GB2199289A - Minefield clearing systems - Google Patents

Minefield clearing systems Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2199289A
GB2199289A GB08631026A GB8631026A GB2199289A GB 2199289 A GB2199289 A GB 2199289A GB 08631026 A GB08631026 A GB 08631026A GB 8631026 A GB8631026 A GB 8631026A GB 2199289 A GB2199289 A GB 2199289A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
tubing
explosive
inflated
gas mixture
bobbin
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB08631026A
Other versions
GB8631026D0 (en
Inventor
John Robert Pearce
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Frazer Nash Ltd
Original Assignee
Frazer Nash Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Frazer Nash Ltd filed Critical Frazer Nash Ltd
Priority to GB08631026A priority Critical patent/GB2199289A/en
Publication of GB8631026D0 publication Critical patent/GB8631026D0/en
Publication of GB2199289A publication Critical patent/GB2199289A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F41—WEAPONS
    • F41H—ARMOUR; ARMOURED TURRETS; ARMOURED OR ARMED VEHICLES; MEANS OF ATTACK OR DEFENCE, e.g. CAMOUFLAGE, IN GENERAL
    • F41H11/00—Defence installations; Defence devices
    • F41H11/12—Means for clearing land minefields; Systems specially adapted for detection of landmines
    • F41H11/14—Explosive line charges, e.g. snakes
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C13/00—Details of vessels or of the filling or discharging of vessels
    • F17C13/08—Mounting arrangements for vessels
    • F17C13/084—Mounting arrangements for vessels for small-sized storage vessels, e.g. compressed gas cylinders or bottles, disposable gas vessels, vessels adapted for automotive use
    • F17C13/085—Mounting arrangements for vessels for small-sized storage vessels, e.g. compressed gas cylinders or bottles, disposable gas vessels, vessels adapted for automotive use on wheels
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2201/00—Vessel construction, in particular geometry, arrangement or size
    • F17C2201/01—Shape
    • F17C2201/0104—Shape cylindrical
    • F17C2201/0109—Shape cylindrical with exteriorly curved end-piece
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2201/00—Vessel construction, in particular geometry, arrangement or size
    • F17C2201/03—Orientation
    • F17C2201/035—Orientation with substantially horizontal main axis
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2201/00—Vessel construction, in particular geometry, arrangement or size
    • F17C2201/05—Size
    • F17C2201/056—Small (<1 m3)
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2203/00—Vessel construction, in particular walls or details thereof
    • F17C2203/06—Materials for walls or layers thereof; Properties or structures of walls or their materials
    • F17C2203/0634—Materials for walls or layers thereof
    • F17C2203/0658—Synthetics
    • F17C2203/066—Plastics
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2203/00—Vessel construction, in particular walls or details thereof
    • F17C2203/06—Materials for walls or layers thereof; Properties or structures of walls or their materials
    • F17C2203/068—Special properties of materials for vessel walls
    • F17C2203/0685—Special properties of materials for vessel walls flexible
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2205/00—Vessel construction, in particular mounting arrangements, attachments or identifications means
    • F17C2205/01—Mounting arrangements
    • F17C2205/0103—Exterior arrangements
    • F17C2205/0107—Frames
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2205/00—Vessel construction, in particular mounting arrangements, attachments or identifications means
    • F17C2205/01—Mounting arrangements
    • F17C2205/0123—Mounting arrangements characterised by number of vessels
    • F17C2205/013—Two or more vessels
    • F17C2205/0134—Two or more vessels characterised by the presence of fluid connection between vessels
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2221/00—Handled fluid, in particular type of fluid
    • F17C2221/03—Mixtures
    • F17C2221/031—Air
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2265/00—Effects achieved by gas storage or gas handling
    • F17C2265/02—Mixing fluids
    • F17C2265/025—Mixing fluids different fluids
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2270/00—Applications
    • F17C2270/01—Applications for fluid transport or storage
    • F17C2270/0165—Applications for fluid transport or storage on the road
    • F17C2270/0168—Applications for fluid transport or storage on the road by vehicles
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2270/00—Applications
    • F17C2270/07—Applications for household use
    • F17C2270/0772—Inflation devices, e.g. for rescue vests or tyres

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Pipe Accessories (AREA)

Abstract

A minefield breaching system is provided in which flexible tubing that is initially reeled on a reel or bobbin 12 is inflated by means of gases that form an explosive mixture and thereby is unreeled and extended to deploy it across a minefield. The reel or bobbin can also be inflatable, for example by means of air, enabling the tubing and bobbin to be stored, when uninflated, as a flat pack. If the bobbin of the pack is inflated and the end of the tubing is connected by separate supply pipes to, for example, separate gas cylinders 15 containing two gases that together form an explosive mixture, admitting the gases to the tubing will inflate the tubing and thereby propel the bobbin away across a minefield, more or less directionally in a straight line, after which the explosive hose so deployed can be detonated. A flash back trap 17 between the gas supply pipes and the inflatable tubing will protect the inflating apparatus and personnel in the event of inadvertent pre-detonation. <IMAGE>

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN MINEFIELD BREACHING- SYSTEMS This invention relates to systems for breaching minefields. Mines, both emplaced and scattered, are generally employed in warfare to canalise or halt the advance of armour and overland transport. One means of cutting a long clear swathe through a. minefield is based on the use of an explosive hose. This is rocket-propelled over the minefield and once it has landed it is detonated. The shockwave and blast from the exploding hose either detonates, disables or physically moves the mines in the vicinity leaving a clear pathway through the minefield. However, the apparent simplicity of this concept conceals many operational and logistical problems. It is therefore an object of the present invention to achieve a simpler, lower technology minefield breaching system which employs the same mine clearance mechanism, i.e.
over-pressure and blast.
According to the invention, minefield breaching apparatus comprises lay-flat' plastics tubing which is inflated with an explosive gas mixture to form an explosive 'hose'. The reduced density of a gaseous explosive entails the use of a larger diameter hose or tube and this increase in size enables the tube to be 'laid' directionally across a minefield by the inflating gas pressure without the need for rocket projection.
One form of apparatus in accordance with the invention is shown by way of example inVthe accompanying drawings.
The 'lay-flat' tubing is wrapped around an inflatable bobbin or roller the whole being stored as a flat uninflated pack 11 (Figure 1). In use, the bobbin 12 is first inflated, for example with air, to provide a roller with the flat 'lay-flat' tubing wrapped around its circumference (Figure 2). The outermost end of the tube is connected by hoses 13 to an inflating apparatus which supplies the explosive gas mixture. In the embodiment illustrated, the inflating apparatus comprises a trailer 14 carrying cylinders 15 which contain separately two gases that on mixing form an explosive mixture. The roller is then 'pointed' in the direction in which the minefield breach is required and inflation is commenced to fill the 'lay-flat' tube.
The inflation process fills and extends the lay-flat tubing 16 like a sausage (Figure 3) and rapidly rolls the bobbin or roller 12 forward until all the tubing is inflated, or until a sufficient length has been inflated.
Once inflated, the tubing can be sealed and disconnected from the inflator after which the explosive gas is ignited to provide a pressure pulse to activate or clear mines in similar fashion to existing explosive hose systems.
As an alternative to gas cylinders, the inflation apparatus could generate gases for the explosive gas mixture from a water electrolyser. Since certain gases can form explosive mixtures with high percentages of air, an inflator system which mixes air into the gas could be smaller than one using pure gases from cylinders. 8wstter possibility is to vaporise a low vapour pressure inflammable liquid to form part of the explosive mixture.
A detonation and 'flash back' trap 17 is provided to prevent inadvertent ignition from damaging the inflation apparatus or injuring personnel operating it.
It is to be noted that the constituents of the explosive gas mixture do not contact one another upstream of the detonation trap 17.
The system also includes a spark generator/igniter to detonate the explosive gas mixture in the tubing; this can be incorporated into the detonation trap, if desired.

Claims (10)

CLAIMS:
1. Apparatus for breaching minefiel-ds comprising flexible tubing which is inflated with an explosive gas mixture to deploy it across a minefield and form an explosive hose.
2. Apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein the tubing is initially in the form of a reel of lay-flat plastics tubing which, upon deployment, is unreeled and extended by the pressure of the gas mixture with which it is inflated.
3. Apparatus according to Claim 2, wherein the reel of lay-flat tubing is reeled around an inflatable bobbin or roller, the whole being stored as a flat uninflated pack before use.
4. Apparatus according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 or Claim 3, further comprising inflating means for supplying the gas mixture and means for disconnecting the tubing from the inflating means after the tubing has been deployed and inflated.
5. Apparatus according to Claim 4, wherein the disconnecting means comprises means for igniting the explosive gas mixture in the inflated tubing.
6. Apparatus according to Claim 4 or Claim 5, wherein the disconnecting means includes a detonation and flash back trap to prevent inadvertent ignition of the gas mixture within the tubing from damaging the inflation means or injuring personnel.
7. Apparatus according to any one of Claims 4 to 6, wherein the inflation means comprises gas cylinders which contain separately two gases that on mixing form an explosive mixture, and respective supply pipes for supplying the two gases separately to the inflatable tube.
8. Apparatus according to any one of Claims 4 to 6, wherein the inflation means comprises a water electrolyser to generate the gas components for the explosive gas. mixture.
9. Apparatus according to any one of Claims 4 to 6, wherein the inflation means comprises means for vaporizing a low vapour pressure liquid to form a component of the explosive gas mixture.
10. Apparatus for breaching minefields substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
GB08631026A 1986-12-30 1986-12-30 Minefield clearing systems Withdrawn GB2199289A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB08631026A GB2199289A (en) 1986-12-30 1986-12-30 Minefield clearing systems

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB08631026A GB2199289A (en) 1986-12-30 1986-12-30 Minefield clearing systems

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB8631026D0 GB8631026D0 (en) 1987-04-15
GB2199289A true GB2199289A (en) 1988-07-06

Family

ID=10609670

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB08631026A Withdrawn GB2199289A (en) 1986-12-30 1986-12-30 Minefield clearing systems

Country Status (1)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2199289A (en)

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0360234A1 (en) * 1988-09-23 1990-03-28 Her Majesty The Queen In Right Of Canada As Represented By The Minister Of National Defence Minefield clearing device
US5168123A (en) * 1989-07-20 1992-12-01 Her Majesty The Queen In Right Of Canada, As Represented By The Minister Of National Defence Of Her Majesty's Canadian Government Chemical initiation of detonation in fuel-air explosive clouds
FR2771168A1 (en) * 1997-11-17 1999-05-21 Commissariat Energie Atomique Procedure for Artificial triggering of avalanche
DE102006017682B3 (en) * 2006-04-15 2007-10-18 Bundesrepublik Deutschland, vertreten durch das Bundesministerium der Verteidigung, dieses vertreten durch das Bundesamt für Wehrtechnik und Beschaffung Inflatable crowd barrier has a gas generator and a gas bag operated by electronic remote control
GB2481192A (en) * 2010-06-11 2011-12-21 Ian Anthony Forster Controlled detonation of pressure triggered explosive device
RU2820622C1 (en) * 2019-10-10 2024-06-06 Мнд Франс Avalanche initiation system
US12078466B2 (en) 2019-10-10 2024-09-03 Mnd France Avalanche triggering system

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1259319A (en) * 1968-08-01 1972-01-05
GB1337183A (en) * 1970-05-02 1973-11-14 Comet Apparatebau Gmbha Surface covering device

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1259319A (en) * 1968-08-01 1972-01-05
GB1337183A (en) * 1970-05-02 1973-11-14 Comet Apparatebau Gmbha Surface covering device

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0360234A1 (en) * 1988-09-23 1990-03-28 Her Majesty The Queen In Right Of Canada As Represented By The Minister Of National Defence Minefield clearing device
US4967636A (en) * 1988-09-23 1990-11-06 Her Majesty The Queen In Right Of Canada, As Represented By The Minister Of National Defence Fuel-air line-charge ordnance neutralizer
US5168123A (en) * 1989-07-20 1992-12-01 Her Majesty The Queen In Right Of Canada, As Represented By The Minister Of National Defence Of Her Majesty's Canadian Government Chemical initiation of detonation in fuel-air explosive clouds
FR2771168A1 (en) * 1997-11-17 1999-05-21 Commissariat Energie Atomique Procedure for Artificial triggering of avalanche
WO1999026039A1 (en) * 1997-11-17 1999-05-27 Commissariat A L'energie Atomique Method for artificially provoking an avalanche and device for implementing same
DE102006017682B3 (en) * 2006-04-15 2007-10-18 Bundesrepublik Deutschland, vertreten durch das Bundesministerium der Verteidigung, dieses vertreten durch das Bundesamt für Wehrtechnik und Beschaffung Inflatable crowd barrier has a gas generator and a gas bag operated by electronic remote control
GB2481192A (en) * 2010-06-11 2011-12-21 Ian Anthony Forster Controlled detonation of pressure triggered explosive device
RU2820622C1 (en) * 2019-10-10 2024-06-06 Мнд Франс Avalanche initiation system
US12078466B2 (en) 2019-10-10 2024-09-03 Mnd France Avalanche triggering system

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB8631026D0 (en) 1987-04-15

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Date Code Title Description
WAP Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1)