Wire neutralization system
AssigneesMichigan Technological University, The U.S. Army Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (Tardec)
InventorsScott A. Bradley, Jason M. Wiitanen, Timothy B. Smigowski, John T. Niemeyer, Andrew Culkin
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A wire neutralizing system for use with a vehicle including a frame adapted to be hitched to a vehicle. At least one wheel supports the frame while a bottom of the wheel rolls over terrain having buried wires. The system also includes a blade movable between a stowed position in which the blade is above the bottom of the wheel and a deployed position in which the blade is below the bottom of the wheel, such that the blade plows through the terrain to disable buried wires when in the deployed position.
Claims10
A wire neutralizing system for use with a vehicle, the wire neutralization system comprising:
- a frame adapted to be hitched to the vehicle;
- at least one wheel supporting the frame, a bottom of the wheel rolling over terrain having buried wires;
- a blade plate movably mounted to the frame;
- a blade station attached to the blade plate including:
- a blade arm mounted to the blade plate;
- a blade holder mounted to the blade arm;
- and
- a blade supported by the blade holder;
- wherein the blade is movable between a stowed position in which the blade is above the bottom of the wheel and a deployed position in which the blade is below the bottom of the wheel by moving the blade plate with respect to the frame;
- a wheel suspension unit permitting vertical travel of the wheel with respect to the frame in response to rough terrain while the blade is in the stowed position;
- and
- a suspension lockout feature that prevents relative vertical travel of the wheel with respect to the frame while the blade is in the deployed position;
- wherein the blade plows through the terrain to disable the buried wires when in the deployed position, and wherein the wheel is engaged with the terrain while the blade plows through the terrain in the deployed position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.