Method for controlling initiation of a detonator

Abstract

A method for controlling the initiation of an electronic detonator when located in surrounding ground, the method comprising the steps of: measuring the actual spatial position of the said detonator in relation to one or more adjacent detonators; and calculating the time of initiation of the said detonator based upon its actual spatial position.

1 . A method for controlling the initiation of an electronic detonator when located in surrounding ground, the method comprising the steps of: 
 measuring the actual spatial position of the said detonator in relation to one or more adjacent detonators; and    calculating the time of initiation of the said detonator based upon its actual spatial position.    
   
   
       2 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the actual spatial position of the or each electronic detonator is measured in relation to a coordinate reference point.  
   
   
       3 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  or  claim 2  wherein the soatial position is measured using an electronic positioning system.  
   
   
       4 . A method as claimed in  claim 3  wherein the electronic positioning system is one of an inertial positioning device or a global positioning system.  
   
   
       5 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the step of calculating is carried out by a computing device capable of receiving an input such as a calculator, laptop computer, palm or the like.  
   
   
       6 . A method for controlling the initiation of an electronic detonator when located in surrounding ground, the method comprising the steps of: 
 locating the said detonator and one or more adjacent detonators in the ground using a pre-determined planned positional relationship;    measuring the deviation between an actual located position and the pre-determined planned position of the said detonator in the ground; and    calculating the time of initiation of the said detonator based upon the deviation.    
   
   
       7 . A method as claimed in  claim 6  wherein determination of both the pre-determined planned positional relationship and the actual located position of the electronic detonator is made in relation to a coordinate reference point.  
   
   
       8 . A method as claimed in  claim 7  wherein the deviation is measured with respect to the coordinate reference point.  
   
   
       9 . A method as claimed in any one of  claims 6  to  8  wherein the pre-determined planned positional relationship and the actual located position of the electronic detonator(s) is/are measured using an electronic positioning system.  
   
   
       10 . A method as claimed in  claim 9  wherein the electronic positioning system is one of an inertial positioning device or a global positioning system.  
   
   
       11 . A method as claimed in  claim 6  wherein the step of calculating is carried out by a computing device capable of receiving an input such as a calculator, laptop computer, palm or the like.  
   
   
       12 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  or  6  wherein the said detonator and the adjacent detonators are arranged substantially in one or more rows, the latter arrangement forming a grid.  
   
   
       13 . A method as claimed in  claim 12  wherein the row or rows forming a grid are substantially parallel to a working or excavation face of a mine.  
   
   
       14 . A system for controlling the initiation of an electronic detonator when located in surrounding ground, the system comprising: 
 measuring means for measuring the actual spatial position of the said detonator in relation to one or more adjacent detonators; and    calculating means for calculating the time of initiation of the said detonator depending upon its actual spatial position.    
   
   
       15 . A system as claimed in  claim 14  wherein the measuring means is arranged to measure the actual spatial position of the or each electronic detonator in relation to a coordinate reference point.  
   
   
       16 . A system as claimed in  claim 14  or  claim 15  wherein the measuring means is arranged to work in conjunction with an electronic positioning system.  
   
   
       17 . A system as claimed in  claim 14  wherein the calculating means is a computing device capable of receiving an input such as a calculator, laptop computer, palm or the like.  
   
   
       18 . A system for controlling the initiation of an electronic detonator when located in surrounding ground with one or more adjacent detonators, the system comprising: 
 measuring means for measuring the deviation distance between an actual located position of the said detonator and a pre-determined planned position of the detonator in the ground; and    calculating means for calculating the time of initiation of the said detonator based upon the deviation.    
   
   
       19 . A system as claimed in  claim 18  wherein the measuring means is arranged to measure both the pre-determined planned position and the actual located position of the electronic detonator in relation to a coordinate reference point.  
   
   
       20 . A system as claimed in  claim 18  or  claim 19  wherein the measuring means is arranged to work in conjunction with an electronic positioning system.  
   
   
       21 . A system as claimed in  claim 18  wherein the calculating means is a computing device capable of receiving an input such as a calculator, laptop computer, palm or the like.  
   
   
       22 . A computer program arranged to instruct a computing system to operate in accordance with the method of any one of  claims 1  to  13 .  
   
   
       23 . A computer program arranged to instruct a computing system to operate as a system in accordance with any one of  claims 14  to  21 .  
   
   
       24 . A computer readable medium carrying a computer program according to either  claim 22  or  claim 23.