Abstract: Ethernet systems, methods and blasting machines are presented for remote turn on of the blasting machine and reliable fire and arm commands issuance. Systems, methods, blasting machines and wireless bridge units are presented for wireless blasting for safe firing of detonators under control of a remote wireless master controller in which the blasting machine is connected by cabling to the wireless bridge unit and power to a firing circuit of the blasting machine is remotely controlled via the bridge unit. The bridge unit or Ethernet primary controller selectively provides first and second firing messages to the blasting machine contingent upon acknowledgment of safe receipt of the first firing message by the blasting machine, and the blasting machine fires the connected detonators only if the first and second firing messages are correctly received from the bridge unit.

Abstract: Ethernet systems, methods and blasting machines are presented for remote turn on of the blasting machine and reliable fire and arm commands issuance. Systems, methods, blasting machines and wireless bridge units are presented for wireless blasting for safe firing of detonators under control of a remote wireless master controller in which the blasting machine is connected by cabling to the wireless bridge unit and power to a firing circuit of the blasting machine is remotely controlled via the bridge unit. The bridge unit or Ethernet primary controller selectively provides first and second firing messages to the blasting machine contingent upon acknowledgment of safe receipt of the first firing message by the blasting machine, and the blasting machine fires the connected detonators only if the first and second firing messages are correctly received from the bridge unit.

Abstract: A detonator blasting system includes a blasting machine or logger, at least one electronic detonator arranged in an array with electrical connection between them. An improved communications method results in faster communications throughout the blast process.

Abstract: A detonator includes a substrate, a controller mounted to the substrate, and a sensor coupled to the controller to measure a temperature, pressure, acceleration or other environmental info and/or electrical status of the internal electronics of the detonator. The controller is configured to store the measured environmental parameter and/or electrical status in a memory of the detonator, transmit the stored data from the detonator to a remote master controller, execute an action in response to a value of the measured environmental parameter, and/or prevent or modify at least one detonator function in response to the data obtained.

Abstract: A detonator includes a substrate, a controller mounted to the substrate, and a sensor coupled to the controller to measure a temperature, pressure, acceleration or other environmental parameter of the detonator. The controller is configured to transmit the measured environmental parameter from the detonator to a remote master controller, execute an action in response to a value of the measured environmental parameter, and/or prevent or modify at least one detonator function in response to the value of the measured environmental parameter.

Abstract: Logging apparatus, methods and electronic detonators are presented for logging data, wherein the logger transmits read request messages to preprogrammed electronic detonators without transmitting any delay programming messaging, receives and stores electronic detonator data from a given one of the preprogrammed electronic detonators, and sends a verify command to cause the detonator to update its status flag to prevent the given electronic detonator from responding to subsequent read request messages.

Abstract: Logging apparatus, methods and electronic detonators are presented for logging data, wherein the logger transmits read request messages to preprogrammed electronic detonators without transmitting any delay programming messaging, receives and stores electronic detonator data from a given one of the preprogrammed electronic detonators, and sends a verify command to cause the detonator to update its status flag to prevent the given electronic detonator from responding to subsequent read request messages.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for setting up a network comprising a plurality of electronic detonators and a control unit, which are in connection with each other via a bus system, wherein each of the detonators comprises a communication module which is in connection with the bus system, for a communication between the detonator and the control unit via the bus system and wherein, as a part of the setting up of the network, the detonators are identified by the control unit.

Abstract: Logging apparatus, methods and electronic detonators are presented for logging data, wherein the logger transmits read request messages to preprogrammed electronic detonators without transmitting any delay programming messaging, receives and stores electronic detonator data from a given one of the preprogrammed electronic detonators, and sends a verify command to cause the detonator to update its status flag to prevent the given electronic detonator from responding to subsequent read request messages.

Abstract: Systems, methods, blasting machines and wireless bridge units are presented for wireless blasting for safe firing of detonators under control of a remote wireless master controller in which the blasting machine is connected by cabling to the wireless bridge unit and power to a firing circuit of the blasting machine is remotely controlled via the bridge unit. The bridge unit selectively provides first and second firing messages to the blasting machine contingent upon acknowledgment of safe receipt of the first firing message by the blasting machine, and the blasting machine fires the connected detonators only if the first and second firing messages are correctly received from the bridge unit. A wireless slave blasting machine is disclosed, including a wireless transceiver for communicating with a remote wireless master controller, which fires the connected detonators only if first and second firing messages are wirelessly received from the master controller.

Abstract: Ethernet systems, methods and blasting machines are presented for remote turn on of the blasting machine and reliable fire and arm commands issuance. Systems, methods, blasting machines and wireless bridge units are presented for wireless blasting for safe firing of detonators under control of a remote wireless master controller in which the blasting machine is connected by cabling to the wireless bridge unit and power to a firing circuit of the blasting machine is remotely controlled via the bridge unit. The bridge unit or Ethernet primary controller selectively provides first and second firing messages to the blasting machine contingent upon acknowledgment of safe receipt of the first firing message by the blasting machine, and the blasting machine fires the connected detonators only if the first and second firing messages are correctly received from the bridge unit.

Abstract: Logging apparatus, methods and electronic detonators are presented for logging data, wherein the logger transmits read request messages to preprogrammed electronic detonators whithout transmitting any delay programming messaging, receives and stores electronic detonator data from a given one of the preprogrammed electronic detonators, and sends a verify command to cause the detonator to update its status flag to prevent the given electronic detonator from responding to subsequent read request messages.

Abstract: Systems, methods, blasting machines and wireless bridge units are presented for wireless blasting for safe firing of detonators under control of a remote wireless master controller in which the blasting machine is connected by cabling to the wireless bridge unit and power to a firing circuit of the blasting machine is remotely controlled via the bridge unit. The bridge unit selectively provides first and second firing messages to the blasting machine contingent upon acknowledgment of safe receipt of the first firing message by the blasting machine, and the blasting machine fires the connected detonators only if the first and second firing messages are correctly received from the bridge unit. A wireless slave blasting machine is disclosed, including a wireless transceiver for communicating with a remote wireless master controller, which fires the connected detonators only if first and second firing messages are wirelessly received from the master controller.

Abstract: Systems, methods, blasting machines and wireless bridge units are presented for wireless blasting for safe firing of detonators under control of a remote wireless master controller in which the blasting machine is connected by cabling to the wireless bridge unit and power to a firing circuit of the blasting machine is remotely controlled via the bridge unit. The bridge unit selectively provides first and second firing messages to the blasting machine contingent upon acknowledgment of safe receipt of the first firing message by the blasting machine, and the blasting machine fires the connected detonators only if the first and second firing messages are correctly received from the bridge unit. A wireless slave blasting machine is disclosed, including a wireless transceiver for communicating with a remote wireless master controller, which fires the connected detonators only if first and second firing messages are wirelessly received from the master controller.

Abstract: Seismic blasting methods and apparatus are presented in which detonator confirmation time break (CTB) is accurately determined by maintaining an applied voltage across detonator leg wires following initiation of a firing command or signal and sensing one or more electrical parameters such as voltage and/or current, and selectively identifying a CTB representing a time at which the monitored electrical parameter indicates a successful detonation.

Abstract: Disclosed examples include firing control electronic circuits, such as electronic ignition modules (EIMs), electronic detonators and firing circuits for blasting applications, in which a Zener diode or one or more general purpose diodes is connected between a firing capacitor and charging voltage source in a circuit with a detonator ignition element to block voltage below a certain desired level so that the firing capacitor is not charged to enhance safety in the logger mode.

Abstract: Seismic blasting methods and apparatus are presented in which detonator confirmation time break (CTB) is accurately determined by maintaining an applied voltage across detonator leg wires following initiation of a firing command or signal and sensing one or more electrical parameters such as voltage and/or current, and selectively identifying a CTB representing a time at which the monitored electrical parameter indicates a successful detonation.

Abstract: A method of calibrating a coefficient of a pressure sensor for blasting operations, including striking a first piezoelectric sensor of a first unmolded pressure sensing apparatus; determining, with an interface circuit, a first peak voltage of the first piezoelectric sensor during the striking thereof, striking a second piezoelectric sensor of a second molded pressure sensing apparatus; determining with the interface circuit, a second peak voltage of the second piezoelectric sensor during the striking thereof, and calculating a piezoelectric constant of the second piezoelectric from at least the first and second peak voltages.

Abstract: Blasting video analysis techniques and systems are presented using vibration compensated background analysis with automated determination of blast origin coordinates and highest point coordinates using blast outline coordinates for post-origin frames. Blast expansion trajectories of the highest particle are estimated in frames preceding the highest point frame, and estimated blast parameters including maximum height and initial blast velocity are computed independent of blast data.

Abstract: Logging apparatus, methods and systems are presented for logging data from electronic detonators one at a time, in which a logger is placed into an automatic logging mode and begins transmitting read request messages in repetitive fashion until a response is received from a single connected electronic detonator, whereupon the logger obtains serial ID number and potentially other data such as a delay from the electronic detonator, after which the logger automatically proceeds without further user button presses to again initiate read request messages, by which a user can sequentially connect and disconnect a number of electronic detonators one at a time for quick expeditious logging. Also presented are automatic electronic detonator programming apparatus and processes in which a logger is placed into an automatic programming mode and the user connects electronic detonators one at a time for automatic or semi-automatic programming of delay times from internal memory.