Exterior Vehicle-Attached Device Removal
AssigneeBattelle Memorial Institute
InventorKatherine M. Palmer
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Various methods and devices have been invented to remove IEDs and tracking devices from substrates such as the body of vehicles. For example, highly localized heat can be used to denature strong magnets or weaken applied adhesives.
Claims7
A method of removing an IED from a substrate such as a body of a vehicle, wherein the IED is bonded to the substrate by at least one rare earth ferromagnet, comprising:
- applying heat from a spot heater to the at least one rare earth ferromagnet;
- and
- wherein the heat from the spot heater is sufficient to cause the magnetic strength of the at least one rare earth ferromagnet is reduced by at least 20% or at least 30% or at least 50% or at least 70%.
A method of removing an IED from a substrate such as a body of a vehicle, comprising:
- applying heat from a spot heater to an adhesive bond between the IED and the substrate;
- wherein the bond is created, at least in part, by an adhesive layer between the IED and the substrate;
- and
- wherein the heat reduces the viscosity of the adhesive and/or decreases adhesion of the adhesive to weaken the adhesive bond between the IED and the substrate.
A device for removing an IED from a substrate such as a body of a vehicle, wherein the IED is bonded to the substrate by at least one rare earth ferromagnet or by an adhesive, comprising:
- an arm having a length of at least 1 cm, or at least 5 cm, or at least 10 cm, or at least 1 m;
- a spot heater disposed at a distal end of the arm;
- the spot heater comprising a sheet of a thin layer resistive heating material, preferably a network layer of CNTs;
- wherein the sheet has mutually perpendicular dimensions of thickness, width, and length;
- wherein the sheet at the distal end of the arm has a thickness of 1 cm or less, preferably 5 mm or less, or 3 mm or less;
- wherein the spot heater comprises a first lead at one end of the thin layer resistive heating material, preferably a CNT layer, and a second lead at another end of the thin layer resistive heating material, and a length of the thin layer resistive heating material, between the first and second leads;
- wherein the first and second leads are attached to opposite terminals of an electrical source such as a battery;
- wherein the thin layer resistive heating material has a cross-sectional area along its length defined by thickness times width;
- and
- wherein the thin layer resistive heating material has a reduced cross-sectional area able to create a hot spot between the first and second leads.
The device of claim 7 wherein the ChemEngine is adapted to propel a fluid in a gap between the IED and the substrate.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.