Patents by Inventor Michael John McCann

Michael John McCann has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8861172
    Abstract: A plurality of detonator assemblies in signal communication with a blasting machine, each detonator assembly consisting of a detonator, a storage compartment for storing programmed delay time and/or oscillation count and a countdown oscillator. A transmitter for transmitting a blast rehearsal stop start and stop signal, said signals being separated by said programmed delay time individually selected for each detonator signal. The oscillator counting the total oscillation count corresponding to said delay time. When a detonator assembly receives a FIRE command, the individual countdown oscillators countdowns the total oscillation count associated with its detonator assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Orica Explosives Technology Pty Ltd.
    Inventors: Dirk Hummel, Michael John McCann
  • Patent number: 8385042
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for selective control of groups of wireless initiation devices such as wireless electronic boosters at a blast site. Such methods may be applied to a wide variety of blasting techniques that would benefit from the use of wireless control and initiation of explosive charges at the blast site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Orica Explosives Technology Pty Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael John McCann, Ronald F. Stewart
  • Publication number: 20120042800
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for selective control of groups of wireless initiation devices such as wireless electronic boosters at a blast site. Such methods may be applied to a wide variety of blasting techniques that would benefit from the use of wireless control and initiation of explosive charges at the blast site.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2010
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Applicant: Orica Explosives Technology Pty Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael John McCann, Ronald F. Stewart
  • Publication number: 20110265677
    Abstract: A plurality of detonator assemblies in signal communication with a blasting machine, each detonator assembly consisting of a detonator, a storage compartment for storing programmed delay time and/or oscillation count and a countdown oscillator. A transmitter for transmitting a blast rehearsal stop start and stop signal, said signals being separated by said programmed delay time individually selected for each detonator signal. The oscillator counting the total oscillation count corresponding to said delay time. When a detonator assembly receives a FIRE command, the individual countdown oscillators countdowns the total oscillation count associated with its detonator assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Applicant: Orica Explosives Technology PTY LTD
    Inventors: Dirk Hummel, Michael John Mccann
  • Patent number: 7929270
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Orica Explosives Technology Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Dirk Hummel, Michael John McCann
  • Patent number: 7791858
    Abstract: An electronic blasting system (10) comprising a plurality of hardware components (12.1 to 12.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Orica Explosives Technology Pty, Ltd.
    Inventors: Dirk Hummel, Michael John McCann, Charles Michael Lownds, Erich Nicol Meyer
  • Publication number: 20090193993
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2006
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Applicant: Orica Explosives Technology Pty Ltd.
    Inventors: Dirk Hummel, Michael John McCann
  • Publication number: 20080302264
    Abstract: A wireless detonator assembly (10) for blasting arrangements comprising a detonator with a base charge (18), command signal receiving (11) and processing means (12), a charge storage device (13) with a firing circuit (15) for storing electrical energy, at least one power source (14) to power said command signal receiving (11) and processing means (12), and to charge said charge storage device (13), each of said at least one power source (14) capable of supplying a maximum voltage or current that is less than a threshold voltage or current to actuate said base charge (18), and said base charge (18) actuating if a voltage or current in the firing circuit (15) resulting from discharge of the electrical energy from said charge storage device (13) exceeds said threshold voltage or current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2006
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Applicant: Orica Explosives Technology Pty Ltd.
    Inventors: Dirk Hummel, Michael John McCann, Ronald F. Stewart