Detonator with onboard electronics mechanically connected to ignition element

Abstract

A detonator with onboard electronics and an ignition element that are mechanically connected together.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An ignition subassembly for use in a detonator, comprising an ignition element and electronics for processing an ignition signal, said electronics being mechanically connected to said ignition element.  
     
     
         2 . The ignition subassembly of  claim 1 , wherein the mechanical connection between said ignition element and said electronics includes a plug and crimp connection.  
     
     
         3 . The ignition subassembly of  claim 1 , wherein the mechanical connection between said ignition element and said electronics includes an insulation displacement connection.  
     
     
         4 . The ignition subassembly of  claim 1 , wherein said electronics include a circuit board having two ends, one of the ends of said circuit board being mechanically connected to said ignition element.  
     
     
         5 . The ignition subassembly of  claim 1 , wherein said ignition element includes a glass-to-metal header having a sealed feedthrough.  
     
     
         6 . The ignition subassembly of  claim 2 , further comprising two plug and crimp connectors, wherein said ignition element includes two electrode pins that mate with said plug and crimp connectors.  
     
     
         7 . A detonator comprising: 
 a) an ignition element;    b) electronics for processing an ignition signal; and,    c) a mechanical connector assembly between said ignition element and said electronics, said connector mechanically connecting said ignition element to said electronics.    
     
     
         8 . The detonator of  claim 7 , wherein said mechanical connector assembly includes a plug and crimp connector.  
     
     
         9 . The detonator of  claim 7 , wherein said mechanical connector assembly includes an insulation displacement connector.  
     
     
         10 . The detonator of  claim 7 , wherein said ignition element includes a glass-to-metal header having a sealed feedthrough.  
     
     
         11 . The detonator of  claim 7 , wherein said electronics comprise a circuit board that includes electronic components for processing an ignition signal.  
     
     
         12 . The detonator of  claim 11 , wherein said mechanical connector assembly is soldered to said circuit board at one or more through-board contacts.  
     
     
         13 . A method of making an ignition subassembly for use in a detonator, comprising the following steps: 
 a) providing an ignition element suitable for initiating the detonator;    b) providing electronics for processing an ignition signal that is intended to trigger said ignition element;    c) providing a mechanical connector assembly comprising a male portion and a female portion;    d) incorporating or attaching said male portion of said connector assembly to one of said ignition element or said electronics;    e) incorporating or attaching said female portion of said connector assembly to the other of said ignition element and said electronics; and,    f) mechanically connecting together said male and female portions of said connector assembly.    
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein step c) includes the step of providing at least one plug and crimp connector.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein step c) includes the step of providing at least one insulation displacement connector.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein step a) includes the step of providing a glass-to-metal header having a sealed feedthrough, and wherein step d) includes the step of providing said header with a ground pin protruding away from said header, and the step of sealing a center pin in said header so as to form said sealed feedthrough and so as to protrude away from said header.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein step e) includes the step of attaching two plug and crimp connectors to said electronics, and wherein step f) comprises the step of pushing said pins into said plug and crimp connectors and crimping said plug and crimp connectors to said pins.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein step b) comprises the step of providing a circuit board including electronic components for processing an ignition signal.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein step e) comprises the step of soldering two plug and crimp connectors to said circuit board at through-board contacts.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising the step of substantially encapsulating said electronics, plug and crimp connectors, and pins.