BOMB OR MINE DEACTIVATION OR DETONATION DEVICE, METHOD

AND SYSTEM TECHNICAL FIELD THIS INVENTION described herein relates generally to a bomb or mine deactivation or detonation device and method. In particular, the invention is directed to a bomb or mine deactivation or detonation device which uses constantly applied induction heating, although the scope of the invention is not necessarily limited thereto.

BACKGROUND

Bombs, mines and other explosive devices such as improvised explosive devices (IEDs) are to be found in many battlefields and former battlefields around the world. They are also used in civilian environments to attack or threaten civilians or organisations such as, governments and corporations.

According to some sources, fifty-four countries have produced more than three-hundred and forty models of antipersonnel landmines which cost as little as three dollars to produce. Compared to the relative cheapness of their manufacture and deployment, the location and destruction of such a land mine is an expensive exercise, costing between three hundred and one thousand dollars.

Another example where deactivation or detonation of a bomb or mine is required is in suspicious packages, including luggage. The screening or deactivation or detonation of suspicious packages using conventional devices and methods is time-consuming, expensive and may place operators at risk.

One method of destroying bombs or mines is to apply a voltage through the ground surrounding the buried bomb or mine. Significant drawbacks to this method include that dry ground has a large insulating effect and large amounts of energy are wasted heating the ground.

There remains a need for alternative bomb or mine deactivation or detonation devices and methods.

US patents do not constitute common general knowledge in Australia or other countries.

Any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such prior art is widely known or forms part of the common general knowledge in the field.

SUMMARY

The present invention is broadly directed to a bomb or mine deactivation or detonation device, method and system which constantly applies induction heating. A preferred advantage of the method and device is that deactivation or detonation is accomplished safely.

In one aspect, there is provided a bomb or mine deactivation or detonation device comprising:

a power supply to provide alternating current to a coil;

the coil driven by the alternating current to induce a constantly applied current and/or heat in the bomb or mine or electronic components comprised in the bomb or mine to melt the bomb or mine or the electronic components or detonate explosive in the bomb or mine; and

a cooler to cool the coil.

In one embodiment of the first aspect the device may be used to inductively heat electronic components comprised in the bomb or mine or the bomb or mine itself to thereby deactivate or detonate the mine or bomb.

In one embodiment of the first aspect the constantly applied current is not pulsed.

In another embodiment of the first aspect the constantly applied current may be of varying magnitude.

The power supply of the first aspect may comprise an alternator which converts mechanical energy to alternating current.

The power supply may also comprise an engine to provide mechanical energy to the alternator.

The power supply may comprise a gas turbine, a gear box, a drive shaft and an alternator.

In one embodiment of the first aspect the device may be carried by a single person.

In another embodiment of the first aspect the device may be mounted on a vehicle.

In yet another embodiment of the first aspect the alternating current is a high frequency alternating current.

The high frequency alternating current may be 1000 to 50000 Hz.

In one embodiment the high frequency alternating current may be 2000 to 40000 Hz.

In one embodiment of the first aspect the constantly applied current may increase induced heat over time.

In a second aspect there is provided a method for deactivation or detonation of a bomb or mine, the method including:

inductively heating the bomb or mine or electronic components comprised in the bomb or mine with an electromagnetic coil constantly applying a current sufficient to melt the bomb or mine or the electronic components or detonate explosive in the bomb or mine; and

cooling the electromagnetic coil with a cooler.

In one embodiment of the second aspect the constantly applied current is not pulsed.

In another embodiment of the second aspect the constantly applied current may be of varying magnitude.

The method of the second aspect may also include providing alternating current to the coil.

The alternating current may be provided from a power supply.

The power supply may comprise an alternator which converts mechanical energy to alternating current.

The power supply may also comprise an engine to provide mechanical energy to the alternator.

The power supply may comprise a gas turbine, a gear box, a drive shaft and an alternator.

In one embodiment of the second aspect the method may be performed by a device carried by a single person.

In another embodiment of the second aspect the method may be performed by a device mounted on a vehicle.

In yet another embodiment of the second aspect the method may be performed by the device of the first aspect.

In yet another embodiment of the second aspect the alternating current is a high frequency alternating current.

The high frequency alternating current may be 1000 to 50000 Hz.

In one embodiment the high frequency alternating current may be 2000 to 40000 Hz.

In one embodiment of the second aspect the constantly applied current may increase induced heat over time.

In a third aspect there is provided a bomb or mine deactivation or detonation system, the system comprising:

a power supply to provide an alternating current to a coil;

the coil driven by the alternating current to induce a constant current and/or heat in the bomb or mine or electronic components comprised in the bomb or mine to melt the bomb or mine or the electronic components or detonate explosive in the bomb or mine; and

a cooler to cool the coil.

In one embodiment of the third aspect the system may be used to inductively heat electronic components comprised in the mine or bomb or the mine or bomb itself to thereby deactivate ordetonate the mine or bomb.

In one embodiment of the third aspect the constantly applied current is not pulsed.

In one embodiment of the third aspect the constantly applied current may be of varying magnitude.

The power supply of the first aspect may comprise an alternator which converts mechanical energy.

The power supply may also comprise an engine to provide mechanical energy to the alternator.

The power supply may comprise a gas turbine, a gear box, a drive shaft and an alternator. In one embodiment of the third aspect the device may be carried by a single person.

In another embodiment of the third aspect the device may be mounted on a vehicle.

In yet another embodiment of the third aspect the system may perform the method of the second aspect.

In yet another embodiment of the third aspect the alternating current is a high frequency alternating current.

The high frequency alternating current may be 1000 to 50000 Hz.

In one embodiment the high frequency alternating current may be 2000 to

40000 Hz.

In one embodiment of the third aspect the constantly applied current may increase induced heat over time.

As used herein, except where the context requires otherwise, the term "comprise" and variations of the term, such as "comprising", "comprises" and "comprised", are not intended to exclude further additives, components, integers or steps.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the present invention may be readily understood and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying illustrations wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing one embodiment of the device or system of the invention;

FIG. IB is a block diagram showing another embodiment of the device or system of the invention;

FIG. 2A is a schematic diagram showing one embodiment of a vehicle for carrying the device or system of the invention;

FIG. 2B is a schematic diagram showing another embodiment of a vehicle for carrying the device or system of the invention;

FIG. 3A is a flowchart showing one embodiment of the method of the invention; and FIG 3B is a flowchart showing another embodiment of the method of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The inventor has provided a bomb or mine deactivation or detonation device, method and system that uses induction heating to explode or render the bomb or mine deactivated or inoperable. As will be appreciated, if explosion results, the device or method also serves as a bomb or mine detection device.

As used herein "bomb or mine" includes a suspected bomb or mine and unexploded ordinance.

As used herein "constantly applied" means continuing without pause or let up and, in particular, not pulsed. Although constantly applied, the induction current and heat may vary in magnitude.

Surprisingly, as exemplified herein the inventors have provided a device, method and system which inductively heats a bomb or mine or electronic components thereof in a constantly applied manner, such that the bomb or mine or electronic components are melted or the explosive is detonated. In this manner the present claimed invention finds broad application to all types of bombs or mines or suspected bombs or mines and is not limited to bombs or mines that have delicate firing circuits that are triggered by a pulsed induction current.

The heat induced by the present claimed device, method and system may be sufficient to melt the metal components of the mine or bomb. However, it is likely that the explosive will be detonated before melting occurs. This is because the detonation temperatures of common explosives are below the melting temperatures of metals used in bombs or mines. For example, the ignition temperatures of trinitrotoluene (TNT) and nitrocellulose is 225 °C and 1 83 - 186 °C, respectively.

The invention described herein provides a "tool" in the purposeful sense. The invention may be used to supplement and be used in conjunction with existing methods; in effect the present invention may provide an extra tool for the tool kit.

Given that many land mines, roadside bombs and so on, may have relatively delicate electronic components, e.g. those intended to be set off by remote operators (persons), it would be possible to detonate or de-activate many such devices by induction heating (electrical). Significantly, the present invention is not limited to bombs or mines with delicate electronic components because the constant induction is sufficient to melt the bomb or mine or its casing or to detonate the explosive.

Induction heating is used often on a massive scale to melt metals in industry. Such a heater (furnace) can however have a very large power output and yet be light in weight and physically small. For example, small gas turbines not much larger than fist size used in model aircraft can have outputs of 10 KW or so and as the output power is partly proportional to volume, a slightly larger engine can deliver very high power to drive an electrical alternator to output high frequency alternating current to water cooled copper coils, silver coils or other forms of cooling may be used, of course.

One application would be in effect insurance; for example it would be very time consuming to place dynamite on every suspicious object and blow it up. But, the method, device and system of the invention is cheap and convenient and can be used quickly by a small team to treat a great number of objects, e.g. one thousand objects in a week.

The other reason for calling it insurance is the effects of this device would be uncertain and this is the reason it would be to supplement other methods of detecting and de-activating mines. A suitably thorough testing and development program could determine deactivation or detonation probability.

FIG. 1 A shows one embodiment of a device 100 according to the invention. The device 100 comprises a coil 1 10 for inductively heating the bomb or mine, electronic components of the bomb or mine or explosive comprised in the bomb or mine.

The coil 1 10 may be any suitable coil for an electromagnetic coil.

The coil 1 10 may comprise one or more turns. In one embodiment the coil comprises one turn although a skilled person understands that coil 1 10 is not so limited.

The coil 1 10 may be comprised of any suitable conductor. Suitable conductors include copper, aluminium and silver. In one embodiment the coil is a copper coil. The coil may be a hollow or solid coil. In one embodiment the coil is a hollow copper coil. In embodiments wherein the coil is solid a skilled person is readily able to select a suitable cooler 130.

The coil 1 10 may comprise electrical connections, or taps, for connection to the electronic circuit.

The coil 1 10 may be coated with a varnish and/or wrapped with an insulating tape to provide insulation.

The current induced in the bomb or mine or electronic components thereof may be eddy currents.

In operation the coil 110 may be positioned near the bomb or mine, or if possible the bomb or mine may be positioned within the coil 1 10.

The device 100 also comprises a power supply 120. Preferably, the power supply is sufficiently compact that it can be easily transported, either by a single person or by a vehicle. Based on the teaching herein a skilled person is readily able to design or select a suitable power supply.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 B the power supply 120 comprises engine 122, gear box 124, drive shaft 126 and alternator 128.

Engine 122 may be any suitable engine such as a, gas turbine engine. The engine 120 provides mechanical energy to the alternator 128.

The alternator 128 converts the mechanical energy provided by the engine into alternating current (AC).

The embodiment illustrated in FIG. IB shows an alternator 128, in other embodiments the alternator 128 may be substituted with a generator inverter which converts direct current (DC) to AC.

The alternating current may be a high frequency alternating current. The high frequency alternating current may be 1000 to 50000 Hz. Preferably, the high frequency alternating current is 2000 to 40000 Hz.

As shown in FIGS. 1 A and 1 B, device 100 also comprises a cooler 130. In the embodiment shown in FIG. I B, cooler 1 0 comprises a heat exchanger 132 and coolant pump 134 which pumps coolant 136 through tubing or pipes 138 around the coil 1 10 and heat exchanger 132 to accomplish cooling. The coolant 136 may be water or other suitable cooling fluid.

In one embodiment the tubing or pipes 138 is non-conductive and may be comprised of silicone rubber.

In embodiments wherein coil 1 10 is a hollow tube, preferably the coolant flows through the hollow of the coil 110 hollow tube.

As mentioned above, the device 100 of the present invention may be a low weight such that a single man could carry it. In other embodiments at least part device 100 is vehicle mounted. Suitable vehicles for mounting the device 100 of the invention include a personnel carrier 140 (see FIG. 2 A) and a tracked robot 142 (see FIG. 2B) or other remotely operated vehicle.

FIG. 3A shows one embodiment of the method 200 for deactivation or detonation of a bomb or mine. Method 200 includes step 250 inductively heating the bomb or mine or electronic components comprised in the bomb or mine with an electromagnetic coil with a constantly applied current sufficient to melt the bomb or mine or the electronic components or detonate explosive in the bomb or mine.

Method 200 also includes step 252 of cooling the electromagnetic coil with a cooler.

FIG. 3B shows another embodiment of the method 200 of the invention which includes step 254 providing current to the coil.

Advantageously, the present invention includes cooling coil 1 10. The cooling may be necessary because the present invention delivers a large amount of constantly applied current to the bomb or mine to heat the bomb or mine or components thereof. In fact, the present invention may melt the bomb or mine, casing of the bomb or mine, electronic components of the bomb or mine or may detonate the explosive comprised in the bomb or mine. The skilled person understands that the cooling provided by cooler 130 may prevent coil 1 10 from melting.

A skilled person will understand that because the current is constantly applied the heat induced in the bomb or mine or electronic components thereof may increase over time. This highlights the importance of cooler 130 which may prevent coil 1 10 from melting.

Based on the teaching herein a skilled person is readily able to select a suitable current frequency, a suitable time for application of the current and a suitable speed for movement of the device over a bomb or mine.

By inductively heating the bomb or mine in the consistent, non-pulsed manner of the present invention, higher temperatures are reached which greatly increases the probability of bomb or mine deactivation or detonation.

Another significant advantage of the present invention is that is useful for all bombs or mines and is not limited to those with sensitive priming circuits.

The advantages and broad application of the present claimed invention may be appreciated by considering the application of the present claimed invention to testing luggage. The application of the present claimed invention would successfully deactivate and/or detonate any bombs or mines and would have relatively little collateral damage as compared to the currently practice of exploding all suspect luggage. Further, these same advantages apply to unexploded shells or bombs, e.g. a mortar bomb with a damaged percussion detonator.

Throughout the specification the aim has been to describe the preferred embodiments of the invention without limiting the invention to any one embodiment or specific collection of features. It will therefore be appreciated by those of skill in the art that, in light of the instant disclosure, various modifications and changes can be made in the particular embodiments exemplified without departing from the scope of the present invention.

All computer programs, algorithms, patent and scientific literature referred to herein is incorporated herein by reference.