Resonant Magnetic Detection for Explosive Device Deactivation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current portable systems are unable to detect and deactivate or detonate explosive devices effectively.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a magnetic head and a power and control device, which generates an alternating magnetic field using an electronic oscillator, amplifier circuit, and a power converter to detect and deactivate or detonate explosive devices by altering magnetic flux density and inducing heating in metallic parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a portable system uses only battery voltage for the electronic oscillator, then the system is simple and portable, but the magnetic field strength is insufficient to deactivate or detonate explosive devices
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between two operational modes: detection mode (battery voltage only, simpler operation) and deactivation/detonation mode (power converter activated, higher magnetic field strength). This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize performance based on the operational phase without permanently increasing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is segmented into two distinct functional subsystems: the portable detection unit (magnetic head with oscillator) and the power conversion unit (DC-DC converter). This segmentation allows the heavy power conversion components to be separated from the portable detection head, maintaining portability while enabling high power output when needed.
2Power
If the system activates the power converter to generate high voltage, then the magnetic field strength increases for deactivation or detonation, but the system complexity and power management difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs feedback control through the resonant circuit, which automatically adjusts the oscillator frequency to maintain resonance with the magnetic head coil. This feedback mechanism simplifies operation by eliminating the need for manual frequency tuning when switching between detection and deactivation modes, as the system self-regulates to maintain optimal performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The power converter is activated in periodic pulses rather than continuously, with specific pulse widths and frequencies tailored for either deactivation or detonation. This periodic activation pattern simplifies power management by using standardized pulse generation while achieving the desired high magnetic field strength during active periods.
3Reliability
If the system uses continuous high power activation, then deactivation or detonation is achieved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic pulsed activation of the power converter rather than continuous operation. The pulse width and frequency are optimized to deliver sufficient energy for deactivation or detonation while minimizing overall energy consumption. The resonant circuit amplifies the effect during each pulse, maintaining effectiveness while reducing total energy usage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system exploits phase transitions in the explosive material (e.g., solid to liquid for deactivation, or accumulation of thermal energy leading to detonation) to achieve the desired effect with minimal energy input. By heating the explosive to its melting point or critical temperature threshold, the system triggers a phase change that propagates deactivation or detonation throughout the device without requiring continuous high power input.
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
The system efficiently detects and deactivates or detonates explosive devices by inducing high magnetic fields to neutralize electronic circuits and heat secondary explosives, achieving deactivation or detonation based on specific activation patterns.
Implementation Method 1
The resonant circuit includes a condenser in parallel with a metal coil responsible for generating the alternating magnetic field when an alternating current at a certain resonance frequency flows through the coil
Implementation Method 2
The amplifier circuit, which comprises at least one power transistor, is configured to amplify the feedback current coming from the resonant circuit
Implementation Method 3
The power converter is configured to, when activated, supply the electronic oscillator with a higher DC voltage (e.g. 8 times higher) than that supplied by the battery
Implementation Method 4
The explosive detection unit is configured to detect changes in the resonant frequency of the electronic oscillator when the power converter is turned off
Implementation Method 5
heat the metallic parts of the explosive device to (i) change the state of the secondary explosive from solid to liquid (e.g. TNT, around 90°C) to deactivate the explosive device
Data Source
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AI summary
System to detect and deactivate or detonate explosive devices, which includes: - an electronic oscillator (5) configured to generate a strong high-frequency alternating magnetic field through a resonant circuit (6) formed by a capacitor (9) in parallel with a metal coil (10), preferably with an external diameter greater than 50 mm; - a power and control device (2), connected by cable (4) to the electronic oscillator (5), which comprises: a battery (14), a power converter (15) to, when activated, feed the electronic oscillator (5) with the amplified battery voltage, at least one switch (16,29) configured to activate the power converter (15) or deactivate it and feed the electronic oscillator (5) with the battery voltage (14), and an explosive detection unit (17) to detect changes in the resonance frequency (feq) of the electronic oscillator (5) when the power converter (15) is deactivated.