Abstract:
A system and method for conducting a firing sequence including a master device and a plurality of electronic pyrotechnic devices, wherein the master device broadcasts, multiple times, a fire command to the plurality of electronic pyrotechnic devices, the electronic pyrotechnic devices commence a pre-fire countdown in response to each fire command received without error, and each electronic pyrotechnic device conducts a pre-fire countdown to expiration and thereupon commences a final fire countdown that concludes with firing.
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 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 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 example an electronic blasting system, in which a detection command is issued by a master device to all slave devices connected to the system, causing all slave devices that have not been identified to the master device to respond.
Abstract:
A system and method for conducting a firing sequence including a master device and a plurality of electronic pyrotechnic devices, wherein the master device broadcasts, multiple times, a fire command to the plurality of electronic pyrotechnic devices, the electronic pyrotechnic devices commence a pre-fire countdown in response to each fire command received without error, and each electronic pyrotechnic device conducts a pre-fire countdown to expiration and thereupon commences a final fire countdown that concludes with firing.
Abstract:
A system, for example an electronic blasting system, in which a detection command is issued by a master device to all slave devices connected to the system, causing all slave devices that have not been identified to the master device to respond.
Abstract:
Pressure sensors and techniques are presented in which one or more piezoelectric discs are housed in a holder structure with a hole allowing exposure of the piezoelectric disc(s) to ambient pressure within a borehole, with wiring leads passing through the holder structure for conveying an electrical signal from the piezoelectric device to an external interface circuit or for conveying an electrical signal from an internal interface circuit to an external data acquisition system.
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 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.