Rothenbuhler Engineering REMOTE FIRING DEVICE, Operator'S Manual

Page 1: ...shall Rothenbuhler Engineering Company be liable for errors contained herein or for special indirect or consequential damages or injuries of any nature resulting from use of information in this document ROTHENBUHLER ENGINEERING P 0 BOX 708 2191 RHODES ROAD SEDRO WOOLLEY WA 98284 1668 A16 10 25 99 1999 Rothenbuhler Engineering All Rights reserved ...

Page 2: ...re intended for use only by trained professionals having comprehensive knowledge of the RFD the explosives being used and the application together with all related safety precautions The Manufacturer of the RFD is responsible only for the proper performance of the RFD itself and is not responsible for the performance safety or specifications of the explosive used nor the suitability of the RFD for...

Page 3: ... with Part 15 of the FCC regulations Operation is subject to the following two conditions 1 That this device may not cause harmful interference and 2 this device must accept any interference received including interference that may cause undesired operation ...

Page 4: ...actices 1 1 1 3 Storage and Environmental Conditions 1 1 1 4 Packaging 1 2 1 5 Maintenance 1 4 2 Introduction to RFD System Components 2 5 2 1 System 2 5 2 2 Controller Unit 2 7 2 3 Controller Unit Switch Operation 2 8 2 4 Controller Unit Display Operation 2 10 2 5 Detonator Unit 2 12 2 6 Battery Charger Assembly 2 13 2 7 Antenna Assembly 2 14 2 8 Carrying Case 2 15 2 9 Vent operation 2 16 2 10 An...

Page 5: ...t of Detonator Units 5 30 5 3 System Operation Detonator Units Within 1 000 Feet of Controller Unit 5 31 5 4 System Operation Detonator Units More Than 1 000 Feet And Less Than 5 Miles From Controller Unit 5 32 5 5 System Operation Detonator Units Both Within and In Excess of 1 000 Feet and Less Than 5 Miles from Controller Unit 5 34 6 Post Operational Procedures 6 36 6 1 Securing the System 6 36 ...

Page 6: ...RFD OPERATOR MANUAL vi ...

Page 7: ...igure 2 6 Carrying Case 2 15 Figure 2 7 Vent Operation 2 16 Figure 2 8 Controller Antenna Battery Charger Connection 2 17 Figure 2 9 Detonator Antenna Battery Charger Connection 2 18 Figure 2 10 Connector Dust Cover Operation 2 19 Figure 3 1 Identification Label 3 23 Figure 8 1 Unit Normal Transmission Location 8 39 Figure 8 2 Detonator Unit Elevated 8 39 Figure 8 3 Detonator Unit Tilted 8 40 Figu...

Page 8: ...eapon WARNING These radios contain batteries The potential for activation is always present whether or not antennas are attached to the units WARNING Employ standard blasting system safety standards when using this equipment with explosives WARNING Lightning induced energy caused by electrical storms can detonate explosives In the interest of safety blasting on land water and underground should be...

Page 9: ...nator Unit unless DISARMED status is confirmed with a steady DISARMED light for that Detonator Unit on the Controller Unit display panel If distance appears to be the problem move closer to the Detonator Unit following standard procedures for this type of situation The STATUS and or DISARM switches may be pressed repeatedly as the Detonator Unit is approached Maintain a safe distance from the Deto...

Page 10: ...nergy limits cited by the IME Institute for Manufacturers of Explosives to detonate a single blasting cap via radio frequency energy This safe power level has been established by IME in Pamphlet 20 titled Safety Guide for the Prevention of Radio Frequency Radiation Hazards In the Use of Commercial Electric Detonators Blasting Caps 1 3 STORAGE AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS 1 3 1 The Controller Unit ...

Page 11: ...ut location in the internal packing for all the Antenna Assemblies Provided in Carrying Case Assembly is a cut out location in the internal packing with the Battery Charger Assembly Do not damage or throw away the Carrying case Assembly this is used to store and ship the RFD System Table 1 1 RFD System Figure Index No Description Units Per System Figure 1 1 1 Controller Unit 1 Figure 1 1 2 Detonat...

Page 12: ...RFD OPERATOR MANUAL 1 3 Figure 1 1 RFD System ...

Page 13: ... charging the battery packs 1 5 2 Corrective maintenance shall be accomplished at the Manufacturer or Repair Depot Replacement of parts or repair at the user level and field disassembly is not authorized 1 5 3 In case of failure of a component of the RFD System ship the System to the Repair Depot ...

Page 14: ...re shock resistant 5 feet to concrete and impervious to static discharge 2 1 4 The RFD will operate in a temperature range of 22 ºF to 140 ºF 2 1 5 The system has two modes of operation the one way out of range and the two way in range mode 2 1 5 1 Range for one way mode is up to 5 miles in the line of site 2 1 5 2 Range for two way mode is up to 1 000 feet in the line of site 2 1 6 The RFD System...

Page 15: ...RFD OPERATOR MANUAL 2 6 Figure 2 1 RFD System ...

Page 16: ...T 2 2 1 Figure 2 2 Provides the physical size weight front panel light and switch locations on the Controller Unit The unit is sealed at the Manufacturer or repair depot and should not be opened during field activity Figure 2 2 Controller Unit ...

Page 17: ... are selected the Controller Unit will request status from all eight Detonator Units If the Controller Unit is within range of the Detonator Unit transmitter the status of the selected Detonator Unit will be presented on the display panel with a steady light If the Controller Unit is out of range of the Detonator Unit transmitter the status will be assumed from the last command sent to that Detona...

Page 18: ...ht for that Detonator Unit on the Controller Unit display panel Under no conditions should the FIRE switch be pressed as the Detonator Unit is approached Do not bring the Controller Unit closer than 100 feet to blasting caps wires connected to blasting caps or other explosives 2 3 7 Activate the Detonator Unit Firing Circuit Depress the FIRE switch for 1 2 second and the Controller Unit will trans...

Page 19: ...te the switch positions 2 4 2 Display Panel Dimmer Circuit Pressing DIM switch reduces the intensity of all of the panel display lights except the ON light 2 4 3 Controller Unit Battery Status The yellow light at the ON switch displays the Controller Unit battery status If the Controller Unit Battery is low the yellow light at the ON switch will flash Otherwise this light will be on steady 2 4 4 D...

Page 20: ...on 2 4 8 Arm A yellow light at the ARM switch lights when the ARM switch is pressed This light will stay on for the firing capacitor charge time Other commands will not be sent until this light is turned off 2 4 9 Disarm A yellow light at the DISARM switch lights when the DISARM switch is pressed This light will stay on until the display panel is updated for the Disarm command Other commands will ...

Page 21: ...NATOR UNIT 2 5 1 Figure 2 3 Provides the physical size weight and front panel lights on the Detonator Unit The unit is sealed at the Manufacturer or repair depot and should not be opened during field activity Figure 2 3 Detonator Unit ...

Page 22: ...ASSEMBLY 2 6 1 Figure 2 4 Provides the front panel lights and switch position on the Battery Charger Assembly The unit is sealed at the Manufacturer or repair depot and should not be opened during field activity Figure 2 4 Battery Charger Assembly ...

Page 23: ...MBLY 2 7 1 Figure 2 5 Provides the physical size technical requirements and view of the Antenna Assembly The power to the Controller Unit and Detonator Unit is interrupted when the Antenna Assembly is not connected Figure 2 5 Antenna Assembly ...

Page 24: ...ying Case and a view of the storage location for System assemblies in the Carrying Case The Carrying Case has a pressure equalization vent near the handle The vent should be opened prior to opening the Carrying Case The vent should be kept closed during storage and shipment Figure 2 6 Carrying Case ...

Page 25: ... feet in altitude CAUTION Unequal air pressure inside the Controller Unit may affect the operation of membrane switch keypad Extreme pressure differentials may irreversibly damage the keypad and or cases CAUTION Vents in all units should be momentarily opened and closed immediately before use CAUTION Do not open a vent if there is water on or near the vent Take necessary precautions to ensure wate...

Page 26: ...ntenna battery charger connector accommodates the input requirements for both the Antenna Assembly and the Battery Charger Assembly The unit electronics and battery pack are only connected together when the Antenna Assembly is connected to the antenna battery charger Connector Figure 2 8 Controller Antenna Battery Charger Connection ...

Page 27: ...RFD OPERATOR MANUAL 2 18 Figure 2 9 Detonator Antenna Battery Charger Connection ...

Page 28: ...Unit antenna battery charger connector dust cover protects the connector pins from shorting out and damage when the Antenna Assembly or Battery Charger Assembly is not connected The connector dust cover should be connected to the connector when the connector is not in use Figure 2 10 Connector Dust Cover Operation ...

Page 29: ...SK MODULATION 10K6F2D AFSK TRANSMIT POWER 5 Watts TRANSMIT POWER 100 milliwatts OPERATING POWER 12 VDC OPERATING POWER 7 2 VDC TRANSMISSION RANGE 5 miles line of site TRANSMISSION RANGE Approximately 1 000 feet RECEIVER SENSITIVITY 12 dB Sinad at 0 28uV RECEIVER SENSITIVITY 12 dB Sinad at 0 28uV The Production Unit Frequency Designation will be provided in the contract Typical transmission range b...

Page 30: ... aluminum CASE Die cast aluminum COLOR Black COLOR Black 3 3 BATTERY Controller Unit Detonator Unit BATTERY PACK Rechargeable NiCad BATTERY PACK Rechargeable NiCad BATTERY LIFE 6 Hours BATTERY LIFE 24 Hours BATTERY RECHARGE 90 Minutes BATTERY RECHARGE 90 Minutes STANDBY CURRENT 60 milliamps STANDBY CURRENT 30 milliamps TRANSMIT CURRENT 1 Amp TRANSMIT CURRENT 800 milliamps At the end of the standby...

Page 31: ...roller Unit FIRE time 1 0 1 Seconds Detonator Unit FIRE time 20 Milliseconds This is the delay after the Detonator Unit receives the command signal from the Controller Unit to Fire 3 5 DETONATE OUTPUT 3 5 1 The Detonator Unit detonation output pulse is from a 3300 microfarad capacitor charged to 27 volts Stored Energy Level 1 Joule minimum Pulse Voltage Level 27 VDC minimum Circuit Current Limit 0...

Page 32: ...Each Controller Unit and Detonator Unit is marked with an identification label Figure 3 1 Shows how the identification label should interpreted The Controller Unit will only communicate with Detonator Units from the same System Figure 3 1 Identification Label ...

Page 33: ...material in the electrical contact area Replace the red dust cover 4 2 BATTERY CHARGING 4 2 1 The battery packs in the Controller Unit and Detonator Units contain rechargeable NiCad batteries The battery packs are recharged through the antenna battery charger connector on each unit Battery packs are not to be removed case opened in the field 4 2 2 The battery pack in the Controller Unit and Detona...

Page 34: ...eing slow charged 4 2 11 If the detected battery voltage is less than 6 volts for Detonator Units and 10 volts for Controller Units the battery will be slow charged until the voltage is high enough for rapid charge If the battery pack is defective and the voltage does not rise to the correct level for rapid charge the Battery Charger Assembly remains in slow charge mode In that case the CHARGE lig...

Page 35: ...ach Detonator Unit and the Controller Unit 4 4 BENCH TESTING THE SYSTEM WARNING Radio frequency energy of sufficient magnitude can cause blasting caps to detonate 4 4 1 The System test must be conducted in an area that is at least 100 feet from the nearest blasting caps wires connected to blasting caps or other explosives 4 4 2 All RFD System controls are described in detail in section 2 CAUTION A...

Page 36: ...d not receive the Detonator Unit s status transmission WARNING Ensure that blasting caps are not connected to any of the Detonator Units during bench test 4 4 8 Select all of the Detonator Units by pressing switches 1 through 8 A yellow light will be lit in each switch to indicate the corresponding Detonator Unit is selected 4 4 9 Press the ARM switch for second The red ARMED light for each select...

Page 37: ...test bulb should flash brightly The ARMED light will turn off and the SAFE light will turn on at each Detonator Unit The displayed status at the Controller Unit will change from Armed to Disarmed 4 4 13 Turn off the Controller Unit by pressing the OFF switch Turn off the Detonator Units by removing their Antenna Assemblies 4 4 14 The RFD system is now ready to use operationally ...

Page 38: ... binding posts are shunted to each other If the yellow ON LOW BATT light is flashing the Detonator Unit battery is low and should be recharged before use WARNING Do not connect a blasting cap to a Detonator Unit unless the green SAFE light is on the red ARMED light is off and the yellow ON LOW BATT light is on steady This indicates there is no voltage on the binding posts the binding posts are ele...

Page 39: ... UNITS WARNING Do not connect a blasting cap to a Detonator Unit unless the green SAFE light is on the red ARMED light is off and the yellow ON LOW BATT light is on steady This indicates there is no voltage on the binding posts the binding posts are electically isolated from the firing capacitor the binding posts are shunted to each other and the battery is not low 5 2 1 The range of the RFD is ty...

Page 40: ...ate the Controller Unit did not receive a status message from the Detonator Unit Once the Detonator Units are set up for the shot the operator must assume the Detonator Units have received the command 5 3 1 Ensure the area is clear 5 3 2 Turn the Controller Unit on 5 3 3 Press the STATUS switch The Controller Unit will request status from all Detonator Units The red TX light will flash for approxi...

Page 41: ...r Unit on the Controller Unit display panel Under no conditions should the FIRE switch be pressed as the Detonator Unit is approached Do not bring the Controller Unit closer than 100 feet to blasting caps wires connected to blasting caps or other explosives 5 3 9 Turn off the Controller Unit 5 3 10 Recover the fielded Detonator Units 5 3 11 Refer to Post Operational Procedures in chapter 6 5 4 SYS...

Page 42: ...tor should get an indication of shot initiation The ARMED light will go out and the green DISARMED light for each selected Detonator Unit will flash on the Controller Unit display panel 5 4 7 If not all the Detonator Units were selected for the shot repeat above steps to initiate the remaining shots 5 4 8 To Disarm any Detonator Units that have been Armed select the Detonator Units and press the D...

Page 43: ...ications range to 1 000 feet and one way mode unconfirmed communications range up to 5 miles 5 5 2 If the Detonators are within 1 000 feet of the Controller Unit the status of the Detonator Units ON LOW BATT ARMED and SAFE will be displayed with solid lights on the display panel of the Controller Unit 5 5 3 If one or more Detonator Units are out of range of the Controller Unit the status of these ...

Page 44: ...e Controller Unit display panel 5 5 10 If not all the Detonator Units were selected for the shot repeat above steps to initiate the remaining shots 5 5 11 To Disarm any Detonator Units that have been Armed select Detonator Units and press the DISARM switch All selected Detonator Units will return to the DISARMED mode in approximately 3 seconds CAUTION Do not assume the Disarm command has been rece...

Page 45: ...ed plastic cap on the Antenna Assembly 6 2 PHYSICAL INSPECTION 6 2 1 Inspect the Controller Unit and Detonator Units for physical damage 6 2 2 Inspect the units for dirt or corrosion around on connector pins and vent 6 2 3 Replace any unit found to have damage Return unit to Manufacturer 6 2 4 Clean units using a soft bristle brush 6 2 5 If a unit cannot be cleaned by brushing make sure the vent i...

Page 46: ...nit battery needs to be recharged 7 2 2 Command receipt is not confirmed by Detonator Unit a Detonator Unit is more than 1 000 feet from Controller Unit b If the Detonator Unit is less than 1 000 feet away from the Controller Unit Check for damage to Controller Unit Antenna Assembly Try a different Antenna Assembly on the Controller Unit Move at least 25 feet in any direction and try again Reposit...

Page 47: ...The System can operate at the following distance when the Controller Unit is elevated to a maximum transmission location angle to the Detonator Unit location see Figure 8 1 Over Minimum Distance Open Land or Water with Power Lines 1 Mile Dense Vegetation without Power Lines 1 Mile Open Land or Water without Power Lines 5 Miles ...

Page 48: ...mum transmission will occur when the Controller Unit antenna and the Detonator Unit antenna are placed in the line of site The maximum transmission occurs when the line of site lays in a path of 5 to 25 degrees above Unit top plane perpendicular to the antenna Both the Controller Unit antenna and the Detonator Unit Antenna have the same radiant energy pattern as shown in Figure 8 4 Figure 8 2 Deto...

Page 49: ...RFD OPERATOR MANUAL 8 40 Figure 8 3 Detonator Unit Tilted ...

Page 50: ...RFD OPERATOR MANUAL 8 41 Figure 8 4 Antenna Radiation Pattern ...