DE4112470C2 - Explosion-proof, transport path integrated lock device and its use - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to an explosion-proof Locking device in the transport route of Transport goods, in particular flight luggage, can be integrated, the goods to be transported in a subsequent vacuum test to be able to undergo.

Since the beginning of the aerial terror, the most varied Variants and devices used to the mostly very to recognize small bombs and explosive devices, or even to render it harmless.

In this context, the so-called Mention "simulation chambers" in which the cargo, in particular the flight baggage, the one prevailing at flight altitude Exposed to vacuum, so barometric Trigger igniters. Other options are in the screening of the transport goods, the use of Explosives detection dogs or, by procedures based on them base that explosives on certain reaction products possible chemical reactions are detectable.

However, all known methods and devices work - even when combining several processes and / or Devices - only imperfect. This has been with one Bomb attack on a Pan-Am jumbo shown after the Detonation of an explosive device on board the aircraft over the Lockerbie town crashed ("Lockerbie attack").  

During this attack, the explosive device exploded by means of a combined ignition system consisting of a triggered barometric detonator and a timer. Another problem is the time factor. Because of the very short period of time between the handing over of the flight luggage at Checking in and taking off the aircraft takes place e.g. Legs Vacuum baggage vacuum check during its Transport to the machine in scheduled and charter flights in fact not taking place. Even if the luggage - enough time provided - subjected to such a vacuum test can be the intended purpose (triggering the bomb or the explosive device) not reached if the bomb or the Explosive device instead of a barometric one Timer is provided.

The invention is therefore based on the object explosion-proof airlock device available with which it is available despite the small number Time is possible, all cargo, especially everything Flight luggage to undergo a vacuum test to to be able to trigger at least barometric detonators. This object is achieved by the features of Patent claim 1 solved.

In the way of on conveyor belts to the aircraft too Carrying items of luggage becomes an explosion-proof chamber installed, whose accesses from the invention, Explosion-proof lock device are formed.  

The chamber is triggered by suction devices on the brought barometric igniter required vacuum.

The access device forming the form has a drum, has revolving doors into which the Bags are conveyed by the conveyor belt, the Revolving doors are horizontal when the luggage is picked up are.

Further transport takes place via the rotation of the revolving doors. These are installed so that half of the revolving door in the Normal pressure range is while the other half - behind a partition - is in the vacuum area. Vacuum range and overpressure range are thus through the door segments Revolving doors rotating in the drum, separately. The drum has only a small opening on the input side - in Normal pressure range - and one on the opposite side - in the vacuum area.

A corresponding revolving door (as part of the Locking device) allowed in the exit area of the chamber an equally clever transportation of the flight luggage out the chamber. The drum has in the vacuum area on the inlet side Ventilation openings at the passage of the luggage through the lock device a gentle Pressure equalization between the lock device and the Cause vacuum chamber. Effect on the output side Ventilation openings in the direction of normal pressure range one equally gentle adjustment to normal pressure.

Fig. 1 illustrates the principle of the locking process,

Fig. 2 shows an arrangement example with two drums,

Fig. 3 shows a solution in which the pressure equalization by increasing the number of drums (Schleusungsvor directions) is slower, thereby avoiding that the cargo suddenly inflates like an air balloon, and

Fig. 4 shows that basically a drum device is sufficient as a lock.

The length of stay in the chamber and the speed of the Pressure changes can be made by appropriate choice of The speed of rotation of the revolving doors in the drum varies become.

The luggage is integrated into the transport route Exposed to negative pressure. The ventilation openings allow one each gentle pressure equalization, whereby between negative pressure and the normal pressure range is always at least one door segment, whereby the two pressure areas always remain separate. Only the "carried" with the piece of luggage in the door segment Air crosses the line between normal pressure and Vacuum range.

Without any interruption in transport and with little Effort in maintaining the negative pressure (it must only the volume of the door segment and the "Suitcase overpressure" are permanently extracted) Luggage is continuously exposed to negative pressure.  

The time spent in the system can improve success can be increased by those that continue in the chamber Tapes can be installed in a serpentine shape. Is the pressure difference too drastic, the system can be designed in several stages, so that the luggage in several chambers with steadily falling Pressure to be brought to "flight altitude" even more slowly. Analogue naturally also applies to the reverse process.

In the case of apparently very dense containers (quality case and other "problem cases") can already during the pre-inspection, d. H. when checking in, especially with so-called "markers" be marked. These "markers" can be like Anti-theft devices in the department store z. B. at the destination airport slip attached or even integrated into this.

The marker is without human in the simulation chamber Help is recognized and the marked case is checked using a automatic electronic gripping device taken off the line and remains in the chamber for a time "X" longer. To After this time, the suitcase is electronically Gripping device put back on the belt.

Combined ignition systems, such as B. barometric detonators that only by means of a timer after a certain time "X" or "Y" can be activated at a certain time can also be detonated, which is how described below.

The electrical connections are influenced wirelessly by a strong magnetic field or microwave induction (see “lightning symbols” in FIGS . 2, 3 and 4).

According to my observations, "ignite" in a microwave oven Coils and diodes without galvanic connection in the Microwave field. Thus, induction or by means Microwave currents are induced in the ignition circuit, regardless of Switching status of the timer or timer activates the command give "ignite". This corresponds in the simulation chamber the negative pressure, the bomb explodes because both Ignition conditions are met.

Only very large wire cross sections are likely to be used against such "Remote ignition" be insensitive. But these are easier to recognize. Of course, this also applies to mechanical / barometric technology. An old alarm clock is fine can hardly be influenced by induction, but it is used in the X-rays easily visible.

The damage limit for so-called "legal luggage" must can be found experimentally. Even if that Thresholds are low, so even an attempt increases low energy the probability of discovery.

However, electrical devices must do this Test items are usually kept away, such as it is by most airlines during the Kuwait crisis has already been handled once.

The sealing of the door segments against the drum has about that Dimension of the sealing of a Wankel engine. Thermal Load and rotation speed are lower that Sealing surfaces are larger.

Claims (4)

1. Explosion-proof lock device, which can be integrated into the transport route of goods, in particular flight luggage, in order to subject the goods to a vacuum test, the goods being transported in front of and behind the lock device by means of conventional conveyors, characterized in that the lock device, which consists of a Drum consists of an inlet and an outlet opening, which coincide spatially or are spatially separated, which are just large enough for them to be able to pass through the transported goods, the transported goods being received by revolving doors located inside the drum, which are arranged inside the drum rotate an axis and are sealed against the inner walls of the drum, so that inside the drum, which has ventilation holes in the entrance and exit area, a negative pressure can be generated inside the drum by means of conventional suction devices, which from the entrance to the A outlet opening increases and decreases from the outlet to the inlet opening, the gentle transition from the normal pressure to the vacuum region or vice versa being a function of the number of rotating door segments and the speed of rotation. 2. Use of the lock device according to claim 1, the inlet and outlet openings coincide, as a vacuum chamber, in the goods are subjected to a vacuum test,  around bombs or explosives contained in the cargo to trigger barometric detonators. 3. Use of the direction of lock according to claim 1 as access or exit of a vacuum chamber in which the goods to be transported is subjected to a vacuum test in order to be transported contained bombs or explosive devices with barometric Bring detonators to fire. 4. Use of the lock device according to claim 2 or 3, in order Transport fuze contained timed or combined Ignition systems consisting of one with a timer coupled barometric detonator, by means of a magnetic field or integrated in the vacuum chamber To trigger microwave induction device.