Remote Explosion Detonation System

Abstract

According to one embodiment of the disclosure, a remote explosive detonation system includes a transmitter and at least one receiver having a detonator. The transmitter transmits an electro-magnetic signal having a transmitter identification code that may be received by the receiver. The receiver initiates the detonator if the transmitter identification code matches an internal identification code stored in the receiver.

1 . A remote explosive detonation system comprising:
 a transmitter comprising a transmitter docking connector and operable to transmit an electro-magnetic signal using a spread spectrum transmission technique, the electro-magnetic signal comprising a transmitter identification code; and   a plurality of receivers that each comprises a receiver docking connector and a receiver housing that houses a detonator and a patch antenna operable to receive the electro-magnetic signal, each of the plurality of receivers operable to:
 electrically couple to the transmitter by coupling its receiver docking connector to the transmitter docking connector; 
 receive the transmitter identification code from the transmitter; 
 store the transmitted identification code as an internal identification code; 
 receive the electro-magnetic signal from the patch antenna; and 
 simultaneously detonate its respective detonator if the transmitted identification code matches the internal identification code. 
   
     
     
         2 . A remote explosive detonation system comprising:
 a transmitter having a transmitter docking connector and operable to transmit an electro-magnetic signal comprising a transmitter identification code; and   at least one receiver comprising a receiver docking connector and a receiver housing that houses a detonator, the at least one receiver operable to:
 electrically couple to the transmitter by coupling its receiver docking connector to the transmitter docking connector; 
 receive the transmitter identification code from the transmitter; and 
 store the transmitter identification code as the internal identification code; 
 electrically decouple from the transmitter; 
 receive the electro-magnetic signal from the transmitter; and 
 detonate the detonator if the transmitter identification code matches an internal identification code stored in the receiver. 
   
     
     
         3 . The remote explosive detonation system of  claim 2 , further comprising a plurality of accessory clips that are each alternatively coupled to the at least one receiver, the plurality of accessory clips operable to couple the at least one receiver to differing types of explosives. 
     
     
         4 . The remote explosive detonation system of  claim 3 , wherein the plurality of accessory clips are selected from the group consisting of a claw accessory clip, a shock tube accessory clip, and a detonation cord accessory clip. 
     
     
         5 . The remote explosive detonation system of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one receiver is a plurality of receivers, the transmitter operable to transmit the electro-magnetic signal simultaneously to each of the plurality of receivers. 
     
     
         6 . The remote explosive detonation system of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one receiver comprises an arming/safety pin that is selectively removable from the at least one receiver, the at least one receiver being operable to allow detonation of the detonator in response to removal of the arming/safety pin. 
     
     
         7 . The remote explosive detonation system of  claim 2 , wherein the detonator comprises an exploding foil initiator. 
     
     
         8 . The remote explosive detonation system of  claim 2 , further comprising an indicator light configured on the at least one receiver, the indicator light operable to indicate an operational status of the at least one receiver. 
     
     
         9 . The remote explosive detonation system of  claim 8 , wherein the indicator light is operable to emit a blinking pattern indicative of a status of a battery that powers the receiver. 
     
     
         10 . The remote explosive detonation system of  claim 8 , wherein the indicator light is operable to emit only infrared light. 
     
     
         11 . The remote explosive detonation system of  claim 2 , wherein the electro-magnetic signal comprises a spread spectrum electro-magnetic signal. 
     
     
         12 . The remote explosive detonation system of  claim 2 , further comprising an antenna disposed within the receiver housing, the antenna operable to receive the electro-magnetic signal. 
     
     
         13 . The remote explosive detonation system of  claim 12 , further comprising a patch antenna disposed within the receiver housing, the patch antenna operable to receive the electro-magnetic signal. 
     
     
         14 . The remote explosive detonation system of  claim 2 , wherein the receiver is operable to, after storing the transmitter identification code, receive a disarm signal from the transmitter and erase the identification code stored in the receiver upon receipt of the disarm signal. 
     
     
         15 . The remote explosive detonation system of  claim 2 , wherein the receiver is operable to receive a test mode signal from the transmitter and emit, using an indicator light configured on the at least one receiver, a visual indication to indicate receipt of the test mode signal from the transmitter, the test mode signal not operable to detonate the detonator. 
     
     
         16 . The remote explosive detonation system of  claim 2 , wherein the transmitter is housed in a hand-held housing. 
     
     
         17 . The remote explosive detonation system of  claim 2 , wherein receiving the electro-magnetic signal from the transmitter comprises receiving the electro-magnetic signal comprising a data packet having a preamble and a post-amble, and comparing the transmitter identification code with the internal identification code if the preamble and the post-amble matches a specified sequence. 
     
     
         18 . A method for detonating an explosive comprising:
 electrically coupling a receiver to a transmitter;   copying a transmitter identification code from the transmitter to the receiver;   storing the transmitter identification code as an internal identification code in the receiver;   decoupling the receiver from the transmitter;   receiving an electro-magnetic signal from the transmitter, the electro-magnetic signal comprising the transmitter identification code; and   detonating a detonator housed in the receiver if the transmitter identification code matches a receiver identification code stored in a receiver, the detonator initiating the explosive.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein initiating the explosive comprises initiating the explosive that is coupled to the receiver using one of a plurality of accessory clips, the one accessory clip coupling the receiver to one of a plurality of differing types of explosives. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising disabling detonation of the detonator while the receiver is electrically coupled to the transmitter. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein detonating the detonator is the receiver comprises simultaneously detonating a plurality of detonator in a corresponding plurality of receivers. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising removing an arming/safety pin from the receiver to allow detonation of the detonator. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising disabling detonation of the detonator for a specified period of time after the arming/safety pin is removed from the transmitter. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein detonating the detonator comprises detonating the detonator comprising an exploding foil initiator. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising, after storing the transmitter identification code, receiving a disarm signal from the transmitter and erasing the identification code stored in the receiver upon receipt of the disarm signal. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising receiving a test mode signal from the transmitter, and emitting, using an indicator light configured on the at least one receiver, a visual indication to indicate receipt of the test mode signal from the transmitter, the test mode signal detonating the detonator. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein receiving the electro-magnetic signal from the transmitter comprises receiving the electro-magnetic signal comprising a data packet having a preamble and a post-amble, and comparing the transmitter identification code with the internal identification code if the preamble and the post-amble matches a specified sequence.