Method for neutralizing explosives and electronics

• US 7,958,809 B1
• Filed: 08/13/2010
• Issued: 06/14/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/02/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Xtreme Ads Limited
• Original Assignee: Xtreme Ads Limited
• Inventors: Howe, Varce Eron, Busby, Ricky Lee, Bitar, Peter Victor, Lakey, Leroy Ernest
• Primary Examiner(s): Carone; Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): David; Michael D
• Application Number:
  US12/855,811
• Publication Number:
  US 20110120290A1
• Time in Patent Office: 305 Days
• Field of Search: 89/11.3, 102402-403, 86/50
• US Class Current: 89/1.13
• CPC Class Codes: F41H 11/12 Means for clearing land minefields; Systems specially adapted for detection of landmines
• CPC Class Codes: F41H 11/30 with rollers creating a surface load on the ground, e.g. steadily increasing surface load, for triggering purposes
• CPC Class Codes: F41H 11/32 Decoy or sacrificial vehicles; Decoy or sacrificial devices attachable to vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: F41H 13/0043 Directed energy weapons, i.e. devices that direct a beam of high energy content toward a target for incapacitating or destroying the target
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 33/06 Dismantling fuzes, cartridges, projectiles, missiles, rockets or bombs F42B33/004 and F42B33/04 take precedence; elimination of undesirable components of explosives C06B21/0091
• CPC Class Codes: F42D 5/04 Rendering explosive charges harmless, e.g. destroying ammunition F42B39/14 and F42B39/20 take precedence ; extracting primers, dismantling ammunition F42B33/04, F42B33/06 ; chemical deactivating of explosives C06B21/0091; Rendering detonation of explosive charges harmless

Abstract

Disclosed is a method for neutralizing explosives and electronics utilizing a high voltage electrical discharge.

Claims

1. A method for neutralizing an explosive device disposed within a targeted area, the method comprising:

generating an electric potential;

spinning a spark emission point in a predetermined pattern within the targeted area; and

for neutralizing the explosive device, discharging the electric potential in the form of an electric discharge into the explosive device via the spinning spark emission point.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the predetermined pattern is a circular pattern.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

moving the spinning spark emission point within the targeted area in concurrence with the discharging the electric discharge into the targeted area via the spinning spark emission point.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the moving step further comprises driving a vehicle that the spark emission point is mounted on.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the electrical discharge arcs through at least eight inches of air.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the generating step further comprises:

generating a potential with an AC generator;

transforming the potential to a stepped-up potential with a step-up transformer; and

further transforming the stepped-up potential with a resonant transformer.

7. A method of neutralizing an explosive device located in the earth, the method comprising the steps of:

generating a high voltage electrical potential;

bringing the electrical potential in proximity with the explosive device;

discharging the electrical potential into the earth as an electrical discharge proximate to the explosive device such that at least a portion of the electrical discharge conducts through at least a portion of the explosive device, thereby neutralizing it, wherein the electrical discharge arcs through at least eight inches of air.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the high voltage electrical potential is at least 10,000 volts.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the electrical discharge contains at least 5 joules of energy.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein the explosive device is buried under earth.

11. The method of claim 7, wherein the electrical discharge arcs through at least twenty seven inches of air before striking the ground.

12. The method of claim 7, wherein the high voltage potential is at least 400,000 volts.

13. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

spinning a spark emission point over the earth; and

discharging the electrical potential into the earth through the spinning spark emission point.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the electrical discharge arcs through at least twenty seven inches of air before striking the ground.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the high voltage electrical potential is at least 10,000 volts.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the electrical discharge contains at least 5 joules of energy.

17. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

moving the spinning spark emission point in concurrence with discharging the electrical potential into the earth through the spinning spark emission point.