An electrical device has device electrical contacts that are initially shunted together, to prevent accidental triggering or damage to the device, such as by electrostatic forces. The device is configured to be inserted into a receptacle, with parts of the receptacle disengaging the shunt and making electrical connection within the receptacle, such as with a shunt cutter. The receptacle may also include a pair of receptacle electrical contacts the electrically connect to the device electrical contacts. The configuration, where the shunt is only cut as part of the installation process, enables safer handling of initially-shunted devices, and can also facilitate making blind electrical connections. Making blind connection directly with parts of the receptacle also avoids the need to thread wires through the electrical receptacle and make electrical connections in another way.

An electronic initiator unit for the electrical firing of a charge in an energetic device is described. The unit includes an actuation module comprising electrically in series a first conductor, an electronic actuator, and a second conductor; an engagement module including a first electrical connector conductively connected to the first conductor and defining a first connector contact portion spaced remotely from the first conductor and a second electrical connector conductively connected to the second conductor and defining a second connector contact portion spaced remotely from the second conductor; a shunt module including a first shunt connector defining a first shunt contact portion, a second shunt connector defining a second shunt contact portion, and a conductive shunt connection between the first and second shunt connector spaced remotely from the shunt contact portions; wherein the engagement module and the shunt module are co-operably configured so as to be engageable together such as to effect when so engaged an electrical connection between the first connector contact portion and the first shunt contact portion and between the second connector contact portion and the second shunt contact portion. A system and method for the electrical firing of a charge in a plurality of energetic devices in a controlled manner from a remote location are also described.

An electronic initiator unit for the electrical firing of a charge in an energetic device is described. The unit includes an actuation module comprising electrically in series a first conductor, an electronic actuator, and a second conductor; an engagement module including a first electrical connector conductively connected to the first conductor and defining a first connector contact portion spaced remotely from the first conductor and a second electrical connector conductively connected to the second conductor and defining a second connector contact portion spaced remotely from the second conductor; a shunt module including a first shunt connector defining a first shunt contact portion, a second shunt connector defining a second shunt contact portion, and a conductive shunt connection between the first and second shunt connector spaced remotely from the shunt contact portions; wherein the engagement module and the shunt module are co-operably configured so as to be engageable together such as to effect when so engaged an electrical connection between the first connector contact portion and the first shunt contact portion and between the second connector contact portion and the second shunt contact portion. A system and method for the electrical firing of a charge in a plurality of energetic devices in a controlled manner from a remote location are also described.

Detonation control modules and detonation control circuits are provided herein. A trigger input signal can cause a detonation control module to trigger a detonator. A detonation control module can include a timing circuit, a light-producing diode such as a laser diode, an optically triggered diode, and a high-voltage capacitor. The trigger input signal can activate the timing circuit. The timing circuit can control activation of the light-producing diode. Activation of the light-producing diode illuminates and activates the optically triggered diode. The optically triggered diode can be coupled between the high-voltage capacitor and the detonator. Activation of the optically triggered diode causes a power pulse to be released from the high-voltage capacitor that triggers the detonator.

Detonation control modules and detonation control circuits are provided herein. A trigger input signal can cause a detonation control module to trigger a detonator. A detonation control module can include a timing circuit, a light-producing diode such as a laser diode, an optically triggered diode, and a high-voltage capacitor. The trigger input signal can activate the timing circuit. The timing circuit can control activation of the light-producing diode. Activation of the light-producing diode illuminates and activates the optically triggered diode. The optically triggered diode can be coupled between the high-voltage capacitor and the detonator. Activation of the optically triggered diode causes a power pulse to be released from the high-voltage capacitor that triggers the detonator.

The present invention provides an igniter assembly in which an igniter having an ignition portion and an electroconductive pin, and a metallic igniter retaining member are integrated with a resin molded article interposed therebetween, the igniter assembly, including: a connector insertion space formed by the resin molded article, the electroconductive pin being protruding from the resin molded article and located in the connector insertion space; a spark member including, a first end connected to the metallic igniter retaining member, and a second end, opposite to the first end, located inside the connector insertion space; and an electrically insulating partition wall having a thickness of 0.1 mm to 1 mm, provided with no through hole, and interposed between a root portion of the electroconductive pin, which is in contact with the resin molded article, and the second end of the spark member.

An explosive system for fracturing an underground geologic formation adjacent to a wellbore can comprise a plurality of explosive units comprising an explosive material contained within the casing, and detonation control modules electrically coupled to the plurality of explosive units and configured to cause a power pulse to be transmitted to at least one detonator of at least one of the plurality of explosive units for detonation of the explosive material. The explosive units are configured to be positioned within a wellbore in spaced apart positions relative to one another along a string with the detonation control modules positioned adjacent to the plurality of explosive units in the wellbore, such that the axial positions of the explosive units relative to the wellbore are at least partially based on geologic properties of the geologic formation adjacent the wellbore.

An explosive system for fracturing an underground geologic formation adjacent to a wellbore can comprise a plurality of explosive units comprising an explosive material contained within the casing, and detonation control modules electrically coupled to the plurality of explosive units and configured to cause a power pulse to be transmitted to at least one detonator of at least one of the plurality of explosive units for detonation of the explosive material. The explosive units are configured to be positioned within a wellbore in spaced apart positions relative to one another along a string with the detonation control modules positioned adjacent to the plurality of explosive units in the wellbore, such that the axial positions of the explosive units relative to the wellbore are at least partially based on geologic properties of the geologic formation adjacent the wellbore.

There is provided an electronic detonator with electronic delayer, comprising: a conductive shell comprising an open end for receiving elements such as an explosive charge, and a closed end, and a printed circuit board (PCB) comprising the electronic circuit of the delayer, the printed circuit board being placed inside the conductive shell, characterized in that the electronic detonator further comprises at least a resilient, compressible and conductive gasket positioned by the open end in a space defined by the PCB and an inner surface of the conductive shell, filling at least part of the space between the PCB and the inner surface of the conductive shell, such that protection against electromagnetic interferences (EMI) is allowed and contacting the ground connection of the PCB and the inner surface of the conductive shell such that acts as connection path for grounding the PCB, allowing protection against electro-static interference (ESD).

There is provided an electronic detonator with electronic delayer, comprising: a conductive shell comprising an open end for receiving elements such as an explosive charge, and a closed end, and a printed circuit board (PCB) comprising the electronic circuit of the delayer, the printed circuit board being placed inside the conductive shell, characterized in that the electronic detonator further comprises at least a resilient, compressible and conductive gasket positioned by the open end in a space defined by the PCB and an inner surface of the conductive shell, filling at least part of the space between the PCB and the inner surface of the conductive shell, such that protection against electromagnetic interferences (EMI) is allowed and contacting the ground connection of the PCB and the inner surface of the conductive shell such that acts as connection path for grounding the PCB, allowing protection against electro-static interference (ESD).