting caps when said energy storage means reaches a predetermined energy level; a first transformer means having a primary winding and a secondary winding, said secondary winding being connected in electrical circuit relationship with said energy storage means; a second assembly physically separate from but electrically connected to said first assembly, said second assembly including: means for receiving an alternating voltage; means for applying the alternating voltage received to the primary of said first transformer; means for indicating when said energy storage means is approaching said predetermined energy level whereby the operator of the blasting machine has an indication that the blasting caps are about to be detonated; said means for indicating when said energy storage means is approaching said predetermined energy level including: circuit means for indicating the voltage at the primary winding of said first transformer; circuit means for producing a second alternating voltage which is equal to but 180* out of phase with said alternating voltage received by said second assembly; and means for adding the voltage at the primary winding of said first transformer to said second alternating voltage to obtain a resulting voltage which is proportioned to the voltage on the energy storage means reflected to the primary from the secondary of the first transformer.

Claim 3

In the combination of a blasting machine for detonating blasting caps, said blasting machine comprising: a first assembly which comprises: means for storing electrical energy; means for discharging said energy storage means through said blasting caps wheN said energy storage means reaches a predetermined energy level; a first transformer means having a primary winding and a secondary winding, said secondary winding being connected in electrical circuit relationship with said energy storage means; a second assembly physically separate from but electrically connected to said first assembly, said second assembly including: means for receiving an alternating voltage; means for applying the alternating voltage received to the primary of said first transformer; means for indicating when said energy storage means is approaching said predetermined energy level whereby the operator of the blasting machine has an indication that the blasting caps are about to be detonated; said first and second assemblies being electrically connected by only two wires; said means for indicating when said energy storage means is approaching said predetermined energy level including: circuit means for indicating the voltage at the primary winding of said first transformer; circuit means for producing a second alternating voltage which is equal to but 180 degrees out of phase with said alternating voltage received by said second assembly; and means for adding the voltage at the primary winding of said first transformer to said second alternating voltage to obtain a resulting voltage which is proportioned to the voltage on the energy storage means reflected to the primary from the secondary of the first transformer.

Claim 4

In the combination of a blasting machine for detonating blasting caps, said blasting machine comprising: a first assembly which comprises: means for storing electrical energy; means for discharging said energy storage means through said blasting caps wheN said energy storage means reaches a predetermined energy level; a first transformer means having a primary winding and a secondary winding, said secondary winding being connected in electrical circuit relationship with said energy storage means; a second assembly physically separate from but electrically connected to said first assembly, said second assembly including: means for receiving an alternating voltage; means for applying the alternating voltage received to the primary of said first transformer; means for indicating when said energy storage means is approaching said predetermined energy level whereby the operator of the blasting machine has an indication that the blasting caps are about to be detonated; said first and second assemblies being electrically connected by only two wires; said means for indicating when said energy storage means is approaching said predetermined energy level including: circuit means for indicating the voltage at the primary winding of said first transformer; circuit means for producing a second alternating voltage which is equal to but 180 degrees out of phase with said alternating voltage received by said second assembly; and means for adding the voltage at the primary winding of said first transformer to said second alternating voltage to obtain a resulting voltage which is proportioned to the voltage on the energy storage means reflected to the primary from the secondary of the first transformer.

Claim 5

The combination as recited in claim 1 wherein said second assembly includes switching means operable to prevent the transfer of energy to said energy storage means from said second assembly whereby an operator may interrupt the transfer of energy to said energy storage means and prevent said blasting caps from being detonated.

Claim 6

The combination as recited in claim 2 wherein said second assembly includes switching means operable to prevent the transfer of energy to said energy storage means from said second assembly whereby an operator may interrupt the transfer of energy to said energy storage means and prevent said blasting caps from being detonated.

Claim 7

A blasting machine as recited in claim 1 wherein said indicating means is selectively operable to give an indication at an energy level below said predetermined energy level.

Claim 8

A blasting machine as recited in claim 2 wherein said indicating means is selectively operable to give an indication at an energy level below said predetermined energy level.

Claim 9

A blasting machine as recited in claim 1 wherein said means for indicating when said energy storage means is approaching said predetermined energy level includes: circuit means for producing a voltage proportional to the energy level of the energy storage means, said circuit means including: a second transformer having a primary winding and a secondary winding and operable to produce an alternating voltage at the secondary winding thereof that is 180 degrees out of phase with the voltage applied to the primary winding of said first transformer: and an indicator circuit responsive to the voltages produced at the secondary winding of said second transformer, said circuit having means for adjusting said indicator to provide an indication at a plurality of selected energy levels below said predetermined energy levels at which said energy storage means discharges and detonates said blasting caps.

Claim 10

A blasting machine as recited in claim 2 wherein said means for indicating when said energy storage means is approaching said predetermined energy level includes: circuit means for producing a voltage proportional to the energy level of the energy storage means, said circuit means including: a second transformer having a primary winding and a secondary winding and operable to produce an alternating voltage at the secondary winding thereof that is 180 degrees out of phase with the voltage applied to the primary winding of said first transformer; and an indicator circuit responsive to the voltages produced at the secondary winding of said second transformer, said circuit having means for adjusting said indicator to provide an indication at a plurality of selected energy levels below said predetermined energy level at which said energy storage means discharges and detonates said blasting caps.

Claim 11

A blasting machine as recited in claim 1 including: means for compensating for the voltage drop in the wires connecting the first assembly to the second assembly.

Claim 12

A blasting machine as recited in claim 2 including: means for compensating for the voltage drop in the wires connecting the first assembly to the second assembly.

Claim 13

A blasting machine which comprises: a plurality of electro-explosive devices; a first assembly which comprises: means for storing electrical energy; means for discharging said energy storage means through said electro-explosive devices when said energy storage means reaches a predetermined energy level; and a first transformer means having a primary winding and a secondary winding, said secondary winding being connected in electrical circuit relationship with said energy storage means; and a second assembly physically separate from but electrically connected to said first assembly by only two wires, said second assembly including: means for receiving an alternating voltage; means for applying the alternating voltage received to the primary of said first transformer; means for indicating when the energy level of the energy storage means of said first assembly is approaching said predetermined energy level; and switching means operable to stop the transfer of energy to said energy storage means from said second assembly.

Claim 14

A blasting machine which comprises: a plurality of electro-explosive devices; a first assembly which comprises: means for storing electrical energy; means for discharging said energy storage means through said electro-explosive devices when said energy storage means reaches a predetermined energy level; and a first transformer means having a primary winding and a secondary winding, said secondary winding being connected in electrical circuit relationship with said energy storage means; and a second assembly physically separate from but electrically connected to said first assembly by only two wires, said second assembly including: means for receiving an alternating voltage; means for applying the alternating voltage received to the primary of said first transformer; means for indicating when the energy level of the energy storage means of said first assembly is approaching said predetermined energy level; and switching means operable to stop the transfer of energy to said energy storage means from said second assembly.

Claim 15

A blasting machine which comprises: at least one electro-explosive device; a first assembly which comprises: means for storing electrical energy; and means for discharging said energy storage means through said electro-explosive device when said energy storage means reaches a predetermined energy level; and a second assembly physically separate from but electrically connected to said first assembly by only two wires, said second assembly including: means for receiving electrical energy; means for applying the electrical energy received to said first assembly by said two wires; and means for indicating when said energy storage means is approaching said predetermined energy level whereby the operator of the blasting machine has an indication that the blasting caps are about to be detonated.

Claim 16

A blasting machine which comprises: at least one electro-explosive device; a first assembly which comprises: means for storing electrical energy; and means for discharging said energy storage means through said electro-explosive device when said energy storage means reaches a predetermined energy level; and a second assembly physically separate from but electrically connected to said first assembly by only two wires, said second assembly including: means for receiving electrical energy; means for applying the electrical energy received to said first assembly by said two wires; and means for indicating when said energy storage means is approaching said predetermined energy level whereby the operator of the blasting machine has an indication that the blasting caps are about to be detonated.

Claim 17

The blasting machine as recited in claim 12 wherein said second assembly includes switching means operable to stop the application of energy to said first assembly whereby an operator of said blasting machine having an indication that said blasting caps are about to be detonated may prevent detonation of said blasting caps by operation of said switching means.