Mine sweeping system for magnetic and non-magnetic mines

• US 5,598,152 A
• Filed: 12/29/1994
• Issued: 01/28/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 12/29/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: The United States of America As Represented By The Secretary of Agriculture
• Original Assignee: the united states of america as represented by the secretary of the navy
• Inventors: Keller, Peter B., Scarzello, John F., Harrison, Richard W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lobo, Ian J.
• Application Number:
  US08/368,268
• Time in Patent Office: 761 Days
• Field of Search: 340/850, 340/852, 102/401, 102/402, 342/22, 343/719, 89/1.13, 114/221 A, 114/240
• US Class Current: 340/850
• CPC Class Codes: B63G 7/06 of electromagnetic type
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/10 Position of receiver fixed by co-ordinating a plurality of position lines defined by path-difference measurements , e.g. omega or decca systemsG01S5/12 takes precedence ; beacons and receivers cooperating therewith G01S1/306, G01S1/308
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 13/02 Transmission systems in which the medium consists of the earth or a large mass of water thereon, e.g. earth telegraphy

Abstract

A mine sweeping system including deployable horizontal antennas to establ a detection and navigation grid extending underwater from a beach to a distance offshore. A computer-controlled transmitter unit having a waveform generator and amplifier, transmits signals to each antenna, at unique frequencies and phases for different spatial locations within the grid. An autonomous underwater vehicle having multi-integrated sensors detects anomalies in the electromagnetic field caused by both magnetic and non-magnetic objects therein during underwater travel utilizing the electromagnetic field as a navigational grid. The autonomous underwater vehicle also deposits mine-clearing explosives at each magnetic anomaly for detonation under command signal using the horizontal antennas which provide a means for establishing a navigation grid to permit landing craft and other vessels to navigate in the region cleared of mines.

Claims

1. A mine sweeping system having antenna cables from which electromagnetic radiation is emitted and receiver means for detection of emitted electromagnetic radiation, a method comprising the steps of:

deploying said antenna cables in spaced relation to each other within an underwater region to establish therein an electromagnetic a radiation field modified by objects to be detected;

controlling signal input to said antenna cables for establishing a navigational grid within the electromagnetic radiation field throughout the underwater region;

transporting said receiver means through the underwater region under control of said navigational grid; and

signal processing data output from the receiver means during said transporting thereof for identification and location of said objects to be detected within the underwater region.

2. The mine sweeping system as defined in claim 1 wherein said objects to be detected are magnetic and non-magnetic mines.

3. The mine sweeping system as defined in claim 2 wherein said step of deploying the antenna cables is performed by aerial rockets.

4. The mine sweeping system as defined in claim 2 wherein said step of deploying the antenna cable is performed by expendable mini-torpedoes.

5. The mine sweeping system as defined in claim 2 wherein the signal input to said antenna cables are stable signals generated at predetermined frequencies respectively supplied to the antenna cables.

6. The mine sweeping system as defined in claim 5 wherein said step of transporting the receiver means comprises:

propulsion thereof by means of an autonomous underwater vehicle.

7. The mine sweeping system as defined in claim 6 wherein said step of signal processing the data output comprises:

spectral analysis by continuous measurement of amplitude differences between different frequency components of the data output from the receiver means.

8. The mine sweeping system as defined in claim 1 wherein the signal input to said antenna cables are stable signals generated at predetermined frequencies respectively supplied to the antenna cables acting as horizontal electric dipoles.

9. The mine sweeping system as defined in claim 1 wherein said step of signal processing the data output comprises:

spectral analysis by continuous measurement of amplitude differences between different frequency components of the data output from the receiver means.

10. In a system having antenna cables from which electromagnetic radiation is emitted and receiver means for detection of said electromagnetic emitted radiation, a method comprising the steps of:

deploying said antenna cables in spaced relation to each other within an underwater region to establish therein an electromagnetic radiation field modified by objects to be detected;

generating stable signals at predetermined frequencies respectively supplied to the antenna cable for establishing a navigational grid therethrough within the electromagnetic radiation field throughout the underwater region;

transporting said receiver means through the underwater region under control of said navigational grid; and

signal processing data output from the receiver means during said transporting thereof by continuous measurement of amplitude differences between different frequency components of the data output for identification and location of the objects to be detected within the underwater region.