ROV terrain disruptor

• US 9,194,666 B2
• Filed: 05/26/2011
• Issued: 11/24/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 05/28/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qinetiq Limited (QinetiQ Group PLC)
• Original Assignee: Qinetiq Limited (QinetiQ Group PLC)
• Inventors: Dennis, Charles William, Huggett, Ian, Wallington, David Keith
• Primary Examiner(s): TILLMAN, JR, REGINALD S
• Application Number:
  US13/697,895
• Publication Number:
  US 20130055880A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,643 Days
• Field of Search: 89/11.3
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: F41H 11/16 Self-propelled mine-clearing vehicles; Mine-clearing devices attachable to vehicles
• 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

Abstract

A terrain disruption device includes an air or gas flow generation device mounted on a remote operated vehicle having an extendible arm, wherein the air or gas flow generation device includes an elongate (optionally detachable) ducting arrangement to direct the air or gas flow and an optional nozzle. The air or gas flow generation device and/or the elongate ducting arrangement may be mounted on the extendible arm. Preferably, the air or gas flow generation device is powered by a fan, more preferably an electric ducted fan.

Claims

1. A terrain disruption device for uncovering unexploded ordnance located beneath the terrain, the terrain disruption device comprising:

an air or gas flow generation device mounted on a remote operated vehicle (ROV) having an extendable arm, wherein;

the air or gas flow generation device comprises a powered fan and an elongate ducting arrangement to direct air or gas flow, the elongate ducting arrangement including ducting with a hollow sharpened end, and

in use, air or gas flow generated by the air or gas flow generation device disrupts the terrain in the vicinity of unexploded ordnance, so as to uncover the ordnance without causing activation of the ordnance.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the elongate ducting arrangement is detachable.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the powered fan and/or the elongate ducting arrangement is mounted on the extendable arm.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the powered fan is an electric ducted fan.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the powered fan is operated to provide a negative airflow to create a vacuum effect.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the elongate ducting arrangement is comprised of one or more modules.

7. The device according to claim 6, wherein the elongate ducting arrangement comprises at least two telescopic modules.

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein an end of the elongate ducting arrangement distal to the powered fan has a nozzle.

9. The device according to claim 8, wherein the hollow sharpened end is disposed on the nozzle.

10. The device according to claim 8, wherein the nozzle includes an optional barb, flange or lip appended to the hollow sharpened end.

11. The device according to claim 1, wherein the ROV comprises a camera and there is an air bleed arrangement provided from the elongate ducting arrangement to provide an air flow across a lens of the camera.

12. The device according to claim 1, wherein there is provided a disc cutting tool detachably mounted to the ROV.

13. The device according to claim 12, wherein the disc cutting tool is operably linked to an impeller and, wherein said impeller is powered by an air or gas supply from the air or gas flow generation device.

14. The device according to claim 1, wherein:

an end of the elongate ducting arrangement distal to the powered fan has an optional nozzle, and

at least one of the powered fan, the elongate ducting arrangement, and the optional nozzle is manufactured from a lightweight composite material.

15. The device according to claim 14, wherein the composite material is selected from carbon fiber reinforced resin or glass fiber reinforced resin.

18. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a camera mounted on the extendable arm.

16. A method of uncovering unexploded ordnance, the method comprising:

deploying a remote operated vehicle (ROV) fitted with a terrain disruption device to the vicinity of said ordnance,

the ROV having an extendable arm, and

the terrain disruption device comprising;

an air or gas flow generation device mounted on the ROV, wherein;

the air or gas flow generation device comprises a powered fan and an elongate ducting arrangement to direct air or gas flow, the elongate ducting arrangement including ducting with a hollow sharpened end, and

in use, air or gas flow generated by the air or gas flow generation device disrupts the terrain in the vicinity of unexploded ordnance, so as to uncover the ordnance without causing activation of the ordnance, and

operating the air or gas flow generation device to remove loose terrain from around said ordnance.

19. The method according to claim 16, further comprising a camera mounted on the extendable arm.

17. A kit of parts comprising:

a remote operated vehicle (ROV),

an air or gas flow generation device,

an elongate ducting arrangement to direct air or gas flow from the air or gas flow generation device, the elongate ducting arrangement including ducting with a hollow sharpened end, and

an optional nozzle, wherein;

the air or gas flow generation device is a powered fan, and

in use, air or gas flow generated by the air or gas flow generation device disrupts the terrain in the vicinity of unexploded ordnance, so as to uncover the ordnance without causing activation of the ordnance.

20. The kit according to claim 17, further comprising a camera mounted on the ROV.