Method and arrangement for limiting the damage to a mine clearance vehicle in the event of large mine detonations

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and an arrangement to mitigate damage to a rotary cultivator type mine clearer. In the event of detonations, triggered by the mine clearance tool, the present invention acts to mitigate damage to the mine-clearing tool, the mechanical mine clearer drive function, and its suspension. Detonation forces are, in a first stage, damped by hydraulic and/or mechanical damping members which are coupled between the bearing points of the tool and the engine driving the tool and which connect those parts to form a combined unit. If the detonation force is not absorbed, then, in a second stage, the detonation force remaining after the first stage damping, is counter to some of the combined weight of a unit formed by the tool, its bearings and the engine driving the tool. In response to the detonation force remaining, after first stage damping, the damping members pivot the unit upwards about a transverse axis allowing the detonation force, remaining after the first stage damping, to be expended lifting the mine clearance tool from the detonation site. If detonation force remains, then, in a third stage, the damping members channel the detonation force remaining, after first and second stage damping, through a deformation zone between ground-working parts and the bearings supporting the mine clearance tool, absorbing the remaining detonation force in the deformation zone, without affecting the bearings.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.