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US 11,840,339 B2Granted
Method, device, and system for avalanche control
Assignee612431 B.C. Ltd.
InventorsAdam Sly, David Sly
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method, a device, and a system using the device, for avalanche control using an unmanned aerial vehicle to transport an explosive charge to a snow surface or snowpack. A holder of the device holds the explosive charge in a container. A receiver of the device receives a release signal. The holder releases the explosive charge in response to the release signal. A coupler couples the holder to the unmanned aerial vehicle. The explosive charge is fuzed to detonate after release from the holder to trigger an avalanche.
Claims16
A device for avalanche control, comprising:
- a receiver configured to receive a release signal;
- a holder configured to hold an explosive charge and coupled to the receiver to release the explosive charge in response to the receiver receiving the release signal;
- and
- a coupler coupled to the holder and configured to attach the holder to an unmanned aerial vehicle to transport the explosive charge to above a snow surface using the unmanned aerial vehicle,
- a non-electric fuze assembly coupled to the explosive charge, the fuze assembly comprising a pyrotechnic pull wire ignitor coupled to a fuze, the pyrotechnic pull wire ignitor being connected by a line to the holder, the pull wire ignitor ignites the fuze as the explosive charge falls away from the holder, the ignited fuze being operable for the delayed detonation of the explosive charge to trigger an avalanche.
2 more elements
A system for avalanche control of a snowpack, comprising:
- an unmanned aerial vehicle configured to navigate to the snowpack;
- a holder attached to the unmanned aerial vehicle, the holder including a door at least partially defining a holding volume, the door being actuatable to move from a closed position to an open position;
- a container disposed in the holding volume and containing an explosive charge, the container being supported by the door in the closed position and being releasable away from the unmanned aerial vehicle above the snowpack by actuation of the door to the open position when the unmanned aerial vehicle is above the snowpack;
- and
- a non-electric fuze assembly coupled to the explosive charge, the fuze assembly comprising a pyrotechnic pull wire ignitor coupled to a fuze, the pyrotechnic pull wire ignitor being connected by a line to the holder, the pull wire ignitor ignites the fuze as the explosive charge falls away from the holder, the ignited fuze being operable for the delayed detonation of the explosive charge
- to trigger an avalanche of the snowpack.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.