In an embodiment, a photoinitiation apparatus includes: a set of illumination sources or elements configured for outputting optical energy; a body structure having a proximal body structure portion confining a proximal volume of explosive medium, an intermediate body structure portion confining an intermediate volume of explosive medium, and a distal body structure portion confining a distal volume of explosive medium, wherein the proximal volume of explosive medium is optically coupled to portions of the first volume of explosive medium, at least one of the proximal volume of explosive medium and the distal volume of explosive medium is a tertiary explosive medium, and (a) the body structure does not carry a primary explosive composition and does not carry a secondary explosive composition, and/or (b) each of the proximal, intermediate, and distal volumes of explosive media has an initiation sensitivity that is less than cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine (RDX) based explosive compositions.

In an embodiment, a photoinitiation apparatus includes: a set of illumination sources or elements configured for outputting optical energy; a body structure having a proximal body structure portion confining a proximal volume of explosive medium, an intermediate body structure portion confining an intermediate volume of explosive medium, and a distal body structure portion confining a distal volume of explosive medium, wherein the proximal volume of explosive medium is optically coupled to portions of the first volume of explosive medium, at least one of the proximal volume of explosive medium and the distal volume of explosive medium is a tertiary explosive medium, and (a) the body structure does not carry a primary explosive composition and does not carry a secondary explosive composition, and/or (b) each of the proximal, intermediate, and distal volumes of explosive media has an initiation sensitivity that is less than cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine (RDX) based explosive compositions.

An explosive detonating system comprises connectable components to connect/disconnect a pathway that ignites an explosion. A firing actuator activates primers. An adapter connects the firing actuator to shock tube and channels the ignition force from the primers into the shock tube. A cap box houses blasting caps coupled to the end of the shock tube. A priming well is coupled to the cap box/blasting caps and detonating cord. When the firing actuator is initiated, the percussion caps ignite, sending an explosive jet of gas into the shock tube, which ignites an explosive liner. An explosive wave travels through the shock tube and activates the blasting caps, which activate the detonating cord in the priming well. The explosive is placed in a location to provide a desired explosive effect. For example, the system may be employed as a system to breach into structures, remove obstacles and/or barriers, or other applications.

Disclosed is a system for assisting blasting. The system includes at least one wireless blasting-related device that is deployable or deployed proximate to or within a portion of physical media intended to be blasted as part of a commercial blasting operation. The blasting-related device includes a device-based magnetic induction (MI) signal receiver with a magnetometer configured for through the earth (TTE) MI communication, and the blasting-related device includes a device-based MI signal source with a device-based antenna configured for TTE MI communication. The device-based MI signal source is configured to communicate with a vehicle-based MI signal receiver in a blast support vehicle that includes a set of vehicle-based magnetometers.

Disclosed is a system for assisting blasting. The system includes at least one wireless blasting-related device that is deployable or deployed proximate to or within a portion of physical media intended to be blasted as part of a commercial blasting operation. The blasting-related device includes a device-based magnetic induction (MI) signal receiver with a magnetometer configured for through the earth (TTE) MI communication, and the blasting-related device includes a device-based MI signal source with a device-based antenna configured for TTE MI communication. The device-based MI signal source is configured to communicate with a vehicle-based MI signal receiver in a blast support vehicle that includes a set of vehicle-based magnetometers.

Components for a perforation gun system are provided including combinations of components that facilitate electrically linking multiple perforation guns to one another with wireless electrical contacts. The perforation gun system includes a bulkhead pin contact assembly. The perforation gun system may further include a wireless detonator and a conductor positioned in a connector of the perforation gun.

Components for a perforation gun system are provided including combinations of components that facilitate electrically linking multiple perforation guns to one another with wireless electrical contacts. The perforation gun system includes a bulkhead pin contact assembly. The perforation gun system may further include a wireless detonator and a conductor positioned in a connector of the perforation gun.

A modular, stackable charge holder for a perforating gun assembly. The charge holder may include a retention socket for locking a detonating cord in place, and a male connector end and a female connector end for connecting to other modular component(s). The retention socket may include oppositely disposed retention arms, each having a shaped sidewall portion and a corresponding flange extending transversely from a top section of the retention arm. The male and female connector ends may respectively include a phasing protrusion and a phasing hole arranged to facilitate various phase angles between components, and a centrally oriented knob connector and a central bore adapted to interconnect.

A detonator which includes a tube with an open end, a shock tube, secured to a plug which is fixed to an open end of the tube, an electronic module inside the tube, the module including a substrate which carries electronic components, and sensing structure mounted to the substrate spaced from an opposing end of the shock tube.

A detonator which is initiated by a shock tube event which is validated if a processor determines that a fusible link was not fused by a shock tube event at a predetermined time interval before light generated by the shock tube event is detected.