Wireless initiation device

Abstract

A wireless initiation device comprises a power source, a processing module, a first housing and an initiation unit. The processing module processes wireless electromagnetic communications signals received by an electromagnetic receiver system associated with the processing module. The wireless electromagnetic communications signals includes a wireless electromagnetic communications signal representative of a FIRE command. The processing module is configured to generate an initiation signal upon receipt of the FIRE command. At least one of the power source and the processing module is disposed in the first housing, and the first housing has a first connector. The initiation unit has a second housing within which is disposed an initiation module that is configured to discharge initiation energy sufficient to initiate an explosive charge associated with the device. The initiation module is connected to, or connectable with, the processing module such that initiation module can receive an initiation signal from the processing module. The initiation unit also has a second connector that is configured to mate with the first connector, thereby connecting the first and second housings. The initiation module is configured to execute a sequence upon receipt of the initiation signal, the sequence resulting in discharge of initiation energy from the initiation unit.

1 . A wireless initiation device, comprising:
 a power source,   a processing module for processing wireless electromagnetic communications signals received by an electromagnetic receiver system associated with the processing module, the wireless electromagnetic communications signals including a wireless electromagnetic communications signal representative of a FIRE command, the processing module being configured to generate an initiation signal upon receipt of the FIRE command;   a first housing within which at least one of the power source and the processing module is disposed, the first housing having a first connector; and   an initiation unit having a second housing within which is disposed an initiation module that is configured to discharge initiation energy sufficient to initiate an explosive charge associated with the device, the initiation module being configured such that it can receive an initiation signal from the processing module, and a second connector that is configured to mate with the first connector, thereby connecting the first and second housings,   wherein the initiation module is configured to execute a sequence upon receipt of the initiation signal, the sequence resulting in discharge of initiation energy from the initiation unit; and   
       wherein the processing module is configured to require receipt of a pre-determined number of wireless signals that are each representative of a single command in order to process and act on that single command. 
     
     
         2 . The wireless initiation device according to  claim 1 , wherein the pre-determined number of wireless signals need to be received within a pre-determined time window. 
     
     
         3 . The wireless initiation device according to  claim 1 , wherein the pre-determined number of wireless signals need to be received with a maximum time interval between two consecutive wireless signals. 
     
     
         4 . The wireless initiation device according to  claim 1 , wherein the wireless initiation device is configured to require that at least some of the predetermined number of wireless signals be non-identical. 
     
     
         5 . The wireless initiation device according to  claim 1 , wherein the wireless initiation device is configured to require receipt of five non-identical wireless signals, with consecutive wireless signals being separated by intervals of no more than 30 seconds and each of the five signals being representative of a FIRE command, in order to act on that command, and initiate a sequence that results in discharge of initiation energy. 
     
     
         6 . The wireless initiation device according to  claim 1 , wherein the initiation module and the processing module are configured such that signals are communicated via communication interfaces that do not employ a physical connection. 
     
     
         7 . The wireless initiation device according to  claim 6 , wherein the communication interfaces use short-distance wireless communication. 
     
     
         8 . The wireless initiation device according to  claim 1 , wherein the electromagnetic receiver system comprises an antenna. 
     
     
         9 . A primer comprising:
 the wireless initiation device according to  claim 1 ; and   a booster that includes a confined explosive material that is initiated by the initiating energy discharged from the initiation unit.   
     
     
         10 . A method of preparing a wireless initiation device for deployment into a blast hole, the method comprising:
 providing a power source,   providing a processing module for processing wireless electromagnetic communications signals received by an electromagnetic receiver system associated with the processing module, the wireless electromagnetic communications signals including a wireless electromagnetic communications signal representative of a FIRE command, the processing module being configured to generate an initiation signal upon receipt of the FIRE command,   providing a first housing within which at least one of the power source and the processing module is disposed, the first housing having a first connector; and   providing an initiation unit having a second housing within which is disposed an initiation module that is configured to discharge initiation energy sufficient to initiate an explosive charge associated with the device, the initiation module being configured such that it can receive an initiation signal from the processing module, and a second connector that is configured to mate with the first connector, thereby connecting the first and second housings,   wherein the initiation module is configured to execute a sequence upon receipt of the initiation signal, the sequence resulting in discharge of initiation energy from the initiation unit; and   
       wherein the processing module is configured to require receipt of a pre-determined number of wireless signals that are each representative of a single command in order to process and act on that single command. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the pre-determined number of wireless signals need to be received within a pre-determined time window. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the pre-determined number of wireless signals need to be received with a maximum time interval between two consecutive wireless signals. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 10 , further comprising the wireless initiation device requiring at least some of the predetermined number of wireless signals to be non-identical. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 10 , the wireless initiation device requiring receipt of five non-identical wireless signals, with consecutive wireless signals separated being separated by intervals of no more than 30 seconds and each of the five signals being representative of a FIRE command, in order to act on that command, and initiate a sequence that results in discharge of initiation energy. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 10 , further comprising;
 connecting the wireless initiation device to a booster that includes a confined explosive material that is to be initiated by the initiating energy discharged from the initiation unit, to form a primer.   
     
     
         16 . The wireless initiation device according to  claim 7 , wherein the communication interfaces use electromagnetic induction between two loop antennae via which the initiation module and the processing module exchange information.