USH162H
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System and method for wide-area mine clearance
Assignee: United States Department of the Army
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Filing: 1986-02-03
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Granted: 1986-11-04
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Expires: 2006-02-03
Abstract
Abstract A system and method for wide-area mine clearance employs a plurality of f-containing plastic containers disposed a horizontal distance apart which permits an overlap between adjacent aerosol clouds formed therefrom when explosive bursters are simultaneously detonated within each container. At least one detonation charge is exploded within one of the aerosol clouds following a predetermined time delay for detonating the line of overlapping clouds whereby a line of ground surface is exposed to a fuel-air explosion capable of detonating susceptible mines therein. The distance between adjacent containers and the height each container is suspended above the ground is related to the weight of the liquid fuel contained in each container. In the preferred embodiment, each plastic container is suspended from a tripod having a hook or other means for permitting attachment and detachment of a crane hook whereby the tripod may be positioned over uncleared ground from a location well within cleared ground. The detonation charge may also be suspended from a tripod at a distance from the nearest container which places it well within the cloud therefrom and at a height substantially equal to the height of the centers of the containers.
Inventors
- 👤 John D. Sullivan, Jr.
- 👤 Charles N. Kingery
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 21:40
CPC Classifications
F; F41; F41H; F41H11/00; F41H11/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
269 words
A system for wide-area mine clearance comprising: at least first and second fuel-air explosive units; each of said at least first and second fuel-air explosive units including a stand, a container effective for containing a fuel, means for suspending said container a first predetermined height above a surface, and means for bursting said container and dispersing said fuel to form at least first and second clouds of fuel droplets in air, respectively; each of said first and second clouds having a horizontal radius; said at least first and second fuel-air explosive units being positioned a first horizontal distance apart less than twice said horizontal radius, whereby an explosion initiated in said first cloud from said first fuel-air explosive unit propagates to said second cloud from said second fuel-air explosive unit; at least one detonator unit; said at least one detonator unit containing a quantity of high explosive of a type effective for initiating a fuel-air explosion in one of said clouds; said at least one detonator unit including means for disposing said quantity of high explosive at a second horizontal distance of less than said horizontal radius from a center of said first cloud and at a second predetermined height above said surface; said second predetermined height being substantially equal to said first predetermined height; means for explosively bursting said containers in said at least first and second fuel-air explosive units simultaneously, whereby said first and second clouds are formed; and means for detonating said quantity of high explosive a predetermined time after explosively bursting said containers, whereby a fuel-air explosion is produced in said first and second clouds.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
269 words
A system for wide-area mine clearance comprising: at least first and second fuel-air explosive units; each of said at least first and second fuel-air explosive units including a stand, a container effective for containing a fuel, means for suspending said container a first predetermined height above a surface, and means for bursting said container and dispersing said fuel to form at least first and second clouds of fuel droplets in air, respectively; each of said first and second clouds having a horizontal radius; said at least first and second fuel-air explosive units being positioned a first horizontal distance apart less than twice said horizontal radius, whereby an explosion initiated in said first cloud from said first fuel-air explosive unit propagates to said second cloud from said second fuel-air explosive unit; at least one detonator unit; said at least one detonator unit containing a quantity of high explosive of a type effective for initiating a fuel-air explosion in one of said clouds; said at least one detonator unit including means for disposing said quantity of high explosive at a second horizontal distance of less than said horizontal radius from a center of said first cloud and at a second predetermined height above said surface; said second predetermined height being substantially equal to said first predetermined height; means for explosively bursting said containers in said at least first and second fuel-air explosive units simultaneously, whereby said first and second clouds are formed; and means for detonating said quantity of high explosive a predetermined time after explosively bursting said containers, whereby a fuel-air explosion is produced in said first and second clouds.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
A system for wide-area mine clearance according to claim 1 wherein said stand includes a tripod.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
A system for wide-area mine clearance according to claim 2 wherein said tripod includes a suspension hook therein, said suspension hook cooperating with means on said container for suspending said container at said first predetermined height.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
A system for wide-area mine clearance according to claim 1 wherein said stand includes means for permitting attachment and detachment of an external handling device, whereby said first and second fuel-air explosive units may be positioned on uncleared ground from a position within cleared ground.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
A system for wide-area mine clearance according to claim 1 wherein said means for bursting includes a pattern of scored lines on said container for achieving a uniform burst pattern.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
A system for wide-area mine clearance according to claim 1 wherein said means for bursting includes a burster tube extending into said container, said burster tube including a blasting cap and an explosive in contact therewith.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
A system for wide-area mine clearance according to claim 6 wherein said explosive is a length of detonator cord.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
A system for wide-area mine clearance according to claim 1 wherein said first predetermined horizontal distance is substantially equal to 1.85 times said radius.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
A system for wide-area mine clearance according to claim 1 wherein said first predetermined horizontal distance is related to a weight of said fuel.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
A system for wide-area mine clearance according to claim 9 wherein the relationship is a one-third power relationship.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
A system for wide-area mine clearance according to claim 1 wherein said second horizontal distance is substantially equal to half of said radius.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
A system for wide-area mine clearance according to claim 1 wherein said first predetermined height is related to a weight of said fuel.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
A system for wide-area mine clearance according to claim 12 wherein the relationship is a one-third power relationship.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
234 words
A method for wide-area mine clearance comprising: positioning at least first and second fuel-air explosive units a first predetermined horizontal distance apart; suspending a first fuel container in said first fuel-air explosive unit and a second fuel container in said second fuel-air explosive unit a first predetermined height above a surface; explosively bursting said first and second fuel containers and dispersing said fuel to form first and second clouds of fuel droplets in air, respectively; each of said first and second clouds having a horizontal radius; said first predetermined horizontal distance apart being less than twice said radius, whereby an explosion initiated in said first cloud from said first fuel-air explosive unit propagates to said second cloud from said second fuel-air explosive unit; positioning at least one detonator unit containing a quantity of high explosive of a type effective for initiating a fuel-air explosion in one of said first and second clouds at a second predetermined horizontal distance from said first fuel-air explosive unit and at said first predetermined height above said surface; said second horizontal distance being less than said horizontal radius; explosively bursting said first and second fuel containers simultaneously, whereby said first and second clouds are formed; and detonating said quantity of high explosive a predetermined time after explosively bursting said first and second fuel containers, whereby a fuel-air explosion is produced propagating from said first cloud to said second cloud.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
234 words
A method for wide-area mine clearance comprising: positioning at least first and second fuel-air explosive units a first predetermined horizontal distance apart; suspending a first fuel container in said first fuel-air explosive unit and a second fuel container in said second fuel-air explosive unit a first predetermined height above a surface; explosively bursting said first and second fuel containers and dispersing said fuel to form first and second clouds of fuel droplets in air, respectively; each of said first and second clouds having a horizontal radius; said first predetermined horizontal distance apart being less than twice said radius, whereby an explosion initiated in said first cloud from said first fuel-air explosive unit propagates to said second cloud from said second fuel-air explosive unit; positioning at least one detonator unit containing a quantity of high explosive of a type effective for initiating a fuel-air explosion in one of said first and second clouds at a second predetermined horizontal distance from said first fuel-air explosive unit and at said first predetermined height above said surface; said second horizontal distance being less than said horizontal radius; explosively bursting said first and second fuel containers simultaneously, whereby said first and second clouds are formed; and detonating said quantity of high explosive a predetermined time after explosively bursting said first and second fuel containers, whereby a fuel-air explosion is produced propagating from said first cloud to said second cloud.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-11-03 | 1990-05-05 | 1990-11-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-11-03 | 1994-05-05 | 1994-11-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-11-03 | 1998-05-05 | 1998-11-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |