WO1999049273A1

WO1999049273A1 - Mine clearing arrangement

Info

Publication number: WO1999049273A1
Application number: PCT/SE1999/000436
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mickey Behrendtz
Original assignee: Mickey Behrendtz
Priority date: 1998-03-23
Filing date: 1999-03-19
Publication date: 1999-09-30
Also published as: AU3349799A

Abstract

Mine clearing arrangement intended to be coupled together with and advanced by a vehicle or equivalent. The arrangement comprises at least one arm (4) projecting from the vehicle, at least one mine tripper (6) arranged at the outer end of the arm. The mine tripper has a body (7) interacting with the ground, and means (17) for subjecting said body to a movement which trips a mine laid in the ground. The mine tripper (6) is mounted on the arm (4) in such a manner that it can move freely over a limited distance in a vertical plane relative to the arm while it is guided in the lateral direction by the latter. During a work operation, it is in this connection possible for the entire weight of the mine tripper (6) to rest on the ground without loading the arm (4) and for the mine tripper, when a mine is tripped, to move a given distance upwards relative to the arm without the latter being taken with it.

Description

MINE CLEARING ARRANGEMENT

The present invention relates to a mine clearing arrangement intended to be coupled together with and advanced by a vehicle or equivalent, which arrangement comprises at least one arm projecting from the vehicle, at least one mine tripper arranged at the outer end of the arm, which tripper comprises a body interacting with the ground, and means for subjecting said body to a movement which trips a mine laid in the ground. There is a very great need for equipment for safe and effective clearance of land mines. Although various types of vehicle with mine trippers for clearing mines by tripping the mines found on the spot have previously been proposed, mine clearance is almost without exception carried out completely manually today. This is a very time-consuming and hazardous task.

Previously known equipment for mechanical mine clearance has used inter alia spikes or excavating teeth which push down into the ground, see for example GB-A- 2312875 and DE-A1-4230769. Use has also been made of vibrating means with or without parts pushing down into the ground, see for example GB-A-2132567 and SE-B-420536.

In order to produce equipment which can be given practical application for mechanical clearance of mines, it is necessary that the arrangement is flexible and easy to manoeuvre, so that it will be capable of working the ground irrespective of its state. Furthermore, the tripping of anti-personnel mines should in normal cases certainly not cause any damage to the equipment while, in the case of tripping anti-tank mines, any damage is to be easy to remedy by means of replacement parts.

The equipment is to be adaptable, so that, in the case of large flat areas, it allows great coverage per unit of time by virtue of the interaction of a large number of mine trippers, while, in the case of more difficult terrain, it will allow a sweeping and more selective working of the ground surface.

The abovementioned objects are achieved by means of a mine clearing arrangement of the type indicated in - 2 - the first paragraph, which, according to the present invention, is characterized in that the mine tripper is mounted on the arm in such a manner that it can move freely over a limited distance in a vertical plane relative to the arm while it is guided in the lateral direction by the latter, it being possible, during a work operation, for the entire weight of the mine tripper to rest on the ground without loading the arm and for the mine tripper, when a mine is tripped, to move a given distance upwards relative to the arm without the latter being taken with it.

By virtue of the fact that the mine tripper is freely movable relative to the arm, tripping of a mine results in only the mine tripper being thrown upwards, after which, under its own weight, it returns to its working position. Such a movement of the mine tripper will not then cause any forces on the arm, which would risk damaging the latter or its mounting.

It is preferred that the arm is mounted in an articulated manner, so that, when a powerful explosive charge is tripped, for example an anti-tank mine, the movement of the mine tripper takes the arm with it after the tripper has reached an upper limit position for its movement relative to the arm. In this way, it is possible for the mine tripper and the arm to cope with such an explosion also without serious damage. Otherwise, damaged parts can be replaced and the arm is to this end provided with a simple quick-coupling arrangement.

It is preferred that the mine tripper comprises a vibro-tamper of the type used in, for example, packing excavated material. This means that it consists of a readily available standard component which is relatively low-cost as a consequence of being produced in large series. In a particularly preferred embodiment, each mine tripper is connected to its associated arm via a guide system which allows a limited relative movement in a vertical plane between the mine tripper and the arm. In this connection, the mine tripper is suitably made with - 3 - a guide shoe which interacts with a guide located in the vertical plane. In order to guarantee tripping of those anti-personnel mines also which require on the one hand a pressure load in the vertical direction and on the other hand a shearing movement in the ground, the guide is preferably arranged in such a manner that it forms an angle with the vertical line of the order of 10-15°, preferably roughly 12°. In this way, the plate of the vibro-tamper will also, when it moves forwards, bring about the necessary shearing movement in the ground to trip such mines.

It is also preferred that at least one arm is provided with a number of mine trippers and that each mine tripper is individually movable in an associated vertical plane relative to the arm. The mine trippers on an arm are in this connection suitably located along a line which forms an angle with the direction of movement of the vehicle, so that those areas of the ground which the mine trippers are working overlap one another to a certain extent. The equipment is suitably provided with three arms, the two outer arms being provided with a number of mine trippers, which together form a plough shape, while the intermediate arm is provided with one mine tripper which forms the point of the plough shape. Further features of the invention are indicated in the patent claims.

The invention is described in greater detail below with reference to the embodiments shown simply by way of example in the appended drawings. Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic side view of a mine clearing arrangement according to the invention mounted on a conventional wheeled loader.

Fig. 2 illustrates how a vibro-tamper forming part of the mine clearing arrangement is mounted on the front end of a mounting arm.

Fig. 3 shows the mine clearing arrangement according to Fig. 1 seen from above.

Fig. 4 illustrates the quick coupling between the mine clearing arrangement and the wheeled loader. Fig. 5 illustrates the upward pivotability of the arms of the mine clearing arrangement.

Fig. 6 illustrates how a central arm can be made to perform a sweeping movement in the lateral direction. Figs 7 and 8 illustrate the telescopic action of the arm.

Fig. 9 shows an assembly with a number of mine trippers after mounting on the chassis.

Fig. 10 is a side view of a mine clearing assembly according to Fig. 9 in operation.

Fig. 11 shows the assembly according to Fig. 10 in the rest position.

Fig. 12 shows the arrangement according to Fig. 2 seen from the front. Fig. 13 is a horizontal section along the line A-

A in Fig. 12.

Fig. 14 is a vertical section along the line B-B in Fig. 13.

Figs 15 and 16 illustrate the flexibility of a mine clearing arrangement according to the invention.

Figs 17, 18 and 19 show the vibro-tamper serving as the mine tripper in three different situations.

Fig. 20 shows a mine clearing arrangement according to the invention seen from above in transport posi- tion.

Fig. 21 illustrates the inward pivoting of the plough into a transport position.

In Fig. 1, 1 designates a mine clearing arrangement according to the invention, comprising a torsionally stiff chassis part 2 which is mounted on the hydraulically driven loading arms 3 of a wheeled loader of conventional type.

Referece numeral 4 designates an arm which is connected in an articulated manner to the chassis 2 by means of a sturdy hinge joint 5. A number of mine trippers 6 are mounted at the front end of the arm 4. In this embodiment, the mine trippers consist of conventional vibro-tampers with a body 7 which interacts with the ground and, during operation, performs a hammering action - 5 - on the ground so as to trip any mines. Each mine tripper is freely movably connected to the arm 4 by means of a guide coupling comprising a guide shoe 8 and a guide 9 intended to interact with the latter. 10 designates an anti-splinter cover made of armoured glass or equivalent. The cover 10 is inclined backwards slightly so as to eliminate the risk of splinters striking the panel 10 at right angles.

Fig. 2 shows in greater detail how the mine tripper 6 in the form of a vibro-tamper is mounted on the arm 4. The vibro-tamper comprises a ground plate 7 which is driven by a shaft running in a rubber gaiter 16 from a hydraulic motor 17. The vibro-tamper, which can hammer the surface of the ground at a frequency of the order of 10-20 Hz, preferably roughly 13 Hz, is mounted via rubber bushings 18 on a guide shoe 8 which extends around and runs along a guide 9 which is shown more clearly in Figs 13 and 14. The guide 20 is mounted rigidly at the front end of the arm 4 and forms an angle with the vertical line when the arm 4 is horizontal. The angle is of the order of 10-15°, preferably roughly 12°. The force exerted by the vibro-tamper 6 on the surface of the ground can then be divided into two components, one at right angles to the surface of the ground and one parallel to the latter. This ensures tripping of those mines also which require a horizontal shearing force in the surface of the ground in addition to a vertically directed force.

On account of the guide connection 8 , 9 , the entire weight of the vibro-tamper 6 will act on the surface of the ground, and, when a mine is tripped under the ground plate 7, the tamper is lifted and moves in a vertical direction relative to the arm 4 without taking the latter with it. In this way, the risk of damage to the arm 4 is reduced. In the case of a forceful detonation, for example of an anti-tank mine, however, the vibro-tamper 6 will reach the upper end of the guide 9 , after which the arm 4 is imparted an upwardly directed pivoting movement which in this connection takes place - 6 - about a sturdy hinge joint 5, as will be described below. In normal working, the vibro-tamper 6 and the guide shoe 8 will move up and down along the guide 9 depending on the nature of the surface of the ground. In this connection, if the guide shoe 8 reaches the lower end of the guide 9, for example on account of a deep ditch, a limit position switch 19 is actuated, which initiates a lowering of the entire arm 4 by some degrees. The opposite takes place if the guide shoe 8 reaches an upper limit position switch 20.

By virtue of the fact that the mine tripper 6 can move freely in a vertical plane relative to the arm 4 while it is guided in the lateral direction by the latter, the risks of damage to the mine tripper or the arm are reduced. If, however, the mine tripper or only its ground plate 7 is damaged, this or parts thereof can easily be replaced as the mine tripper is a standard product of which stocks can be held. The free movability of the mine tripper 6 relative to the arm 4 also results in the mine tripper following the surface of the ground without any requirement for continuous height adjustments of the arm 4. This also increases the certainty that no part of the surface of the ground will be left unworked.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 3, the mine clearing arrangement 1 comprises three parallel arms 4 which are all connected in an articulated manner to the chassis 2 via sturdy hinge joints 5. The central arm 4 is also pivotable in the horizontal direction about an articulation 11, as will be described below. 12 designates an oblique bulldozer blade which conveys small stones and other objects that come up to the surface of the ground to one side or the other.

In the embodiment shown, the side arms 4 are each provided with four mine trippers 6 , and the central arm 4 is provided with one mine tripper 6. All the mine trippers are individually movable in the vertical direction relative to one another. The mine trippers are arranged along two straight lines which together form a plough shape. The ground plates 7 of the vibro-tampers used as the mine trippers will then work areas which overlap one another to a certain extent. In this way, the risk that untripped mines will be able to pass between the ground plates 7 is reduced. Fig. 4 illustrates how the chassis 2 of the mine clearing arrangement can be coupled together with the hydraulically driven working arms 3 of the wheeled loader by a conventional quick-coupling unit 13. The wheeled loader can thus be used alternately as a mine clearing vehicle and as a conventional excavating and loading vehicle as required.

Fig. 5 illustrates how the outer arms 4 with their mine trippers 6 can be pivoted up from the ground plane. This can be done in the case of narrow passages or difficult terrain, after which the central arm 4 with its mine tripper 6 can sweep over the ground in the lateral direction, see Fig. 6. In this way, different areas of ground, hollows, ditches and the like can be worked more selectively. The sweeping movement of the arm 4 can be brought about by means of hydraulic cylinders 14, 15. The area of action can be further increased by virtue of the fact that the length of the arm 4 can be adjusted telescopically . Figure 6 also illustrates how the bulldozer blade 12 can be adjusted in order to clear material to one side or the other.

Figs 7 and 8 illustrate inter alia the displace- ability of a mine tripper 6 deriving from the telescopically extendable arm 4. As can be seen from Fig. 8, use is made of an internal hydraulic cylinder 30 for the length modifications, which cylinder can be controlled from the cab of the vehicle.

Fig. 9 shows in the same manner as Fig. 8 an arm 4 with a number of mine trippers 6 coupled to the torsionally stiff chassis 2 via the hinge joint 5. Mounted at the hinge joint is a plate 27 which is acted on by a hydraulic cylinder 28. When the hydraulic cylinder 28 is actuated, the arm 4 with its mine trippers 6 will be lifted up, as illustrated by means of the positions shown in dashed lines, see also Fig. 5. In order that the — o — hydraulic cylinder 28 does not prevent the arm being thrown up rapidly in the event of detonation of, for example, an anti-tank mine, the hydraulic cylinder 28 is not fixed to the plate 27. In this way, the risks that the hydraulic cylinder and the chassis 2 will be damaged when the arm is thrown up in the event of such a detonation are reduced. 29 indicates another hydraulic cylinder which is used for setting the bulldozer blade 12 at the desired angle. Fig. 10 is a side view showing the arm 4 in Fig.

9 with its mine trippers 6 during working on uneven ground. In this connection, it can be seen that each mine tripper follows the ground level individually.

Fig. 11 shows the arm 4 with its mine trippers 6 uncoupled from the wheeled loader. This can be done in order to use the wheeled loader for another purpose or to replace or repair one or more of the mine trippers, a corresponding reserve unit having been mounted on the wheeled loader. The arm 4 is provided with a quick- coupling part 26 which makes it possible for an arm with mine trippers to be replaced easily and rapidly with another corresponding unit.

Fig. 12 shows the mine tripper in the form of a vibro-tamper seen from the front. Conventional vibro- tampers are usually driven by an internal combustion engine which has in this case been replaced with a hydraulic motor 17 which is fed from the hydraulic pump of the wheeled loader. Fig. 13 is a horizontal section along the line A-A in Fig. 12, and Fig. 14 is a section along the line B-B in Fig. 13. It can be seen from these figures that the guide shoe 8 is provided with a number of internal runners 21 which interact with the guide 9 to guide the shoe and hold it in place thereon. Figs 15 and 16 illustrate diagrammatically how the mine trippers 6 in an arrangement according to the invention adapt individually depending on the shape and nature of the surface of the ground. This is achieved by virtue of the fact that all the mine trippers 6 can be individually raised and lowered independently of one another relative to the arms 4 mounted on the vehicle.

Fig. 17 shows a mine tripper 6 which is working a low point in the terrain, for example the bottom of a ditch, while the mine tripper according to Fig. 18 is working a high point in the terrain, for example the top of a small mound. Both points can be worked with the arm

4 in the same position owing to the fact that the mine trippers are freely movable in the vertical direction relative to the arm by means of the guide coupling 8, 9.

Fig. 19 shows how, when a mine is tripped, the mine tripper 6 is thrown upwards while it is guided by the guide shoe 8 along the guide 9. When the guide shoe

8 reaches the upper end of the guide, the movement is damped by means of a damping spring 25.

If the charge detonated is very forceful, for example an anti-vehicle mine, the mine tripper 6 will be thrown up higher and take the arm 4 with it, which will then be pivoted about the sturdy hinge joint 5, see for example Fig. 5.

Fig. 20 shows how the mine trippers 6 mounted on the outer arms 4 can be pivoted in, so that they are located within the respective arm 4. This may be necessary in the case of narrow passages and is a great advantage in connection with storage and transport of the equipment .

In a corresponding manner, Fig. 21 illustrates how the plough 12 can be made in three parts, so that the outer portions 31 can be pivoted in for transport or in the case of narrow passages.

The main components in the mine clearing arrangement described above consist of fully developed and well- proven products which are available on the international market, that is to say articulated wheeled loaders and vibro-tampers . The hydraulic system of the wheeled loader has the necessary capacity to supply the hydraulic cylinders forming part of the mine clearing arrangement also.

The invention has been described above in connec- tion with the embodiments shown as examples in the appended drawings. These embodiments can, however, be varied in several respects within the scope of the patent claims. Thus, the vibro-tamper can be replaced by another suitable means and can have a pneumatic, electric or mechanical drive instead of a hydraulic drive. The central factor is that it can simulate a movement in the ground surface which corresponds to that which is necessary to trip a mine. The number of arms and mine trippers can be varied as desired and depending on the application concerned, in particular depending on the terrain that is to be searched. The mounting of the mine trippers on the arms can also be modified in various respects provided that their capacity to move freely relative to their associated arm is maintained.

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS

1. Mine clearing arrangement intended to be coupled together with and advanced by a vehicle or equivalent, which arrangement comprises at least one arm (4) projecting from the vehicle, at least one mine tripper (6) arranged at the outer end of the arm, which tripper comprises a body (7) interacting with the ground, and means (17) for subjecting said body to a movement which trips a mine laid in the ground, characterized in that the mine tripper (6) is mounted on the arm (4) in such a manner that it can move freely over a limited distance in a vertical plane relative to the arm while it is guided in the lateral direction by the latter, it being possible, during a work operation, for the entire weight of the mine tripper (6) to rest on the ground without loading the arm (4) and for the mine tripper, when a mine is tripped, to move a given distance upwards relative to the arm without the latter being taken with it.

2. Mine clearing arrangement according to Claim 1, characterized in that the arm (4) is mounted in an articulated (5) manner, so that, when a powerful explosive charge is tripped, the upward movement of the mine tripper (6) takes the arm with it after the tripper has reached an upper limit position for its movement relative to the arm (4) .

3. Mine clearing arrangement according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the mine tripper (6) comprises a vibro-tamper.

4. Mine clearing arrangement according to any one of Claims 1-3, characterized in that each mine tripper (6) is connected to its associated arm (4) via a guide system (8, 9) which allows a limited relative movement in a vertical plane between the mine tripper (6) and the arm (4).

5. Mine clearing arrangement according to Claim 4, characterized in that each mine tripper (6) is made with a guide shoe (8) which interacts with a guide (9) located in said vertical plane.

6. Mine clearing arrangement according to Claim 5, characterized in that said guide (9) forms an angle with the vertical line of the order of 10-15┬░, preferably roughly 12 ┬░ .

7. Mine clearing arrangement according to any one of Claims 1-6, characterized in that at least one arm (4) is provided with a number of mine trippers (6) , and in that each mine tripper is individually movable in an associated vertical plane relative to the arm (4) .

8. Mine clearing arrangement according to Claim 7 , characterized in that the mine trippers (6) on an arm (4) are located along a line which forms an angle with the direction of movement of the vehicle (1) , so that those areas of the ground which the mine trippers (6) are working overlap one another to a certain extent.

9. Mine clearing arrangement according to Claim 7 or 8, characterized in that it comprises three arms (4), in that the two outer arms are provided with a number of mine trippers (6) , which together form a plough shape, and in that the intermediate arm (4) is provided with one mine tripper (6) which forms the point of the plough shape .

10. Mine clearing arrangement according to Claim 9, characterized in that the side arms (4) can be lifted up so that the associated mine trippers (6) lose contact with the ground, and in that means (14, 15) are arranged so as to impart to the central arm (4) a sweeping movement to and fro in the lateral direction.

11. Mine clearing arrangement according to Claim 10, characterized in that at least the central arm (4) is made in the form of a telescopic arm, and in that means (30) are provided for adjusting the length of the arm from the cab of the vehicle.

12. Mine clearing arrangement according to any one of Claims 1-11, characterized in that each arm (4) is individually adjustable relative to the horizontal plane so as to allow adaptation to the piece of terrain concerned.