A timing module for use in a detonating system which includes discriminating and validating arrangements which sense and validate at least one characteristic of at least one parameter produced by at least one shock tube event and an electronic timer which executes a timing interval in response there
A timing module for use in a detonating system which includes discriminating and validating arrangements which sense and validate at least one characteristic of at least one parameter produced by at least one shock tube event and an electronic timer which executes a timing interval in response thereto.
대표청구항▼
1. A timing module, for use in a blasting system, which includes at least a first discriminating arrangement with at least one sensor which senses at least one characteristic of at least one parameter generated by at least one shock tube event, a validation arrangement which produces at least a firs
1. A timing module, for use in a blasting system, which includes at least a first discriminating arrangement with at least one sensor which senses at least one characteristic of at least one parameter generated by at least one shock tube event, a validation arrangement which produces at least a first output signal if the at least one sensed characteristic is validated, and a timer which completes execution of a timing interval of a predetermined duration only if, at least, the first output signal is produced. 2. A timing module according to claim 1 wherein the at least one parameter is selected from an electromagnetic signal, an acoustic signal, a pressure signal, a force, heat emission and temperature. 3. A timing module according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the characteristic is selected from a frequency, amplitude, rate of change and an integral with respect to time, of the parameter. 4. A timing module according to claim 1 wherein the first discriminating arrangement includes a plurality of sensors and each sensor is used to sense at least one characteristic of a respective parameter. 5. A timing module according to claim 1 wherein the first discriminating arrangement includes at least one sensor which is used to sense one or more characteristics on a basis integrated with respect to time or differentiated with respect to time. 6. A timing module according to claim 4 wherein the timer is operable to complete execution of the timing interval only if each sensed characteristic is validated and if the sensed characteristics are present in a defined relationship to one another. 7. A timing module according to claim 1 wherein the validation arrangement includes a memory in which data is stored as reference data which is representative of at least one characteristic of the at least one parameter, and a comparator arrangement for comparing information produced by the at least one sensor to the reference data. 8. A timing module according to claim 1 wherein the at least one sensor is used to sense at least one characteristic during a qualifying window which has a defined time spread and a defined amplitude spread. 9. A timing module according to claim 1 wherein the at least one sensor is used to sense the absence of a characteristic during at least one qualifying time window. 10. A timing module according to claim 1 which includes a first sensor to sense light amplitude and a second sensor to sense amplitude or rate of change of temperature. 11. A timing module according to claim 1 which includes a single sensor which senses a first parameter and a second parameter. 12. A timing module according to claim 11 wherein the first parameter is light and the second parameter is temperature. 13. A timing module according to claim 1 wherein execution of the timing interval is commenced in response to sensing of the at least one characteristic. 14. A timing module according to claim 1 wherein execution of the timing interval is commenced in response to production of the first output signal. 15. A timing module according to claim 1 which includes a second discriminating arrangement and wherein the first and second discriminating arrangements sense parameter characteristics at respective locations on the shock tube which are displaced from each other. 16. A timing module according to claim 15 wherein the first and second discriminating arrangements are responsive at least to one of the following: the speed of propagation of a shock tube event in the shock tube; the direction of propagation of a shock tube event in the shock tube. 17. A timing module according to claim 1 which includes a memory in which data, selected from the following, are stored: timing data, detonator trigger parameters, detonator manufacturing and tracking information, detonator identification data. 18. A timing module according to claim 1 wherein the timer is programmable. 19. A timing module according to claim 1 which includes a communication unit which can communicate with an external controller. 20. A timing module according to claim 17 which includes a communication unit which can transfer data, from the memory, to an external controller. 21. A timing module according to claim 1 wherein execution of the timing interval is commenced only after a predetermined time delay period from sensing of the at least one characteristic, or from production of the first output signal. 22. A timing module according to claim 1 which includes a first energy source, an initiating element which forms part of a detonator, and a switching arrangement which, in response to a timing signal produced at an end of the timing interval, is operable to connect the first energy source to the initiating element thereby to cause firing of the initiating element. 23. A timing module according to claim 22 which includes a second energy source and a power management circuit which transfers electrical energy, derived from the second energy source, into the first energy source at a voltage which is higher than a voltage which is available from the second energy source. 24. A timing module according to claim 23 wherein the transfer of electrical energy into the first energy source is completed before the switching arrangement connects the first energy source to the initiating element. 25. A timing module according to claim 1 wherein at least one parameter, which gives rise to at least one unique characteristic, is generated by a shock tube event which results from the incorporation into the shock tube of at least one additive which is chosen for the purpose. 26. A timing module according to claim 1 wherein the timer completes execution of the timing interval only if, during the timing interval, at least a second output signal is produced by the validation arrangement. 27. A timing module according to claim 1 wherein the validation arrangement includes a filter which is configured to validate at least one of the following characteristics: a threshold level or rise time of a parameter; a rate of change of a parameter with time; an integrated value of a parameter over a particular time interval; a presence, or an absence, of one or more parameters within at least one qualifying time window. 28. A timing module according to claim 1 wherein the at least one sensor senses at least a first characteristic of a first parameter during a first qualifying time window and at least the presence or absence of a second characteristic of the first parameter or of a second parameter during at least a second qualifying time window. 29. A timing module according to claim 22 wherein the switching arrangement includes first and second switches which are connected in series with each other, with the initiating element and the first energy source. 30. A timing module according to claim 1 wherein the validation arrangement produces the first output signal if a first sensed characteristic is validated and a second output signal if a second sensed characteristic is validated, and wherein the timer completes execution of the timing interval only if the first output signal and the second output signal are produced. 31. A timing module according to claim 22 which includes a circuit which discharges energy from the first energy source if the timing signal is not produced at the end of the timing interval. 32. A timing module according to claim 22 which includes a circuit which discharges energy from the second energy source if the timing signal is not produced at the end of the timing interval. 33. A timing module according to claim 32 wherein the circuit also discharges energy from the first energy source at the end of the timing interval. 34. A timing module according to claim 1 wherein the timer commences execution of the timing interval: i. immediately in response to sensing of the characteristic or production at least of the first output signal; orii. after a predetermined time period has passed after sensing of the characteristic or production of at least the first output signal. 35. A timing module according to claim 1 which includes a battery which is permanently connected to the first discriminating arrangement and to the validation arrangement and which is connected to the timer, to allow execution of the timing interval, only if the at least one characteristic is sensed or if the first output signal is produced. 36. A timing module for use in a blasting system which includes a sensing arrangement which senses at least one characteristic of at least one parameter generated by at least one shock tube event, a memory in which data is stored as reference data which is representative of at least one characteristic of the at least one parameter, a comparator arrangement for comparing information produced by the at least one sensor to the reference data, thereby to validate the information, and a timer which is operable to complete execution of a timing interval of a predetermined duration if the information is validated. 37. A timing module which includes a sensing arrangement which senses at least one unique characteristic, generated by a shock tube event, which results from the incorporation into the shock tube of a selected additive, and a timer which completes execution of a timing interval of a predetermined duration, only if the unique characteristic is sensed. 38. A detonator which includes a timing module according to claim 1 and an initiating element which is fired in response, at least, to the first output signal.
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이 특허에 인용된 특허 (9)
Muller, Elmar; Halliday, Pieter Stephanus Jacobus; Morgan, Clifford Gordon; Dastoor, Paul; Belcher, Warwick; Zhou, Xiaojing; Bryant, Glenn, Detonation of explosives.
Harding, David Bruce; Labuschagne, Albertus Abraham; Koekemoer, Andre Louis; Birkin, Christopher Malcolm; Schlenter, Craig Charles, Detonator including a sensing arrangement.
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