Detonator junction for blasting networks

Abstract

A detonator junction for use in a blasting network is disclosed. A body of the detonator junction includes a chamber for receiving a detonator. A retaining member, attached to the body, creates a slot for retaining one or more transmission lines proximate an explosive output region of a detonator disposed in the chamber. A limiting member, attached to the retaining member, traverses an imaginary longitudinal extension of the slot and limits inadvertent removal of transmission lines from the slot. A clip may interlock with the detonator, which in turn may be locked into the chamber to ensure secure and proper placement of the detonator in the chamber. When the detonator is activated a transmission signal is initiated in transmission lines disposed within the slot.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by United States Letters Patent is:  
     
         1 . A detonator junction for use in a blasting network, the detonator junction comprising: 
 a body having an interior surface that defines a chamber shaped to receive a detonator;    a retaining member attached to the body, wherein the retaining member and body define a slot for retaining at least one transmission line; and    a limiting member, attached to the retaining member, that traverses an imaginary longitudinal extension of the slot to limit insertion and removal of a transmission line from the slot.    
     
     
         2 . The detonator junction as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the body, retaining member, and limiting member are integrally formed.  
     
     
         3 . The detonator junction as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the body and the retaining member each comprise a substantially planar surface that defines the slot.  
     
     
         4 . The detonator junction as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising a clip shaped to interlock with the detonator, wherein the interior surface of the body further defines a mating interface within the chamber, the mating interface being shaped to receive and lock the clip and an interlocked detonator in the chamber.  
     
     
         5 . The detonator junction as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the body further comprises a protrusion shaped to restrict movement of a transmission line from the slot into the channel.  
     
     
         6 . The detonator junction as defined in  claim 5 , wherein the protrusion is arcuate in shape.  
     
     
         7 . The detonator junction as defined in  claim 6 , wherein the limiting member and the body define a channel through which a transmission line passes before insertion into the slot.  
     
     
         8 . The detonator junction as defined in  claim 7 , wherein the protrusion defines at least a portion of the channel.  
     
     
         9 . The detonator junction as defined in  claim 7 , wherein a longitudinal axis of the slot is disposed at an angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the channel.  
     
     
         10 . A detonator junction for use in a blasting network, the junction comprising: 
 a body having an interior surface that defines a chamber shaped to receive a detonator having an explosive output region;    a retaining member attached to the body, wherein the retaining member and body define a slot for retaining at least one transmission line proximate the explosive output region of the detonator when the detonator is disposed in the chamber; and    a limiting member, attached to the retaining member, that traverses an imaginary longitudinal extension of the slot, wherein the limiting member and the body define a channel through which a transmission line passes before insertion into the slot.    
     
     
         11 . The detonator junction as defined in  claim 10 , wherein the body, retaining member, and limiting member are integrally formed.  
     
     
         12 . The detonator junction as defined in  claim 10 , wherein the body and the retaining member each comprise a substantially planar surface that defines the slot.  
     
     
         13 . The detonator junction as defined in  claim 10 , further comprising a clip shaped to interlock with the detonator, wherein the interior surface of the body further defines a mating interface within the chamber, the mating interface being shaped to receive and lock the clip and an interlocked detonator in the chamber.  
     
     
         14 . The detonator junction as defined in  claim 10 , wherein the body further comprises a protrusion shaped to restrict movement of a transmission line from the slot into the channel.  
     
     
         15 . The detonator junction as defined in  claim 14 , wherein the protrusion is arcuate in shape.  
     
     
         16 . The detonator junction as defined in  claim 15 , wherein the protrusion defines at least a portion of the channel.  
     
     
         17 . The detonator junction as defined in  claim 10 , wherein a longitudinal axis of the slot is disposed at an angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the channel.  
     
     
         18 . A detonator junction for use in a blasting network, the junction comprising: 
 a body having an interior surface that defines a chamber shaped to receive the detonator having an explosive output region;    a retaining member attached to the body, wherein the retaining member and body define a slot for retaining at least one transmission line proximate the explosive output region of the detonator when the detonator is disposed in the chamber;    a limiting member, attached to the retaining member, that traverses an imaginary longitudinal extension of the slot, wherein the limiting member and the body define a channel through which a transmission line passes before insertion into the slot;    a protrusion disposed on the body and shaped to restrict movement of a transmission line from the slot into the channel; and    a clip shaped to interlock with the detonator, wherein the interior surface of the body further defines a mating interface within the chamber, the mating interface being shaped to receive and lock the clip and an interlocked detonator in the chamber.    
     
     
         19 . The detonator junction as defined in  claim 18 , wherein the body and the retaining member each comprise a substantially planar surface that defines the slot.  
     
     
         20 . The detonator junction as defined in  claim 19 , wherein the substantially planar surface of the retaining member and the substantially planar surface of the body are generally parallel to each other.  
     
     
         21 . The detonator junction as defined in  claim 18 , wherein the protrusion is arcuate in shape.  
     
     
         22 . The detonator junction as defined in  claim 21 , wherein the protrusion defines at least a portion of the channel.  
     
     
         23 . The detonator junction as defined in  claim 18 , wherein a longitudinal axis of the slot is disposed at an angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the channel.  
     
     
         24 . The detonator junction as defined in  claim 18 , wherein the body, retaining member, limiting member, and protrusion are integrally formed.  
     
     
         25 . A method of transmitting a thermal shock wave in a blasting network using a detonator junction, the method comprising the steps of: 
 receiving a first thermal shock wave at a detonator disposed within a chamber defined by an interior surface of a body of a detonator junction, the detonator having a explosive output region, the detonator junction having a retaining member attached to the body, and a limiting member attached to the retaining member, wherein the body and retaining member define a slot for receiving at least one transmission line, and wherein the retaining member traverses a longitudinal extension of the slot to limit insertion and removal of a transmission line from the slot;    activating an explosive output region of the detonator in response to receipt of the first thermal shock wave;    initiating a second thermal shock wave within each transmission line disposed in the slot in response to activation of the explosive output region;    receiving the second thermal shock wave at an explosive coupled to one of the transmission lines disposed in the slot; and    detonating the explosive in response to receipt of the second thermal shock wave at the explosive.    
     
     
         26 . The method as defined in  claim 25 , wherein the limiting member and the body define a channel through which a transmission line passes before insertion into the slot.  
     
     
         27 . The method as defined in  claim 26 , wherein the protrusion defines at least a portion of the channel.  
     
     
         28 . The method as defined in  claim 27 , wherein a longitudinal axis of the slot is disposed at an angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the channel.