Mine-like explosion simulator

• US 8,011,928 B1
• Filed: 11/26/2008
• Issued: 09/06/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 11/27/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Pacific Coast Steel (Metalúrgica Gerdau SA), Scott D. Guay
• Original Assignee: Pacific Coast Steel (Metalúrgica Gerdau SA)
• Inventors: Schaeffer, Diana P., Gibson, Cindy G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Fernstrom; Kurt
• Application Number:
  US12/324,495
• Time in Patent Office: 1,014 Days
• Field of Search: 434/11, 434/16, 102/401, 102/407, 102/411, 102/424, 102/426, 102/428, 102/498
• US Class Current: 434/11
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 8/28 Land or marine mines; Depth charges

Abstract

Mine-like explosion simulators are disclosed herein. According to aspects illustrated herein, a landmine simulator device includes a blast fixture; a lower portion of said blast fixture having a proximal end, a distal end and a hollow area therebetween, said hollow area being configured so as to direct channeling of an audio signature internally for maximum sound; and a top portion of said blast fixture having a top plate and a blast cover, said top plate having an opening for engaging and aligning with said proximal end of said lower portion, and said blast cover being configured so as to release a visible signature externally for maximum exposure.

Claims

1. A landmine simulator device comprising:

a blast fixture;

a lower portion of said blast fixture having a proximal end, a distal end and a hollow area therebetween, said hollow area being configured so as to direct channeling of an audio signature internally for maximum sound; and

a top portion of said blast fixture having a top plate and a blast cover, said top plate having an opening for engaging and aligning with said proximal end of said lower portion, and said blast cover being configured so as to release a visible signature externally for maximum exposure.

2. The landmine simulator device of claim 1 wherein said blast fixture is shaped and sized to be partially buried within ground.

3. The landmine simulator device of claim 1 wherein said blast cover includes a top wall and two side walls sloping down so as to engage said top plate.

4. The landmine simulator device of claim 3 wherein said two side walls are interrupted with at least one opening so as to release excess pressure resulting from a detonation of a firing device housed within said distal end of said lower portion.

5. The landmine simulator device of claim 1 further comprising a firing unit operable to simulate one or more distinct signatures of an explosive device.

6. The landmine simulator device of claim 5 wherein said distinct signatures is chosen from one of a visual signature, an audio signature or combinations thereof.

7. The landmine simulator device of claim 5 wherein said firing unit can receive one or more pyrotechnic cartridges that can direct a pyrotechnic explosion in a predetermined direction.

8. The landmine simulator device of claim 1 wherein said blast cover is configured so as to cause a concussion effect.

9. A landmine training system comprising:

a landmine training simulator device having;

a blast fixture;

a lower portion of said blast fixture having a proximal end, a distal end and a hollow area therebetween, said hollow area being configured so as to direct channeling of an audio signature internally for maximum sound; and

a top portion of said blast fixture having a top plate and a blast cover, said top plate having an opening for engaging and aligning with said proximal end of said lower portion, and said blast cover being configured so as to release a visible signature externally for maximum exposure;

a firing unit operable to simulate one or more distinct signatures of an explosive device; and

a power pack operable to provide power to, and control operation of, said firing unit.

10. The landmine training system of claim 9 wherein said distinct signatures of said firing unit is chosen from one of a visual signature, an audio signature or combinations thereof.

11. The landmine training system of claim 9 wherein said firing unit includes two receptacles each capable of receiving at least two different types of type classified rounds.

12. The landmine training system of claim 11 wherein said receptacles includes a first boring having a first diameter, a second boring having a second diameter, which is greater than said first diameter, and a third boring positioned between said first boring and said second boring, said third boring having a third diameter, which is greater than said first diameter but less than said second diameter.

13. The landmine training system of claim 9 wherein said firing unit can receive one or more pyrotechnic cartridges that can direct a pyrotechnic explosion in a predetermined direction.

14. The landmine training system of claim 13 wherein said pyrotechnic cartridge is a type classified M30 round.

15. The landmine training system of claim 9 wherein said firing unit is housed within said distal end of said lower portion.

16. The landmine training system of claim 9 wherein said blast cover is configured so as to produce a concussion effect when said explosive device is detonated.

17. The landmine training system of claim 9 wherein said power pack has multi-triggering capabilities.

18. The landmine training system of claim 17 wherein said multi-triggering capabilities is chosen from one of radio-controlled (RC) detonation, victim-operated (VO) detonation, command/hard wired (CW) detonation, disable power/jamming functions, or combinations thereof.

19. The landmine training system of claim 18, wherein said victim-operated detonation is chosen from one of a pressure plate/switch, a trip wire, a passive infrared detector or combinations thereof.

20. A landmine training system comprising:

a landmine training simulator device having;

a blast fixture;

a lower portion of said blast fixture having a proximal end, a distal end and a hollow area therebetween, said hollow area being configured so as to direct channeling of an audio signature internally for maximum sound; and

a top portion of said blast fixture having a top plate and a blast cover,

said top plate having an opening for engaging and aligning with said proximal end of said lower portion, and

said blast cover including a top wall and two side walls sloping down so as to engage said top plate, and being configured so as to release a visible signature externally for maximum exposure, and being configured so as to produce a concussion effect,

said two side walls interrupted with at least one opening so as to release excess pressure resulting from a detonation;

a firing unit positioned within said distal end of said lower portion and operable to simulate an audio and a visible signature of a type classified round, said firing unit including two receptacles each capable of receiving at least two different types of type classified rounds, each of said receptacles having a first boring having a first diameter, a second boring having a second diameter, which is greater than said first diameter, and a third boring positioned between said first boring and said second boring, said third boring having a third diameter, which is greater than said first diameter but less than said second diameter;

a power pack in operable communication with said firing unit, said power pack providing power to control operation of said firing unit, said power pack having multi-triggering user-controlled capabilities chosen from one of radio-controlled (RC) detonation, victim-operated (VO) detonation, command/hard wired (CW) detonation, disable power/jamming functions, or combinations thereof; and

at least one external triggering device in operable communication with said power pack by way of plug and play cable connection, said triggering device controllable by a user to trigger detonation of said type classified rounds.