Device for the detection of objects, especially explosive objects, lying in the earth

• US 5,869,967 A
• Filed: 07/23/1997
• Issued: 02/09/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 01/27/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lobbe Xenex GmbH & Company
• Original Assignee: Lobbe Xenex GmbH & Company
• Inventors: Straus, Reinhold
• Primary Examiner(s): Patidar, Jay M.
• Application Number:
  US08/875,310
• Time in Patent Office: 566 Days
• Field of Search: 324/326, 324/327, 324/329, 324/345, 324/244, 324/260, 324/262, 324/67, 434/1, 89/1-13, 102/425, 340/551
• US Class Current: 324/326
• CPC Class Codes: F41H 11/136 Magnetic, electromagnetic, acoustic or radiation systems, e.g. ground penetrating radars or metal-detectors
• CPC Class Codes: F41H 11/16 Self-propelled mine-clearing vehicles; Mine-clearing devices attachable to vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 3/15 specially adapted for use during transport, e.g. by a person, vehicle or boat

Abstract

There is described a device for the detection of objects lying in the earth which, irrespective of topography, soil structure and state of the terrain, permits high surface yields with great precision in identifying the position of the objects to be detected without endangering the operating personnel. On a mobile device (10) is arranged at least one jib (20) swivellable about a vertical axis, on whose free end are arranged adjacent to each other several measuring heads (40) for sweeping over strip-shaped surface areas (2a-d) of the terrain to be investigated. With the measuring heads (40) on the free end of the jib (20) at least one ground marking device (60) is arranged for distinguishing the find site determined by the measuring heads (40). The ground marking device (60) includes a paint spraying device (61) as well as a stake marking device (66) next to each measuring head (40).

Claims

1. Apparatus for detecting objects located in the ground, especially explosive objects, such as unexploded mines, grenades, munitions or bombs, with a mobile device on which a jib (20) swivellable at least about a vertical axis is arranged, on whose free end several measuring heads (40) are arranged, characterized in that the jib (20) is constructed in at least two parts of a rear jib (21) and a front jib (23), wherein the front and the rear jibs (21, 23) are swivellable in vertical direction independently from each other, that the measuring heads are arranged alongside one another for sweeping over strip-shaped surface areas (2a-d) of the terrain to be investigated, and that at least one ground marking device (60) for distinguishing the find site determined by the measuring heads (40) is allocated to the measuring heads (40) on the free end of the jib (20).

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the mobile device (10) is a vehicle with high stationary moment and low surface pressure.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the mobile device (10) has a test room cabin (13) in which evaluation apparatus for the evaluation of the measuring head signals as well as installations for overriding control of the mobile device (10) are accommodated.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that the jib (20) is attached to the chassis of the mobile device (10) or on a frame (14) enclosing the test room cabin (13).

5. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that at least the front jib (23) comprises non-magnetizable material, preferably plastic.

6. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that between the front jib (21) and the rear jib (23) an intermediate jib (22) is arranged, which is telescopable by means of a linear drive device (47).

7. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that a soil distance measuring device (90) is mounted on the front jib (23).

8. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the measuring heads (40) are suspended freely swinging from the front jib (23) or a probe holder (45) arranged on the front jib (23).

9. Apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that the measuring heads (40) are fastened by a parallelogram suspension.

10. Apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that the measuring heads (40) are suspended on cords (43) or on vibration-damping swinging rods.

11. Apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that the probe holder (45) is rotable around a vertical and/or horizontal axis.

12. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the measuring heads (40) are rigidly attached to the front jib (23) or a probe holder (45) arranged on the front jib (23) through pliable elements (50).

13. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the ground marking device (60) includes a paint spraying device (61) mounted adjacent to each measuring head (40) for fine marking.

14. Apparatus according to claim 13, characterized in that the paint spraying device (61) and/or the stake marking device (66) comprises non-magnetizable material and can be activated by compressed gas.

15. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the ground marking device (60) includes a stake marking device (66).

16. Apparatus according to claim 15, characterized in that the stake marking device (66) has at least one rotable mounting star (68) or a rotable mounting drum (80) which is outfitted with stakes (67).

17. Apparatus according to claim 16, characterized in that the stakes (67) are constructed self-uprighting as marker buoys (100).

18. Apparatus according to claim 16, characterized in that the stakes (67) are constructed so as to be floatable.