WO2012059877A1

WO2012059877A1 - Connector

Info

Publication number: WO2012059877A1
Application number: PCT/IB2011/054887
Authority: WO
Inventors: Andries Willem Posthumus; Anthony John Rorke
Original assignee: Omnia Group Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Omnia Group Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2010-11-03
Filing date: 2011-11-03
Publication date: 2012-05-10
Anticipated expiration: 2013-05-03
Also published as: BR112013010867A2; AU2011324802A1; CA2816289A1; CN103339465A; CL2013001189A1

Abstract

A connector (12) for use in an electronic detonator firing installation wherein the connector (12) comprises a down-line connector part (22) and cover connector part (20) hingedly connected to each other through connection means, the down-line connector part (22) configured to receive a first end of a detonator line cable which line terminates on its second end in a detonator, the down-line connector part further comprising at least one electrical contact point (28a and 28b) in which the first end of the detonator line terminates in use, the electrical contact point being housed in a connection chamber (24) defined between the connected ends of the down¬ line connector part and cover connector part. The cover connector part defines an internal cavity (50) to accommodate electronic circuitry which is to enhance the functionality of the connecter and/or detonator firing installation in use.

Description

CONNECTOR

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

THIS invention relates to a connector for an electronic detonator.

The breaking of rock in mines and quarries is typically carried out by means of explosives. Usually, a plurality of drill-holes is made in the rock, which holes are then filled with explosives. For every drill-hole a detonator is used, which detonators permit the firing of the explosives. In some cases these detonators are electronically controlled, enabling the detonators to be programmed in order to fire the explosives according to a predetermined firing plan.

In executing a firing plan, it is necessary to include in the process a step of identifying every detonator by a serial number and applying to such detonator a delay time which determines the moment of ignition of the charge in relation to a general firing signal. Identification of the detonators and application of the delay times are typically performed after having arranged all the detonators in the drill-holes that have been made and before or after connecting them to a control unit or firing box.

In many applications electronic detonator systems receive power and control signals from a bus or surface line, typically a two-wire line, which line is connected on one end to the control unit and towards the other end extending over the firing range so as to connect all the detonators. A detonator generally comprises an electronic module in the form of a tubular sheath, one end of which is to receive the detonator charge. From the other end of this tubular sheath an electric cable exits, with a length roughly equal to the drilling depth of the drill-holes. The other end of this cable carries connection means such as, for example, clips that make it possible to connect each of the wires, without baring them, to the two-wire line running over the firing range.

It is well known that placing the ground bus or surface line of the firing range in position over the firing range is a very inconvenient operation. Furthermore, the connection of each of the detonators to the surface line requires special attention and creates a risk of errors. For example, problems may occur when a surface line is not in proper contact with the down-lines to the detonators, or where water ingress has occurred in such connections.

In order to ensure maximum efficiency and safety during large blasting operations in which electronic detonators are used, it is in many instances essential that the specific location of each electronic detonator in a blast arrangement is known and that each electronic detonator is allocated a predetermined time or delay at which to detonate. The location and delay time of each electronic detonator are taken into account by the blast operator in designing a suitable blast plan. Any errors in the blast plan or the implementation of the blast plan may cause significant losses in performance and may even pose safety hazards to personnel or equipment in the vicinity of the blasting operation.

It is an object of this invention to provide a connector for a detonator that allows easy attachment of the detonator to the surface line and that provides features that will assist with the programming of the detonators and communication between different components of the blasting arrangement. SUMMA Y OF THE INVENTION

A connector for use in an electronic detonator firing installation wherein the connector comprises: a down-line connector part and cover connector part hingedly connected to each other through a connection means, the down-line connector part configured to receive a first end of a detonator line cable which terminates on its second end in a detonator, the downline connector part further comprising at least one electrical contact point in which the first end of the detonator line terminates in use, the electrical contact point being housed in a connection chamber defined between adjacent ends of the down-line connector part and cover connector part; wherein the cover connector part defines an internal cavity to accommodate electronic circuitry which is to enhance the functionality of the connecter and/or detonator firing installation.

The connection chamber may at least in part be formed by side walls and end walls of the down-line connector part. Preferably, each side wall defines at least one slot to receive a wire of the surface line, with the slots on opposing side walls being aligned with each other and the contact point in order to guide the wire through respective slots on opposing side walls and the contact point.

Typically, the connector further comprises a locking mechanism defined on the ends of the down-line connector part and cover connector part distal to the connections means, the locking mechanism ensuring that the connector remains in a locked position after being closed. The locking mechanism may be a clip arrangement. The connection means is preferably a pin-hinge arrangement that allows limited relative movement between the down-line connector part and cover connector part. The pin-hinge arrangement allows the connector parts to be separated from each other or hingedly joined together.

Typically the connector comprises two adjacent electrical contact points housed in the connection chamber with two wires forming the detonator line in use respectively terminating in the electrical contact points and wherein each side wall defines two slots, each to receive a wire of the surface line, with the slots on opposing side walls being aligned in order to guide the wires through respective slots on opposing side walls and the contact points.

Preferably, each electrical contact point is a splice pin.

Optionally, in a lower section of the cover connector part is defined a cavity with an internal spine running between two opposing end walls of the cover connector part, with the internal spine keeping the wires once guided through the connection chamber securely in position.

The spine may define a further protrusion such as a wedge protrusion, which in use, when the connector is in a closed position, extends down into the connection chamber and presses onto the end of the detonator line that terminates in the connection chamber.

The electronic circuitry may carry information about the date of manufacture of the detonator, the serial number of the detonator and any other pertinent information recorded on the detonator at the time of manufacture.

Alternatively, the electronic circuitry may be configured to communicate the above stored information to external devices. For example, communication to external devices may occur via physical contact, such as where a logging device is pressed against an electronic contact point on top of the connector. Communication may also occur through remote sensing, which may employ RFID technology or through wireless transmission, which may incorporate BlueTooth, GSM or other wireless technologies.

The electronic circuitry may additionally be adapted to communicate wirelessly with similar circuitry in neighbouring detonator connectors.

Additionally, the electronic circuitry held in the cavity may also be adapted to transmit information and commands to the detonator circuitry in the detonator via the detonator line. Such information may, for example, include programmed firing time, the detonator identification and firing commands of the detonator.

It will be appreciated that the electronic circuitry could additionally be adapted to receive and store information from an external device, such as the logging device mentioned above. This information may be the detonator identification, time and/or order of firing time, positioning information, or the like.

Preferably the connector comprises an electrical bridge electrically connecting the two splice pins thereby allowing two wires received in the splice pins to be electrically connected without the need for stripping.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing connectors in accordance with the present invention connecting electronic detonators with a surface line;

Figure 2 shows a side view of a connector in accordance with the present invention; Figure 3 shows a top view of the connector of Figure 2;

Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the connector of Figure 2;

Figure 5 shows a perspective top view of the connector of Figure 2 in a closed position;

Figure 6 shows a perspective bottom view of the connector of Figure

2 in a closed position; and shows the connector of Figure 2 in use, with wires of the surface line guided through a connection chamber defined between parts of the connector;

Figure 8 shows the connector of Figure 2 being in physical contact with a logging; and

Figures 9 and 10 show the connector of Figure 2 used to electrically connect two surface lines.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Turning to Figure 1 , connectors 10 for electronic detonators 12 are shown. Each connector 10 is used to connect a detonator line or down-line 14 which runs from a respective electronic detonator 12 to a surface line or blast line 16. The surface line 16, typically comprising two wires, carries signals, e.g. control signals, from a blasting box (not shown) that regulates a blast plan across all the detonators 12. The control signals are distributed to the various electronic detonators 12 via the respective connectors 10 and detonator lines 14. As best seen in Figure 2, although also with further reference to Figures 3 to 6, the detonator 12 comprises a down-line connector part 18 and a cover connector part 20, which are secured to each other on one side through a connection means 22. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the connection means 22 is a hinge arrangement, in particular a pin-hinge arrangement that allows relative movement between the two parts 18 and 20. Particularly, the cover connector part 20 pivots with only a limited angle of rotation around the pin-hinge arrangement. Due to the pin-hinge arrangement, the two parts 18 and 20 of the connector 10 may be separated from each other or joined together, according to the needs of an operator.

In the example embodiment of the invention, the connection means forms a protrusion to the side of the connector 10. The shape of this protrusion, that easily rests on the index finger of a user, in combination with the pin- hinge arrangement that could be opened with the thumb of the user, allows for the easy opening and closing of the connector 10 with one hand.

The cover connector part 20 is accordingly movable between an open position (shown in Figures 2, 3 and 4) and a closed position (shown in Figures 5 and 6). In the closed position of the connector 10 a closed connection chamber 24 is defined between the adjacent and thus connected ends of the down-line connector part 18 and the cover connection part 20. In the closed position, the connection chamber 24 is concealed, while in the open position the connection chamber 24 is exposed allowing an operator to connect the connector 10 with the wires of the surface line 16.

On the ends of both the down-line connector part 18 and the cover connector part 20 distal to the connection means 22 a locking mechanism 26 is provided, in this example embodiment shown as a clip arrangement 26a and 26b to ensure that the connector 10 remains locked after the wires of the surface line 16 have been inserted into the connector 10 and the two parts have been moved to a closed position. The down-line connector part 18 is configured to receive an end (first end) of the detonator line 14. The other end (second end) of the detonator line 14 terminates or is connected to a respective electronic detonator 12. The down-line connector part 18 defines a channel or aperture 44 (best seen in Figure 6) in its lower end through which the detonator line 14 extends in use towards the detonator 12.

The first end of the detonator line 14 terminates in use, through a cable port, in an electrical contact (terminal) or connection point or points 28a and 28b which is/are housed in the connection chamber 24 defined between the connected/adjacent ends of the down-line connector part 18 and the cover connector part 20. Typically, the detonator line comprises two wires, each of which is connected in use to a respective contact 28a or 28b. The two wires, spliced into the contacts, are shown by reference numerals 29a and 29b in Figure 3.

As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the upper end of the down-line connector part 18, i.e. the end to which the cover connector part is secured, defines part of the connection chamber 24. For example, the connection chamber 24 is formed at least in part by side walls 30a and 30b and end walls 32a and 32b (Figure 3) of the down-line connector part 18. On one end wall 32b the pin-hinge connector 22 is provided, while on the other end wall 32a the locking mechanism 26a and 26b is provided.

Each of the side walls 30a and 30b defines at least one slot, in this example embodiment shown by two slots 34. These slots 34 receive in use the surface line 16, which comprises two wires 42. The slots 34 on the opposing side walls 30a and 30b are aligned with each other and with the respective electrical contact points 28a and 28b thereby to guide a wire of the surface line 16 through the respective slots 34 and through the contact point 28a and 28b. By passing each wire 42 through the guiding slots 34 the wire 42 is automatically aligned with its associated contact point 28a and 28b and thus connected to the wires of the detonator line 14. Referring to Figure 4, each of the contact points 28a and 28b is, in the preferred embodiment of the invention, a connector splice pin which has a connection slot. When the wire 42 is slid into the connection slot 28a and 28b, the insulation of the wire is cut thereby to allow electrical contact between the contact point 28a and 28b and the particular wire of the surface line 16, as well as the wires of the detonator line 14.

The lower section of the cover connector part 20 fits into the space defined by the side walls and end walls of the down-line connector part 18, and is thus received by the upper portion of the down-line connector part 18. The lower section also defines a cavity 36 between the side and end walls of the cover connector part 20 and has an internal ridge or spine 38 running between the two opposing end walls 40a and 40b of the cover connector part 20. In use, the spine 38 extends into the connection chamber 24 and presses down on the wires 42 once guided through the slots 34, thereby forcing the wires 42 into position in the splicing contacts 28a and 28b. It will be appreciated that the spine 38, with the slots 34, in use and once the connector 10 has been closed, keep the wires 42 securely in position in the contacts of the connection chamber 24 of the connector 10.

Additionally, the spine 38 has a further protrusion 48, i.e. a wedge protrusion, best seen in Figures 2, 3 and 4, which, when the connector 10 is in a closed position, extends further down into the connection chamber 24 and presses onto the end of the detonator line 14 that terminates in the connection chamber 24. In this configuration, the wedge protrusion 48 provides additional support and structure to the connections, thereby ensuring that movement of the connector 10 or detonator line 14 would unlikely loosen the connections.

Both the down-line connector part 18 and the cover connector part 20 are in a preferred embodiment moulded from an insulating material, such as a plastics material. The cover connector part 20 defines an internal cavity or void, shown in Figure 2 by reference numeral 50, in its upper section, which cavity 50 is used to accommodate electronic circuitry, as required by the specific blasting installation. The cavity 50 may be insulated to protect the circuitry from environmental elements. The electronic circuitry may have external contact points or ports on the cover connector part 20, shown in Figure 5 by reference numerals 46.

Typically, the electronic circuitry in each connecter enhances the functionality of the connector, significantly improves the ease and speed of application and the effectiveness of the electronic delay detonators.

In one example embodiment, the electronic circuitry may be configured to communicate the above stored information to external devices. As shown by Figure 8, this communication to external devices may occur via physical contact, such as where a logging device 52 is pressed against an electronic contact point on top of the cover connector part 20 of the connector 12. In another embodiment, communication may occur through remote sensing, which may employ RFID technology or through wireless transmission, which may incorporate BlueTooth, GSM or other wireless technologies.

In the last mentioned embodiment, the electronic circuitry may additionally be adapted to communicate wirelessly with similar circuitry in neighbouring detonator connectors, and would thus be in the form of a wireless communication module.

The electronic circuitry held in the cavity 50 may also be adapted to transmit information and commands to the detonator circuitry in the detonator 12 via the detonator line 14. Such information may, for example, include programmed firing time, the detonator identification and firing commands.

It will be appreciated that the electronic circuitry could additionally be adapted to receive and store information from an external device, such as the logging device 52 mentioned above. This information may be the detonator identification, time and/or order of firing time, positioning information, or the like.

A person skilled in the art would appreciate that the circuitry could be adapted and/or programmed to perform any other function to enhance the usability of the connector/detonator system.

The asymmetric shape of the connector 10, provided by the arrangement of the connection means, allows that polarity sensitive connections with external devices can be reliably made.

The connector 10 may also permit the connection of non-polarity insulated conductors without first stripping the insulation from the conductors.

In Figures 9 and 10 it is shown how the connector 12 may be used to electrically connect the ends of two surface wires 54 and 56. This particular connector 12 does not carry a detonator line, and is exclusively used as a connector for the surface wires 54 and 56. The connector 12 in this example includes an electrical bridge 58, e.g. in the form of a copper wire, which extends between the two contact points 28a and 28b (shown as splice pins) thereby to electrically connect the contact points 28a and 28b with each other. When the wires 54 and 56 are placed in position in the connection slots of the connector splice pins the insulation of the wires is cut to allow electrical contact between the contact point 28a and 28b and the particular wire 54 and 56. The electrical bridge 58 then in turn provides a short circuit between the wires. A single surface line is thus created through joining as a proper connection the ends of wires. It will be appreciated that the conductors or lines may be joined by ewireless rather than a physical join as shown by the example embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the signals travelling along the surface lines will be transferred to the detonator lines through a space where there is no physical contact in the connector 10 between the conductors of the surface line and the detonator lines.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A connector for use in an electronic detonator firing installation wherein the connector comprises: a down-line connector part and cover connector part hingedly connected to each other through connection means, the down-line connector part configured to receive a first end of a detonator line cable which line terminates on its second end in a detonator, the down-line connector part further comprising at least one electrical contact point in which the first end of the detonator line terminates in use, the electrical contact point being housed in a connection chamber defined between the connected ends of the down-line connector part and cover connector part; wherein the cover connector part defines an internal cavity to accommodate electronic circuitry which is to enhance the functionality of the connecter and/or detonator firing installation in use.

2. A connector as claimed in claim 1 wherein the connection chamber is at least in part formed by side walls and end walls of the downline connector part.

3. A connector as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein each side wall defines at least one slot to receive a wire of the surface line, with the slots on opposing side walls being aligned in order to guide the wire through respective slots on opposing side walls and the contact point.

4. A connector as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the connector further comprises a locking mechanism defined on the ends of the down-line connector part and cover connector part distal to the connections means, the locking mechanism ensuring that the connector remains in a locked position after being closed.

5. A connector as claimed in claim 4 wherein the locking mechanism is a clip arrangement.

6. A connector as claimed in any one of claim 1 to 5 wherein the connection means is a pin-hinge arrangement that allows limited relative movement between the down-line connector part and cover connector part and further allows the connector parts to be separated from each other or to be hingedly joined together.

7. A connector as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6 comprising two adjacent electrical contact points housed in the connection chamber, two wires forming the detonator line in use respectively terminating in the electrical contact points and wherein each side wall defines two slots, each to receive a wire of the surface line, with the slots on opposing side walls being aligned in order to guide the wires through respective slots on opposing side walls and the contact points.

8. A connector as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein each electrical contact point is a splice pin.

9. A connector as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein, in a lower section of the cover connector part is defined a cavity with an internal spine running between two opposing end walls of the cover connector part, with the internal spine keeping the wires once guided through the connection chamber securely in position when the connector is in a closed position.

10. A connector as claimed in claim 9 wherein the spine defines a further protrusion, which in use, when the connector is in a closed position, extends down into the connection chamber and presses onto the end of the detonator line that terminates in the connection chamber.

11. A connector as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10 wherein the electronic circuitry carries information about the date of manufacture of the detonator, the serial number of the detonator and any other pertinent information recorded on the detonator at the time of manufacture.

12. A connector as claimed in claim 11 wherein the electronic circuitry is configured to communicate the information to external devices which communication occurs via physical contact, or remote sensing through the use of RFID technology or wireless transmission selected from BlueTooth, GSM or other wireless technologies.

13. A connector as claimed in claim 12 wherein the electronic circuitry is adapted to communicate wirelessly with similar circuitry in neighbouring detonator connectors.

14. A connector as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13 wherein the electronic circuitry held in the cavity is adapted to transmit information and commands to the detonator circuitry in the detonator via the detonator line.

15. A connector as claimed in claim 14 wherein the information includes programmed firing time, the detonator identification and/or firing commands of the detonator.

16. A connector as claimed in claim 11 to 15 wherein the electronic circuitry is adapted to receive and store information from an external device.

17. A connector as claimed in claim 8 when dependent on claim 7 further comprising an electrical bridge electrically connecting the two splice pins thereby allowing two wires received in the splice pins to be electrically connected without the need for stripping.