DETONATOR IGNITION PROTECTION AND DETECTION CIRCUIT

摘要

An ignition circuit (200) includes: an igniter (210) having first (211) and second (212) terminals; a first diode (225) electrically connected in series with the igniter at the first terminal; a second diode (230) electrically connected in series with the igniter at the second terminal. The first and second diodes each have an anode terminal (226, 231) and a cathode terminal (227, 232), wherein like terminals of the first and second diodes are electrically connected to the igniter, thereby defining proximal terminals and distal terminals. A capacitor (235) is electrically connected across the distal terminals and connectable in parallel with a series-connected energy source (215) and switch (220). The energy source and a switch are electrically connectable across the distal terminals via test lead wires. Current flow through the igniter sufficient to ignite the igniter is prevented until an ignition voltage is applied to the distal terminals that is equal to or greater than the reverse breakdown voltage of the first diode or the second diode.

主权项

1. An ignition circuit for a detonator connectable downstream of test lead wires, the test lead wires being connectable to an energy source and switch, which are electrically connected in series with each other upstream of the test lead wires, the ignition circuit comprising:
an igniter having a first terminal and an opposing second terminal; a first diode electrically connected in series with the igniter at the first terminal; a second diode electrically connected in series with the igniter at the second terminal; the first and second diodes each having an anode terminal and a cathode terminal, wherein like terminals of the first and second diodes are electrically connected to the igniter, thereby defining proximal terminals proximate the igniter and distal terminals on an opposing side of each respective diode; a capacitor electrically connected across the distal terminals and connectable in parallel with the series-connected energy source and switch; wherein the energy source and a switch electrically connected in series with each other are electrically connectable across the distal terminals via the test lead wires; the first and second diodes being electrically connected to the igniter in such a manner that results in a current flow through the igniter in response to a current flow through the first and second diodes for all voltage conditions at the distal terminals that produces a current flow through the first and second diodes, the current flow through the igniter being the same as the current flow through the first and second diodes; wherein current flow through the igniter sufficient to ignite the igniter is prevented until an ignition voltage is applied to the distal terminals that is equal to or greater than the reverse breakdown voltage of the first diode or the second diode.