BUMPER SYSTEM FOR AN EXPLOSIVE ORDNANCE DISPOSAL DISRUPTOR

Abstract

The disclosed technology includes a bumper system for use with an Explosive Ordnance Disposal disruptor. The bumper system can include a bumper stop configured the slidably engage the disruptor, and a bumper configured to receive at least a portion of an initiation system of the disruptor. The bumper may be configured to receive at least a portion of the initiation system such that the bumper is attached to the at least a portion of the initiation system by friction.

Claims

1. A bumper system for attachment to an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) disruptor, the bumper system comprising: a bumper stop configured to receive at least a portion of the EOD disruptor; and a bumper that is attachable to an end of the EOD disruptor, the bumper having: a first cavity extending into the bumper, the first cavity configured to receive at least a portion of the EOD disruptor; and a second cavity extending into the bumper from an external surface of the bumper and intersecting with the first cavity.

2. The bumper system of claim 1, wherein the second cavity intersects the first cavity to form an open volume extending from a first side of the bumper to a second side of the bumper.

3. The bumper system of claim 1, wherein the bumper has an impact-receiving portion and an attachment portion, the first cavity extending through the attachment portion and the second cavity extending through the impact-receiving portion.

4. The bumper system of claim 1, wherein a central axis of the second cavity is offset from a central axis of the first cavity.

5. The bumper system of claim 4, wherein the central axis of the bumper is generally aligned with a central axis of the EOD disruptor when the bumper is attached to the end of the EOD disruptor.

6. The bumper system of claim 3, wherein the second cavity is offset from the central axis of the bumper by approximately 50.

7. The bumper system of claim 1, wherein the bumper further comprises a protrusion, the protrusion being approximately cylindrical, wherein the bumper stop has an outer diameter greater than an outer diameter of the protrusion and the bumper stop further comprises a receiving aperture formed partially therethrough, the receiving aperture having a diameter approximately equal to the outer diameter of the protrusion and configured to receive at least a portion of the protrusion.

8. The bumper system of claim 6, wherein the bumper is configured to be retained at least partially by the bumper stop via friction between the receiving aperture of the bumper stop and the protrusion of the bumper.

9. The bumper system of claim 6, wherein the protrusion has an outer diameter less than an outer diameter of the bumper such that an external lip of the bumper is formed.

10. The bumper system of claim 6, wherein the protrusion tapers as the protrusion extends from a center of the bumper.

11. The bumper system of claim 6, wherein the protrusion tapers at an angle in a range of approximately 0.5 to approximately 10.

12. The bumper system of claim 1, wherein the bumper has a shape that is approximately hemispherical or a portion of an approximately ovate or ovoidal shape.

13. The bumper system of claim 1, wherein the bumper stop further comprises an attachment point for a lanyard.

14. An Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) disruptor system comprising: an elongate disruptor having a front end and a rear end, the disruptor configured to discharge a disruption projectile from the front end; an initiation system; and a bumper system configured to attach to the disruptor, the bumper system comprising: a bumper stop configured to receive at least a portion of the disruptor; and a bumper that is attachable to the rear end of the disruptor, the bumper having: a first cavity configured to receive at least a portion of the rear end of the disruptor; and a second cavity extending from an external surface of the bumper and intersecting with the first cavity, the first cavity and the second cavity being in fluid connection.

15. The EOD disruptor system of claim 14, wherein the second cavity of the bumper is offset from a central axis of the bumper.

16. The EOD disruptor system of claim 15, wherein the second cavity of the bumper is offset from the central axis of the bumper by approximately 50.

17. The EOD disruptor system of claim 14, wherein the first cavity of the bumper has a diameter approximately equal to an outer diameter of the initiation system such that the bumper is configured to be retained by the initiation system at least in part by friction.

18. The EOD disruptor system of claim 17, wherein the bumper further comprises a protrusion, the protrusion being approximately cylindrical in cross-section and having an outer diameter less than an outer diameter of the bumper such that an external lip of the bumper is formed, wherein the bumper stop has an outer diameter greater than the outer diameter of the protrusion and the bumper stop further comprises a receiving cavity hole having a diameter approximately equal to or greater than the outer diameter of the protrusion and configured to receive at least a portion of the protrusion.

19. The EOD disruptor system of claim 18, wherein the protrusion tapers as the protrusion extends outwardly from a center of the bumper.

20. The EOD disruptor system of claim 14, wherein the bumper has a shape that is approximately hemispherical or a portion of an approximately ovate or ovoidal shape.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0024] Reference will now be made to the accompanying figures, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

[0025] FIG. 1A depicts a partial cross-section of a disruptor including a bumper system, according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0026] FIG. 1B depicts a partial cross-section of a disruptor including a bumper system, according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0027] FIG. 2A depicts an isometric view of a bumper stop, according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0028] FIG. 2B depicts a side view of a bumper stop, according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0029] FIG. 2C depicts a front view of a bumper stop, according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0030] FIG. 2D depicts a cross-sectional view of a bumper stop taken along line A-A of FIG. 2C, according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0031] FIG. 3A depicts an isometric view of a bumper stop, according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0032] FIG. 3B depicts a front view of a bumper stop, according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0033] FIG. 3C depicts a rear view of a bumper stop, according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0034] FIG. 3D depicts a side view of a bumper stop, according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0035] FIG. 3E depicts a cross-sectional view of a bumper stop taken along line B-B of FIG. 3B, according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0036] FIG. 4A depicts a rear view of a bumper, according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0037] FIG. 4B depicts a side view of a bumper, according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0038] FIG. 4C depicts a cross-sectional view of a bumper stop taken along line C-C of FIG. 4A, according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0039] FIG. 4D depicts a front view of a bumper, according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0040] FIG. 5A depicts a rear view of a bumper, according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0041] FIG. 5B depicts a side view of a bumper, according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0042] FIG. 5C depicts a cross-sectional view of a bumper stop taken along line C-C of FIG. 5A, according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure; and

[0043] FIG. 5D depicts a front view of a bumper, according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0044] Throughout this disclosure, certain implementations are described in exemplary fashion in relation bumper systems, which can be used with stand-mounted EOD disruptor systems. But implementations of the disclosed technology are not so limited. In some implementations, the disclosed technology may be effective when used with any initiation system. Moreover, certain implementations may be effective at reducing recoil damage, regardless of whether the EOD disruptor system is mounted to a stand.

[0045] Some implementations of the disclosed technology will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. This disclosed technology may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the implementations set forth therein.

[0046] In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth. But it is to be understood that implementations of the disclosed technology may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, structures, and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of this description. References to one implementation, an implementation, example implementation, some implementations, certain implementations, various implementations, etc., indicate that the implementation(s) of the disclosed technology so described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but not every implementation necessarily includes the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Further, repeated use of the phrase in one implementation does not necessarily refer to the same implementation, although it may.

[0047] Throughout the specification and the claims, the following terms take at least the meanings explicitly associated herein, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The term or is intended to mean an inclusive or. Further, the terms a, an, and the are intended to mean one or more unless specified otherwise or clear from the context to be directed to a singular form.

[0048] Unless otherwise specified, the use of the ordinal adjectives first, second, third, etc., to describe a common object, merely indicate that different instances of like objects are being referred to, and are not intended to imply that the objects so described should be in a given sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking, or in any other manner.

[0049] FIGS. 1A and 1B each depicts a disruptor 100 to which a bumper system 110 is attached. Typically, the disruptor includes an initiation system 102 (e.g., a breech plug assembly including a breech plug and firing pin, an electric firing system) that is located at or near the rear end 104 of the disruptor 100 and an initiator device 106 (e.g., an electric detonation transmitter, a shock tube, which is typically a piece of tubing including a small amount of explosive or other detonator material configured to engage an initiator, such as a firing pin, that is configured to initiate discharge of a disruption projectile) that is connected to the initiation system 102. In some disruptors 100, the initiation system 102 can include a push-lock device to permit easy attachment and detachment of the initiation device 106, for example.

[0050] Some disruptors 100 are designed to be reusable. To reuse some such disruptors 100, the spent disruption projectile must be replaced with a new disruption projectile, and a new initiator device 106 must be connected to the initiation system 102. As discussed above, the recoil experienced by a disruptor 100 upon discharge of a disruption projectile may cause the disruptor 100 to recoil away from the targeted explosive device and into an object located behind the disruptor 100. In an attempt to contain the disruptor 100 and prevent it from striking surrounding objects, an operator may place a stopping object, such as a makeshift wall or other items, behind the disruptor 100. While this may prevent the disruptor 100 from damaging surrounding persons or objects, this may increase the likelihood of the disruptor 100 itself suffering damage. Further, the initiation system 102which is often one of the most expensive components of the disruptor 100 and typically critical to functionality of the disruptor 100is often located at or near the rear end 104 of the disruptor 100, increasing the risk of damaging a critical and/or expensive component of the disruptor 100. And because the disruptor 100 cannot function without the initiation system 102, the disruptor 100 may be inoperable until the initiation system 102 is replaced. Moreover, the comparatively high price of an initiation system 102 may discourage an operator from storing extra or backup breech plug assemblies 102, resulting in the disruptor 100 being inoperable until a new initiation system is ordered, delivered, and installed. Even if the initiation system 102 is not broken during recoil, damage to the breech plug assembly, such as bending a portion of it, may make it difficult or impossible to remove and replace the spent initiator device 106 without fully disassembling the disruptor 100. This may prove catastrophic in an emergency situation.

[0051] To combat these problems, a bumper system 110 can be installed or attached to the disruptor 100 to protect the breech plug assembly. In some embodiments, the bumper system 110 can include a bumper stop 112 and a bumper 114. According to some embodiments, the bumper system 100 requires minimal effort to attach to and/or detach from the disruptor 100. This may enable an operator to quickly remove some or all of the bumper system 110 (as necessary) to access the initiation system 102 to remove and/or replace the spent initiator device 106 and/or the spent disruption projectile. The bumper 114 of the bumper system 110 may be configured to absorb at least a portion of the impact force resulting from recoil while being durable enough for repeated use. The bumper stop 112 of the bumper system 110 may be configured to provide a greater surface area for the bumper to press against upon impact, which may increase the durability of the bumper 114, the bumper system 110, and/or the disruptor 100 itself. Such a configuration may also protect any attachment mechanism used by the initiation system 102 and/or initiator device 106, such as a quick-release assembly. In some embodiments, the disruptor 100 may include an attachment point for a lanyard, such as a recoil arresting lanyard or a recoil absorbing lanyard. In certain embodiments, the lanyard attachment point may be attached, connected, and/or affixed to the bumper stop 112, and in some embodiments, the lanyard attachment point may be integral with the bumper stop 112, as depicted in FIG. 1B, for example. Various aspects of the bumper system 110 are discussed more fully below.

[0052] FIGS. 2A-2D depict a bumper stop 112 that, according to some embodiments, may be used with the disruptor shown in FIG. 1A. In some embodiments, the bumper stop 112 may include a through-hole 216. In some embodiments, the through-hole 216 may be coaxial with the center of the bumper stop 112. In some embodiments, the diameter of the through-hole 216 may be larger than the diameter of the rear end 104 of the disruptor 100. In certain embodiments, the diameter of the through-hole 216 may be slightly larger than the diameter of the rear end 104 of the disruptor 100 such that the bumper stop 112 snugly fits on the rear end 104 (but not so snug that it is difficult to remove, by hand, the bumper stop 112 from the rear end 104). In some embodiments, the diameter of the through-hole 216 may be larger than the diameter of the rear end 104 of the disruptor 100 such that there is a small amount of play between the bumper stop 112 and the rear end 104. Having play between the bumper stop 112 and the rear end 104 of the disruptor 100 may advantageously permit an operator to more quickly attach and/or detach the bumper stop 112. The intentional difference in diameter between the through-hole 216 of the bumper stop 112 and the rear end 104 of the disruptor 100 may also permit the bumper system 110 to be usable with a range of diameters, and thus a range of third-party disruptors. Some embodiments may include a partial hole 218 extending into the rear of the bumper stop 112. In certain embodiments, the diameter of the partial hole 218 may be larger than the diameter of the through-hole 216.

[0053] FIGS. 3A-3E depict a bumper stop 112 that may be used, for example, with the disruptor 100 shown in FIG. 1B. As shown in FIGS. 3A-3E, some embodiments may include a bumper stop 112 that is asymmetrical. For example, in some embodiments, the bumper stop 112 may include a lanyard hole 320. As shown, in FIGS. 3A-3E, the lanyard hole 320 may be a hole through an extension of the bumper stop 112 such that the lanyard hole 320 is adjacent to the through-hole 216. All embodiments are not so limited, however. For example, in some embodiments, the lanyard hole 320 may be a ring, a loop, or a portion of a loop, attached to an external wall of the bumper stop 112.

[0054] According to some embodiments, the bumper stop 112 can be made of aluminum. In some embodiments, the bumper stop 112 can be made of aircraft grade aluminum (e.g., 6061-T6 aluminum). In certain embodiments, the bumper stop 112 may of any material of suitable strength to withstand repeated impacts, such as steel, other metals, or strong and stiff plastics, which may or may not include enhancements such as carbon fiber reinforcement. In certain embodiments, the bumper stop 112 may include a coating or finishing. For example, some embodiments may include mil-std-8625 anodized finishing. The thickness of the bumper stop 112 may be determined to provide sufficient structure, rigidity, and durability to withstand repeated impacts caused by recoil. In some embodiments, the thickness of the bumper stop may be in the range of to . In some embodiments, the thickness of the bumper stop may be in the range of to , and in some embodiments, the thickness of the bumper stop may be in the range of to 1.5.

[0055] FIGS. 4A-4D depict a bumper 114 that may, for example, be used with the disruptor 100 shown in FIG. 1A. In some embodiments, the bumper 114 may include a bulbous portion 422 and a protrusion 424. In some embodiments, the bulbous portion 422 may be approximately hemispherical. In some embodiments, the bulbous portion may resemble a portion of an ovate or ovoidal shape. In certain embodiments, the protrusion 424 may be approximately cylindrical. In some embodiments, the protrusion may have a diameter that is less than a diameter of the bulbous portion such that an external lip 426 is formed. In certain embodiments, the external lip 426 may be configured to abut at least a portion of the bumper stop 112. In some embodiments, the protrusion 424 may have a diameter that is approximately the same as the diameter of the partial hole 218 of the bumper stop 112. In some embodiments, the protrusion 424 may have a height that is approximately the same or less than the depth of the partial hole 218 of the bumper stop 112. In certain embodiments, the protrusion 424 may taper by decreasing in diameter as it extends away from the bulbous portion 422. In some embodiments, the protrusion 424 may taper at an angle in the range of 0.5 to 10. For example, in some embodiments, the protrusion 424 may taper at an angle of 1.5.

[0056] According to some embodiments, the bumper 114 may include a partial hole 428 extending into the bumper 114 from the face of the protrusion 424, forming an interior lip. The interior lip 430 may be configured to, upon assembly of the bumper system, receive at least a portion of the initiation system 102 such that the initiation system 102 is encompassed by the bumper system 110. In some embodiments, the bumper 114 may include an initiator device hole 432. In some embodiments, the initiator device hole 432 may be configured to provide easy attachment of an initiator device 106, such as a length of shock tube, that can be used to initiate discharge of the disruption projectile. In some embodiments, the diameter of the initiator device hole 432 may be substantially larger than the typical diameter of the initiator device 106. For example, in some embodiments, the diameter of the initiator device hole 432 may be in the range of 1/10 to , and in some embodiments, the diameter of the initiator device hole 432 may be in the range of to . In some embodiments, the diameter of the initiator device hole 432 may be in the range of to , and in some embodiments, the diameter of the initiator device hole 432 may be in the range of to 1. According to some embodiments, the axis of the initiator device hole 432 may be offset from the central axis of the bumper 114. Because the disruptor 100 and bumper system 110 are most likely to be propelled straight backward upon discharge, this offset may decrease the likelihood that dirt and debris (or amount of dirt and debris) entering the initiator device hole 432. This may in turn reduce or eliminate the amount of dirt and debris coming into contact with the initiation system 102. In some embodiments, the axis of the initiator device hole 432 may be offset from the central axis of the bumper 114 at an angle in the range of 10 to 80. For example, in some embodiments, the axis of the initiator device hole 432 may be offset from the central axis of the bumper 114 at an angle of approximately 50.

[0057] FIGS. 5A-5D depict a bumper 114 that may, for example, be used with the disruptor 100 shown in FIG. 1B. In some embodiments, the bumper 114 may include a bulbous portion 422 but may not include a protrusion 424. Thus, in some embodiments, the bumper 114 may also not include an external lip 426.

[0058] According to some embodiments, the bumper 114 can be made of a polymer or a polymer resin. In some embodiments, the bumper 114 can be made of high-density, impact-resistant polymer material, such as a urethane or a polyurethane elastomer. The thickness of the bumper 114 may be determined to provide sufficient structure, rigidity, and durability to withstand repeated impacts caused by recoil. In some embodiments, the thickness of the bumper 114 may be in the range of to . In some embodiments, the thickness of the bumper 114 may be in the range of to 1. In some embodiments, the thickness of the bumper 114 may be in the range of 1 to 3.

Exemplary Use Cases

[0059] The following exemplary use cases describe examples of a typical user flow pattern. It is intended solely for explanatory purposes and not in limitation. To attach the bumper system to the disruptor, the rear end of the disruptor is slidably inserted into the through-hole of the bumper stop. A breech plug assembly is then inserted into the rear end of the disruptor and held in place by the push-lock device. Because the breech plug assembly has a larger diameter than that of the through-hole of the bumper stop, the bumper stop is attached to the disruptor. Shock tube is then fed through bumper via the initiator device hole, and the shock tube is connected to the breech plug assembly. The bumper is then pressed onto (or into, depending on the embodiment) the breech plug assembly and/or the bumper stop, causing the bumper to be attached to the breech plug assembly and/or the bumper stop via frictional forces.

[0060] To remove the bumper system from the disruptor, the bumper is pulled from the breech plug assembly and/or the bumper stop, and the push-lock of the breech plug assembly is then released by depressing the push-lock, such that the spent shock tube can be removed from the breech plug assembly. The disruptor is then uninserted from the through-hole of the bumper stop.

[0061] Although certain features of the above disclosure are discussed with respect to a breech plug assembly and/or electric firing system, it is to be understood that the disclosed technology can be used with any initiation system currently available or yet to become available. Similarly, while certain features of the above disclosure are discussed with respect to a shock tube and/or an electric detonation transmitter and/or a shock tube, it is to be understood that the disclosed technology can be used with any initiator device currently available or yet to become available.

[0062] While certain implementations of the disclosed technology have been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical implementations, it is to be understood that the disclosed technology is not to be limited to the disclosed implementations, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.