ROV TERRAIN DISRUPTOR

• US 20130055880A1
• Filed: 05/26/2011
• Published: 03/07/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/28/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qinetiq Limited (QinetiQ Group PLC)
• Original Assignee: Qinetiq Limited (QinetiQ Group PLC)
• Inventors: Dennis, Charles William, Huggett, Ian, Wallington, David Keith
• Granted Patent: US 9,194,666 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 89/1.13
• CPC Class Codes: F41H 11/16 Self-propelled mine-clearing vehicles; Mine-clearing devices attachable to vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: F41H 11/28 using brushing or sweeping means or dozers to push mines lying on a surface aside; using means for removing mines intact from a surface

Abstract

A terrain disruption device includes an air or gas flow generation device mounted on a remote operated vehicle having an extendible arm, wherein the air or gas flow generation device includes an elongate (optionally detachable) ducting arrangement to direct the air or gas flow and an optional nozzle. The air or gas flow generation device and/or the elongate ducting arrangement may be mounted on the extendible arm. Preferably, the air or gas flow generation device is powered by a fan, more preferably an electric ducted fan.

Claims

1. A terrain disruption device comprising an air or gas flow generation device mounted on a remote operated vehicle (ROV) having an extendable arm, wherein the air or gas flow generation device comprises an elongate ducting arrangement to direct the air or gas flow.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the elongate ducting arrangement is detachable.

3. A device according to claim 1, wherein the air or gas flow generation device and/or the elongate ducting arrangement is mounted on the extendable arm.

4. A device according to claim 1, wherein the air or gas flow generation device is a high pressure gas flow device.

5. A device according to claim 4, wherein the high pressure gas flow device is a compressor or a pressurized gas cylinder.

6. A device according to claim 1, wherein the air or gas flow generation device is a powered fan.

7. A device according to claim 6, wherein the fan is an electric ducted fan.

8. A device according to claim 6, wherein the fan is operated to provide a negative airflow to create a vacuum effect.

9. A device according to claim 1, wherein the elongate ducting is comprised of one or more modules.

10. A device according to claim 9, wherein the elongate ducting comprises at least two telescopic modules.

11. A device according to claim 1, wherein the end of the elongate ducting distal to the air or gas flow generation device has a nozzle.

12. A device according to claim 11, wherein the nozzle has castellations, veins, spikes and/or flappers.

13. A device according to claim 11, wherein the nozzle forms a hollow spike or sharpened end, with an optional barb, flange or lip appended thereto.

14. A device according to claim 1, wherein the ROV comprises a camera and there is an air bleed arrangement provided from the elongate ducting to provide an air flow across the camera lens.

15. A device according to claim 1, wherein there is provided a disc cutting tool detachably mounted to the ROV

16. A device according to claim 15, wherein the disc is operably linked to an impeller, wherein said impeller is powered by an air or gas supply from the air or gas flow generation device.

17. A device according to claim 1, wherein the air or gas flow generation device, the elongate ducting, the optional nozzle and/or the ducting for the optional electric ducted fan, is manufactured from a lightweight composite material.

18. A device according to claim 17, wherein the composite is selected from carbon fiber reinforced resin or glass fiber reinforced resin.

19. A method of uncovering unexploded ordnance comprising the steps of deploying an ROV fitted with a device as claimed claim 1 to the vicinity of said ordnance and operating the air or gas flow generation device to remove loose terrain from around said ordnance.

20. A kit of parts comprising an ROV, an air or gas flow generation device, an elongate ducting and an optional nozzle.

21. (canceled)

22. (canceled)