68 results about "Unexploded ordnance" patented technology

Systems, methods, and devices for detecting land mines and unexploded ordnance are disclosed. A first embodiment may be construed as a method that includes: inserting an antenna into the ground; transmitting an electromagnetic signal into the ground via the antenna; receiving a response via the antenna; and processing the response to generate an image which can be examined to determine whether a mine exists within proximity of the antenna.

A method is provided for detecting a target impact of a munition. The method including: providing the munition with a power supply having a piezoelectric material for generating power from a vibration induced by the munition; monitoring an output from the power supply; and determining whether the output of power from the power supply has dropped below a predetermined threshold.

A device operative to detect metal objects. The device includes a transmitter circuit, an upper transmitter coil and a lower transmitter coil operatively connected to the transmitter circuit. A current fed through the upper transmitter coil and the lower transmitter coil generates a field that excites eddy currents in metal objects in the vicinity of the upper transmitter coil and the lower transmitter coil. An upper magnetic field detector and a lower magnetic field detector are operative to sense eddy currents generated in the metal objects. Processor elements operatively connected to the upper magnetic field detector and the lower magnetic field detector collect, store and analyze the eddy currents and thereby determine the likelihood that a metal object has been detected. A navigation system operatively connected to the processor elements controls movement of the device. Transporting elements operatively connected to the navigation system are operative to support the device and permit alteration of a position of the device.

To fully characterize the inductive response of an isolated conductive object, such as buried unexploded ordinance, one needs to measure its response to stimulation by primary magnetic fields in three linearly independent (e.g., approximately orthogonal) directions. In one embodiment this is achieved by measuring the response to magnetic fields of three independent transmitters arranged to have magnetic fields that are linearly independent. According to the apparatus and methods employing the system of this invention, multiple transmitters and receivers of known relative position and orientation on a single platform are used. In a preferred embodiment, matched sets of receiver pairs connected in gradient mode are positioned adjacent to closely spaced pairs of transmitting coils, such that a minor displacement of one or both of the receiver coil pairs relative to the paired transmitting coils will not affect the detected secondary signals emitted by a buried metallic object.

A Kinetic Energy penetrator round is shown effective in neutralizing incoming air borne threat munitions such as rockets, artillery, or mortars for instance, without posing a threat in urban environments to harm bystanders on the ground. There are also no hazards or expense with this round of cleaning up unexploded ordnance, which might have occurred with other types of rounds due to unreliability of self destruct mechanisms. Shown herein is a kinetic energy penetrator for air defense that merely self destructs beyond its operational range into fragments that are not lethal to personnel on ground; no pyrotechnic or energetic materials means are used to activate this self destruct process. A full bore projectile structure is shown that is composed of plural axi-symmetric circular disks stacked on each other and tied by a shape memory metal wire of Nitinol. While operational as a joined group, the disks are a formidable round to kill an incoming air target. After the self destruct phase however, each disk is separated from adjacent disks on either side by a spring mechanism that enables separation after the process is initiated in flight when the Nitinol wire deforms due to heating from air drag. Each disk then proceeds alone with low enough terminal kinetic energy on the ground to be less than lethal.

A munition has an external surface. The munition may be of any type. The external surface includes a coating on at least part of it. Coatings may be, for example, paints, tapes, appliqués or other materials. The coating on the munition includes one or more of reflective material, phosphorescent material and fluorescent material. The reflective, phosphorescent and / or fluorescent coatings are applied to the munition prior to its being deployed. The reflective, phosphorescent and / or fluorescent materials in the coatings are visible at a safe distance from the munition and help to identify unexploded ordnance.

The invention discloses a multipurpose unexploded ordnance energy-gathering destroyer. The multipurpose unexploded ordnance energy-gathering destroyer comprises an end cover, main charge, a housing, an ammunition type cover and a baffle ring, wherein the end cover is positioned on the top of the housing and is in threaded connection with the housing; the baffle ring is arranged on the bottom of the housing; the ammunition type cover is arranged above the baffle ring; the baffle ring is used for limiting and fixing the ammunition type cover to the bottom of the housing; the main charge is arranged in the housing; a detonator is inserted into the main charge through a central hole of the end cover; and the bottom of the main charge is in contact with the top of the ammunition type cover. Themultipurpose unexploded ordnance energy-gathering destroyer disclosed by the invention can be selectively combined for use, and adopts a non-contact mode to perform in-place destroying on unexplodedordnance of different types, so that an operator does not need to touch, move or perform any mechanical treatment on the unexploded ordnance, reduces touching, carrying and transporting risks, and reduces treatment risk.

This invention generally relates to a method and apparatus to neutralize ordnance, more specifically improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and unexploded ordnance (UXOs). The current invention provides a simple method to neutralize the ordnance by taking advantage of a new class of energetic materials that includes nano-thermites, binary thermites and additionally powdered thermites. In the invention, a projectile is loaded with the new class of energetic materials and fired into the ordnance. The impact causes the energetic materials to react in such a fashion that the explosive compound or other material within the IED or UXO is burned in a self-propagating mode without exploding. Hence, the ordnance is neutralized.

A low-cost, reliable and easy to use kit for neutralizing surface exposed landmine and unexploded ordnance for humanitarian demining is provided. The kit contains a liquid fuel and a solid / soluble fuel. Both fuels are premeasured in separate, sealed containers. The addition of a small quantity of solid / soluble fuel into the liquid creates an explosive. The resulting mixture is capable of detonating with a standard No. 8 blasting cap. The solid / soluble fuel can be in the form of a powder, tablet, or its saturated solution in water. The solid / soluble fuel is hexamethylenetetramine. The liquid fuel, nitromethane, is provided in premeasured quantities. User is provided instructions for choosing the appropriate quantity of liquid fuel, the corresponding solid / soluble fuel required, the method of mixing, placement and detonation of the kits. Also disclosed is a simple wooden stand to hold the bottle of explosive in place. A special fuel, liquid 2-ethylhexylnitrate, is provided to desensitize the mixed and sensitized explosive.

The invention relates to a non-contact energy-gathered igniter. The non-contact energy-gathered igniter comprises a cumulative charge warhead, an explosion transmission assembly and a magnetic electric detonator which are sequentially connected. The cumulative charge warhead comprises a warhead shell, a rubber sleeve, an end cover, an energy-gathered charge shell, explosive and a cartridge shape cover. The cartridge shape cover is arranged inside the energy-gathered charge shell. An airtight clearance is reserved between the cartridge shape cover and the energy-gathered charge shell. The clearance is filled with the explosive. The energy-gathered charge shell is arranged inside the warhead shell. The rubber sleeve is located between the energy-gathered charge shell and the warhead shell. The end cover is installed at the opening of the warhead shell. The non-contact energy-gathered igniter has the beneficial effects that all types of dangerous unexploded ordnances on the earth surface can be destructed through high-speed, high-energy and high-temperature metal jet without making direct contact with the dangerous ordnances. The unexploded ordnances which is small in burial depth and visual in bullet hole can be not excavated, and therefore manual excavation danger is reduced, destruction efficiency of the dangerous ordnances can be improved, and the applied prospect is wide.

A KE rod warhead for artillery rockets contains a multiplicity of KE rod penetrators housed in trays and packaged into bays or tier packs that are stacked and positioned around a center column of the warhead. The warhead has a skin which is severed upon the rocket entering a target area. The KE rods are situated and housed in such a manner that upon release the rods experience a minimum of pitching or tumbling upon entering the air stream giving the rods an optimal lethality against a designated target. The KE rod artillery rocket contains no explosive munitions, so it can be used without civilian and environmental concerns over unexploded ordnance.

The invention relates to the technical field of unexploded ordnance destruction, and provides an unexploded ordnance destruction method based on an unexploded ordnance laser destruction device. The unexploded ordnance laser destruction device comprises a laser device system, a photoelectric tracking and pointing system, a control system and a support system. The unexploded ordnance destruction method comprises the steps that the support system supplies power to the photoelectric tracking and pointing system and the laser device system; the laser device system, the photoelectric tracking and pointing system and the support system are controlled through the control system; and the laser device system irradiate unexploded ordnance through the guidance of the photoelectric tracking and pointing system to detonate the unexploded ordnance under control of an operating system. By using the unexploded ordnance destruction method based on the unexploded ordnance laser destruction device, the unexploded ordnance can be destructed at a distance, and the explosion protection safety requirements are met.

The invention provides combustible glue used for destroying unexploded ordnance and a preparation method and application thereof. The combustible glue is prepared through the following steps that Al powder and Fe3O4 powder are evenly mixed to obtain Al / Fe3O4 mixed powder; lac is dissolved in absolute ethyl alcohol to obtain a lac absolute ethyl alcohol solution with the mass concentration being 5%-6%; the Al / Fe3O4 mixed powder is added into the lac absolute ethyl alcohol solution, and the Al / Fe3O4 mixed powder and the absolute ethyl alcohol solution are stirred to be evenly mixed; glass fiber powder is added and stirred to be evenly mixed; and expandable graphite is added and stirred to be evenly mixed to obtain the combustible glue. The mass ratio of the Al powder to the Fe3O4 powder is 7-8 to 15. The massic volume ratio of the Al / Fe3O4 mixed powder to the lac absolute ethyl alcohol solution is 1g to 2-3 mL. The adding amount of the glass fiber powder is 1%-3% of the Al / Fe3O4 mixed powder by mass. The adding amount of the expandable graphite is 1%-3% of the Al / Fe3O4 mixed powder by mass. The combustible glue is low in combustion speed, large in combustion heat output and long in combustion duration, and can heat explosives in the unexploded ordnance once being ignited, and it can be ensured that the explosives in the unexploded ordnance are reliably detonated.

A method to condition honey bees to search for a non-rewarding producing target odor source enables bees to identify a number of chemical substances such as those associated with unexploded ordnances, land mines, and illicit drug laboratories. Further, the subject method can be used to increase pollination efficiency by conditioning the bees to search for a specific vapor from a target crop. The method includes conditioning the bees to the target odor by moving their hives into a staging area. The staging area is located at least two miles from the ultimate site to be searched. The target odor is applied to the hive. Bulk feeders containing the target odor are placed near the hive. The hives are reoriented to the bulk feeders for several days. The hives are then moved to the search site and feeding / conditioning trays containing the target odor are placed nearby. For the first, approximately 24 hours, the bees are fed from the feeding / conditioning trays. Thereafter, periods of feeding and starvation are alternated to encourage the bees to forage and identify the target source. There are several embodiments of the feeding / conditioning trays which present the target odor to the bee during conditioning. Additionally, an automated feeding controller is useful in the conditioning method.

A data fusion framework is provided for wide-area assessments of unexploded ordnance. One or more wide-area survey data sources representing assessments of geographic sites that may contain unexploded ordnance (UXO) can be analyzed by a data source module as part of the data fusion framework. The data sources can include a geographic registration and a degree of belief and the data source module can register the data sources to a common map grid. A feature layer module can extract a plurality of feature layers from the wide-area survey data sources. A feature map module can generate a plurality of feature maps for each of the plurality of feature layers based on the degree of belief. Finally, a data fusion module can combine the plurality of feature maps and generate a plurality of output maps. This output maps can then be used by UXO site managers to support decisions regarding remediation efforts.

A method for neutralization of the explosive content of mines and UXO by essentially completely consuming the explosive by combustion or decomposition before any explosion occurs. A charge of a compound that reacts with an extremely high heat-release rate is ignited on or near the casing of the device to be neutralized. The intense exothermic reaction generates high temperature combustion products that will disrupt the casing, thus leading to combustion or decomposition of the explosive. The holes melted in the mine casing enable ignition of a large area of the explosive charge and provide easy access for atmospheric air to support active burnout of the explosive. The apparatus comprises the compound that reacts with a high heat release rate, an ignition source, and a container for the assembly.

The present invention relates to an apparatus for locating objects (such as exploded or unexploded ordnance). The embodiments take advantage of spectroscopic features of an object's paint or surface finish to discriminate between the object and the background area. The apparatus utilizes an optical sensor, filters and the application of pixel to pixel ratios to detect the paint on an object from a distance so that objects such as unexploded ordnance may be safely destroyed or neutralized.

The invention discloses a buried unexploded ordnance-oriented special cesium optical pump detector which comprises a pumping light generation module, a first optical module, a magnetic resonance module, a photoelectric detection module and a signal processing module. The signal processing module comprises an amplifying and filtering unit, a self-exciting oscillation unit, a magnetic resonance frequency measuring unit and a calculation unit connected in sequence; the amplifying and filtering unit comprises a first band-pass filter and a second band-pass filter; the first band-pass filter is used for coarsely measuring the electrical signal frequency; the second band-pass filter is used for finely measuring the electrical signal frequency; the self-exciting oscillation unit further comprisesa first phase shifter and a second phase shifter; the first phase shifter is connected with the first band-pass filter; and the second phase shifter is connected with the second band-pass filter. Thevalue of the electrical signal frequency is coarsely measured by virtue of the first band-pass filter and the first phase shifter. The accurate measured value of the electrical signal frequency is further obtained by virtue of the second band-pass filter and the second phase shifter, so that the detection efficiency and the detection accuracy are improved.

An apparatus for rendering safe unexploded military ordnance items found on land by use of a portable apparatus employing entrainment waterjet technology. The portable apparatus includes a tool package containing a plurality of tools designed for accessing the interior of a unexploded ordnance item. The interior of the ordnance item is accessed, and its internal contents, which it typically an energetic material is washed-out and recovered.

A high angle-of-attack projectile or bomb comprises separate compartments that, after launch allow for (a) mixing of the chemi-luminescent materials, (b) heating of the materials in the projectile vessel, (c) pressurization of the projectile vessel, and (d) efficient expulsion of a day marker and heated chemi-luminescent mix upon striking the target. The projectile / bomb allows for the marking of targets. The projectile / bomb does not create unexploded ordnance (UXO) and minimizes use of energetic materials such as reactive chemicals and / or pyrotechnics.

A Munitions and Ordnance Remediation Blanket (MORB) includes: an impermeable outer layer made of plastic or similar fiber; a Commercial blasting mat layer; a MUNIREM reagent in powder or solution layering acting as an instant explosives neutralization reagent; and a commercial water-soluble seal on the opposing outer layer. Using a Munitions and Ordnance Remediation Blanket (MORB) includes the steps of: locating an underwater UXO; exposing the MORB to the unexploded ordnance fillers using one or more breaching mechanisms; enclosing the breached / decaying / leaching point source emitter with the MORB; anchoring the MORB to the seafloor or a sturdy fixture which allows water to permeate the water soluble cover material to dissolve membrane and create contact between energetics, reagent, and water; leaving the MORB in place for the reaction to proceed to completion; and recovering the metal casing for recycling.

A sensor system for detecting buried metal objects such as unexploded ordnance and the collection of data for the classification of the detected objects based on parameters extracted from the collected data includes a wheeled cart, positioned on which is an array of transmitter coils for transmitting a series of excitation signals onto the area of interest and a sensor array of receiver coils and preamplifiers for receiving back the resultant eddy current decays emitted by the buried objects, a computer, and data acquisition electronics for acquiring and storing the received decays as decay data within the computer. The incoming EMI data are digitized and a data fitting process is performed to extract fit location and shape parameters. These data can be transferred to other data analysis systems for comparison to previously recorded signatures to determine whether the received decay data from the area of interest is attributable to buried metal objects or conversely to an object constituting an anomaly.

The invention discloses a device and a method for precisely measuring transient electromagnetic characteristic responses of unexploded ordnance and belongs to the technical field of target detection and recognition. The device and the method are used for measuring characteristic responses of the all types of unexploded ordnance in a libratory, so an unexploded ordnance characteristic response database is established and used as the basis for recognizing a target in the actual detection. The device comprises a long straight solenoid, a rectangular coil group and a receiving coil. The method comprises steps of measuring secondary fields generated in the longitudinal axis direction and the transverse axis direction of the unexploded ordnance under the excitation of uniform pulsed magnetic fields HP; and calculating the measured secondary fields to obtain the characteristic responses lp(t), lv(t) of a target. Based on a problem of low measurement precision of the traditional method, the invention provides a special device for measuring the characteristic responses of the unexploded ordnance, and also provides a background field deduction method and a measurement distance method in order to improve the measurement precision of the characteristic responses, so an effective means is provided for precise acquisition of the characteristic responses of a target.

The invention discloses a high-temperature molten flow destroying unexploded ordnance system. The high-temperature molten flow destroying unexploded ordnance system comprises an igniter, an ignition bracket, destroying ammunition and monitoring equipment, the igniter and the ignition bracket is selectively arranged in a first box, and the destroying ammunition and the monitoring equipment is electively arranged in a second box; and the destroying ammunition is erected on the ignition bracket when in use, and the igniter is electrically connected with the destroying ammunition to start the destroying ammunition to destroy ammunition. The high-temperature molten flow destroying unexploded ordnance system comprises the igniter, the ignition bracket, the destroying ammunition and the monitoring equipment, the igniter and the ignition bracket can be placed in the first box, the destroying ammunition and the monitoring equipment can be placed in the second box, so that the high-temperature molten flow destroying unexploded ordnance system is high in integration level, and is convenient to carry by explosive disposal personnel; the igniter, the ignition bracket and the destroying ammunition are used for destroying the ammunition, so that the explosive disposal personnel destroy the ammunition under the condition of not being in touch with the ammunition, the explosion hazards existingin the surroundings of the explosive disposal personnel are reduced, and the safety and operating efficiency of the explosive disposal personnel are improved.