Drone aircraft for clearing an explosive and method for clearing an area contaminated with an explosive

Abstract

The invention relates to a drone aircraft (10) for clearing an explosive, wherein the drone aircraft (10) has a ballistic shield (20) and at least one clearing means (30), wherein the ballistic shield (20) can be arranged on an underside (13) of the drone aircraft (10), and wherein the at least one clearing means (30) is designed to apply at least part of the weight of the drone aircraft (10) to an explosive to be cleared. The invention also relates to a device for controlling, receiving, repairing, maintaining and / or providing energy for a drone aircraft (10), as well as to a method for clearing an area contaminated with an explosive.

Description

[0001] 'Drone aircraft for clearing an explosive device and method for clearing an area contaminated with an explosive device'

[0002] The invention relates to a drone aircraft for clearing an explosive device according to the preamble of claim 1, a device for controlling, receiving, repairing, maintaining and / or providing energy for a drone aircraft according to claim 13 and a method for clearing an area contaminated with an explosive device according to the preamble of claim 14.

[0003] A variety of different methods and devices are known in the state of the art for clearing explosives. For example, there are numerous approaches to detecting mines using metal and / or ground-penetrating radar detectors. A disadvantage of these approaches, however, is that the explosives are made of different materials and therefore not all respond reliably to metal detectors. Furthermore, ground-penetrating radar signals are subject to interpretation, and therefore not all explosives can be identified with certainty. Ultimately, a human would have to be tasked with clearing this potentially contaminated area and / or identifying an object suspected of being an explosive, which, however, must be avoided at all costs.

[0004] Furthermore, it is known from the prior art to clear an area contaminated with explosives using pyrotechnics. In this case, it is conceivable to tow an aircraft equipped with clearance equipment over the area to be cleared, with the explosives being cleared by a plurality of explosive charges attached to the clearance equipment, which detonate the explosives laid down by the surface pressure exerted on the ground in the area of ​​the clearance equipment during the blasting. However, it has proven problematic that pyrotechnic clearance does not reliably detonate or destroy all of the explosives present in the area contaminated with explosives, making it impossible to enter this area safely.

[0005] There is therefore a great need for a device that enables the complete clearance of an explosive device and / or the complete clearance of an area contaminated with explosive devices in a simple, reliable, uniform, and secure manner. The device should ensure the clearance of any explosive device in a simple and reliable manner, as well as be able to deflect foreign objects generated during the explosion and / or compensate for the resulting pressure wave without damage. Furthermore, the device should be cost-effective to manufacture, durable, and easy to repair and / or maintain. Another focus should be on minimizing the environmental impact of an explosive device explosion.The invention therefore has for its object to provide a device to overcome the above-mentioned difficulties and, above all, to ensure the reliable and complete clearance of an explosive device, in particular in an area contaminated with explosive devices.

[0006] This object is achieved in a surprisingly simple but effective manner by a drone according to the teaching of the independent main claim 1, a device according to claim 13 and a method for clearing an area contaminated with an explosive according to claim 14.

[0007] According to the invention, a drone for clearing at least one explosive device is proposed, which is characterized in that the drone has a ballistic shield and at least one clearing means. According to the invention, the ballistic shield can be arranged on an underside of the drone, and the at least one clearing means is designed to apply at least part of the weight of the drone to an explosive device to be cleared.

[0008] The invention is based on the basic idea that the drone aircraft lands on and / or in the ground, in particular the ground in an area contaminated with explosives, for the targeted and induced clearing of an explosive device and in doing so transfers at least a portion of the drone aircraft's weight force to and / or into the ground and thus to the explosive device via the at least one clearing device. It is essential to the invention that the at least one clearing device penetrates the ground in order to reach explosives located deeper in the ground. By means of the invention, it is thus possible to reliably clear all explosive devices, even those that cannot be located, for example, using metal and / or ground radar detectors, since the clearance is based on the targeted and induced triggering of the detonator by means of the portion of the drone aircraft's weight force applied to the explosive device by the clearing device.This ensures that the explosive to be cleared explodes reliably.

[0009] Within the scope of the invention, it has further been recognized that in the event of an explosion of the explosive device, the drone aircraft is reliably protected from the resulting influences, such as flying foreign objects, high temperatures and / or the resulting pressure wave. This is achieved according to the invention by the combination of drone aircraft and ballistic shielding, which is arranged underneath the drone aircraft. In the event of an explosion, it is thus possible for the drone aircraft to be forced upwards by the resulting pressure wave, where it has sufficient space to correct its flight attitude. At the same time, the ballistic shielding reliably protects the drone aircraft from damage, so that it can be used again to clear an explosive device, if necessary after replacing the clearance device.Within the scope of the invention, it has therefore been recognized that a drone aircraft with ballistic shielding that can be arranged on the underside and at least one clearing means that applies at least part of the weight of the drone aircraft to an explosive device to be cleared is capable of safely and completely clearing an explosive device.

[0010] The term "drone aircraft" is known to those skilled in the art and refers to an unmanned aircraft that can be operated autonomously without a crew on board, controlled and navigated by a computer and / or from the ground via a remote control. The drone aircraft can be designed as desired and has a body with an upper side, a lower side opposite the upper side, and at least one, preferably two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, identical or different, lateral surface(s). Preferably, the body has at least one, preferably two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, sixteen, seventeen, eighteen, nineteen, twenty, identical or different, buoyancy aid(s), propulsion aid(s) and / or buoyancy surface(s) on the upper side, the lower side, and / or the lateral surface.A suitable buoyancy aid, propulsion aid and / or buoyancy surface, such as can be achieved via an angular adjustment, is known to a person skilled in the art. According to the invention, a ballistic shield can be arranged on the underside of the drone aircraft. The term “ballistic shield” refers to protection and / or shielding against ballistic events, such that the drone aircraft is protected from the effects of the explosion of the explosive device in order to reduce damage to the same. The ballistic shield is preferably plate-like and / or plate-shaped in order to exclude and / or deflect influences occurring during the explosion, such as foreign objects. Further preferably, the ballistic shield can be detachably or permanently arranged and / or fastened to the underside of the drone aircraft using measures known to a person skilled in the art.It is conceivable that the ballistic shielding can be arranged and / or fastened directly or indirectly using measures known to a person skilled in the art. Furthermore, it is conceivable that the ballistic shielding can be arranged and / or fastened over a large area, in particular over part or all of the area, at specific points, in specific areas and / or sections. Furthermore, it is conceivable that the ballistic shielding is designed in one or more parts. Within the scope of the invention, the specific design of the ballistic shielding and its material are of secondary importance, as long as they can reliably shield and / or deflect the influences occurring during the explosion of the explosive device from the drone aircraft and thus protect it. Suitable materials that meet the requirements are known to a person skilled in the art.The drone aircraft preferably comprises at least one, more preferably two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, sixteen, seventeen, eighteen, nineteen, twenty, identically or differently configured ballistic shield(s). More preferably, the dimensions, i.e. the width and / or length, of the ballistic shield correspond at least to that of the drone aircraft, so that it is optimally adapted to the drone aircraft to be protected in accordance with the requirements. Within the scope of the invention, it has been recognized that the ballistic shield increases the overall weight of the drone aircraft to such an extent that the weight force transferred at least partially via the clearing means to the explosive to be cleared can trigger the detonator of the explosive.The term "gravitational force" is known to those skilled in the art and refers to the force caused by the effect of the gravitational field on the explosive to be cleared. Within the scope of the invention, it has been recognized that the term "at least part of the gravitational force" refers to at least 10% of the gravitational force, preferably at least 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% of the gravitational force.

[0011] According to the invention, the drone aircraft further comprises at least one clearing means, preferably at least two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, sixteen, seventeen, eighteen, nineteen, twenty, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46,

[0012] 47, 48, 49, 50, 51 , 52, 53 , 54, 55 , 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61 , 62, 63 , 64, 65,

[0013] 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71 , 72, 73 , 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81 , 82, 83 , 84,

[0014] 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, identically or differently designed, clearing means. It is conceivable for the clearing means to have an upper region pointing in the direction of the ballistic shielding and / or the drone, and a lower section opposite the upper section, pointing in the direction of the ground. The term “clearing means” is known to a person skilled in the art and refers to any means suitable for subjecting an explosive device to be cleared to at least part of the weight of the drone. The clearing means can be made of any material that meets the requirements, although natural materials are preferable for environmental reasons because they avoid the clearing agent fragments created when the explosive device explodes.Within the scope of the invention, it is conceivable that the clearing means is a solid body or a hollow body, wherein any configurations for achieving the required stability are conceivable, such as a rotated, a bent, a stiffened and / or a reinforced configuration thereof.

[0015] The term "explosion" is familiar to those skilled in the art and refers to the physically exponentially coupled process of releasing large amounts of energy, such as thermal, shock wave, pressure, and / or kinetic energy, which destroys the explosive. Within the scope of the invention, the term "detonation" is understood and used synonymously with explosion.

[0016] The term "explosive" is known to those skilled in the art and refers to a chemical compound, optionally encased, and / or a mixture of chemical compounds with a detonator, which reacts very quickly under certain conditions and explodes. Preferably, the explosive is a mine, such as a landmine, a ground mine, an anti-tank mine, and / or an anti-personnel mine, or a booby trap made of any material, such as metal and / or plastic. More preferably, the detonator is an infrared sensor, a pressure detonator, a pull detonator, a magnetic detonator, a vibration detonator, a time-delay detonator, a bending detonator, a relief detonator, and / or a motion detonator.According to the invention, the detonator is triggered by the at least partially applied weight of the drone body, such as by stepping on it, pressing on it and / or driving over a pressure detonator, by triggering a trip wire, by a change in the magnetic field, by increasing the temperature, by vibration when the drone aircraft lands and / or by bending and / or twisting a bending detonator.

[0017] The term "influences occurring during the explosion of the explosive" is familiar to a person skilled in the art and refers to all influences and / or forces occurring during the explosion of the explosive, such as impact, pressure, temperature, dust, moisture, and / or flying and / or swirling foreign bodies, such as fluids, stones, dust, sand, wood, metal, plastic, splinters, projectiles, charges, explosive residues, parts of the explosive, or a mixture and / or combination thereof. A person skilled in the art will be aware that this list is not exhaustive and serves solely to illustrate the description of the influences occurring during the explosion of explosives.

[0018] The term “clearing an explosive device” is known to a person skilled in the art and refers to the actuation of the detonator prior to the explosion and destruction of the explosive device, as described elsewhere.

[0019] The term ‘area contaminated with explosives’ refers to an enclosed or open area in which at least one or, as described elsewhere, several explosives are suspected, for example, partially or completely buried in the ground, openly or partially laid on the ground and / or partially or completely covered and / or covered by the ground.

[0020] Using the drone aircraft according to the invention, it is possible to clear explosives simply, quickly, reliably, and safely for humans and animals, as well as to completely clear an area contaminated with explosives simply, reliably, quickly, and safely for humans and animals. This ensures that all explosives that cannot be located, for example, using metal and / or ground-penetrating radar detectors are cleared, since the clearance is based on the targeted and induced triggering of the explosive's detonator. Furthermore, particularly due to the drone aircraft's design with ballistic shielding, it is possible to use it for a variety of explosive clearances, which contributes significantly to saving materials, resources, costs, and time.Furthermore, removing the explosives, apart from the components contained in the explosives, is not harmful to the environment and the area by avoiding the introduction of environmentally hazardous substances. Furthermore, the drone according to the invention requires only a small amount of space, making it suitable for transport to an area containing explosives to be cleared, while simultaneously reducing the space required for transport to a minimum.

[0021] Advantageous further developments of the invention, which can be implemented individually or in combination, are presented in the subclaims.

[0022] In a further development, it is conceivable that the width and / or length of the ballistic shielding is greater than the width and / or length of the drone. In other words, this means that the ballistic shielding projects laterally beyond the drone. This offers the advantage that the drone is optimally protected from the effects caused by the explosion of the explosive, as described elsewhere, and the drone is forced upwards, where sufficient space is available to correct the flight attitude. Preferably, the width and / or length of the ballistic shielding corresponds to at least 1.1 times, more preferably 1.2 times, 1.3 times, 1.4 times, 1.5 times,

[0023] 1.6x, 1.7x, 1.8x, 1.9x, 2.0x, 2.1x, 2.2x, 2.3x, 2.4x, 2.5x, 2.6x, 2.7x, 2.8x, 2.9x, 3.0x, 3.1x, 3.2x, 3.3x, 3.4x, 3.5x, 3.6x, 3.7x, 3.8x, 3.9x, 4.0x, 4.1x, 4.2x, 4.3 -fold, 4.4-fold, 4, 5-fold,

[0024] 4.6 times, 4.7 times, 4.8 times, 4.9 times, 5.0 times or more, the width and / or length of the drone aircraft.

[0025] In another refinement, it is conceivable for the ballistic shield to be V-shaped. The V-shaped design of the ballistic shield further increases the protection of the drone against the effects caused by the explosion of the explosive device, as described elsewhere. Furthermore, the V-shaped design enables downward deflection of any external influences and leads to an upward evasive movement of the drone in response to the pressure wave created by the explosion. This makes it possible to avoid cross-penetration of external influences.

[0026] Furthermore, it is conceivable that the ballistic shielding is made of a metal, in particular ballistic steel, Kevlar (a synthetic para-aramid fiber), carbon, an alloy, a mixture, and / or a combination thereof. Preferably, it is conceivable that the ballistic shielding is woven from corresponding fibers, in particular metallic, Kevlar, and / or carbon fibers, to further increase the shielding and protective effect.

[0027] Furthermore, it is conceivable that the at least one clearing means can be detachably arranged and / or fastened to the ballistic shielding and / or the drone missile, in particular in a form-fitting and / or force-fitting manner, and thus replaceably, using measures known to a person skilled in the art. Preferably, the ballistic shielding and / or the drone missile has a means known to a person skilled in the art for detachably arranging the clearing means. It is conceivable that the detachment and / or arrangement of the clearing means can be partially or fully automated. In this way, it is possible to easily and quickly replace a clearing means damaged after the explosion of the explosive.

[0028] In a further development, it is conceivable for the ballistic shielding to have a recess for receiving, in particular for clamping and / or fixing, the at least one clearing means, wherein the recess is preferably square, round, oval, or polygonal. More preferably, the recess penetrates the ballistic shielding. Preferably, the ballistic shielding has at least one, preferably two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, sixteen, seventeen, eighteen, nineteen, or twenty, identical or different, recess(es). More preferably, it is conceivable for the at least one clearing means to protrude through the ballistic shielding in its upper region. By means of this configuration, it is possible to ensure that the clearing means is reliably held and, moreover, the influences occurring during the explosion of the explosive can be compensated for as best as possible.At the same time, a simple and quick change of at least one clearing agent is possible.

[0029] In a further development, it is conceivable that the at least one clearing means has a device for marking the penetration depth in the ground in the lower region, i.e. at the end thereof opposite the ballistic shielding and / or the drone, as described elsewhere. This is preferably arranged in the lower third of the clearing means and offers the advantage of enabling visual and / or haptic control of whether sufficient penetration depth has been achieved to ensure complete clearance of the explosive device. The device can be made of any material that meets the requirements, although natural materials are preferable for environmental reasons due to the avoidance of splinters produced when the explosive device explodes, as described elsewhere.For example, the device is a marker, such as a colored marker, a disc, such as a wooden disc, and / or a sensor, such as a micro- and / or nanosensor.

[0030] Furthermore, it is conceivable that the at least one clearing means is designed to be elongated and has a length of at least 1.5 m, preferably of at least 1.6 m, 1.7 m, 1.8 m, 1.9 m, 2.0 m, 2.1 m, 2.2 m, 2.3 m,

[0031] 2.4m, 2.5m, 2.6m, 2.7m, 2.8m, 2.9m, 3.0m, 3.1m, 3.2m, 3.3m,

[0032] 3.4m, 3.5m, 3.6m, 3.7m, 3.8m, 3.9m, 4.0m, 4.1m, 4.2m, 4.3m,

[0033] 4.4 m, 4.5 m, 4.6 m, 4.7 m, 4.8 m, 4.9 m, 5.0 m or more. This ensures that the explosion of the

[0034] The influences occurring in the explosive device, as described elsewhere, must strike the drone, in particular its ballistic shielding, at a calculable and / or controllable distance in order to avoid damage to the drone.

[0035] Furthermore, it is conceivable that the at least one clearing agent is made of a natural and / or renewable material, in particular wood, paper, cardboard, bamboo, plant fibers, plant tissue, a mixture, and / or a combination thereof. This offers the advantage that the materials used to trigger the detonator do not pollute the surrounding area and / or the environment. It has proven advantageous that the clearing agent, which is broken down into individual components during the clearing of the explosive, can be produced cost-effectively and does not require additional detection and / or disposal, but can be degraded on site.

[0036] Furthermore, it is conceivable that the weight force acting at least partially on the explosive device is at least 10 N (Newtons) and / or the total weight of the drone aircraft is at least 40 kg. Preferably, the weight force acting at least partially on the explosive device is, as described elsewhere, at least 11 N, 12 N, 13 N,

[0037] 14N, 15N, 16N, 17N, 18N, 19N, 20N, 21N, 22N, 23N, 24N, 25N,

[0038] 26N, 27N, 28N, 29N, 30N, 31N, 32N, 33N, 34N, 35N, 36N, 37N,

[0039] 38N, 39N, 40N, 41N, 42N, 43N, 44N, 45N, 46N, 47N, 48N, 49N,

[0040] 50N, 51N, 52N, 53N, 54N, 55N, 56N, 57N, 58N, 59N, 60N, 61N,

[0041] 62N, 63N, 64N, 65N, 66N, 67N, 68N, 69N, 70N, 71N, 72N, 73N,

[0042] 74N, 75N, 76N, 77N, 78N, 79N, 80N, 81N, 82N, 83N, 84N, 85N,

[0043] 86N, 87N, 88N, 89N, 90N, 91N, 92N, 93N, 94N, 95N, 96N, 97N,

[0044] 98 N, 99 N, 100 N or more. More preferably, the total weight of the drone aircraft is at least 40 kg, more preferably at least 41 kg, 42 kg, 43 kg, 44 kg, 45 kg, 46 kg, 47 kg, 48 kg, 49 kg, 50 kg,

[0045] 51kg, 52kg, 53kg, 54kg, 55kg, 56kg, 57kg, 58kg, 59kg, 60kg,

[0046] 61kg, 62kg, 63kg, 64kg, 65kg, 66kg, 67kg, 68kg, 69kg, 70kg,

[0047] 71 kg, 72 kg, 73 kg, 74 kg, 75 kg, 76 kg, 77 kg, 78 kg, 79 kg, 80 kg, 81 kg, 82 kg, 83 kg, 84 kg, 85 kg, 86 kg, 87 kg, 88 kg, 89 kg, 90 kg, 91 kg, 92 kg, 93 kg, 94 kg, 95 kg, 96 kg, 97 kg, 98 kg, 99 kg, 100 kg or more. This design offers the advantage of achieving the trigger force required for explosives with a pressure detonator, thus ensuring complete clearance of the explosive.

[0048] Furthermore, it is conceivable that the drone aircraft has at least one, preferably more, energy storage device for supplying it with electrical energy, in particular a galvanic cell, a battery, an accumulator, a redox flow battery, a hydrogen battery and / or a combination thereof.

[0049] Furthermore, it is conceivable that the drone aircraft has an operation and / or flight control system for semi- or fully automatic, autonomous and / or remote-controlled take-off and landing, such as a control system and / or a computer with at least one computer program, a memory and / or with at least one processor, such as a micro- or nanoprocessor.It is further conceivable that the drone aircraft has a device for transmitting and / or receiving signals, a device for evaluating, analyzing, storing, comparing and / or processing signals and / or a device for encrypting and / or decrypting signals, wherein the signals are selected from radio signals, radar signals, thermal imaging signals, heat source signals, magnetic field signals, infrared signals, satellite data, map data, navigation data, movement data, movement detection signals, spatial attitude data, altitude data, geographical data, constellation detection data, odor data, area detection data, optical signals, photovoltaic signals and / or data signals.

[0050] The term “device for transmitting and / or receiving

[0051] Signals” is known to a person skilled in the art and relates to a receiving and / or transmitting device known from the prior art, for example a radio device, a radar device, a satellite receiver, a camera, a diode, a night vision device, an echo sounder and / or sonar.

[0052] The term "device for evaluating, analyzing, storing, comparing, and / or processing signals" refers to any device known to a person skilled in the art that enables the evaluation, analysis, storage, and / or comparison of signals. For example, this can be achieved by a computer with at least one computer program, a memory, and / or at least one processor.

[0053] The term “comparison” relates to the comparison of the signals with one another, in particular with a corresponding signal, a reference value and / or a corresponding signal following one another in time. It is understood that a comparison, as used here, refers to a comparison of corresponding parameters and / or values. For example, it is conceivable that an absolute value is comparable with an absolute value, whereby a relative value is comparable with a relative value. Within the scope of the invention, the comparison can be carried out manually and / or with computer support. For a computer-supported comparison, all means known to a person skilled in the art are conceivable, such as a computer and / or a computer program. A computer program can additionally evaluate the result of the comparison, for example automatically provide an assessment of the signal.

[0054] Within the scope of the invention, it is understandable that the result of the comparison depends directly or indirectly on the signal and / or on the prevailing conditions, such as the geographical location, the temperature, the humidity, the time of day, the season, the weather conditions, the signal strength and / or the signal intensity. Thus, it is conceivable that a small and insignificant, a large and significant and / or no change in the signal compared with a corresponding reference value and / or a temporally subsequent signal is indicative of a change. A change in the signal can preferably be an improvement, a deterioration and / or a course, in particular a course over time.

[0055] Within the scope of the invention, it must be considered that all transmitted, received, evaluated, analyzed, compared, and / or processed signals depend significantly on the materials and / or means used for the determination and / or detection, the operating conditions of the means used, and / or the location of use. This is well known to a person skilled in the art.

[0056] The term “reference value” refers to a framework condition to be observed for the signal that is stored, fixed, determined, predefined, theoretical, mathematically and / or manually determined, empirically and / or manually assigned, historically conditioned and / or legally prescribed. The reference value, i.e. the framework condition to be observed, can in particular, but by no means exclusively, be a laboratory value, a navigation value, a database entry, a historical value, an ideal value, an empirical value and / or a mixture thereof, and can be recorded before and / or after the corresponding signal. Furthermore, it is conceivable that the reference value defines a threshold value, which is preferably defined as the upper limit of the normal value of the signal under various conditions. The value of the upper limit of the normal value can be determined using various techniques well known to a person skilled in the art.

[0057] The term "device for encrypting and / or decrypting signals" is known to a person skilled in the art and relates, for example, to a computer with at least one computer program, a memory connected thereto, and / or at least one processor. It is assumed that the definitions and embodiments of the above terms apply to all aspects described below in this description, unless otherwise stated.

[0058] According to the invention, a device is further proposed, such as, for example, an easily transportable and / or stackable shipping container, for semi- or fully-automatic control, reception and / or storage, repair, maintenance and / or provision of energy, such as, for example, charging, for a drone aircraft described in detail elsewhere and / or for providing at least one clearing means for the drone aircraft described in detail elsewhere, wherein the change of the clearing means preferably takes place semi- or fully automatically.

[0059] Advantageous further developments of the invention, which can be implemented individually or in combination, are presented in the subclaims.

[0060] According to the invention, a method for clearing an area contaminated with an explosive device is further proposed, the method comprising the following steps: a) providing a drone aircraft, in particular a drone aircraft described elsewhere; and b) determining the area to be cleared and dividing the area to be cleared into at least one region, wherein the width and / or length of an area, in particular of all divided areas, corresponds to the width and / or length of the drone aircraft; and c) flying the drone aircraft over the area divided in step b) and landing the drone aircraft in the area, wherein upon landing the at least one clearing means penetrates the ground of the area and applies at least part of the weight of the drone aircraft to an explosive device to be cleared.

[0061] The method according to the invention is based on the fundamental idea that an area covered with explosives is divided into equal-sized areas whose width and / or length exactly corresponds to the width and / or length of the drone. The drone flies over the area to be cleared and lands continuously in each area, so that the area to be cleared is scanned at intervals of a few centimeters. Upon landing, the at least one clearing agent penetrates the ground in the area to be cleared and applies at least part of the weight of the drone to an explosive to be cleared, as described in detail elsewhere.

[0062] In the first step, a drone aircraft, in particular a drone aircraft described in detail elsewhere, is provided.

[0063] In the next step, an area contaminated with at least one explosive device and to be cleared is identified and divided into at least one, preferably several, equally sized areas. It has been recognized as essential that the size, i.e., the width and / or length of each area, corresponds to the size of the drone, i.e., the width and / or length of the drone. Suitable means and methods for determining the area and / or dividing it into equally sized areas, such as a computer and / or computer program, are known to a person skilled in the art.

[0064] In the next step, the drone aircraft flies over the first area divided up in step b) and lands there, with the at least one clearing device penetrating the ground of the area upon landing and transferring at least part of the drone aircraft's weight to the explosive device. As described elsewhere, this leads to an explosion of the explosive device. Within the scope of the invention, it has been recognized that it is essential to fly to each area determined in step b) in step c) and to land in this area, with the full functionality of the at least one clearing device being checked and, if necessary, replaced before each repetition of step c).

[0065] The term "method for clearing an area contaminated with an explosive" therefore refers to a reliable, efficient, and safe method for humans and animals, in which explosives located in the area and / or concealed and described elsewhere are reliably destroyed. The method according to the invention can include additional steps that occur after or between the explicitly listed essential steps a) to c). Furthermore, it is conceivable that individual steps, such as step c) in particular, can be repeated as often as desired. The method is preferably partially or fully automated.

[0066] Advantageous further developments of the invention, which can be implemented individually or in combination, are presented in the subclaims.

[0067] In a further development, it is conceivable that in step c) the penetration depth of the at least one clearing means into the ground is additionally determined using measures known to a person skilled in the art, such as a tape measure and / or a sensor, such as a micro- and / or nanosensor, and / or the penetration depth of the at least one clearing means into the ground is compared with a reference value described elsewhere. Within the scope of the invention, it has been recognized that by determining the penetration depth, a minimum penetration depth of the clearing means required to trigger the detonator of an explosive device can be ensured in order to achieve complete clearing of the area. Further details and advantages of the invention emerge from the following description of the preferred exemplary embodiment in conjunction with the subclaims.The respective features can be implemented individually or in combination with one another. The invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiment. The exemplary embodiment is shown schematically in the figure. The same reference numerals designate identical or functionally identical elements, or elements that correspond to one another in terms of their function.

[0068] In detail:

[0069] Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a drone aircraft according to the invention.

[0070] Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a drone 10. It is clearly visible that the drone 10 has a body 11 with a top side 12 and a bottom side 13. Two propulsion aids 14 are arranged on the top side 12, only one of which is labeled.

[0071] Furthermore, it can be clearly seen in Fig. 1 that a V-shaped ballistic shield 20 is arranged on the underside 13 by means of a spacer element 21, the width of which exceeds the width of the drone missile 10 by twice.

[0072] Furthermore, it can be seen in Fig. 1 that four elongated clearing means 30 are arranged on the underside 13, which protrude through the ballistic shield 20. In this regard, the ballistic shield has corresponding recesses 22.

[0073] Fig. 1 further shows that the four elongated clearing means 30 are in contact with the indicated ground of an area to be cleared. At the same time, for example, when the drone lands in the area, they can transfer at least part of the weight of the drone aircraft 10 to the ground of the area and any explosive device located therein. The weight is indicated by arrows.

Claims

Patent claims 1. Drone aircraft (10) for clearing an explosive device, characterized in that the drone aircraft (10) has a ballistic shield (20) and at least one clearing means (30), wherein the ballistic shield (20) can be arranged on an underside (13) of the drone aircraft (10), and wherein the at least one clearing means (30) is designed to apply at least part of the weight force of the drone aircraft (10) to an explosive device to be cleared.

2. Drone missile (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the width and / or the length of the ballistic shield (20) is greater than the width and / or the length of the drone missile (10).

3. Drone missile (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the ballistic shield (20) is V-shaped.

4. Drone missile (10) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the ballistic shield (20) is made of a metal, a synthetic para-aramid fiber, carbon, an alloy, a mixture and / or a combination thereof.

5. Drone aircraft (10) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the at least one clearing means (30) is detachable, in particular positively and / or non-positively, is arranged on the ballistic shielding (20) and / or the drone missile (10).

6. Drone missile (10) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the ballistic shield (20) has a recess (22), in particular a recess (22) penetrating the ballistic shield (20), for receiving the at least one clearing means (30).

7. Drone missile (10) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the at least one clearing means (30) has a device for marking the penetration depth at the lower end.

8. Drone aircraft (10) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the at least one clearing means (30) is elongated and has a length of at least 1.5 m.

9. Drone aircraft (10) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the at least one clearing means (30) is made of a natural material, in particular of wood, paper, cardboard, bamboo, plant fibers, plant tissue, a mixture and / or a combination thereof.

10. Drone missile (10) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the force acting at least partly on the explosive weight force is at least 10 N and / or the total weight of the drone aircraft (10) is at least 40 kg.

11. Drone aircraft (10) according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the drone aircraft (10) has an energy storage device.

12. Drone aircraft (10) according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the drone aircraft (10) has on the deployment and / or flight control system a device for transmitting and / or receiving signals, a device for evaluating, analyzing, storing, comparing and / or processing signals and / or a device for encrypting and / or decrypting signals, wherein the signals are formed from radio signals, radar signals, thermal imaging signals, heat source signals, magnetic field signals, infrared signals, satellite data, map data, navigation data, movement data, movement detection signals, spatial attitude data, altitude data, geographical data, constellation detection data, odor data, area detection data, optical signals, photovoltaic signals and / or data signals.

13. Device for controlling, receiving, repairing, maintaining and / or providing energy for a drone (10), in particular a drone (10) according to one of claims 1 to 12, and / or for providing at least one clearing means (30) for the drone (10).

14. A method for clearing an area contaminated with an explosive, the method comprising the following steps: a) providing a drone (10), in particular a Drone aircraft (10) according to one of claims 1 to 12; and b) determining the area to be cleared and dividing the area to be cleared into at least one region, wherein the width and / or the length of a region corresponds to the width and / or the length of the drone aircraft (10); and c) flying the drone aircraft (10) over the area divided in step b) and landing the drone aircraft (10) in the area, wherein upon landing the at least one clearing means (30) penetrates the ground of the area and applies at least part of the weight of the drone aircraft (10) to an explosive means to be cleared.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein in step c) the penetration depth of the at least one clearing means (30) is determined and / or the penetration depth of the at least one clearing means is compared with a reference value.

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