# US 8,539,847 B1 · Automated fragment collection apparatus

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- Number: US 8,539,847 B1
- Document ID: US8539847B1
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B1
- Application number: 12/632,704
- Filed: 2009-12-07
- Granted: 2013-09-24
- Earliest claimed: 2009-12-07
- Assignees: Franklin Engineering Group, Inc.
- Applicants: Charles N. Sturdivant
- Inventors: Charles N. Sturdivant
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8539847B1

## CPC

- F42B 35/00: Testing or checking of ammunition {(apparatus for measuring the energy of projectiles G01L5/14)}
- F42B: EXPLOSIVE CHARGES, e.g. FOR BLASTING, FIREWORKS, AMMUNITION (explosive compositions C06B; fuzes F42C; blasting F42D)

## Abstract

An apparatus for collecting fragments from a substrate subjected to an exploded munition, including a predetection element for removing large fragments from a sheet of the substrate; a detection and removal element for locating fragments embedded within the sheet and for removing located fragments from the sheet; and a capture element for capturing removed fragments.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An apparatus for collecting fragments from a substrate subjected to an exploded munition, comprising:
a predetection element including a table and a projector for removing large fragments from a sheet of the substrate;
a detection and removal element for locating fragments embedded within the sheet and for removing located fragments from the sheet; and
a capture element for capturing removed fragments.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the projector projects a grid and the table further comprises indices corresponding to the grid.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the detection and removal element comprises a detection component with at least one metal detection head.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the detection component comprises at least two metal detection heads.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the detection and removal element comprises a removal component with at least one punching head.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the detection and removal element further comprises a hardened material opposite the at least one punching head.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the detection and removal element comprises a detection component with at least one metal detection head and a removal component with at least one punching head.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The apparatus of claim 7 further comprising a control unit for coordinated the movement of the punching head for removing a located fragment.

### Claim 9 (depends on 7)

The apparatus of claim 7 further comprising a drive for advancing the sheet through the detection component and the removal component.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the detection and removal element further comprising a printer for outputting the location of located fragments.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the capture element comprises a cross conveyer and a collection conveyor.

### Claim 12

An apparatus for collecting fragments from a substrate subjected to an exploded munition, comprising:
a detection component with at least one metal detection head for locating fragments embedded within a sheet of the substrate;
a removal component with at least one punching head for removing fragments embedded within the sheet; and
a drive for advancing the sheet through the detection component and removal component.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The apparatus of claim 12 further comprising a capture element having a cross conveyor and a collection conveyor.

### Claim 14 (depends on 12)

The apparatus of claim 12 further comprising a predetection element with a table and a projector.