Demining device

Abstract

A demining device has a controlled detonator or hammer assembly mounted on a ram drive; which, when it is used as a demining device, permits efficient elimination of a minefield with minimal danger to the operator of the tractor, and which can be easily assembled from parts on hand or otherwise used with a device for exploding mines in a minefield.

Claims

1. A demining device comprising: the demining device including a detonator assembly mounted on a ram drive, articulated tractor; a front drive mechanism on the ram drive, articulated tractor being operably connected to a pair of front wheels for the ram drive, articulated tractor; a rear drive mechanism on the ram drive, articulated tractor being operably connected to a pair of rear wheels for the ram drive, articulated tractor; the front drive mechanism being offset relative to the rear drive mechanism; a front lower wheel mount receiving a front axle; a rear lower wheel mount receiving a rear axle; the front lower wheel mount supporting a front strut tower; the rear lower wheel mount supporting a rear strut tower; a first hinge shaft cradle beam being supported on the front strut tower; a second hinge shaft cradle beam being supported on the rear strut tower; the front strut tower supporting a lift boom for a lift cable; an upper keel beam resting on the front strut tower and the rear strut tower; a steering pad assembly permitting effective steering of the ram drive, articulated tractor; the steering pad assembly having a tractor support pad; the detonator assembly including a shield capable of contacting a ground surface; and a hammer assembly being contained in the shield as a part of the detonator assembly.

2. The demining device of claim 1 further comprising: the hammer assembly serving to detonate a contacted land mine; the lift cable supporting the detonator assembly on the ram drive, articulated tractor; a control cylinder permitting the lift cable to drop the detonator assembly on the ground surface in order to detonate any mines therein; the hammer assembly including a plurality of chains; each member of the plurality of chains having an anchored end and a tethered end oppositely disposed from the anchored end; the tethered end having a hammer attached to each member of the plurality of chains; the anchored end for each member of the plurality of chains being received and secured within the shield to form the hammer assembly; the shield and the hammer assembly forming the detonator assembly; the lift cable being routed by a guide pulley; the lift cable being operated from the control cylinder; the demining device advancing forward in increments based on a depth of the shield for the hammer assembly; the hammer assembly clearing a mine free path along the surface; and the ram drive, articulated tractor being remotely controlled.

3. The demining device of claim 2 further comprising: the shield thereof permitting contact with the hammer assembly; a support sling holding the hammer assembly on the ram drive, articulated tractor; the lift cable having a lift coupling at a detonator end thereof; the lift coupling connecting the lift cable to the hammer assembly; the control cylinder end permitting a release travel bracket to drop the detonator assembly to the ground surface, thereby causing detonation of any mines under the detonator assembly; the release travel bracket being adapted to raise the detonator assembly for movement to a next ground surface desired to be cleared of mines; the control cylinder activating the lift cable; the control cylinder having a control shaft therein; the control shaft including a control shaft aperture to receive lift cable, in order to move the detonator assembly up or down as desired; a pulley bracket supporting a cable pulley; the cable pulley cooperating with the guide pulley to raise or lower the detonator assembly; the front strut tower supporting a front drive cylinder; the rear strut tower supporting a rear drive cylinder; the front drive cylinder having a front drive end oppositely from a front wheel end; the rear drive cylinder having a rear drive end oppositely from a rear wheel end; the front wheel end being connected to one of the pair of front wheels; and the rear wheel end being connected to one of the pair of rear wheels.

4. The demining device of claim 3 further comprising: the tractor support pad being mounted on a top end of a hydraulic lifting cylinder; a ground contact pad being mounted on a bottom end of the hydraulic lifting cylinder; the hydraulic lifting cylinder having a tractor support rod; the tractor support rod feeding into the hydraulic lifting cylinder; the tractor support rod being extendable to lift the articulated tractor; the tractor support pad including a rotating mechanism secured to the hydraulic lifting cylinder at the center thereof, which can rotate the ram drive, articulated tractor in a desired direction when the ram drive, articulated tractor is raised and lower the ram drive, articulated tractor when the rotation is complete; a lower keel beam for the tractor frame having an upper aperture concentric with a lower aperture to receive the hydraulic lifting cylinder and support the same within the lower keel beam; and the support rod feeding into the hydraulic lifting cylinder at one end thereof and receiving the ground plate at the other end thereof.

5. The demining device of claim 4 further comprising: the tractor support pad securing the hydraulic cylinder to the ram drive, articulated tractor; the support rod when deployed permitting the ground plate to contact the ground and lift the ram drive, articulated tractor; the support rod extending from the hydraulic cylinder to allow for rotation of the demining device; and the offset of front drive cylinder relative to the rear drive cylinder being 80 degrees to 95 degrees.

6. The demining device of claim 5 further comprising the offset of front drive cylinder relative to the rear drive cylinder is 85 degrees to 95 degrees.

7. The demining device of claim 6 further comprising: the ram drive, articulated tractor being permitted to proceed in the desired direction; and the ram drive, articulated tractor and the demining device thus functioning in a minefield.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 depicts a front perspective view of demining device 100 with a detonator assembly 104 mounted on a ram drive, articulated tractor 106.

(2) FIG. 2 depicts a rear perspective view of demining device 100 based on FIG. 1.

(3) FIG. 3 depicts a front perspective, close-up, partially cutaway view of demining device 100 with a detonator assembly 104 mounted on ram drive, articulated tractor 106.

(4) FIG. 4 depicts a partial side view of detonator assembly 104 and its relationship to demining device 100 with lift cable 132.

(5) FIG. 5 depicts a side view of demining device 100 advancing forward in increments of the box or shield depth 264 by means of each of its drive cylinders 212.

(6) FIG. 6 depicts a side view of demining device 100 stopping in an area of a ground or surface 110 to be demined.

(7) FIG. 7 depicts a top plan view of demining device 100 and its steering capabilities.

(8) FIG. 8 depicts a front exploded view of the demining device 100 in general and the ram drive, articulated tractor 106 in particular.

(9) FIG. 9 depicts a rear exploded view of the demining device 100 in general and the ram drive, articulated tractor 106 in particular.

(10) FIG. 10 depicts a perspective view of ram drive, articulated tractor 106 for demining device 100 showing an exploded steering pad assembly 300 mounted thereunder as further shown in FIG. 11.

(11) FIG. 11 depicts a side view of ram drive, articulated tractor 106 with a steering pad assembly 300 deployed and mounted thereunder.

(12) FIG. 12 depicts a side view of ram drive, articulated tractor 106 with a steering pad assembly 300 retracted and mounted thereunder.

(13) FIG. 13 depicts a bottom plan view of the demining device 100 in general and the ram drive, articulated tractor 106 in particular with a steering pad assembly 300 mounted thereunder.

(14) FIG. 14 depicts a box diagram of the demining device 100.

(15) Throughout the figures of the drawings, where the same part appears in more than one figure of the drawings, the same number is applied thereto.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(16) Reference will now be made in detail to several embodiments of the invention that are illustrated in accompanying drawings. Whenever possible, the same or similar reference numerals are used in the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts or steps. The drawings are in simplified form and are not to precise scale. For purposes of convenience and clarity only, directional terms such as top, bottom, left, right, up, down, over, above, below, beneath, rear, and front, may be used with respect to the drawings. These and similar directional terms are not to be construed to limit the scope of the invention in any manner. The words attach, connect, couple, and similar terms with their inflectional morphemes do not necessarily denote direct or intermediate connections, but may also include connections through mediate elements or devices.

(17) The demining device has a detonator assembly mounted on a ram drive tractor to provide for a faster, more efficient removal of the landmines in a minefield. The tractor can also be a ram drive, articulated tractor includes a first axle and a second axle relative to articulated beams. The two axles can cooperate to assist the articulated fashion with an appropriate cylindrical structure.

(18) The drive mechanism on the front wheels is offset from the drive mechanism on the rear wheels by about 90 degrees to achieve more effective use of engine power. Also, such a structure achieves a four wheel drive vehicle. The crankshaft permits use of much less torque to turn the wheel when the crankshaft is used as an axle.

(19) The wheels on the ram drive, articulated tractor can be formed in any suitable fashion. Preferably, the wheels are formed of wood with scraps of tires cut into pieces and attached thereto, in order to provide an efficient ground contact for the ram drive, articulated tractor.

(20) Turning now to FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, the demining device 100 has a ram drive, articulated tractor 106 with a detonator assembly 104. The detonator assembly 104 includes a box or shield 108 capable of contacting the ground or surface 110 (FIG. 3) with a hammer assembly 112 contained in the shield 108 as part of the detonator assembly 104. Ram drive, articulated tractor 106 supports the detonator assembly 104.

(21) Adding FIG. 3, FIG. 4, FIG. 5, Figure, FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 to the consideration, a cut-away view of the hammer assembly 112 in detonator assembly 104 and its relationship to the ram drive, articulated tractor 106 forms the demining device 100. The detonator assembly 104 has the hammer assembly 112 in box or shield 108. As the box or shield 108 strikes ground or surface 110, so does the hammer assembly 112. Blows from the hammer assembly 112 on the ground or surface 110 can cause the detonation dust cloud 134 of FIG. 6 due to the explosion of mines (not shown).

(22) FIG. 6 shows demining device 100 stopping at a small area to be demined. Here the demining device 100 has instantly released the tension hold on its lift cable 132 by command of control cylinder 160. That action causes the dropping of the detonator assembly 104 with full force of its weight on to the ground or surface 110, thereby further causing each hammer in the hammer assembly 112 to slam hard enough with a greater force than required to detonate the mine. This action, shown by downward movement arrow 114 (FIG. 4), causes a mine to explode safely, without causing human injuries or vehicle damage.

(23) Within the detonator assembly 104, and the hammer assembly 112 in particular, a hammer 116 is a heavy object on a chain 118. Hammer 116 is secured at one end of chain 118 as a tethered end 120. At the other end of chain 118 is anchored end 122 securing the chain 118 within the hammer assembly 112 and more particularly box or shield 108. Support sling 124 mounts detonator assembly 104 on ram drive, articulated tractor 106. While chain 118 is preferred, any strong, flexible length of material; which can support the desired weight is operable as a replacement for chain 118.

(24) In the describing of FIG. 4, FIG. 5, FIG. 6, FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, the use of demining device 100 becomes clearer. FIG. 4 has a depiction of a cut-a-way view of lift cable 132 and its interaction with detonator assembly 104 by means of cable pulley 164 as routed by guide pulley 166 with commands from control cylinder 160. FIG. 5 features a profile view of demining device 100 advancing forward in increments of the box or shield depth 162 by means of each of its four drive cylinders 212, ultimately clearing a mine free path along the ground surface 110 of mines, by dropping the hammer assembly 112 on a next or adjoining ground surface 110, and repeating the motion until a desired area is substantially free of mines.

(25) Detonator assembly 104 is mounted on ram drive, articulated tractor 106. With the detonator assembly 104, the box or shield 108 thereof permits striking of the ground or surface 110 with the hammer assembly 112 framed by the box or shield 108. The striking provides a detonation as support sling 124 permits the hammer assembly 112 to reach and contact the ground or surface 110 as shown with downward movement arrow 114, thereby safely detonating any mines thereunder and creating dust cloud 134.

(26) Lift coupling 128 connects lift cable 132 to the detonator end 136 of cable 132 through support sling 124. Cable control cylinder end 140 permits lift or release travel bracket 144 to drop the detonator assembly 104 to the ground or surface 110, thereby causing detonation of any mines under the detonator assembly 104. The lift or release travel bracket 144 also raises the detonator assembly 104, so that it can be moved over or to the next ground or surface 110 desired to be cleared.

(27) Control shaft aperture 152 permits control shaft 156 in control cylinder 160 to activate cable 132 in order to move the detonator assembly 104 up or down as desired. Cable pulley 164 cooperates with guide pulley 166 as pulley bracket 168 supports cable pulley 164. The lift boom 172 supports the pulley bracket 168. The strut tower 184 supports the lift boom 172.

(28) The upper keel beam 176 supports the strut tower 184 and the lift or release travel bracket 144. As the lift or release travel bracket 144 moves along the upper keel beam 176, the detonator assembly 104 is raised or lowered as desired.

(29) The upper keel beam 176 rests on and may be secured to the front strut tower 184 and the rear strut tower 186. Each of the front strut tower 184 and the rear strut tower 186 supports a drive cylinder 212. The drive cylinder 212 on the front strut tower 184 is offset from the drive cylinder 212 on the rear strut tower 186 in the attachment to the respective wheel 256, which assists the power and movement of tractor 106. Then the ram drive, articulated tractor 106 can move the detonator assembly 104 into a possible mine area 264. Thus ram drive, articulated tractor 106 can move in the desired tractor direction 266.

(30) Preferably, the offset of front drive cylinder 212 relative rear drive cylinder 212 is about 70 degrees to about 100 degrees. More preferably, the offset of front drive cylinder 212 relative rear drive cylinder 212 is about 80 degrees to about 95 degrees. Most preferably, the offset of front drive cylinder 212 relative rear drive cylinder 212 is about 85 degrees to about 95 degrees.

(31) With the additional consideration of FIG. 7, FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, the use of first steering cylinder 252 for the detonator assembly 104 and the ram drive, articulated tractor 106 becomes clear. In FIG. 7, an overview of demining device 100 shows and its steering capabilities, with the use of two separate steering cylinders. First steering cylinder 252 and second steering cylinder 254 may be the same or different, but separate or joint use thereof permits great flexibility. The operator 350 (FIG. 14) is able to achieve several steering attitudes.

(32) For example it possible to direct ram drive, articulated tractor 106 as follows: steer from the front axle 270 with the back axle 272 remaining static; steer from the rear axle 272 with the front axle 270 remaining static; steer the rear axle 272 and the front axle 270 in opposite directions to shorten the turning radius; or steer the rear axle 272 and the front axle 270 in the same direction to steer in an oblique direction.

(33) In FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 ram drive, articulated tractor 106 for the demining device 100 has cable control cylinder end 140 cooperating with lift or release travel bracket 144. Supporting the cable pulley 164 is the pulley bracket 168. The pulley bracket 168 is secured on and supported by the lift boom 172. In the ram drive, articulated tractor 106, the upper keel beam 176 has secured thereto the control cylinder mount 180 to support the control cylinder 160. The control cylinder 160 operates the lift cable 132 with cable control cylinder end 140.

(34) The front strut tower 184 and the rear strut tower 186 each support an end of the upper keel beam 176, which is secured to a central portion thereof as part of a frame for the ram drive, articulated tractor 106. Each of the front strut tower 184 and the rear strut tower 186 is supported at each end thereof by the right riser 192 and the left riser 196 respectively.

(35) Also, on the top of each of the front strut tower 184 and the rear strut tower 186 is a hinge shaft cradle beam 204. Mounted within each hinge shaft cradle beam 204 is a hinge shaft 208. Secured to each end of each hinge shaft 208 is drive cylinder 212 through a cylinder hinge aperture 216. Cylinder shaft attachment 220 is a rod shaped member design to be received by cylinder actuating aperture 222. Cylinder shaft attachment 220 is mounted on a wheel crank bracket 224, which receives an end of axle shaft 248.

(36) One of the two axle mount collars 228 cooperates with the right wheel flange 232, while the second of the two axle mount collars 228 cooperates with the left wheel flange 236 to support axle shaft 248. Also as a part of the frame for the ram drive, articulated tractor 106 is the lower keel beam 200. The lower wheel mount 240 is attached to the lower keel beam 200 and supports the tubular front axle 270. Front axle 270 receives axle shaft 248 in the tubular portion thereof. Thus the axle shaft 248 has a wheel 256 at each end thereof. In order to be used in countries like Myanmar and Cambodia, wheel 256 may be made of wood and have a plurality of recycled tire segments 260 nailed, glued or otherwise secured thereto.

(37) Considering FIG. 7, FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 together, mounting bracket 244 on left wheel flange 236 and right wheel flange 232 supports each end of front axle 270. First steering cylinder 252 and second steering cylinder 254 cooperate with wheels 256 to permit turning of ram drive, articulated tractor 106. First steering cylinder 252 and second steering cylinder 254 are connected at one end to outer collar flange 258 on front axle 270, and at the other end to inner collar flange 262 on rear axle 272. Joint or separate activation of first steering cylinder 252 and second steering cylinder 254 permit turning of ram drive, articulated tractor 106.

(38) Front axle 270 and rear axle 272 have a similar structure. Each have a permitted turning of ram drive, articulated tractor 106. As above mentioned, a part of the frame for the ram drive, articulated tractor 106 is the lower keel beam 200. The lower wheel mount 240 is attached to the lower keel beam 200 and supports the tubular front axle 270. Rear axle 272 receives axle shaft 248 in the tubular portion thereof. Thus the axle shaft 248 has a wheel 256 at each end thereof. In fact, with front axle 270 and rear axle 272 having a wheel at each end thereof, there are four wheels 256 in use.

(39) Front axle 270 and rear axle 272, each with a wheel 256 on opposing ends thereof, have a ram drive set up with front drive cylinders 212 being about 90 degrees offset from rear drive cylinders.

(40) Switching to a discussion of FIG. 10, FIG. 11, FIG. 12, and FIG. 13, a steering pad assembly 300 permits effective steering of ram drive, articulated tractor 106. The steering pad assembly 300 has a tractor support pad 310 secured to an upper keel beam 176 of ram drive, articulated tractor 106. Oppositely disposed therefrom is the ground contact pad 324. Between the ground contact pad 324 and the tractor support pad 310 is a hydraulic lifting cylinder 314. Hydraulic lifting cylinder 314 has a tractor support rod 316 feeding into a hydraulic lifting cylinder 314. As a tractor support rod 316 extends, ram drive, articulated tractor 106 is lifted.

(41) Within tractor support pad 310 is a standard rotating mechanism secured to the hydraulic lifting cylinder 314 at the center thereof, which can rotate ram drive, articulated tractor 106 in a desired direction when ram drive, articulated tractor 106 is raised and lower the same when the turning is complete. Ram drive, articulated tractor 106 may then proceed in its desired direction.

(42) Such positioning flexibility permits ram drive, articulated tractor 106 to head in a desired direction. Such close quarters maneuverability permits effective use of the ram drive, articulated tractor 106 and the demining device 100 in a minefield.

(43) As can be seen in FIG. 10, lower keel beam 200 for this modification as therein an upper aperture 344 concentric with lower aperture 346. These concentric apertures receive hydraulic lifting cylinder 314, and support the same within the lower keel beam 200. Support rod 316 feeds into the hydraulic lifting cylinder 314 at one end thereof and receives ground plate 324 at the other end thereof.

(44) As support rod 316 is deployed, ground plate 324 contacts the ground and lifts tractor 106 as desired. Rotation of the hydraulic lifting cylinder 314 permits tractor 106 to head in a desired direction, when the support rod 316 is retracted into hydraulic lifting cylinder 314.

(45) Now considering FIG. 14, the demining device 100 has a supporting tractor 298 with the detonator assembly 104 attached thereto. Operator 350 uses the steering mechanism 302 to direct the supporting tractor 298 and the detonator assembly 104 to desired area. At that time the detonator assembly 104 may be dropped on an area of land in order for the hammer assembly 112 to explode any and all land mines which may be there. Supporting tractor 298 may be any suitable tractor. One type of supporting tractor 298 has a ram drive as above described, but without articulation. Ram drive, articulated tractor 106 is a preferred version of supporting tractor 298.

(46) The steering mechanism 302 may be of any suitable type. The mechanisms described in FIG. 7, FIG. 8, and FIG. 9; and FIG. 10, and FIG. 12 are preferred mechanisms. Such mechanisms can be used separately or together. However, other mechanisms are suitable. The key requirement for the steering mechanism 302 used with the ram drive, articulated tractor 106 (FIG. 1) or supporting tractor 298 (FIG. 14) is to efficiently position the detonator assembly 104 over an area, which may contain mines, and use the detonator assembly 104 to explode the mines with minimal damage to the equipment and no injury to the operator 350.

(47) Getting back to FIG. 14, a remote control 304 for the steering mechanism 302 or the supporting tractor 298 protects and permits the operator 350 to be even more isolated from the danger of mine explosion. Operator 350 can direct demining device 100, while staying an even safer distance from the minefield.

(48) Supporting tractor 298 can be any suitable tractor. A ram drive tractor is preferred. Of course, a more preferred tractor is the ram drive, articulated tractor 106. Supporting tractor 298 must handle the detonator assembly 104 and be efficiently steerable in a mine field. Also, supporting tractor 298 may be manufactured from materials at hand.

(49) This applicationtaken as a whole with the abstract, specification, claims, and drawingsprovides sufficient information for a person having ordinary skill in the art to practice the invention disclosed and claimed herein. Any measures necessary to practice this invention are well within the skill of a person having ordinary skill in this art after that person has made a careful study of this disclosure.

(50) Because of this disclosure and solely because of this disclosure, modification of this demining device can become clear to a person having ordinary skill in this particular art. Such modifications are clearly covered by this disclosure.