Patent ID: 9181790
Filing Date: 2015-11-10
Classification: C06B,E21B,F23Q,F42B,F42C,F42D,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A command and control system for controlling the detonation of one or more explosive charges and propellant charges by a detonator, the command and control system comprising: a mobile command vehicle, the command vehicle comprising a first switch operable to provide a first authorized to fire control signal in response to actuation of the first switch to a first switch authorized to fire position; a second switch operable to provide a second authorized to fire control signal in response to actuation of the second switch to a second switch authorized to fire position; command computing hardware configured to provide a third switch operable to provide a third authorized to fire control signal in response to actuation of the third switch to a third authorized to fire position; the command computing hardware also being configured to receive signals corresponding to the status of plural instruments and at least one interlock; a mobile instrumentation vehicle spaced from the command vehicle, the instrumentation vehicle comprising a plurality of instrumentation inputs each for coupling to a respective associated instrument for receiving instrument status signals indicating the status of the associated instrument and for receiving instrument data signals corresponding to the data collected by the associated instrument; the instrumentation vehicle also comprising at least one interlock input for coupling to a respective associated interlock for receiving interlock status signals indicating the status of the associated interlock; the instrumentation vehicle further comprising fire set and control system (FSCS) computing hardware operable to receive: (i) signals corresponding to the instrument status and instrument data signals, (ii) signals corresponding to the at least one interlock status signal, and (iii) signals corresponding to the first, second and third authorized to fire control signals; the FSCS computing hardware being configured to provide FSCS computing hardware output signals corresponding to the instrument status and instrument data signals and corresponding to the at least one interlock status signal; the FSCS computing hardware also being configured to provide a firing control signal for causing the firing of the detonation device to detonate the one or more explosive charges and propellant charges in response to the firing control signal, the FSCS computing hardware providing the firing control signal in response to the plural instruments and at least one interlock having a status corresponding to an authorized to fire status; and a communication network coupled to the command computing hardware and to the FSCS computing hardware, the communication network being operable to provide communications between the command vehicle and the instrumentation vehicle so as to: (i) transmit signals corresponding to the FSCS computing hardware output signals and thereby corresponding to the status of said at least one interlock, corresponding to the status of the plural instruments, and corresponding to the instrument data signals, from the instrumentation vehicle to the command vehicle for receipt by the command computer hardware; and (ii) signals corresponding to the first, second and third authorized to fire control signals from the command vehicle to the instrumentation vehicle for receipt by the FSCS computing hardware.