WO2013036814A4 - Electrical discharge system and method for neutralizing explosive devices and electronics - Google Patents

Electrical discharge system and method for neutralizing explosive devices and electronics Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2013036814A4
WO2013036814A4 PCT/US2012/054233 US2012054233W WO2013036814A4 WO 2013036814 A4 WO2013036814 A4 WO 2013036814A4 US 2012054233 W US2012054233 W US 2012054233W WO 2013036814 A4 WO2013036814 A4 WO 2013036814A4
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
earth
constructed
cathode emitter
emitter
cathode
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2012/054233
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
WO2013036814A3 (en
WO2013036814A2 (en
Inventor
Varce Eron HOWE
Peter V. Bitar
Rick Lee Busby
Leroy Ernest LAKEY
Original Assignee
Xtreme Ads Limited
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 Xtreme Ads Limited filed Critical Xtreme Ads Limited
Priority to EP12830330.2A priority Critical patent/EP2753893A4/en
Priority to US13/803,838 priority patent/US8683907B1/en
Publication of WO2013036814A2 publication Critical patent/WO2013036814A2/en
Publication of WO2013036814A3 publication Critical patent/WO2013036814A3/en
Publication of WO2013036814A4 publication Critical patent/WO2013036814A4/en
Priority to US14/216,294 priority patent/US9243874B1/en
Priority to US15/006,479 priority patent/US9739573B2/en
Priority to US15/679,308 priority patent/US10247525B2/en

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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
    • F41H13/00—Means of attack or defence not otherwise provided for
    • F41H13/0012—Electrical discharge weapons, e.g. for stunning
    • F41H13/0018—Electrical discharge weapons, e.g. for stunning for nearby electrical discharge, i.e. the electrodes being positioned on the device and the device brought manually or otherwise into contact with a nearby target
    • 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
    • F41H11/13—Systems specially adapted for detection of landmines
    • F41H11/136—Magnetic, electromagnetic, acoustic or radiation systems, e.g. ground penetrating radars or metal-detectors
    • 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
    • F41H11/16—Self-propelled mine-clearing vehicles; Mine-clearing devices attachable to vehicles
    • F41H11/32—Decoy or sacrificial vehicles; Decoy or sacrificial devices attachable to vehicles
    • 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
    • F41H7/00—Armoured or armed vehicles
    • F41H7/005—Unmanned ground vehicles, i.e. robotic, remote controlled or autonomous, mobile platforms carrying equipment for performing a military or police role, e.g. weapon systems or reconnaissance sensors
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F42—AMMUNITION; BLASTING
    • F42D—BLASTING
    • F42D5/00—Safety arrangements
    • F42D5/04—Rendering explosive charges harmless, e.g. destroying ammunition; Rendering detonation of explosive charges harmless

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Radar, Positioning & Navigation (AREA)
  • Remote Sensing (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • Generation Of Surge Voltage And Current (AREA)
  • Investigating, Analyzing Materials By Fluorescence Or Luminescence (AREA)
  • Particle Accelerators (AREA)

Abstract

Disclosed are a system and method for discharging electrical potential into the earth to disable or destroy electronics and/or explosive devices. The disclosed system includes an electrical power supply providing a pulsed electrical potential exceeding 30,000 volts with at least 30 Joules of energy in each pulse. The system includes a cathode emitter configured to be moved along the earth in close proximity to the earth. The electrical potential is discharged into the earth through the cathode emitter.

Claims

AMENDED CLAIMS -eceived by the International Bureau on 08 May 2013 /nn nc 2013/036814 PCT/US2012/054233 67 We claim:
1 . An apparatus comprising:
an electrical power supply providing a pulsed electrical potential above 30,000 volts with at least 30 Joules of energy per pulse; and
a cathode emitter constructed and arranged to be moved along the earth in close proximity to the earth, wherein the cathode emitter is electrically coupled to the electrical power supply and wherein the cathode emitter is constructed and arranged to discharge the pulsed electrical potential into the earth.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the electrical power supply further comprises:
an electrical power source; and
a pulsed voltage converter constructed and arranged to increase the electrical potential from the electrical power source above 30,000 volts.
3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the electrical power source further comprises a battery.
4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the electrical power source further comprises a generator.
5. The apparatus of any one of claims 2-4, wherein the pulsed voltage converter further comprises a switched-mode power supply.
6. The apparatus of any one of claims 2-5, wherein the pulsed voltage converter further comprises a Marx generator. 68
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7. The apparatus of any one of claims 2-6, wherein the pulsed voltage converter further comprises a capacitor.
8. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 -7, wherein the electrical power supply generates non-resonant pulsed power.
9. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 -8, wherein the electrical potential provided by the electrical power supply is above 100,000 volts.
10. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 -8, wherein the electrical potential provided by the electrical power supply is between
approximately 100,000 volts and approximately 400,000 volts.
1 1 . The apparatus of any one of claims 1 -10, further comprising a trigger constructed and arranged to discharge the electrical power supply as a pulse.
12. The apparatus of claim 1 1 , where a duration of the pulse does not exceed 100 microseconds.
13. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 -12, wherein the electrical power supply is constructed and arranged to discharge between
approximately 30 Joules and approximately 250 Joules of energy in a single pulse.
14. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 -13, wherein the cathode emitter has a cathode emitter surface at least 0.3 meters in length.
15. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 -14, wherein the cathode emitter is constructed and arranged to be moved along the earth
substantially within 8 cm of the earth. 69
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16. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 -14, wherein the cathode emitter is constructed and arranged to be dragged along the earth in direct contact with the earth.
17. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 -17, further comprising a dielectric material positioned between the cathode electrode and the earth.
18. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 -17, further comprising a vehicle constructed and arranged to move the cathode emitter along the earth.
19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the vehicle includes a direction of straight travel, wherein the cathode emitter has a cathode emitter surface at least 0.3 meters in length oriented substantially parallel to the direction of straight travel.
20. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 -19, further comprising an anode emitter.
21 . The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the anode and cathode emitters are constructed and arranged substantially parallel and
substantially beside one another when they are moved along the earth.
22. The apparatus of claim 21 , wherein the anode and cathode emitters are spaced apart between approximately 0.5 meters to
approximately 1 .5 meters. 70
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23. The apparatus of claim 21 , wherein the anode and cathode emitters are spaced apart between approximately 0.6 meters to
approximately 1 .2 meters.
24. The apparatus of any one of claims 21 -23, wherein the anode emitter is constructed and arranged to be moved along the earth in close proximity to the earth.
25. The apparatus of any one of claims 21 -23, wherein the anode emitter is constructed and arranged to be moved along the earth while suspended above and spaced away from the earth.
26. The apparatus of any one of claims 24 or 25, further comprising a dielectric material positioned between the anode electrode and the earth.
27. The apparatus of any one of claims 20-23, wherein the anode emitter is constructed and arranged to be dragged along the earth in direct contact with the earth.
28. The apparatus of any one of claims 20-27, wherein the anode emitter has a anode emitter surface at least 0.3 meters in length.
29. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 -28, further comprising a load resister electrically coupled between the cathode emitter and a relative ground, wherein the load resister has a load resister resistance greater than an earth resistance between the cathode emitter and the earth when there is a conductive material in the earth located proximate to the cathode emitter and within 8 cm of a surface of the earth.
30. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 -29, further comprising a detector constructed and arranged to detect an electrical discharge from the electrical power supply.
31 . The apparatus of claim 30, wherein the electrical power supply further comprises a spark gap and the detector further comprises a luminance meter constructed and arranged to detect a luminance of spark discharges across the spark gap.
32. The apparatus of claim 31 , further comprising a fiber optic cable constructed and arranged to transmit light emitted from spark discharges across the spark gap to the luminance meter.
33. A system comprising:
an electrical power supply constructed and arranged to provide a pulsed electrical potential above 30,000 volts with at least 30 Joules of energy per pulse;
a cathode emitter constructed and arranged to be moved along the earth in close proximity to the earth, wherein the cathode emitter is electrically coupled to the electrical power supply and wherein the cathode emitter is constructed and arranged to discharge the pulsed electrical potential into the earth;
an anode emitter; and
a vehicle constructed and arranged to move the cathode emitter and the anode emitter along the earth.
34. The system of claim 33, wherein the electrical power supply further comprises:
an electrical power source; and
a pulsed voltage converter constructed and arranged to increase the electrical potential above 30,000 volts.
35. The system of claim 34, wherein the electrical power source further comprises a battery.
36. The system of claim 34, wherein the electrical power source further comprises a generator.
37. The system of any one of claims 34-36, wherein the pulsed voltage converter further comprises a switched-mode power supply.
38. The system of any one of claims 34-36, wherein the pulsed voltage converter further comprises a Marx generator.
39. The system of any one of claims 34-38, wherein the pulsed voltage converter further comprises a capacitor.
40. The system of any one of claims 33-39, wherein the electrical power supply generates non-resonant pulsed power.
41 . The system of any one of claims 33-40, wherein the electrical potential provided by the electrical power supply is above 100,000 volts.
42. The system of any one of claims 33-40, wherein the electrical potential provided by the electrical power supply is between
approximately 100,000 volts and approximately 400,000 volts.
43. The system of any one of claims 33-42, further comprising a trigger constructed and arranged to discharge the electrical power supply as a pulse. 73
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44. The system of claim 43, where a duration of the pulse does not exceed 100 microseconds.
45. The system of any one of claims 33-44, wherein the electrical power supply is constructed and arranged to discharge between
approximately 30 Joules and approximately 250 Joules of energy in a single pulse.
46. The system of any one of claims 33-45, wherein the cathode emitter has a cathode emitter surface at least 0.3 meters in length.
47. The system of any one of claims 33-46, wherein the cathode emitter is constructed and arranged to be moved along the earth
substantially within 8 cm of the earth.
48. The system of any one of claims 33-46, wherein the cathode emitter is constructed and arranged to be dragged along the earth in direct contact with the earth.
49. The system of any one of claims 33-48, further comprising a dielectric material positioned between the cathode electrode and the earth.
50. The system of any one of claims 33-48, wherein the vehicle includes a direction of straight travel, wherein the cathode emitter has a cathode emitter surface at least 0.3 meters in length oriented parallel to the direction of straight travel.
51 . The system of any one of claims 33-50, further comprising an anode emitter. 74
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52. The system of claim 51 , wherein the anode and cathode emitters are constructed and arranged substantially parallel and beside one another when they are moved along the earth.
53. The system of claim 52, wherein the anode and cathode emitters are spaced apart between approximately 0.5 meters to approximately 1 .5 meters.
54. The system of claim 52, wherein the anode and cathode emitters are spaced apart between approximately 0.6 meters to approximately 1 .2 meters.
55. The system of any one of claims 51 -54, wherein the anode emitter is constructed and arranged to be moved along the earth in close
proximity to the earth.
56. The system of any one of claims 51 -54, wherein the anode emitter is constructed and arranged to be moved along the earth while
suspended above and spaced away from the earth.
57. The system of any one of claims 55 or 56, further comprising a dielectric material positioned between the anode electrode and the earth.
58. The system of any one of claims 51 -54, wherein the anode emitter is constructed and arranged to be dragged along the earth in direct contact with the earth.
59. The system of any one of claims 51 -58, wherein the anode emitter has a anode emitter surface at least 0.3 meters in length. 75
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60. The system of any one of claims 33-59, further comprising a load resister electrically coupled between the cathode emitter and a relative ground, wherein the load resister has a load resister impedance greater than an earth impedance between the cathode emitter and the earth when there is a conductive material in the earth located proximate to the cathode emitter and within 8 cm of a surface of the earth.
61 . The system of claim 60, wherein the impedance of the load resister is between approximately 10,000 Ohms and approximately 50,000 Ohms.
62. The system of claim 60, wherein the impedance of the load resister is equal to approximately 10,000 Ohms.
63. The system of claim 60, wherein the impedance of the load resister is equal to approximately 16,700 Ohms.
64. The system of any one of claims 60-63, wherein the load resister is constructed and arranged to dissipate a substantial portion of the energy discharged when there is a comparatively high impedance discharge path from the cathode emitter.
65. The system of any one of claims 33-64, further comprising a detector constructed and arranged to detect an electrical discharge from the electrical power supply.
66. The system of claim 65, wherein the electrical power supply further comprises a spark gap and the detector further comprises a luminance meter constructed and arranged to detect a luminance of spark
discharges across the spark gap. 76
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67. The system of claim 66, further comprising a fiber optic cable constructed and arranged to transmit light emitted from spark discharges across the spark gap to the luminance meter.
68. A pulsed power system for locating explosive devices, the pulsed power system comprising:
an electrical power source providing an electrical potential;
a switched-mode power supply constructed and arranged to increase the electrical potential;
a Marx generator constructed and arranged to further increase the electrical potential above 30,000 volts and to release the electrical potential as a pulsed discharge with at least 30 Joules of energy per pulse;
a cathode emitter electrically coupled to the Marx generator; and a vehicle constructed and arranged to carry and move the cathode emitter along the earth in close proximity to the earth.
69. The pulsed power system of claim 68, wherein the electrical power source further comprises a battery.
70. The pulsed power system of claim 68, wherein the electrical power source further comprises a generator.
71 . The pulsed power system of any one of claims 68-70, wherein the Marx generator is constructed and arranged to increase the electrical potential above 100,000 volts.
72. The pulsed power system of any one of claims 68-70, wherein the Marx generator is constructed and arranged to increase the electrical potential above 200,000 volts. 77
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73. The pulsed power system of any one of claims 68-72, wherein the Marx generator is constructed and arranged to release at least 50 Joules of energy in each pulse.
74. The pulsed power system of any one of claims 68-72, wherein the Marx generator is constructed and arranged to release at least 75 Joules of energy in each pulse.
75. The pulsed power system of any one of claims 68-74, further comprising a trigger constructed and arranged to discharge the Marx generator.
76. The pulsed power system of any one of claims 68-75, where a duration of the pulsed discharge does not exceed 100 microseconds.
77. The pulsed power system of any one of claims 68-76, wherein the cathode emitter has a cathode emitter surface at least 0.3 meters in length.
78. The pulsed power system of any one of claims 68-77, wherein the vehicle is constructed and arranged to carry and move the cathode emitter moved along the earth substantially within 8 cm of the earth.
79. The pulsed power system of any one of claims 68-77, wherein the vehicle is constructed and arranged to carry and move the cathode emitter moved along the earth in direct contact with the earth.
80. The pulsed power system of any one of claims 68-79, further comprising a dielectric material positioned between the cathode electrode and the earth. 78
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81 . The pulsed power system of any one of claims 68-80, wherein the vehicle includes a direction of straight travel, wherein the cathode emitter has a cathode emitter surface at least 0.3 meters in length oriented substantially parallel to the direction of straight travel.
82. The pulsed power system of any one of claims 68-81 , further comprising an anode emitter.
83. The pulsed power system of claim 82, wherein the anode and cathode emitters are constructed and arranged substantially parallel and substantially beside one another when they are moved along the earth.
84. The pulsed power system of claim 83, wherein the anode and cathode emitters are spaced apart between approximately 0.5 meters to approximately 1 .5 meters.
85. The pulsed power system of claim 83, wherein the anode and cathode emitters are spaced apart between approximately 0.6 meters to approximately 1 .2 meters.
86. The pulsed power system of any one of claims 82-85, wherein the anode emitter is constructed and arranged to be moved along the earth in close proximity to the earth.
87. The pulsed power system of any one of claims 82-85, wherein the anode emitter is constructed and arranged to be moved along the earth while suspended above and spaced away from the earth.
88. The pulsed power system of any one of claims 82-85, wherein the anode emitter is constructed and arranged to be dragged along the earth in direct contact with the earth. 79
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89. The pulsed power system of any one of claims 82-88, further comprising a dielectric material positioned between the anode electrode and the earth.
90. The pulsed power system of any one of claims 82-89, wherein the anode emitter has a anode emitter surface at least 0.3 meters in length.
91 . The pulsed power system of any one of claims 68-90, further comprising a load resister electrically coupled between the cathode emitter and a relative ground, wherein the load resister has a load resister resistance greater than an earth resistance between the cathode emitter and the earth when there is a conductive material in the earth located proximate to the cathode emitter and within 8 cm of a surface of the earth.
92. The pulsed power system of any one of claims 68-91 further comprising a detector constructed and arranged to detect an electrical discharge from the Marx generator.
93. The pulsed power system of claim 92, wherein the Marx generator further comprises a spark gap and the detector further comprises a luminance meter constructed and arranged to detect a luminance of spark discharges across the spark gap.
94. The pulsed power system of claim 93, further comprising a fiber optic cable constructed and arranged to transmit light emitted from spark discharges across the spark gap to the luminance meter.
95. An electric circuit comprising:
an electric power source providing an electrical potential;
a relative electric ground; 80
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a Marx generator electrically coupled to the electrical power source, the Marx generator having an output;
a cathode emitter electrically coupled to the output of the Marx generator, wherein the cathode emitter is constructed and arranged to discharge electrical potential into the earth; and
a load resister electrically coupled between the output of the Marx generator and the relative electric ground, wherein the load resister has a load resister impedance greater than an earth impedance between the cathode emitter and the earth when there is a conductive material in the earth located proximate to the cathode emitter and within 8 cm of a surface of the earth.
96. The electric circuit of claim 95, wherein the Marx generator is constructed and arranged to generate a pulsed discharge with at least 30,000 volts and at least 30 Joules of energy in each pulse.
97. The electric circuit of any one of claims 95 or 96, further comprising a switched-mode power supply electrically coupled between the electric power source and the Marx generator.
98. The electric circuit of any one of claims 95-97, wherein the
impedance of the load resister is between approximately 10,000 Ohms and approximately 50,000 Ohms.
99. The electric circuit of any one of claims 95-97, wherein the
impedance of the load resister is equal to approximately 10,000 Ohms.
100. The electric circuit of any one of claims 95-97, wherein the
impedance of the load resister is equal to approximately 16,700 Ohms. 81
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101 . The electric circuit of any one of claims 95-97, wherein the load resister is constructed and arranged to dissipate a substantial portion of the energy discharged when there is a comparatively high impedance discharge path from the cathode emitter.
102. The electric circuit of any one of claims 95-101 , further comprising a detector constructed and arranged to detect an electrical discharge from the Marx generator.
103. The electric circuit of claim 102, wherein the Marx generator further comprises a spark gap and the detector further comprises a luminance meter constructed and arranged to detect a luminance of spark
discharges across the spark gap.
104. The electric circuit of claim 103, further comprising a fiber optic cable constructed and arranged to transmit light emitted from spark discharges across the spark gap to the luminance meter.
105. The electric circuit of any one of claims 95-104, wherein the electrical circuit is constructed and arranged to substantially completely discharge the Marx generator within 100 microseconds.
106. The electric circuit of any one of claims 95-105, wherein the Marx generator is constructed and arranged to generate a pulsed discharge with an electrical potential of at least 30,000 volts.
107. The electric circuit of any one of claims 95-105, wherein the Marx generator is constructed and arranged to generate a pulsed discharge with an electrical potential of at least 100,000 volts. 82
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108. The electric circuit of any one of claims 95-105, wherein the Marx generator is constructed and arranged to generate a pulsed discharge with an electrical potential of at least 200,000 volts.
109. The electric circuit of any one of claims 106-108, wherein the Marx generator is constructed and arranged to generate a pulsed discharge with at least 30 Joules of energy in each pulse.
1 10. The electric circuit of any one of claims 106-108, wherein the Marx generator is constructed and arranged to generate a pulsed discharge with at least 50 Joules of energy in each pulse.
1 1 1 . The electric circuit of any one of claims 106-108, wherein the Marx generator is constructed and arranged to generate a pulsed discharge with at least 75 Joules of energy in each pulse.
1 12. The electric circuit of any one of claims 106-108, wherein the Marx generator is constructed and arranged to generate a pulsed discharge with at least 100 Joules of energy in each pulse.
1 13. A method of neutralizing an explosive device, the method
comprising:
positioning a cathode emitter surface in close proximity to the earth; and
discharging an electrical potential above 30,000 volts into the earth through the cathode emitter surface as an electrical pulse, wherein the electrical pulse includes at least 30 Joules of energy and wherein the electrical potential is conducted through the earth to the explosive device. 83
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1 14. The method of claim 1 13, further comprising moving the cathode emitter surface along the earth while keeping the cathode emitter surface in close proximity to the earth.
1 15. The method of any one of claims 1 13 or 1 14, further comprising charging a Marx generator and triggering a discharge of the Marx
generator to discharge the electrical potential.
1 16. The method of any one of claims 1 13-1 15, further comprising moving a vehicle carrying the cathode emitter surface in a direction of straight travel.
1 17. The method of claim 1 16, wherein the cathode emitter surface is at least 0.3 meters in length in the direction of straight travel.
1 18. The method of any one of claims 1 13-1 17, further comprising substantially completely discharging the electrical pulse within 100 microseconds.
1 19. The method of any one of claims 1 13-1 18, further comprising discharging an electrical potential above 100,000 volts into the earth through the cathode emitter surface as the electrical pulse.
120. The method of any one of claims 1 13-1 18, further comprising discharging an electrical potential above 200,000 volts into the earth through the cathode emitter surface as the electrical pulse.
121 . The method of any one of claims 1 13-120, wherein the electrical pulse includes at least 50 Joules of energy. 84
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122. The method of any one of claims 1 13-120, wherein the electrical pulse includes at least 75 Joules of energy.
123. The method of any one of claims 1 13-120, wherein the electrical pulse includes between 30 Joules of energy and 250 Joules of energy.
124. The method of any one of claims 1 13-123, further comprising positioning the cathode emitter surface within 8 cm of the earth.
125. The method of any one of claims 1 13-123, further comprising positioning the cathode emitter surface in direct contact with the earth.
126. The method of claim 124, further comprising flexing the cathode emitter surface to maximize the contact between the cathode emitter surface and the earth.
127. The method of any one of claims 1 13-126, further comprising positioning a dielectric material between the cathode emitter surface and the earth.
128. The method of any one of claims 1 13-127, further comprising positioning an anode emitter surface spaced apart from and substantially parallel to the cathode emitter surface.
129. The method of claim 128, further comprising spacing the anode emitter surface between approximately 0.5 meters to approximately 1 .5 meters from the cathode emitter surface.
130. The method of any one of claims 1 13-129, wherein the cathode emitter has a cathode emitter surface at least 0.5 meters in length. 85
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131 . The method of any one of claims 1 13-130, further comprising detecting the discharge of the electrical potential.
132. The method of claim 131 , further comprising:
detecting a luminance of a spark discharge across a spark gap; comparing the detected spark discharge luminance to a standard; and
activating an indicator when the detected spark discharge
luminance exceeds the standard.
133. The method of claim 132, further comprising transmitting light emitted from the spark discharge across the spark gap to a luminance meter with a fiber optic cable.
134. The method of any one of claims 132-133, further comprising marking the earth when the detected spark discharge luminance exceeds the standard.
135. The method of any one of claims 1 13-134, further comprising positioning the cathode emitter surface within 3 cm of the earth.
136. A system comprising:
an electrical power supply constructed and arranged to provide a pulsed electrical potential above 30,000 volts with at least 30 Joules of energy per pulse;
a cathode emitter constructed and arranged to be moved along the earth in close proximity to the earth, wherein the cathode emitter is electrically coupled to the electrical power supply and wherein the cathode emitter is constructed and arranged to discharge the pulsed electrical potential into the earth;
an anode emitter; and 86
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a vehicle constructed and arranged to move the cathode emitter and the anode emitter along the earth.
137. The system of claim 136, wherein the electrical power supply generates non-resonant pulsed power.
138. The system of any one of claims 136-137, wherein the electrical potential provided by the electrical power supply is above 100,000 volts.
139. The system of any one of claims 136-138, wherein the electrical potential provided by the electrical power supply is between
approximately 100,000 volts and approximately 400,000 volts.
140. The system of any one of claims 136-139, further comprising a trigger constructed and arranged to discharge the electrical power supply as a pulse.
141 . The system of claim 140, where a duration of the pulse does not exceed 100 microseconds.
142. The system of any one of claims 136-141 , wherein the electrical power supply is constructed and arranged to discharge between
approximately 30 Joules and approximately 250 Joules of energy in a single pulse.
143. The system of any one of claims 136-142, wherein the cathode emitter has a cathode emitter surface at least 0.3 meters in length.
144. The system of any one of claims 136-143, wherein the cathode emitter is constructed and arranged to be moved along the earth
substantially within 8 cm of the earth. 87
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145. The system of any one of claims 136-144, wherein the cathode emitter is constructed and arranged to be dragged along the earth in direct contact with the earth.
146. The system of any one of claims 136-145, wherein the anode and cathode emitters are constructed and arranged substantially parallel and beside one another when they are moved along the earth.
147. The system of any one of claims 136-146, wherein the anode and cathode emitters are spaced apart between approximately 0.5 meters to approximately 1 .5 meters.
148. The system of any one of claims 136-147, wherein the anode and cathode emitters are spaced apart between approximately 0.6 meters to approximately 1 .2 meters.
149. The system of any one of claims 136-148, wherein the anode emitter is constructed and arranged to be moved along the earth in close proximity to the earth.
150. The system of any one of claims 136-149, wherein the anode emitter is constructed and arranged to be dragged along the earth in direct contact with the earth.
151 . The system of any one of claims 136-150, further comprising a detector constructed and arranged to detect an electrical discharge from the electrical power supply.
152. The system of claim 151 , wherein the electrical power supply further comprises a spark gap and the detector further comprises a 88
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luminance meter constructed and arranged to detect a luminance of spark discharges across the spark gap.
153. The system of claim 152, further comprising a fiber optic cable constructed and arranged to transmit light emitted from spark discharges across the spark gap to the luminance meter.
154. The system of any one of claims 136-153, further comprising a unidirectional antenna and a first RF receiver constructed and arranged to detect electromagnetic emissions.
155. The system of claim 154, wherein the unidirectional antenna is oriented toward the cathode emitter.
156. The system of claim 154, wherein the unidirectional antenna is oriented away from the cathode emitter.
157. The system of any one of claims 136-156, further comprising a omnidirectional antenna and a second RF receiver constructed and arranged to detect electromagnetic emissions.
158. The system of any one of claims 136-157, further comprising a voltage meter constructed and arranged to detect the voltage of the cathode emitter.
159. The system of any one of claims 136-158, further comprising a voltage meter constructed and arranged to detect the voltage of the anode emitter. 89
2013/036814 PCT/US2012/054233
160. The system of any one of claims 136-159, further comprising a current sensor constructed and arranged to detect the current between the electrical power supply and the cathode emitter.
161 . The system of any one of claims 151 -160, further comprising a user interface constructed and arranged to provide the user information obtained from one of a group consisting of the detector, the first RF receiver, the second RF receiver, the voltage meter and the current sensor.
PCT/US2012/054233 2011-09-07 2012-09-07 Electrical discharge system and method for neutralizing explosive devices and electronics WO2013036814A2 (en)

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EP12830330.2A EP2753893A4 (en) 2011-09-07 2012-09-07 Electrical discharge system and method for neutralizing explosive devices and electronics
US13/803,838 US8683907B1 (en) 2011-09-07 2013-03-14 Electrical discharge system and method for neutralizing explosive devices and electronics
US14/216,294 US9243874B1 (en) 2011-09-07 2014-03-17 Electrical discharge system and method for neutralizing explosive devices and electronics
US15/006,479 US9739573B2 (en) 2011-09-07 2016-01-26 Electrical discharge system and method for neutralizing explosive devices and electronics
US15/679,308 US10247525B2 (en) 2011-09-07 2017-08-17 Electrical discharge system and method for neutralizing explosive devices and electronics

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

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US201161531703P 2011-09-07 2011-09-07
US61/531,703 2011-09-07
US201261693035P 2012-08-24 2012-08-24
US61/693,035 2012-08-24

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US5007346A (en) * 1967-10-11 1991-04-16 United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy Device for detecting and/or sweeping electrically controlled mines
US6799499B2 (en) * 2002-04-30 2004-10-05 Her Majesty The Queen In Right Of Canada, As Represented By The Minister Of National Defence Landmine neutralizer using a high power microwave device
US7987760B1 (en) * 2005-05-03 2011-08-02 Applied Energetics, Inc Systems and methods for igniting explosives
US7296503B1 (en) * 2006-01-23 2007-11-20 Mcgrath Alan Thomas Method and apparatus for neutralizing improvised explosive devices and landmines and mobile unit for performing the method
US7775146B1 (en) * 2006-08-02 2010-08-17 Xtreme Ads Limited System and method for neutralizing explosives and electronics
US8004816B1 (en) * 2007-04-16 2011-08-23 Applied Energetics, Inc Disabling a target using electrical energy

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EP2753893A2 (en) 2014-07-16
WO2013036814A2 (en) 2013-03-14
EP2753893A4 (en) 2015-04-01

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