ROV terrain disruptor

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9726461-B2
Application number	US-201514921630-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 23, 2015
Priority date	May 28, 2010
Publication date	Aug 8, 2017
Grant date	Aug 8, 2017

Abstract

A terrain disruption device includes an air or gas flow generation device mounted on a remote operated vehicle having an extendible arm, wherein the air or gas flow generation device includes an elongate (optionally detachable) ducting arrangement to direct the air or gas flow and an optional nozzle. The air or gas flow generation device and/or the elongate ducting arrangement may be mounted on the extendible arm. Preferably, the air or gas flow generation device is powered by a fan, more preferably an electric ducted fan.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A terrain disruption device for uncovering unexploded ordnance located beneath the terrain, the terrain disruption device comprising:
an air or gas flow generation device configured to generate air or gas flow and be mounted on a remote operated vehicle (ROV) having a camera and an extendable arm, the air or gas flow generation device including a powered fan and an elongate ducting arrangement to direct air or gas flow, and
a component or tool powered by the air or gas flow generated by the air or gas flow generation device;
wherein the air or gas flow generation device is configured to generate the air flow or the gas flow that disrupts the terrain in the vicinity of unexploded ordnance, so as to uncover the ordnance without causing activation of the ordnance.

2. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the elongate ducting arrangement is detachable.

3. The device according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the powered fan and the elongate ducting arrangement is configured to be mounted on the extendable arm.

4. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the powered fan is an electric ducted fan.

5. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the powered fan is operated to provide a negative airflow to create a vacuum effect.

6. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the elongate ducting arrangement is comprised of one or more modules.

7. The device according to claim 6 , wherein the elongate ducting arrangement comprises at least two telescopic modules.

8. The device according to claim 1 , wherein an end of the elongate ducting arrangement distal to the powered fan has a nozzle.

9. The device according to claim 8 , wherein the nozzle is formed as a hollow sharpened end.

10. The device according to claim 8 , wherein the nozzle is formed in a hollow spike.

11. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the elongate ducting further includes an air bleed arrangement that is configured to provide an air flow across a lens of the camera.

12. The device according to claim 1 , further comprising a disc cutting tool.

13. The device according to claim 12 , further comprising an impeller that is powered by the air flow or the gas flow from the air or gas flow generation device, the disc cutting tool being operably linked to the impeller.

14. The device according to claim 12 , wherein the disc cutting tool further comprises a bird's mouth element.

15. The device according to claim 1 , wherein:
an end of the elongate ducting arrangement distal to the powered fan has a nozzle; and
at least one of the powered fan, the elongate ducting arrangement, and the nozzle is manufactured from a lightweight composite material.

16. The device according to claim 15 , wherein the lightweight composite material comprises at least one material selected from the group consisting of: aluminium; carbon fiber reinforced resin; and glass fiber reinforced resin.

17. A method of uncovering unexploded ordnance, the method comprising:
deploying a remote operated vehicle (ROV) fitted with a terrain disruption device in the vicinity of the ordnance, the ROV having a camera and an extendable arm, and the terrain disruption device comprising:
an air or gas flow generation device configured to generate air or gas flow and mounted on the ROV, and
a component or tool powered by the air or gas flow generated by the air or gas flow generation device, and

operating the air or gas flow generation device to remove loose terrain from around the ordnance,
wherein:
the air or gas flow generation device comprises a powered fan and an elongate ducting arrangement to direct air flow or gas flow, and
the air or gas flow generation device is configured to generate the air flow or the gas flow that disrupts the terrain in the vicinity of unexploded ordnance, so as to uncover the ordnance without causing activation of the ordnance.

18. A kit of parts comprising:
a remote operated vehicle (ROV), the ROV including a camera;
an air or gas flow generation device configured to generate air or gas flow;
an elongate ducting arrangement;
a nozzle; and
a component or tool powered by the air or gas flow generated by the air or gas flow generation device,
wherein:
the air or gas flow generation device is a powered fan; and
the air or gas flow generation device is configured to generate the air flow or the gas flow that disrupts terrain in the vicinity of unexploded ordnance, so as to uncover the ordnance without causing activation of the ordnance.

19. The method according to claim 17 , wherein the camera is mounted on the extendable arm.

20. The kit according to claim 18 , wherein the camera is mounted on the ROV.

21. The device according to claim 10 , wherein the hollow spike has a trapezoidal shape such that a rearward surface of the hollow spike acts as a barb, flange or lip.

Assignees

• Qinetiq Ltd

Inventors

• Dennis Charles William
• Huggett Ian
• Wallington David Keith

Classifications

• F41H11/16 Primary

  Self-propelled mine-clearing vehicles; Mine-clearing devices attachable to vehicles · CPC title

• F41H11/28

  using brushing or sweeping means or dozers to push mines lying on a surface aside; using means for removing mines intact from a surface · CPC title