Electronic firing systems and methods for firing a device

Abstract

An electronic firing system may include a first firing circuit and a second firing circuit. A detection system operatively associated with the first and second firing circuits detects whether a device to be fired is connected one of the first and second firing circuits. The electronic firing system actuates either of said first and second firing circuits to which is connected the device to be fired.

1 . An electronic firing system, comprising: 
 a first firing circuit;    a second firing circuit; and    a detection system operatively associated with said first and second firing circuits, said detection system detecting whether a device to be fired is connected one of said first and second firing circuits, said electronic firing system to actuating either of said first and second firing circuits to which is connected the device to be fired.    
   
   
       2 . The electronic firing system of  claim 1 , wherein said detection system detects whether the device to be fired is connected to said second firing circuit, said electronic firing system actuating said second firing circuit when said detection system detects that the device to be fired is connected to said second firing circuit.  
   
   
       3 . The electronic firing system of  claim 2 , wherein said electronic firing system actuates said first firing circuit when said detection system detects that the device to be fired is not connected to said second firing circuit.  
   
   
       4 . The electronic firing system of  claim 1 , further comprising an electrical energy storage device, said first and second firing circuits being operatively connected to said electrical energy storage device.  
   
   
       5 . The electronic firing system of  claim 4 , further comprising a charging system, said charging system being operatively connected to said electrical energy storage device, said charging system charging said electrical energy storage device with electrical energy.  
   
   
       6 . The electronic firing system of  claim 5 , further comprising a control system, said control system being operatively connected to said first firing circuit, said second firing circuit, said detection system, and said charging system, said control system operating said charging system, said control system operating either of said first and second firing circuits in response to a signal from said detection system, said signal from said detection system being related to whether the device to be fired is connected to said second firing circuit.  
   
   
       7 . The electronic firing system of  claim 6 , wherein said electrical energy storage device comprises at least one capacitor.  
   
   
       8 . The electronic firing system of  claim 7 , wherein said detection system comprises: 
 a first voltage divider connected in parallel with said at least one capacitor; and    a second voltage divider connected in parallel with said first voltage divider, said second voltage divider comprising at least a first resistor that is also connected in parallel with output terminals of said second firing system.    
   
   
       9 . An electronic firing system, comprising: 
 an electrical energy storage device;    a firing circuit operatively connected to said electrical energy storage device, said firing circuit being operable to electrically connect said electrical energy storage device to a device to be fired; and    a discharge system operatively associated with said electrical energy storage device, said discharge system being operable to electrically discharge said electrical energy storage device.    
   
   
       10 . The electronic firing system of  claim 9 , further comprising a control system and wherein said discharge system comprises an active shunt operatively connected to said control system, said control system operating said active shunt to cause said active shunt to electrically discharge said electrical energy storage device in response to a signal from said control system.  
   
   
       11 . The electronic firing system of  claim 10 , wherein said active shunt comprises a switch and a resistor connected in series with said switch.  
   
   
       12 . The electronic firing system of  claim 9 , further comprising a charging system operatively connected to said electrical energy storage device, said charging system charging said electrical energy storage device at a charge rate.  
   
   
       13 . The electronic firing system of  claim 12 , wherein said electrical energy storage device comprises a capacitor and wherein said charging system comprises an inductor and a switch connected in series across a voltage source, and a diode connected between a node between said inductor and said switch and a first plate of said capacitor, a second plate of the capacitor being connected to said voltage source.  
   
   
       14 . The electronic firing system of  claim 12 , wherein said discharge system comprises a passive shunt, said passive shunt being operatively connected to said electrical energy storage device, said passive shunt discharging said electrical energy storage device at a discharge rate that is less than the charge rate.  
   
   
       15 . An electronic firing system, comprising: 
 an electrical energy storage device;    a charging system operatively connected to said electrical energy storage device, said charging system charging said electrical energy storage device with electrical energy;    a firing circuit operatively connected to said electrical energy storage device, said firing circuit being operable to electrically connect said electrical energy storage device to a device to be fired; and    a control system operatively connected to said charging system, said control system operating said charging system in response to a user-initiated command.    
   
   
       16 . The electronic firing system of  claim 15 , wherein said firing circuit is operatively connected to said control system and wherein said control system operates said firing circuit to electrically connect said electrical energy storage device to a device to be fired.  
   
   
       17 . The electronic firing system of  claim 16 , further comprising a second firing circuit operatively connected to said electrical energy storage device and to said control system, said second firing circuit being operable by said control system to electrically connect said electrical energy storage device to a device to be fired.  
   
   
       18 . The electronic firing system of  claim 17 , further comprising a detection system operatively associated with said control system, said detection system detecting whether a device to be fired is connected to said second firing circuit, said control system actuating said second firing circuit when said detection system detects that the device to be fired is connected to said second firing circuit.  
   
   
       19 . A method for firing a device, comprising: 
 operatively connecting the device to an electronic firing system, said electronic firing system including at least an electrical energy storage device, a firing circuit, a control system, and a user interface;    operating the user interface to enter an operational mode;    setting a countdown time;    initiating a countdown, said control system charging the electrical energy storage device during the countdown, said control system operating the firing circuit to fire the device when the countdown reaches zero.    
   
   
       20 . A method for operating an electronic firing system, comprising: 
 initiating a countdown;    charging an electrical energy storage system while performing the countdown;    detecting whether a device to be fired is connected to a firing terminal of said electronic firing system; and    energizing the firing terminal to which is connected the device to be fired when the countdown reaches zero.    
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein initiating a countdown comprises selecting a default countdown time.  
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein initiating a countdown comprises selecting a countdown time.