Abstract:
Firing-readiness diagnostics in an electronic pyrotechnic device such as an electronic detonator or an electronic blasting system thereof. The diagnostics may include a check for any incompatible attached devices, a resistance or continuity check of an ignition element, and/or a capacitance check of a firing capacitor.
Abstract:
A safety sensing and/or release system for a closed compartment of a vehicle is operable to detect an occupant within the vehicle compartment. The system may be operable to sense ambient conditions in the vehicle compartment, and may generate a control signal in response to the sensed conditions. The system may actuate indicators to notify operators of the vehicle that there is a person or animal detected in the compartment. Optionally, the system may open the vehicle compartment in response to a detection of an occupant and the sensed conditions. The safety system includes a false trigger protection means that limits or reduces false detections of a person or animal within the compartment.
Abstract:
Dynamic baselining of current modulation-based talkback from a slave device to a master device in a system such as an electronic blasting system, wherein the dynamic baselining enhances communication integrity under conditions of environmental noise and the like. With a data packet of appreciable length, the dynamic baselining is preferably performed repeatedly on the bytes or words within the packet.
Abstract:
For use in a system having a master device and slave devices (e.g., an electronic blasting system) and utilizing an automatic detection process that causes any slave devices that have not previously been identified to the master device to identify themselves to the master device, an enhancement to the detection process employs at least a second discriminator to detect superimposed responses from simultaneously responding slave devices, and a “deconvolution” algorithm in order to ascertain their identities.
Abstract:
A method of dynamically- and continuously-variable rate asynchronous data transfer, such as for use in an electronic blasting system, may employ a device that transmits data including synchronization bits and bits conveying other information, and a device that ascertains the rate of transmission of the synchronization bits and receives the bits conveying the other information at the ascertained rate of transmission.
Abstract:
A system for sensing ambient conditions in a compartment, such as the trunk of an automobile, generates a control signal in response to the sensed conditions. This control signal actuates indicators to notify operators of the vehicle that there is a person trapped in the trunk. The control signal is also used to actuate a lamp inside the trunk to provide light for the trapped person. A trunk release is also actuated, by a control module, to free the trapped person. The trunk release of the automobile can be prevented from being actuated if the automobile is moving, which prevents the trunk lid from unexpectedly opening while the vehicle is in motion.
Abstract:
A method for logging a plurality of slave devices is suggested, comprising the following steps: a) connecting a plurality of slave devices each having an identity and a pyrotechnic charge to an electrical conduit; b) after step a), connecting a logging device comprising a power supply, an electrical interface, and a memory and c)causing the logging device to communicate with each of the plurality of slave devices while the plurality of slave devices is simultaneously connected to the electrical conduit.
Abstract:
A hybrid electronic and electromechanical arm-fire device comprising a moving mechanical element having a safe position and an armed position, one or more pyrotechnic detonators each having an output mounted on the moving mechanical element, a pickup adjacent to the detonator output(s) that is in alignment therewith when the moving mechanical element is in the armed position but is not so aligned when the moving mechanical element is in the safe position, and electronic circuitry including a logic core having an electronic switch. The electronic circuitry may also include an electronic sensor such as a photointerruptor.
Abstract:
A multiple slave logging device, or “logger” for use in a system such as an electronic blasting system. The logger is able to communicate with multiple slave devices connected to it, and preferably also is able to communicate with a slave device connected individually. The logger preferably utilizes current modulation-based talkback from the slave devices, and optionally may also be adapted to detect the presence of inappropriate slave devices connected to the system.
Abstract:
A method of dynamically- and continuously-variable rate asynchronous data transfer, such as for use in an electronic blasting system, may employ a device that transmits data including synchronization bits and bits conveying other information, and a device that ascertains the rate of transmission of the synchronization bits and receives the bits conveying the other information at the ascertained rate of transmission.