Tools for use with robotic systems

• US 7,836,811 B1
• Filed: 04/17/2008
• Issued: 11/23/2010
• 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
• Primary Examiner(s): Eldred; J. W
• Assistant Examiner(s): Klein; Gabriel J
• Application Number:
  US12/081,610
• Time in Patent Office: 950 Days
• Field of Search: 89/11.3, 89/370.3, 89/38, 89/39, 89/400.1, 89/400.3, 89/410.1, 89/410.2, 89/400.4, 102/402
• US Class Current: 89/40.04
• 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 gun barrel within firing distance of a target, the system comprising:

a remote controlled vehicle including a remotely controllable arm;

a first component attached to the vehicle, the first component including parallel vertical tracks; and

a second component including first and second sets of rollers for rolling the second component along the parallel vertical tracks, the second component further including a gun barrel positioned approximately perpendicular to the parallel vertical tracks, wherein the first component further includes a first and a second pair of pulleys and the system further includes at least one cable connected to at least one pulley in each of the first and second pairs of pulleys and connected to the second component and the remotely controllable arm.

2. The system according to claim 1, where in the first component further includes means for attaching the first component to the vehicle.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the means for attaching the first component to the vehicle includes at least one shock absorber.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the second component further comprises securing means for attaching the second component directly to the vehicle.

5. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a third component for holding the first and second components, the third component being removably attached to the vehicle.