Aug 19, 2025

US12392593 - Method for installing a set of electronic detonators and associated ignition method

A method for installing a set of electronic detonators in blast holes of a mining face includes the following steps: connecting detonators, charged into the blast holes, to a movable test device; receiving, by the movable test device, a message sent by each detonator; determining, from that message, a set of values, representing the total number of detonators connected to the movable test device; sending, to one or more detonators of the set, a data set to store including the set of values representing the total number of detonators connected to the movable test device; and storing the data set in the memory of one or more detonators of the set of electronic detonators. Use for later verification of the connection of the detonators before firing.

Assignee: DAVEY BICKFORD
Inventors: Franck Guyon, Raphaël Trousselle, Stephanus Johannes Marais Combrinck, Lou Dumanoir
Filing date: 2021-12-14

The patent describes a method for installing electronic detonators in mining blast holes, which involves connecting the detonators to a movable test device that verifies their connection and stores relevant data. This process ensures accurate verification of the detonators before they are fired, enhancing safety and reliability in mining operations.

Claim 1

A method for installing a set of electronic detonators in blast holes of a mining face, the method comprising: connecting said electronic detonators charged into the blast holes to a movable test device; receiving, by said movable test device, a message sent by each detonator of said set of electronic detonators; determining, by said movable test device from said message sent by each detonator, a set of values representing the total number of electronic detonators connected to the movable test device; sending, by said movable test device to one or more detonators of said set of electronic detonators, a data set to store in memory comprising said set of values representing the total number of electronic detonators connected to the movable test device; and storing said data set in memory saving means of one or more detonators of said set of electronic detonators. connecting said electronic detonators charged into the blast holes to a movable test device; receiving, by said movable test device, a message sent by each detonator of said set of electronic detonators; determining, by said movable test device from said message sent by each detonator, a set of values representing the total number of electronic detonators connected to the movable test device; sending, by said movable test device to one or more detonators of said set of electronic detonators, a data set to store in memory comprising said set of values representing the total number of electronic detonators connected to the movable test device; and storing said data set in memory saving means of one or more detonators of said set of electronic detonators.

Google Patents

https://patents.google.com/patent/US12392593

USPTO PDF

https://image-ppubs.uspto.gov/dirsearch-public/print/downloadPdf/12392593