Explosive Device for Lifting and Detonating Unexploded Ordnance Above Water

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Solution Overview

Problem

Underwater explosions of unexploded ordnance generate extreme shock waves and strong underwater noise, causing harm to marine flora and fauna, which existing methods struggle to adequately mitigate despite the use of bubble curtains and other efforts.

Innovation Solution

The method involves lifting the unexploded ordnance above the water surface using an explosive device equipped with a lifting mechanism and position-changing device, allowing for controlled detonation outside the water to minimize sound and shock wave entry.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the unexploded ordnance is detonated underwater, then the disposal process is simple, but extreme shock waves and strong underwater noise are generated causing harm to marine flora and fauna

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisposal process simplicityVSAvoidharm to marine flora and fauna

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the unexploded ordnance from the underwater environment and positions it above the water surface for detonation. The lifting device raises the ordnance out of the water, and the position-changing device orients it horizontally with the warhead extending beyond the water surface, thereby separating the detonation event from the aquatic ecosystem and eliminating shock wave propagation into the water.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the unexploded ordnance is lifted above the water surface using a lifting device and position-changing device, then harm to marine life is reduced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveharm to marine lifeVSAvoidexplosive device structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The explosive device is designed as an integrated multi-functional system where a single device performs multiple operations: the lifting device raises the ordnance above water, the position-changing device orients it horizontally, and the explosive charge detonates it. This consolidation of multiple functions into one device reduces overall system complexity compared to using separate specialized equipment for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If bubble curtains are used to mitigate shock waves, then some protection is provided, but the cost increases and protection is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshock wave mitigationVSAvoidadditional mitigation equipment

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of attempting to mitigate the harmful effects of the explosion after it occurs (as with bubble curtains), the invention inverts the approach by preventing shock wave generation in the first place. The ordnance is positioned above the water surface for detonation, so the explosion occurs in air rather than water, fundamentally eliminating the propagation of underwater shock waves and making additional mitigation equipment unnecessary.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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

This approach significantly reduces the negative environmental impact by decoupling the explosion from the water, achieving greater attenuation of sound and shock waves compared to underwater detonations, and allows for a safer, more precise disposal process.

Implementation Method 1

an explosive charge is brought as close as possible to a relevant unexploded ordnance (UXO) and deposited on the ground... the explosive charge should be as small as possible... an explosive device... comprises, in addition to an explosive charge with a detonator and means for activating the detonator

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectExplosion: Explosion

Implementation Method 2

the unexploded ordnance UXO is lifted from the bottom of a body of water above a water surface using an explosive device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBuoyancy: Archimedes' Principle (Buoyancy)

Implementation Method 3

a lifting device, and a position-changing device... The lifting device is designed to lift the unexploded ordnance above a water surface and is dimensioned such that it can bear the total weight of the unexploded ordnance UXO on the water surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentEP4350277B1Explosion process and explosion device for eliminating an unexploded weapon

Publication Date: 2024.11.20 HEINRICH HIRDES

Figure 1a~1c
Figure 1d~1f
Figure 1g~1i

AI summary

The present invention relates to a blasting method for removing unexploded ordnance (UXO) lying on the bottom underwater, wherein an explosive device (1) with an explosive charge is fixed to the unexploded ordnance (UXO) by a submersible robot (ROV), as well as to a blasting device for implementing this blasting method. In order to create a blasting method for removing unexploded ordnance (UXO) lying on the bottom (BO) below a water surface (WO) while significantly reducing very negative impacts on the environment, it is proposed that the unexploded ordnance (UXO) be lifted by the blasting device (1) from the bottom (BO) of the body of water above the water surface (WO) and detonated above the water surface (WO).