A wireless detonator which includes a control unit, an ignition element, an energy source which is configured to fire the ignition element in response to a signal from the control unit, a communication module, and an energy harvesting unit which harvests energy from an external electromagnetic field which is used to power, at least, the communication module.

A smart insulation displacement connector for use in a blasting system with a blast machine and conventional electronic delay detonators. A control circuit in the IDC allows conventional detonators to be logged remotely by the blast machine. Elimination of manual logging by individuals increases safety in the blast zone and facilitates the blasting operation. Additionally, the detonators are powered on sequentially in a domino effect, which reduces the likelihood of a high surge current from the blasting machine that may occur when a large number of detonators are energized simultaneously. The logging operation is simplified, likelihood of human error is reduced, and the cost of a separate logger device is eliminated.

A detonator for use in a detonating system, which detonator includes discriminating and validating arrangements which sense and validate at least one characteristic of at least one parameter produced by at least one of a light, acoustic, vibratory, magnetic or electrical signal event, and an electronic timer which executes a timing interval in response thereto.

A booster component which includes a booster housing for a booster explosive material and a printed electronic circuit which is associated with the housing and which includes a module for harvesting energy emitted by an energy source, a storage device for storing energy harvested by the module, an igniter and a circuit, powered at least by energy drawn from the storage device and responsive to a control signal for firing the igniter.

A wireless detonator which includes a control unit, an ignition element, an energy source which is configured to fire the ignition element in response to a signal from the control unit, a communication module, and an energy harvesting unit which harvests energy from an external electromagnetic field which is used to power, at least, the communication module.

Disclosed is a method for firing an electronic detonator including a power storage unit including receiving, via the electronic detonator, a firing order. The following steps are implemented as long as the delay time associated with the electronic detonator has not elapsed since the reception of the firing order: measuring power stored in the power storage unit, and firing the electronic detonator when the measured stored power is less than or equal to a predetermined power.

A booster component which includes a booster housing for a booster explosive material and a printed electronic circuit which is associated with the housing and which includes a module for harvesting energy emitted by an energy source, a storage device for storing energy harvested by the module, an igniter and a circuit, powered at least by energy drawn from the storage device and responsive to a control signal for firing the igniter.

A firing circuit for operating an exploding foil initiator that employs a transistor to control the transmission of electrical energy from an electrical energy storage device to a bridge of the exploding foil initiator.

A firing arrangement for an initiator (1) includes a capacitor (16), an arming arrangement (6, 11, 14) for charging the capacitor (16) on receipt of an arming instruction and a trigger device (13). When a trigger condition is achieved which indicates sufficient charge on the capacitor (16), a trigger signal is automatically generated by the trigger device (13) to trigger discharge of the capacitor (16) through the initiator (1) to activate the initiator (1). The trigger condition may be a predetermined time after receipt of the arming instruction.

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.