Pneumatic Excavation System for Remote EOD Debris Clearance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pneumatic excavation systems, such as those used for uncovering buried explosive devices, often require personnel to be in close proximity to the ordnance, posing safety risks, and lack the use of a secondary air source for debris removal and prevention of re-deposition.
Innovation Solution
A pneumatic excavating device employing a high-pressure pulsed air jet in combination with a low-pressure high velocity blower, which can be retrofitted onto existing robots, allowing for remote operation and improved debris clearance without re-deposition, using an existing encrypted wireless communication channel for control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a high-pressure pulsed air jet is used for excavation, then the digging capability is improved, but personnel must be in close proximity to the ordnance posing safety risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical excavation with an automated pneumatic excavation system mounted on a remote-controlled robot. The high-pressure pulsed air jet is delivered through a nozzle on the robot, which can be remotely positioned and operated without personnel proximity to the ordnance. This substitution of manual mechanical operations with automated pneumatic systems resolves the contradiction by maintaining digging capability while eliminating personnel safety risks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a robot as an intermediary carrier between the operator and the excavation site. The robot mounts the pneumatic excavation device and serves as a mediator that allows remote operation. The operator controls the robot remotely, which in turn delivers the high-pressure air jet to the target location, thus maintaining productivity while eliminating the need for personnel to be in close proximity to hazardous ordnance.
2Device complexity
If only a high-pressure pulsed air jet is used, then the system complexity is reduced, but debris clearance and prevention of re-deposition are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges two pneumatic subsystems into a single integrated robot-mounted platform: a high-pressure pulsed air jet system for excavation and a low-pressure continuous air flow system for debris clearance. Both systems share common components including the robot carrier, control system, and air supply infrastructure. This merging approach increases debris clearance capability while managing system complexity through integrated design rather than separate independent systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the excavation function and debris clearance function into separate pneumatic subsystems with distinct characteristics. The excavation subsystem uses high-pressure pulsed flow for breaking and dislodging material, while the debris clearance subsystem uses low-pressure continuous flow for removing and transporting debris. This segmentation allows each subsystem to be optimized for its specific function while being integrated on a common platform, resolving the contradiction between complexity and productivity.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a robot is retrofitted with pneumatic excavation equipment, then remote operation safety is improved, but the integration complexity with existing robots increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the pneumatic excavation system with universal mounting interfaces and standardized connections that can be adapted to various robot platforms. The system includes universal mounting brackets, standardized air connections, and adaptable control interfaces that work with multiple robot types. This universality reduces integration complexity while maintaining the safety benefits of remote operation, as the same system can be retrofitted onto different existing robots without custom integration for each platform.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enhances safety by allowing remote operation of the excavation system, improving digging capability, and preventing debris from falling back into the excavated site, thus reducing the risk to personnel and simplifying integration with existing robots.
Implementation Method 1
employs a high-pressure pulsed air jet to uncover buried unexploded ordinance
Implementation Method 2
high-pressure pulsed air jet
Implementation Method 3
employs a low-pressure high velocity air source... The low-pressure air source also prevents the debris from falling back into the excavated site
Data Source
AI summary
An excavation system employing a high-pressure pulsed air jet that may optionally be used in combination with a low-pressure high velocity blower for excavating improvised explosive devices or other buried objects. The excavation system may also be employed to operate a pneumatic tool such as a cut-off tool or a chisel. The high velocity blower may incorporate a bifurcated fan duct having two air outlets. The system may include a pressure control module for regulating the from a high-pressure air source to an evacuation valve. The evacuation valve employs first and second valves where the second valve controls the operation of the first valve.