4D simultaneous robotic containment with recoil

• US 8,677,876 B2
• Filed: 06/29/2012
• Issued: 03/25/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 07/16/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kevin Mark Diaz
• Original Assignee: Kevin Mark Diaz
• Inventors: Diaz, Kevin Mark
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Benjamin P
• Application Number:
  US13/538,068
• Publication Number:
  US 20130014633A1
• Time in Patent Office: 634 Days
• Field of Search: 89/11.3, 102/402, 86/50
• US Class Current: 89/1.13
• CPC Class Codes: F41H 11/00 Defence installations; Defence devices constructional aspects see Section E, e.g. air-raid shelters E04H9/04; protective arrangements for buildings E04B1/92; extinguishing or preventing the spread of fire from, incendiary bombs A62C3/06; dynamic armour F41H5/007; ballistically deployed systems for restraining persons or animals F41H13/0006; electronic countermeasures G01S
• CPC Class Codes: F41H 11/13 Systems specially adapted for detection of landmines
• CPC Class Codes: F41H 11/16 Self-propelled mine-clearing vehicles; Mine-clearing devices attachable to vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: F41H 11/18 with ground-impacting means for activating mines by the use of mechanical impulses, e.g. flails or stamping elements
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: F41H 5/007 Reactive armour; Dynamic armour
• CPC Class Codes: F41H 5/06 Shields in ships B63G9/00; in aircraft B64D7/00 ; blasting mats F42D5/05
• CPC Class Codes: F41H 5/20 Turrets on vehicles F41H7/04
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: F41H 7/042 Floors or base plates for increased land mine protection
• CPC Class Codes: F42D 5/045 Detonation-wave absorbing or damping means

Abstract

A semi-continuous duty, Green Technology, self-charging 14, unmanned electric vehicle providing protection and security from underground mines. A deflector blade 11 follows natural existing contours to maintain straight line paths, while simultaneously carrying a mine detector 10, a vertical reciprocating ram set 30, 32 and 33 that preloads soil while also creating forward motion, followed by an energy dissipation and containment canopy system 22, 24, 26 & 29. The comprehensive system provides protection from mines on existing pathways in desert environments using a self-sufficient energy source. In addition, the total system utilizes only Green Technology for all modes of operation.

Claims

1. An apparatus on a vehicle for containing landmine blasts, comprising:

a plurality of energy dissipating struts coupled to said a vehicle and a blast plate, wherein said struts are energy absorbing and connected on one end to said vehicle and on the opposite end to said blast plate;

the blast plate having a blast-resistant expanding billows, with a curtain system and an unfolding canopy mounted thereon, the expanding billows, with the curtain system and unfolding canopy providing three dimensional expansion in the event of a landmine detonation;

a strut enclosure having two distinct internal control volumes separated by an internal boundary through which a strut piston extends through;

a solenoid valve controlling flow between said control volumes;

a probe assembly having a spherical ball connection having limited range deflection;

a pressure manifold;

a series of relays with communicating activation lines;

a controller for sequencing and timing; and

the manifold having a relay for combining the signals to activate the probe and the strut valve simultaneously together in a cycled manner, controlled by a computer and a controller to synchronize the operation of said components.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising;

a hinged or sliding mounted mechanism;

having an attachment plate attached to said spline bracket with said hinged or sliding mounted mechanism;

means for raising and lowering the connected strut and probe assembly; and

means for pressure relieving for hinged or sliding spline bracket motion during detonations.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising;

one or a plurality of mine detectors mounted, attached or forming an integral part near to the base of said probe assemblies to initiate pre-blast gas ejection.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a gas ejection system initiates following a pre-blast signal in the feedback loop system providing downward force.

5. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising;

a flexible blast resistant probe head boot cover which covers the probe shoe, probe, a mine detector and/or the entire reciprocating probe head assembly.

6. An apparatus on a vehicle or robot for containing landmine blasts, comprising:

a plurality of energy dissipating struts mounted to a vehicle platform and a blast plate, wherein the struts are mounted in an alternating fashion;

the blast plate having a blast-resistant expanding billows, a curtain system and an unfolding canopy mounted thereon, the expanding billows, curtain system and unfolding canopy providing three dimensional expansion in the event of a landmine detonation;

said canopy incorporating a shape forming frame;

an upper curtain billows;

a series of energy absorbing struts connected within the frame;

one or more blast resistant vents with internal baffles; and

one or more chutes.

7. A method for defeating antipersonnel mines comprising:

a) using a mobile expandable energy dissipating containment space system of a series of energy absorbing struts connected to a blastplate and flexible curtain billows connected to a chassis;

b) providing a means for triggering said antipersonnel mine within said containment space;

c) detonating said landmine;

e) generating an expanded energy absorbing containment space by extending energy absorbing struts, the blastplate and said billows curtains; and

f) absorbing resulting shock wave pressure and containing fragmentation by said energy dissipating system, wherein said system expends work energy and strain energy reacting from the mass of said chassis.

8. The method of claim 7 further comprising detonating the landmine remotely.