Methods and apparatus for confirmation time break (ctb) determination and shotpoint in-situ recording in seismic electronic detonators

Abstract

Seismic blasting methods and apparatus are presented in which detonator confirmation time break (CTB) is accurately determined by maintaining an applied voltage across detonator leg wires following initiation of a firing command or signal and sensing one or more electrical parameters such as voltage and/or current, and selectively identifying a CTB representing a time at which the monitored electrical parameter indicates a successful detonation.

The following is claimed: 
     
         1 . A method for logging seismic electronic detonators, the method comprising:
 using a logger, reading a serial ID from a connected electronic detonator;   receiving a shot point number in the logger;   using the logger, electronically transmitting the shot point number to the electronic detonator; and   storing the shot point in the memory of the electronic detonator.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the logger is a seismic logger. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein receiving the shot point number comprises receiving a user-entered shot point number via a user interface of the logger. 
     
     
         4 . A method for data reporting in a seismic blasting system, the method comprising:
 using a seismic blasting machine, electronically obtaining detonator data including at least one of a serial ID and a shot point from a connected seismic detonator;   using the seismic blasting machine, attempting to initiate detonation of the seismic detonator; and   transmitting the detonator data from the seismic blasting machine to an external system.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the external system is at least one of a remote recording facility, a data acquisition system, and a control system. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising:
 selectively identifying a confirmation time break value associated with the attempted detonation; and   transmitting the confirmation time break value from the seismic blasting machine to the external system.   
     
     
         7 . A method, comprising:
 using a seismic blasting machine, electronically obtaining detonator data including at least one of a serial ID and a shot point from a connected seismic detonator; and   storing the detonator data in a local memory of the seismic blasting machine.