Integrated system for combating improvised explosive devices

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9689981-B2
Application number	US-201214004852-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 5, 2012
Priority date	Mar 17, 2011
Publication date	Jun 27, 2017
Grant date	Jun 27, 2017

Abstract

The system comprises an orientable block, in which are mounted at least transmission and reception antennas of means for detecting improvised explosive devices, which are directed in such a way as to illuminate at least one and the same zone of space, and a detection confirmation camera which is directed towards the zone illuminated by these transmission and reception antennas in such a way as to be able to form an image of this zone, as well as means for controlling the orientation of said orientable block, which bring about a displacement of said block in such a way as to generate a scan of a part of space by said detection means.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A movable device comprising:
(a) a combating system for combating improvised explosive devices, wherein said combating system comprises an integrated system for combating improvised explosive devices provided with electronic components, said integrated system comprising:
a detection unit configured to remotely detect electronic components, said detection unit including at least a transmission antenna and a reception antenna by detecting non-linear junctions of electronic components;
an orientable block having the transmission and reception antennas of said detection unit mounted thereto to illuminate at least a same zone of space, said orientable block being displaceable to generate a scan of apart of space by said detection unit;
a neutralization unit configured to neutralize improvised explosive devices;
a detection confirmation camera mounted to said orientable block and directed toward the zone illuminated by said transmission and reception antennas so as to be able to form an image of said zone; and
a display having a display screen configured to display the images generated by said detection confirmation camera, and an adjuster that manually adjusts the scale of the display shown on said display screen to modify zoom of the displayed images, said display screen and said adjuster being positioned remote from said orientable block, and
(b) a transmitter configured to transmit a warning signal when the current speed of the land vehicle exceeds a reference speed that depends on the scanning speed of said detection unit.

2. The movable device according to claim 1 , wherein said detection confirmation camera is directed toward the centre of the zone illuminated by said transmission and reception antennas.

3. The movable device according to claim 1 , wherein said transmission antenna and said reception antenna are mounted side by side on said orientable block.

4. The movable according to claim 1 , wherein said transmission antenna and said reception antenna are mounted in tandem on said orientable block.

5. The movable device according to claim 1 , wherein said transmission and reception antennas and said detection confirmation camera are fixed in said orientable block.

6. The movable device according to claim 1 , wherein said detection unit comprises:
a signal transmitter configured. to transmit at least a pulsed signal;
a signal receiver configured to receive at least pulsed signals returned by improvised explosive devices provided with electronic components; and
a signal control and processing unit, which is connected to said signal transmitter and to said signal receiver, wherein:
said transmission antenna is connected to said signal transmitter and said reception antenna is connected to said signal receiver.

7. The movable device according to claim 6 , wherein said detection unit further comprises an adjuster that adjusts the fundamental frequency of the pulsed signal to select a fundamental frequency, the exact harmonic of which is not present in an operating environment.

8. The movable device according to claim 1 , wherein said detection unit further comprises an adjuster configured to adjust the frequency of the signal.

9. The movable device according to claim 1 , wherein said neutralisation unit comprises a disruptor gun.

10. The movable device according to claim 1 , wherein said neutralisation unit comprises a microwave generator coupled to an orientable antenna.

11. The movable device according to claim 1 , wherein said movable device is a and vehicle, and said block of said integrated system is mounted on the roof of said land vehicle and is arranged and controlled so as to carry out a scan of the ground in front of said land vehicle.

12. The movable device according to claim 1 , wherein said movable device is a helicopter, and said block of said integrated system is mounted underneath said helicopter and is arranged and controlled so as to carry out a scan of the ground when the helicopter is flying.

13. The movable device according to claim 1 , wherein said detection unit is configured to remotely detect non-linear junctions of the electronic components.

14. The movable device according to claim 1 , wherein said further comprising a direction unit that directs firing of said neutralization unit, the direction unit being arranged on said orientable block and directed at least in a rest position toward the zone illuminated by said transmission and reception antennas.

Assignees

• Hembise Dominique
• Mbda France

Inventors

• Hembise Dominique

Classifications

• F41H11/136

  Magnetic, electromagnetic, acoustic or radiation systems, e.g. ground penetrating radars or metal-detectors · CPC title

• F41H11/32

  Decoy or sacrificial vehicles; Decoy or sacrificial devices attachable to vehicles · CPC title

• G01S13/887 Primary

  for detection of concealed objects, e.g. contraband or weapons · CPC title

• F41H13/0068

  the high-energy beam being of microwave type, e.g. for causing a heating effect in the target · CPC title

• F42D5/04

  Rendering explosive charges harmless, e.g. destroying ammunition ({F42B39/14 and F42B39/20 take precedence } ; extracting primers, dismantling ammunition F42B33/04, F42B33/06 {; chemical deactivating of explosives C06B21/0091}); Rendering detonation of explosive charges harmless · CPC title