Underwater Explosive Container for Remote Mine Neutralization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for neutralizing underwater naval mines and hazardous explosive devices require divers to manually place explosive charges, posing significant risks and limitations in precision and efficiency, especially in confined underwater environments.
Innovation Solution
A configurable, non-ferrous explosive container that can be positioned next to or delivered to underwater mines using a small remotely operated vehicle, equipped with bulk explosives or shape charges, and initiated through various systems, allowing for remote operation and reduced diver risk.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If divers manually place explosive charges to neutralize mines, then the operation can be performed with simple equipment, but diver safety is compromised and operational precision is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
A remotely operated vehicle (ROV) serves as an intermediary between the operator and the mine target. The ROV carries and deploys the explosive container to precise locations next to mines, eliminating the need for divers to physically approach hazardous targets while maintaining operational capability through remote control
Solution Approach 2:
Manual mechanical placement of explosives by divers is replaced with an automated robotic system. The ROV uses mechanical arms and deployment mechanisms to automatically position and release explosive containers, substituting human physical action with automated mechanical systems that improve safety and precision
2Productivity
If divers conduct underwater render safe operations, then direct control over mine neutralization is achieved, but operational efficiency and response time are reduced due to safety constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service operation where the ROV independently navigates to targets, positions explosive containers, and executes detonation sequences without requiring continuous direct human intervention. The remote operator monitors and controls the automated system, allowing rapid response to mine threats while maintaining safety through automated execution of neutralization tasks
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional explosive charges are used for mine neutralization, then the method is simple and cost-effective, but precision and versatility in different mine configurations are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The explosive container system incorporates dynamic positioning and deployment capabilities. The ROV can adjust the container's position, orientation, and deployment timing based on real-time sensor data and pre-programmed sequences, allowing adaptation to various mine types (bottom mines, moored mines) and environmental conditions while maintaining precise placement accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows modification of critical parameters including explosive charge quantity, container position coordinates, deployment depth, and detonation timing. These parameters can be adjusted based on the specific mine configuration detected by sensors, enabling versatile adaptation to different threat scenarios while maintaining optimal precision through controlled parameter variation
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 and operational efficiency by enabling remote detonation of naval mines and hazardous devices, reducing diver risk and enabling precise, versatile demining operations with readily available explosives, and supporting both bottom and moored mine configurations.
Implementation Method 1
detonated to over pressurize and crack a mine casing
Implementation Method 2
over pressurize and crack a mine casing
Implementation Method 3
sympathetically detonate the bulk explosives contained within the underwater explosive device
Implementation Method 4
configured to contain an explosively formed penetrator or shape charge for precision oriented EOD operations
Data Source
AI summary
An underwater explosive container to house explosives and explosive tools for deployment on bottom mines, moored mines, and underwater explosive devices that can be positioned via a remotely operated vehicle or a diver for neutralizing, rendering safe, or detonating the intended target and methods of building and utilizing the underwater explosive container.