| (19) |
 |
|
(11) |
EP 0 897 098 A3 |
| (12) |
EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
| (88) |
Date of publication A3: |
|
15.12.1999 Bulletin 1999/50 |
| (43) |
Date of publication A2: |
|
17.02.1999 Bulletin 1999/07 |
| (22) |
Date of filing: 12.08.1998 |
|
| (51) |
International Patent Classification (IPC)6: F42D 1/055 |
|
| (84) |
Designated Contracting States: |
|
AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE |
|
Designated Extension States: |
|
AL LT LV MK RO SI |
| (30) |
Priority: |
13.08.1997 ZA 9707246
04.03.1998 ZA 9801828
|
| (71) |
Applicant: SMI Technology (Pty) Limited |
|
Ferndale,
Randburg 2194,
Gauteng (ZA) |
|
| (72) |
Inventors: |
|
- Meyer, Erich Nicol
Schoemansville,
0216 Gauteng (ZA)
- Lownds, Charles Michael
Adina,
Minnesota 55439 (US)
- Shann, Peter Christian
Fulford,
York Y01 4PL (GB)
|
| (74) |
Representative: Orr, William McLean |
|
Urquhart-Dykes & Lord,
Tower House,
Merrion Way
Leeds LS2 8PA
Leeds LS2 8PA (GB) |
|
| |
|
| (54) |
Firing systems including a controller which is connectable by electrical wires |
(57) A method and system for causing a multi-shot blast is disclosed and claimed. According
to the method, suitable positions for detonators 14.1 to 14.8 are determined
in situ. Position related data (x;y) is determined automatically for each position utilizing
a GPS system and also identification code data of each detonator. This data is transferred
to a controller 16 via a data-capturing device 18. The controller establishes a blast
programme including inter hole delay times calculated by taking into account the position
related data, geological structure, hole depth, mass of explosive in hole etc. The
controller transmits signals including delay time data to the detonators, to cause
them to detonate according to the programme.