Abstract:
Wireless detonator assemblies (51-59) in use, form a cross-communicating network of wireless “detonator assemblies, such that communication of each wireless detonator assembly (57-59) with an associated blasting machine (50) can occur either directly, or via relay of signals (61-69) between other wireless detonator assemblies (51-56) in the network. Wireless detonator assemblies (51-59) can disseminate information (such as status information, identity information, firing codes, delay times and environmental conditions) among all of the wireless detonator assemblies in the network, while compensating for signal transmission relay delays at nodes in the network, thereby enabling the wireless detonator assemblies to detonate the explosive charges in accordance with the delay times. Various wireless detonator assemblies and corresponding blasting apparatus are disclosed and claimed. Methods of blasting using the wireless detonator assemblies and blasting apparatus are also disclosed and claimed.
Abstract:
A detonator assembly (10) comprising a housing (12) disclosed and claimed. The assembly comprises an main circuit (11) comprising an electrically operable fuse (16) located in the housing. The assembly further comprises at least a first redundancy circuit (13) wherein at least one element of the main circuit is duplicated (18 for 16) also located in the housing. The invention also includes within its scope an initiation system (42) comprising at least one level of redundancy which may be in one or more or all of a blast controller (24), a harness (40) and detonator assemblies 10.1 to 10.n forming part of the system.
Abstract:
A squib for bus connection includes a communication and ignition unit which is connected via a pin to a bus line and is received within an inner cap, along with a quantity of a first explosive which does not emit corrosive gas. Furthermore, between this inner cap and an outer cap in which it is received, there is charged a quantity of a second explosive which is of a different type from the first explosive, the second explosive being of a type which is used in a squib in a conventional inflator.
Abstract:
A system includes a well tool for deployment in a well, a controller, and a link coupled between the controller and the well tool. The well tool comprises plural control units, each of the plural control units having a microprocessor and an initiator coupled to the microprocessor. Each microprocessor is adapted to communicate bi-directionally with the controller. The controller is adapted to send a plurality of activation commands to respective microprocessors to activate the respective control units. Each activation command containing a unique identifier corresponding to a respective control unit.
Abstract:
Blasting apparatuses and methods control actuation of a plurality of detonators, and involve the use of one or more authorization keys each associated with a blasting machine. The authorization key(s) are transferable from the blasting machine(s) to a central command station, each authorization key storing a data package comprising a randomly generated access code generated by its corresponding blasting machine. Transfer of the one or more authorization keys to a central command station allows the data packages (and associated randomly generated access codes) to be transmitted by the central command station for receipt by the blasting machine(s).
Abstract:
A blasting system using the global positioning system (GPS) for timing the detonations for a shaped blast. The blasting system includes a master station including a master GPS receiver for determining a GPS-based time and a master transceiver in communication with several charge control stations. Each charge control station includes a charge control transceiver for communicating with the master transceiver, a charge control GPS receiver for tracking the GPS-based time, and a detonator for detonating an explosive charge. In operation, the master transceiver uses the GPS-based time determined at the master station for computing detonation times and transmits these times to the charge control stations. The charge control stations then detonate the respective explosive charges when the GPS-based times determined at the charge control stations match the detonation times. Location information determined by the charge control GPS receivers may be used by the master station for detecting errors in the placements of the explosive charges and for refining the detonation times.
Abstract:
An integrated magnetic exploding foil initiator fire set includes a DC-DC converter with a first transformer, a triggering mechanism with a second transformer, and an integrated magnetic structure for the respective transformers. Inductive interference is minimized in the respective transformers by the construction and placement of the transformer windings. The use of planar magnetic core material and flexprint or printed circuit technologies for the windings reduces the cost and weight of the structure and provides a compact construction. Thus, the triggering mechanism provides higher energy and voltage output and eliminate the need for expensive spark-gap switches.
Abstract:
The invention is a firing circuit for an exploding bridgewire explosive detonator which is activated only by application of an alternating current of a preselected frequency. The firing circuit comprises a bandpass filter, a voltage multiplier, and a discharge circuit.The invention can be configured to selectively detonate a plurality of exploding bridgewire detonators by assembling a plurality of firing circuits for each exploding bridgewire, each firing circuit having a bandpass filter with a different preselected frequency.
Abstract:
A select fire gun assembly for jet perforating includes a plurality of shaped charges capable of being detonated by blasting caps activated by passage of current through the cap. The first electric terminal of the blasting cap on the bottom of the assembly is grounded. The remaining blasting caps are electrically connected to a dart that grounds only after the charge below has been detonated. The other terminal of each blasting cap is connected to the logging cable through a first diode, and these diodes are arranged in sequentially alternating polarity. The first terminal of each cap is also connected electrically through a large resistor to the gate of an electronic switch which is closed either by positive or negative voltage, depending on the nature of the switch. The switch is open when the gate is grounded. The electronic switch is incorporated in series with the logging cable. Positive and negative gated electronic switches are connected to the blasting caps in alternative sequence. A second diode is placed in series with the logging cable and parallel with the electronic switch that is associated with each blasting cap. The first and second diodes are arranged in opposite polarity to one another, and the electronic switch is in opposite polarity with the corresponding second diode. The diodes, electronic switch and the resistor for each cap is incorporated in an electronic module, the lead wires of which are mounted to the logging cable, blasting cap and the dart.
Abstract:
A perforating gun apparatus comprises a plurality of perforating gun, each gun containing at least one charge and a novel arming, testing and firing apparatus. The arming, testing and firing apparatus arms a first charge in a lowermost perforating gun; however, the arming of the first charge in the lowermost perforating gun allows a tester disposed at the well surface to determine the identity of the lowermost perforating gun to be detonated. Furthermore, the arming of the first charge in the lowermost perforating gun also enables the arming of a second charge in an adjacent perforating gun of the gun string. In the event the first charge is not armed as expected, the arming, testing and firing apparatus in the lowermost perforating gun bypasses the lowermost perforating gun and begins to arm the second charge in the adjacent perforating gun of the gun string. A novel housing for a perforating gun includes an isolated chamber in which a charge is mounted, the chamber having two opposite walls, one wall being circumferentially rotatable and including a radially disposed detonator. Since a detonating cord is longitudinally disposed in the chamber, the circumferentially rotatable characteristic of the one wall in association with the radial disposition of the detonator provides a safe arm feature of the perforating gun.