US 6,802,237 B1 · System and method for neutralization of mines using robotics and penetrating rods

Abstract

A system and method to autonomously neutralize mines has a tracked crawler vehicle having a sealed housing, power source, and motor driven track assemblies on opposite sides of the housing. A control/communications module in the housing has a GPS processing receiver section connected to a GPS antenna that extends upwardly to receive GPS signals and generate first control signals. A gun mechanism in the housing is connected to control/communications module and has a breech assembly connected to a gun barrel extending and aiming downwardly through a bottom side of the housing toward a surface beneath the housing. Penetrating rods in the gun mechanism are fired through the gun barrel penetrating the surface and a mine. The mine is neutralized by flooding the mine with ambient water or otherwise disrupting the firing or explosive train including detonators, detonating cord, and/or the electrical continuity of components the mine.

Claims23

Dependent claims

A system for autonomous neutralization of mines comprising:

a tracked crawler vehicle having a sealed housing, power source, and motor driven track assemblies on opposite sides of said housing;
a control/communications module in said housing having a GPS processing receiver section connected to a GPS antenna extending upwardly to receive GPS signals and generate first control signals;
an acoustic transducer generating signals representative of acoustic location of a mine;
a gun mechanism in said housing being connected to said control/communications module, said gun mechanism having a gun barrel extending and aiming downwardly through a bottom side of said housing toward a surface beneath said housing;
and
penetrating rods in said gun mechanism to be fired through said gun barrel for penetrating said surface and a mine.

3 more elements

A method of autonomously neutralizing mines comprising the steps of:

generating first control signals from GPS signals on a GPS antenna coupled to a GPS processing receiver section of a control/communications module in a tracked crawler vehicle having a sealed housing, power source, and motors driving track assemblies on opposite sides of said housing;
generating second control signals in a computer of said control/communications module, said second control signals being generated from acoustic signals received at an acoustic transducer on said tracked crawler vehicle;
connecting responsive amounts of power from said power source to said motors with a motor control unit connected to receive said first and second control signals from said control/communications module;
and
steering and propelling said tracked crawler vehicle by said first control signals from said control/communications module;
locating a mine beneath a topographical surface with acoustic signals penetrating beneath said surface;
maneuvering said tracked crawler vehicle to aim a gun barrel of a gun mechanism extending through a bottom side of said housing toward said surface and said mine;
firing at least one penetrating rod from said gun mechanism through said gun barrel;
penetrating said surface and said mine with said penetrating rod;
and
neutralizing said mine.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

System and method for neutralization of mines using robotics and penetrating rods

Life of this patent

System and method for neutralization of mines using robotics and penetrating rods

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims23