Tools For Use With Robotic Systems

• US 20110061521A1
• Filed: 11/17/2010
• Published: 03/17/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/17/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Science Applications International Corporation, SPAWAR Systems Center Pacific
• Original Assignee: Science Applications International Corporation
• Inventors: Stratton, Benjamin V., Gardner, Christopher W., Robbins, Aaron
• Granted Patent: US 8,863,635 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 89/1.13
• CPC Class Codes: F41A 23/28 Wheeled-gun mountings; Endless-track gun mountings
• CPC Class Codes: F41A 23/56 Arrangements for adjusting the gun platform in the vertical or horizontal position F41A17/10, F41A17/12 take precedence ; ground engaging vehicle fittings for lifting or supporting it B60S9/04; supports for mobile cranes B66C23/78
• CPC Class Codes: F41A 25/00 Gun mountings permitting recoil or return to battery, e.g. gun cradles; Barrel buffers or brakes recoilless guns F41A1/08
• CPC Class Codes: F41A 27/24 Elevating gear F41A27/18 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F41H 11/16 Self-propelled mine-clearing vehicles; Mine-clearing devices attachable to vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: F41H 7/005 Unmanned ground vehicles, i.e. robotic, remote controlled or autonomous, mobile platforms carrying equipment for performing a military or police role, e.g. weapon systems or reconnaissance sensors F41H11/16 takes precedence

Abstract

Systems are described herein for remotely aligning and placing disruptive devices at or near suspicious targets such as suspected improvised explosive devices (IEDs). In particular, tools connected to remotely controllable robots include disruptor guns for firing disruptive materials at the targets and disruptive devices filled with explosive materials, e.g., water, for controllably detonating or disrupting the detonation of the targets when placed in close proximity thereto.

Claims

1. A system for placing a disruptive device near a target, the system comprising:

a remote controlled vehicle including a remotely controllable arm;

a first subsystem including;

a movable arm,

a hook,

a retaining pin, and

a lowering mechanism,

a second subsystem including a holder for holding the disruptive device and a release mechanism for releasing the disruptive device near the target;

wherein the release mechanism releases the disruptive device from the holder when the remotely controllable arm causes the movable arm to unhook the hook from the retaining pin which causes the lowering mechanism to drop the second subsystem which triggers the release mechanism.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the first subsystem further includes securing means for securing the first and second subsystems to the vehicle.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the lowering mechanism includes parallel arms attached at a first end to the securing means and at a second end to the holder.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the release mechanism further includes:

a cam,

at least one buckle,

at least one strap, and

a foot actuator,

wherein when the second subsystem drops, the foot actuator hits the ground causing the cam to release the buckle which holds the strap, thus releasing the disruptive device from the holder.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the lowering mechanism includes at least one spring.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein the disruptive device is a plastic container.

7. The system according to claim 4, wherein the release mechanism further includes an adjustable leg connecting the foot actuator to the holder, the leg being adjustable to accommodate multiple sizes of disruptive devices.