WO1998036235A1 - Procede et appareil permettant d'eliminer a distance des dispositifs explosifs - Google Patents

Procede et appareil permettant d'eliminer a distance des dispositifs explosifs Download PDF

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Publication number
WO1998036235A1
WO1998036235A1 PCT/GB1998/000436 GB9800436W WO9836235A1 WO 1998036235 A1 WO1998036235 A1 WO 1998036235A1 GB 9800436 W GB9800436 W GB 9800436W WO 9836235 A1 WO9836235 A1 WO 9836235A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
microwave
microwave radiation
emitter
focusing
mines
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB1998/000436
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
John Walker Goodwin
Anthony Keith Brown
Original Assignee
Easat Antennas 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 Easat Antennas Ltd. filed Critical Easat Antennas Ltd.
Priority to GB9918866A priority Critical patent/GB2336341A/en
Priority to AU62216/98A priority patent/AU6221698A/en
Publication of WO1998036235A1 publication Critical patent/WO1998036235A1/fr

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

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a method for clearance of land mines, especially anti-personnel mines, or other unexploded ordnance, and to apparatus, especially mobile apparatus, for performing such methods .
  • Anti-personnel mines are of particular concern to civilians and humanitarian mine clearing operations tend to focus on these, but it is obviously also important that antitank mines and other unexploded ordnance are not left behind. APM's are particularly difficult to clear because of their generally small physical size and low metal content.
  • Conventional mine clearance techniques first involve the location of specific individual mines using methods such as visual detection by human eye, the use of metal detectors, the use of sniffer dogs, and object finding by means of ground prodding. Once located the mine must then be made safe either by defusing it or by means of a controlled explosion. These methods, particularly for locating mines, are all slow, labour intensive and dangerous because the mine clearer must come into close proximity with the explosive device. Other methods of clearance include the use of vehicles with flails, rollers or ploughs. Again these are dangerous because the rely on direct physical contact with the mine and do not always cause the mine to activate. Furthermore by their action they can distribute unexploded mines over a wide area.
  • a mobile apparatus for clearance or deactivation of mines or other unexploded ordnance comprising a mobile carrier having mounted thereon or attached thereto a microwave emitter and focusing means.
  • Figure 1 shows the principle components of an antipersonnel mine
  • Figure 2 shows the apparatus of the invention mounted on a truck
  • Figure 3 shows the apparatus of the present invention mounted on an aircraft
  • FIG 4 illustrates one embodiment of the microwave reflector for use in the present invention
  • Figure 5 shows an alternative embodiment of the microwave reflector system for use in the present invention
  • Figure 6 illustrates one embodiment of a microwave antenna array
  • Figure 7 illustrates a further embodiment of a microwave antenna array.
  • Figure 1 shows a typical anti-personnel mine comprising a fuze for activating a detonator 12 connected to the explosive 14 surrounded by a casing 16.
  • Fuze in this context applied to a mine means the mechanism or circuitry designed to translate the signature of the target into an impulse to initiate the explosive train of a mine.
  • Illustrated in Figure 1 is a fuze mechanism comprising a mechanical actuator 10 operated by pressure and a remote sensor 11 and electronic control board 13 to operate on information provided by the remote sensor 11.
  • the electronic control board 13 could operate in response to some other impulse such as a sensor internal to the electronic circuitry 13 in the case where no remote sensor 11 is provided.
  • the mechanical actuator 10 may be provided which may be as simple as a spring loaded striker retained by a pin.
  • the casing 16 It is increasingly common for the casing 16 to contain no metal which makes location of the mine much more difficult using conventional equipment such as a metal detector. However, small metal components remain, in particular in the fuze mechanism. If the electromagnetic field of microwave radiation applied to the mine is sufficiently strong and/or of sufficient duration and/or of an appropriate electromagnetic polarization it can cause arcing, that is the production of sparks, in the fuze mechanism for example in the area of the detonator or electronic control system depending on type. This may either cause the device to explode or may disrupt the mechanism so that the device is rendered safe for subsequent removal. By exploiting the polarisation, frequency and other characteristics of the applied microwave radiation different types of mines and ordnance may be affected such that an element of selectivity may be possible. Alternatively or in addition the microwave radiation may cause heating of the detonator housing or the high explosive 14 itself causing the device to be deactivated.
  • the invention can also be used with other forms of mine or unexploded ordnance.
  • Some forms of mine and ordnance including both anti-personnel and other types have electronic circuitry which can be affected by the action of microwave radiation due to spurious voltages being induced in the circuitry or by other effects, which may result either in the device exploding prematurely or being rendered safe.
  • the microwave radiation is focused into a high intensity spot near the antenna.
  • the focusing concentrates the energy into a given area to improve the effectiveness of the mine clearance whilst reducing the power requirements.
  • the focused beam can also be directed around the region that is to be swept for mines.
  • the size of the spot might be from 0.1 to 40m wide and from 0.1 to 40m deep and it may be directable in a range from 0.5 to 1000m in front of the microwave transmitter. Typical range values for each of the above figures may be 10 meters .
  • the microwave radiation can be pulsed.
  • the combination of pulsed application and focusing enables a high intensity field to be generated with transportable equipment.
  • the equipment may advantageously provide a power density at peak of lMWrn "2 or more, although a lower power density may be suitable for some applications.
  • a peak power density of 10 M m "2 or more may be needed, perhaps upto 100 MWm "2 .
  • the microwave radiation may be emitted for example in pulses of up to 1ms duration.
  • the duration of each pulse may be in the range of from 1 to 10 ⁇ s and typically 2 to 3 ⁇ s.
  • the pulses may be emitted with a repeat rate of 1 to 1000 pulses per second.
  • FIG. 2 shows a microwave mine clearing apparatus comprising a power generator 18, a microwave emitter 20 and a focusing device 22 mounted on a land vehicle 24.
  • Energy produced by the power generator 18 can be stored between pulses and then released in the form of a microwave pulse by the emitter 20. This reduces the size of the generator 18 required for a given intensity of microwave radiation.
  • the focusing device 22 produces a spot 26 on the land which includes explosive mines 28 in front of the vehicle 24.
  • the spot 26 may be scanned over the land either by the motion of the vehicle 24, or by mechanical or electronic means in the microwave emitter 20 and focusing device 22 or using a combination of these.
  • One mode of operation would be to scan an area in front of the vehicle with the vehicle 24 stationary, then incrementally advance the vehicle 24 and then repeat the scan over the next area.
  • the scanning for example in front or laterally with respect to the vehicle, could be performed while the vehicle continuously advances.
  • Figure 3 illustrates an arrangement similarly to that of Figure 2 except that the power generator 18, microwave emitter 20 and focusing device 22 are mounted on an aircraft 30.
  • the aircraft could be of a winged type as illustrated or could for example be a helicopter. Scanning of a region containing mines 28 can be performed in a similar way to that described above for a land vehicle 24. For safety it is desirable that the aircraft 30 be at a sufficient altitude or moving at sufficient speed to avoid any debris from exploding mines 28.
  • Figure 4 shows schematically an arrangement for producing focused microwave radiation. It comprises a microwave emitter 32, a microwave feed 34 and a main reflector 36.
  • the feed 34 may be a conventional device such as a horn for coupling microwave radiation from the emitter to free space.
  • the emitter 32 and feed 34 act approximately as a point source of microwave radiation, therefore to produce a focused spot 26
  • the reflector 36 preferably has a surface in the form of or approximating to a portion of an ellipsoid. Further increase in performance may be obtained by further perturbing the reflector surface in a manner analogous to that used in conventional satellite ground station antennas where it is used to achieve higher performance at long distances.
  • the shaping is carried out to achieve the maximum degree of focusing close to the antenna.
  • the size of the spot 26 can be controlled to some degree by defocusing the apparatus .
  • Figure 5 shows schematically a second arrangement for producing a focused spot 26 of microwave radiation.
  • a sub- reflector 38 is disposed in the microwave beam path between the feed 34 and the main reflector 36. It is the combined effect of the sub-reflector and main reflector that is now used to produce a focused spot 26 so it is not necessary that either of them has an ellipsoidal surface although one or both of them may do so.
  • the sub-reflector has a convex reflecting surface and the main reflector has a concave reflective surface although a concave sub-reflector is also possible.
  • a further apparatus for producing a spot 26 of focused microwave radiation near to the antenna is illustrated in Figure 6. It comprises a microwave emitter 32 together with a feed network 40 and an array of microwave antenna 42.
  • the array of antenna 42 is disposed on a curved surface such that the sum of the microwave output from the antenna is focused at a spot 26.
  • Figure 7 shows an alternative configuration wherein the array of antenna 42 is flat but a phase shifter 44 is provided in the feed to each antenna.
  • the systems of any one of Figures 4 to 7 can be vehicle mounted as shown in Figure 2 or 3.
  • the reflector or antenna array may be steerable with respect to the vehicle to enable the focused microwave spot 26 to be scanned or swept.
  • An arrangement such as that in Figure 7 can enable the focused spot 26 to be steered electronically.
  • the microwave emitter 20, 32 preferably has control circuitry for adjusting the frequency of the microwave radiation.
  • the wavelength of microwave radiation is typically in the range from 1 to 300mm.
  • the emitter, feed, reflector or array may also be adjusted to select the polarization of the microwave radiation.
  • Mines may have differing susceptibilities to microwave radiation of various frequency and polarization, therefore these parameters may be varied for optimum effectiveness and/or to provide a degree of selectivity. For example it may be desirable to induce remote self-detonation of APM' ⁇ while not disturbing larger mines the activation of which might cause damage and which may after clearance of the APM's be rendered safe by alternative methods.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Constitution Of High-Frequency Heating (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un procédé et un appareil mobile permettant d'éliminer ou de désactiver à distance des mines (28), ou tout autre engin non éclaté, par application d'un rayonnement hyperfréquence focalisé. L'appareil comprend un support mobile (24), transportant un groupe électrogène (18), un émetteur hyperfréquence (20), et des moyens de focalisation (22).
PCT/GB1998/000436 1997-02-14 1998-02-12 Procede et appareil permettant d'eliminer a distance des dispositifs explosifs WO1998036235A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9918866A GB2336341A (en) 1997-02-14 1998-02-12 Method and apparatus for the remote clearance of explosive devices
AU62216/98A AU6221698A (en) 1997-02-14 1998-02-12 Method and apparatus for the remote clearance of explosive devices

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9703077.9 1997-02-14
GBGB9703077.9A GB9703077D0 (en) 1997-02-14 1997-02-14 Method and apparatus for the remote clearance of explosive devices

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1998036235A1 true WO1998036235A1 (fr) 1998-08-20

Family

ID=10807654

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB1998/000436 WO1998036235A1 (fr) 1997-02-14 1998-02-12 Procede et appareil permettant d'eliminer a distance des dispositifs explosifs

Country Status (3)

Country Link
AU (1) AU6221698A (fr)
GB (1) GB9703077D0 (fr)
WO (1) WO1998036235A1 (fr)

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7987068B2 (en) 2006-03-30 2011-07-26 The Boeing Company Explosive device countermeasures
US8561515B1 (en) 2006-08-02 2013-10-22 Xtreme Ads Limited Method for neutralizing explosives and electronics
US8683907B1 (en) 2011-09-07 2014-04-01 Xtreme Ads Limited Electrical discharge system and method for neutralizing explosive devices and electronics
US9243874B1 (en) 2011-09-07 2016-01-26 Xtreme Ads Limited Electrical discharge system and method for neutralizing explosive devices and electronics
RU2667257C2 (ru) * 2016-01-11 2018-09-18 Российская Федерация, от имени которой выступает Министерство обороны Российской Федерации Способ дистанционного разминирования
RU2804752C2 (ru) * 2016-01-11 2023-10-05 Российская Федерация, от имени которой выступает Министерство обороны Российской Федерации Способ дистанционного разминирования

Citations (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3601054A (en) * 1969-03-17 1971-08-24 Unidynamics Phoenix Method and apparatus for electromagnetically initiating ordnance
US3845483A (en) * 1972-03-08 1974-10-29 Nippon Electric Co Antenna system
US3983560A (en) * 1974-06-06 1976-09-28 Andrew Corporation Cassegrain antenna with improved subreflector for terrestrial communication systems
DE3131332A1 (de) * 1980-08-26 1982-04-08 Nippon Oil and Fats Co., Ltd., Tokyo Zuendverfahren und zuendsystem
US4668955A (en) * 1983-11-14 1987-05-26 Ford Aerospace & Communications Corporation Plural reflector antenna with relatively moveable reflectors
EP0271778A2 (fr) * 1986-12-04 1988-06-22 International Standard Electric Corporation Antenne radar de balayage de 360 degrés composée d'un champ d'éléments disposés en forme de cylindre semi-circulaire
EP0395261A1 (fr) * 1989-04-28 1990-10-31 The Marconi Company Limited Appareil et méthode de mise en évidence de charges explosives
EP0520666A1 (fr) * 1991-06-27 1992-12-30 Hughes Aircraft Company Radar à bande ultra-large utilisant des impulsions courtes synthétisées
WO1994021980A1 (fr) * 1993-03-16 1994-09-29 Etienne Lacroix Tous Artifices S.A. Initiation de composition utilisant une generation de micro-ondes
DE19512537A1 (de) * 1994-08-24 1996-02-29 Daimler Benz Aerospace Ag Verfahren zur Suche einer Landmine und Anordnung zur Durchführung des Verfahrens
US5592170A (en) * 1995-04-11 1997-01-07 Jaycor Radar system and method for detecting and discriminating targets from a safe distance

Patent Citations (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3601054A (en) * 1969-03-17 1971-08-24 Unidynamics Phoenix Method and apparatus for electromagnetically initiating ordnance
US3845483A (en) * 1972-03-08 1974-10-29 Nippon Electric Co Antenna system
US3983560A (en) * 1974-06-06 1976-09-28 Andrew Corporation Cassegrain antenna with improved subreflector for terrestrial communication systems
DE3131332A1 (de) * 1980-08-26 1982-04-08 Nippon Oil and Fats Co., Ltd., Tokyo Zuendverfahren und zuendsystem
US4668955A (en) * 1983-11-14 1987-05-26 Ford Aerospace & Communications Corporation Plural reflector antenna with relatively moveable reflectors
EP0271778A2 (fr) * 1986-12-04 1988-06-22 International Standard Electric Corporation Antenne radar de balayage de 360 degrés composée d'un champ d'éléments disposés en forme de cylindre semi-circulaire
EP0395261A1 (fr) * 1989-04-28 1990-10-31 The Marconi Company Limited Appareil et méthode de mise en évidence de charges explosives
EP0520666A1 (fr) * 1991-06-27 1992-12-30 Hughes Aircraft Company Radar à bande ultra-large utilisant des impulsions courtes synthétisées
WO1994021980A1 (fr) * 1993-03-16 1994-09-29 Etienne Lacroix Tous Artifices S.A. Initiation de composition utilisant une generation de micro-ondes
DE19512537A1 (de) * 1994-08-24 1996-02-29 Daimler Benz Aerospace Ag Verfahren zur Suche einer Landmine und Anordnung zur Durchführung des Verfahrens
US5592170A (en) * 1995-04-11 1997-01-07 Jaycor Radar system and method for detecting and discriminating targets from a safe distance

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7987068B2 (en) 2006-03-30 2011-07-26 The Boeing Company Explosive device countermeasures
US8561515B1 (en) 2006-08-02 2013-10-22 Xtreme Ads Limited Method for neutralizing explosives and electronics
US8887611B2 (en) 2006-08-02 2014-11-18 Xtreme Ads Limited Method for neutralizing explosives and electronics
US8683907B1 (en) 2011-09-07 2014-04-01 Xtreme Ads Limited Electrical discharge system and method for neutralizing explosive devices and electronics
US9243874B1 (en) 2011-09-07 2016-01-26 Xtreme Ads Limited Electrical discharge system and method for neutralizing explosive devices and electronics
US9739573B2 (en) 2011-09-07 2017-08-22 Xtreme Ads Limited Electrical discharge system and method for neutralizing explosive devices and electronics
US10247525B2 (en) 2011-09-07 2019-04-02 Xtreme Ads Limited Electrical discharge system and method for neutralizing explosive devices and electronics
RU2667257C2 (ru) * 2016-01-11 2018-09-18 Российская Федерация, от имени которой выступает Министерство обороны Российской Федерации Способ дистанционного разминирования
RU2804752C2 (ru) * 2016-01-11 2023-10-05 Российская Федерация, от имени которой выступает Министерство обороны Российской Федерации Способ дистанционного разминирования

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB9703077D0 (en) 1997-04-02
AU6221698A (en) 1998-09-08

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