Power management of blasting lead-in system

Abstract

A blasting system ( 10 ) in which detonators ( 12 ) are connected to a blast energy source ( 30 ) by means of a component ( 42 ) which forms part of the blasting system ( 10 ) and which is physically movable to a safe position, visually ascertainable by an operator, at which detonator ( 12 ) firing cannot take place if an unwanted or unsafe condition arises in the blasting system ( 10 ).

1 - 11 . (canceled) 
   
   
       12 . A blasting system which includes at least one detonator, a blast energy source, a connection between the blast energy source and the at least one detonator, and control equipment for controlling initiation of the at least one detonator by causing energy from the blast energy source to be supplied to the at least one detonator, a mechanism which is held in a first state when a first acceptable set of conditions pertains in the blasting system and which is automatically released to a second state when an unacceptable condition arises in the blasting system, and wherein at least one component of the blasting system is physically movable by the mechanism from an operative position to a safe position, which is visible by an operator, at which blast energy from the energy source cannot be supplied to the at least one detonator, when the mechanism is released to the second state. 
   
   
       13 . A blasting system according to  claim 12  wherein the component is selected from the blast energy source and a link in the connection. 
   
   
       14 . A blasting system according to  claim 13  wherein the mechanism is biased to the second state. 
   
   
       15 . A blasting system according to  claim 12  wherein the mechanism is biased to the second state. 
   
   
       16 . A blasting system according to any one of  claims 12  to  15  wherein movement of the component to the safe position is due to at least one of the following:
 (a) the elapsing of a predetermined period of time from a given starting time;   (b) the occurrence of a malfunction in the blasting system after communication was established on the connection by means of the control equipment; and   (c) the occurrence of a malfunction in part or all of the control equipment.   
   
   
       17 . A blasting system according to  claim 16  wherein the control equipment includes an upstream control unit and a downstream control unit which is closer to the at least one detonator than the upstream control unit and wherein the downstream unit is incapable of generating a blast command signal but can receive a blast command signal from the upstream control unit and transfer the blast command signal to the at least one detonator. 
   
   
       18 . A blasting system according to any one of  claims 12  to  15  wherein the control equipment includes an upstream control unit and a downstream control unit which is closer to the at least one detonator than the upstream control unit and wherein the downstream unit is incapable of generating a blast command signal but can receive a blast command signal from the upstream control unit and transfer the blast command signal to the at least one detonator. 
   
   
       19 . A blasting system in which detonators are connected to a blast energy source by means of a component which forms part of the blasting system and which is automatically physically movable to a safe position, visually ascertainable by an operator, at which detonator firing cannot take place if an unwanted or unsafe condition arises in the blasting system. 
   
   
       20 . A method of operating a blasting system which includes the steps of establishing a connection between a blast energy source and at least one detonator, and of automatically physically moving a component of the blasting system from an operative position to a safe position, which is visible by an operator, at which blast energy from the energy source cannot be supplied to the at least one detonator when an unacceptable or unsafe condition arises in the blasting system. 
   
   
       21 . A method according to  claim 20  wherein the component is selected from the blast energy source and a link in the connection. 
   
   
       22 . A method according to  claim 20  or  21  wherein movement of the component to the safe position is caused or initiated by at least one of the following: the elapsing of a predetermined period of time from a given starting time; the occurrence of a malfunction after communication was established on the connection; and the occurrence of a malfunction in control equipment which is used to generate a blast command signal.